Mulligan Stew [Paperback]

Mulligan Stew is perfect title for this book!! Deb Stover gives us a little bit of everything in a stew that is seasoned to perfection. A little humour, a gentle woman that is not worn down by life, a castle in Ireland with a curse and a torrid romance!! Simply wonderful!!

Years Ago, Cully Mulligan visiting the US, sweeps Bridget off her feet. She fell desperately in love with him, they were quickly married, but then he vanished. For years, she presumed he had abandoned her - and the son he never knew he had, forcing her to work to support herself and their son. She had been living with her Grannie in Tennessee, but the book opens with sweet mix of sadness and humour over grannie dying - due to the dog General Lee. She thinks being stuck with General Lee is the worse of her problems, but she soon finds out grannie was a gambler and their trailor is about to be repossessed.

But suddenly fate steps in. She learns that Culley did not abandon her, but was kill in a car accident. Since they were just married there was no reference to her as next of kin so she was never notified. However, Culley's mum has learned that Culley was married and fathered and son and she wants Bridget and Culley's son Jacob to come home to Ireland. Not having any family, and no reason to stay in Tennessee, she takes her son to live with his father's family. Right off, Culley's mum and sister accept them with open arm, especially since Jacob is the image of Culley.

The one thing stops this new home from being a dream come true is Culley's brother, Riley. He thinks she is a lying fortune hunter, since he believes Culley never married her, that he would not marry when he had a childhood sweetheart waiting in Ireland for him. And he is determined to prove that she is nothing but a golddigger trying to steal the family's land.

However, his determination to hate her is instantly undermined when he recognises her as the woman in his dreams. Ever since he was 17, he had torrid dreams of himself and this woman he had never seen - but they are of anothe era and connected to the castle on the hill. The dreams had just about stopped, but come roaring back when he recognises Bridget as that woman. And now, Bridget is having the same dream!!!!

Toss in a gloomy Castle with a tragic lovers curses and you have a warm winning combination that you cannot resist. Her characters are strong, well drawn, and Stover give flashes of brilliant humour.

I just could not put this one down!!!!!