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Shannon's Daughter
"A most touching love story, poignant and riveting in the telling. A poignant, sensuous and compelling story, unique in its story line, I will long remember." --BOOKTALK WITH EILEEN--
The last thing he expected to find in Ireland that summer was the inspiration to go on with his life, and certainly not in the form of an adolescent heiress.
New York socialite Peg Shannon has everything--wealth, position, beauty and limitless prospects for happiness. or so the world believes.
Aspiring London violinist Kendall Gregg is talented, handsome and charming. While hardly well-to-do, he has connections and ambition which should take him far. Or so it appears.
Thrown together briefly by a twist of fate, Kendall quickly becomes young Peg's hero, while Peg proves to be Kendall's unlikely salvation. Through the decades, their deepening passion and shared secrets forge an enduring bond, destining them for a love affair that comes but once in a lifetime.
Set in the mid-twentieth century, Shannon's Daughter chronicles the complex relationship between two people constrained by family responsibility and a tragic secret, while delving into the history of one of the most intriguing characters in the Miracle at Valley Rise series.
The last thing he expected to find in Ireland that summer was the inspiration to go on with his life, and certainly not in the form of an adolescent heiress.
New York socialite Peg Shannon has everything--wealth, position, beauty and limitless prospects for happiness. or so the world believes.
Aspiring London violinist Kendall Gregg is talented, handsome and charming. While hardly well-to-do, he has connections and ambition which should take him far. Or so it appears.
Thrown together briefly by a twist of fate, Kendall quickly becomes young Peg's hero, while Peg proves to be Kendall's unlikely salvation. Through the decades, their deepening passion and shared secrets forge an enduring bond, destining them for a love affair that comes but once in a lifetime.
Set in the mid-twentieth century, Shannon's Daughter chronicles the complex relationship between two people constrained by family responsibility and a tragic secret, while delving into the history of one of the most intriguing characters in the Miracle at Valley Rise series.
352 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 2, 2013
48 people are currently reading
308 people want to read
About the author
Karen Welch
10 books11 followersKaren Welch was born in Richmond, Virginia and grew up in nearby Amelia County where her family first settled in the 1700's. After a 20 year sojourn in North Florida, she now lives in Southeast Kansas with husband John and children and grandchildren nearby. Follow Karen at www.facebook/KarenWelch.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
January 1, 2016
Two worlds from opposite sides of the Atlantic come crashing with the meeting of Kendall Gregg and Anna Margaret (Peg) Shannon. Scenes of a bygone age are painted in vivid literary fashion as the two main characters develop a relationship; with Peg taking the lead. Even though they are family (Kendall’s mother is married to Peg’s uncle, Patrick), their social, economical, cultural, religious, edifying and artistic stations couldn’t be farther apart; it didn’t matter as Peg was blind to it and Kendall was blind to everything and everyone except Peg. Kendall is an accomplished concert violinist and Peg is a proficient New York socialite and philanthropist.
With the understanding that all stories set in the past are, by definition, historical novels, this would fall in this group. However only the absence of cell phones and personal computers, little is revealed in this narrative to place it in an era of a half of century in the past. Sensuality, sexuality and love are explored in a most delicate manner. I found myself mesmerized and captivated with the story as it grew from a pot plant into a strong, romantic yet stoic tree, consuming and imposing a shadow tinting everything around it. Life isn’t a bowl of strawberries and cream as many novels paint it. The human adventure knows its ups and downs and this story mirrors this; making it more believable and life-like. Their undying love was the fulcrum of their lives.
With the understanding that all stories set in the past are, by definition, historical novels, this would fall in this group. However only the absence of cell phones and personal computers, little is revealed in this narrative to place it in an era of a half of century in the past. Sensuality, sexuality and love are explored in a most delicate manner. I found myself mesmerized and captivated with the story as it grew from a pot plant into a strong, romantic yet stoic tree, consuming and imposing a shadow tinting everything around it. Life isn’t a bowl of strawberries and cream as many novels paint it. The human adventure knows its ups and downs and this story mirrors this; making it more believable and life-like. Their undying love was the fulcrum of their lives.
