Review - - Hildy Dannaher Goes Off Script

Hildy Dannaher Goes Off Script

by Erin Knightley

Publisher: Hearthstone Reach Publishing

Release Date: February 11, 2025

Reviewed by PJ

Hildy Dannaher has got to get it together. Between her high-profile divorce, the sale of her home, and the looming deadline for the most important script of her career, she doesn’t have time for a coffee break, let alone a nervous breakdown. But when she discovers her late mother’s memory box, Hildy’s long-suppressed need for answers quickly overshadows everything else in her life.

Realizing she must address the gaping holes in her own story before she can move on with writing another, she flies halfway around the world to the tiny sea-side village where her mother was raised. The L.A. to County Kerry culture shock is real, but she soon feels a connection to this, her ancestral home.

She’s charmed by the land, its people, and even her unexpected sheepdog roommate, but her focus remains on the questions that brought her here: Who is Hildy’s father, and what happened nearly forty years ago that caused her pregnant mother to flee Ireland, never to look back? The problem with going off script is she has no way of knowing if there will be a happy ending, or if she’ll end up more heartbroken than ever.

PJ's Thoughts:

 

Oh, how I have missed Erin Knightley! For me, Knightley's historical romances always guaranteed well developed characters, intriguing storylines, and an enjoyable reading experience. This new book, the first in several years, a contemporary women's fiction/romance blend, serves up the same.

I was drawn into Hildy's life from the start and happily followed along on her Irish quest for answers. Knightley brought the small seaside village in County Kerry to life, from the bucolic sheep farms amidst rolling emerald hills, to the lively camaraderie at the local pub. And then there are the vividly drawn citizens who bring a rich Irish texture to the overall story. I couldn't get enough of them. Okay, maybe not the snippy cashier at the local grocery but every town has one, right?

I enjoyed how Hildy's journey was interwoven with the lives of the locals she befriended and especially how those new relationships influenced her search for her roots. Knightley kept the suspense of those answers central to the story while keeping me guessing as to what the answers - if any - would be. It kept me eagerly flipping pages right up until the reveal.

The romance, while not the central focus of the book, is a lovely addition to Hildy's Irish experience. I was in this unexpected couple's corner the entire way, hoping for a happy ending.

SPOILER: I was not disappointed.

I hope Knightley has more books of this type in her writer's pocket. I was thoroughly charmed. I'm also ready to book a flight to Ireland!

Review - - An Irish Summer

An Irish Summer

by Alexandra Paige

Publisher: Avon

Release Date: July 1, 2025

Reviewed by PJ

Boston has everything Chelsea needs: her best friend, her family, a great job. She’s worked and lived at the same bed and breakfast since graduating college, and she relishes the sense of stability. That is, until she’s informed that O’Shea’s Bed and Breakfast is being sold and she has less than a month to find a new job and apartment. Desperate, she takes a summer gig at the B&B’s sister hostel in Galway, Ireland. It’ll be an adventure, she convinces herself, and it’ll give her some time to plan her Next Act.

As it turns out, Galway has everything Chelsea hates: nonstop rain, no iced coffee, shared bathrooms. Working at The Wanderer might grant her time and a few extra lines on her resume, but Chelsea can’t help but feel like she left her life back in Massachusetts. Her new coworkers, however, are determined to change her mind, especially the handsome and charming tour guide Collin.

Collin and Chelsea strike up a deal: he’ll show Chelsea everything Ireland has to offer, and only then can she pass judgement. Sure enough, Chelsea finds herself warming up to the hostel and Irish lifestyle… and falling for her charismatic new friend. But as the summer comes to an end, she finds herself torn between the familiarity of home and the tantalizing adventure of life abroad.

An Irish Summer is a heartfelt, transporting story perfect for readers looking for the thrill of moving away from home and the unique magic of summer love. 

PJ's Thoughts:

What a lovely, charming story. I felt like I was taking a guided tour of Ireland - with a sexy Irish guide - from the comfort of my home. Of course, by the time I finished the book, I was ready to pack my bags and book a flight to the Emerald Isle so there's that...

I love a fish out of water story and when Chelsea first arrives in Galway she is not only out of her comfort zone but also ready to board the first flight back to Boston. It's an absolute delight to watch her slowly over the course of one summer open her heart not only to the country of Ireland but also to the many friends she makes there and, especially, to Collin. I love the friendship that forms between them that slowly evolves into something deeper and I fretted over how they would possibly find their HEA with Holly so very committed to building a life away from Ireland even as she falls hard for both Collin and Ireland. 

Collin, on the other hand, is Irish through and through. He worked for a bit in the U.S. but returned to his beloved homeland. His love for the many special qualities she offers are clear to see and feel. The descriptions of places, people, and activities are so vibrantly depicted that it really did feel as if I was by their sides experiencing everything with them. He falls first and it was an absolute delight to witness. I was pulling so hard for both him and his country to win Holly's heart. 

Friendships and families - both bio and chosen - are in the forefront of this book. I love the bonds between Holly and her hometown bestie and between Holly and a second bestie she meets while in Galway. Then there's Collin's family. I want to accompany him and Holly to the raucous Sunday roast at his family home just to be able to watch and listen. 

If you're looking for a fun, heartwarming romcom that will take you on a tour of self-discovery and romance across the emerald green hillsides, sparkling waters, and rollicking pubs of Ireland, depositing you at the end, brimming with happiness, satisfaction, and the desire to start planning your own trip, I recommend picking up a copy of An Irish Summer. It has my enthusiastic recommendation.  

Review - - Love at First Book

Love at First Book

by Jenn McKinlay

Publisher: Berkley

Release Date: May 14, 2024

Reviewed by PJ

 

Emily Allen, a librarian on Martha’s Vineyard, has always dreamed of a life of travel and adventure. So when her favorite author, Siobhan Riordan, offers her a job in the Emerald Isle, Emily jumps at the opportunity. After all, Siobhan’s novels got Em through some of the darkest days of her existence.

Helping Siobhan write the final book in her acclaimed series—after a ten-year hiatus due to a scorching case of writer’s block—is a dream come true for Emily. If only she didn’t have to deal with Siobhan’s son, Kieran Murphy. He manages Siobhan’s bookstore, and the grouchy bookworm clearly doesn’t want Em around.

Emily persists, and spending her days bantering with the annoyingly handsome mercurial Irishman only makes her fall more deeply in love with the new life she’s built – and for the man who seems to soften toward her with every quip she throws at him. But when she discovers the reason for Kieran's initial resistance, Em finds herself torn between helping Siobhan find closure with her series and her now undeniable feelings for Kier. As Siobhan's novel progresses, Emily will have to decide if she’s truly ready to turn a new page and figure out what lies in the next chapter.

PJ's Thoughts:

Okay, who among us has had the occasional fantasy of moving to an Irish village and falling for the hot owner of the local book shop? Just me? That is certainly not what Emily had in mind when she accepted author Siobhan Riordan's offer to be her assistant but that's exactly what happened. Well, that's what happened after a fair amount of push and pull between the "let's modernize the bookshop" Em and the "change is not in my vocabulary" Kier. Oh, and did I mention that Kier - the bookshop owner - is also Siobhan's overprotective son? Or that there's a very good - and secret - reason for the fact that fans have been waiting ten years for her to write the final book in her wildly popular book series? Or that Em's main reason for moving to Ireland was to escape her suffocating existence under her emotionally abusive mother's thumb? Yeah, there's a lot going on in this book. I may have used more than a few tissues but there was also plenty of laughter and a whole lot of fun. 

Jenn McKinlay creates multi-layered stories with relatable characters with complex layers, giving them emotionally challenging circumstances, realistic flaws, and undeniable chemistry, then guides them through the fray, as they evolve and grow into the best versions of themselves. Sometimes there is heartache. Also, anger and frustration. But, just as often, there's humor, friendship, romantic awakenings, and love. 

I loved the chemistry - and conflict - between Em and Kier. It was fun to watch them spar and then, eventually, come together...for his mother and for themselves. I really rooted hard for these two.

The relationship that developed between Siobhan and Em was heartwarming and also heart-wrenching. After a lifetime of emotional abuse from her own mother, it was wonderful to watch Em flourish under the nurturing attention of Siobhan. My only real quibble with the book is that we didn't get to see resolution between Em and her mother on the page. I really wanted that. 

The sense of place that McKinlay created transported me straight to that Irish village. I could hear the music from the pub, feel the mist on my skin, hear the lyrical tilt of voices from the locals, and want nothing more than to book a flight tomorrow. If this book doesn't make you want to visit Ireland, I don't know what will.

If you enjoy contemporary fiction with humor, heart, romance, complex characters, an Irish bookshop (complete with a broody - did I mention hot - Irish owner), and emotional depth, add Love at First Book to your summer reading list. 

For those of you who read McKinlay's Summer Reading (May 2023 - click to read my review), Emily Allen is the best friend of Sam, Summer Reading's main female character. Em is a secondary character in that book and Sam and Ben appear in Em's story, Love at First Book. You don't have to read the books in order but I enthusiastically recommend them both. 

This may be a bit of a spoiler but for those readers for whom these may be triggers, I feel it's important to know. Also, the impending death is revealed early in the book. 

Content Warning: emotionally abusive parent, cancer, death

Today's Special - - Joan Kayse

It's St. Patrick's Day so who better to visit us today than our favorite Irish (by way of Kentucky) lass, Joan Kayse! You may know Joan from Romance Bandits or from her ancient Rome romances but she's here today to chat with us about a new direction in her writing. She's moved forward a few centuries and taken her talents to the magical, mystical Emerald Isle with a terrific new series. Let's find out more about it!

Hi Joan! It’s a pleasure to welcome you today to talk about your new Guardian Isle series. These books represent a new direction in your writing. Please tell us about the premise of the series and how many books there will be.

Hi Dishes! PJ, thanks for having me. Have you ever wondered how much gold was in the pot at the end of the rainbow? Turns out that pot of treasure contains more than precious metal, it contains the essences of life itself….foundation, resilience, knowledge and more. The gifts that comprise life. Each treasure is aligned with a warrior of the Leithprachaun clan, the solitary Fae assigned to protect them. As long as the treasures are contained, all is well. But what happens if they are lost or stolen?  The Guardian Isle series answers that when the curse of a Dark Banshee Queen separates the Leithprachauns from their essence. The time for renewing is upon them and if they can't find them and take them back, then darkness will destroy life as we know it.

There are nine books in this series.

Ruarc: Bound by Stone kicked off the series on February 21^st. What can readers expect from this first Guardian Isle book?

This book  introduces lovers of paranormal romance to a different take on the magical beings.  An alternate Irish mythology. Sure you've heard of Leprechauns, but that's just bad press from a ticked off Fae hierarchy. The Leithprachaun are proud, solitary Fae who must face the consequences of their father's mistakes and recover their treasures and save the world. Save existence.  In Ruarc: Bound By Stone, you meet Ruarc whose treasure portion is that of foundation . He's been feeling anything but stable as his treasure continues to elude him. His magic's going wonky and his High King, his brother Patric's not pleased. But neither are his brothers and sister who look to him to lead the way to redemption.  Being solitary in nature, used to being alone, he's stunned to find out the only way to ground himself is through the connection with a Cheile, a soulmate destined for only him. 

Ruarc and his clan have some pretty cool magical powers. If you were granted a magical power for yourself, what would you choose and why?

Well, there's fun magical powers and then the ones to save humankind. I guess I'll go with the fun choice and choose levitation.  That way, I wouldn't have to dislodge Cricket or Grayson the Monkey Cat from my lap when I want a snack :D

I think Rachel would probably approve of that power too! 

What inspired you to create this new series and why Ireland?

My inspiration came from my first trip to Ireland in 2002. It sounds SO cliché but I can say without a doubt that as soon as I touched down, I felt at home. My heritage is ¾ Irish and there was such a connection! I truly felt one with the world around me. Ireland is beyond description gorgeous even on those rainy days.  Creation occurred there and in my mind, that's where our world started…IN Ireland :D That's the why to the setting. This storyline was inspired by watching a REALLY handsome Irish stone mason working on…you guessed it…a stone wall! Yum. O.

Will these books be digital only or will they also be available in paperback?

Yes and yes. It will be available on Kindle, iTunes, Nook, GooglePlay and trade paperback.

After reading this book, I’ve decided I need to add breakfast at an Irish B&B to my bucket list. I know you enjoy playing in the kitchen, so what are your go-to breakfast dishes to make? Any Irish favorites?

My favorite breakfast to make is at Cracker Barrel or IHOP :D But I love scrambled eggs and bacon and being Southern a good biscuit and gravy would not be amiss. I'm really not sure how they decided what entailed an Irish breakfast on my visits there but two things I came to love. Muesli …though I figured out WHY on my second trip…I was putting Irish MILK/CREAM on that cereal LOL. And I developed a liking for white blood pudding. Very sausage like. Dang…now I'm craving some.

