Releasing 10: young love that blossoms into a deep bond but can it survive the tests of life

Releasing 10 is the sixth book in the Boys of Tommen series by Chloe Walsh. Lizzie Young has always been “too much.” Diagnosed with bipolar disorder at a young age, she never really fit in anywhere. Not her family. Not her community. Not with her friends or in school. Like any child, she just wants to be accepted and loved, with very few on her side, she carries her secrets alone. That is until she meets a kind boy on the school bus and everything changes. Hugh Biggs is a young man beyond his years with a sharp mind and a firm code of ethics, he finds himself drawn to Lizzie with an intense sense of protection. Lizzie finally finds a group of friends and a tenuous sense of belonging. With a bond that grows through their teen years, Lizzie and Hugh’s chemistry grows with a potent love and a connection that goes soul deep. However, their love is shaken by forces and circumstances beyond their control. Can their love within stand the tests that most adults would buckle under? 

I love the Boys of Tommen series and while the series tackles serious topics like childhood abuse, sexual abuse, self-harm, mental illness and suicide, these characters are worth reading such hard topics. Hugh and Lizzie have been on the sidelines since the beginning with little tidbits as to their story, Releasing 10 dives deeper into their history and how they got to where they are when readers first meet them. My heart broke for Lizzie as she struggled with mental illness. My heart also broke for Hugh as he tried to be strong for Lizzie while longing to be a regular teen. I am looking forward to reading the continuation of their store. While the book is categorized as a young adult fiction by the publisher, the topics covered in this series are not suitable for readers under the age of 18. If these topics are too sensitive for you, I do not recommend reading Releasing 10 or the rest of the series. However, if you can handle these topics, I highly, highly recommend Releasing 10. 

Releasing 10 is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook

Saving 6: an enemies-to-friends-to-lovers romance with dark, gritty and heartbreak themes

Saving 6 is the third book in the Boys of Tommen series by Chloe Walsh. Joey Lynch is the second son in a broken family. He has spent his entire life trying to keep his unraveling family together after his older brother leaves them behind. He is the protector and pseudo parent to his younger siblings while teetering precariously on the cliff of addiction. The only light in his dark life is Aoife Molloy. The firecracker classmate and his boss’s daughter, she is always looking forward with a bubbly, strong and self-assured attitude. Ever since the first day of secondary school, she has been curious about the fiery, hothead boy that grows each day. They begin a complicated, tangled and very complex friendship as Aoife wants to get closer to Joey while he is desperate to keep her at arm’s length. What they don’t know is that their relationship is combust into a deeper relationship that will change their lives forever. 

Readers meet Joey and Aoife in Binding 13 and Keeping 13 and in Saving 6, we see the beginning of their relationship. I would describe their relationship as an enemies-to-friends-to-lovers story. Aoife goes toe-to-toe with Joey as Aoife wants to get closer to this bad boy; however, is she ready for his reality? This story is heartbreaking, gritty and very real. I loved Aoife’s character as a strong woman who doesn’t run from Joey, even after she learns the dark secrets he tries to hide. Joey is desperate for a normal life, for a mother’s love. Overall, I loved this story. It took a while to read it as it is filled with very heavy topics that my mind needed time to process. I also loved seeing the other side of the story from books 1 and 2 without completely rehashing it. I highly, highly recommend Saving 6. Word of warning though, there is harsh language and violent moments and it may not be the story for some readers. 

Saving 6 is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook

The Secret of Eveline House: one family's disappearance and one woman's search for answers

The Secret of Eveline House by Sheila Forsey is a story of secrets in a deeply religious village. In 1949, Violet Ward, a playwright, moved to the Eveline House in County Wicklow with her husband, Henry, and their daughter, Sylvia. Violet’s plays have been banned in Ireland and the people in their small country town are hostile to her. Violet ignores it but when Sylvia starts to receive threatening letters, she demands that they return to London. However, Henry is vehemently opposed to leaving Ireland. Seventy years later, Emily O’Connor buys her dream house. Eveline House sits like a time capsule, locked up since 1950 and still filled with the personal possessions of the previous owners. When Emily realizes that the town is filled with hidden cruel secrets which eventually impacts her life in ways she never thought possible. She starts to question the fate of the lost family and sets her on a quest for the answers. 

