Customer Reviews

Irish Rebel

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4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(1)
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Almost 20 years ago, Nora Roberts wrote her first romance book called Irish Thoroughbred. This book told the story of Dee Cunnane, recently arrived from Ireland, and Travis Grant the owner of a large horse farm in Maryland. Continuing the story in Irish Rose, published a few years later, readers were introduced to Dee's cousin, Rose, also from Ireland, who finds herself falling in love with the owner of another horse ranch in the United States. Since that time, Ms. Roberts has become a most beloved romance author continung to dominate the field with her trilogies, romantic suspense, category offerings and even futuristic mysteries written under the name JD Robb.

Now Ms. Roberts returns to Maryland's green fields and horse country in her latest book, Irish Rebel, where we meet Dee and Travis's oldest daughter, Keeley. Keeley Grant is very much like her Irish born mother, headstrong and determined to succeed in all that she tries with little time for romantic interests. But she more than meets her match in Brian Donnelly who has journeyed from Ireland to work as a horse trainer for the Grants. Sparks fly almost immediately and the before the reader knows it, they are once again furiously turning the pages to see what happens next.

Although I have read many of Nora Roberts's titles, she never fails to interest me as she weaves a wonderful tale and this book is no exception. I do hope she will continue writing about the Grants and their children, but if not it's been a pleasure to spend time with them again.

In "Irish Rebel" we get a long-overdue follow-up to the Grant family of Royal Meadows Farm, first visited in Nora's first book "Irish Thoroughbred" in 1981, then followed up in 1988 by "Irish Rose". This new novel tells the story of Keeley Grant, the daughter of the heroine of Irish Thoroughbred. A daughter brought up in privelege, Keeley has found her own calling, and that is in the operation of a riding academy for the "haves" and "have-nots" alike. Brian Donnelley is an Irish horse-trainer who comes to Royal Meadows to take over the training of Keeley's father's stable. Inevitably sparks fly between Brian and Keeley and Brian is able to melt Keeley's "ice princess" facade.

The title is a bit misleading because although Brian has some definite commitment and "settling down" issues, Keeley is clearly the focus of this book and in a way she's a rebel in her own right. This book also shows how far Nora Roberts' writing has come since 1981 (read all 3 books in progression, and you'll see what I mean!). This book has all the style elements of some of her best works, and is just a very nice, enjoyable, low-stress read.

It was so nice to read Irish Rebel. I got to revisit some old friends from Ms. Roberts first book Irish Thoroughbred and see how they are getting along as an "old married" couple. Dee and Travis Grant are doing great and still as in love as they were in Irish Thoroughbred. Now they have a family and their oldest daughter Keeley Grant is as kind hearted and horse crazy as her parents. Enters Brian Donnelly fresh off the boat from Ireland, a horse trainer with the magic and patience to train champions. He wins Keeley's heart and soon discovers there's a lot more in life than training horses. What a great read. If you haven't already read Irish Thoroughbred, please do. You won't be disappointed. You'll get to read how the Grant family started and where Keeley learned her values and love of horses.

In this spinoff to Irish Thoroughbred, Nora Roberts goes back to where it all began, only this time the roles are gender flipped. Brian Donnelly, a gifted horse trainer, is hired on at Royal Meadows to succeed Paddy Cunnane who has put in a good word for our hero much as he did for his niece years ago. Keeley Grant is the eldest daughter of Travis Grant and Adelia Cunnane.

Half believing her reputation for being cold, Keeley is somewhat surprised to find herself sparring with, and attracted to, the Irishman. Brian, in turn, is shocked when he finds himself falling fast, not to mention inappropriately, in love with his boss's daughter.

Roberts does a pretty good job of developing Brian and Keeley's story and I was not disappointed overall. While I really found much to admire in Keeley, it took substantially longer to warm up to Brian for the exact same reason Keeley states during one of their initial confrontations. He's a "snob." But as he struggled with his feelings for Keeley, I found myself understanding a bit more about his insecurities when it came the difference in their class status and upbringing.

Roberts revisits original characters from her Irish books without detracting from Brian and Keeley's story. She also does a great job of illustrating the closeness of the Grant family. This is especially noticeable when Keeley needs support which, as Brian points out, isn't very often given her need to be admirably self-sufficient.

Having read Nora Roberts' first book written in 1981, Irish Thoroughbred, this book was fun because it featured the daughter of the couple in that first book. Keely, daughter of Adelia and Travis Grant, is every bit as independent and feisty as her Irish mother and as strongly committed to her values and honor as her father. Brian Donnelly is brought to America from Ireland by Travis Grant to take over the job of horse trainer on his ranch. Brian and Keely lock horns immediately. Brian thinks she is a spoiled princess when actually Keely is a hard worker who has her own business teaching rich and poor children how to ride. Keely thinks Brian has a chip on his shoulder. Brian eventually discovers what Keely does and how she helps children and also mistreated horses and offers to help her.

The book is entertaining, enjoyable and relaxing to read. Especially if you've read the first novel. In addition to reading Irish Rebel, I'd suggest getting Nora Roberts Irish Hearts, which contains the first novel, Irish Thoroughbred and the second novel, Irish Rose all three are great books you're sure to enjoy.

"Irish Rebel" is another fabulous book by Nora Roberts. I always love Nora's series because we get to revisit old friends. In this case we are reunited with Travis and Dee from "Irish Thoroughbred", Nora's first book. This story, however, is about Travis and Adelia's daughter, Keeley Grant. "Irish Rebel" is full of fun and romance and it keeps the reader's full attention from beginning to end.
Keeley's parents, Travis and Dee, the owners of the renowned racing stable "Royal Meadows" have just hired a new horse trainer, Brian Donnelly. Brian has come all the way from Ireland to work for the Grants because he has a remarkable gift for training champions.
When Brian first arrives, he believes that Keeley is a spoiled princess who has never had to work for anything, but he couldn't be more wrong. Keeley is a strong-willed and compassionate woman who teaches under-privileged and abused children to ride.
Brian and Keeley grate on each other's nerves, but they can't deny the powerful attraction they share. Keeley has never had much time for men in her life, and has never found a man who could hold her attention, but with Brian she seems to have met her match.
As Brian discovers more and more about who Keeley really is, he finds himself falling in love with her. Now this Irish rebel, who has spent his life moving from one place to another, wonders if it's finally time to stop running and put down some roots. Will love triumph and keep Brian at Keeley's side?
You'll just have to read the book to find out!
"Irish Rebel" is a truly entertaining and enjoyable read. The romance between Keeley and Brian is fresh and passionate, and all of the characters are richly portrayed and very likeable. This is a wonderful and well-written romance and I guarantee that you will love it like I did. You will get more out of "Irish Rebel" if you have read "Irish Hearts", which contains the two previous books in this series, but it can easily stand alone. So sit back, relax, and enjoy this fantastic book!
I hope that Nora Roberts will write the stories of Travis and Dee's other children very soon.

In "Irish Rebel" you are reintroduced to an old familar family:The Grants and as with everything things get better with age. We see the five Grant children all grown up and a very prosperous Royal meadows horse farm. This story is about the eldest daughter Keeley Grant, a fiery, headstrong and, independent red head who heads her very own horse riding class for children of various class.Her cool facade is thrown for a loop when Brian Donnelly, an Irish Drifter, and gifted when it comes to horse senses, is hired as a horse trainer. There is instant attraction but with Keeley's prestigous title as daughter of wealth He knows she is way out of his league. Things are even more thrown for a loop when Keeley Seduces Brian making him her lover. Keeley is a fun read because not many romances have a strong female lead as the seducer.still has the same formula as other romances,but with the grants you feel like they are old friends who you like to visit and catch up on ever now and then.a recommended read for sure.

As a follow-on to Irish Thoroughbred (two of the trilogy in one book), it was especially nice to revisit old friends. Travis and Dee, our beauty's parents, fell in love in the first story, and now we see how their parenting has paid off. Their oldest daughter, Keeley, is a sweet, intelligent, ambitious young woman who has yet to find her equal in a man. Her horse sense combines with a determination to do some good things with her riding school, and she is strong-willed in her direction.

Keeley's father, Travis, hires a trainer fresh from Ireland, a man who is as strong-willed and connected to horses as Keeley. He is the Irish Rebel, one who not only finds his equal in Keeley, but a man who intrigues her and piques her interest. His ability to train champions with patience and understanding brings him recognition and reward, Keeley's heart among his prizes.

The visuals in this story are strong. You'll think a movie is running in your head. And if you haven't read Irish Thoroughbred, it's a keeper just like this one. Enjoy!

Having just finished Irish Hearts and jumping straight into Irish Rebel I am a bit sad. I'm very upset to be leaving the Grant family! I absolutely fell in love with the whole gang of them! Irish Rebel continues with Keeley, the oldest daughter of Dee and Travis, and with Brian, a horse trainer Travis hires on. Keeley is a strong minded woman with a horsing business of her own. Although they both realize they have come to love each other, Brian doesn't feel is right to be with Keeley, since he is the hired hand. Keeley has to try to make Brian see that she loves him regardless of what he is. Irish Rebel was a great sequel to Irish Hearts. We got to visit Dee, Travis, Paddy, Erin, and Burke from the first novel, and see the children that are now grown up. It just breaks my heart that I'm finished with the series! Maybe Nora could finish with the rest of the family, that would be great!

When I thought Irish Hearts couldn't be better, I read Irish Rebel, the third book in the series, and get swept away all over again. All the love you feel in this novel is outstanding and heart-melting.

This book starts later in the Grant familys life. Travis and Eves children are all grown up, either going away to college or following their own dreams of horses and such. Brian Donnelly has never held a job for more than three years, and has no need or want to own anything that he can't throw in a bag or can't be disposed of when he goes. But Brian Donnelly has never met a family like the Grants either. When Brian meets the Grant family instintly sparks flew when the eldest daughter the "Ice Princess" Keeley Grant, walks into the room. Brian knowing the risk he would be taking if he were ot pursue the Princess of The Royal Meadows, thinks Keeley is out of his league and pretends to except it, but the sparks were just the begining waiting for the flame to take.

This is a must read! And if you haven't done so already, you should really read Irish Hearts, the 2 in 1 part series of the Grant family from the begining. This series of novels are warm, loving romances, and very well paced... Don't let these slip past you !