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| GIVEAWAY RANDOM RETRO READ DAY! |
SPRING'S PROMISE
1972. Every day in Belfast, Northern Ireland, holds risks, especially for the mayor's daughter. But Dr. Olivia O'Hare has a heart for people and chooses to work on the wrong side of the city where colours constantly clash. The orange and green of the Republicans pitted against the red and blue of those loyal to Britain. While they might share the common hue of white, it brings no peace.
Caught between the Republicans and Loyalists' conflict, blue-collar worker Ryann Doyle has to wonder if there's life before death. The answer seems to be a resounding, 'No'. His mother is dead, his father's a drunk, and his younger brother, Declan, is steeped in the Provisional IRA. Then he crosses paths with Olivia O'Hare.
After working four days straight, mopping up PIRA's latest act of terror, Olivia is exhausted. All she wants is to go home and rest. But when she drives away from Royal Victoria Hospital, rest is the last thing Olivia gets.
When Declan kidnaps the Lord Mayor of Belfast's daughter, Ryann has to find a way to rescue the dark-haired beauty, though ti means he must turn his back on his own flesh and blood for someone he just met.
My Review:
South African author Marion Ueckermann's name has come up often in various social media posts throughout the years. A highly acclaimed independently published Christian Fiction author with stories set in exotic locales all across the globe. Sadly, she passed away last summer but her stories live on and I have finally found my way into one.
I'm thrilled with the Irish setting of this historical romance set in the 1970s when the unrest in Northern Ireland was at a boiling point. (Interesting to note that the author lived in Ireland for a time, so writes from experience.)
This novella length story packs a punch for all its brevity. Olivia and Ryann meet early on and it's all shy smiles and cautious interest. But awkward too. Olivia is coming off a gruelling shift in the ER and Ryann's desperate for word of his rebellious brother who might have been a casualty in a recent IRA bombing. They are worlds apart in class and education -- a doctor and a shipyard worker. The daughter of the Lord Mayor and the son of a drunk. And yet there's definitely a spark...
And, I really don't want to say any more since the story progresses quite rapidly due to its shorter length. It's a tense page-turner filled with danger and angst and the desperate hope for a better future.
My first Marion Ueckermann novel, but it won't be my last. I have my eye on Poles Apart -- a Christmas romance set in Lapland! Eeep!!!
Goal Update: #1 Read more indie authors, #4 Read more new-to-me authors, #5 Diversify my reading
GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:
This giveaway is for a gently read paperback copy.
If you would like a chance to win a copy of Spring's Promise, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoread AT yahoo DOT ca. If you add your email to a comment, remember to use AT AND DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the Draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it's easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday May 7 2022. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck
I've read a number of Marion's books including Poles Apart which is a cute little novella. But my favorite work of hers is her series Seven Suiters for Seven Sisters. I really enjoyed the Blume sisters, Magnolia, Rose, Heather, Holly and Clover. I guess with Marion's passing we'll never get those last two stories. I had been waiting for them since the last one was 2016, even asked her about them online and she said they were coming.
ReplyDeleteI've still got some of her stories on my kindle and hope to read more of them. Their father Caleb, a landscape architect who named his daughters after flowers, story is Pushing up Daises which I need to read. Maybe I can catch a glimpse of the sisters there.
All that to say this, no need to enter me here as I have myself on book restriction once again until I catch up on more of the books languishing on my kindle, Marion's included. Those books have been giving me the side-eye and I'm feeling bad about it ;)
Oooh, I'll look up that Seven Sisters series -- hopefully they are available in paperback editions. Thanks for the recommendation, Tracey.
DeleteI'd say I'm impressed with your willpower to resist shiny new books but I'd be lying. I find it somewhat alarming and feel a need to check your temperature. lol
Haha Kav! I remember way back when you said you got nervous when you had too many books in your tbr pile. That describes me lately. I have at least 100 paperbacks and 700 of my 1300 kindle library are unread. I am trying to prioritize new releases each month then fill in with my backlist. So hard to do, maybe I do need my temperature checked, lol.
DeleteOkay, you have me hyperventilating now. lol I can't imagine having 700 unread books hanging around but I'd probably be there if I read ebooks. I can definitely see the lure. My TBR pile anxieties are triggered if I have more than a month's worth of reads -- and a lot of those are library books which have a time limit so that can add angst too...like I'm somehow a failure as a reader if I have to renew a book. Ha! But my holds tend to come in herds so I don't always get to them all by the due date. Plus I have the lure of audio books to tempt me. At least you know you'll never run out of reading material, Tracey!
DeleteSomeone recently recommended this author to me, I had never heard of her. My library does not carry her books, but I hope to read her someday. cilydav at hotmail dot com
ReplyDeleteMy library doesn't get any indie published Christian Fiction authors which is a real shame. Good luck, Cindy!
DeleteI think I've read at least one of Marion's books in a novella collection. Spring's Promise sounds really good, in a time and place I don't know much about.
ReplyDeletepmkellogg56[at]gmail[dot]com
I love traveling to new places and learning new things in my fiction. Good luck, Pam!
DeleteI haven’t heard of this author. Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome, Lucy. Good luck!
DeleteI have read a couple of her books and really enjoyed them. I was devastated when she passed away, especially after a number of us prayed for her recovery from Covid.
ReplyDeleteteamob4 (at) gmail (dot) com
Yes, so tragic. It gutted a lot of people -- authors and readers. Good luck, Trixi!
DeleteNever had the privilege of reading this author's books, but there of several of hers that I'd love to. "SPRING'S PROMISE" sounds like a great story. I love it when an author can pack a lot in fewer pages. It's a sign that they write from the heart and can evoke feelings in a brief period of time.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the chance to win a copy!
2clowns at arkansas dot net
Yes, writing a novella takes a special talent and Marion Ueckermann definitely delivered in this one. Good luck, Kay!
DeleteThanks for the giveaway!
ReplyDeleteladysnowangelphotos(at)gmail(dot)com
Good luck, LSA!
DeleteThat's one of the reasons I love to read. I get to travel to so many places without having to really go there and also not getting getting carsick. Lol ...This is a new author for me and I'd love to read one for her books someday. rrwalter34ATGMAILDOTcom
ReplyDeleteYes, armchair traveling is the best! Good luck, Becky!
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