The Lady of Galway Manor - by Jennifer Deibel

A breathtaking story set in 1920 along the gorgeous countryside of Ireland. I have always wanted to go to Ireland and see all the historical sites it has to offer. The author helped me get there through her words that danced across the pages as I envisioned what it looked like during this time period. Lady Anna is a delightful character with charm, grace and elegance. She may come from an influential family but she does not like to flaunt that fact around. Indeed she is an humble woman with a pure heart and willingness to help others. I loved that Anna wanted to learn more about the craft of designing jewelry and was thrilled when she was offered an opportunity to show her talent. Stephen was not my favorite character at first because he seemed a little rude and way too protective of the family business. He judged Anna at first because of who her father was so it took me a bit to at least tolerate him. Stephen is still angry about the problems between the British and Irish which does cause friction between him and Anna at times. The story is good at times but does seem to stall at certain points which caused me to lose interest at times. The author does show how both characters need to work on some issues which makes them face trust, loyalty and forgiveness. Set against the backdrop of turmoil between two countries it is a look at how we need to look at both sides before placing blame or judgment. I received a copy of this book from Revell Reads Blogger Program. The review is my own opinion.

In The Lady of Galway Manor, Anna, who is originally from England arrives in Ireland. Her family is very esteemed however there are some mysterious issues going on. Anna, the adventurous child in the family, seeks through her father's help and secures an internship with a jewelry maker, Stephen and his father. Stephen isn’t so sure about having Anna learn the trade in his shop. However his father is very eager and he has the ulterior motive of seeing his son fall in love again. There is much going on in this historical fiction. It is very intriguing and there are lots of twist and turns. I thoroughly enjoyed the Lady of Galway Manor as historical fiction. It’s also a great romance. I was given a free copy from the publisher for my honest review which I am happy to do. I do recommend The Lady of Galway Manor by Jennifer Deibel.

The Lady of Galway Manor by Jennifer Deibel is another beautiful experience in historical Ireland from this author. I’ve been anxiously anticipating this novel since reading her debut, A Dance in Donegal, and this newest release was just as impressive! I loved seeing Ireland through Anna’s eyes, watching her reconcile the real Ireland and its unique people with what she’d been taught back in England. Her view of this part of the world was child-like in its innocence but wondrous in its recognition of the rare artistry, character, and pride of the Irish. I really felt like I was experiencing each new cultural insight with her. It made me feel as if I was a visitor to the island, too (and made me want to search for airline tickets!). I loved how the history and traditions of the Claddagh were woven into major themes in this novel and how they shaped the spiritual thread in the story. Love. Loyalty. Friendship. All three wind themselves into Anna and Stephen's story much like the Celtic knots that grace his jewelry. And Jennifer Deibel does such a fantastic job at slow-burn romance. I don’t know how many times people caught me smiling or giggling at these two and their slow transition from enemies to more. And while Stephen made me want ot smack the back of his head once or twice (I might have cheered when his father did once.) with his stubborness, I still fell in love with his guarded heart and his loyalty to his family. Overall, this was an excellent story, one I will be recommending for a long time! Fans of historical fiction, especially stories set on the beautiful island of Ireland will enjoy this culturally rich novel full of tradition, beauty, and love. I was given a copy of this book by the publisher with no expectations of a positive review. All opinions are my own.

It has been a very long time since I’ve posted a book review. For the past four months I have been working third shift for a manufacturing job. This is after quitting my previous 8-5 job to do something more “exciting”. It was exciting, but wasn’t the right fit for me. After my fourth month, I’m returning to my normal 8-5 job and am finding out that my head clears enough for me to read and once again write book reviews. I have quite the backlog to read and review, but I’m excited to once again find those nooks and crannies that I call home for my reading time. This book is one of the first I had the chance to dive into and read. It’s about Annabeth De Lacy, who has convinced her father to allow her to apprentice with a jeweler who created the renowned Claddagh Ring. It’s a story of two world’s clashing, the British and Ireland. It’s of how both sides are told bad things about the other and then it’s story of the awakening of what the truth really is. It’s a good story once I was able to settle down in one spot and read it. Initially there wasn’t really anything that drew me in and told me to stop what I was doing to finish it. After a few chapters I finally reached that moment and couldn’t put it down. I received this book from Revell Publishing and the review is my own opinion.

