Brides O' the Emerald Isle [Paperback]

If you have not had the pleasure of reading a historical christian romance before you are in for a treat. This book takes place in Ireland in the present time of now. Moyra, lives and works in Ireland. She is involved with tourism and advertising. Jack comes to Ireland to write an article for a travel magazine. But right from the start he intends to write a negative article so he can save his job. Moyra has to show Jack around, she immediately doesn't like him and knows he could take away her job and livelihood, as well as a lot of other townspeople, with his article. She grows to dislike him even more when he challenges there sacred "Pledging stone" which means any promise made there has never been broken. Well on film Jack promised to love Moyra over the pledging stone. She was furious with him! Does the pledging stone work? Does Moyra and Jack fall in love?

Through the story there are flashbacks into the past. Which is great if you like history, like me! (1850, 1350, and 500) Jack and Moyra learn all about Moyra's family trhough three more fabulous romances! I couldn't put this book down. I recommend it for anybody who wants to read about Ireland, Faith, and Love. It was such a great and inspirational read.

This is a fun collection of stories-within-a-story, all centering around the fictional Irish town of Ballymara and its romantic local legend, spanning several generations from 500 AD, when Christianity first found the Irish people, to the present.

To be honest, I am not a huge fan of novellas and was most interested in this set because of Linda Windsor, a favorite Christian historical novelist. The three other stories, however, provided a wonderful surprise: well-written, engaging characters and the charm that makes me love nearly anything Irish. By the time I finished reading this volume--straight through, I might add, putting real life on hold as one should with a good book--I felt I'd truly visited the Emerald Isle myself, in four different time periods.

A Legend of Love: Linda Windsor

Ballymara, Present Day: Moyra Rose O'Cullen has her work cut out for her when a cynical American journalist arrives in Ballymara, Ireland, determined to debunk the legend of the pledging stone. Ballymara's tourism depends on the romance of the local legend, and Moyra meets this threatening challenge by digging deep into the past to uncover the roots of the legend. Not only does she have to prove the legend is authentic, but Moyra finds herself praying that the pledging stone can work its magic one more time-for her.

A Legend of Peace: Vickie McDonough

Ballymara, 1895: Jilted and hurt by an American cowboy, Keely O'Cullen has her defenses up when yet another one comes into her life. Touring Ireland as part of a Wild West sow, Nick Dalton is injured when Keely's carelessness causes his horse to throw him. He ends up in her home being cared for by Keely's doctor father. Keely tries to keep her walls up, but Nick is just as determined to tear them down.

A Legend of Mercy: Pamela Griffin

Ballymara, 1359: Breanda and orphaned Ardghal have loved each other since they were children when the injured Ardghal was taken into Ballymara castle. Yet English law may prevent them marrying because Breanda is Anglo, and Ardghal is pure Gaelic-an association forbidden by the Statutes of Killkenny. Then, Breanda is kidnapped and all evidence points to Ardghal and his clan. To rescue her could result in capture and death for him.

A Legend of Light: Tamela Hancock Murray

Ballymara, AD 500: Conn, a Christian, has arrived in the glen to find rest and quiet. Instead, he discovers he's landed in the midst of a druid society and ends up teaching them the word of God and about Jesus, and becomes known as the Holy Man. Word of the healing of one of their clan women piques the curiosity of Sorcha and she goes to hear him speak. Conn is very handsome and Sorcha is captivated. She determines to have him for her own, even if she has to resort to trapping him through lies and pretense to force a union between them.

This Barbour four-in-one is a bit different. We start out in contemporary Ireland with the O'Cullen clan and start the journey into the past to discover the roots of the legend of the pledging stone. Instead of starting at the earliest time, we go backwards each time. At the end of each period, we come back to today and learn more of how Moyra and her American journalist are faring.

This is fun reading, a unique blend of "now" and "then" that will keep you turning the pages to learn how the pledging stone influences each of the O'Cullens as their story unfolds. Get your copy now.

Peggy Phifer ©2005