Title: Irish Meadows (Courage to Dream #1)
Author: Susan Anne Mason
Pages: 384
Release Date: June 30, 2015 (eBook), July 7, 2015 (print)
Genre: Historical Romance (1911)
Publisher: Bethany House
Note: I received a free copy of this book from the author in
exchange for my honest opinion.
About the book:
1911 Long Island,
New York
Faced with an
uncertain future, sometimes all you have left is the courage to dream.
Brianna and
Colleen O’Leary know their Irish immigrant father expects them to marry well.
Recently he’s put even more pressure on them, insinuating that the very future
of their Long Island horse farm, Irish Meadows, rests in their ability to land
prosperous husbands. Both girls, however, have different visions for their
futures.
Brianna, a quiet
girl with a quick mind, dreams of attending college. Vivacious Colleen, meanwhile,
is happy to marry – as long as her father’s choice meets her exacting standards
of the ideal groom. When former stable hand Gilbert Whelan returns from
business school and distant relative Rylan Montgomery visits Long Island during
his seminary training, the two men quickly complicate everyone’s plans.
As the farm slips
ever closer to ruin, James O’Leary grows more desperate. It will take every
ounce of courage for both sisters to avoid being pawns in their father’s
machinations and instead follow their hearts. And even if they do, will they
inevitably find their dreams too distant to reach?
My review:
Filled with
masterfully written characters!
This book is
filled with a complete cast of incredibly well developed characters. I
connected completely with a number of the young adults from very early on. So
much that I need to get my feelings for the father, James O’Leary out here at
the beginning. Many times during this story I wanted to shake the man and tell
him, “These are people, your own daughters, with feelings and dreams of their
own.”
The young adults
struggle with a number of conflicting emotions throughout the book. They are
trying to figure out their feelings as well as God’s plans for their lives.
Most of the older people share a lot of sensible advice with them. A lot of it
is encouraging them to seek God for direction. At times some of the younger
adults also have incredible words of wisdom to impart to each other.
The story
captured my interest from very early on. At no time did I lost interest in it
or want to even take a break from this novel. It is a wonderfully well written
story. I am definitely looking forward to Susan Anne Mason’s next book.
Dear Lord, Hear my cry. My wife is reading this book, and shouting "I want to strangle the man". Now Lord, I know she is really getting angry with someone in this book. Please don't let her dream about the book, otherwise I might have to sleep on the couch lest she strangle me in her sleep.
ReplyDeleteAmen (from Debbie's hubby)