Thanks to LibraryThing & Revell Books for an advance reader's copy. All comments and opinions are my own. This is a straightforward, familiar but enjoyable historical romance that takes place in 1920s Ireland, between a British lady and an Irish jeweler. Lady Annabeth, the daughter of a British landlord, moves with her family from Britain to Ireland during the growing uprising that is the beginning of the Irish War of Independence. She becomes an apprentice to local jeweler Stephen Jennings, the descendent of the creator of the famed Claddagh ring. Anna's father, Lord De Lacy, allows her to work in the Irish Claddagh shop as a way to stem her boredom before she marries Lord Corning and secures financial security for their family. Stephen keeps his distance from Anna at first, but as they learn to work together and their rapport grows, they start to uncover the true meaning of love, loyalty, and friendship. Anna's faith is shown through her whispered prayers and her compassion, as well as her sincere heart as she interacts with the Irish people in the area. She tells her sister Emmaline how working with Stephen and his father Seamus has "revealed a new way of life - one built around community and relationship rather than position and title." Author Jennifer Deibel knows the area firsthand, and vividly describes the colors, sights, and sounds of the Irish countryside of Galway. Many of the novel's characters come to life through their behavior and their Irish pronunciations, their food, and music. And Deibel has done her homework in describing the civil unrest between the British and the Irish during this time. The relationship between the two main characters is a motif to the tension of the two countries. I think the novel fulfilled her prayer that "this story would open your eyes to see that all are created in the image of God, therefore, all are valuable and hold purpose. And when we see injustice, it is our responsibility - inasmuch as we are able - to live at peace with everyone and stand up for the vulnerable, as well as those being ostracized." So while this is a traditional historical romance, because it is written against the background of political turmoil and the fight for independence, it is a more thought-provoking story with depth and authenticity that still resonates today.

I totally loved this Irish Historical Romance! The story touched me, the plot captivated me, and the characters felt so relatable and endearing to me that I felt their struggles as if they were mine. Stephen Jennings works at his father’s jewelry shop ever since he was a boy. But after being rejected by the woman he once loved, he wants nothing more than to go anywhere else where he is not reminded of the undying love the claddagh ring -for which the shop is so well known for- represents. Tired of meeting new and besotted couples that remind him of his failure he is about to tell his Da of his wishes of starting anew somewhere else. But circumstances stall his wishes as the daughter of the new English landlord of Galway is sent to their shop as an apprentice. And his father expects him to take on this young, naïve and nonetheless beautiful apprentice. He cannot be anything but annoyed at Lady Annabeth De Lacy, even if her innocent beauty and kind heart for his people tug at something he cannot identify deep in his heart. Annabeth is excited to start her new life away from court and English society expectations. She’s not a girl to be kept inside broidering, so when her father agrees to send her to the Claddagh Jewelry shop as an apprentice, she couldn’t be more excited. Even if her appointed tutor seems to be annoyed with her to no end. But her love and interest in his people needs seems to warm him, if only a little. But how can an English Lady ever fit with the Irish? If she gets some disdainful gazes from Irish men and women, will Stephen ever see her as one of them? Does she want to be one of them when they are at odds with her own people who still oppose to their own independence, and when a war is on the brink of starting? Where does her loyalty belong to? A totally captivating story in every way! I loved Anna and Stephen’s story! I loved Anna’s naivety, her optimism, her compassionate heart toward the less fortunate, her willingness to do something that impacts instead of staying in the comfort of her Manor. She had a bright personality that clashed at first with Stephen pessimism and lack of faith in love and kindness in people. While Annabelle was like sunlight, Stephen was a bit bitter and cold at first, but he grew on me as he changed during the story. He proved himself to have a big heart when he lost the fear to love, he was protective and loyal. I also liked Anna’s determination in not giving up or be affected by Stephen’s rejection at first. She was strong and didn’t judge people because of their origins as her parents did. Loved her interactions with Seamus, Stephen’s father, who was also an endearing and very wise character in the story. The Irish scenery was so well depicted I could almost imagine myself in there. The author’s writing style is enchanting. I especially loved the part about the Claddagh ring tradition, named after the small and humble town. The dialogues, the Irish accent was so realistic, it made everything very vivid. I loved that the author lived there and to find out that the Claddagh Jewellers shop exists in Galway City, as the legend of the Claddagh ring is also true. I loved that the symbol of the ring represented love, loyalty and friendship. These three words are strongly tested in the main characters throughout the story. There’s a faith inspiring thread that made the book have a deeper meaning and uplifted me. About loving others how God loves each one of us, without judgement, with unconditional love. Stephen discovers God’s love through Annabelle, and it was beautiful to see him change his way of seeing life because of getting to know her kind heart. The romance was sweet and tender, it captured my heart! This book is definitely a beauty and so much worth reading. I highly recommend it to Historical Romance Lovers!!