I love a dual timeline story and I was intrigued by the premise of The Secret of Eveline House. However, this story was not exciting or intriguing. It was dull, repetitive with lots of telling instead of showing. There was too much internal monologue. The story features the oppressiveness and political influence of the Catholic Church in 1950s Ireland, which is interesting. However, the constant reminding of this fact was overbearing and annoying. The pace was also slowed with unnecessary information and flashbacks. The story has entire chapters with background stories of secondary characters that didn’t seem to add anything to the plot. At first, I liked Violet who was a free spirit and ahead of her time with her thinking and views; however, she threatens to leave Ireland and then doesn’t! By the time the story gets to the modern storyline, I didn’t care about what happens to the Ward family and why they left Eveline House. Overall, I did not enjoy this story. I do not recommend The Secret of Eveline House. 

The Secret of Eveline House is available in paperback and eBook

Binding 13: a chance encounter leads to friendship and love

Binding 13 is the first book of the Boys of Tommen series by Chole Walsh. Johnny Kavanagh lives and breathes rugby. It has been his main focus until he met her. An unfortunate accident puts Johnny face to face with Shannon Lynch, the new girl on campus, and he is captivated. Shy and hiding physical and emotional damage, all Shannon wants is to be invisible. Coming from a horrifying situation at a previous school, where she was bullied and tortured, she is desperate for as much peace and quiet that she can get. He doesn’t know why but Johnny feels protective of Shannon and is determined that her experience at Tommen College is better for her. Despite dealing with his own pressures and needing to keep his eyes on the ultimate prize, but, Johnny can’t stay away from the girl with the sad, soulful eyes. What starts as a complicated friendship turns into an undeniable attraction, can Johnny and Shannon overcome the obstacles in their path? 

I was introduced to Binding 13 through TikTok and I was intrigued. While I am not a fan of rugby, I was drawn to the story of Johnny and Shannon. Two teenagers from opposite sides of the tracks who find friendship, love and the reality of the real world around them. Based in Ireland, Binding 13 is a stark look into the world of rugby, teenage love and heartbreak. Once I started this story, I could not put it down. This book has it all. It is real, gritty and heartbreaking. It had humor and banter. It has tense and tender moments with tears and smiles. My heart broke for Shannon and I wanted to reach through the pages and hug her, to save her. I loved Johnny’s character and his connection with Shannon. Word of warning: it is written in the Irish teen vernacular with heavy foul language. I highly, highly recommend Binding 13 and I can’t wait to read the rest of the series. 

Binding 13 is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook

Lives Apart: an immigrant story from Ireland to America

Lives Apart by Anne McLoughlin is the first book in the Lives series. It’s a story of emigration from Ireland to America after the potato famine. At 17 years old, Johanna McNamara left her quiet life on her family’s farm and emigrated to America to join her brother, Hugh. Full of hope and dreams of success, Johanna has great expectations. When tragedy strikes, she finds herself caring for others and putting her hopes and dreams aside. Back in Ireland, her brother Art is struggling with the family farm and his troubled son, Declan. He makes the decision to send Declan to America; however, his arrival brings an act of betrayal that threatens to tear the family apart. Will America be the promised land for Johanna? Will Declan find himself in this new world? 

Set in Ireland, Boston, San Francisco and Nova Scotia, Lives Apart explores the experience of the immigrant as they arrive in a new country and the family they leave behind. I was really interested in this story as a descendant of Irish immigrants, the experiences and stories of immigrants have always fascinated me. However, Lives Apart is very mundane with little action and a bit confusing as the story switches time, place and between siblings. Rather than focusing on Johanna’s story, Declan’s story seems forced and probably could have been its own book as the story tries to do too much in one book and the ending was less than satisfying. Overall, the story was okay but not enjoyable enough to continue this series.. I do not recommend Lives Apart. 

