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Bold Women of the 18th Century #3
The Sword of the Banshee
For readers who like historical fiction with a bit of a love story.
With eyes as changeable as the sea, India Allen seduces the Irish people into a bloody rebellion which sweeps the country like wildfire. But across the ocean another revolution is brewing, and Quinn Calleigh wants to harness this woman's mysterious power for himself. With his lusty good nature and wickedly broad smile, he entices India to seek liberty in the New World. Together they sow the seeds of the American Revolution. Taken with her icy beauty, Quinn struggles to melt India's crystalline exterior and unlock the passion and fire within her. Is he simply an Irish gypsy looking for an adventure or a committed freedom fighter? Their battle to uncover their love and humanity is equal only to that of their struggle for freedom.
"Amanda Hughes splashes the pages with adventure and love stories about audacious women in the 18th Century. Her page turning tales will keep you on the edge of your seat as you take wild rides through passionate and dazzling periods of history."
With eyes as changeable as the sea, India Allen seduces the Irish people into a bloody rebellion which sweeps the country like wildfire. But across the ocean another revolution is brewing, and Quinn Calleigh wants to harness this woman's mysterious power for himself. With his lusty good nature and wickedly broad smile, he entices India to seek liberty in the New World. Together they sow the seeds of the American Revolution. Taken with her icy beauty, Quinn struggles to melt India's crystalline exterior and unlock the passion and fire within her. Is he simply an Irish gypsy looking for an adventure or a committed freedom fighter? Their battle to uncover their love and humanity is equal only to that of their struggle for freedom.
"Amanda Hughes splashes the pages with adventure and love stories about audacious women in the 18th Century. Her page turning tales will keep you on the edge of your seat as you take wild rides through passionate and dazzling periods of history."
380 pages, ebook
Published January 29, 2014
229 people are currently reading
838 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
March 12, 2013
Absorbing Saga of An Irish Patriot who Joins the American Revolution and Her Long Path to Love
This is an epic saga of one woman’s journey from innocence as a member of the Irish Protestant Ascendancy, to an Irish insurgent fighting the British, to an American patriot—from contentment in an easy life to discontent for her people’s plight. As with Hughes’s other two novels, this is a crossover between historical fiction and historical romance and the first meeting between hero and heroine comes late in the story. There are no explicit love scenes, however there are realistic battle scenes and some intense scenes of cruelty consistent with the times.
The story begins in Ireland in 1764 on All Hallows Eve as India Allen, then a young girl, dons the clothes of a servant and sneaks out with her cousin to witness men dressed like pagan animals gathered around a bonfire. They are soon discovered and the men warn them not to tell what they’ve seen. India remembers one of the men, “the demon on the hill,” smelled of sandalwood. Three years later, at 16, India is introduced to Colm Fitzpatrick, who she recognizes by his sandalwood scent. When he sees her fear, he tells her what she saw that night was merely a gathering of Irish tenants out to destroy the British fencing on their lands. After she marries Colm, she learns is the head of an agrarian secret society rebelling against British rule. In five years’ time, Colm turns the innocent girl into a Catholic insurgent able to kill men and lead a rebellion. She is now famous as “Lady Fitzpatrick.”
Realizing the rebellion in Ireland will fail and urged on by her visions and a letter from Quinn Calleigh, one of their benefactors in America, India, now widowed, decides to leave for the Brandywine Valley in America. Little does she know the peace of that valley will be shattered four years later when the Colonists face British forces in the largest battle of the Revolutionary War. India becomes a leader in the partisan intelligence movement and Quinn becomes the man who will remind her she is a woman.
Hughes is a great storyteller and weaves exciting episodes while also serving up a complicated love affair between two Irish American patriots caught in the war that will determine the fate of the young nation. It is well researched and the historical details are many. The action scenes are gripping. The characters are well developed and some are quite endearing, like the boy Phineas. I recommend it.
