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THE LADY OF GALWAY MANOR
In 1920, Annabeth De Lacy's father is appointed landlord of Galway Parish in Ireland. Bored without all the trappings of the British Court, Annabeth convinces her father to arrange an apprenticeship for her with the Jennings family -- descendants of the creator of the famed Claddagh Ring.
Stephen Jennings longs to do anything other than run his family's jewelry shop. Having hand his heart broken, he no longer believes in love and is weary of peddling the OliesO the Claddah Ring promises.
Meanwhile, as the war for independence gains strength, many locals resent the De Lacys and decide to take things into their own hands to display their displeasure. As events take a dangerous turn for Annabeth and her family, she and Stephen begin to see that perhaps the "other side" isn't quite as barbaric and uncultured as they'd been led to believe -- and that the bonds of friendship, love, and loyalty are only made stronger when put through the refiner's fire.
Travel to the Emerald Isle for another poignant and romantic story from the enchanted pen of Jennifer Decibel.
My Review:
Oh my, but this story pushed all my buttons right from the very first page! I'm Irish born -- to a Protestant father whose ancestors date back to those English usurpers who governed Irish land and a Catholic mother whose ancestors were farmers and labourers. Let's just say there are tons of reasons why we immigrated to Canada. So many hard feelings constantly resurfacing even today. And Deibel does a fantastic job of capturing a part of Ireland's tumultuous past -- I was alternately seething and lamenting and shivering over ominous foreshadowing.
The author captures colonialism in all its pompous sense of superiority and brutality with infuriating accuracy. Anna's parents set my teeth on edge and kept me fuming. Thankfully our heroine has a kinder -- and curiouser -- nature and the ability to think for herself. Although she starts out believing the tripe her English upbringing has doled out to her, it isn't long before she comes to appreciate the wonder and beauty and richness of the Irish culture.
Loved watching Anna grow from pampered English miss who thinks she's honouring Stephen's humble shop with her presence to a woman of substance who can work along side him. They are both creative spirits with a heart for God but, for all practical purposes, are enemies. At least that's how Stephen sees this prissy upstart who threatens to destroy his future plans. Our hero is more than a tad bitter -- both about love and the English occupation of his country -- and with good reason. Learning his back story, watching him slowly realize that he holds his own kind of prejudice...well, it makes for an absorbing story.
Lots of character growth (and not just the hero and heroine), angsty forbidden love, action and danger, all set during a particular troubled time in Ireland's history makes The Lady of Galway Manor a compelling read. And the Claddagh ring tie in that threads through the entire story is sheer brilliance.
Goal Update: #5 Diversify my reading
GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:
This giveaway is for a paperback or ebook copy -- winner's choice.
If you would like a chance to win a copy of The Lady of Galway Manor, 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 April 23 2022. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck
