Customer Reviews

Maire (The Fires of Gleannmara Series #1)

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During the fifth century, the Celtic invaders came from Ireland to raid the Welsh village. Rowan of Emrys is surprised to learn that the raiders come from Gleannmara, his birthplace before being sold into slavery as a child. Rowan persuades his opponent's leader Queen Maire to leave his Christian villagers alone in exchange for tribute and his serving as her hostage.

The Druid priest Brude sees Rowan as someone good for the Irish. He marries Rowan and Maire more out of fear that his evil peer, Morlach, will do something heinous to the Queen and the people. As Maire begins to understand Rowan's courage and belief in the One God, she falls in love with her spouse. However, she wonders if his faith is strong enough to deal with the malevolent Morlach?

MAIRE, the first book in the "Fires of Gleannmara" series is an exciting work of historical fiction that brings to life the Celtic heritage mindful of the great Beowulf. The current story line is exciting and fast-paced, while centering on the conflict between Christianity and Druidism. The lead couple is a charming duo and the support cast fills the Dark Ages with light. Readers will want to read this tale even as they impatiently await the sixth century (RIONA) and seventh century (DEIRDRE) novels.

Harriet Klausner

Under conviction of God, I gave up "secular romance" novels a few years ago. But I really missed the stories set during the Viking to mideval time period, since most Christian novelists don't write about those times. Maire (pronounced MOY-rah) was such a wonderful surprise, weaving the story of the ancient Celts in with the spread of the Gospel to the Emerald Isle. Linda Windsor's attention to detail, knowledge of the historical era, and wonderful description brought the characters and the time period to life. I highly recommend this to anyone who enjoys historical romance.

Wonderful tale of the religion of the "One True God" and its early development in Ireland. As I read this book I found myself longing to be a part of the faithful people of Erin when Christianity was taking hold of its people. These people were so devout in their religion, it made me realize how much we have back slided with Christianity.

Maire is engaging. She is an empowered woman seeking what is best for her people even if it means marrying a Christian hostage from another land. Witness the sparks of faith in Maire and the people of Gleannmara as she falls in love with Rowan and his God. You will not be able to put it down.

I can not wait to read the next book in the series.

Awesome! Who can swashbuckling warrior queen and her tortured warrior-turned-priest hostage husband all flung against the backdrop of Scotland's isle? Not me. I fell for this couple instantly. She's my kind of girl--stuck halfway between her breastplate and her role as a bride. Instead of a broom for her part of the hearth and home at the wedding, eighteen-year-old upstart Maire, whose been training for her role as queen for the last nine years with two foster brothers, throws down her sword on top of her husbands.

The spiritual thread here is well woven and very authentic, describing the often overlooked struggles and questions of God's character and how He relates to us. I know Mrs. Windsor is writing more contemporaries now, but she definitely hit her groove on this one. This was an awesome read.

[This review, by Sinead Fox, originally appeared on www.IrishSide.com.]

More contemporary Christian than Irish, more romance novel than historical novel, Linda Windsor's new book, Maire, may face a challenge in finding an audience. I fear that this work, the first in a series entitled "The Fires of Gleannmara," will be marketed to those having an interest in Irish culture or history, and this audience may not receive it warmly. The novel begins with "A forward, as 'twere, from Erin's heart . . ."

"Gleannmara. Ah, the sound of it warms me to me earthly core. 'Tis one of me favorite spots, nestled as it is between me mist-shrouded Wicklows and the Irish Sea. The Romans, you see, once dubbed me island Scotia and me people Scots, which is why some of me children took that name to Scotland later on...."

It goes on like this, as "the Emerald Isle of Ireland-Erin, for short" gives the reader a brief history of Ireland's people from the very beginning to the rise of Christianity.

The novel then begins the story of Rowan of Emerys, a Romanized Welshman with a past, and Maire, a Celtic warrior-queen with a future. They meet on the field of battle, then fall into a marriage of convenience that blossoms into a love match. He is a mature, battle-hardened soldier who now longs for life of Christian spirituality, she is a fiery pagan beauty desperate to prove herself capable of saving her people from the druid Morlach. The contrasts between the two--Rowan's age, strength, wisdom versus Maire's youth, vulnerability, and inexperience--is the stuff of countless romance stories. Windsor's novel, however, is set apart from other romance novels by two things: its unsparing Irishness and its unapologetically Christian orientation.