Lives Apart is available in paperback and eBook

The Upside of Falling Down: what good could come from a life falling apart?

The Upside of Falling Down by Rebekah Crane is a story of self-discovery. For Clementine Haas, finding herself is more than just a cliché notion. After she wakes up in an Irish hospital with complete amnesia, self-discovery is more a survival mission. They tell her she’s the sole survivor of a plane crash. They tell her she is lucky to be alive but she doesn’t feel lucky. She feels confused and lost. With the relentless press desperate for her story and a father on his way, one she might not recognize, she’s desperate to escape. Clementine becomes Jane and enlists the help of a blue-eyed stranger to help her escape the hospital and her forgotten life. Kieran O’Connell is doing some hiding of his own as he helps the helpless Jane and takes her to Waterville, Ireland. As their lies grow, so does their affection for each other. Will she regain her memory? Could there be an upside to her life falling apart? 

The Upside of Falling Down was suggested to me and the premise intrigued me. From the opening chapter, the reader struggles with Clementine as she is desperate to regain who she is. It is a story filled with secrets, lies and the discovery of who you really are. A story about facing your fears in order to gain our freedom and starting over. I enjoyed Clementine/Jane very much. The banter between her and Kieran is great and sweet. Even their romance seems to be unlikely but added flair to her dilemma. I also enjoyed her interaction with the colorful cast of characters she meets in the sleepy Irish village from the Jane Austen loving Clive to the ornery Siobhan. The story was engaging and engrossing as Clementine slowly regains who she is but wants to hold on to her new found life. I was surprised at the truth that Kieran was hiding. I highly recommend The Upside of Falling Down. 

The Upside of Falling Down is available in paperback, eBook, and audiobook. 

The House: one family estate and the secret it keeps

The House by A O’Connor is a story about one house in the Irish countryside and the secrets it keeps within its walls. Originally built in the 1840s by Lord Edward Armstrong for his bride, Anna, the house is a testament to the power and prestige of the Armstrong family. But their legacy is threatened when no heir is born and the Great Famine grips the country. Fast forwards to the 1910s and finds Clara lady of the manor as she married Pierce Armstrong. But life on the manor is not what she expected. When the War of Independence erupts in 1919, Clara is caught between two men, between duty and happiness. In 2007, Kate Fallon fell in love with the house. She and her tycoon husband, Tony, buy it and hire architect and last Armstrong owner Nico Collins to restore it to its former beauty. As her fascination with the house and its history grows, she begins to uncover an unknown history and the fates of its occupants from centuries past. 

When I first opened The House, the sheer amount of chapters, 108 with prologue and epilogue, was intimidating! I put off reading this book until I had time to accommodate such a long book. But I didn’t need to do that because once the story starts, the drama and the intrigue flowed from the page that you don’t really notice the number of chapters. I loved the stories as the author weaves in the historical events with the manor. I enjoyed parts of the book which feature the historical events. I recognized the hints to the major historical event before the characters knew what was going on. The schemes, the plots against the occupants of the house was suspenseful. The present day part of the book was more irritating and fell flat compared to the drama of the other parts. The drama here seemed a little far-fetched with an odd ending. Overall, I enjoyed The House and I look forward to reading the other two books in the series. I recommend The House. 

The House is available in paperback and eBook. 

A Letter from America: a book I could not finish

A Letter from America by Geraldine O’Neil is the story of the Tracey family in Tullamore County, Ireland. Oldest daughter, Fiona, is ready to make the leap and move to America for work. She would be leaving behind her parents, Sean and Nancy, and her sisters, Angela and Bridget. Everything is set until tragedy strikes and Fiona must put her plans on hold. As family drama brews, Fiona must make a final decision. Does she stay in Ireland and help her family? Or does she follow her dreams and pursue a life in America?

Unfortunately, I could not finish Letter from America. I just didn’t care about the characters, their conflicts or any resolutions that may come. I was almost 50% into the book and not much had happened, and the characters seemed to be stuck with no willingness to change. I do not recommend Letter from America.

Letter from America

is available in paperback and eBook

St. Patrick: the stories behind the legends

Today is Saint Patrick’s Day. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland along with Saint Brigit and Saint Columba. According to the Confession of Patrick, he was captured by Irish pirates at the age of 16 from his home in Great Britain. He became a slave in Ireland until he was able to escape and return home 6 years later. After becoming a cleric, he would return to Ireland. However, little is known about where he actually worked in Ireland, By the 7^th century, Patrick would be revered as the patron saint and March 17^th would be honored in his name.

The shamrock is one of the symbols associated with Patrick. It is the national plant of Ireland due to its association with Saint Patrick as well as it grows in abundance on the island, According to legend, Patrick taught the doctrine of the Holy Trinity with a shamrock. There is little evidence to indicate if the Irish Celts held the shamrock in high regard; however, many of the deities in their mythology were in threes. For instance, Brigit (or Brigid or Brig) is a goddess depicted as a triple deity. She is associated with the spring, fertility, healing, poetry and smithcraft. The idea of God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit could have been an easy concept that the Irish Celts would understand.

Another legend linked to Saint Patrick is the banishment of all snakes from Ireland. According to legend, Patrick chased the snakes to the sea after they attacked him during a 40 day fast. The absence of snakes in Ireland have given rise to this legend; however, all evidence suggests that Ireland never had snakes. The simple answer is geography. Snakes can be found virtually everywhere on Earth except Ireland, New Zealand, Iceland, Greenland and Antarctica. All these areas are surrounded by water. The theory is that no serpent has successfully migrated across the open ocean to these areas. Even when land bridges were created with the falling ocean levels, snakes would not have survived the Ice Age of Ireland. Why the legend? Snakes present evil in Judeo-Christian traditions as well as paganism. The image of Patrick banishing snakes from Ireland in a sense he banished evil and paganism from the Emerald Isle.

Saint Patrick has become synonymous with Ireland and the Irish heritage identity. That associations was brought to America with the Irish immigrants of the 19^th century. Despite its religious origins, Saint Patrick’s Day is primarily celebrated as recognition of Irish and Irish Americans. For one day, everyone is Irish. The color green is seen everywhere. Chicago, Illinois dyes the Chicago River green every year. Pubs serve green ales and beers. McDonald’s often will promote their shamrock shakes during March in honor of the holiday. People wear green in order to avoid being pinched. I remember those days in school. Corned beef and cabbage is a popular dish to make in honor of Saint Patrick, although the dish is considered an American addition to the holiday.

To everyone, Happy St. Patrick’s Day!!!! 

My Irish Heritage in honor of Irish-American Heritage Month

March is Irish-American Heritage Month. The Irish immigrated to America in record numbers between the years of 1841-1860. Most Irish settled in New York and Massachusetts but many major cities across the country saw an increase in the Irish population. Most Irish faced great discrimination and stereotypes. The thought of the day was since the Irish were descendants of the Celts and not Anglo-Saxon, they were inferior. Many Irish-Americans have become presidents and other government officials as well as others who aren’t so famous but still helped build this great country. I have Irish ancestors through my paternal grandmother’s mother. I decided to explore those roots a little bit now that I have access to amazing databases as Ancestry.com and FamilySearch.org. It’s been an interesting journey which started out as a simple search and has opened up a whole new world of information.

