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Nell
Wealthy Jillian Fitzgerald and destitute Frankie Maguire grew up together in northern Ireland. The widening chasm of their class differences could not daunt their dreams of someday marrying, until fate cruelly rips them apart. Nell Fitzgerald, a tragic Irish princess from the Middle Ages, calls to the torn couple from the past and proves that neither prison bars nor the hands of time can stop the true power of love...
338 pages, ebook
First published February 1, 1999
8 people are currently reading
94 people want to read
About the author
Jeanette Baker
22 books83 followersI love all things Irish, the language, a good cup of tea, soda bread, stew, smoked salmon, banoffee pie, green hills, happy cows, chedder cheese,... and all things Southern, sweet iced tea, southern hospitality, everything written by Anne Rivers Siddons and Johanna Trollope, blazing sunsets, driving through hot desert nights with the windows open, coffee and conversation with good friends, Katherine Hepburn movies, dessert, intimate gatherings and bright breezy days.
I live in Southern California during the winter months where I teach school to remarkably well-behaved 6th graders. During the summer months I live in County Kerry, Ireland where I take long walks, listen to traditional music, sigh over gray skies and write, write, write.
I live in Southern California during the winter months where I teach school to remarkably well-behaved 6th graders. During the summer months I live in County Kerry, Ireland where I take long walks, listen to traditional music, sigh over gray skies and write, write, write.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
January 16, 2018
I really enjoyed Nell. It is a historical, contemporary and a bit of paranormal in one, taking place in Ireland. It has dual timelines, similar to a Kearsley novel. I only had a couple of minor problems with it: 4.5/5 stars
June 29, 2015
3.5 I liked this book a lot more than I thought I was going to. At first I wasn't crazy about the jumping between the two stories, but then it got better. I actually enjoyed the historical story better, and wished there would have been more of that. Each of the stories could have been stand alone books. I understand the connection between the characters, I just don't know if it was necessary.
August 24, 2012
Nell
by Jeanette Baker
Rating: 4
Genre: Contempory Fiction | Romance | Historical
Jillian Fitgerald, whose grand house had 60 rooms, grew up together with Frankie Maguire, the kennel keeper's son, in Northern Ireland. That she was rich and he was poor did not daunt their dreams of someday marrying. But Jillian was headed for a privileged life and the university. Frankie, drawn into the nationalist cause, faced a charge of murder and the dark walls of a jail cell.
With their lives torn apart, there seemed no chance for Jillian and Frankie. But the heart owns knowledge to which the mind is not privy. Generations before, an Irish princess, Eleanor "Nell" Fitzgerald, her family killed, her life in jeopardy, her beloved torn from her arms, was preparing to reach out to another woman who shared her heritage...a woman in another century. Now, from the court of Henry VIII to the violent streets of modern Belfast, Nell and Jillian will become two souls joined in one courageous battle to prove that neither prison bars nor the hands of time can stop the power of love...
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My Review: Jilly had always been an innocent and ambitious child that quickly developed a life-long crush on her ancestral family's kennel keeper's son. She also had a privileged but lonely childhood. As a result, she constantly craved knowledge for her endless curiosity which she unexpectedly found in Frankie's calm guidance. From an early age, she learned to unbiasedly appreciate the differences around her, something very rare in Northern Ireland's 1970s Protestant/Catholic mayhem. As she aged, her trust and love in Frankie grew significantly until a fatal family accident tore them apart for almost twenty-years. Jilly kept hope during their years of separation because of a sacred promise made between them to wait for each other. But, adolescent promises cannot always be kept in times of war/turmoil and Jilly, before long, finds her life headed in a very different direction than first expected.
Throughout it all, a deeper secret has physically haunted Jilly since childhood--the spirit of Nell, a family relative from over 400-years in the past. Thought of as an imaginary-friend while young, Jilly could never understand why Nell was visible only to herself and no-one else. Nevertheless, both related ladies soon found themselves on a mission to solve each others personal struggles since both shared the ingrained ability of stepping through time to be the voice of wisdom in each others time of need.
