The Divided Heart

by Beppie Harrison

The Divided Heart takes place in 1810, the Regency period in England. It tells the story of Lady Anne Wadsworth, daughter of the English Earl of Kendall, born and brought up on her family’s estate in Ireland, a place of rolling open country and a thousand shades of green. Her duty may belong to England, but her heart belongs to Ireland, especially after Diarmaid, a red-headed enigmatic Irishman, enlightens her to the plight of his people under British rule. Anne is more than sympathetic to Diarmaid’s cause, but at the same time she’s drawn to Hugh, the Marquess of Ashbourne, the new English owner of an Irish estate. Hugh falls in love with Anne, but is appalled that she intends to turn her sympathy for the Irish into action When he proposes marriage, Anne knows that accepting his offer will keep her in Ireland but feels honor-bound to help Diarmaid, even if it means losing Hugh.

Genres: Historical Romance

290 pages, Paperback

First published March 20, 2014

About the author

Was taken by parents to Hawaii; lived there until I was 13. We moved back to Berkeley, CA; went to high school and college (UC Berkeley) there.

Worked at Harvard University Printing Office, University of California Press, Doubleday, Aldus Books (London, UK)

Returned from England in 1977, have lived in Michigan since.

Married to English architect, now practicing in the US, have four grown children.

Have published 8 nonfiction books, now all out of print; in March 2014 published first fiction, The Divided Heart, Book 1 of Heart Trilogy. Book 2, The Broken Heart, and Book 3, The Rebellious Heart, will be published summer and fall of 2014.

Reviews

[Andrea · Rating 1 out of 5]

added December 10, 2014
received Jan 6, 2015

Every expectation I had for this book was dashed on the rocks. Having gotten done with it now, I'm so disappointed, so let down that I barely care enough to do the review, because it was such a waste of time. One by one I had to sit there and have my hopes shot down. Everything I wanted to happen didn't, and everything I didn't want to happen did. I couldn't believe the unfolding of events.

The beginning was definitely a slow start, it was so draggy how Anne kept doubting if she'd seen the Irishman at all, or if it was a man or a ghost. It really went on and on, and it felt contrived and really milked out. The relationship with Lord Ashbourne became, I don't even have a word for it, but he was smiling, she was smiling. It was like middle school infatuation or something, juvenile, and lame. They were smiling at each other all the time, their smiles growing wider. She blushed when he looked at her, when he teased. They said things that weren't really funny, she blushed, they had these little inside jokes, times when they were thinking the same thing and smiled at each other. It was just too much. The first time they're meeting they're instantly on the same page, having the same thought about how her family was acting or something after the Irishman sighting. It was forced, and the reason I felt it was so juvenile is because of all the smiling and blushing. That's the only reactions mentioned, the only way they connected was through smiling and then she blushed all the time. Boring!

When they go to his house for the party Anne turns pink when she feels the warmth from his hand go up her arm and over her chest. He asks if they're twins and her sister Caroline blushes. Caroline says that Anne is older by 10 minutes. He tells Anne she bears her antiquity well, which was cute, but then Anne is sure they're both blushing then. Anne is keeping her hand in his for too long, she's looking for him, and saying how good the party was when she isn't supposed to. I thought it was embarrassing the way she was acting, it was improper and I thought she should've gotten it together, because Hugh was a stranger to her, and here she is already taken with it. And the blushing, all the time, was too much. I hate repetition.

There were some convenient occurrences to throw these two together, throwing propriety and convention out the window. Her mom, sister Carolina, Hugh and Anne take a walk in their garden. Her mom stops to weed, and Carolina stays with her, telling Hugh and Anne to go ahead. So her mom and sister just allow them to go off by themselves, and they kiss. I was so upset at the choices she was making, kissed him after Diarmaid had kissed her, having no guilt or second thoughts. That's when it started occurring to me that Hugh was the choice, because she would barely think about Diarmaid or the mysterious tunnels.

It was so disappointing how things were dragged out. Anne finds the secret passageway in the gallery that the Irishman used, and she opens it and tries to go inside but her mother comes and she has to stop and gives no more thought to it. She doesn't try again, and I couldn't believe it. Then she finally sees him again, outside, and she goes outside and he grins mischievously and walks on, and she just lets him. She doesn't say anything to him, doesn't ask him anything, or follow him to see where he goes. That's just the end of it. The progress was just really slow, while she was already thinking about love and marriage with the Marquess. I would've liked more gumption from Anne. She would grin sometimes, or smile, but I wanted some fire. She'd ask Diarmaid questions and then just wait patiently like that was a trait to be admired or something, like we were rooting for her. I was bored and impatient with her, actually. She was completely passive throughout the whole story, and I got so freakin sick of all the smiling, cuz that's all that happened. She did follow him and ask some questions but I wanted more. Get mad, demand questions, follow him, show you've got some fire! Don't just sit and ask a question and wait patiently for the answer to come.

Anne thinks about the line of Hugh's jaw and that she'd be able to touch it when they're married--and blushes. Hugh says what means the most is that Anne brought them to him--she blushes. She thinks about what he said about spending day after day, night after night with her, and the blush on her face spreads to every part of her. The tips of her fingers turn pink. My, these girl's blushes are out of this world. The tips of her fingers turn pink? How that does that even happen? How about her hair blushes too, or her eyes. This is stupid.

Anne, ever obedient, decides she has to tell Hugh and Diarmaid and what she's going to do, delivering the key and everything. That moment right there I really hated her. She concocts a plan to go to his home, so tells her mom she wants him to try these cakes. How stupid, another chance for them to be alone. She says she'll bring her maid with her, and her mom says as long as the maid goes, and it's sweet of her to want to share it with him. Make me gag. She gets over there and thinks about not telling him, and I'm like good, that's more like that. But then they're just having sex. I sat there dumbfounded as they just do it on the couch in his sitting room I think. He sent the maid to the kitchens, locked the door, and then Anne just goes along with it like she's been dying to experience it and they've had all this pent-up desire and she just needed to have sex. Um, I don't think so. This barely passes for a romance novel, there was no romancing, she only got with him because he was handsome and staying in Ireland and she didn't want to go to England. They were already engaged, it was going to be a short engagement, Idk why they couldn't wait. Horrible decision, I absolutely hated her for it. I couldn't believe this blasé, no fanfare, no preparation or forethought, out of the clear blue sky sex. And early on I realized this book wasn't a typical romance, because it's goody-two-shoes, pure and therefore boring. There's no details, no descriptions, the sex was over a couple paragraphs after it started. Not that I would enjoy reading about sex with another guy when I wanted her with Diarmaid.

Once that happened I didn't care if I read every word, I skimmed quickly, skipped over words altogether, and just wanted to hurry through it and get past it. I'd wanted her to be with Diarmaid, never actually believed that an author would have the mocking, sarcastic, interesting Irishman lose out to a boring, proper, Englishman. Never saw that coming, I'm just dumbfounded.

I think Anne was supposed to come off as caring, adventurous and compassionate, but really she was just ignorant, innocent to a stupid degree, and just foolhardy. And as I'm sitting here thinking back on this failure at a romance novel, I realize there's a plot hole the size of Texas. Why in the world, if Diarmaid needed the key, and his mom's foot was injured, would they even ask Anne to do it when Patrick, the young boy, was coming there? They didn't need Anne, why on God's green earth would Patrick come all the way to Kendall House, and walk with Anne all the way out to meet Diarmaid, miles and miles from her home in the dark when Patrick could just as easily have took the key from her and given it to Diarmaid himself. Plot hole! It reeks of convenience. Anne needed to prove herself or something, so this plan was cooked up that she didn't even need to be there for. Send 2 people, one a useless, English girl that's about to pass out from walking too far, another a boy that knew where he was going and didn't need her to slow him down. I can't believe I didn't realize it, Patrick should've been alone and Anne should have stayed in bed and cultivated a brain.

Diarmaid suddenly seems to actually care for her, saying his heart and loins are bursting for her, or something along those lines. She doesn't deserve you, Diarmaid, save your feelings cuz this girl is useless. I hated it even more bcuz Anne had already slept with Hugh and given her virtue to him, and could even then be pregnant though that possibility never occurred to Anne, because she's stupid. They share warmth until Hugh gets there, and Hugh just shows how crappy he is for about the 10th time by being angry to find Anne with Diarmaid. Diarmaid said they only shared warmth and Anne is still Hugh's lady. Anne thinks he has reason to break off the engagement, and thinks of going to England and marrying someone else. Hello, u idiot, you're not a virgin anymore, u cud be pregnant, basically you're used goods and who's to say anyone would want to marry you? You're not a catch, and you certainly don't deserve anyone. How about waiting until you're actually married before you just have sex with someone. Stupid. Poor Diarmaid. He actually watches them from the bushes and follows them to watch them together, wishing his life was different. Great, have us pity Diarmaid and hate Hugh and Anne even more! Anne confesses everything to Hugh, about the secret tunnels, and Diarmaid stealing food from her house, and sees that she was foolish to do it. She lies in bed with Hugh alone in the room, because they're always alone together. she's embarrassed by the see-through nightgown and thinks about it being improper for Hugh to be sitting on the bed with her or something. Um, yeah, I think impropriety took a backseat when you had sex with him in the middle of the day in his sitting room while you sent your maid away. Or do you even remember that, you big idiot? I'm astounded that what they did wasn't made into the bigger deal that it should have been. Her parents, who she expects to be angry, are just happy she's alive. Her dad even gives her a bear hug. Isn't that just sweet. No mention is made of her being in bed at Hugh's house, because everyone just takes whatever happens like they're mutes or something. Anne comes to the realization that Irish people hate the English, they don't care about her or who her father is, spoken like a true spoiled brat, but still loves Ireland, saying that not all of them are bad, thinking of Diarmaid saving her life. What a sucky ending to a sucky story. There was no resolution to feeding the hungry Irishman, Diarmaid getting a better life or anything. I assume it's going to continue in the next books but I'd rather get hit than read any of them, or see Diarmaid get with Caroline or anyone else.

When you have expectations for a book and they're much better than the reality, it's frustrating and such a letdown. You have hopes and things you think are going to happen, because you've been lead to be believe that by the back of the book, and then you actually read it and see that the description was completely wrong. It was false, it was misleading, it was a lie. Idk why the book was summed up like that, but Anne was not torn between two guys. Her heart was not "divided" as the title claims. It was Hugh the whole time. She compared them once, and it was to say that Hugh made her feel cherished or something and kissed her nicely, and Diarmaid was mocking and kissed her like he would any other girl. Yeah, if that's her heart being torn between two men then I'm a guy.

This book was a fail on all counts. It wasn't romantic, it wasn't funny, it wasn't sweet, it was long, drawn-out, full of wimpy, obedient characters that couldn't do anything, a man that fell in love when there was no reason to, just fell in love with her maybe a week after he met her, decided he suddenly wanted marriage when he never did, and Anne just accepting because she goes along with everything in a really obedient, annoying way. Anne is stupid, hate her, Hugh is stupid and boring, Caroline doesn't deserve love, doesn't deserve to be in Ireland or get with anyone at all much less an Irishman, but I didn't bother to look up who gets with because I don't care to spend one more second with this series, and Idk who the third book is going to be about, but I couldn't stand for Diarmaid to appear again or get with anyone else. This book was a fail on all counts. It failed to meet what it said it was going to deliver on the back of the book, completely mislead me, got the main character with the WRONG guy, which I guess is good since she's so stupid she doesn't deserve to be with Diarmaid anyway. Caroline spent the whole book hating Ireland, hating the Irish, making derogatory remarks about them, thought they were ignorant, dangerous rebels that only listened to their priests or something, and I hated her for it. Their aunt wasn't funny, I think she was supposed to be, but she was crazy and I didn't have much patience for her. Their mom was annoying always needing to have propriety, always have everyone dressed, acting, and speaking appropriately, letting her husband make the decisions, and I know that's how women were supposed to act, but I like strength, strong women that can make their on decisions without checking in with someone or asking for permission. I like Diarmaid and Patrick, the rest of the characters I did not like at all. I can't believe I expected something so great, some insight into Irish culture and characters that actually deserved my caring, and got this instead. I'll never understand it. And the back of the book pretty much spelled out everything. It left almost nothing for readers to find out for themselves. I'll never understand that either, why authors give away everything on the back like readers should know every major thing that happens before they even crack open the book. That's another bad decision. This didn't meet any need I had, and just caused me aggravation, annoyance and impatience.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I originally gave this book four stars, but now that a couple of days have passed since I finished it, and I'm still thinking about it--surprising, given that I usually don't remember the title or the names of the main characters of the books I read by the next day (I'm a book slut)--I came back to give it five stars and to write about what makes this book special.

I always like the *idea* of historical romances set somewhere other than England or Scotland, but when I try them, well, they have to be extra-well-written for me to enjoy them, because the pure escapism is lost a bit when I have to work to understand a new historical and social perspective. (Lots of books are worth the work, but some aren't). I found that The Divided Heart, which is set in nineteenth-century Ireland, has the advantage of having a refreshing setting while still involving a familiar social set (privileged English people, young women preparing for a season in London, etc.). It is also well-written.

The author has seamlessly woven the plot--a young woman's love of Ireland and her growing awareness of the poverty of the Irish people around her; an Englishman's initiation into the responsibilities of English landowners at the time--with the romance.

One reservation I had when I started this book is that the heroine is very young. Many historical romances recently (I've been reading them for thirty years, so my idea of "recently" may not be yours) have gotten around the problem of having very young women getting married (which would have been historically accurate) by coming up with any number of reasons why a particular woman didn't happen to marry when she was a teenager. I don't mind that; I have trouble believing that most 18-year-olds can fall into lasting love. Persuasion is my favorite Austen novel.

Beppie Harrison somehow managed to make her heroine, Anne, a believable 18-year-old who, while she clearly has growing up to do, is smart and mature enough that we can believe she can know her own mind and heart well enough to make a good choice in her husband. For both her and the hero, the marriage is based on a combination of practical good sense and romantic (and sexy) feelings that made me trust that their happily ever after really will last.

So now you know why I'm still thinking about this book--plus, the teaser for the next book? Oh my God! Don't make us wait long for that one, Beppie Harrison!

[Regan Walker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Unusual Regency set in Ireland

Set in 1810, this is the first in Harrison’s “Heart” trilogy of Regencies and tells the story of the English aristocracy in Ireland, beginning with Lady Anne Wadsworth, an earl’s daughter who lives with her sister and parents on their estate in Ireland. Anne is well aware of her English ancestors’ role in persecuting the Irish, in her words, “…they overlooked the displaced Irish folk with placid arrogance.”

Early in the story Anne encounters Diarmaid MacGuinness, a red-haired Irishman who is working for Ireland’s freedom and tells her of the Irish living reduced to being starving tenants living on land that was once theirs. Meanwhile, she has a new English neighbor, Hugh, Marquess of Ashbourne, whose mother is counseling him to take a wife. Though Anne has no affection for the marquess, and he admits he does not love her, she agrees to marry him to stay in Ireland and avoid a Season in London. A marriage of convenience soon becomes one of love.

Harrison writes well and has delivered a solid story that depicts the fate of the Irish in the early 20th century (before they gained their independence). There are some good action scenes when Anne makes some foolish decisions while trying to help them and the marquess rides to the rescue. (One could not help feeling sorry for Diarmaid who only wanted to see his country rid of the English. His tale was left unfinished so presumably it continues in the rest of the series.)

The trilogy:

The Divided Heart
The Broken Heart
The Rebellious Heart

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Are you sick of the heat this summer? If so, grab Beppie Harrison’s, “The Divided Heart” and be whisked away to the romantic lush green lands of Ireland.

There you will meet Lady Anne Hawthorne, a young woman of the English aristocracy, coming of age in Ireland. A mysterious encounter with a stranger sets Anne on the road to discovering that Ireland is not all green grass and rolling hills. Rather its people are mired in poverty and not all English land owners are as caring of their tenants as her father.

While Anne is struggling with her new perception of Ireland and fretting about a Season in London that she doesn’t want to attend, fate sends her a new English neighbor, Hugh, Marquess of Ashbourne. Although a wife is the last thing Hugh has on his mind, he can’t help but notice Anne. Soon the sparks fly and the danger is not only to Anne’s heart, but her life.

This book was a delightful read. Anne is smart, strong-willed and compassionate. The book keeps you guessing and delivers a subtle history lesson at the same time.

[Wendy LaCapra · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Divided Heart is a story that lingers in your mind and heart long after you are finished. As the story opens, Anne, the heroine of The Divided Heart, has little experience. But she is smart, strong-willed and good-hearted, and through Anne's senses the reader is able to experience the exquisite pleasure of discovering love for the very first time as well as the heartbreak of a growing awareness of life's complexity. This refreshing story with beautifully distinct character voices is a satisfying pleasure.

[Pam Mooney · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the better historical fictions I had read lately. Great back drop of political prejudice and injustice. I love the heart of the characters trying to help bring aid and understanding to all. The romance has depth because of the passion of the cause. A good read.