When can we expect the next book in the series (you’ve hooked me!) and are you able to tell us anything about it?

I plan to have the second book out by year's end. It will tell the tale of Brady Sullivan, whose treasure is music. The Irish are very connected to music and song and in that way spirit too. And it doesn't matter which instrument…I saw a guy play the spoons in a pub and he had his eyes closed connecting with the rhythm and the timing. Sigh. Love me some Irish trad music.

Is there anything you’d like to add about Ruarc, Aine or the other Guardians?

Just that I'm thrilled to bring stories with a fresh perspective in terms of paranormal beings. And to showcase the wonder that is Ireland.

Speaking of Ireland, I'm delighted to have you here on the day when everyone celebrates their Irish roots...whether they have them or not! Tell us, how do you celebrate St. Patrick's Day? Any special traditions? If money and time were no object and you could celebrate this holiday anywhere in the world, where would you be and with whom?

I wear green in some manner or fashion on St. Patrick's Day. If I'm off work that day, I will stop by for fish and chips at a local pub Molly Malone's. They have trad musicians that day and the atmosphere is energizing...even without the Guinness. :D I love the primal beat of a bodhran drum.

Oh, you have to know I'd be in Ireland, along the coast of the southwest or in Killarney deep in the National forest, sitting on a rise looking at the lakes. And hmmmm...would would I be with? I'd love to be with Patric, High King of the Leithprachaun. He has a lot on his place besides colcannon and could use a shoulder to lean on...and maybe a back rub...a temple massage...a...a...yeah...a shoulder to lean on. :D 

LOL! Not a bad way to spend the holiday! 

Thanks for visiting with us, Joan! Would you like to ask our readers a question?

You're welcome PJ and thanks again. Hmm…a question. What would you like to find in the pot at the end of the rainbow?

Joan is giving away one copy of Ruarc:Bound by Stone to a randomly chosen person who leaves a comment. Winner's choice of Kindle, Nook or print.

Life is grand—until the fate of the world is laid on your shoulders. Ruarc Dongahue should be used to life's unexpected twists and turns. After all, at age thirteen his own life was turned upside down when a stranger claimed him as his son—and informed him he was a Leithprachaun, a warrior of the Fae. Entrusted with the essences of life, the treasures of both mortal and Fae worlds, Ruarc grew into a man, becoming the warrior his clan expected, living life in the moment. Cue another twist when the wrath of the Dark Banshee queen steals and hides the treasures from the Leithprachaun's hands. Aye, life is feckin' grand. 

After the death of her family, Aine O'Neill stopped believing the stories of the Fae and magical worlds her Irish grandmother thrived on . She went from a dream filled young girl to a woman who lived by logic and common sense meeting the real world head on as an investigative journalist. But logic cannot ease her grief when her grandmother dies and she must travel to Ireland to settle her estate. In, out and she can get back to business. Instead she finds a dilapidated manor house and a hot, sexy Irishman who claims to be—a leprechaun. 

The essences of the world must be gathered together every third era for renewing to prevent the Fae and mortal realms from disintegrating into chaos. A trick that, as neither Ruarc nor his siblings have recovered them. Centuries spent searching have led him to an estate in the Irish countryside and a gorgeous Yank with emerald eyes, luscious curves and fiery spirit that sends the solitary Fae spinning. When he discovers she is the key to locating his essence he attempts to manipulate her into helping him . But its more than access to the property that Aine brings the Leithprachaun warrior. Time is short and with his magic and his heart spinning out of control, Ruarc must come to grips that there is more at stake than the world's existence...his heart and soul. 

The fate of the world lies in the Essences of Life, the treasures of both mortal and Fae realms. Once every third era, the Essences must be assembled together at the sacred stone circle or life will sink into chaos and death. The safeguarding of these treasures has rested in the hands of the Leithprachaun, the warrior clan of the Fae. The Dark Banshee queen has released her wrath on the warrior clan and stolen the precious items, cursing them to give their heart, something the capricious Fae cannot do, to find them. The renewing is rapidly approaching and time is running out. Will dark forces gain the power of life, dooming the world to extinction? 

Tick, tock…