Frankie knew his limitations early on, especially in regards to Jilly and her high-classed families expectations. As much as he had like to dream about his future as a veterinarian graduate and a life with the girl he shared a strong connection with, the harsh reality forced on fellow Catholics like him quickly altered his perception. Foolishly thinking that the law would not condemn a young boy for an accidental murder, Frankie found himself on prison row and sliding deeper in the Irish Republic Army's activities--away from Jilly and the marriage promise they made. Consequently, Frankie slyly adopted a new identity, took on a more powerful role within his Catholic community, and basically dropped off the face of the earth before being discovered by Jilly many years later. When destiny crossed his path with Jilly years later, both were living extremely opposite lifestyles. Thus, Frankie became torn about overcoming the political prejudices set against them in hopes of finally being together with Jilly--or will the deep-seated beliefs that Protestant/Catholic relationships could never last overshadow his youthful dream?
On the flip side, Nell's relationship struggles back in the 1500s intensifies when the Celtic warrior Donal attempted to keep her from harms-way after her family fell apart in Tudor England. Living in a time when women held little control over their futures, Nell and Donal shared a bond that intensified as they become betrothed. Furthermore, the heart wants what the heart wants no matter what the King of England may say in the matter.
I began this story expecting more of a time-travel adventure, but come out of it enjoying a sweet budding romance that started at a young age and continued into adulthood. The overall tale was gripping and emotionally heart-breaking but also fascinating with presenting how fickle fate can be. No matter how much Frankie and Jilly may have chosen to pull away from each other at a young age, they were always drawn back together...eventually. Moreover, the Irish chaos created around them only intensified their eventually union while any attempts of avoidance as adults in creating anything more was as good as meaningless in the reader's eyes--who could easily witness the internal struggle both went through throughout the story. Additionally, the supernatural aspect of Nell and Jilly being each others spirit guide was out-of-the-ordinary but ultimately feel flat for me. Neither really contributed very much to the others story and could have easily been cut out all-together without much of a difference throughout the general tale. All in all, if you are an historical fiction fan that takes pleasure in endless romances full of tension and turmoil, you will like Baker's book. Enjoy!
Likes: How both Jilly and Frankie stayed true to each other in their own ways. I will not go into details her because of spoilers, but it was still charming overall.
Dislikes: The two stories (i.e. Jilly/Frankie and Nell/Donal) did not really complement each other as I had hoped. I would have enjoyed more similarities between the two tales and, sadly, about half way through the book they were no longer created as parallel point-of-views but instead as two separate entities. To me, it felt almost as if Jilly's story eclipsed everything else in the book and that Nell's tale was not really needed to complete the story--almost like her life narrative was only there for filler and would have been much better as a prequel.
Chapter One/Paragraph One: In Jillian's mind, Francis Maguire would forever be associated with the pungent, woolly smell of wet dog. It never occurred to her that it was the slightest bit unusual for the closed-in world of the Kildare kennel to evoke images of a boy's callused palm and defined calf muscles, of his thin, sun-browned hand and rich, healing voice, of black hair and winter-gray eyes, of warmth and giving and all that she'd known of acceptance and compassion and sharing. Considering the privileged circumstance of Jilly's birth and the underprivileged one of Frankie's, the way she felt was beyond unusual. It was extraordinary.
Favorite { Scene, Character or Setting }: Scene
Leaving her lemonade untouched, Jilly turned to stare out over the storm, showing him only her profile. "Do you think our lives will be any different, Frankie?"
Struck by the maturity of her question, he started at her, noticing for the first time the way the morning light outlines the delicate edge of her cheek and chin, the shape of her nose, and the pure clean line of her throat. He remembered the she was only thirteen, and a wave of color swept across his face.
Turning away, he considered her question. "Maybe not so different, but at least we'll have hope for somethin' better. That's more than we have now."
Slowly, she turned to look at him with that new maturity he had never noticed before. "What could be better than this?" She waved her arm to encompass their surroundings.
"For me, this is the exception," he said, keeping his gaze averted. "You wouldn't know about that."
"It's not always life this for me, either, Frankie. Would you care to change places and see?"
"Don't be ridiculous."
"Answer the question. Would you want to go home to my family, to Terrence, my mother, and my father?"
"Perhaps not Terrence," he said, attempting a note of levity.
"I didn't think so."
She stood and walked toward the stream to dip her feet. Frankie couldn't take his eyes off the slender curves of her bare legs under the rolled-up overalls or the way her body dipped in at the waist and flared slightly at her hips. Christ, what was the matter with him? This was Jilly. She was a schoolgirl, and he was nearly seventeen. There were plenty of girls in the village for what he had in mind, even more in Belfast. His spirits lifted.
