Tag Archives: Celtic

Sea Crossing by Virginia Kantra

Book Review, , , , ,
Overview
Image result for shifter angela knight book cover

Title: Sea Crossing
Author: Virginia Kantra
Series: Children of the Sea #0.5
In: Shifter (Angela Knight, Lora Leigh, Alyssa Day & Virginia Kantra)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Celtic, Mermaids, Paranormal romance
Pace: Fast
Format: Novella
Publisher: Berkley Sensation
Year: 2008
5th sentence, 74th page: She didn’t want to sleep.

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Synopsis

And don’t miss the story that started it all, “Sea Crossing” in the anthology SHIFTER (Think Anne of Green Gables sails on the Titanic, but with shapeshifters!)

Thoughts

I’m already obsessed with this new series. I was kind of obsessed within the first chapter – there was something both sensual and innocent about the storyline. I also loved the fact that although Emma feels that she is a ruined woman (a complete strong and powerful product of the times), she still manages to find a way to stand on her own two feet. She refuses to settle for the second best that is forced upon her, but rather, decides to build her own life anew. Or at least try to. As with every other story, her best laid plans quickly go awry.

It’s hard to tell whether my obsession with Celtic folklore and the UK is because of my ancestry, or just because I love the richness of the mythology. So, anytime I find a series or tale that uses Celtic mythology, I tend to dive in head first. This paranormal romance story fit the bill exactly. Utilising selkies instead of other forms of mythological sea creatures pulled me in hook, line and sinker, and now I can’t get the beauty of the storyline out of my head. The greatest issue that I have with this novella is the fact that I have to wait at least a month until the first novel in the series arrives…

 <- Forgotten Sea ReviewSea Witch Review ->
Image source: Amazon

The Mammoth Book of Irish Romance edited by Trisha Telep

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Overview
The Mammoth Book of Irish Romance

Title: The Mammoth Book of Irish Romance
Author: Trisha Telep, Shirley Kennedy, Claire Delacroix, Margo Maguire, Cat Adams, Cindy Miles, Patricia Rice, Jennifer Ashley, Kathleen Givens, Jenna Maclaine, Dara England, Cindy Holby, Helen Scott Taylor, Roberta Gellis, Ciar Cullen, Susan Krinard, Nadia Williams, Penelope Neri, Sandra Newgent, Sue-Ellen Welfonder & Pat McDermott
Series: Mammoth Books
In: The Mammoth Book of Irish Romance (Trisha Telep)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Celtic, Fae, Romance, Short story collections
Pace: Slow
Format: Anthology
Publisher: Running Press
Year: 2010
5th sentence, 74th page: He gazed around the tiny room and frowned.

Synopsis

An enthralling collection of romantic tales set amidst beautiful Ireland’s lush ancient landscapes: pre-Christian ruins, green hills, rugged cliffs, and pounding Atlantic surf. These stories–by writers such as Roberta Gellis, Bertice Small, Jennifer Ashley, Claire Delacroix, and Mary Jo Putney–honor Ireland’s rich heritage as a land of poets, magic, and mystery. The publication will be just in time for St. Patrick’s Day.

Thoughts

I loved, loved, loved this collection. My heart melted. My soul sang. And I had a constant smile on my lips throughout the tale.

Irish folklore has always fascinated me and pulled me in. Probably because some of my family is originally from there. And so I collection of romances that are guaranteed to make your heart melt all based in the folklore and mythos of this beautiful country… well, for me, it is a dream come true.

I mostly read each of these beautiful short stories when I was up late at night and struggling to sleep. The short stories guaranteed that I couldn’t get too involved in the storyline. But the romantic and beautiful angle of the stories meant that I was guaranteed to have pleasant dreams and drift off with a smile on my face.

<- Just AskThe Blue Pebble ->

Image source: Goodreads

The Seventh Sister by Sue-Ellen Welfonder

Book Review, , , ,

Overview

The Mammoth Book of Irish RomanceTitle: The Seventh Sister

Author: Sue-Ellen Welfonder

In: The Mammoth Book of Irish Romance (Trisha Telep)

Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)

My Bookshelves: Celtic, Easy reading, Romance

Pace: Slow

Format: Short story

Publisher: Running Press

Year: 2010

5th sentence, 74th page: The pin twinkled at him, its emerald brilliance almost blinding.

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Synopsis

Every seven generations the seventh sister returns. And Maggie Gleason is there to witness it.

Thoughts

I both loved and hated this story. I loved the feeling of Irish folklore, love of land and ancestry. But I didn’t really enjoy the fact that two lovers were kept apart for twelve years. And there really isn’t any actual reason for this separation… it felt angsty, but then fell a little flat when there was no reason for such angst.

Maggie and Conall are obviously meant to be from the very outset of the story, but circumstances and fate are keeping them apart. Which is kind of painful. And more than a little frustrating. But I loved the imagery and the potency that is described throughout the story. Which made my slight discomfort at the distance of lovers almost disappear… and left me with this feeling of contentment and happiness.

 <- The Houndmaster Review By the Light of My Heart Review ->
Image source: Goodreads

The Houndmaster by Sandra Newgent

Book Review, , , , ,

Overview

The Mammoth Book of Irish RomanceTitle: The Houndmaster

Author: Sandra Newgent

In: The Mammoth Book of Irish Romance (Trisha Telep)

Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)

My Bookshelves: Celtic, Easy reading, Family, Romance

Pace: Fast

Format: Short story

Publisher: Running Press

Year: 2010

5th sentence, 74th page: He held it high, admiring the graceful curves of thehammered gold cup.

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Synopsis

She wants to return her mother to life and fix the wrongs of the past. But when a man with a haunting secret interrupts her, everything changes in the blink of an eye.

Thoughts

This was a really fun and easy story to read. And it came up in my collection at exactly the right time… I had been having trouble sleeping / nightmares about my usual terrors, so I decided to read to try and get my mind off of things. And I read The Houndmaster which was incredibly beautiful and romantic.

Hellhounds is a relatively new concept to me, which makes any story that features them a new and exciting adventure. The idea that the male love interest in this story has an intricate connection to the hell beasties and the lady had witnessed their evil ferocity worked really nicely. The overarching connection between the two is both wonderfully fateful and a little overbearing.

Although I can remember the feelings that this story left me with, there are no incredibly potent moments. But that works for me… it’s sometimes nice to have a great feeling after reading a simple story. One that doesn’t necessarily linger, but still makes you feel happy and content inside.

 <- The Skrying Glass Review The Seventh Sister Review ->
Image source: Goodreads

The Skrying Glass by Penelope Neri

Book Review, , , , ,

Overview

The Mammoth Book of Irish RomanceTitle: The Skrying Glass

Author: Penelope Neri

In: The Mammoth Book of Irish Romance (Trisha Telep)

Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)

My Bookshelves: Celtic, Fae, Romance, Shapeshifters

Pace: Medium

Format: Short story

Publisher: Running Press

Year: 2010

5th sentence, 74th page: Dagger in hand, he strode across the clearing.

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Synopsis

Siobhan saw something in the skrying mirror when she was twelve that made her want to never get married. Now that she’s eighteen, she might have met the man of her dreams. But does falling in love with him mean that he is about to die?

Thoughts

I loved this story. It mixes fate in with all of the romantic entanglements and scenery that I am used to from this collection. Siobhan and Colm have the whole love at first sight, push and shove kind of romance that’s fun to read about in a short story. But, because of what Siobhan sees in her own skrying mirror, she is terrified of losing him and finds it hard to make her commitment.

I love that, in a way, the prediction seen when Siobhan was twelve comes true. But, as always, romance finds it way in the end, and Siobhan and Colm are able to run off into the sunset together. It’s simple, it’s sweet and it has a woman with an attitude problem in the lead. Everything that you could want in a nice, short and sweet tale of Irish romance.

 <- Tara’s Find Review The Houndmaster Review ->
Image source: Goodreads

Tara’s Find by Nadia Williams

Book Review, , , ,

Overview

The Mammoth Book of Irish RomanceTitle: Tara’s Find

Author: Nadia Williams

In: The Mammoth Book of Irish Romance (Trisha Telep)

Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)

My Bookshelves: Celtic, Fae, Paranormal romance

Pace: Medium

Format: Short story

Publisher: Running Press

Year: 2010

5th sentence, 74th page: Ye know it here.

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Synopsis

Tara is an archaeologist. She’s at the dig of her dreams, if it wasn’t for the bad weather and the creepy boss. And then there’s the man that she finds buried in the dirt… he changes everything and her life takes on a supernatural twist.

Thoughts

I’m an academic. So anytime there is a story of any kind that features a woman who is an academic, I’m often drawn right in. Immediately and happily. After all, it’s nice to read about someone who has so much in common with you. Plus, it’s fun to have strong, intelligent women in a story. Even if it is just a short story in an ebook anthology late at night.

Tara is a fun and engaging lead and I like that although there is the sense of love at first sight, there is a building up of this relationship. They both slowly fall for each other, and the relationship is more built on their conversations with each other and personalities than lust at first sight. Spin in some paranormal issues and the fae, and this is definitely a thoroughly enjoyable tale that will keep you engaged for ten, fifteen minutes.

 <- The Morrigan’s Daughter Review The Skrying Glass Review ->
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The Morrigan’s Daughter by Susan Krinard

Book Review, , , , ,

Overview

The Mammoth Book of Irish RomanceTitle: The Morrigan’s Daughter

Author: Susan Krinard

In: The Mammoth Book of Irish Romance (Trisha Telep)

Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)

My Bookshelves: Celtic, Fae, Fantasy, Paranormal romance

Pace: Medium

Format: Short story

Publisher: Running Press

Year: 2010

5th sentence, 74th page: In time, Seanat gave birth to a girl-child, whom she and Aodhan named Brighid in honour of the lady who had saved them.

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Synopsis

Seanat runs into her worn enemy at the end of a long and wearying battle. But there is something compelling about him, and a momentary decision could end up hautning her for the rest of her life.

Thoughts

This was a fun, easy, and sweet bit of a read. Quite romantic, with the hint of Irish history and folklore to make things so much more interesting and intriguing. The use of Morrigan and Brighid help to build upon this sense of eerie familiarity in an entirely new world.

This wasn’t the kind of romance that really plucked at my heart strings. It wasn’t one that pulled me in, and even writing this, I’m finding it quite unmemorable. But it was nice. Sweet, easy and short. Straight to the point and quick. Cute and beautiful.

 <- On Inishmore Review Tara’s Find Review ->
Image source: Goodreads

On Inishmore by Ciar Cullen

Book Review, , , , ,

Overview

The Mammoth Book of Irish RomanceTitle: On Inishmore

Author: Ciar Cullen

In: The Mammoth Book of Irish Romance (Trisha Telep)

Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)

My Bookshelves: Celtic, Fae, Fantasy, Romance

Pace: Medium

Format: Short story

Publisher: Running Press

Year: 2010

5th sentence, 74th page: I’ll be out of your way presently.

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Synopsis

Maeve welcomes the latest owner of her beloved home. But she has a secret and a curse to break. Could he be the one to finally save her from her fate?

Thoughts

I thought that this was quite a clever and enjoyable tale. It features the staple of many Irish folklores (or at least, all of the ones that I have had access to) in that it features a curse and the fae. There is also a sense of inheritance and fate that waft throughout the story and even though it means you know how the story will end, it still makes for an incredibly fun and interesting journey.

I loved both the simplicity and quaintness of this tale. It incorporated some fantastic storytelling with a romantic plot and a dreaded curse. All in all, the perfect mix of wonderful writing, quaint storytelling and Irish romance.

 <- Compeer Review The Morrigan’s Daughter Review ->
Image source: Goodreads

Compeer by Roberta Gellis

Book Review, , , , ,

Overview

The Mammoth Book of Irish RomanceTitle: Compeer

Author: Roberta Gellis

In: The Mammoth Book of Irish Romance (Trisha Telep)

Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)

My Bookshelves: Celtic, Easy reading, Romance, Strong women

Pace: Medium

Format: Short story

Publisher: Running Press

Year: 2010

5th sentence, 74th page: Medb rode with a smaller escort, less to fight, although she gave a good account of herself when necessary, than to look over all the lands and the people.

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Synopsis

Forced into a political marriage at a young age, Medb shows that she has an amazing inner strength. She is willing to fight against her new husband, and carve out a reality for herself amongst a world that doesn’t always support women.

Thoughts

I knew from the very beginning that this would be a great story about a strong woman. After all, it starts with Medb being asked to marry a man by her father. Set in medieval times. And when she is only fourteen. There is even the comment that no one would push her into anything. So, mostly I was wondering how a romance was going to happen when you start with a character that just isn’t interested in marriage and has that kind of independence straight away. Most of the romance stories in The Mammoth Book of Irish Romance have far more submissive women. And I loved this change.

It’s hard to read a lot of romantic novels (which is why they are often on my guilty pleasures shelf), since they tend to place women in the weaker, or more submissive position. Although that is what Medb’s first marriage is like, there is an emphasis placed on equality and partnership. At acceptance of one another and the roles we choose to play in life.

 <- The Feast of Beauty Review On Inishmore Review ->
Image source: Goodreads

The Feast of Beauty by Helen Scott Taylor

Book Review, , , , ,
Overview
The Mammoth Book of Irish Romance

Title: The Feast of Beauty
Author: Helen Scott Taylor
In: The Mammoth Book of Irish Romance (Trisha Telep)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Celtic, The Coast, Fae, Paranormal fantasy
Pace: Medium
Format: Short story
Publisher: Running Press
Year: 2010
5th sentence, 74th page: They floated to the ground and her back landed on the soft sand.

Synopsis

Kate thinks that she’s visiting Ireland to fulfill a promise to her Grandmother and film an episode of her show. But what she finds there could be much more.

Thoughts

I really didn’t know what to expect when I first started reading this short story. The rest of the stories in The Mammoth Book of Irish Romance have a heavy focus on the past and the days when Celtic beliefs were the primary ways in which to view the world. This tale on the other hand was heavily based in today’s modern world. And although it still featured fae and the same themes occurrent throughout this collection, it was a complete breath of fresh air.

Kate is the kind of woman I can most heavily associate with. There is this vague understanding and feeling of “the other”, but she is still firmly centred in this world. This reality. The struggles of everyday living. She’s also convinced that she has to work her absolute butt off to get where she wants to go in life (who hasn’t heard this mantra?). Yet, it turns out she is intricately connected to the world of the fae, and the beauty in this festival and understandings left me with a really pleased and relaxed smile on my face at the conclusion of this story.

<- QuicksilverCompeer ->

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