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Castlelough #1
A Woman's Heart
Cynical, bitter, and disillusioned with life, Quinn Gallagher reluctantly journeys to Castlelough, Ireland, where he comes face to face with Nora Fitzgerald, a beautiful young widow whose generous heart transforms his life. Reissue.
384 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1998
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406 people want to read
About the author
JoAnn Ross
240 books798 followersNew York Times bestselling author JoAnn Ross has written over a hundred novels for a bunch of publishers. Two of her titles have been excerpted in Cosmo and her books have also been published by the Doubleday, Rhapsody, Literary Guild, and Mystery Guild book clubs.
A member of the Romance Writers of America's Honor Roll of best-selling authors, she's won several awards, including Romantic Times's Career Achievement Awards in both category and contemporary single title.
Currently writing a new Honeymoon Harbor series for HQN set on the Washington peninsula, that will launch in April, 2018, JoAnn lives with her husband (her high school sweetheart, who proposed at the sea wall where her Shelter Bay books are set), in the Pacific Northwest.
A member of the Romance Writers of America's Honor Roll of best-selling authors, she's won several awards, including Romantic Times's Career Achievement Awards in both category and contemporary single title.
Currently writing a new Honeymoon Harbor series for HQN set on the Washington peninsula, that will launch in April, 2018, JoAnn lives with her husband (her high school sweetheart, who proposed at the sea wall where her Shelter Bay books are set), in the Pacific Northwest.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
November 22, 2016
3.5 stars
With the lush emerald scenery, a father's exaggerated blarney and a couple of heart wrenching moments, A Woman's Heart was an entertaining Irish romance between two conflicting characters. There was the dreamy illusion of The Lady of the Lake and a cluster of interfering but well-intentioned relatives and townspeople. I found it to be a toss-up between reading about the charming 'reality' or viewing a haunting backdrop of the green earth.
While in her teens Nora Joyce felt a calling to become a nun; she joined a convent. When her mother died in childbirth, Nora left the security of her religious schooling and returned home to care for her Da and younger siblings. She was a born nurturer.
Before long, she was swept off her feet by an older local boy, married him and within a year's time had their son. But death would knock on Nora Fitzpatrick's door. This time, her young husband's. Once again she returned to her father's home to cook, clean and attend to the laundry. In the deepest hours of night when she thought no one would hear her cries, she shed tears of what might have been.
Quinn Gallagher was a hardened 35-year-old American horror novelist. Never short of fans, he traveled to Ireland as an on-site screenwriter; one of his popular stories was being made into a movie. Because of a slight mix-up, arrangements were made to stay at the Fitzpatricks' cottage. The local inn was full. He intended to eat his two paid-for meals and use the bedroom to sleep. That is, until he met Nora and her topsy-turvy extended family.
It is not as though the mechanics of the plot hasn't been done before numerous times. And the religious angle might be a wee bit overdone for some readers. But the allurement of small town life and the buzzing chemistry of the MCs drew me in. I liked Nora and her sweet but sad little boy, Rory. I enjoyed watching Quinn fight his visceral demons. There were no ifs, ands, or buts about it. Quinn had a rotten childhood that flowed into his adult life. Wary of relationships, he was always one step ahead of anyone that sought more. It was glaringly obvious why he had never married.
The romance had the updated flavor of The Quiet Man, an old movie classic starring a young, solemn John Wayne and the fiery red-head Maureen O' Hara (Nora was less so). Maybe a jot of Darby O'Gill and the Little People. And let's not forget the magical land of Brigadoon if the setting were in Ireland rather than Scotland. Walking the hills and dales, cows and old dogs, one-too-many visits to the local tavern, town gossip and lovin' oh-so-hard.
With the lush emerald scenery, a father's exaggerated blarney and a couple of heart wrenching moments, A Woman's Heart was an entertaining Irish romance between two conflicting characters. There was the dreamy illusion of The Lady of the Lake and a cluster of interfering but well-intentioned relatives and townspeople. I found it to be a toss-up between reading about the charming 'reality' or viewing a haunting backdrop of the green earth.
While in her teens Nora Joyce felt a calling to become a nun; she joined a convent. When her mother died in childbirth, Nora left the security of her religious schooling and returned home to care for her Da and younger siblings. She was a born nurturer.
Before long, she was swept off her feet by an older local boy, married him and within a year's time had their son. But death would knock on Nora Fitzpatrick's door. This time, her young husband's. Once again she returned to her father's home to cook, clean and attend to the laundry. In the deepest hours of night when she thought no one would hear her cries, she shed tears of what might have been.
