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Violet Kilbride hadn’t really intended to ever go back to Duncarraig – too many memories haunted her there. Memories of her beloved grandmother, now gone the past ten years and memories of Liam Rafferty, her first love. But, finances decree that she must sell her grandmother’s small house, and the land that goes with it, if she’s going to see her younger brother go to college.
As an artist, lately Vi hasn’t had much in the way of inspiration, and it seems that her gift of the “second sight” has abandoned her too. Things seem dreary indeed, and the prospect of selling her Nan’s house only makes things drearier. Determined to get the unpleasant task out of the way, Vi makes the journey from Ballymuir to Duncarraig to divest the house of the last of her grandmother’s possessions. The only cheery spot in the whole mess is that she knows Liam has been in America for the past few years, and shouldn’t be around to dredge up old and painful memories.
She couldn’t be more wrong.
Liam Rafferty has returned from America in quite a state - divorced, financial troubles looming, with his twelve-year-old daughter in tow. The bosom of his rather large family does not seem all that comforting, but Liam has returned with more than familial ties on his mind. He has a notion to find the lost treasure of Rafferty gold, and salvage what’s left of his business. The only problem is that the Rafferty gold isn’t really the Rafferty gold anymore – more like the Kilbride gold that was stolen from a Rafferty, or so the legend goes. Liam is only thankful that Vi Kilbride is not around to see him snooping on her grandmother’s land for the hidden treasure.
Or so he thought.
Both Liam and Vi are a little more than surprised to find the other in town – exhilarated would describe their feeling, or perhaps excited... Although painful memories loom, the strong passion that they once felt for each other does not seem to have waned at all. As strong as ever, their passions pull them back together, opening old wounds and making them both aware that the future does not really look all that bright for them – despite the legends of ancient gold to be found.
Author Dorien Kelly has created a very original tale in HOT WHISPERS OF AN IRISHMAN. The third in a series of Ballymuir books, HOT WHISPERS OF AN IRISHMAN was enchantingly realistic – the setting written so perfectly that one could almost feel the chilly Irish breeze. Kelly’s book has everything romance readers could ask for – spicy romance, a bit of adventure, a hidden treasure and a love to end all loves. For those readers looking for a breath of fresh Irish air, HOT WHISPERS OF AN IRISHMAN and the Ballymuir series is exactly what they’ll be craving.
Reviewed by Janean Nusz
for The Road to Romance
December 29, 2005
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