An armchair visit to Ireland with a sweet story
922970
Oh Danny Boy is a book full of emotion and very well written. J. Riviera takes us to Ireland and creates quite a believable setting with her descriptions and voice. I visited Ireland two years ago and enjoyed this armchair trip again. I could hear the Irish locals in their own towns. The story is sweet and touching, with Clara trying to save her brother and keep a family life. Danny is a great hero, strong and tender, who will sweep you off your feet. A recommended read.
3431251
Christopher Koch, one of Australia's greatest living novelists, makes no apologies for his unabashed love of Ireland's past.

From the traditional music, to Dublin's grimy streets of the 1950s, to the poor, western counties, Koch remembers his first trip to Ireland and then revels in the dark, smoke infested pubs of 1990s Ireland on his return. Koch doesn't seem overly impressed about the Celtic Tiger (that was only going to last a few more years anyway), much preferring the company of crusty banjo players and Gaelic singing oldies in pubs that haven't changed for a hundred years.

Koch is a masterful researcher, and tells of his great-great grandmother's journey as a convict to Tasmania in vivid detail. This leads into his week as a young man is wet, poor Dublin.

Kock isn't a particularly humorous writer, and there's always a hint of melancholy in his world views, but this is a terrific narrative of modern Ireland and the slow disappearing world of Irish folk.
4899136
Nice story I enjoyed ..nice story to read about Ireland since I am flying the r tomorrow.love the Irish  and their charming pubs
428085
Research librarian Nan Galvin discovers a box of letters in her mother's things and learns the woman had corresponded with a person called Corey. Since losing both her parents, she has an overwhelming desire to learn more about her mother and so she embarks on a ten-day visit to the County Cork village where her mother stayed twenty-seven years earlier.

Arriving at Shannon, she's met by Riley Quinn, a songwriter, helper in the family pub and the owner of the cottage where she's going to stay. It's instant attraction for both of them, but Nan isn't about to let a flirtation with a drop-dead gorgeous Irishman get in the way of her mission of discovery. And Riley has no plans to settle down and isn't about to fall for an American who'll soon be gone. Or will he?

This latest Quinn adventure by Kate Hoffman combines delightful characterization with stunning Irish scenery and enough hot sex to steam your glasses. It's obvious Ms. Hoffman also loves Ireland and has traveled there or read some pretty thorough travel books. I run an Irish travel website and have visited County Cork numerous times and felt the realism, right down to the Guinness and Clancy Brothers songs.

The Mighty Quinns: Riley is well written and a delight to read. I will be looking forward to Ms. Hoffman's next Quinn story.
4720983
Brought to you by OBS Reviewer Jeanie

How exciting to be in Edinburgh, Scotland again, visiting Delaney in her new home across the pond! One of the armchair travels I enjoyed the most in 2016 began when Delaney read the ad for The Cracked Spine bookstore, left her Kansas home for a new adventure in Scotland. Paige Shelton has done beautifully at introducing her readers to the beauty of the land, the quaint architecture, and the uniquely welcoming folks.

The owner of The Cracked Spine, Edwin MacAlister, and his staff Hamlet and Rosie are like family to Delaney now, as are Elias and his wife Aggie, her landlords. Edwin sounds like the ideal boss in every way, especially as he trusts Delaney more and more to research and assist with the unique books and antiquities. At least until she began to learn the bits and pieces of some of Edwins secrets from several decades earlier.

Delaney, with the companionship and taxi of Elias, her landlord, went to a castle to pick up a vintage, collectible comic book from the son of an old friend who would be dressed as William Wallace, the character from Scottish history that he reenacted. The castle was not a popular destination in the way that many others were, and they didn't see anyone at all, much less who she was to meet. When she did finally meet the man they were to see, she found him, dead, on a stairway. On her way to the parking lot to head off visitors, Delaney found the heavy, 2-year annual edition of Oor Wullie and took it for Edwin.

Discovering how the young man died, why, and at whose hand leads Delaney through neighboring towns and countryside. Some people she met were friends or acquaintances of the young man and some who are life-long friends or acquaintances of Edwin. In the case of the young man, he was the son of a friend who died in a fire two years earlier. It is a sweeping investigation as Edwin grieves the young man and past events, unable to be of help to Delaney. Past and present meet across social classes and various walks of life. The more she learns, the more pieces there are of a puzzle in which someone has kept the picture on the lid hidden from sight.

