KINGDOM OF SHADOWS

Clare Royland, unhappily married to a man on the verge of bankruptcy, retreats into dreams of her twelfth- century ancestor, Isobel. But when her husband tries to trick her into selling Duncairn, Isobel’s home and Clare’s inheritance, Clare realizes she must fight to save both herself and Isobel. With her Scottish brogue and easy cadences, Leslie Mackie is an ideal choice for narrator. She portrays both sides of Clare--the lost, unhappy self and the lively, courageous woman she finds within herself--with warmth and just a touch of naïveté. Her portrayal of Paul, Clare’s husband, is outstanding--harsh, intolerant, deceitful, and willing to use and destroy anyone who gets in his way. Mackie builds the rise and fall of the plot, and successfully creates an emotional reading for any romance lover. W.L.S. © AudioFile 2003, Portland, Maine [Published: APR/MAY 03]