This is an epic saga of one woman’s journey from innocence as a member of the Irish Protestant Ascendancy, to an Irish insurgent fighting the British, to an American patriot—from contentment in an easy life to discontent for her people’s plight. As with Hughes’s other two novels, this is a crossover between historical fiction and historical romance and the first meeting between hero and heroine comes late in the story. There are no explicit love scenes, however there are realistic battle scenes and some intense scenes of cruelty consistent with the times.
The story begins in Ireland in 1764 on All Hallows Eve as India Allen, then a young girl, dons the clothes of a servant and sneaks out with her cousin to witness men dressed like pagan animals gathered around a bonfire. They are soon discovered and the men warn them not to tell what they’ve seen. India remembers one of the men, “the demon on the hill,” smelled of sandalwood. Three years later, at 16, India is introduced to Colm Fitzpatrick, who she recognizes by his sandalwood scent. When he sees her fear, he tells her what she saw that night was merely a gathering of Irish tenants out to destroy the British fencing on their lands. After she marries Colm, she learns is the head of an agrarian secret society rebelling against British rule. In five years’ time, Colm turns the innocent girl into a Catholic insurgent able to kill men and lead a rebellion. She is now famous as “Lady Fitzpatrick.”
Realizing the rebellion in Ireland will fail and urged on by her visions and a letter from Quinn Calleigh, one of their benefactors in America, India, now widowed, decides to leave for the Brandywine Valley in America. Little does she know the peace of that valley will be shattered four years later when the Colonists face British forces in the largest battle of the Revolutionary War. India becomes a leader in the partisan intelligence movement and Quinn becomes the man who will remind her she is a woman.
Hughes is a great storyteller and weaves exciting episodes while also serving up a complicated love affair between two Irish American patriots caught in the war that will determine the fate of the young nation. It is well researched and the historical details are many. The action scenes are gripping. The characters are well developed and some are quite endearing, like the boy Phineas. I recommend it.
May 27, 2014
May 26, 2014
A review by Anthony T. Riggio of Amanda Hughes’ The Sword and the Banshee
I purchased this book through Kindle because I enjoy historical novels. Hughes’ book did not disappoint me; it was a compelling and thought full story. I gave the book four stars on several sites.
The book is about a revolution in Ireland just about the time the American Revolution was in its formative stages. The story is about an Irish young lady, named India, born to the then Irish aristocracy. She is wooed by an Irish revolutionary primarily because of her wealth and dowry. Whether her suitor loved her is unclear but he brings her into the mindset of the revolution and she became a fanatical partisan in support of independence from the British. India then becomes the backbone of the partisan movement but when her husband recovers he undercuts her to the detriment of Irish independence.
She is the influenced by Celtic soothsayers, who advise her to go to America and fight for the Irish there. After arriving in America she meets up with her former financial supporter to help the Irish become independent.
Her talents for partisan organizing become an asset to her former sponsor but romance becomes an issue where India is not sure of her ability to share love of a man.
The contents of the book will excite the average lover of historical fiction and hold their interest.
I highly recommend this book and have given it four
stars!
A review by Anthony T. Riggio of Amanda Hughes’ The Sword and the Banshee
I purchased this book through Kindle because I enjoy historical novels. Hughes’ book did not disappoint me; it was a compelling and thought full story. I gave the book four stars on several sites.
The book is about a revolution in Ireland just about the time the American Revolution was in its formative stages. The story is about an Irish young lady, named India, born to the then Irish aristocracy. She is wooed by an Irish revolutionary primarily because of her wealth and dowry. Whether her suitor loved her is unclear but he brings her into the mindset of the revolution and she became a fanatical partisan in support of independence from the British. India then becomes the backbone of the partisan movement but when her husband recovers he undercuts her to the detriment of Irish independence.
She is the influenced by Celtic soothsayers, who advise her to go to America and fight for the Irish there. After arriving in America she meets up with her former financial supporter to help the Irish become independent.
Her talents for partisan organizing become an asset to her former sponsor but romance becomes an issue where India is not sure of her ability to share love of a man.
The contents of the book will excite the average lover of historical fiction and hold their interest.
I highly recommend this book and have given it four
stars!
April 2, 2014
Excellent. I thoroughly enjoyed this one,even with "the touch of romance in the historical context".
