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Women of Courage #2
The Blood upon the Rose
Ireland in 1919 is seething with violence, tension and divided loyalties - and so is the heart of the beautiful, wilful heiress Catherine O'Connell-Gort. For Catherine, by heritage, is a glittering symbol of British rule and oppression - yet by inclination she is a traitor to her class. A fervent supporter of Sinn Fein, she is also the secret lover of Sean Brennan, an IRA volunteer who is being hunted by the police for terrorism and murder.
When the British government decides to meet terror with terror, Catherine finds herself in a position of even greater conflict. Her father, a colonel in British Military Intelligence, recruits Major Andrew Butler, battle-scarred war hero and Irish landlord, to assassinate IRA leader Michael Collins. He also decides that the dashing major would make the perfect husband for his headstrong daughter ...
In a violent climax of passion, guilt and betrayal, while her country hurtles towards civil war, Catherine faces and a agonising choice as she makes her final, fateful decision.
When the British government decides to meet terror with terror, Catherine finds herself in a position of even greater conflict. Her father, a colonel in British Military Intelligence, recruits Major Andrew Butler, battle-scarred war hero and Irish landlord, to assassinate IRA leader Michael Collins. He also decides that the dashing major would make the perfect husband for his headstrong daughter ...
In a violent climax of passion, guilt and betrayal, while her country hurtles towards civil war, Catherine faces and a agonising choice as she makes her final, fateful decision.
448 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 1, 2011
157 people are currently reading
831 people want to read
About the author
Tim Vicary
88 books413 followersTim Vicary is an author and a recently retired university teacher from the university of York, England. His legal thrillers about a tough British barrister, Sarah Newby, have been compared to the works of John Grisham and Scott Turow. The second book in the series, A Fatal Verdict, was awarded a B.R.A.G Medallion for an outstanding independent novel, and the third book, Bold Counsel, was awarded the Awesome Indies Seal of Excellence. He is currently writing a fourth book in the series, entitled Broken Alibi.
His four historical novels have also won praise. Nobody's Slave, a novel about the Elizabethan slave trade, won first prize in the young adult category of the Kindle Book awards 2014. His three other historical novels, Cat & Mouse, The Blood Upon the Rose, and The Monmouth Summer, are all available individually or as a boxed set of three, entitled Women of Courage.
Tim has also written about twenty much shorter books, graded readers for foreign learners of English, published by Oxford University Press. In 2010 and 2011 two of these - Titanic and The Everest Story - were each the winners in their category for the Language Learner Literature Award for the Extensive Reading Foundation.
Tim lives in the English countryside, near York. When he's not writing he likes horse-riding, cycling, and swimming.
His four historical novels have also won praise. Nobody's Slave, a novel about the Elizabethan slave trade, won first prize in the young adult category of the Kindle Book awards 2014. His three other historical novels, Cat & Mouse, The Blood Upon the Rose, and The Monmouth Summer, are all available individually or as a boxed set of three, entitled Women of Courage.
Tim has also written about twenty much shorter books, graded readers for foreign learners of English, published by Oxford University Press. In 2010 and 2011 two of these - Titanic and The Everest Story - were each the winners in their category for the Language Learner Literature Award for the Extensive Reading Foundation.
Tim lives in the English countryside, near York. When he's not writing he likes horse-riding, cycling, and swimming.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
June 10, 2013
"The Blood Upon the Rose" is sort of Romeo and Juliet story set against the backdrop of the violence in Ireland in the early 1900s when the Irish Republican Army (Sinn Fein) was actively engaged in fighting for Irish independence. Catherine is a member of the upper class, which does not believe in the independence movement. Sean is actively engaged in Sinn Fein. They should be natural enemies but in a twist of fate, they fall hard for each other even with everything else going on. It is a great, gripping love story set against chaos. I really enjoyed reading this historical fiction!
One of the things I love about reading historical fiction is being taken to a place and time that I've never really known about before. Sure it's nice to visit old favorites in WWII and Tudor England but it's especially nice to learn about someplace entirely new, which I got a chance to in this book. Vicary really uses a lot of great historical detail to create Catherine and Sean's world. You get to feel of chaotic it would be and what it must have been like to live in those times. I personally did not realize how far the Sinn Fein movement went back so it was really interesting to see the movement during the early part of the 1900s. All of the detail really made the characters feel real to me, which is an important part of any book, in my opinion.
I also really like a good, forbidden love story. The story of everything that happened between Catherine and Sean kept me fully engaged and wanting to know if they were going to get to be together. You really are pulling for them through the whole book until the very end.
Overall, this book has so many good things going for it.
One of the things I love about reading historical fiction is being taken to a place and time that I've never really known about before. Sure it's nice to visit old favorites in WWII and Tudor England but it's especially nice to learn about someplace entirely new, which I got a chance to in this book. Vicary really uses a lot of great historical detail to create Catherine and Sean's world. You get to feel of chaotic it would be and what it must have been like to live in those times. I personally did not realize how far the Sinn Fein movement went back so it was really interesting to see the movement during the early part of the 1900s. All of the detail really made the characters feel real to me, which is an important part of any book, in my opinion.
I also really like a good, forbidden love story. The story of everything that happened between Catherine and Sean kept me fully engaged and wanting to know if they were going to get to be together. You really are pulling for them through the whole book until the very end.
Overall, this book has so many good things going for it.
September 3, 2021
I love history so reading historical fiction is a delight. I learned a lot about Ireland's struggle for independence from this book. It was a good story that kept me engaged with an ending I didn't expect.
August 4, 2017
Good book
You people should just read this book yourselves and write your own review on this novel yourself and I really enjoyed reading this book very much so. Shelley MA
You people should just read this book yourselves and write your own review on this novel yourself and I really enjoyed reading this book very much so. Shelley MA
March 12, 2018
A well written book
Another fine book by Vicary. He knows how to set a scene and mixes his own imagination with historical events.
Another fine book by Vicary. He knows how to set a scene and mixes his own imagination with historical events.
October 20, 2024
Setting was Ireland. That drew me to this one. I really liked it.
August 15, 2012
I have an outstanding book by Tim Vicary called The Blood Upon the Rose. The title made me think of a song I have called Grace by the Dubliners. I found it interesting at the end of the book that the title apparently did come from the words in the song.
About the Book:
Catherine is a wealthy, highborn heiress but during her medical training, she falls for a young man, Sean, of lesser breeding. Catherine is not hiding her moral support of Sinn Fein but Sean is hiding a dreadful secret, one Catherine discovers by accident when her life is put in danger by Sinn Fein rebels. However, that doesn't change the way Catherine feels about Sean. When she does give herself to him, she has no regrets. Only when Catherine comes face to face with the murder of a police commander does she start to question what is really necessary to win Irish freedom.
Meanwhile, her father, Sir Jonathan, has dark secrets of his own as he works to get control of the rebellion and find Michael Collins. Even as he makes a deal with the devil, he knows it is wrong and can only end badly.
He engages the services of Andrew and even as he is asking Andrew to commit the foul act of eliminating Collins, Sir Jonathan thinks Andrew might be a fine choice of a husband for Catherine. Although Catherine's heart is set for Sean she begins to see some good qualities in Andrew, as well up to a point.
My Take:
This is an outstanding book and though most of the characters were pitted against each other, I took to each and every one of them. It was hard to say what I wanted to happen in the book as I wanted each character to succeed which was impossible. The very main characters, Kee the policeman, Andrew the young man scarred in the war and who recently lost his house to arson, Sean freedom fighter, and Catherine the traitor to her class, were so complete that one minute I was angry with them and the next I was pulling for them to 'win'. I can't say enough about how good the writing is and how completely the story takes the reader in.
The bit of history the book explores is just enough for me to wonder how much is historical fact and how much is simply excellent story telling. As I read the book, my appetite was whetted for more of the history of that time. How did the Irish win, when did they win, and why do we have Ireland and Northern Ireland?
A more absorbing book which engages the reader would be hard to find, though perhaps those reading other genres might differ. However, my special genre is Science Fiction, and yet this book had me from the very start.
Recommendation:
I most highly recommend this book to anyone who likes historical fiction, tragic love stories, or just plain good books.
About the Book:
Catherine is a wealthy, highborn heiress but during her medical training, she falls for a young man, Sean, of lesser breeding. Catherine is not hiding her moral support of Sinn Fein but Sean is hiding a dreadful secret, one Catherine discovers by accident when her life is put in danger by Sinn Fein rebels. However, that doesn't change the way Catherine feels about Sean. When she does give herself to him, she has no regrets. Only when Catherine comes face to face with the murder of a police commander does she start to question what is really necessary to win Irish freedom.
Meanwhile, her father, Sir Jonathan, has dark secrets of his own as he works to get control of the rebellion and find Michael Collins. Even as he makes a deal with the devil, he knows it is wrong and can only end badly.
He engages the services of Andrew and even as he is asking Andrew to commit the foul act of eliminating Collins, Sir Jonathan thinks Andrew might be a fine choice of a husband for Catherine. Although Catherine's heart is set for Sean she begins to see some good qualities in Andrew, as well up to a point.
My Take:
This is an outstanding book and though most of the characters were pitted against each other, I took to each and every one of them. It was hard to say what I wanted to happen in the book as I wanted each character to succeed which was impossible. The very main characters, Kee the policeman, Andrew the young man scarred in the war and who recently lost his house to arson, Sean freedom fighter, and Catherine the traitor to her class, were so complete that one minute I was angry with them and the next I was pulling for them to 'win'. I can't say enough about how good the writing is and how completely the story takes the reader in.
The bit of history the book explores is just enough for me to wonder how much is historical fact and how much is simply excellent story telling. As I read the book, my appetite was whetted for more of the history of that time. How did the Irish win, when did they win, and why do we have Ireland and Northern Ireland?
A more absorbing book which engages the reader would be hard to find, though perhaps those reading other genres might differ. However, my special genre is Science Fiction, and yet this book had me from the very start.
Recommendation:
I most highly recommend this book to anyone who likes historical fiction, tragic love stories, or just plain good books.
July 21, 2012
Fascinating and Deeply Moving
Catherine O'Connell-Gort, the only surviving child of Sir Jonathan O'Connell-Gort had always been wild and reckless. When other girls of her age and class were 'coming out' as débutantes, she insisted on going to university to study medicine. And it was there that she met Sean Brennan – handsome, charming... and an active member of the nascent Irish Republican Army.
Catherine's father is desperately taking a stand for the old regime against the I R A murderers and rebels who are killing policemen in the street. And his task is made next to impossible because all the Irish institutions – the police force, the civil service, even the post office – have been infiltrated by Sinn Féin spies, and the Irish people look the other way. Nobody ever sees who carries out the murders and the British can do nothing without the I R A knowing their plans. The members of Sinn Féin, however, are not hampered by rules of gentlemanly behaviour. They are in no doubt that they are fighting a war, waged for the independence of their beloved Ireland, and if innocent people are killed in the process, that is the sacrifice that must be paid.
There are many reasons why you might want to read this book, not the least of which is that it describes more vividly and emotively the early days of the I R A than any text book could.
As always in these circumstances it is the little people who get hurt, the policemen with families to support and a pension to worry about, the idealistic young men like Sean Brennan who are recruited by Sinn Féin and turned into killers.
But there are other reasons. This is one of the most poignant love stories I have ever read. I was moved to tears more than once and kept hoping against hope that somehow Catherine and Sean's fragile, doomed love would survive the bloody battlefield that was Ireland in 1919.
And finally, you might choose to read it for the same reason I did. Because you have read Tim Vicary before and recognised him for the superb writer he is. Make no doubt about it, Tim Vicary is a master of his craft. His prose is fluent and beautiful, his characterisation superb, his plots perfectly structured and paced.
When I read the first book I became a fan. With this one I have become an addict.
Catherine O'Connell-Gort, the only surviving child of Sir Jonathan O'Connell-Gort had always been wild and reckless. When other girls of her age and class were 'coming out' as débutantes, she insisted on going to university to study medicine. And it was there that she met Sean Brennan – handsome, charming... and an active member of the nascent Irish Republican Army.
