Review: The Maiden of Ireland

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John Wesley Hawkins was condemned to hang, accused of treason and heresy. As he's transported to the scaffold at Tyburn, however, the Lord Protector steps in and offers him the hand of mercy—if Wesley agrees to travel to Ireland on a dangerous mission into the heart of the Irish resistance against English rule. He'll have to seduce the rebels' secrets from a headstrong Irishwoman, but that shouldn't be a problem for a man of Wesley's reputation….
Caitlin MacBride is mistress of the beleaguered Irish castle Clonmuir, and she makes no secret of her loyalty to her countrymen. She's determined to remain strong for her people, but a wish for true love one evening at sunset yields the one thing that may sway her resolve. When Wesley walks out of the mist that fateful night, Caitlin's faith in the magic of Ireland is briefly restored—until she discovers he's one of the treacherous Englishmen she has spent her life fighting against.

Genre: historical romance

Publication date: September 2017

Mature content: yes

Review: I had a difficult time getting into this book and I still think the way Caitlin and Wesley first meet is a bit silly and unrealistic. I kept on turning the pages, though, waiting for something to change - and then it did. I got hooked into the story and couldn't wait to discover how Wesley was going to get himself out of all his predicaments and manage to be reunited with his daughter.

I found the romance between Caitlin and Wesley a bit secondary, given everything else that is happening at the same time, but the rest of the plot, once you finally get into it, is intriguing enough to keep you trying to guess what might come next.

Very well written and historically interesting, even though a few of the dialogs seemed slightly too modern. Four stars.

Happy Monday,