I say unsparingly Irish, because Windsor lays on the begosh and begorrah a bit thick at times. The language, from the forward to the bibliography, is a torrent of dialect and colorful metaphor that may charm anyone who doesn't actually know any Irish people, but will probably make anyone who does uncomfortable. The book includes a glossary for the Irish words and phrases used in the story (and there are plenty), and a bibliography of sources. Yet for the effort that Windsor makes to demonstrate her scholarship, her knowledge comes off as wide but not deep--more like an expository Discovery Channel documentary than a meticulously authentic James Michener novel.

I say unapologetically Christian, because Christian themes are thoroughly woven into the fabric of the novel. The hero dreams of turning his life over to God, the heroine struggles to understand her husband's strange religion, and a number of important characters are either introduced as Christians or convert to Christianity by the end of the story. Rowan and Maire do not give in to their passions before their marriage is blessed by a priest, and Rowan demonstrates a boundless capacity to forgive. I was surprised to find that, for as heavy-handed as Windsor's treatment of Irish language is, her evangelism is more refined: It is warm, joyful and doesn't give into sappiness or preachiness.

Though I personally like my romance novels smuttier, my historical novels more sweeping, and my Irish writing less colorful, I was warmed by Linda Windsor's likable characters and cheerful devotion to Christian principles. I confess that if it weren't my job to read Maire, I probably wouldn't have picked it up. Having read it, though, I'm glad I did.

[Copyright 2000 The Irish Side. All rights reserved.]

I think that most women will really relate to this book because most of us feel like warrior queens inside, to some degree. Especially in today's world, most women are able to get tough and become successful in the world of men. However, we are told that we are the same as men and we feel uncomfortable with our femininity. Many of us do not feel desirable and we look at our attraction to men as a weakness that will get us into trouble. That's why I found this book so compelling. I could really relate to Maire's story. I also think that men will find the story interesting because of the rich Irish history and the swordplay. They also will be able to relate to the masculine Rowan, who is also a man of God who shows mercy and forgiveness to his enemies and gentle care towards women. I would like to find a man like that someday. I am sure that they are still around today. They're probally the type of men who would read this book!

So often historical novels, particularly Christian historical romance novels, center the action amongst the males, while the females stay home protected and demure. Not so Maire. She is in the thick of the action from the beginning, and Windsor portrays Irish women as they truly were... strong, almost fierce at times in protecting their homeland and their families. Irish women made excellent warriors, and yet were able to maintain enough femininity to charm suitors and captors alike. Thank you, Linda Windsor, for allowing Christian women to identify with strong, courageous women struggling to do what's right while maintaining their principles whatever the cost. You have provided role models for young women of today in your characters like Maire, Riona and Deirdre. Please continue the stories. My growing nieces and I am enjoying the Fires of Gleanmarra series.

This Irish Coleen dwelled in the desciptions of her ancestors land, learning much about the Emerald Isle's history and religion from this rapid action,romantic fiction novel. The spirit of Ireland is portrayed captivatingly through the strength of the warrior queen, defending her home, and the captive groom defending his faith. A good cool weather fireside read to warm ye bones.

Linda Windsor spins a richly woven tale adorned with finely crafted details. Her charismatic charactes deal with flaws that require the balm of God's grace and His redeeming discipline in their battle of wills with the Almighty. Linda Windsor accomplishes the knack of exposing the pull of sensual impulses and God's spiritual power to overcome. Conflicting passions and holy anger entice the reader into the setting of the bawdy, bloody days of the seventh century Saxons and into adventure worlds rife with danger, holy journeys, and the brandishing of many kinds of swords.

I was very surprised at this book by Linda Windsor because i think she should write more like this one! Right from the beginning it held my interest with the exciting story of Maire, queen of Glennmarra and Rowan ap emerys who is taken hostage. In the beginning of the story Maire and Rowan fight against each other in a duel. Rowan- who believes in God, doesnt want to kill her, so he lets her win. In that he becomes her hostage and her husband. With time the people of Glennmara learn to respect Rowan and his God as he and Maire fight to overcome the evil that is plagueing the land. Also, if you like this book read "Legend of the Emerald Rose" by Linda Wichman. All through the book i couldn't help but think of how these too books were so much alike!