"Jennifer Deibel's debut is rich in atmosphere, family mystery,
and sweet romance. A gem!"--Julie Klassen, author of The Bridge to Belle
Island
All her life, Boston-born Moira Doherty has relished her mother's descriptions
of the Emerald Isle. When her mother dies unexpectedly in the summer of 1920,
Moira is compelled to fulfill her dying wish--that she become the teacher in
Ballymann, the beloved village in Donegal, Ireland, she's heard so much about.
After an arduous voyage, Moira begins a challenging new job in an unfamiliar
and ancient country. Though a few locals offer a warm welcome, others are
distanced by superstition and suspicion. Rumors about Moira's mother are
unspoken in her presence but threaten to derail everything she's journeyed to
Ballymann to do. Moira must rely on the kindness of a handful of friends--and
the strength of Sean, an unsettlingly handsome thatcher who keeps popping up
unannounced--as she seeks to navigate a life she'd never dreamed of . . . but
perhaps was meant to live. PRAISE FOR THIS BOOK:
"With an authenticity born of having lived in Ireland herself, the
author deftly paints a lush landscape, colorful customs, and memorable
characters with personal journeys of their own. This impressive debut marks
Jennifer Deibel as an author to watch."--Jocelyn Green, Christy
Award-winning author of Veiled in Smoke
"Fans of Catherine Marshall's Christy will want to clear room on their
favorites shelf because this one's earned a place alongside!"--Kristy
Cambron, bestselling author of The Paris Dressmaker and The Butterfly and the
Violin
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Jennifer Deibel is a middle school teacher whose work has appeared on
(in)courage, on The Better Mom, in Missions Mosaic magazine, and others. With
firsthand immersive experience abroad, Jennifer writes stories that help
redefine home through the lens of culture, history, and family. After nearly a
decade of living in Ireland and Austria, she now lives in Arizona with her
husband and their three children. You can find her online at www.jenniferdeibel.com.
This story is set in Donegal County, Ireland, in 1920. At her late mother's heartfelt request, twenty-year-old American, Moira Doherty, has traveled to her mother's homeland to become the village of Ballymann's school teacher.
Her mother's unexpected death has left Moira feeling unsettled in her grief, anxious about her new life, and bewildered about why her mother recommended her for this job when Moira has never taught a day in her life.
Moira's arrival in Ballymann stirs up negative feelings in the townspeople; and for the most part, their reaction to the new schoolteacher is chilled, and in some cases downright chilling.
A mystery unravels when Moira questions why she is being shunned by the villagers who constantly compare her to her mother. References are made to her mother's lifestyle before she moved to America. Whispers, accusations, and suspicions grow in their intensity throughout the first half of the book or so. Finally, the questions are answered and untruths are unearthed and Moira finds peace about her mother's life in this small town.
There are some loving, kind, compassionate, faith-filled characters in this book whom I grew to admire and respect for their loving treatment of others. Colm, Peg, Sean, and Brid were great sources of support and encouragement to Moira when she needed it most. They became her family since her parents were both deceased.
The author did a fine job of describing the beautiful countryside of Donegal County and teaching readers about the customs, traditions, and lifestyle of the Irish in this time period.
The faith element in the story is strong at times, and I was touched by one quote from Brid when she was comforting Moira about an uncomfortable situation, "The Laird said to love and pray for our enemies. He didna say 'twould be easy." (page 190)
There are a few instances of verbal and physical abuse aimed at Moira from three different men in the village. All of these incidents were worrisome. One event, in particular, was especially disturbing as it involved a brutal assault which I did not expect to read in a Christian historical romance.
Moira grew up fast in Ballymann. She learned a lot about God, herself, and human nature as time passed by. She found answers to her search for why her mother wanted her to live in Donegal County. More importantly, she found the true love of a good man.
I received a paperback copy of this book
from Baker Publishing Group through the Revell Reads blogger program. My
opinions and comments are solely my own.
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