Catherine's father is desperately taking a stand for the old regime against the I R A murderers and rebels who are killing policemen in the street. And his task is made next to impossible because all the Irish institutions – the police force, the civil service, even the post office – have been infiltrated by Sinn Féin spies, and the Irish people look the other way. Nobody ever sees who carries out the murders and the British can do nothing without the I R A knowing their plans. The members of Sinn Féin, however, are not hampered by rules of gentlemanly behaviour. They are in no doubt that they are fighting a war, waged for the independence of their beloved Ireland, and if innocent people are killed in the process, that is the sacrifice that must be paid.
There are many reasons why you might want to read this book, not the least of which is that it describes more vividly and emotively the early days of the I R A than any text book could.
As always in these circumstances it is the little people who get hurt, the policemen with families to support and a pension to worry about, the idealistic young men like Sean Brennan who are recruited by Sinn Féin and turned into killers.
But there are other reasons. This is one of the most poignant love stories I have ever read. I was moved to tears more than once and kept hoping against hope that somehow Catherine and Sean's fragile, doomed love would survive the bloody battlefield that was Ireland in 1919.
And finally, you might choose to read it for the same reason I did. Because you have read Tim Vicary before and recognised him for the superb writer he is. Make no doubt about it, Tim Vicary is a master of his craft. His prose is fluent and beautiful, his characterisation superb, his plots perfectly structured and paced.
When I read the first book I became a fan. With this one I have become an addict.
July 6, 2013
I thoroughly enjoyed this historic-fiction novel by Tim Vicary, my first experience of this author. Set in a politically divided Ireland in the early nineteen hundreds and backdropped by the First World War, it stages politics, class, and romance and demonstrates how the three just don’t mix.
Catherine is a single-minded, obstinate, and determined young girl, the daughter of a wealthy colonel. Sean is a fanatical young man, dedicated to the IRA and its elusive leader, Michael Collins. Their attraction to each other is fated: they are separated by class, and Catherine has to balance her tenuous loyalty to her father with her love for Sean, who is being sought by the police for murder and hopefully to lead them to Michael Collins. Exasperated and under pressure to find both men, the British government is brought in, and Catherine’s colonel father enlists the stern and lonely Andrew Butler, a hero of the war, to find and assassinate Michael Collins. But the path to the success of this is hampered: how is that their fugitive is always one step ahead of his pursuer?
This was a compelling story. One occasionally forgot the era in which the story was set: there was a modernness about some of the characters that perhaps was a little incongruous, but actually, this was what I really liked. The author didn’t overpower and bog it down with excessive historic detail. In fact, his words were carefully chosen throughout to keep you focussed and glued to the plot. There was no redundancy of words, nor lack thereof. The book was tense, very well conceived, and gripping and kept you on edge to the end. I loved the contrast provided by Catherine and Sean, both committed to their own ambitions, separated by their backgrounds, but bound by their passion.
I very much liked this author’s style and his story-telling ability and will certainly look forward to reading more by him. I thoroughly recommend this.
Catherine is a single-minded, obstinate, and determined young girl, the daughter of a wealthy colonel. Sean is a fanatical young man, dedicated to the IRA and its elusive leader, Michael Collins. Their attraction to each other is fated: they are separated by class, and Catherine has to balance her tenuous loyalty to her father with her love for Sean, who is being sought by the police for murder and hopefully to lead them to Michael Collins. Exasperated and under pressure to find both men, the British government is brought in, and Catherine’s colonel father enlists the stern and lonely Andrew Butler, a hero of the war, to find and assassinate Michael Collins. But the path to the success of this is hampered: how is that their fugitive is always one step ahead of his pursuer?
This was a compelling story. One occasionally forgot the era in which the story was set: there was a modernness about some of the characters that perhaps was a little incongruous, but actually, this was what I really liked. The author didn’t overpower and bog it down with excessive historic detail. In fact, his words were carefully chosen throughout to keep you focussed and glued to the plot. There was no redundancy of words, nor lack thereof. The book was tense, very well conceived, and gripping and kept you on edge to the end. I loved the contrast provided by Catherine and Sean, both committed to their own ambitions, separated by their backgrounds, but bound by their passion.