Quinn Gallagher was a hardened 35-year-old American horror novelist. Never short of fans, he traveled to Ireland as an on-site screenwriter; one of his popular stories was being made into a movie. Because of a slight mix-up, arrangements were made to stay at the Fitzpatricks' cottage. The local inn was full. He intended to eat his two paid-for meals and use the bedroom to sleep. That is, until he met Nora and her topsy-turvy extended family.
It is not as though the mechanics of the plot hasn't been done before numerous times. And the religious angle might be a wee bit overdone for some readers. But the allurement of small town life and the buzzing chemistry of the MCs drew me in. I liked Nora and her sweet but sad little boy, Rory. I enjoyed watching Quinn fight his visceral demons. There were no ifs, ands, or buts about it. Quinn had a rotten childhood that flowed into his adult life. Wary of relationships, he was always one step ahead of anyone that sought more. It was glaringly obvious why he had never married.
The romance had the updated flavor of The Quiet Man, an old movie classic starring a young, solemn John Wayne and the fiery red-head Maureen O' Hara (Nora was less so). Maybe a jot of Darby O'Gill and the Little People. And let's not forget the magical land of Brigadoon if the setting were in Ireland rather than Scotland. Walking the hills and dales, cows and old dogs, one-too-many visits to the local tavern, town gossip and lovin' oh-so-hard.
July 21, 2018
3.25 stars
This wasn't a bad read but was kind of sweet, a small town romance with loads of family & secondary characters thrown in. Heroine comes across as a saint, she is 25 widowed, raising her son, her teenage brother & sister, a younger sister close to her son's age, taking care of her father & family farm. She is so perfect that she doesn't seem to care that her dead husband used to be unfaithful. Normally I would roll my eyes seeing such a saintly heroine but I went along with it. Hero is a big-time author, lover of women renting from them. He obviously comes from a horrible childhood and though is at first terrified of her, slowly takes to her & her family. We also have the heroine's sister-in-law who comes across as strong woman but in reality is an abused spouse, whose kids are also affected by her cad of a husband. Her characterisation really bothered me honestly. The book wasn't that bad but neither was it too compelling.
This wasn't a bad read but was kind of sweet, a small town romance with loads of family & secondary characters thrown in. Heroine comes across as a saint, she is 25 widowed, raising her son, her teenage brother & sister, a younger sister close to her son's age, taking care of her father & family farm. She is so perfect that she doesn't seem to care that her dead husband used to be unfaithful. Normally I would roll my eyes seeing such a saintly heroine but I went along with it. Hero is a big-time author, lover of women renting from them. He obviously comes from a horrible childhood and though is at first terrified of her, slowly takes to her & her family. We also have the heroine's sister-in-law who comes across as strong woman but in reality is an abused spouse, whose kids are also affected by her cad of a husband. Her characterisation really bothered me honestly. The book wasn't that bad but neither was it too compelling.
January 24, 2011
I picked this out of my TBR pile on a whim. I was in the mood for a contemporary romance and the idea of one set in Ireland appealed to me. I absolutely adored both the setting and the romance.
Both characters had a lot of depth. Though Nora and Quinn tried to avoid their attraction, it wasn't long before they were fully intertwined with each other. Their journey into love was emotionally compelling and hard to put down - I loved every minute of it.
Both characters had a lot of depth. Though Nora and Quinn tried to avoid their attraction, it wasn't long before they were fully intertwined with each other. Their journey into love was emotionally compelling and hard to put down - I loved every minute of it.
November 23, 2012
OK I'll admit I love books set in Ireland, but this one was really great! I have to go to Ireland!!
October 8, 2016
A homey and old fashioned romance with a touch of magical Ireland made this a surprisingly feel good read despite the cliched title.
June 26, 2009
This is the first book in JR's Ireland series. Though I read it as the third book. You don't nessesarily have to read these books in order, though there are certain things that happen that you get a clue about from other books. Ross is a great story teller. She really gives you a sense that you are right there in Ireland. The speach and the details included are wonderful. Her characters come to life in these books. It makes me want to go to Ireland.
Nora is living at home with her son, after her husband is killed in a riding accident, with ther Father, Grandmother, Sister's and Brother. After her mother died Nora came home from the convent to take care of the family. Soon after she met her husband and in a whirl wind relationship they were married. Though her marriage didn't turn out to be exactly what she had dreamed of it being, she was saddened by the lose of her husband. Her Catholic Faith and the legends and myths that she has grown up with in her native country have formed her into the woman that she has become.
