Nigel Tranter’s COLUMBA – The Tender Story of a Great Man of God

Born an Irish prince in the troubled sixth century, when Christianity vied with pagan beliefs for the people’s hearts, Colum mac Felim, or Columba or Colmcille, as he was sometimes known, rejected the high kingship of all Ireland to become an abbot. When his role in a fierce battle led to victory at the expense of men’s lives, he gave up all to go north to the Hebrides where on the Isle of Iona he founded an abbey and monastery and sent missionaries out to all of Alba to win people to Christ.

 

He won the hearts of monarchs as well as common people. His anointing of kings joined the church to the governing authority. Iona is, to this day, a place of pilgrimage where the abbey built by the Macdonalds after Columba’s time, still stands.

 

As with Tranter’s other stories, he gives great attention to detail, drawing on his knowledge of Scotland and its people. It is a story wonderfully told, rich in historical characters. You will fall in love with Columba, the man, the abbot and the saint. He was greatly beloved in his time and should be in ours.

 

Penelope Williamson’s ONCE IN A BLUE MOON – Heart-rending Story of a Truly Great Love!

If you've read Keeper of the Dream, you're already a fan of Penelope Williamson. Once in a Blue Moon, which was her next book is equally wonderful—and it’s one of my Top 20. It's the story of unrequited love that refuses to die no matter the tests it must endure. And nobody does unrequited love like Williamson.

 

The story was inspired by the love of Williamson’s grandparents who were kept apart for 6 years, but then came together to love for another 65 years. Here’s what she had to say about them (get out the Kleenex):

 

“It was in 1902 that Elizabeth and Peter first met and fell in love. But Elizabeth’s father forbade the match for six long years, until Peter could prove himself good enough for his daughter. Together at last, they had nine children and sixty-five wonderful years as husband and wife. They died in their nineties, within two years of each other, as much in love as they had always been. A love that wouldn’t give up…”

 

The story of ONCE IN A BLUE MOON begins in 1815 when Jessalyn Letty is 16—a wild flame-haired girl raised by her grandmother on the Cornish highlands above the sea, a young woman of character with a brave heart that never varies throughout the story. I loved her for that.

 

While Jessalyn is still a tall gawky teenager, she meets McCady Trelawny, then in his early 20s, and the youngest brother of the infamous Trelawny noblemen, known for living lives of debauchery and dying young and in debt. McCady was wounded while becoming a war hero defeating Napoleon at the Battle of Waterloo. He returns home to Cornwall with a vision for a steam locomotive that can carry passengers, but he’s too poor to invest much in the idea. His cousin, Clarence, who could be his illegitimate half-brother, joins McCady in the venture, but stands in McCady's shadow, determined to one day gain great wealth that will bring him the status he craves and the woman he wants—Jessalyn.

 

But once Jessalyn meets McCady, her heart is lost forever to the handsome dark-haired rogue. And McCady wants Jessalyn but he is too poor to have her and too honorable to take what he knows she would give. Jessalyn’s love will be tested by years of separation and so much more as the story transitions into the early Victorian era.

This is a compelling, well-told tale with many twists and turns, all woven in with great characters and details set against the vivid beauty of Cornwall. You will feel like you're living it. You will laugh at Jessalyn’s 16-year-old antics, and you will cry as you endure her years of loving and losing McCady.

 

You simply must read this one. Trust me, you won't be disappointed! It’s a keeper and a classic.

Jan Cox Speas’ BRIDE OF THE MACHUGH – A Highland Classic and an Absorbing Love Story from 17th Century Scotland! A Keeper!

A bestseller when it was first published in 1954, it has been available only used in paperback or online as a download from places like Open Library. The edition I read was published in 1978, available used. It’s worth obtaining a copy, trust me. If I could give this novel more than 5 stars, I would. It’s a keeper and so well written it would be a good model for authors today. There are no graphic love scenes per se, the sexual tension is there and much romance to satisfy the historical romance lover. The writing is simply beautiful.

Set in the Scottish Highlands in 1614, this is the story of Elspeth Lamond, a beautiful young woman, the product of a handfast marriage twenty years earlier between her Campbell mother and Lamond father, both Scots. Raised in England, she is also a favorite at Queen Anne’s court. Her uncle, the powerful Archibald Campbell, Earl of Argyll, has plans to marry her off to a rich, titled man. But to fulfill a promise to her dying mother, Elspeth leaves London for the western coast of Scotland to Inverary, the home of the Campbells, her mother’s clan. On the way, she is abducted by the MacHughs and held at Rathmor castle where she was born, the lair of her father, Robert Lamond, and his ally, Sir Alexander MacHugh, Chief of Clan MacHugh—the feared “Black MacHugh.”

From the very beginning, Alex is attracted to the strong willed Elspeth—a perfect match for him. He wants her as “his lass,” but does not speak of his love nor offer her marriage. Elspeth is exasperated by the arrogant Scottish chieftain who kisses her whenever he likes. But along the way, she discovers she likes the Scots and the wilds of the Highlands—and she likes the MacHugh.

As her father tells her of the qualities that make Alex stand out as a leader, respected by all, he says, “…Scotland is a quarrelsome place at times, my dear Elspeth, and a man must look sharp to keep his head intact upon his shoulders.”

Schemes and treacheries abound in this well told tale, not only from Elspeth’s uncle, but from Alex’s mistress, the beautiful Kate who would force him to wed her by any means.

 

Alex takes a stand with the MacDonalds in their battle for independence in the Isles against the Campbells, who are fighting as King James’s cats paw. The characters are compelling, the action suspenseful and the anxiety as to whether Elspeth will end up with the MacHugh will have you turning pages late into the night.

 

I liked Alex and Elspeth so much they are ensconced on my Favorite Heroes & Heroines list and the novel is on my Top 20 list.

 

 

 

Evelyn Anthony’s CLANDARA – Enthralling Story of Star-crossed Love Amidst the Jacobite Uprising of 1745

 

Set in 1745, in the time of feuds between the clans and the Scottish support for Bonnie Prince Charlie, this is the story of Katherine Fraser who falls in love with the eldest son of her family’s enemy—the MacDonalds. James MacDonald had a horrible reputation of cattle stealing, killing and debauchery when he met the lovely, flame-haired Katherine Fraser. For love of her, he changed. Neither family wanted the marriage but agreed to a betrothal when they could see the pair was determined.

 

Then came Charles Stuart and the call to arms all over Scotland. Having lost all in the earlier rising in 1715, Katherine’s family declined to go. Their enemies, the MacDonalds, were in the forefront of the clans supporting the prince. In one horrible act, James tears asunder the love that bound him to Katherine and sealed forever the enmity between his clan and hers.

 

This is a poignant love story very well told. Anthony vividly portrays the emotions of the Scots at the time of the Jacobite Uprising of 1745 and her description of the English slaughter of the Scots on Culloden Moor was brilliant and detailed. She shows you why King George’s son the Duke of Cumberland earned his title “Butcher.” By the time you get to the battle, you are so invested in the characters and the clans, your heart is racing.

 

The romance is an unusual one as James and Katherine are separated for much of the story, yet ever in each other’s mind. I loved them both but Katherine really shined as a woman trying to do the right thing under dismal circumstances. The ending is a bit like jumping off a cliff and I found I wanted more of the two of them.

 

If you like well-researched, detailed history in your historical romance, and you can’t get enough of Scotland’s past, then you will love this one. Highly recommended.

 

Kathleen Givens’ THE WILD ROSE OF KILGANNON – A Wonderful, Exciting Story of Clan Kilgannon, a keeper!

 

April is Classics month when I dive into my Keeper shelf and dust off those I intend to re-read. This is certainly one of those. I love how Givens writes. I just get lost in her tales and her characters. I have two tests for a 5 star romance: (1) can I put it down? and (2) will I read it again? This book passes both tests. For those considering buying it, make sure you also buy Kilgannon first. The two books form two parts to one story--and you will want both.