March 12, 2014
I finally found a book that made me want to come back to it time and time again. I'm not a big fan of Historical Saga's, but this one caught my attention and kept it!
The detail to the time period from the apparel to the guns used to the land at the time seemed to be right on. The pages kept flying as I couldn't seem to put this down. From the battle fields to the bedroom the story didn't let go.
I haven't read any of Ms. Hughes other books, but she has me hooked! If you are looking for something more than the same ole love story or a little more meat in a standard war book, pick this up. There is something here for most readers..I dont' think you'll be disappointed.
The detail to the time period from the apparel to the guns used to the land at the time seemed to be right on. The pages kept flying as I couldn't seem to put this down. From the battle fields to the bedroom the story didn't let go.
I haven't read any of Ms. Hughes other books, but she has me hooked! If you are looking for something more than the same ole love story or a little more meat in a standard war book, pick this up. There is something here for most readers..I dont' think you'll be disappointed.
September 22, 2014
"The Sword of the Banshee" is another suspenseful novel by the very talented, Amanda Hughes. I have read each novel with surprise and awe. My only question is how did they get away with the "Irish Ladder" towards the end of the book...Especially with that blood thirsty crowd.
Read
April 25, 2018I actually found the first two books in this series riveting.
But after reading the first two chapters of this book, I didn't find this one compelling at all.
I just had no interest. So, I decided not to complete it, at this time.
July 5, 2013
A very interesting journey through important historical struggles.
Want to read
March 11, 2020🎁 FREE on Amazon today (3/11/2020)! 🎁
August 20, 2016
Amanda HughesThe Sword of the Banshee
I've read three books by Amanda Hughes now and each book features a strong female protagonist. "The Sword of the Banshee" introduces us to India Allen of Ireland who is married to Colm Fitzpatrick at a young and tender age. It's apparent almost immediately her new husband is not as represented, as he is involved in a secret society working to overthrow the British rule against the Irish. Before long he is using her to write his speeches and through her well-read intellect plots his forces in the Irish Rebellion using successful historical accounts of battle. Gathering forces and financial support, she successfully reaches out across the sea to benefactors, one of whom is exceedingly generous, Quinn Calleigh. Following the death of her husband, "Lady Fitzpatrick" travels to America to seek Quinn and finds herself embroiled in another conflict with the British; this time with the patriots. She meets a young child, Phineas, who acts as her street-wise guide to the new world. Hughes does an excellent job painting the role of women at that time as much like children, seen and not heard, chattel. But Lady Fitpatrick, who assumes the name of "Lady Allen" is no shrinking violet having been a brute force in the Irish Rebellion. Quinn is put off by the "Ice Queen" and Lady Allen is put off by the black Irishman, gypsy, but as they work together gradually begin a strong connection to each other neither can deny. From descriptions of barbaric treatment of the colonists to women's apparel, it is not difficult to imagine yourself in Colonial America struggling to survive on a daily basis. Ms. Hughes has another winner here--highly recommended.
I've read three books by Amanda Hughes now and each book features a strong female protagonist. "The Sword of the Banshee" introduces us to India Allen of Ireland who is married to Colm Fitzpatrick at a young and tender age. It's apparent almost immediately her new husband is not as represented, as he is involved in a secret society working to overthrow the British rule against the Irish. Before long he is using her to write his speeches and through her well-read intellect plots his forces in the Irish Rebellion using successful historical accounts of battle. Gathering forces and financial support, she successfully reaches out across the sea to benefactors, one of whom is exceedingly generous, Quinn Calleigh. Following the death of her husband, "Lady Fitzpatrick" travels to America to seek Quinn and finds herself embroiled in another conflict with the British; this time with the patriots. She meets a young child, Phineas, who acts as her street-wise guide to the new world. Hughes does an excellent job painting the role of women at that time as much like children, seen and not heard, chattel. But Lady Fitpatrick, who assumes the name of "Lady Allen" is no shrinking violet having been a brute force in the Irish Rebellion. Quinn is put off by the "Ice Queen" and Lady Allen is put off by the black Irishman, gypsy, but as they work together gradually begin a strong connection to each other neither can deny. From descriptions of barbaric treatment of the colonists to women's apparel, it is not difficult to imagine yourself in Colonial America struggling to survive on a daily basis. Ms. Hughes has another winner here--highly recommended.
