"A bright & sexy Irish romance"
I have read all the IRISH EYES series of romances, and for
the most part have been very impressed with the stories set
in Ireland ranging from medievals to contemporaries. I am
pleased to say Stover's is one of the best. She has
followed up this one with MULLIGAN MAGIC so I am looking
forward to it. MULLIGAN STEW is perfect title for this wonderful book! Deb
Stover gives us a little bit of everything in a "stew" that
is seasoned to perfection. A little humor, a gentle woman
that is not worn down by life, a sexy Irish rogue, a castle
in Ireland with a curse from lovers past and a torrid
romance!! Simply wonderful!! Years ago, Cully Mulligan visited the United States and
swept Bridget off her feet. She fell desperately in love
with him; they were quickly married, but then he vanished,
never to return, no call or letter to explain why. For
years, Bridget presumes Cully abandoned her and the son he
never knew he had fathered, forcing her to work to support
herself and their son. She had been living with her Granny
in Tennessee, but the book opens with a sweet mix of
sadness and humor over her granny dying due to their dog
General Lee. She thinks being stuck with General Lee is the
worst of her problems, but she soon finds out granny was a
gambler and their trailer is about to be repossessed. But suddenly fate steps in. Bridget learns Culley did not
abandon her, but was killed in a car accident. Since they
were just married there was no reference to her as next of
kin, and none of his family in Ireland knew he had married,
so she was never notified. However, Culley's mum has
learned that Culley was married and fathered a son, and she
want Bridget and Culley's son, Jacob, to come home to
Ireland. Not having any family left, and no reason to stay
in Tennessee, Bridget sucks up her courage and takes
Jacob's son to live with his father's family. Right off,
Culley's mum and sister accept them with open arms,
especially since Jacob is the image of Culley. They are all
the family Bridget could hope for Jacob and herself. Only one thing stops this new home from being a dream come
true: Culley's brother, Riley. Sexy, drop-dead gorgeous
Riley thinks Bridget is a lying fortune hunter. He will not
believe Culley married her, that his brother would not
marry an uneducated Yank when he had a childhood sweetheart
waiting in Ireland for him. And he is determined to prove
that she is nothing but a golddigger trying to steal the
family's land. However, his determination to hate her is instantly
undermined when he recognizes Bridget as the woman who has
been haunting his dreams for decades. Ever since he was 17,
he had torrid dreams of himself and this woman he had never
seen but they are really images, memories from another era
and connected to the castle on the hill. The dreams had
just about stopped, but come roaring back when he
recognizes Bridget as that woman. And now, Bridget is
having the same dream! Toss in a gloomy Irish Castle ruins haunted with a tragic
lovers curse and you have a warm winning combination that
you cannot resist. Her characters are strong, well drawn,
and Stover gives flashes of brilliant humor. I just could
not put this one down! Stover is able to put her heritage
to work giving you very literal portrayals of both
Tennessee accents and Irish ones. Having lived my whole
life with a foot in Scotland and the other in Kentucky, I
instantly recognized Stover's ability to due justice to
both sides of the pond with love and humor. Posted March 30, 2003
Reviewed by Deborah Macgillivray
Posted January 3, 2007
|
|
A WOMAN
Single mother Bridget Mulligan is on the verge of
homelessness when her late husband's family invites her and
her son to Ireland. Irish in-laws sound like more trouble
than Grandpa's coonhound when the neighbor's poodle goes
into heat, but Bridget is out of options.
A MAN
Riley Mulligan believes the American temptress is only
after their property, though he can't deny her son's
resemblance to his late brother. Unfortunately, Riley also
finds Bridget's guileless and bewitching ways dangerously
desirable....
AND DESTINY
The Mulligans' ancestral castle overlooking the sea haunts
Bridget, and she realizes that her dreams are somehow tied
to the ancient keep. And to the mysterious man who is her
brother-in-law.... Genre: Paranormal Romance
|
