In 1920, Annabeth De Lacy’s father is appointed landlord of Galway Parish in Ireland. Bored without all the trappings of the British Court, Annabeth convinces her father to arrange an apprenticeship for her with the Jennings family–descendants of the creator of the famed Claddagh Ring.
Stephen Jennings longs to do anything other than run his family’s jewelry shop. Having had his heart broken, he no longer believes in love and is weary of peddling the ÒliesÓ the Claddagh Ring promises.
Meanwhile, as the war for Irish independence gains strength, many locals resent the De Lacys and decide to take things into their own hands to display their displeasure. As events take a dangerous turn for Annabeth and her family, she and Stephen begin to see that perhaps the “other side” isn’t quite as barbaric and uncultured as they’d been led to believe–and that the bonds of friendship, love, and loyalty are only made stronger when put through the refiner’s fire.
Travel to the Emerald Isle for another poignant and romantic story from the enchanted pen of Jennifer Deibel
I was drawn to this book by the synopsis because I had never read much about the war for Irish Independence. And this book did not disappoint! I felt like I was visiting Ireland 100 years ago and I actually googled the Claddagh ring.
The DeLacy family came to Ireland as a posting from the Crown for the father to be landlord of Galway Parish. It is quite a different and simpler way of life for Annabeth and her sister Emmaline. The whole family originally has quite a prejudice against the Irish and Anna is even told that the “Irish need our help…They don’t know any better than to cheat, steal, drink and fight. It (is) up to us to show them the cultured and sophisticated way of life. God’s way.”
So, I loved how attitudes changed, both of the DeLacy family and the Irish who come to know them. I also loved how the love of Christ shines through Anna as she loves her sister, her family, her mentor Seamus and ultimately Stephen (it is a romance book, after all!). Great book!
I received a copy of this book from the publisher. I am freely writing a review – all thoughts and opinions are my own.
The Author: Jennifer Deibel is the author of A Dance in Donegal. Her work has appeared on (in)courage, on The Better Mom, in Missions Mosaic magazine, and in other publications. 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 http://www.jenniferdeibel.com.
The Lady of Galaway Manor was published by Revell on February 1, 2022
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