From goodreads.com:
Beyond the Cliffs of Kerry
by Amanda Hughes (Goodreads Author)
It seduces her like a lover. It
bewitches her like a spell. It is something mysterious and powerful that Darcy
McBride must follow beyond the cliffs of Kerry. Ireland in 1755 is a terrible
place ravaged by famine and the brutal occupation of the British, there seems to
be no escape. Darcy joins a group of smugglers who trade illegally with the
French and when operation is discovered, she is transported to the English
Colonies for servitude. Shattered by war and bloodshed, Darcy finds the
colonists on a feeding frenzy of survival. She refuses to be devoured and meets
them with determination and fire stopping them in their tracks. When she
confronts the brash and attractive Jean Michel Lupe', a surveyor for the Crown,
sparks fly, and Darcy meets her match. His blend of refinement and frontier
masculinity unsettles and entices her. Together, they are swept into a whirlwind
of violence and intrigue that threatens their love and their
survival.
"As he stepped out into the pouring rain, Jean Michel had to regain his composure. He was not sure he liked the feelings that were churning inside him. This McBride woman had the ability to reach into his soul and open doors he thought were closed forever. She ignited a desire in him that was beyond anything he had ever imagined. Confused and overwhelmed, he blamed it on long months without carnal pleasures, and pushing it from his mind; he started down the path for the McDermott homestead."
"As he stepped out into the pouring rain, Jean Michel had to regain his composure. He was not sure he liked the feelings that were churning inside him. This McBride woman had the ability to reach into his soul and open doors he thought were closed forever. She ignited a desire in him that was beyond anything he had ever imagined. Confused and overwhelmed, he blamed it on long months without carnal pleasures, and pushing it from his mind; he started down the path for the McDermott homestead."
Kindle
Edition, Text to speech enabled, 414
pages
Published April 2011 by Amazon Digital Services (first published 2002)
Leona's Review:
Beyond the Cliffs of Kerry by Amanda Hughes
This is my first read by Amanda Hughes and I was not
disappointed.
The story begins in 1755 in Ireland where Darcy McBride and
her brother are part of a smugglers group in order to survive in hard times.
Life in Kerry has been difficult for Darcy and her brother, Liam, They are the
last of their family; the others have died during the Great Hunger of 1740. The
smugglers are caught and Darcy becomes an indentured servant. She is bought by
Nathan Lawrence, a British soldier. Her new life begins in Massachusetts where
it is still the "frontier".
I like the use of defining the chores at this time period such
as the skinning deer, baking the beans, making a Sally Lund cake and gardening.
I have never heard the term "three sisters" which is corn, beans and squash.
Years ago, I was a volunteer in the exhibit of the Maya Indians of Mexico at a
museum in St. Paul, Minnesota and I referred to corn, beans and squash as a
staple. More information is available on the Web for those interested. When
reading a book such as this, we are reminded of how easy we have it when we can
go to the store and buy so many things pre-made. It also details the clothing at
the time as well as building the cabins.
This is a love story and there are sexual times in the book.
As an indentured servant, a woman must obey the commands of the man who bought
her; it is still well done. Some bad language but it fits the time and
occasion.
There is death as the settlers fight off the Indians and the
English and French are at war. Some gory scenes during the fights and the heart
begins to beat faster as people flee and run for their lives. "Life on the
frontier was indeed cruel". (page 337 Kindle edition)
God is present on the book even though it is not a Christian
love story. "When he (Jean Michel) became frustrated he remembered what Etienne
had told him years ago, that God always reveals the way; simply wait for it to
unfold." (page 309 Kindle edition)
Even though this book tells about the hard conditions there
are still some good times in the book. Friendships are made and there is love
and kindness.
Some characters are:
Darcy McBride- The main woman character. She has so much
strength and is a true heroine of any book.
Jean Michel Lupe- A surveyor in America who falls in love with
Darcy
Etienne- A priest from America who comes to Ireland. He
teaches Darcy to read and they become close friends.
Nathan Lawrence- He buys the papers of Darcy and now owns her
for seven years.
Liam McBride- Brother of Darcy.
Bran Moynaham- Sold into indentured servant for seven years
and was returning to Ireland. He was to marry Darcy before he went to
America.
Telia- A good friend of Darcy who lives in
Ireland.
Raoul LaRoche- A French Voyager who befriends Darcy in
America,
The book is dedicated : To my mother. She taught me to love
books and to love Ireland.
Acknowledgements: Special thanks to Ronnell Porter for the
cover art and design.
I downloaded this book on Amazon.com because it looked
interesting. Ireland is one place I have not visited. I also have not read a
book about the American frontier in years. I give it a 5 Star rating. I would
re-read this book and recommend it to people who like historical novels. The
opinions are my own.
You may find Amanda Hughes on goodreads.com and www.amandahughesauthor.com
Leona Olson