It is interesting to me to learn more about Scotland and her history. For one, I was unaware of the deep reverence that many Scots feel for their land and its history; it is hard to fathom living in a country whose history goes back many, many centuries. I was also surprised to learn that there was typically little snowfall in Edinburgh. The author brings history to life through Delaney, for example when she ponders what it was like to live in the stark differences the castles of 13th century Scotland.

What Delaney calls her bookish voices are also fascinating, especially when she allows them to help her determine the correct course of action. I wonder if those voices are more helpful or less helpful to her as she works in such an intriguing bookstore and historic land. I enjoy seeing Delaneys research of various items and situations. It is amazing to me, who had a much more liberal reading structure in high school, that this young woman is not only so well-read, but also has an excellent memory of the books, plays, and poetry. Delaneys loyalty to Edwin, her co-workers, and friends is exemplary, and it is delightful to see her and Tom get to know each other better.

There are many plot twists, at least one or two resulting in red herrings and some with solid, helpful leads. I love the complexity of the mystery and depth of the primary characters. The pace is steady overall, interspersed with action-packed scenes until a certain point in which the action escalates to non-stop. I was very surprised to find out who the real bad guy/ gal was, which is the way I like mysteries. The ending is very satisfactory and I am already looking forward to the next visit to Scotland. I highly recommend this to cozy mystery lovers with an appreciation for Scotland, bookstores, and incredibly well-written stories.
3069477
This is not the Ireland I know and love, but Fodor's is probably good for the more typical American tourist, especially on a well-funded, short-term, do-it-all sort of trip. I lived there for several months on two occasions, staying on working farms and in independent hostels, with the occasional B&B thrown in for more comfortable lodging--not like the typical American tourist. The Fodor's Guide does not list hostels, and mentions few B&B's (an Irish specialty), but covers high-end hotels and tourist-y choices such as castles made over as "authentic, atmospheric" lodging. Tourist-centric restaurants featuring the "New Irish Cuisine" abound, but there's really nothing better in Ireland than a good pub meal (fresh salmon or savory stew, warm bread, and these days, a good salad). If you're young or just adventuresome, and you want to hike, explore the country slowly, on your own (on foot or bicycle), play music, write poetry, read Yeats and Joyce, and especially if you wish to get to know the Irish and your fellow-travelers from all over the world, I'd recommend the "Lonely Planet" guidebook instead of this one, and at least one stay in a hostel to prepare and eat a Tower of Babel-like communal meal with people from Holland to South Africa. Fodor's pays little attention to destinations that are off the beaten track, such as the gorgeous, wild-weathered, Irish-speaking Aran Islands (which may be a good thing, as they cannot support much tourism). It's emphasis is on the Top Ten Things To Do In Ireland (by rental car), and if that's your thing, or you want to play a game of golf on an emerald-green green, you'll do well with this book in your suitcase. If you're interested in a unique experience and tend not to carry a suitcase, this book will not give you much help.

That being said, the guidebook has a handy detachable map, a good overview of Dublin, snippets of comments by guidebook users from the Fodor's website, and a decent section on Irish culture and mores. The photos are acceptable, but not in any way remarkable, which is a shame because Ireland's villages are wildly colorful and its landscape breathtaking. Layers of history lie upon the land; ruins date from 2500 B.C., such as the fort Dun Angus on Inishmore, through early castles and churches bombed by Cromwell in the 17th century. Ancient standing stones rise from the middle of sheep pastures, which you'll have to walk through if you want to uncover the Ogham writing scratched upon many of them; Goddess circles, with their ancient holly and oak trees, are still maintained in places like remote Cong and An Burren, and women still make offerings to ensure fertility at sacred springs. To discover these things for yourself you'll have to strike out on your own, and I just realized I have no business trying to review this guidebook (which has been well-covered by others here), so I'll stop now, and just say this: There's really no way for any book to cover all of what makes Ireland such an extraordinary place, so thumb through a handful of them, make a few key decisions, then throw them all out and just go, preferably in a good pair of hiking shoes, with a minimum of stuff on your back, and give yourself up to the experience.
4274385
I felt immersed in the Irish and Indian cultures as we travelled with the characters. A story that isn't just about plot, but reflects life as it is too.
868999
The bood was entertaining and some of the descriptions were so vivid that I really want to take my next trip to Ireland.
3500859
Pack your bags and join sisters Chloe and Mia for a two-week trip to Thailand. Just don't expect to share their ride to the airport: Mias luggage has claimed all available space in the too-small car she hired. And don't count on Mia and her friends to spend time with you. They know where the great parties are, but theyll leave you and Chloe behind. Youll be in good hands, though. Kirsty McManus is a wonderful tour guide. Her writing brings to life the sights, sounds, and smells of Bangkok.

Chloe needs this vacation more than she realizes. Devoted to caring for everyone else's needs back home, she finds her own happinessand a handsome Scottish perfumerwhile navigating through a holiday filled with set-backs and minor traumas. McManus introduces us to many unique characters throughout the novel. I especially liked Chloes friend Rosie. For readers who love a sweet romance sprinkled with humor, I highly recommend Perfume Therapy.
3349710
This was such a sweet story! I loved the characters. Caroline was such a good, kind person and I wish I were more like her. I also loved her friend Fiona. I liked the way they supported and loved each other. I also really enjoyed seeing their interactions with the two little boys in the story. Niall was a master storyteller. I loved reading the Irish tales he told. They added a unique aspect to the story.

This book is part of the Power of the Matchmaker series, so Miss Pearl was also in the story. In this book, her presence is very brief. Niall meets a mysterious, exotic stranger who tells him where he will find love. This was quite a different approach than weve seen from Miss Pearl before. I liked the way the story ended as Niall had to decide what to do about the mysterious strangers prophesy.

The book contains a lot of Irish names, in large part due to the stories Niall tells. There is a pronunciation guide at the beginning of the book, which was appreciated. But I had to go back to it often, so I finally gave up and just pronounced them in my head the way they looked. :)

This is the first full-length novel Ive read by Heidi Ashworth. It really made me want to read more of her work!

I was given a free copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
4481239
Originally published as THE IRISH GYPSY, this is the story of Kitty Rooney, born to Irish peasants but gifted with a glib tongue, an ability to weave tales and an understanding of people. Set in the Victorian era, it begins in Ireland where Kittys grandfather and brother eek out a living on the estate of the OReillys. When famine hits, the OReillys, at the urging of their business-wise son, Patrick, move their tenants to Lancashire, England where they have three mills.

The first time Kitty encounters Patrick, she is attracted to him, and he to her. Each has a plan for the other, Patrick to make Kitty his mistress, Kitty to become Patricks wife. But Patrick is a man of means and Kitty is a poor gypsy who is put to work as a maid in the OReillys home in Lancashire when Patricks father realizes what a beauty she is.

Henley is a great storyteller so you are never bored. Shocked, perhaps, but not bored. Our modern sensibilities may find it have to believe that landed Irish gentry in Ireland would take advantage of a beautiful peasant girl, but it should not be surprising. Im sure it happened all the time.

The book is well-written, fast paced and takes you from one tangle to another as Kittys story reminded me of the perils of Pauline. In the beginning, she is told that she will have three husbands, so you know whats coming. Patrick wants Kitty and she wants him, but he is always off on some business venture that leaves Kitty without protection, particularly of the noble kind. But she does meet some wonderfully interesting characters on the way back to Patricks arms.

