Customer Reviews

Irish Lady

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

To put it quite simply, after reading four of Jeanette Baker's books in the last couple years, I am hooked. IRISH LADY was the first of several of her older books that I have read and it is as compelling, if not more so, that her current contemporaries. IRISH LADY, with a bit of the paranormal mixed in, is two stories in one. The first, a story set in the 20th C. amidst Northern Ireland's "Troubles" and the second set in 16th C.Ireland around the time of the "Flight of the Earls" but also dealing with the Irish political scene and the long fight with the British. There is plenty of romance in both stories as well and although there are painful scenes, the story is ultimately one of good triumphing and of love nearly conquering all. Those familiar with Irish History will enjoy seeing it come to life via Baker's words. Those unfamiliar will still be taken in by Baker's marvelous storytelling abilities. I can't recommend this book enough and know of no better proof of this than to say I am glad I already have the rest of her books and am now reading her book NELL (winner of the 2000 Rita for best paranormal romance).

After reading IRISH LADY in one sitting, I sat down and read it again. This beautifully crafted work is much too special to be thought of as simply another romance novel. This story of Meghann, who escapes from her Belfast past to become a successful London attorney, and Michael, a former IRA soldier is both intense and ethereal. Both Meghann and Michael must come to terms with the past while securing their future together. Through the wisdom of Nuala O'Donnell, a 16th c. ancestor, Meghann reconciles herself to her heritage, her convictions, and her heart.

If you are unfamiliar with Irish nationalism, one read of this book will well acquaint you with it. You'll finally understand what Bono was saying when U2 recorded "Sunday, Bloody Sunday". Though Ms. Baker does take liberties with the history of the 16th c. (which she admits in her notes), her insight into modern Irish nationalist politics is right on target.

IRISH LADY is a truly wonderful book with realistic and vivid characters, a smart plot, and crisp writing. This is a keeper.

This is, I believe, my third novel by Ms. Baker and I was not disappointed. Irish political history aside I found the story (stories I should say) to be un-put-downable. Meghann is a lawyer who has worked her way out of the slums of Belfast and thought she was far away from her beginnings until a love from her past comes back needing her help. Michael walked all over her heart and she thought she left him behind too - but love doesn't work like that, does it?

Only by researching her past can Meghann fix her future and in that process she finds her history is more tied to him that she knows. I love a bit of a time travel novel and while not quite that the book does fit in that an ancestor of Meghann's was married to an ancestor of Michael's and found themselves in similar straights during the time of Elizabeth I. Reliving the trials will help Meghann in her time.

The writing is lush and draws you into time and place whether that time be the 20th century or the 16th century. It was, as I said very hard to put down and I read it over the course of a Saturday/Sunday. If I wasn't falling asleep at my nook I would have finished in in one sitting. The love story is magical - in both centuries - and the characters compelling.

Once I started reading Irish Lady, I had a hard time putting the book down. It's been a busy week, but I still managed to sneak the book open on odd minutes here and there and probably stayed up too late a couple of nights to read it. It was a riveting story. A blurb on the front cover from one of my favorite authors, Diana Gabaldon, says "Wonderful . . . it grips from the first page to the very last." I would have to agree.

It's 1994 and Meghann McCarthy has come as far as she can from her poor Irish Catholic roots. After her family was killed during riots in Northern Ireland when she was a child, she vowed to make a life for herself somewhere where she wouldn't have to worry about death constantly knocking at her door. A smart student, she first attended Queens College in Belfast and then went on the Oxford. After graduation, she promptly got a job at a prestigious firm and just as promptly, married the much older senior partner, David Sutton. Now the widowed Lady Sutton, Meghann is known as a top-notch lawyer. She thought she has left the past behind her, until she gets a call from Annie, the woman that raised her. Annie's son Michael, Meghann's first and true love, has been arrested for the assassination of a politician that was critical to the peace process in Northern Ireland. As Meghann takes on the case, she soon discovers that the stakes and danger are high as someone does not want Michael to get off the murder charge.

As she delves into the case, Meghann also has a mysterious woman that helps her during times of trouble. Through the help of this mystery woman, Meghann "time slips" back and sees the past of her distant ancestors. Nuala O'Neill knows that she wants to marry Rory O'Donnell who is pledged to her sister. After making her father see that her sister wants to be a nun, Nuala is allowed to marry Rory. They have a great passion for each other, but they live in troubled times. Queen Elizabeth of England wants to possess Ireland and rid it of its troublesome lords. Together and apart, Nuala and Rory have to stand strong to try to save their beloved Ireland. When the two face personal turmoil will they cling to each other or find their own life apart?

I loved both the story set in the nineties as well as the story set four-hundred years earlier in the 1590s. The 1990s story held more intrigue, but the 1590s story was more passionate. I really wanted to know how both story lines would resolve. Many time travel or time slip novels with parallel story lines suffer from one story being stronger than the other. Irish Lady did not suffer from this dilemma and had two very strong storylines.

I thought the 1990s story was very intriguing as I don't know much about the IRA and troubles in North America. I remember it being in the news when I was a teenager, but this book really brought the issues to light for me. It also showed how this is a conflict with roots that go back hundreds of years. I love to read historical fiction novels about Queen Elizabeth, but this put her in an entirely new light. A vain and selfish woman, Elizabeth will do anything to expand her territories and to maintain the image of being a young and beautiful woman.

Overall Irish Lady is a wonderful Irish tale with intrigue, romance, historical fiction, ghosts, time slips, mystery, and grand passion. In other words, it is a riveting story. I highly recommend it.

Book Source: Review Copy from Sourcebooks. Thank-you!

This review was originally published on my blog, Laura's Reviews.

IRISH LADY by Jeanette Baker is an exciting historical romance set in 16th and 20th century Ireland. It is the story of Meghann McCarthy ,born in the slums Ireland,in Belfast and moved to New York and Michael Devlin,an Irish charmer and an ex-IRA soldier. It has a twist of paranormal mixed with rich political Irish history. "Irish Lady" has strong characters,an interesting plot,danger,political danger,a bit of romance,and heritage. If you enjoy historical writing with paranormal twists,Ireland,the IRA,political intrigue,danger you will enjoy "Irish Lady". A great read for any historical readers,history buffs,Ireland history readers,romance readers or just looking for an interesting fast paced story. Received for an honest review from the publisher. Details can be found at Sourcebooks Casablanca,a division of Sourcebooks,Inc. and My Book Addiction Reviews.

RATING: 4

Ok, I'm an Irish Protestant, so I'm not real keen on the propaganda displayed in this book. Anyone who has studied history knows that the British army was sent to Northern Ireland to protect the Catholic minortiy from the Protestent majority there. But the Catholics didn't accept the protection just the provocation to further rebel. And as a rebellion it was a bloody non-military anarchist affair. The IRA is a terrorist organization, should be treated as such. As terrorists they aren't prisoners of war but criminals. I would think true Christians would balk at supporting such an organization and their methods.

For the premise of the book, sure the IRA isn't responsible for all political murders. And so we should sympathize with Michael. But I can't. He is a member of a terrorist group. And the first scene describing his love for Meghann was terrible. I cringed at the lovelessness of the scene. And that has been indicative of the shallowness of the rest of the story. I really feel Meghann is better off forgetting Belfast and moving on. As 20th century woman, she is extremely weak.

Now as an Irish Protestant, I'm no supporter of the Paisely (sp) crowd. Being against one form of terrorism doesn't mean you support the other. I'm reminded what happened to the "Father" of the Irish Republic. If you don't know, you won't find out from propaganda like this swill. The Father of the Irish Republic was murdered by dissident IRA radicals who objected to leaving the north under British rule. Compromising wasn't in their lexicon.

As a background to romance, it is drivel.

Sorry, but this is like reading Doctor Zhivago but with the red commies being painted as the good guys . . . really do we view them or the IRA that way. I don't.

Flawlessly blended paranormal aspects and gripping Irish politics make for an exciting romance. The adventure taking place in the 1990's is the perfect complement to the emotional parallel story happening centuries before.

Interesting characters make up this story, from the brave and devoted heroine, Meghann, to Michael, a heart-breakingly tragic Irish hero. The chemistry between them is great.

Queen Elizabeth the First interacts with the adventurous, damaged characters in the sixteenth century story. It's fascinating reading their interaction. Values of the past and present-day values sometime compare strongly, but otherwise, they can clash. Could things that were acceptable or at least tolerated centuries ago, and no longer are, happen anyway now? And if so, could the offending parties get away with it? This book explores treachery.

As the book switches back and forth between the two stories, tension is kept up, so readers are not likely to be disappointed. Both stories hold great appeal. This is a paranormal (due to the ghost character visiting the lead in the nineteen nineties), historical, and modern-day book, but it is also somewhat of a thriller in a sense. The modern characters are in great danger, and the clock is ticking.

The setting is vivid, and the history takes a reader along on a wild ride. Ireland comes vibrantly to life in the mind of a reader. Different themes come into play such as love, freedom, fidelity, friendship, and so much more, mixed together with an exciting plot.

Love and life are the prizes. The alternative is unthinkable. Not everyone
in this story will have a happy ending, but those who do will be inspiring. Readers who are fans of these genres will probably love this book. I know I did.

Originally posted at The Long and Short Romance Reviews

Meghann McCarthy was orphaned in 1968 during riots in Belfast, and was taken in and raised by the Devlin family. Meghann had always loved Michael Devlin (and boy, did he love her), but she didn't love his sympathies with the Irish Republican Army. Meghann got herself out of Belfast, obtained a law degree and a job in a prestigious London firm, and eventually married one of the older partners. Now widowed and at the height of her career, she receives a call from her foster-mother Annie Devlin - Michael has been accused of collaborating with the IRA and murdering a candidate for public office. It looks like he's on the fast track for a conviction without much of a trial, but Meghann just might have the legal clout to do a few things about that - or can she? And what about those long-buried feelings the two have for each other? And what of these dreams and visitations Meghann is having from Nuala O'Donnell? Can Meghann reconnect with her Irish heritage by reliving Nuala's history in 16C Ireland?

Sorry, but you will just have to read it for yourself to find out. I really enjoyed this a lot, and while I did find the 16C history interesting (had never heard of the Flight of the Earls), I was more interested in the 1994 storyline and the political situation in Belfast (not a pleasant one). There are some disturbing things that happen in both the past and the present story, as well as the...ahem...heated feelings between the Catholics, the Protestants and the British government, and might not appeal to those looking for a lighter read. Thumbs up to the author note's at the end letting us know what really happened, who was real, etc. There is also a glossary of sorts at the end for those not familiar with the slang of Northern Ireland. It would have been helpful to have known about while I was reading instead of finding it at the end...

Review copy obtained via Net Galley, and another big thumbs up to Sourcebooks for finding these older books and breathing new life into them. Could you please consider Zemindar by Valerie Fitzgerald? Pretty please?

Unable to cope with the violence of West Belfast, Meghan McCarthy left to attend school in order to become a barrister. To accomplish her goal, she had to leave behind the man she loved, IRA member Michael Devlin, who felt the same way about her. Meghan becomes famous as a successful London attorney and even marries a renowned Englishman, who has since died.

No longer an IRA member, but currently an Sinn Fein leader, Michael is arrested for the murder of James Killingsworth, the man expected to be the next British Prime Minister. Listening to the plea of Michael's mother, Meghan agrees to defend him even though it seems that Michael has been set up to take the fall. Meghan and Michael soon realize that they still love each other, but can they overcome their past and an unknown enemy to explore a future together?

The renowned, award winning romance writer, Jeanette Baker, demonstrates why she is one of the best contemporary romance writers of the nineties with this poignant novel. Though a bit biased, IRISH LADY is a brilliantly designed mixing of a contemporary romance with a historical romance that cleverly compares the Northern Ireland problem of the late sixteenth century with the modern era.

Harriet Klausner

AS lover of anything Irish, and a recent visitor to Northern Ireland, I couldn't help but find myself back there again, seeing it thru the eyes of the characters of this book. The author has done a wonderful job of making the recent & far past history of this very historical part of the world come alive, and combining it with a very touching love story. thanks for the good read!