In the year 1893, Chicago
resident Katherine Rourke gets the shocking and surprising news that not only did she have
a grandmother in Ireland, but also that, upon her death, she had inherited
an entire estate there called Ballyrourke. When she also finds that her father was an
Irishman who eloped with her English mother and that she still has an uncle, Horace
Lawthorp, living there – facts she was previously completely unaware of - Katherine
decides to visit her estate, find out about her past. But she also doesn’t want to
stay there, and resolves to sell Ballyrouke after she’s spent some time there and use
the proceeds to fulfill her lifelong dream of building an orphanage in Chicago.
On her very first day at
Ballyrourke she makes the acquaintance of Colin MacCormack, the handsome estate manager,
who’s one aim in life is to restore Ballyrourke to its original owners, his clan -
the O’Rourkes, and he won’t let anything stand in his way, even if it’s a
pretty girl like Katherine to whom he’s intensely and instantly attracted to!
Katherine too is attracted to Colin, but her English maternal uncle’s warnings about
the volatile and Irish O’Rourkes and their conspiracies against their English estate
owners, make her wary. But Colin is a passionate Irishman with strong convictions and an
even stronger will. Will Katherine be able to resist him?!
At Ballyrourke, Katherine
finds herself prey to many perplexing questions with regard to her and her parents’
past. As she comes to know her O’Rourke relatives and begins to forge a bond with
them, she finds her plagued with the question that can she bring herself to sell her
heritage, Ballyrourke, to outsiders and what will the O’Rourkes do if she did so?
Also troubling her is her uncertainty about Colin’s true motives and feelings. But
the most important question she faces is – whom should she trust, her father’s
relatives or her mother’s?! To help her in her dilemma is a mysterious little girl
whom no one knows exists!
Linda O’Brien has
masterfully created an emotional and complex plot for her latest release, “Ballyrourke”.
It is a compelling story, with rich characterizations, lush sensuality, fiery passion,
witty dialogue and chilling suspense!!
The catalyst to it all is
a simple American girl who comes to claim her Irish heritage and steps right into the
vortex of centuries old historical conflict between the Irish and the English. Her dual
heritage threatens to tear her apart even as Katherine struggles to uncover the truth. Her
dreams pull her one way, her heart the other. Her emotional and mental conflicts are
beautifully and poignantly brought to life through Ms. O’Brien’s lyrical and
revealing words. The author has made full use of valid historical situations and neatly
adopted them to her story. Passion and the Irish go hand in hand, so there’s plenty
of sensuality in the book too! Characters are well developed, multi-dimensional and
unforgettable, whether it’s the main protagonists, villains or the abundant side
characters. Magic also plays a tiny but pivotal role in this wonderful romantic tale!
Powerful and
heart-warming, “Ballyrourke” is a must read for all readers!
Reviewed By Rashmi
Srinivas for The Road to Romance
December 20, 2002 |