I very much liked this author’s style and his story-telling ability and will certainly look forward to reading more by him. I thoroughly recommend this.
March 30, 2012
It's 1919 and the Irish Republican Army has declared war on Britain. They see no reason why an outsider should rule their country when they've been doing it for years. It's a war with firm sides. While Britain is trying to stabilize Ireland, the IRA is doing everything in it's power to fight back. Catherine and her father are on opposite sides of this war. Privileged and extremely independent, Catherine feels the IRA is justified in the war it's waging. Her father on the other hand feels the IRA are a bunch of murders. Catherine, a medical student, falls in love with Sean. The problem is Sean is one of the IRA members. Love is never easy and when it happens during a war, things are that much tougher. Catherine's father does everything in his power to keep her away from anything or anyone he thinks might be helping the IRA. It's not easy though. Catherine's story is one as old as time. Follow her on her path to love or heartbreak.
This compelling novel details the IRA movement against Britain in a way that makes it easy to understand and read. I loved the fact Sean and Catherine were able to sneak to spend time together and never get caught. This novel is one where you learn something historical while getting a small love story entwined in it. I enjoyed 'The Blood Upon the Rose' for that fact alone. Well developed characters, strife and a little hope thrown in for good measure makes this a novel you'll definitely enjoy.
The only issue I found was the love story. I felt it could have been a bigger part of the novel and helped fill it out more.
I gave this one 4 out of 5 books because it was more history lesson than love story.
This compelling novel details the IRA movement against Britain in a way that makes it easy to understand and read. I loved the fact Sean and Catherine were able to sneak to spend time together and never get caught. This novel is one where you learn something historical while getting a small love story entwined in it. I enjoyed 'The Blood Upon the Rose' for that fact alone. Well developed characters, strife and a little hope thrown in for good measure makes this a novel you'll definitely enjoy.
The only issue I found was the love story. I felt it could have been a bigger part of the novel and helped fill it out more.
I gave this one 4 out of 5 books because it was more history lesson than love story.
May 7, 2017
This book deals with the story of the Irish Independence and the formation and activities of the IRA and effectively brings out divided personal loyalties in the bigger picture of political unrest. The time period has been well researched and the characters fit well into the background.
The feel of Ireland in the 1920s is very strong, and is the mainstay of the entire book. The despair of the local people, the determination of the British authorities to stamp out Irish nationalism and the anger of the IRA in dealing with such high handedness is very realistic and interesting. The characters are well etched out and the middle of the book becomes very interesting as the plots start to twist and turn and the characters get more complex. The book was suspenseful and kept me wondering what was happening next. Until the very finish, there was no indication of how it would end. The love story fits snugly into the background and flows very naturally.
However, on the downside, there were some clichéd stories. The war torn assassin, the radical idealist who is in love with a rebel girl, an aristocratic girl rebelling against her destiny are all ideas that have been explored before countless times, but the author manages to breathe fresh life into them. At some points in the story, there is a show of misogyny that could have been avoided.
This is highly recommended for anyone interested in a fictional depiction of the background of the Irish – English conflict in the last century.
The feel of Ireland in the 1920s is very strong, and is the mainstay of the entire book. The despair of the local people, the determination of the British authorities to stamp out Irish nationalism and the anger of the IRA in dealing with such high handedness is very realistic and interesting. The characters are well etched out and the middle of the book becomes very interesting as the plots start to twist and turn and the characters get more complex. The book was suspenseful and kept me wondering what was happening next. Until the very finish, there was no indication of how it would end. The love story fits snugly into the background and flows very naturally.
However, on the downside, there were some clichéd stories. The war torn assassin, the radical idealist who is in love with a rebel girl, an aristocratic girl rebelling against her destiny are all ideas that have been explored before countless times, but the author manages to breathe fresh life into them. At some points in the story, there is a show of misogyny that could have been avoided.