 

This novel tells of Mary Lowell, an English aristocrat, and the Highland chief Alex MacGannon, who claims her as his bride. I loved Mary...what a heroine! She is independent and smart and does what she thinks is right no matter the cost. When news comes of the capture of her beloved Alex, Mary vows to rescue him. As a defiant Alex is tried in London as a traitor, though all he did was to give his life to save his men, Mary unleashes her own campaign on London society to win justice for him. I loved Alex, Lord Kilgannon, too. He is all Scot, all man, very romantic, and loves his woman fiercely. He fights with the best of them, leads men well and keeps his humor no matter the peril.

 

You might want to read these two books first: On A Highland Shore and Rivals for the Crown. They involve the same family/clan but are set generations earlier (13th century). It helped having the earlier story to understand where Clan Kilgannon came from, though it is not essential to enjoying The Wild Rose of Kilgannon, which is based in the 1700s.

 

Here’s the description of book 1, Kilgannon:

 

Alex MacGannon, Earl of Kilgannon, strode into the ballroom and commanded her heart. They called him a barbarian, a rough-hewn Scot—chieftain of Clan MacGannon. They said no woman could hold him, as he set sail on the high seas. But Alex returned to claim Mary Lowell as his own, to carry her off to Scotland to his magnificent ancestral castle, Kilgannon.

 

I have all of Kathleen Givens’ books. All are set in Scotland (except for the scenes in London). She is simply the best...a standard for all others.

 

Best Irish Historical Romances

 

I first developed this list for a friend of Irish descent who loves Irish historical romances. Since then, I have updated this list each year as I have come to love stories that feature Ireland and/or Irish heroes and heroines. The books on this list cover all time periods. Some transcend typical historical romance as they bring to life heartrending tales of the Irish fight for freedom from English tyranny and/or the wonderful Irish people who survived much hardship to help make great their adoptive countries.

If you’re looking for stories of the Emerald Isle or handsome Irish hunks, or worthy Irish heroines, you will find them here. All these have been rated 4 or 5 stars by me:

 

·      A Love by Any Measure by Killian McRae

·      Beyond the Cliffs of Kerry by Amanda Hughes

·      Black Falcon’s Lady by Kimberly Cates (originally released as Nightwylde by Kimberleigh Caitlin)

·      Black Sword by Kathryn Le Veque

·      Briar’s Rose by Kimberly Cates

·      Bride of the Baja by Jane Toombs (original author name Jocelyn Wilde)

·      Broken Vows by Shirl Henke

·      Brotherly Love by Lorna Peel

·      Carnal Gift by Pamela Clare

·      Countess of Scandal, Duchess Of Sin and Lady of Seduction, the Daughters of Erin trilogy by Laurel McKee

·      Crown Of Mist by Kimberly Cates

·      Dark of the Moon by Karen Robards

·      Dark Torment by Karen Robards

·      Dream Lover by Virginia Henley

·      Embrace and Conquer by Jennifer Blake

·      Emerald Ecstasy by Emma Merritt

·      Emerald Prince by Brit Darby

·      Enticed by Virginia Henley (first published as The Irish Gypsy)

·      Eyes of the Seer by Ashley York

·      Forbidden Love by Karen Robards

·      Forbidden Passion by Theresa Scott

·      Golden Surrender, The Viking’s Woman and Lord of the Wolves, the Viking/Irish trilogy by Heather Graham

·      Gracelin O’Malley by Ann Moore

·      Heart of Stone and Heart of Lies by Jill Marie Landis

·      Her Warrior Slave and Her Warrior King, from the MacEgan Brothers Series by Michelle Willingham

·      In From the Cold by Nora Roberts

·      Lady of Conquest by Teresa Medeiros

·      Lily Fair by Kimberly Cates

·      Lions and Lace by Meagan McKinney

·      Lord of Hawkfell Island by Catherine Coulter

·      Maid of Killarney by Ana Seymour

·      Moonlit by Emma Jensen (3^rd in her Regency spy series; the only one set in Ireland)

·      Maidensong by Diana Groe

·      Master of My Dreams by Danelle Harmon

·      No Gentle Love by Rebecca Brandewyne

·      Odin’s Shadow by Erin Riley

·      O’er The River Liffey by Heidi Ashworth

·      Old Glory by Christopher Nicole

·      Only Forever by Kimberly Cates

·      Passion’s Joy and the sequel Virgin’s Star by Jennifer Horsman

·      Raeliksen and Mac Liam (from the Emerald Isle trilogy) by Renee Vincent

·      Rose in the Mist and Irish Gypsy (from the Riordan trilogy) by Ana Seymour

·      Rose of the Mists, A Rose in Splendor and A Secret Rose, trilogy by Laura Parker

·      Scarlett: The Sequel to Gone With the Wind by Alexandra Ripley

·      Scattered Seeds by Julie Doherty

·      Sea Raven by Patricia McAllister

·      Skye O’Malley by Bertrice Small

·      Stealing Heaven by Kimberly Cates

·      Stormfire by Christine Monson

·      Storm Maiden by Mary Gillgannon

·      Surrender the Stars by Cynthia Wright

·      Tears of Gold by Laurie McBain

·      The Black Angel by Cordia Byers

·      The Divided Heart by Beppie Harrison

·      The Game by Brenda Joyce

·      The Ground She Walks Upon by Meagan McKinney

·      The Hawk and the Dove by Virginia Henley

·      The Heart and the Holly by Nancy Richards-Akers

·      The Highwayman by Anne Kelleher

·      The Irishman by Jennifer Roberson (first published as Royal Captive)

·      The Irish Devil by Donna Fletcher

·      The Irish Duke by Virginia Henley

·      The Irish Princess, The Irish Enchantress and The Irish Knight by Amy Fetzer

·      The Irish Princess by Elizabeth Chadwick

·      The Irish Rogue by Emma Jensen

·      The Irish Rogue by Judith E. French

·      The Irish Sisters Trilogy by Debra Holland

·      The Legend of the Green Man by Sara Hely

·      The Linnet by Elizabeth English

·      The Passions Of Emma by Penelope Williamson

·      The Prize by Brenda Joyce

·      The Rebel by Christine Dorsey

·      The Seventh Son by Ashley York

·      The Sword of the Banshee by Amanda Hughes

·      The Wayward One by Danelle Harmon

·      To Ride a White Horse by Pamela Ford

·      Touch of Lace by Elizabeth DeLancey

·      Tread Softly On My Dreams by Gretta Curran Browne

·      Uncertain Magic by Laura Kinsale

·      Whispers of Heaven by Candice Proctor

·      Wild Angel by Miriam Minger

·      Wild Roses by Miriam Minger

·      Windsong by Judith E. French

·      Wolf’s Embrace by Gail Link

 

All of my books in The Clan Donald Saga have scenes set in Medieval Ireland. Bound by Honor features an Irish heroine…a historical figure. And I hope you’ll read my Regency novella, The Shamrock & The Rose with an Irish hero!

Catherine Coulter’s LORD OF HAWKFELL ISLAND – Well Told Viking Tale from 10th Century Ireland

Set in Ireland and an island off the coast of England in 910, this is the story of Mirana, a Viking woman who is abducted one night by her brother’s enemy, Rorik, Lord of Hawkfell. Rorik seeks vengeance for the death of his wife and children at the hand of Mirana’s brother, Einar. Once on Hawkfell Island, Mirana makes friends among the women and comes to see the island as home, but all is not well, and Einar still has plans for her.

 

Coulter has taken care to get the period right, including details of dress, food and dwellings. She has also created some wonderful characters, including a huge dog named Kerzog. The writing is well done and the plot has many satisfying twists and turns.

 

While Rorik’s actions toward Mirana were brutal at times (and the low ratings are just a reaction to that in my opinion), you have to remember this is a Viking romance, set in the times when women were chattel and many were taken in raids to be slaves. Then, too, Mirana, who Rorik is coming to care for, is the sister of his enemy who slayed his family. That these two could find love is definitely a story of second chances and love triumphing over many obstacles. Mirana’s brother, Einar is a real deviant who likes inflicting pain and cares for no one.

 

There is humor, action and a complex love story here. A worthy tale.

 

Viking Series

 

Season of The Sun

Lord of Hawkfell Island

Lord of Raven’s Peak

Lord of Falcon Ridge