I recommend it for those who like the unusual.
3659046
I bought this book while on holidays in Ireland. And started reading on the flight back to Germany. It was the shortest and most enjoyable flight ever, because the story took me into another world.
The handsome (too handsome) singer Patrick takes the bait offered by a worried father and leaves his beloved fianc Rose behind in a small town in the West of Ireland. The narrowmindedness of the 1950's is well described, in Ireland as well as in New York. This is Patrick's destination. He has to do all Kinds of mean jobs until Sheila, a real power-woman, starts to manage him. By then Patrick is married to Ava, daughter of an Irish philanthropist. Ava and Sheila are very well portrayed. So are many of the supporting characters. The atmosphere of the time, the city and the working and living conditions are also well painted by Kate Kerrigan.
When Rose discovers the scheming of her father, she crosses the Atlantic and tries to find Patrick in New York. Things accelerate from here on, but I won't spoil the reading fun. Just so much: I thought the end was surprising.
Of all the protagonists, I liked Ava best, but this is because I don't trust extremely beautiful people, and Patrick as well as Rose are overwhelmingly beautiful ;)
Conclusion: If you like music (you learn a lot about the business in the 50's) and always wanted to know how a singer becomes a star, like well plotted romance and well described Settings I recommend "It was Only Ever You".
4154393
The author tells the story of the losses and struggles of a group of guests at a small hotel on the west coast of Ireland. The characters are the first guests spending a week at the new hotel.
The stories of the guests lives span several decades. The story of the village and its families are woven into the transformation of one of the estate homes into a unique country getaway.
Each of the guests comes to the hotel after experiencing a loss, crisis, or a time to reflect on who they are and what to do in the future.  The staff of the hotel, who have also experienced loss, are able to provide an environment for each guest to come to terms with who they are and their future.
The author provides  detailed descriptions of the beauty of this coastal area of Ireland. It was particularly interesting to learn of this area of the country in a present day context.
4430832
I enjoyed this trip to Ireland with Conner and his colorful tour group. I love a happy ending, so this story worked well for me. It was the light read I was looking for just now.
3994150
Liz Johnson's charming story makes me want to pack for a visit to PEI and The Red Door Inn. Her characters and their initial vulnerabilities are gently drawn together by circumstances causing them to trust more in God and one another. A very enjoyable read with a sweet ending.
4576845
Frank Delaney weaves a tale about Ireland that is part adventure, with Irish folklore and references, and part history, with tales of Irish settlers, monks, warriors, kings and other explorers. Delaney's forte is clearly being able to give a rich descriptive tale of Irish adventurers.

The story's principle characters are Ronan and the Storyteller. When Ronan is a young boy of nine, a Storyteller comes to his home and for three nights tells the family a story. Ronan becomes captivated by these tales to the point where he believes that this is his calling, and he seems to link fate with the storyteller's arrival. However, after three days, the storyteller is exiled from the home, and thus Ronan begins his quest in not only trying to find the storyteller, but follow the same direction in his own life. As the storyteller says, "a story is the most important thing a man has." Ronan embraces this idea in his quest of searching for him, developing his own ideals, and following in the storyteller's footsteps.

While Delaney has a deep knowledge about Irish history, and details this thoroughly, this book at times became cumbersome to plod through because many of the tales, while descriptive, seemed to lack clear direction in making a point. I found myself many times wanting to look ahead because the book seemed to take on too much of a historical tone, or seem to be bogged down with minute facts. Also, many of the stories seemed to be repetitive, with the same kind of hero or the same kind of war.

Another annoyance was that the book tried to be both, novel and history, and had a hard time pulling off both. We have this sort of soap opera with many secrets being revealed in Ronan's family. Delaney seemed to try too hard to make the readers love the storyteller and, at times, it becomes a bit tiresome. Also, Ronan comes across a bit too much as an egocentric spoiled brat only concerned with himself. I think if Delaney would have just focused on the tales rather than trying to make all the subplots work with Ronan and his aunt and mother, then the book would have flowed better.

Don't get me wrong. It was a fun read at times, and I actually loved some of the tradition that it explores in storytelling. However, I guess I didn't fall in love with this book like other readers did. Still, it's probably better than average.

3  stars
2211591
A really sweet read with well rounded, funny characters. I know people like this. The bumps and emotions the characters experience are believable. I really enjoyed the trip abroad and the realistic a beautifully written descriptions.

As an animal lover and rescuer, whose mom has a crazy, yet lovable, rescue dog, I love the colorful animals in the book.

I also really enjoyed the interactions with Tara's family and coworkers. So many books you read aren't well rounded in the backdrop, while maintaining a nice pace. This book is not one of those. Seven Steps truly delivers a world to immerse yourself in. Also it appeared to be fairly well edited, making for a much easier read than many other low prices or free books.