New Review: Christine Dorsey’s THE REBEL – Irish Hero Takes on the Role of “Robin Hood”

This is book 2 in Dorsey’s trilogy that features three heroes, a Scot, an Irishman and an Englishman, who cross paths on Drummossie Moor at the battle of Culloden in Scotland in 1746 when the Scots experienced the defeat that would forever scar their homeland.

Set in Ireland in 1747, THE REBEL tells of Captain Padraic (Paddy) Rafferty, aka Lord Dunlanoe, an Irish patriot masquerading as a fop so he can act the Robin Hood at night. From the deck of his ship, the Rebel’s Pride, he fights the English. Then he comes home to his castle in Ireland to become the Rebel by night and Lord Dunlanoe by day.

On his last homecoming, Padraic discovers that his father, who he’d left a fortnight ago, is dead and has left behind a widow, Lilianne Rafferty, of whom Padraic knew nothing. Lily, who is 4 years Padraic’s junior, poses a problem for him in maintaining his disguise for when he learns her father is Robert, Lord Tinsley, he cannot allow her to return home.

Lily has a unique healing gift that makes many people shy from her and others seek her out. She claims no mystical powers, just a God-given ability that sometimes works and sometimes does not. Padraic, who suffers from a leg wound received at Culloden, doubts she can heal anyone and will not let her touch his leg. But a neighboring lord, who hates the Rebel, would have her as his wife for her money and her healing power.

The book is well written and the characters well developed. Paddy is a charmer. The story becomes more exciting as it progresses, though perhaps it did not quite achieve the excitement that her first in the trilogy did. Still, I recommend it and the three in the series. They are all related.

The trilogy:

THE RENEGADE (first published as THE RENEGADE AND THE ROSE)
THE REBEL
THE ROGUE