Irish Gypsy

Ana Seymour has done some erratic work for the Irish Eyes series, some of their best and a couple of their slower ones. But she is on target with this witty tale, the last in the Riordan Brothers trilogy.Eamon Riodan was angry his horse was stole, and rightly so. When tracks down the gypsy that stole it, he finds she had red-hair. Instead of denying she stole his animal, she admits it, the promptly picks up a rock and beans him.Seven years later their path clash...this time she has been hired to teach his young nephew. He is sure she got the position through guile, because what was a gypsy doing as a governess? Well, this time she is out to steal his heart.A wonderful end to the trilogy and solid work from Seymour

This is the last in a trilogy about the wonderful Riordan brothers (leave it to me to start at the end!). Actually, I was first introduced to Ana Seymour with "Maid of Killarney", a book about Riordan family friend John Black (loved it!). Both are terrific, well written stories with really lovable characters and I look forward to more books by this author.Maura was raised in her father's gypsy camp never really knowing her Gajo (Irish, non-gypsy) mother. But when her father dies and the malevolent Pietro takes over, she knows she must flee. In her desperation to escape Pietro's unwanted attentions, she steals a horse from a nobleman, hitting him on the head with a rock to ensure her escape. Seven years later, she comes across a familiar-looking man tied to a tree by his rambunctious nephews. Amused, she unties him but soon recognizes the man whose horse she stole years before! She abruptly and quickly walks away before he can recognize and stop her.Eamon Riordan belatedly recognizes her as well, but this was not the scrawny teen he remembers, but a beautiful young woman with wild red hair and incredible blue eyes! With no hope of finding her again, he departs to visit relatives in the north. In his absence, Maura finds herself hired as tutor to Cormac and Claire Riordan's three high spirited children not knowing that this is Eamon's family. But when Eamon returns, she fears her days are numbered - especially when he discovers that this "teacher" cannot even read! Because the children adore her (and maybe for other reasons as well!) he keeps her secrets from his brother and offers to help her teach the children. While he knows that she cannot read and that she stole his horse, he does not know of her gypsy past and Maura plans to keep it that way, rightly or wrongly. Maura and Eamon fall for one another, but her gypsy past intrudes and upheaval follows. Will Maura trust Eamon with ALL of the truths about her past and will their love survive it?Loved this story, Eamon and Maura, and the whole Riordan clan. Ms Seymour creates warm and likable characters you enjoy spending time with. My only complaint is with Maura's lack of trust in Eamon, who had surely proven himself one of the most understanding and kind men ever born!A recommended read.

As first meetings go, this one might be termed inauspicious; Eamon and Maura's occurs when he catches her stealing one of his horses, the lesser of the two. Years pass before they see each other again, and she never quite leaves his mind. She finds him tied up, the victim of his nephews' playing Robin Hood. Maura unties him and before long finds herself employed as the boys' tutor. This will be wonderful, if she can control her attraction to the handsome young lord and avoid having anyone guess that she can not read. Eamon does remember who she is, but does not hold it against her. Maura quickly makes a place in the family for herself, becoming beloved to them and able to fake her job, until Eamon catches her in her lie. However, he does not reveal the secret, instead taking the time to teach her to read himself. As time passes, there is only one thing that can happen, and the two become lovers. Yet, the blissful joy that they should have, is shattered when Maura's gypsy past intrudes, and one of her relatives makes it appear she is a thief. Her name is cleared when the gold is found, but now it appears she is a killer. Can Eamon stand by her, and is there a place in the English world?***** Eamon is the most understanding of heroes, forgiving easily, while Maura is a heroine that certainly needs it, so often does she need it. Trust is hard for her, but love is easy. Their romance, though heated once consumated, is sweet. Eamon's clan is charming, and an Irish setting always beautiful to see. This entry in the series lives up to all the others. ***** Reviewed by Amanda Killgore.

In 1567 Ireland, Maura knows she needs to flee her home amidst the gypsies to escape the vile Gypsy who plans to force her into marrying him following the death of her father and subsequent loss of protection. She steals the horses of brothers Eamon and Cormac Riordan. Not needing two steeds, she returns Cormac's horse only to have Eamon catch her. However, she escapes after hitting Eamon with a rock.Seven years later, Eamon visits his brother only to find Maura is governess to his nephews and nieces. Attracted to her fiery nature, Eamon uses his wiles to coax Maura into spending time with him. Soon Maura realizes she loves the Irish noble, but knows Eamon cannot have a gypsy spawn as a wife.Fans of sixteenth century Irish romances with a twist will relish Ana Seymour's tale IRISH GYPSY because the lead female protagonist provides a rare freshness with her background. The story line is at its best when it remains a love story between the arrogant aristocrat and the gallant Gypsy. When suspense is added through a murder and an accusation, readers will enjoy the subplot once Eamon becomes involved, but it does take away from the pleasure of a powerful historical romance that emphasizes love is the most powerful feeling of all.Harriet Klausner

Cormac Riordan seeks his brother Eamon to share the news that the former Irish rebel leader `The O'Neill' is dead, and finds him sitting beside a campfire. Just moments after Cormac's arrival they learn their prized stallions have been stolen. It's dark of night and unable to begin tracking, the brothers try to sleep. Eamon wakes up first and sees a young lad leading Cormac's horse. He quickly leans the lad is a lassie as she explains why she's returning one of the stallions, and quick as a wink, the tiny mite knocks him out with a rock - a situation he isn't happy to describe to his big brother. Amused at first, the twinkle leaves Cormac's eyes when he realizes Eamon is really hurt and he insists they go home at once. Eamon would rather go after the little thief, but he's still so dizzy he has no choice but to agree.The night Maura's father died, Pietro took on the role as leader of the Gypsy troupe and tried to rape her. The frightened young girl fled into the woods and stole a stallion to escape and later sells it for coin to survive. Seven years pass, and feeling strong enough to take care of herself now, Maura searches for the only family she knows. Fate is about to put another piece of her puzzled life together, and instead of the Gypsy camp, she finds Eamon, who has been securely bound to a tree by his mischievous nephews playing Robin Hood. Eamon senses Maura is familiar to him, but can't place from where. Before he has a chance to say more than a few words while she unties him, he looks up to find the little beauty is gone.Finally finding the camp turns out to be a sad time for Maura, and another encounter with the loathsome Pietro has her running away again. This time fate takes her into the Riordan home as tutor to the mischievous children. Eamon is away from home, and by the time he returns Maura is well loved and accepted by the family. Eamon remembers the little horse thief and their encounter, but for reasons of his own keeps her secrets - those he knows of anyway. Maura never knew her Irish mother and her Gypsy father died when she was a young teen. In spite of this she's matured to become an honest woman with a pure heart and an abundance of love she shares with others. However, being raised by the Romany, she knows most people assume they are all liars and thieves, a fact that leaves her with a low self esteem, and believing she will not be accepted if her background is known. Maura demonstrates great inner strengths as she strives to conquer her inadequacies. These traits along with her innocence and beauty attract Eamon like no other woman has been able to.Eamon is a scholar and spends much of his time in his library. He's a fierce warrior, yet a warm and tender Beta man who isn't afraid to show compassion. He adores his brother's children and spends a lot of time romping with them or telling them tall tales. He's kind and considerate, and sees people for who they are and not what they are - a trait practiced by the whole Rior