This is highly recommended for anyone interested in a fictional depiction of the background of the Irish – English conflict in the last century.
June 29, 2013
The Blood Upon the Rose is a historical love story-taking place during the 1900s highlighting the conflict between Ireland and England. Catherine is a strong woman outspoken medical student who falls in love with Sean a member of the Sinn Fein (a group of Irish rebels). The problem is that Catherine’s father is on the opposite side of the war, so you see forbidden love element to the story brewing. I’m really not into historical novels; in fact it took me a longer time to read the book but that is not to say the novel was not well written. The characters were realistic and well developed. They all had their strengths and flaws. I enjoyed how outspoken Catherine was in a time where it was frowned upon for women to speak up. I also liked how Sean’s character developed. The love story become a triangle when Catherine’s father introduces Major Andrew Butler, a man her father has hired to kill Michael Collins the leader of the Irish rebels. This was the epic forbidden love story that you see throughout history – think Romeo and Juliet as one reader noted. You can’t help to root for all sides of the story, but you know that somebody is going to lose. Again, I thought the author did a great job in creating the environment. For me, I just wanted more romance and the ending was memorable. Would I recommend it? Yes, only if you like both history with romance
June 11, 2012
Well written tale of the Irish troubles of 1919/20. Beginning with an actual ambush attempt on Viceroy French, it weaves facts in along with the fictional romance and action. The characters of the main fictional actors: Sean, Cathy, Kee & Andrew Butler are apt and believable. They come across as distinct individuals and not as quite often happens with poorer writing, minor variations on the same character but with different names and physical descriptions.
A similar difficulty is raised as occurs in ‘The Day of the Jackal’ when we know that De Gaulle is not killed by the Jackal, but Butler’s attempt on Mike Collins, and his fate are still interesting enough to keep the reader entertained.
Probably the only minor cavil is that the story is a little blurred in focus. Is this Sean’s, Cathy’s, Kee’s or Andrew’s story? It is all four of course but I did feel the drama was a shade diluted by not having a main character to fully identify with. Nevertheless we get to view some of the emotional responses to events and situations (women’s sexuality, imperial might, Catholic dogma, moral values of the Police, etc.) that a mere ninety years on seem dated or sad.
A good read and in the few places suspension of disbelief is required, it comes relatively easily.
A similar difficulty is raised as occurs in ‘The Day of the Jackal’ when we know that De Gaulle is not killed by the Jackal, but Butler’s attempt on Mike Collins, and his fate are still interesting enough to keep the reader entertained.
Probably the only minor cavil is that the story is a little blurred in focus. Is this Sean’s, Cathy’s, Kee’s or Andrew’s story? It is all four of course but I did feel the drama was a shade diluted by not having a main character to fully identify with. Nevertheless we get to view some of the emotional responses to events and situations (women’s sexuality, imperial might, Catholic dogma, moral values of the Police, etc.) that a mere ninety years on seem dated or sad.
A good read and in the few places suspension of disbelief is required, it comes relatively easily.
June 2, 2016
I enjoy reading historical fiction. It gives me insight to periods in history that text books never could. In 1982 I traveled to Ireland. One of my goals on that trip was to get an understanding of the "Troubles" in Ireland. What I got was wanting to know more about this period in Irish history. The Blood Upon the Rose tried to do that. As I read I found that my emotions were taking over the story in the book. The author did a great job of presenting a time of futility. One side won this battle, the other side retaliated. The body count grew. But was anything gained? At first I was disappointed with the ending of the book. But when I thought about it, I realized that the ending pretty much summed up the "Troubles" in Ireland. I returned to Ireland within the past 5 years. How much things have changed. We were even able to go into Northern Ireland this time. Things may not be exactly like the Irish would want, but it is more peaceful.
July 20, 2015
World War I has finally ended with an Allied victory but British Prime Minister, Lloyd George has another problem -- Ireland. Michael Connelly and the Sinn Fein are at war with British rule demanding independence. In the midst of the unrest and violence (1919-1920), two idealistic young medical students at University College Dublin, meet and fall in love. Sean is the son of a farmer and Catherine is a member of the land-owning ruling class and even though she supports Sinn Fein she abhors murder. The British security forces are often portrayed as 'keystone cops' and ineffective. Spies, informants, and assassins are found on both sides of the conflict.
Note: Irish independence didn't become a reality until 1922 several years after the events described in this book.
No graphic sex or violence
Note: Irish independence didn't become a reality until 1922 several years after the events described in this book.
No graphic sex or violence
July 22, 2016
The IRA was being lead by Michael Collins. Many young men were in favor of the independence of Ireland from England. Catherine Maeve O'Connell-Gort was on the Irish Republican side. Her two brothers were killed in the English army and her mother slowly went mad and died. Her father is high up on the English staff, and hires a man to capture and kill Michael Collins. Meanwhile, Catherine falls in love with Sean, a member of her medical school class, who is involved with the Republicans. The description of the times is well done, with spies in both camps.
July 24, 2016
A compelling story with lots of suspense that details the IRA movement against Britain. I've heard much over the years about the IRA but didn't fully understand the situation until I read this novel. The author tells a good story and also makes it easy to understand what was going on during that time.
October 1, 2012
I finished reading 'The Blood Upon the Rose' last night. This was a fast paced book that I didn't want to end. It is truly about love and death in Ireland. If you love well-written historicals and have a passion for anything about Ireland and the IRA, then this is the book for you. One by one I'm reading my way through all of Tim Vicary's wonderful novels.
October 12, 2013
I so enjoyed this. It's historical fiction, which I've always liked. But I didn't realize the background story and characters were true to life--until I started recognizing that some of the characters were actual people. I learned a lot about Michael Collins, the Easter Rising, the Irish troubles, etc. Leans toward the romance novel vein, but fascinating and entertaining.
June 2, 2016
Darn good book about the Irish battle for independence and just how family/life shattering that struggle was. I cannot imagine living in a country so at odds with itself (course if Trump gets elected I guess we will find out real quickly what that feels like!) and this book did an awesome job in making it clear just how difficult it was to be on one or the other side is this sad, sad fight.
July 13, 2013
3.5 stars. This early 20th century tale of the Irish revolution was filled with a characters with varying points of view of the issues of the time and place. It was impossible for me to pick out a hero in this story because all had resonable justifications and flawed ones as well.
May 7, 2016
Katherine
An Irish lass or aristocratic, the book is based on real historical event that I had already known. The weaving of those are artfully done in this book along with female struggles still apparent in 2016. Must read book.
An Irish lass or aristocratic, the book is based on real historical event that I had already known. The weaving of those are artfully done in this book along with female struggles still apparent in 2016. Must read book.
October 3, 2019
A riveting read
I like my history told with a story, a long Irish tradition it is kept alive here.
Sympathetic characters, a strong storyline and it is all based on a moment in recent history. Just my cup of tea!
I like my history told with a story, a long Irish tradition it is kept alive here.
Sympathetic characters, a strong storyline and it is all based on a moment in recent history. Just my cup of tea!
August 20, 2021
Awesome Indies Book Awards is pleased to include THE BLOOD UPON THE ROSE: A Novel of Love and Irish Freedom. (Women of Courage #2) by TIM VICARY in the library of Awesome Indies'
Badge of Approval
recipients.
September 25, 2012
I haven't read much about the Irish revoluation against the British. This was a very interesting book. Didn't really like the ending though. Thought it ended a bit abruptly.
October 4, 2012
I was really enjoying this book, with all it's twists, but absolutely hated how it ended! Too many unanswered questions!
May 20, 2013
Good reading. Enjoyed the characters and story.
Want to read
July 3, 2013kindle cloud
August 8, 2013
This was an okay book about the Irish revolution in the early 1900's. I was disappointed in the ending though. It didn't really end.
August 6, 2013
A thoroughly depressing book about the time of the troubles in Ireland. Couldn't finish it, which is rare for me.
August 22, 2013
This is the continuing story for Irelands fight for independence. Very well written. I would recommend it to anybody who likes historical fiction.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews