☘️🍀💚 “The Lady of Galway Manor” (2022) 💚🍀☘️

MY REVIEW

Paperback: 336 Pages

Publisher: Revell (February 1, 2022)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 080073842X

ISBN-13: 978-0800738426

⬅️ Click Photo for Purchase Information

“In 1920, Annabeth De Lacy's father is appointed landlord of Galway Parish in Ireland. Bored without all the trappings of the British Court, Annabeth convinces her father to arrange an apprenticeship for her with the Jennings family--descendants of the creator of the famed Claddagh Ring.

Stephen Jennings longs to do anything other than run his family's jewelry shop. Having had his heart broken, he no longer believes in love and is weary of peddling the "lies" the Claddagh Ring promises.

Meanwhile, as the war for Irish independence gains strength, many locals resent the De Lacys and decide to take things into their own hands to display their displeasure. As events take a dangerous turn for Annabeth and her family, she and Stephen begin to see that perhaps the "other side" isn't quite as barbaric and uncultured as they'd been led to believe--and that the bonds of friendship, love, and loyalty are only made stronger when put through the refiner's fire.”

Thank you in advance to the publisher, Revell (a division of Baker Books), for providing an advanced review copy through Library Thing. A positive review was not required nor requested, and all words are my own.

Last year (2020), I was very much excited to read the author’s debut book, A Dance in Donegal. And, when I knew she was working on a second book, I was definitely looking forward to it.

Watching this book go from idea to cover reveal, and to holding an ARC in my hands, is a beautiful experience. The cover is beautiful, but to be fairly honest, it doesn’t even rival A Dance in Donegal.

While this takes place in Ireland, this is not connected in any way to A Dance in Donegal. I am slightly disappointed as there were a few plot holes I had wanted to see resolved. Perhaps someday …

As a result of this being a standalone title, no characters from the first book appear in this one, nor are they even mentioned. There is absolutely NO reference to Donegal either. This is an entirely new cast of characters:

🍀Stephen

🍀Anna

🍀Seamus

🍀Emma

🍀Elizabeth

🍀William

🍀Paddy

And, other assorted characters – good and bad.

Stephen has his own reasons for not believing in love, it has to do with a woman by the name of Marie (don’t look at me, I wouldn’t mind a nice Irish guy 🤣).

The story is told from four (4) POVs – Stephen, Anna, Paddy (a local pub owner), and Lord William de Lacy who happens to be the parish’s new landlord.

The Lady of Galway Manor explores the period of the Irish War of Independence (1920), or rather uses it as a backdrop in this charming tale of the descendant of the Claddagh design who is not interested in love anymore. The ring and design are simple: two hands embracing a heart adorned with a crown symbolize the purity of a cherished relationship – friendship (cairdeas), love (grá) and loyalty (dílseacht).

Galway has a new landlord, and it is his daughter, Lady Annabeth De Lacy who want to apprentice at the Jennings shop. Seamus doesn’t mind, but it is his son Stephen who has an issue with it.

And, Stephen has a reason why – his brother, Tommy.

The first sentence is definitely an attention getter:

“No one ever tells the truth about love”.

And, just like that … the story begins.

Stephen is at odds with himself. He is astonished that she wants to apprentice in the shop. She has her reasons. She also wants to learn about the legend.

And, taking advantage of her desire to learn, Stephen wants to show Anna the impact the British have on the Irish. Despite a nice gesture Anna makes, it is rebuked. She is horrified and didn’t know how it looked to the people. Stephen thinks she should’ve known, but how could she. And, he feels some remorse.

Even his father Seamus wants him to help Anna to learn. He has a strong message for Stephen – “hate is fueled by ignorance”.

That isn’t all Anna is facing. She is facing a nearly arranged marriage by her father to Lord Corning, a man of CONSIDERABLE age at that time. I believe 60 was mentioned. While Corning has given Anna a year, it becomes clear that her father wants her to answer almost immediately – their “future” depends on it. Anna’s father also drops a truth to his daughter – he wants her to spy on the Irish due to their “war”. Anna is appalled, but reluctantly agrees. (Uh, huh, I know … I don’t think she will).

After a devastating storm, Anna wants to help the people down at the Claddagh. Stephen doesn’t think it is a good idea, but Seamus does. There Anna meets Orla and her son Cormac who appreciate the good deed. (As of note, I REALLY wanted to know more about this mother and son, and I HOPE in the next book the author makes SOME mention of them).

All too soon, Anna wants to learn more and experience the Irish culture. And, she even has an experience with some Irish “gents” who are looking to cause some trouble.

Anna tries to experience the culture, but a rather murky incident caused by her father is spoiling that. In addition, Anna is having feelings towards Stephen who seems to be open to exploring his own for Anna. The two have a hot/cold kind of relationship for most of the story.

As in every good story – the villain comes along to try to spoil everything. Anna is given an ultimate regarding her future. But, the ultimatum comes from someone who has caused their own problems.

Along with Anna facing an unwanted future based on “duty” and Stephen in conflict, there is also another side story of retribution.

Like her first book, Deibel’s use of short chapters keeps the story flowing at an even pace with little stagnation. It doesn’t speed through the story as if it were trying to get done almost as soon as it begins though. The pace and flow definitely held my interest. It was nearly impossible to put this down even when I had to. The writing is often so vivid and descriptive one can almost smell the fish and chips as well as see the sights just by reading it.

I was concerned about one of the characters and his involvement, but I was glad to see he was on the “right” side after all. One character didn’t surprise me about her involvement and I SO wished she would’ve gotten a comeuppance.

The character growth of Anna and Stephen was amazing. I love that at nearly the end, Stephen did something so completely selfless. I definitely had a few tears in my eyes. The ending is very bittersweet and there might be a need for tissues.

Not all of the story was sad or tragic. I had to laugh at Anna’s suggestion that women might be wearing trousers all the time in the future. When I read that part, I was wearing some cotton yoga pants. And, yes, I practically live in yoga pants, leggings, or lounge bottoms 🤣 who knew trousers would be SO comfy?

Deibel weaves excitement into an intense, romantic, tragic, richly historic, and fascinating story. She carefully balances every nuance to bring the story and setting to life in an authentic manner complete with accurate dialogue, which brings the characters to life. So much so you can almost see and hear them. She definitely captures the “prejudice” the Irish faced from the British back then. It is, at times, reminiscent of the movie Far and Away (1992) with the classist demeanor and attitudes. And, I believe that movie starts in Galway County. It too addresses the issues of landlords and tenants.

The author’s historic research had me doing my own research. She accurately included the story of the Claddagh ring in the book. For those who aren’t familiar …

“The Claddagh Ring is believed to have originated in the fishing village situated near the “shore” or “Claddagh” of Galway Bay.

The Claddagh outside the City Walls, and further separated by the River Corrib, was exclusive community or fisher-folk forbidden to use spade or hoe and ruled by a periodically-elected “King” whose sole distinguishing mark was his right to use a white sail on his fishing hooker.

The ring shows two hands holding a heart which wears a crown. This motif is explained in the phrase: “Let Love and Friendship reign”, and ideal poesy for a wedding ring used by a small community for over four hundred years.

This distinctive design is associated with one of the Tribes of Galway, the Joyce family. Margaret Joyce married Domingo de Rona, a wealthy Spaniard, who, when he died, left her his fortune, which she subsequently used to build bridges in the Province of Connacht.

Margaret, who later married Oliver Of Ffrench, Mayor of Galway 1596, was providentially rewarded for her good works and charity by an eagle which dropped a gold ring into her lap. This fanciful legend had a more factual opponent in the story of Richard Joyce, or Joyces.

Richard en route to the West Indies, was captured by Algerian corsairs and sold as a slave to a Moorish goldsmith who trained him.

Released from slavery in 1689, at the demand of William III of England, Joyce, in spite of substantial inducement to stay, returned to Galway and set up as a goldsmith. His work marked with an anchor signifying Hope and initials R.I. still exists …

The Claddagh Ring became popular outside the Claddagh about the middle of the last century, especially as it was the only ring made in Ireland worn by Queen Victoria and later by Queen Alexandra and King Edward VII.” (Thomas Dillon’s Claddagh Gold, established 1750)

I actually have a “replica” Claddagh ring and would honestly love to add an authentic one to my jewelry box someday.

As Revell is primarily a Christian/faith-themed publisher, there are references to God and faith in this. It is also a clean read with regard to intimate scenes and language.

Those who’ve read A Dance in Donegal and fans of stories set in the lush landscape of Ireland, will more than likely love this story as well.

I am definitely looking forward to the author’s next release and a return to the Emerald Isle.

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☘️🍀💚 “The Lady of Galway Manor” (2022) 💚🍀☘️ – Book Review

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