Margaret Jane Robinson is my 2^nd great grandmother. She was born on March 22, 1874 in County Cavan, Ireland to William and Mary Ann (nee Lamb) Robinson. County Cavan is located in the province of Ulster and part of the Border Region. In medieval times, the area was part of the kingdom of East Bréifne. The natural landscape of drumlin hills and loughs have the area a high degree of defense. The poorly drained clay soils also provided an obstacle for any invaders. Areas of Cavan were hit hard by the Great Famine potato blight (1845-49) with the winter of 1847 hit hard by typhus and cholera. The 19^th century saw several mass evictions. To be evicted from your home was a death sentence. If you didn’t have a family member to take you in, your only other option was emigration. I found the record of Margaret entering the country in 1894. She could have been a part of these mass eviction which took place. The next record I can find of Margaret is the 1910 census as she has married my great great grandfather, Charles E. Burns. I don’t know the reason why she came to America or which family members came with her. I don’t how she ended married and living in Oakland, California. When her daughter, Lillian (my great grandmother) married, she would live with her in Klamath, Oregon where she would live out her days. Margaret died February 6, 1945 at the age of 70 due to hepatic cirrhosis.

Charles Edward Burns is my 2^nd great grandfather. He was born on August 23, 1869 in Oakland, California to Thomas and Ellen (nee Clancey) Burns of Ireland. He was a musician and played the trombone. In the 1900 census, Charles was married to Elizabeth Burns with three sons: Charles, Frank, and Thomas, and living in New York. By the 1910 census, he is married to Margaret with two sons and two daughters and in living in Oakland. To imagine in 10 years, he would lose his wife, Elizabeth and a son. I presume that Elizabeth may have died after giving birth to their daughter, Elizabeth (born 1901). He would marry Margaret on April 27, 1908 and have a second daughter, Lillian (born 1909). Charles died on November 27, 1911 at the age of 42 due to endocarditis (inflammation of inside lining of the heart chambers and heart valves). The son I have been able to find records of is Frank who died May 7, 1950 in Klamath Falls, Oregon. I have not been able to find any record of what happened to Charles’s other sons, Charles and Thomas, or his daughter, Elizabeth. All three would disappear from the census records. What happened to Charles’ other three children? I can only guess between 1900 and 1910, his sons, Charles and Thomas, have died. By 1920, Elizabeth could have been married or she, too, could have died.

While searching on FindAGrave.com, I found my great grandparents, Joseph and Lillian Mingo’s grave sites, I discovered that they had a fourth daughter named Virginia Lee. Baby Virginia was born on February 28, 1943 and died on April 4, 1943 at the age of 1 month and 6 days. She died from an acute infectious meningitis as well as an unknown micro-organism nephritis (inflammation of the kidneys). I have never heard about this sister. I always thought my great grandparents only had three daughters. I searched more into my great grandparents and I discovered that they were married on August 17, 1927. Their first child, my grandmother, was born seven years later in 1934. I was curious about the long time between marriage and first child. It seemed a long time for that era to wait so long. I asked my grandmother if she remembers if they talked about having problems having children. She told me that she remembers that they did. It also makes sense since there is a gap between the sisters. Their second daughter was born in 1938 and their third daughter in 1940 and lastly the baby in 1943. With this new information, I wonder if my fertility issues are contributed to by genetics, which makes sense because everything is genetically linked. I feel a strange bond with my great grandmother Lillian as she and I both share a struggle to have children. Even though I never met Lillian as she died seven years before my birth, I feel a stronger connection with her knowing that she felt the same pain of fertility issues as well as losing a baby so tragically.

Although I wasn’t able to find more concrete information about my ancestors’ lives in Ireland or their lives in America once they arrived here, this journey has been eye opening. Through demographic information, I can form an image of who these people were. Margaret left her home in Ireland and made her way to America where she would meet her husband and have a family. The marriage was a short one with Charles’ death after three years of marriage. A simple search about my Irish heritage has led to amazing discoveries. I would encourage everyone to looking into their family history. A great place to start is FamilySearch.org, a free site as well as Ancestry.com which is a paid service although they do offer a 14-day free trial. I also recommend FindAGrave.com. It is a site of gravesites about information about the person and family histories have been added. I have found so much information from this site alone. All you need is the person’s name and approximate birth and death years. You never know what you might discover when you all you have is simple information.

Links to get you started:

Ancestry www.ancestry.com

FamilySearch  www.familysearch.org

FindAGrave www.findagrave.com