Brides O’ The Emerald Isle

‘Brides O’ The Emerald Isle’ is a fictional Christian romance novella that takes place in Ireland. There is one main contemporary story with three historical stories placed in parts of the story where the main characters are doing historical research.

‘A Legend of Love’ by Linda Windsor is the main part of the story and is of course broken into four sections to go around the other three stories. Moyra O’Cullen is the tourism direction in the town of Ballymara. Jack Andrews is a journalist who has been sent from the prestigious World Travelogue magazine. Jack has come to their town to write a feature about Ballymara’s pledging stone and chapel.

In the old days before Christianity came, the Irish considered contracts made at the stone unbreakable. But Christianity came and Conn, a holy man, consecrated and dedicated the stone to God and love. Now when a male and female say the ancient pledge (a specific rhyme) over the stone, then the promise is considered unbreakable and their marriage will last unto death. But Jack has become cynical to love after his fiancé left him for another. He decides that he is going to disprove the legend surrounding the pledging stone. It’s up to Moyra to prove that it’s not the pledging stone that makes the marriages last, it’s the Lord that makes them last. Together Moyra and Jack do some research into stories of the past that take place in Ballymara and involve the stone.

The first story is ‘A Legend of Peace’ by Vickie McDonough. In 1895, Keely O’Cullen and her father attend a Wild West show that is touring Europe. During the show, one of the cowboys, Nick Dalton, was injured due to Keely’s dog. Taig O’Cullen, Keely’s father and a retired doctor, feels slightly responsible for Nick’s injury, takes him in until he can rejoin the traveling show. Only Keely and Nick come to care for each other. But can Keely learn that not all Americans are untrustworthy, like her former American fiancé?

The second story is ‘A Legend of Mercy’ by Pamela Griffin. In 1359, Lord Garland took in a small boy named Ardghal, who was found in the snow. His parents were dead. Ardghal was brought up with Cormac, Garland’s son, and Breanda, who become Garland’s ward when her parents died. In 1367, Ardghal and Breanda made a pledge over the stone, just the two of them. Breanda is abducted shortly afterwards. It is up to Ardghal to find his beloved. But Ardghal is Irish and Breanda is English, and a marriage between the two would be greatly frowned upon. Can their love surrive the problems that will arise with their peoples?

The third story is ‘A Legend of Light’ by Tamela Hancock Murray.  In 500 AD, Conn came to the town of Ballymara to spread the word about God and what Jesus had done for all mankind. Sorcha of the O’Cuilinn tribe does not believe in Conn’s words about his God. Her father is pushing her to marry a man she does not want to, so she schemes ways to marry the handsome Conn instead. Will Conn fall into Sorcha’s marriage trap or will he find a way out?

As a nice added bonus, there is a pronunciation guide at the front of the book for some of the names and some of the words used. This is a wonderful book. And should easily get you in the mood for St. Patrick’s Day, or wanting a trip to see the Emerald Isle itself.