This was my first by this author but I
would definitely read another historical of hers if she writes one (so far this is the only one).
It begins in Killarney, Ireland in 1872
when poor Irish tenant Maeve O'Connor and her father, Rory, can’t meet their
rent payment. She goes to their English landlord, Lord August Grayson (name
should be August, Lord Grayson, I do believe) to ask for an extension of time.
Despite
their different stations, August and Maeve played together as children, but one
day all that was shattered when August’s English father belittled her and
August went along with it. Now, years later, August’s father is dead and August
has returned to Ireland. He agrees to grant Maeve the time she needs to pay the
rent, even forgives the rent, if she will give him time alone to do with her as
he wills. Ahem.
August set up their “arrangement” fully
expecting the chaste Maeve to end it before it goes “too far”. He hopes she
does so he can claim the mineral rights to the land on which her cottage sits.
But Maeve doesn’t seek to get out of the arrangement. And, as it continues, both
grow deeper in their affection and sexual attraction for each other.
There are many twists and turns in this
story and some history of what transpired in the late 19th century
in Ireland. I must say this story pulled me in even though I did not like the quick and numerous
changes in point of view, the jumping around from 1866 to 1872 (and back again)
and the location changes from Ireland to England to Boston. It was like a tennis match at times. Still, I could not stop reading.
I loved the chemistry between August
(who was half Irish himself) and Maeve. And she was a very brave, smart girl,
except possibly when it came to August’s seduction.
The negatives here were (1) the
hero’s failure to be honest with Maeve about something really significant, (2) killing of the man who was possibly
the most honorable of all the characters, and (3) one part of the ending, which has August in a role I thought out of character for him given his education and wealth, but oh
well.
Still, it’s a page turner and a very moving love story.
Still, it’s a page turner and a very moving love story.
Buy on Amazon.
Thanks for the recommendation. I just bought the audio from Audible where from the sample,Maxine Lennon does a brilliant job with the narration. Of course England has a very troubled history with the Irish but it sounds as though the history here focusses more on the personal circumstances of the main characters rather than political turmoil ... good thing for a romance I think!
ReplyDeleteI would say it features both, Quantum.
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