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Mist na Mara #3
Irish Secrets
While working at Mist Na Mara Arts Centre in Ireland, Kara Stewart embarks on a search for the birth parents of her mother, who was adopted in 1960 by an American couple. She soon realises the task is not as simple as she anticipated when she meets with a wall of secrecy surrounding Irish baby adoptions at that time.
Taxi driver Ryan Brady is also hiding the secret of his real identity but, when he offers to help Kara trace her Irish family, the mutual attraction between them grows and deepens into love.
As the secrets are gradually revealed, they drive a wedge, not only between Kara and Ryan, but also between Kara and her mother.
Can they find a way to heal the rifts and heartbreak created by all these secrets?
Taxi driver Ryan Brady is also hiding the secret of his real identity but, when he offers to help Kara trace her Irish family, the mutual attraction between them grows and deepens into love.
As the secrets are gradually revealed, they drive a wedge, not only between Kara and Ryan, but also between Kara and her mother.
Can they find a way to heal the rifts and heartbreak created by all these secrets?
346 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 12, 2016
52 people are currently reading
23 people want to read
About the author
Paula Martin
17 books17 followersPaula Martin was born in Lancashire, England. She had some early publishing success with short stories and four novels, but then had a break from writing while she brought up a young family and also pursued her career as a history teacher for twenty-five years. She has recently returned to writing fiction, after retiring from teaching.
She lives near Manchester in North-West England, and has two daughters and two grandsons. Apart from writing, she has enjoyed travelling extensively in Britain, mainland Europe, America and Canada and loves Ireland especially. Her other interests include musical theatre and researching her family history.
She lives near Manchester in North-West England, and has two daughters and two grandsons. Apart from writing, she has enjoyed travelling extensively in Britain, mainland Europe, America and Canada and loves Ireland especially. Her other interests include musical theatre and researching her family history.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
April 23, 2016
A very good read#
After working long 12 hour nights it was very nice to draw a hot bath and follow the characters that Paula created. So many things going on in the story kept me excited to get back into the story every night. Kind of sad I've finished!
After working long 12 hour nights it was very nice to draw a hot bath and follow the characters that Paula created. So many things going on in the story kept me excited to get back into the story every night. Kind of sad I've finished!
October 31, 2017
This book was entered in The Wishing Shelf Book Awards. This is what our readers thought:
Title: Irish Secrets
Author: Paula Martin
Star Rating: 4.5 Stars
Number of Readers: 17
Stats
Editing: 8/10
Writing Style: 8/10
Content: 8/10
Cover: 7/10
Of the 17 readers:
16 would read another book by this author.
13 thought the cover was good or excellent.
17 felt it was easy to follow.
16 would recommend this story to another reader to try.
8 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘plotting a story’.
9 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘developing the characters’.
17 felt the pacing was good or excellent.
16 thought the author understood the readership and what they wanted.
Readers’ Comments
‘An interesting look at the Irish system of baby adopting many years ago. Excellently written; sad in many parts. Books of this nature are important reminding us of how lucky we are and how terrible history often was.’ Male reader, aged 41¨
‘I liked the romantic element I thought that was well written; lots of chemistry.’ Female reader, aged 56
‘Well plotted with a strong romantic undercurrent. I enjoyed this very much.’ Female reader, aged 47
‘This author is best working with characters and speech. The characters develop well this way. A powerful novel looking at a very dark Irish secret. Well done.’ Male reader, aged 55
‘Thought-provoking and powerful. A FINALIST and highly recommended.’ The Wishing Shelf Book Awards
Title: Irish Secrets
Author: Paula Martin
Star Rating: 4.5 Stars
Number of Readers: 17
Stats
Editing: 8/10
Writing Style: 8/10
Content: 8/10
Cover: 7/10
Of the 17 readers:
16 would read another book by this author.
13 thought the cover was good or excellent.
17 felt it was easy to follow.
16 would recommend this story to another reader to try.
8 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘plotting a story’.
9 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘developing the characters’.
17 felt the pacing was good or excellent.
16 thought the author understood the readership and what they wanted.
Readers’ Comments
‘An interesting look at the Irish system of baby adopting many years ago. Excellently written; sad in many parts. Books of this nature are important reminding us of how lucky we are and how terrible history often was.’ Male reader, aged 41¨
‘I liked the romantic element I thought that was well written; lots of chemistry.’ Female reader, aged 56
‘Well plotted with a strong romantic undercurrent. I enjoyed this very much.’ Female reader, aged 47
‘This author is best working with characters and speech. The characters develop well this way. A powerful novel looking at a very dark Irish secret. Well done.’ Male reader, aged 55
‘Thought-provoking and powerful. A FINALIST and highly recommended.’ The Wishing Shelf Book Awards
October 18, 2016
This is a follow-up book to Irish Inheritance written by author Paula Martin, which I read over a year ago. I had forgotten about that book until I began to see familiar references to that plot. So this works well even as a stand alone book and I thought her writing had improved in this one. I was particularly interesting in the genealogical aspects, since I am currently researching my own Irish heritage. The story certainly gave me some added incentive to visit that fair isle. I am now quite fond of Ms. Martin's style and will definitely read more of her books.
July 2, 2017
Wonderful reading! I history of Ireland us fascinating.
Mystery, history and romance. Plus, a good ending for Catholics.
I wish to visit Ireland and Scotland someday. Hopefully when my husband retires.
Mystery, history and romance. Plus, a good ending for Catholics.
I wish to visit Ireland and Scotland someday. Hopefully when my husband retires.
May 22, 2016
Wonderful story
Good read . I felt like I was back in Ireland. I loved the characters and the plot. I would highly recommend this book.
Good read . I felt like I was back in Ireland. I loved the characters and the plot. I would highly recommend this book.
June 22, 2016
Romance
Sex in one scene. Otherwise a great read of a cute romance about intrigue, mystery and genealogy in Ireland. - Barbie
Sex in one scene. Otherwise a great read of a cute romance about intrigue, mystery and genealogy in Ireland. - Barbie
October 24, 2016
Good book
Kept me engrossed right to the end
A delightfully story of romance and excitement brilliant read really enjoyed this book good author
Kept me engrossed right to the end
A delightfully story of romance and excitement brilliant read really enjoyed this book good author
May 25, 2019
Very Good read
Good story, it kept my interest. Right to the end. I would recommend it. I have travelled through the West of Ireland many times so I could really identify with the story
Good story, it kept my interest. Right to the end. I would recommend it. I have travelled through the West of Ireland many times so I could really identify with the story
September 5, 2021
Fantastic
Fantastic story. This book was one I couldn't put down a great read and so true to life great to know loads of the locations in the book.
Fantastic story. This book was one I couldn't put down a great read and so true to life great to know loads of the locations in the book.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews