Irish Lace

by Candace McCarthy

LOVE BORN OF A LIE

Eager to escape a bleak future in famine-ridden Ireland, Kathleen Maguire accompanies her cousin, Meara, to America, where her fiance awaits. But on the voyage, Meara falls in love with another, leaving Kathleen to tell Rian Quaid that his bride-to-be has jilted him. Desperate and nearly destitute, Kathleen undertakes a bold deception by letting Rian believe that she is Meara. Now, as she loses her heart to handsome, honorable Rian, Kathleen realizes that the truth may steal her happiness away.

TRUTH BRED IN THE HEART

Rian's bitter experience with his father's second marriage has made him none-too-eager to wed --- especially not to a woman betrothed to him in childhood. And yet, when he meets his lovely "intended" at the port of Baltimore, he is startled by his own desire. With each passing day, his passion for her grows, until all he can see is the perfect bliss he has found in her arms. But when his beloved new wife's secret is exposed --- will it shatter their blossoming love?

Genres: Romance

347 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 2001

About the author

Candace McCarthy loved to read romances from the first moment she picked one up over twenty-four years ago. She began to write one after reading a story that made her laugh. Her enjoyment prompted her to put pen to paper. She thought, "Wouldn't it be great if I could bring the same pleasure to other readers?" Sound corny? Maybe, but it's true. And she's been writing them ever since.

Candace has over 20 books to her credit—fifteen novels and three novellas. Among her titles are Irish Rogue, Irish Lace, Fireheart, and Wild Innocence, which are just a few of the titles published by Zebra Books. She has been listed among the Favorite Top Ten List for Affair de Coeur Magazine, and her book, White Bear's Woman, a Zebra Lovegram, won the National Readers' Choice Award for the Best Long Historical Romance of 1998.

At home, she lives with her husband and her dog Jameson, a cute mixed breed.. She has a grown son, who recently married. She enjoys arts and crafts, music, gardening, and her Teddy Bear collection. And she loves to hear from her readers.

Reviews

[☘Katie☘ · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought this book was pretty predictable plot-wise, though I still enjoyed the journey. I could easily see Priscilla entering as the villain, Burns was actually a surprise as the spy, though probably because I forgot he existed as one of Rian’s employees, and the dynamic between the h and H was pretty standard- no memorable lines or witty banter between them. I don't usually notice grammatical errors, but the book had an outstanding number of them that it was impossible to ignore. This book could've greatly benefited from another round of editing before publication.

It was the kind of book that once I put it down I didn't want to pick it right up again, but once I did, I couldn't put it down. If that makes sense to ye. I could tell what was going to happen next, but at least the one half-curveball I encountered was Meara's Robert being Rian's stepbrother. That was nicely done McCarthy.

Kathleen was a nicely written character- I liked her, could empathize with her condition of being forced to pretend to be her cousin and then abandoned by her only family in a strange new country. Though, there were many points where she had the opportunity to come clean to Rian and she didn't take them-- I just wanted to shake some courage into her! And that’s where it became obvious that her keepin’ the secret was only to serve as a plot device.

Rian--- now he was a nice male lead! I can dig dark hair and green eyes-- she made him sound lovely! Liked his personality too— though he took his anger a bit far when he learned the truth, especially when he had felt it deep down that 'Meara' was too different from the girl he teased as a boy. I enjoyed how even though he’s lived in America so long, his friends could still hear a hint of brogue in his speech, but being around Kathleen really brought out Ireland in him.

As far as interesting side characters go--- Conor McDermott wins the gold. He had a nice blend of decent, attractive guy mixed with mysterious broodiness. I liked him from the first scene he graced. Found myself wanting to know more about him and how he managed to find himself in Maryland from Ireland. So-- pleased to discover there is a book, Irish Rogue, with McDermott as the male protagonist. Though I don't hold much hope for improved grammar or more twisty plot devices, I'll still track it down to read.

All in all, an enjoyable read.

[May ّمي · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rian Quaid is betrothed by his grandfather to marry his friend's granddaughter.
He remember her as a child, Maera Kathleen was stubborn, spoiled and too modern for his liking.
He does not want to marry and become like his father after his second marriage, he believes love make people foolish.
He hears that his betrothed is coming over, he doesn't want to marry her and time is not right he have plenty on his mind about his farm, yet he is a gentleman and don't want to refuse her, he wants it to be her own decision, but the women he met at the docks is so different from the child that he knew .. he might have to rethink his decision

Kathleen is Maera's cousin. She is so grateful for her uncle and cousin who asked her to live with them after her parents passed away. she was asked by her uncle to accompany her cousin and live with her when she marries her betrothed.
However the trip did not go smoothly her cousin abandoned her as the ship landed and ran with another man leaving her to tell her betrothed that she no longer want to marry him. Alone in different continent with no way to support herself and no one to turn into she meet the man that her cousin was supposed to marry yet he mistakes her for her cousin and she does not correct him, and so goes with him to his farm under false pretense. She is determined to tell him the truth and beg his forgiveness and ask for employment. However she began to fall in love with him day by day .. What should she do ? tell him and risk being asked to leave or live by the side of the man she loves and feel guilty and worried for the rest of her life ?

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I liked how their love was sincere they didn't try to hide it

[Debby · Rating 3 out of 5]

Meara Kathleen Dunne was betrothed to Rian Quaid as a child. Rian is in Maryland, Meara in Ireland. Eleven years later, Meara is on her way to America to marry Rian with her orphaned cousin Kathleen Maguire. On board, Meara meets another man and decides to marry him instead, leaving Kathleen to face Rian. She pretends to be Meara and they fall in love, but someone is out to destroy Rian and Kathleen feels very guilty. Eventually all works out. Mediocre.

[Hannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

It seemed to be predictable at first, but actually turned out to be an exciting romance novel that I would definitely recommend to others.