Author: Barbara

Avid reader/reviewer of historical romance and historical mysteries.

Murder In An Irish Cottage by Carlene O’Connor

On By BarbaraIn Barb's Reviews, Contemporary, Mystery3 Comments

Murder in an Irish Cottage (Irish Village Mystery #5)Barbara’s rating: 5 of 5 stars

Series: Irish Village Mystery #5
Publication Date: 2/25/2020
Number of Pages: 304
** 4.5 Stars Rounded Up **

I thoroughly enjoyed this excellent addition to the Irish Village Mystery series. In this series, we have watched Siobhan (shi-vawn) O’Sullivan grow from a harried caregiver for her five siblings after they were orphaned to a confident garda (police). She’s now engaged to fellow garda Macdara Flannery and the O’Sullivan Six, as they are known in their village of Kilbane, are finally settling and coming into their own. This book is well-written, well-paced and the mystery will keep you guessing right until the last.

Siobahn is on her summer leave and is looking forward to spending time with her siblings when her fiancée arrives at her bistro, Naomi’s, and asks her to accompany him to Ballysiogdun. He received a frantic call from his cousin, Jane, who wouldn’t tell him what was wrong – she only said he had to get there. When they arrive, it is to discover Macdara’s aunt dead in her cottage and Jane, who is blind, standing stoically in the front. Macdara and Siobhan quickly determine that it is murder. Since they probably won’t be able to officially work the case, they quickly take pictures of the scene and the inside of the cottage.

It seems that almost everyone in the village should be a suspect because neither Macdara’s aunt Ellen nor her daughter Jane is liked at all. You can’t find anyone who has a good word to say about them and several had a true dislike for them. Where can they begin when the case has been assigned to a sergeant from Cork and he doesn’t want their involvement?

In a village that is very insular, where most are holding secrets, and all believe in the Good People (fairies) it is almost impossible to get anyone to tell what they know. Working around the official garda investigation and managing to ferret out the information they need to solve the case is almost impossible. Siobhan is like a dog with a bone and just won’t let it go. She’s determined to find the real murderer and not let an innocent person be blamed just because they are an easy solution.

This was a great mystery with infidelity, fairies, greed, and malice aplenty. I’m not sure there was a good person in that entire village. The villain will surprise you and you’ll be on the edge of your seat the entire time you are reading.

You’ll love your visit to lush, green, beautiful Ireland and all of their lore. It is a fun read and a delight to watch Macdara and Siobhan progress in their relationship. I hope you will enjoy the book as much as I did.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Ena’s Surrender by Madeline Martin

On By BarbaraIn Barb's Reviews, Medieval (1066-1540), NovellaLeave a comment

Ena's Surrender (Borderland Ladies #0)Barbara’s rating: 5 of 5 stars

Series: Borderland Ladies #0
Publication Date: 2/25/20
Number of Pages: Novella Length

Finally! We get to read Bran’s backstory, meet his sister, and see her get her HEA. One of the delightful things about this novella is that you don’t feel you’ve missed anything when you are finished reading. With some novellas, you end up feeling as if you aren’t quite finished yet, but this beautifully told tale leaves you with a feeling of full satisfaction. If you haven’t already read the rest of the Borderland Ladies series, read this one first, because you get to know Bran, the hero of Marin’s Promise – but, if you’ve read the rest of the series already, this is a lovely addition.

Ena and Bran Davidson were the only survivors when the English attacked their cottage in Scotland. Ena was grievously wounded and only survived because Bran tended her as best he could. They were just small children, orphaned, and abandoned by a society that was more concerned with their own survival than that of a couple of small orphaned children. Ena and Bran were close, they knew how lucky they were to have each other.

Ena wanted, so very much, to help Bran. She hated that she was expected to sit in their cottage in relative safety while he was out reiving in order for them to eat. His life was on the line all the time. When she decided to dress like a warrior and sneak off to join in one of the raids, she had no idea it would change her life, Bran’s life, and the life of an Englishman she had yet to meet.

Renault Blanchard was orphaned at a very young age and was totally on his own – another of society’s throwaways. He was bound and determined to make something of himself. His goal was to become a castle guard at Kershopefoot Castle. Imagine a poor, dirty, scrap of a beggar becoming a castle guard and living in the castle. All he had to do was please the Earl of Bothbury with the reports from his spying and he was sure he would be elevated. Well, that was his goal until the night he had a brief battle with a fierce warrior – one that proved to be a female.

Renault continues to encounter Ena – deliberately – even though he knows his life would be forfeit if anyone – his people or hers – should ever find out. Life is hard in the Borderlands between England and Scotland – and the people are enemies. There can be no hope for a relationship between then, but Renault can’t stop himself.

You’ll absolutely love watching Ena and Renault find love against all of the odds. You’ll also love Bran and his devotion to and love for his sister. I can definitely recommend this fast-paced, exciting read. The one thing that bothered me at all – and it is a very, very, very, very minor thing is that somehow, I had trouble with the name Renault for our hero. I’m sure it is correct for the time and place because this author is a stickler for that sort of thing. The fault is totally and completely mine – I just didn’t care for the name.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.