July 11, 2020
I'm Crying
Loved this...had a hard time putting it down. Such emotion between these two lovers. The ending caught me off guard!
Loved this...had a hard time putting it down. Such emotion between these two lovers. The ending caught me off guard!
March 7, 2015
This book was a bit out of the normal time period in history I read, but I found it fascinating and oh so well narrated.
The story begins in 1949 so it’s historical in nature. However, I was born at that time and frankly I hate to think of it as historical. I don't feel that old!!
Women didn’t have the same desire for a career path with greater responsibility as they do currently, but Peg did. Peg was an unusual girl, when Kendall met her at fifteen. An heiress, she grew up with the knowledge she would someday take over her father’s work. She was so grown up and mature, even Kendall had a hard time remembering she was so young. Their friendship spanned over ten years with many years of separation between--Peg in the states and Kendall in England.
Eventually, their friendship became more intimate. Kendall had his life in England, a talented violinist with great potential to become more. Peg pursued her father’s work keeping her busy—both separated by an ocean. Can their love for each other surmount all the obstacles in their paths and in their characters? Ah, that’s the rub…
I loved this story even without the happy-ever-after ending with everything tied up in a pretty little bow. It depicted life as it comes to all of us—happy times, tragic times, sad times, wounded times and healing times. We make decisions and must live with them. Life goes on and we find our happiness when least expected and when not looking.
Narrator Matthew Lloyd Davies truly helped make the book special to me. His voice was one easily listened to, expressive with inflections deepening the meaning of a mere sentence. He had the opportunity to use three different accents within the telling, holding me captive to its telling. His portrayal of Kendall’s voice with its perfect inflection in dialog had me envisioning the sort of person he was. He was so British!
Author Karen Welch characterized both Peg and Kendall easily letting me identify with both of them, and with the conflicts each struggled. My emotions ran high as it became evident the two wanted very different lives yet were equally ensnared in love and understanding for the other. A poignant, sensuous and compelling story, unique in its story line, I will long remember.
The story begins in 1949 so it’s historical in nature. However, I was born at that time and frankly I hate to think of it as historical. I don't feel that old!!
Women didn’t have the same desire for a career path with greater responsibility as they do currently, but Peg did. Peg was an unusual girl, when Kendall met her at fifteen. An heiress, she grew up with the knowledge she would someday take over her father’s work. She was so grown up and mature, even Kendall had a hard time remembering she was so young. Their friendship spanned over ten years with many years of separation between--Peg in the states and Kendall in England.
Eventually, their friendship became more intimate. Kendall had his life in England, a talented violinist with great potential to become more. Peg pursued her father’s work keeping her busy—both separated by an ocean. Can their love for each other surmount all the obstacles in their paths and in their characters? Ah, that’s the rub…
I loved this story even without the happy-ever-after ending with everything tied up in a pretty little bow. It depicted life as it comes to all of us—happy times, tragic times, sad times, wounded times and healing times. We make decisions and must live with them. Life goes on and we find our happiness when least expected and when not looking.
Narrator Matthew Lloyd Davies truly helped make the book special to me. His voice was one easily listened to, expressive with inflections deepening the meaning of a mere sentence. He had the opportunity to use three different accents within the telling, holding me captive to its telling. His portrayal of Kendall’s voice with its perfect inflection in dialog had me envisioning the sort of person he was. He was so British!
Author Karen Welch characterized both Peg and Kendall easily letting me identify with both of them, and with the conflicts each struggled. My emotions ran high as it became evident the two wanted very different lives yet were equally ensnared in love and understanding for the other. A poignant, sensuous and compelling story, unique in its story line, I will long remember.
February 9, 2016
I enjoyed this book.
I picked the book blindly (it was first in my queue of recently downloaded books) and read the author's foreword at the beginning of the book. I understood before starting that Peg was a recurring character from a different series, and that the author had a set of already-established parameters to work with to give Peg a convincing and readable back story. Without having read the rest of the series, I assume that she did a good job. I read the entire book in about five hours (during which time my husband rolled over, looked at the light on my phone, and said, "Oh god, are you still awake? What time is it?" Haha).
I'm half-tempted to seek out the rest of the series and read them, but since the author states in the foreword that "Peg's story would not fit into the same inspirational genre" as the prior books, I almost feel like I would be disappointed by the story itself if I read further. So, I'm on the fence about that, but I definitely enjoyed the style of writing in this one.
ETA: Here's an excerpt of the first chapter from the author's website:
http://valleyrise.blogspot.com/p/samp...
I picked the book blindly (it was first in my queue of recently downloaded books) and read the author's foreword at the beginning of the book. I understood before starting that Peg was a recurring character from a different series, and that the author had a set of already-established parameters to work with to give Peg a convincing and readable back story. Without having read the rest of the series, I assume that she did a good job. I read the entire book in about five hours (during which time my husband rolled over, looked at the light on my phone, and said, "Oh god, are you still awake? What time is it?" Haha).
I'm half-tempted to seek out the rest of the series and read them, but since the author states in the foreword that "Peg's story would not fit into the same inspirational genre" as the prior books, I almost feel like I would be disappointed by the story itself if I read further. So, I'm on the fence about that, but I definitely enjoyed the style of writing in this one.
ETA: Here's an excerpt of the first chapter from the author's website:
http://valleyrise.blogspot.com/p/samp...
January 20, 2014
My God I'm so pissed at this book, I want the time I spent reading this book back.
If you, like me, go to read this book thinking this is a romance with a HEA let me warn you that this is NOT. I was so, so angry when I got to the end and discovered
Well I'm never reading anything else by this author again.
If you, like me, go to read this book thinking this is a romance with a HEA let me warn you that this is NOT. I was so, so angry when I got to the end and discovered
Well I'm never reading anything else by this author again.
May 1, 2015
Cheers and Tears
This was a lovely book that is well written. There is a lot of romantic situations but not graphic. With that said its a page turner as the flow of the book mimics real life. The ending was not what I expected but life realistically isn't always what we expect which lends credibility to the story.
This was a lovely book that is well written. There is a lot of romantic situations but not graphic. With that said its a page turner as the flow of the book mimics real life. The ending was not what I expected but life realistically isn't always what we expect which lends credibility to the story.
September 20, 2015
The ending will surprise you
This book held my full attention from beginning to end. It read more like a life story than a happier ever after fairy tale. The book ended but the story clearly isn't over unless the reader deems it to be so.
To the author...I am patiently waiting...
This book held my full attention from beginning to end. It read more like a life story than a happier ever after fairy tale. The book ended but the story clearly isn't over unless the reader deems it to be so.
To the author...I am patiently waiting...
September 2, 2015
Beyond romance
This a story of enduring love, not the usual romance. Very compelling, very engaging. You'll fall in love yourself with the wonderful characters whose lives and personalities are illuminated and shared.
This a story of enduring love, not the usual romance. Very compelling, very engaging. You'll fall in love yourself with the wonderful characters whose lives and personalities are illuminated and shared.
February 1, 2014
So glad it was a free kindle book.
It began with promise and rapidly went downhill.
The plot was really only suited to a short story, so how this got published is quite beyond me.
It began with promise and rapidly went downhill.
The plot was really only suited to a short story, so how this got published is quite beyond me.
March 20, 2014
Fascinating book
This is a book that I can't say enough about. The characters are well developed and the story is absolutely wonderful.
This is a book that I can't say enough about. The characters are well developed and the story is absolutely wonderful.
June 4, 2015
Lost interest; didn't finish reading it.
June 27, 2015
This book was awful.
July 4, 2015
This book isn't your typical romance novel. It spans decades of a couples friendship and relationship. A few parts were boring, but soon enough another twist of fate would get things going again.
October 11, 2015
Doubt s
At first halfway through this book I was disappointed. But, I stayed with it. It is a well written book. Don't give up too soon!
At first halfway through this book I was disappointed. But, I stayed with it. It is a well written book. Don't give up too soon!
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews