Maid of Killarney

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 heartwarming tale that follow the Riordan Brothers' tales.Lily and her daughter tried to ignore the taunts of "witch", keeping to themselves in the small cottage on the edge of Whistler's Woods. But that was not to be. Three young ruffians tried to drown Lily's little girl "swim the witch", but one brave man defied them to save her. John Black.John Black was the doctor turned rebel from Ana Seymour other Riordan Brothers tales, so fans will be tickled to see he finally gets his own tale.Both John and Lily were in love once and vow never to love again. John losing his lady to another man, and then having her died in childbirth, while Lily unwisely loved a married Englishman, who did not tell her he was married and left her alone to bear their child. John refuses to leave Lily and her child alone, helping them in any way he can.It's a gentle warm tale, that will please the fans of Seymour's work in the Irish Eyes Series.

Wonderful story of two people who thought that love was not meant for them. John Black, Irish rebel soldier, has no real home. He left behind his former life as a doctor when he was unable to save a woman he loved (but who married another) that began hemorraging in childbirth. After Rhea's death, he swore never to practice again. He's been fighting for years now, and on the advice of friends is taking a break to try and find some peace and quiet. And so he finds himself in his childhood home of Killarney to stay with friends Niall and Cat Riordan.But before he arrives there, he comes across a young girl who has been tossed into a pond by three young boys. He saves her, takes her home and meets her mother. Lily and her daughter are reluctant to have him in their home or to share any information with him about why this may have happened. They seem to just want him to go on his way and leave them alone. He does so and discovers from his friends that she and her daughter are thought of as witches due to the way they live alone in the woods and also because of Daphne's disfigured foot.Lily was also in love once. As a young woman she fell for a visiting Englishman who neglected to tell her he was already betrothed to another. After he returned to England, Lily discovered she was pregnant and her family threw her out of her home. She and Daphne have had just each other ever since, living in isolation in Whistler's Wood.But John Black is about to change all that. He refuses to stay away, offers to help correct Daphne's foot problem and generally offers these two lonely souls his support and friendship. And they'll need it, for these are turbulent times with tensions heating up between Irish and English as well as Daphne's growing independence and need for more social contact other than just her mother. John's steadfast support and Lily's appreciation of it slowly turn to affection and love. But when Daphne's father returns, will everything Lily had worked so hard to build be destroyed? A really terrific story and great characters. John was sweet and strong, Lily was strong yet vulnerable and Daphne, her preteen daughter is eternally optimistic and adorably wise beyond her years. A highly recommended read!

In 1576, urged on by his friends the Riordan brothers after the latest round of peace talks with the Queen failed, a weary John Black goes home to Killarney for some peace and rest. However, on the trek homeward, John interrupts some lads dunking a young lady in Cotter's Pond. The trio tests whether the lass is a witch. They toss the bundle containing the girl into the water before fleeing. The bundle sinks to the bottom, but he dives in and rescues the child. He takes her to her home in Whistler's Woods.John brings little Daphne safely to her concerned mother Lily, but both quickly leave him with not much beyond a bit of gratitude, wanting him on his way. A bit stunned not just by their attitude, but that Lily is clearly high born, John leaves. However, John cannot forget the two females so he persists on becoming part of their lives even after learning that Daphne's clubfoot make them pariahs at best and witches at worst.Readers will find Ana Seymour's latest Irish historical romance absorbing due to the pleasing lead couple and the mature Daphne struggling in a world that condemns her. The story line is more character study than the typical sub-genre novel, but the audience will see more of the inner goodness of John and Lily while also observing the reaction of the townsfolk towards the innocent but physically handicapped Daphne. MAID OF KILLARNEY is a charming relationship drama that brings the different sixteenth century classes vividly alive.Harriet Klausner

John Black finds himself drawn back towards the medical profession he abandoned when he rescues a young girl from cruel boys who have accused her of witchery and attempted to prove it in a dangerous test. Returning the child Daphne home brings her mother, Lily, into his life. John finds himself drawn into their world and compelled by the strange feelings the little family evokes in him, he begins to bring them into his. Yet past hurts on both sides and obstinate pride may keep them apart. Just when it looks like they might have a chance at happiness, Lily's past indescretions return to haunt them, and she must choose between John and Lily's real father. This latest novel in the IRISH EYES series is sweet and moving with believeable characters. Lily's courage and devotion to her child are admirable, while John's compassionate heart will melt yours. Even the absentee father comes off as a potential hero. The seeds of future, eagerly awaited novels are planted, and we can hope that perhaps Lily's sister in law will have a happy ending in a future novel, or Daphne's adult years might be explored. Reviewed by Amanda Killgore.