Born & Bred

Life & Times Trilogy #1

by Peter Murphy

Danny Boyle was a born angel.

At least that’s what his granny used to say, and she should know � she raised him after his parents proved incapable. When she becomes ill, Danny is reunited with his parents but they do not get to live happily ever after, as the ghosts of the past haunt their days. And when the old woman dies, all of her secrets come to light and shatter everything Danny believes in.

In the turmoil of 1970’s Ireland, an alienated Danny gets into drugs and is involved in a gangland killing. Duped by the killers into leaving his prints on the gun, Danny needs all the help his friends and family can muster. Calling in favors from bishops and priests, police and paramilitaries, God and the devil, the living and the dead, they do all that they can. But even that might not be enough.

BORN & BRED is the first novel in the Life & Times Trilogy, a cycle of three novels that will chart the course of one star-crossed life. It is a work of vibrant imagination from a poetic novelist of the first order.

Genres: Fiction

395 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2014

About the author

“Ireland has produced more than its fair share of talented authors and poets: James Joyce, Patrick Kavanaugh, Austin Clarke, Brendan Behan, William Butler Yeats, and many more. With his stunning debut novel, Lagan Love, Peter Murphy is well on his way to adding his name to that impressive list…. Lagan Love takes the traditional love story and ramps it up several notches, with a supernatural twist that makes it an instant classic. I would highly recommend Lagan Love to anyone who loves supernatural romances, urban fantasies, and great literature in general. I can’t wait to read what Peter Murphy writes next.” -Douglas R. Cobb

Reviews

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Born & Bred" is hands down one of the greatest reading experiences I've had in I don't know how long. I was captivated and beguiled and so much more from page one. I'm waiting with baited breath for the next book in this series to be published. That can''t happen soon enough for me. I knew I had found a new and one of a kind writer in Peter Murphy while reading his wonderful novel, "Lagan Love." I don't know how much higher Murphy can set the bar for himself after writing THIS extraordinary work. I'm quite sure that when you read "Born & Bred" that you will be as unable to tear yourself away from it as was I.

Don't wait another moment. You want to have read "Born & Bred" yesterday. That said, you will never want it to end. I know I didn't.

A big shout out to author, Peter Murphy, "I'm not sure how and with whose help (if any) you are publishing your works. If anyone has any doubts about how your writing impacts readers, please call on me, and I'll talk to anyone anywhere about why I MUST have your next book in my hands as soon as possible! I mean that, Peter Murphy. Right here. Right now. And for all tomorrows - Bring 'em on. Everyone should have the chance and privilege to read YOU.

A steal on Amazon for Kindle and in paperback format:
http://www.amazon.com/Born-Bred-Peter...

A steal on Barnes & Noble for NOOK and in paperback format:
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/born-...

[Mandy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Danny Boyle’s life is not an easy one. Or a happy one. The eternal victim, things just don’t go right for him. He always seems to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. His grandmother, who has brought him up, believes in him, but after her death he is very much cast adrift and things go from bad to worse. And do you know what? I didn’t care. The book is too long and too convoluted, with far too many characters. There’s a supernatural element to the story too, which sits very uncomfortably with the gritty realism of the rest of the book. Peter Murphy obviously knows his Ireland and his research into Dublin of the 1970s is indeed convincing and often interesting. The church, the family, crime and corruption, gangland killings, he covers them all and on the whole to good effect. But I remained unconvinced and unengaged, and although it has received many very positive reviews, it simply wasn’t one for me. Disappointing.

[Beth Cutwright · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finally, I was able to place my hands on Book one in the Life and Times trilogy.
It baffles me that sometimes there are so many books to read and I can't get to the ones I really want to spend my time with. Who am I kidding....I want to read them all!

Last January I reviewed book 2 in this Irish series and I was left somewhat confused by the number of characters and their purposes in Danny Boyles story. Let me state right now that this author, Peter Murphy, is a fabulous storyteller.
His writing flows smoothly and consistently weaving a tale of growing up and those who influence Danny along the way. What we do is often not what we envision for our lives or the vision that others have for us. Sometimes, it just is what it is.

I am seriously interested in how Murphy will bring Danny Boyle's story to a conclusion in book three, All Roads. Will Danny truly become the angel he was thought to be by some, or will he continue to be sinner/saint?

[Susan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Set in Ireland. It dragged for me until the last 50 pages when I realized how this author wrapped it up.

[Kathleen Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Danny Boyle seems to be doomed from birth, what with his mother, Jacinta, being in a hospital for mental issues and a father, Jerry, that is not around. His grandmother, Nora, thinks the sun rises and sets in Danny though, so he has a chance but when she becomes ill, he gets into the wrong crowd and becomes involved in a murder. He just seems to be in the wrong place at the wrong time, getting deeper and deeper in trouble. He meets Deirdre but gets into trouble again when they are found in a church in a compromising situation. Things escalate from there with the priests getting involved with both Danny and Deirdre's families, hoping to ease the situation. There are a few side stories but they all come together nicely to give the reader a better understanding into Danny and what he has to deal with.

This is a novel that is character driven during a time in 1970's Dublin that is full of strife, where the Catholic Church plays a major role in family life. I like how Mr.Murphy had the characters speak, each chapter giving the reader more of a clue into the family life of each one and the changes that occur over a period of time. Full of Irish witticism, history and a bit of the supernatural,this series is one to definitely read. I look forward to the continuation of Danny's life.I love the cover of the book, almost like Danny is looking to be redeemed for his sins via Nora or Jesus. Do you like Irish novels, with love of family, romance, humor and a feel for Dublin and Ireland as a whole?? Then this book is a must read!! You did it again Peter Murphy!!!

I would like to thank The Story Plant and the author for giving me the opportunity to read this book. I was not monetarily compensated for my review.

[Kerry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Danny Boyle would seem to be the unluckiest man on Earth. On his own as a child after his mother is hospitalised for mental illness and his father has taken off, Danny is raised by his grandmother, Nora. After her death, Danny falls in with the wrong people and before he knows what has happened he is involved in murder. Hapless Danny seems to always be in the wrong place at the wrong time. As he gets himself into more and more trouble he meets Deirdre. But even in relationships, Danny courts trouble. Danny and Deidre are found in a church in a compromising position. Set in Dublin in the 1970's, Born & Bred tells of a time of strife and one where the Catholic Church was heavily involved in family life, this story paints a picture of a Irish life.

I was given a free copy of this book from Netgalley to provide an honest opinion.

[Debby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Born and Bred is the story of Danny Boyle growing up in Ireland. The family he was born into and how that affected where he ends up in the present. While we read the story of Danny, we also read the life of his grandmother, mother, father, uncle, and the girl he loves....or thinks he loves, considering he's young yet. While this is not a gripping story, or a page turner in the sense that you can't wait to see what's happening next, it's a lovely tale all the same. You can't help but root for Danny, and identify with him in some ways. If you're looking for a book you can take your time with, and still enjoy, this is the book for you!

[Marianne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I want to thank the author and the publisher for this free book I won in the Goodreads First Reads contest. The book was wonderful, entrenched in the Irish ways, Catholicism, and the modernization and evolution of the Ireland of old, with a hint of the spiritual thrown in. I look forward to the next book of the Trilogy, "Wandering In Exile", about Danny Boyle and his life. I highly recommend this book.

[Judith · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't like the beginning of the book at all. It was too violent as well as illogical and I didn't like any of the character very much. I dreaded sitting down to read it, but I persevered and did kind of enjoy the ending. I didn't mind the way the book was written with the flashbacks in the middle of the action. It was an interesting way to tell the story, but it made it a bit hard to get into the story.

[Eduarda Sousa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a real page turner for me. From the moment I started reading it I was captivated by the characters and their interwoven story lines. I am intrigued to learn more about Danny Boyle and where life is taking him. Can't wait for book two in this trilogy.

[Lynann · Rating 3 out of 5]

At first I didn't think I would finish this book, it didn't interest me at first. However, the jumping around in time made me want to figure out what was going on and the continuation of s character after their death, was enough to keep me interested.

[Sonya Edwards · Rating 3 out of 5]

The plot is a bit slow and overall predictable, and the actual timing of action is a bit blurry. That being said, the character development and storytelling are great. I enjoyed the way that everyone was woven together and the layers carefully peeled back.

[Beth · Rating 3 out of 5]

I tried to like this book more - the description on bn.com made it sound so good. But for me it was hard to follow the back and forth with time and people dead and living. I'm not sure if I'll seek out the rest of the series.

[Yvonne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent book! 1970's, the troubles in Ireland, drugs, religion, politics... it has it all. The characters are alive, you are transported to Ireland with them, in that moment. I can't wait to read more by this author!

[Soffia Mulberry · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a great read, loaded with interesting characters and I can't wait to find out what happens in the next installment.

[Martha · Rating 2 out of 5]

Well, just okay. I can't recommend this, really. I didn't think I'd ever finish.