Now there is something new to worrie about. An American writer, Quinn Gallegher has come to Ireland to write and film the movie of his book about the legend of the Lady of the Lake. He is handsome and she is drawn to him from the start. But Quinn is afraid to persue this woman. She represents everything that he has always wanted, but his past has lead him to beleive that hearth and home can never be for him.
Nora's Family and Friends add much to this story. Their story's are integral to Nora's, and add an extra demension. I felt that I was part of her famiy while reading, and rooting for each of them as events happened during my reading. A very worthwhile read.
Nora is living at home with her son, after her husband is killed in a riding accident, with ther Father, Grandmother, Sister's and Brother. After her mother died Nora came home from the convent to take care of the family. Soon after she met her husband and in a whirl wind relationship they were married. Though her marriage didn't turn out to be exactly what she had dreamed of it being, she was saddened by the lose of her husband. Her Catholic Faith and the legends and myths that she has grown up with in her native country have formed her into the woman that she has become.
Now there is something new to worrie about. An American writer, Quinn Gallegher has come to Ireland to write and film the movie of his book about the legend of the Lady of the Lake. He is handsome and she is drawn to him from the start. But Quinn is afraid to persue this woman. She represents everything that he has always wanted, but his past has lead him to beleive that hearth and home can never be for him.
Nora's Family and Friends add much to this story. Their story's are integral to Nora's, and add an extra demension. I felt that I was part of her famiy while reading, and rooting for each of them as events happened during my reading. A very worthwhile read.
August 7, 2018
A good romance set in Ireland in current times. The main characters are Nora Fitzpatrick and Quinn Gallagher. Nora is a widow with a six year old son who has rented a room to Quinn. Quinn is in Ireland because of his books is being made into a movie and he is the screenwriter. Quinn doesn't believe in happy endings because his childhood was so brutal. The book was a quick easy read.
January 3, 2022
This book is one of my favourite romance novels, if not my favourite. The characters are absolutely lovable, the setting and additions of mythology is well done, and overall it was just an enjoyable read. It’s definitely earned a re-read.
October 25, 2022
MAGIC AND ROMANCE
I love Ireland as a setting for romance novels. Add in the spirits which seem to thrive there, plus a family touched by sadness, and you’ve got this book. I surely hope there’s a Book 2.
I love Ireland as a setting for romance novels. Add in the spirits which seem to thrive there, plus a family touched by sadness, and you’ve got this book. I surely hope there’s a Book 2.
June 22, 2018
Good book for the beach or vacation....fluffy and heartwarming and sensuous. Quick read.
May 23, 2020
3.5 stars
January 19, 2016
If you like stories set in Ireland, you will love this first of of a trilogy. Quinn Gallagher doesn't really know how deeply his own roots will mesh with what he finds there when we attends the film making of a book he has written. He's a hard-bitten best-selling author with a back story that has convinced him he should never feel strongly about anything but what he writes about. Certainly not the people he meets in Castlelough, be they small boys or women or the men who frequent a local pub.
Too bad he hasn't encountered anyone like Nora Fitzpatrick before. She's a widow with a 7-yr-old and responsibility for both her father, her aging grandmother and her father's young children after their mother dies. Nora leads with her heart, though she doesn't expect to like the Hollywood scriptwriter until she realizes he's not really Hollywood.
The words that make up this story are lyrical in both the musical language of the Irish that is represented in its pages and also in how the relationships between the key and minor characters are blended into a chorus that ends in a way both satisfying and leaving me want to return via the next book in the series.
Too bad he hasn't encountered anyone like Nora Fitzpatrick before. She's a widow with a 7-yr-old and responsibility for both her father, her aging grandmother and her father's young children after their mother dies. Nora leads with her heart, though she doesn't expect to like the Hollywood scriptwriter until she realizes he's not really Hollywood.
The words that make up this story are lyrical in both the musical language of the Irish that is represented in its pages and also in how the relationships between the key and minor characters are blended into a chorus that ends in a way both satisfying and leaving me want to return via the next book in the series.