Tomorrow, Monday, was the day he would leave. By Wednesday, his examinations would be over, and he would have seven days to himself, seven days of freedom, of pubs and films, of Guinness and music, seven days of museums and theater, of shops and craic and women. Sheer heaven to one who measured the success of his entertainment by the size of the crowds in Kilvara on market day. Tomorrow, he would have forgotten all about his sudden fascination with a tomboy with too many freckles, a girl who though fishing for trout was the best life had to offer, a girl he had no business noticing in the first place.
More reviews @ www.bookstoburyyourselfin.blogspot.com
by Jeanette Baker
Rating: 4
Genre: Contempory Fiction | Romance | Historical
Jillian Fitgerald, whose grand house had 60 rooms, grew up together with Frankie Maguire, the kennel keeper's son, in Northern Ireland. That she was rich and he was poor did not daunt their dreams of someday marrying. But Jillian was headed for a privileged life and the university. Frankie, drawn into the nationalist cause, faced a charge of murder and the dark walls of a jail cell.
With their lives torn apart, there seemed no chance for Jillian and Frankie. But the heart owns knowledge to which the mind is not privy. Generations before, an Irish princess, Eleanor "Nell" Fitzgerald, her family killed, her life in jeopardy, her beloved torn from her arms, was preparing to reach out to another woman who shared her heritage...a woman in another century. Now, from the court of Henry VIII to the violent streets of modern Belfast, Nell and Jillian will become two souls joined in one courageous battle to prove that neither prison bars nor the hands of time can stop the power of love...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
My Review: Jilly had always been an innocent and ambitious child that quickly developed a life-long crush on her ancestral family's kennel keeper's son. She also had a privileged but lonely childhood. As a result, she constantly craved knowledge for her endless curiosity which she unexpectedly found in Frankie's calm guidance. From an early age, she learned to unbiasedly appreciate the differences around her, something very rare in Northern Ireland's 1970s Protestant/Catholic mayhem. As she aged, her trust and love in Frankie grew significantly until a fatal family accident tore them apart for almost twenty-years. Jilly kept hope during their years of separation because of a sacred promise made between them to wait for each other. But, adolescent promises cannot always be kept in times of war/turmoil and Jilly, before long, finds her life headed in a very different direction than first expected.
Throughout it all, a deeper secret has physically haunted Jilly since childhood--the spirit of Nell, a family relative from over 400-years in the past. Thought of as an imaginary-friend while young, Jilly could never understand why Nell was visible only to herself and no-one else. Nevertheless, both related ladies soon found themselves on a mission to solve each others personal struggles since both shared the ingrained ability of stepping through time to be the voice of wisdom in each others time of need.
Frankie knew his limitations early on, especially in regards to Jilly and her high-classed families expectations. As much as he had like to dream about his future as a veterinarian graduate and a life with the girl he shared a strong connection with, the harsh reality forced on fellow Catholics like him quickly altered his perception. Foolishly thinking that the law would not condemn a young boy for an accidental murder, Frankie found himself on prison row and sliding deeper in the Irish Republic Army's activities--away from Jilly and the marriage promise they made. Consequently, Frankie slyly adopted a new identity, took on a more powerful role within his Catholic community, and basically dropped off the face of the earth before being discovered by Jilly many years later. When destiny crossed his path with Jilly years later, both were living extremely opposite lifestyles. Thus, Frankie became torn about overcoming the political prejudices set against them in hopes of finally being together with Jilly--or will the deep-seated beliefs that Protestant/Catholic relationships could never last overshadow his youthful dream?
On the flip side, Nell's relationship struggles back in the 1500s intensifies when the Celtic warrior Donal attempted to keep her from harms-way after her family fell apart in Tudor England. Living in a time when women held little control over their futures, Nell and Donal shared a bond that intensified as they become betrothed. Furthermore, the heart wants what the heart wants no matter what the King of England may say in the matter.
I began this story expecting more of a time-travel adventure, but come out of it enjoying a sweet budding romance that started at a young age and continued into adulthood. The overall tale was gripping and emotionally heart-breaking but also fascinating with presenting how fickle fate can be. No matter how much Frankie and Jilly may have chosen to pull away from each other at a young age, they were always drawn back together...eventually. Moreover, the Irish chaos created around them only intensified their eventually union while any attempts of avoidance as adults in creating anything more was as good as meaningless in the reader's eyes--who could easily witness the internal struggle both went through throughout the story. Additionally, the supernatural aspect of Nell and Jilly being each others spirit guide was out-of-the-ordinary but ultimately feel flat for me. Neither really contributed very much to the others story and could have easily been cut out all-together without much of a difference throughout the general tale. All in all, if you are an historical fiction fan that takes pleasure in endless romances full of tension and turmoil, you will like Baker's book. Enjoy!
Likes: How both Jilly and Frankie stayed true to each other in their own ways. I will not go into details her because of spoilers, but it was still charming overall.
Dislikes: The two stories (i.e. Jilly/Frankie and Nell/Donal) did not really complement each other as I had hoped. I would have enjoyed more similarities between the two tales and, sadly, about half way through the book they were no longer created as parallel point-of-views but instead as two separate entities. To me, it felt almost as if Jilly's story eclipsed everything else in the book and that Nell's tale was not really needed to complete the story--almost like her life narrative was only there for filler and would have been much better as a prequel.
Chapter One/Paragraph One: In Jillian's mind, Francis Maguire would forever be associated with the pungent, woolly smell of wet dog. It never occurred to her that it was the slightest bit unusual for the closed-in world of the Kildare kennel to evoke images of a boy's callused palm and defined calf muscles, of his thin, sun-browned hand and rich, healing voice, of black hair and winter-gray eyes, of warmth and giving and all that she'd known of acceptance and compassion and sharing. Considering the privileged circumstance of Jilly's birth and the underprivileged one of Frankie's, the way she felt was beyond unusual. It was extraordinary.
Favorite { Scene, Character or Setting }: Scene
Leaving her lemonade untouched, Jilly turned to stare out over the storm, showing him only her profile. "Do you think our lives will be any different, Frankie?"
Struck by the maturity of her question, he started at her, noticing for the first time the way the morning light outlines the delicate edge of her cheek and chin, the shape of her nose, and the pure clean line of her throat. He remembered the she was only thirteen, and a wave of color swept across his face.
Turning away, he considered her question. "Maybe not so different, but at least we'll have hope for somethin' better. That's more than we have now."
Slowly, she turned to look at him with that new maturity he had never noticed before. "What could be better than this?" She waved her arm to encompass their surroundings.
"For me, this is the exception," he said, keeping his gaze averted. "You wouldn't know about that."
"It's not always life this for me, either, Frankie. Would you care to change places and see?"
"Don't be ridiculous."
"Answer the question. Would you want to go home to my family, to Terrence, my mother, and my father?"
"Perhaps not Terrence," he said, attempting a note of levity.
"I didn't think so."
She stood and walked toward the stream to dip her feet. Frankie couldn't take his eyes off the slender curves of her bare legs under the rolled-up overalls or the way her body dipped in at the waist and flared slightly at her hips. Christ, what was the matter with him? This was Jilly. She was a schoolgirl, and he was nearly seventeen. There were plenty of girls in the village for what he had in mind, even more in Belfast. His spirits lifted.
Tomorrow, Monday, was the day he would leave. By Wednesday, his examinations would be over, and he would have seven days to himself, seven days of freedom, of pubs and films, of Guinness and music, seven days of museums and theater, of shops and craic and women. Sheer heaven to one who measured the success of his entertainment by the size of the crowds in Kilvara on market day. Tomorrow, he would have forgotten all about his sudden fascination with a tomboy with too many freckles, a girl who though fishing for trout was the best life had to offer, a girl he had no business noticing in the first place.
More reviews @ www.bookstoburyyourselfin.blogspot.com
January 19, 2018
Hard to rate
This book is hard to rate, mostly because I both really liked it and found it frustrating. The history and detail is amazing. But the length the tale takes to get the happy ending felt so long, and I wondered if I’d end up smiling or wanting to throw the book away when it was done.
This book is hard to rate, mostly because I both really liked it and found it frustrating. The history and detail is amazing. But the length the tale takes to get the happy ending felt so long, and I wondered if I’d end up smiling or wanting to throw the book away when it was done.
September 25, 2021
Not really my cup of tea, too long, ghosts and time travel between two different love stories.
June 23, 2013
This book was a combination of a beautiful love story x3, a time shift between 1537 and 1974-1998, and a fictionalized, but essentially historically accurate depiction of the "troubles" in Northern Ireland during that time. There was also a bit of "woo-woo" ghost apparition stuff for fun and to tie it all together.
Even if actual persons and conversations are fiction, history is always at its most compelling for me when told in a story format where hopes, fears, loves, and losses are depicted. This book did not disappoint. There were so many wonderful people that I came to care about deeply. In addition, having three compelling love stories intermingled with the historical events was like having "a spoonful of sugar to help the medicine go done.
I have read many books, both fiction and non-fiction, about "The Troubles", but the history of the issues of class divisions, religious loyalties, a family unity and tradition as well as wars, conquerings, violence, revenge, and broken promises, is so complex that a true understanding requires looking at the situation in as many forms as possible. Jeanette Baker's book added a good deal to my knowledge and understanding, for which I am grateful.
In short, a wonderful story with important historical education.
Even if actual persons and conversations are fiction, history is always at its most compelling for me when told in a story format where hopes, fears, loves, and losses are depicted. This book did not disappoint. There were so many wonderful people that I came to care about deeply. In addition, having three compelling love stories intermingled with the historical events was like having "a spoonful of sugar to help the medicine go done.
I have read many books, both fiction and non-fiction, about "The Troubles", but the history of the issues of class divisions, religious loyalties, a family unity and tradition as well as wars, conquerings, violence, revenge, and broken promises, is so complex that a true understanding requires looking at the situation in as many forms as possible. Jeanette Baker's book added a good deal to my knowledge and understanding, for which I am grateful.
In short, a wonderful story with important historical education.
December 22, 2012
This is a novel about two loves in different centuries.
In the 16th century King Henry VIII orders the execution of the entire Fitzgerald clan. In Ireland, the Irish chieftains take to the sword. Donal O'Flaherty is determined to get back his love, Eleanor Fitzgerald. (Nell) In 20th century Ireland Jillian Fitzgerald falls in love with the kennel keeper's son, Frankie Maquire but Frankie is sidetracked into the civil war raging in Northern Ireland. Jilly marries Avery Graham, a member of parliament, a brilliant politician. The two girls slip through time to help each other through times of trouble although they themselves have no memory of it.
I read this straight through. Except for being a descendant of Nell, I would have little idea of what connection Jillian would have to the first story but in both centuries the Irish are fighting the overbearing British.
How each resolves their love is a heart stopping story.
I feel sympathy for the Irish as I married into a family of 75% Irish descent.
In the 16th century King Henry VIII orders the execution of the entire Fitzgerald clan. In Ireland, the Irish chieftains take to the sword. Donal O'Flaherty is determined to get back his love, Eleanor Fitzgerald. (Nell) In 20th century Ireland Jillian Fitzgerald falls in love with the kennel keeper's son, Frankie Maquire but Frankie is sidetracked into the civil war raging in Northern Ireland. Jilly marries Avery Graham, a member of parliament, a brilliant politician. The two girls slip through time to help each other through times of trouble although they themselves have no memory of it.
I read this straight through. Except for being a descendant of Nell, I would have little idea of what connection Jillian would have to the first story but in both centuries the Irish are fighting the overbearing British.
How each resolves their love is a heart stopping story.
I feel sympathy for the Irish as I married into a family of 75% Irish descent.
March 24, 2012
I was lost in all of the Irish names and overwhelmed by the political history. There were two love stories, two completely different time periods, and two set of politics. The history of Ireland is too complicated to be squeezed into a little book. It was too much and while I could see that the two women were related by blood somehow, I felt it was a bit of a stretch to link the two of them together in one book.
This is the second book from this author that I have read that involves main characters from two different time periods. It didn't bother me in Irish Lady, but this time it just didn't work for me. It got too complicated and the two time travelers didn't seem all that connected to each other. I am still interested in reading other books by this author.
This is the second book from this author that I have read that involves main characters from two different time periods. It didn't bother me in Irish Lady, but this time it just didn't work for me. It got too complicated and the two time travelers didn't seem all that connected to each other. I am still interested in reading other books by this author.
June 13, 2012
I especially liked this book because of the historical elements of it. I don't know that much about Irish history so I was very interested. Even though the book was first published in 1999 so the comtemporary parts were more contemporary, it still was very interesting to read about the Northern Ireland peace process. I would recommend this to anyone who likes historical romance.
May 22, 2012
Oh, I don't know how I want to rate this. There were times when I loved it to pieces and others when I wanted to throw it across the room! I'll have to ruminate on this for a few days...
July 23, 2013
I was just a little confused the whole book. Admittedly I got wrapped up in a few different sections of the story, but then the bizarre would happen and the whole plot would lost momentum.
July 8, 2014
Read several years ago but just getting it posted to Goodreads. Transferring all my book-related info from spiral notebooks to Goodreads.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews