Irish Gypsy (Paperback)

Eamon Riodan was angry his horse was stole, and rightly so. When tracks down the gypsy that stole it, he finds she had red-hair. Instead of denying she stole his animal, she admits it, the promptly picks up a rock and beans him.

Seven years later their path clash...this time she has been hired to teach his young nephew. He is sure she got the position through guile, because what was a gypsy doing as a governess? Well, this time she is out to steal his heart.

A wonderful end to the trilogy and solid work from Seymour

Maura was raised in her father's gypsy camp never really knowing her Gajo (Irish, non-gypsy) mother. But when her father dies and the malevolent Pietro takes over, she knows she must flee. In her desperation to escape Pietro's unwanted attentions, she steals a horse from a nobleman, hitting him on the head with a rock to ensure her escape. Seven years later, she comes across a familiar-looking man tied to a tree by his rambunctious nephews. Amused, she unties him but soon recognizes the man whose horse she stole years before! She abruptly and quickly walks away before he can recognize and stop her.

Eamon Riordan belatedly recognizes her as well, but this was not the scrawny teen he remembers, but a beautiful young woman with wild red hair and incredible blue eyes! With no hope of finding her again, he departs to visit relatives in the north. In his absence, Maura finds herself hired as tutor to Cormac and Claire Riordan's three high spirited children not knowing that this is Eamon's family. But when Eamon returns, she fears her days are numbered - especially when he discovers that this "teacher" cannot even read! Because the children adore her (and maybe for other reasons as well!) he keeps her secrets from his brother and offers to help her teach the children. While he knows that she cannot read and that she stole his horse, he does not know of her gypsy past and Maura plans to keep it that way, rightly or wrongly. Maura and Eamon fall for one another, but her gypsy past intrudes and upheaval follows. Will Maura trust Eamon with ALL of the truths about her past and will their love survive it?

Loved this story, Eamon and Maura, and the whole Riordan clan. Ms Seymour creates warm and likable characters you enjoy spending time with. My only complaint is with Maura's lack of trust in Eamon, who had surely proven himself one of the most understanding and kind men ever born!

A recommended read.

Eamon does remember who she is, but does not hold it against her. Maura quickly makes a place in the family for herself, becoming beloved to them and able to fake her job, until Eamon catches her in her lie. However, he does not reveal the secret, instead taking the time to teach her to read himself. As time passes, there is only one thing that can happen, and the two become lovers.

Yet, the blissful joy that they should have, is shattered when Maura's gypsy past intrudes, and one of her relatives makes it appear she is a thief. Her name is cleared when the gold is found, but now it appears she is a killer. Can Eamon stand by her, and is there a place in the English world?

***** Eamon is the most understanding of heroes, forgiving easily, while Maura is a heroine that certainly needs it, so often does she need it. Trust is hard for her, but love is easy. Their romance, though heated once consumated, is sweet. Eamon's clan is charming, and an Irish setting always beautiful to see. This entry in the series lives up to all the others. *****

Reviewed by Amanda Killgore.