August 23, 2019
After a false start (the first copy of an unread book by this author was stolen out of a car some ten years ago), I finally was able to get and read the Blue Bayou series, which won me over to this author. I set about trying to acquire other books by her, and this is the first in another series. Although I found parts of it quite moving, especially the scenes towards the end with Brady, this did not enchant me quite the way I would have hoped. I am not drawn to inspirational books and although I realize the very stones of Ireland are steeped in some form of religion, that aspect was occasionally off-putting. The hot and cold of the hero was annoying, so I guess it was really meant to be, otherwise I can't see the heroine putting up with it. I do like books about magic so I am hoping that the enchantment will work with the next books in the series which, happily, are on my TBR shelf.
August 28, 2016
This is one of the most heart warming books I have ever read and I think it is because Ireland is a very magical place. Among the beautiful green pastures and the rolling hills is a town where a beautiful lake promises a creature that only fairy tales are made of. Quinn Gallaher writes horror stories and the one he wrote about the lady in the lake is about the fairy creature. His background has made him hard and cynical especially about home and family, neither of which he wants. But the magic of Ireland has a way of getting into broken hearts and dreams. Here is where he meets Nora Fitzpatrick and gets involved with her family way more than he would like. This books makes you smile and makes you hope and dream for more.
October 13, 2012
I have read a number of other Joann Ross books, and really like them, so I was a little disappointed after reading "A Woman's Heart." Apparently this is a new release of an older work, previously published in 1998.
There's nothing bad to say about this book -- the characters are well-defined and the descriptions of the setting in Ireland are vivid and spectacular. But...this was a NDF for me. It was just too dull, and the "tortured hero rescued by a loving heroine" has been done better, and in a more engaging way, in many other works.
There's nothing bad to say about this book -- the characters are well-defined and the descriptions of the setting in Ireland are vivid and spectacular. But...this was a NDF for me. It was just too dull, and the "tortured hero rescued by a loving heroine" has been done better, and in a more engaging way, in many other works.
March 5, 2014
I enjoyed this story, set in Ireland. Quinn has come to west Ireland as screenwriter for his latest horror novel, based on an Irish "loch ness", known at The Lady. There he meets the young widow, Nora Fitzpatrick. As he tries not to fall in love, he finds himself drawn deeper and deeper into love for this warm and generous woman. Ultimately he must face the demons that haunt him, before he can accept the love she so generously gives to him.
December 18, 2015
Pretty cheesy Harlequin romance, so pretty typical! The American is the male one though--come to the west of Ireland to supervise the filming of a screenplay he wrote. He's rich, of course, and a famous author who happens to stay at the bed and breakfast of a beautiful widow. They both think they don't want each other, when they really fall in love, and he becomes the perfect dad and husband figure even though he was a player his entire life. Ugh. I won't read anymore of these.
March 19, 2014
I would recommand this book to anyone who enjoys the random drama/romance movies on TV in the afternoon.
Despite the clearly predictable romance and plot, leading to, as predicted, a stereotypical romance and plot, led by unsurprising characters, the enjoyable parts of the book were for me the detail put into the description of the Irish setting.
Despite the clearly predictable romance and plot, leading to, as predicted, a stereotypical romance and plot, led by unsurprising characters, the enjoyable parts of the book were for me the detail put into the description of the Irish setting.
August 28, 2014
I love reading books set in Ireland. It was a relaxing read for me except for when one of the character was being abused by her husband. I was happy to read that it was being taken care of towards the end. I would love to visit a place like Castlelough.
June 18, 2008
My favorite book in her Irish Trilogy. Loved the connection between the books and her characters. As usual, Ireland is the perfect backdrop.
November 13, 2008
Enjoyable romance set in Ireland.
August 16, 2011
Very good!!
April 4, 2014
I loved the Irish setting. A nice romance if you are looking for a predictable read.
November 21, 2014
I very much enjoyed catching up with this story as I have read Joann's later series. two more stories in this Castlelough Series to go!
February 12, 2017
Magic seeps in with the Irish mist. This was a lovely and magical romance set in the green lands of Ireland. Well worth the reading.
March 12, 2015
Definitely an enjoyable read, I loved the location and the descriptions of places in the book. I look forward to reading the next in the series.
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September 28, 2016Such a great book. Wonderful love story.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 9, 2016
A Woman's Heart
I love the way JoAnn Ross weaves a story. This one is no different . It was well written. Love that it included all the emotions.
I love the way JoAnn Ross weaves a story. This one is no different . It was well written. Love that it included all the emotions.
November 10, 2012
Typical JoAnn Ross - great story ... wonderful detail about Irish countryside and culture ...
April 20, 2014
I enjoyed this.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews