MY REVIEW:
The Lady of Galway Manor is a joy to read for so many reasons. First there is the lush descriptions of Ireland and its people and customs. Then there are the characters who seem to want to pop right off the page. The plot is steady with interwoven elements that grabbed my attention. Then of course a seemingly unsuitable romance rife with misunderstandings and a strong thread of faith and forgiveness rounds out the story.
The hero and heroine of this tale are perfection. Lady Annabeth defies the expectations of her heritage by apprenticing at a jewelry shop where she meets the aloof Stephen and his father Seamus. Stephen and Annabeth do not get off to a good start and it takes awhile for Stephen to believe that this daughter of the English Lord of Galway Parish is as genuine as she appears to be. Her giving nature and willingness to sacrifice for the good of others goes a long way to endearing her to everyone she meets, even those suspicious of her motives.
No good book should be without a conflict or two and The Lady of Galway Manor has its share of action and danger as well as a few surprises. I thoroughly enjoyed another visit to Ireland with the author and eagerly look forward to her next novel.
I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book provided by Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group. A favorable review was not required. All views expressed are my own.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
In 1920, Annabeth De Lacy’s father is appointed landlord of Galway Parish in Ireland. Bored without the trappings and finery of the British Court, Annabeth convinces her father to arrange an apprenticeship for her with the Jennings family–descendants of the creator of the famed Claddagh ring.
Stephen Jennings longs to do anything other than make a career in his family’s jewelry shop. The past has taught him to no longer believe in love and the “lies” the Claddagh ring supposedly promises. How can he peddle what he now finds offensive?
The war for Irish independence gains strength, and the De Lacy family is caught in the crossfire. As events take a life-threatening turn, Annabeth and Stephen will discover that the bonds of friendship, love, and loyalty can only be made stronger when put through the refiner’s fire.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Jennifer Deibel is the author of A Dance in Donegal. Her work has appeared on (in)courage, on The Better Mom, in Missions Mosaic magazine, and in other publications. With firsthand immersive experience abroad, Jennifer writes stories that help redefine home through the lens of culture, history, and family. After nearly a decade of living in Ireland and Austria, she now lives in Arizona with her husband and their three children. You can find her online at www.jenniferdeibel.com.