October 13, 2015
I highly recommend this book. The author's mechanics of good writing were exceptionally good in the telling of the story. The author used her words in a unique way, but the grammatical errors cost her a star. This was not the first book of a series, but it was the first book by this author that I had read. Still, I had no trouble reading this as a stand alone book.
Most of the action took place in the American colonies during the American Revolution. Fictional characters carried true and fictional accounts of the revolution. The main character, India, was a war strategist who happened to be a female. During strategy consultations, she spoke with authority. She 'whooped them soldiers around,' but good. The author dazzled me with her ability to write a male role through a female character. Jane put first the good of the troops and winning the war. A motherly love for an orphan and a romantic love for a fellow officer were depicted brilliantly. There was an expose` on discrimination that was fitting but stated with dignity. Neither the country nor the people had time to grouse about equal rights and opportunities. In this new land a person could be what he or she wanted to be if he or she worked for it. Through the protagonist I could see James Madison, Thomas Jefferson, George Washington and the feisty John Adams. I felt like the author and I knew the same people, and most of them were my heroes and heroines.
Thank you, Ms. Hughes, for a Good Read.
Most of the action took place in the American colonies during the American Revolution. Fictional characters carried true and fictional accounts of the revolution. The main character, India, was a war strategist who happened to be a female. During strategy consultations, she spoke with authority. She 'whooped them soldiers around,' but good. The author dazzled me with her ability to write a male role through a female character. Jane put first the good of the troops and winning the war. A motherly love for an orphan and a romantic love for a fellow officer were depicted brilliantly. There was an expose` on discrimination that was fitting but stated with dignity. Neither the country nor the people had time to grouse about equal rights and opportunities. In this new land a person could be what he or she wanted to be if he or she worked for it. Through the protagonist I could see James Madison, Thomas Jefferson, George Washington and the feisty John Adams. I felt like the author and I knew the same people, and most of them were my heroes and heroines.
Thank you, Ms. Hughes, for a Good Read.
September 28, 2014
This was a great book. You follow a woman from the time when she is a teen to the prime of her life where she has grown from an innocent young lady to the queen of a revolution where she is leading men to take back what is theirs. She is considered to be cold and unfeeling and for the most part she is but when her feelings do actually begin to appear she learns how to deal with them and run a revolution to the best of her abilities.
April 16, 2015
Not impressed. Got this off BookBub. Said it was about the Revolutionary War so I was intrigued since there don't seem to be many books about that era. Quickly became clear this was not well researched at all and the war was just a convenient backdrop for a very stereotypical "strong female character who asserts herself and doesn't conform to expected gender roles." I was rolling my eyes through the whole thing.
January 6, 2016
I rated this 2 stars because of the poorly constructed, disappointing ending. It was almost as though the author got tired of writing and decided to finish it up quickly. My other big complaint was that the was so full of homophones that I suspect Ms. Hughes dictated, rather than typed, her manuscript. Really, spell check doesn't work in such a situation; it needed a serious proofreading.
November 4, 2013
If you enjoy historical fiction, then this is the book for you. Interesting characters set against a backdrop of rebellions in first Ireland and then America. The action keeps the pages turning till you reach an exciting and satisfying conclusion.
August 23, 2014
I really enjoyed the historical aspects of this story, from freedom fighting in Ireland to the revolution in America. The actual story was good but seemed rushed at times. Also some of the "paranormal" moments weren't fully explained.
October 9, 2015
I really enjoyed this book and enjoyed the historical references used by the author. Enjoyed the female lead-India who is a very intelligent woman helping the Irish fight for independence, then she ends up in America & helps the Americans with their independence.
September 29, 2015
Freedom
I enjoyed the element of surprise. I gasped throughout the story with the turn of events. I especially liked how it was based during the American Revolution.
I enjoyed the element of surprise. I gasped throughout the story with the turn of events. I especially liked how it was based during the American Revolution.
Want to read
May 21, 2016Excellent read. Great story line really great character. Thoroughly enjoyed this book!!
July 24, 2016
Excellent read!!
January 29, 2018
I enjoyed the main character in this story, and I loved learning about the history of the Irish rebellion and more about the American Revolution. I felt like the scope of this book was a little too big though and had difficulty keeping track of how much time had passed with all the jumps forward. And I kind of had the same overall feeling about the writing as I did with the other book I had read by this author (The Pride of the King)—the plot is fun and interesting, especially from a history perspective, and a quick and easy read, but sometimes we are left with the author stating “and this is how [character] felt” instead of showing us through the character’s actions and reactions. For a free kindle book though, it’s pretty good.
October 4, 2017
I really loved this book! It made me go rushing to the internet to find out if these characters had any truth to them.
I adored India from the very beginning and she goes through so much hardship. I kept hoping with every new man she met that she would find happiness.
When she went to America, I was surprised but I grew to love Phineas and Quinn as much as she did. They both protected and loved her.
There were plenty of times I wanted to shake India and Quinn but I guess those times is what keeps the story going.
The ending of the story felt like it was a tad rushed. I wanted more. After everything that happened, it tied up a little abruptly, but I still really loved it.
I adored India from the very beginning and she goes through so much hardship. I kept hoping with every new man she met that she would find happiness.
When she went to America, I was surprised but I grew to love Phineas and Quinn as much as she did. They both protected and loved her.
There were plenty of times I wanted to shake India and Quinn but I guess those times is what keeps the story going.
The ending of the story felt like it was a tad rushed. I wanted more. After everything that happened, it tied up a little abruptly, but I still really loved it.
March 22, 2024
This was another one of Amanda Hughes' great historical books, with so much relevant information about the Irish and American revolts against the British that I really felt like I was there. The story line lagged a little in both of the revolution sections and in between them, and the ending was a bit disjointed in that all of a sudden in the last chapter it was a year later without anything alluding to it. I really DID enjoy this book, though, as I thoroughly enjoy all of Amanda's Bold Women books!
June 24, 2018
Destructive win
The American Revolution was one destructive fight. So much lost. But fortunately so much gained, especially for the Irish. And India and Quinn and Phineas. Such a powerful story. Highly recommended.
The American Revolution was one destructive fight. So much lost. But fortunately so much gained, especially for the Irish. And India and Quinn and Phineas. Such a powerful story. Highly recommended.
October 26, 2019
Pleasant reading. Nice for the beach or the plane. Strong woman finds love. Couldn't understand her feelings for her husband. She hated him on first meeting, then admired him for a few years then returned to despising him.
May 7, 2017
The Sword of the Banshee
A great book of the 18th century taking place in both Ireland and the fight for America. Loaded with action fighting for freedom .
A great book of the 18th century taking place in both Ireland and the fight for America. Loaded with action fighting for freedom .
November 4, 2017
Great book
This is a great read,so much going on so much history. It has a good base and plenty of layers to keep you reading .
This is a great read,so much going on so much history. It has a good base and plenty of layers to keep you reading .
February 7, 2018
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
April 17, 2018
Outstanding
I am enjoying these books so much. I love how they are written. The storyline is superb. A true glimpse of life in the infant American colonies.
I am enjoying these books so much. I love how they are written. The storyline is superb. A true glimpse of life in the infant American colonies.
April 6, 2020
Historical
A view of the revolutionary war from the perspective of mostly the Irish. Seeking freedom in the colonies since it was so hard to find in Ireland.
A view of the revolutionary war from the perspective of mostly the Irish. Seeking freedom in the colonies since it was so hard to find in Ireland.
August 15, 2021
The sword of the Banshee
Another interesting book by Amanda Hughes, The quest for independence that would move from Ireland to the colonies of North America.
Another interesting book by Amanda Hughes, The quest for independence that would move from Ireland to the colonies of North America.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews