The Irish Tempest

by Elizabeth J. Sparrow

Ireland, 1911: After seven centuries of unyielding oppression, there is a tempest rising, a national yearning for Irish independence. It threatens to sweep away all that is precious to the very privileged O'Rourke and de la Roche families. Seismic changes are but a whisper away.

What begins as a squabbling friendship between the wastrel Courtland O'Rourke and the defiant, mischief-making Lacey de la Roche matures into a deeply passionate, tempestuous love, fraught with secrets of lethal consequences and sins of omission.

In this debut historical novel, The Irish Tempest beckons the reader into a world, where landowner and tenant farmer, the well-off and the working-class are chafing under the chokehold of British domination.

Pulled apart by personal and social conflicts, Court and Lacey experience the world from perspectives both transformative and destructive. Court, compelled to accept a commission in the British army, initiates a disastrous affair with rippling aftershocks. Lacey, fueled by the arrogance of adolescence, is beguiled by a charismatic but sociopathic horse trainer.

The Irish Tempest thrusts the reader into the anguish of the 1916 Easter Rising and beyond as Ireland seethes on the cusp of revolution. Deftly paced with vividly drawn characters, The Irish Tempest embraces historical elements while preserving the essence of evocative storytelling.

Genres: Historical Fiction

259 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 17, 2016

About the author

Elizabeth J. Sparrow is a native New Yorker and a graduate of Hunter College and New York University. She rarely writes about what she knows because there’s no fun in that. "Story-telling is about discovery and creating characters that behave willfully despite your earnest efforts to wrangle them into a cohesive narrative." Her two most compelling literary influences are the prose and poetry of Freddy the Pig and the blessed incantations and benzedrine-infused inspiration of Jack Kerouac.

Reviews

[Seraphia Bunny · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Irish Tempest by Elizabeth J. Sparrow is a beautifully written historical romance that takes us back to Ireland 1911. When the Irish are desirous of freedom and unrest is brooding throughout the land. All of this threatens the lives of comfort and privilege that the O'Rourkes and de la Roche families. The question stands as to what will these changes bring to the lives of Courtland O'Rourke and Lacey de la Roche. Him just coming back from a month in London to see his grandfather only to be caught up in a scandal concerning a young lady who was free with her liberties and him to be sent away to the military. While Lacey, after more than one near death experience, is packed off to boarding schools as her father attempts to make a lady out of her as the sole parent in her life. Courtland experiences danger at every turn despite where he is sent because of the jealousies fueled by a man's wife who Courtland has not interest in. While Lacey continues to get into mischief no matter where she goes constantly putting her life in danger. Love bloomed young between the two and the grandfather has done much to foster it and encourage it but the father himself is less pleased all in all. What will come of the pair in the end?
The Irish Tempest is the first book that I have read by Elizabeth J. Sparrow and I have to say that it is probably my favorite historical romance that I have read in a long time, second only to Gone With the Wind. This story is so well written and thought out that you can’t help but be drawn in with each page that you turn as you pass back and forth between Court and his life as he makes his years in the military, to Lacey as she is shipped off to schools and her father attempts to make a proper lady out of her. You get to watch these two as they grow and develop in their respective lives and years apart from each other. Court endures the hardships of war and the pains of loss while Lacey begins to bloom and mature and become curious about other things.
These characters are far from perfect and I have to honestly say that it is one of the many things that I love about this story. The characters you can relate to and you can get angry, irritated, love, adore or just want to give them a good smack. Court is in and out of Lacey's life but you can tell that he does truly care for her and wants what's best for the girl. Lacey is spoiled, petulant, head strong and determined. She is a strong character but you can tell that she doesn't think and consider the consequences of her actions before she does things which constantly puts her in the path of trouble. You easily see how immature she is when it comes to the men especially when she is trying to have both men that she feels she has feelings for but you can't have your cake and ice cream too, which she learns. I didn't like the other guy because as Court says, "he's opportunistic and looking for a means of making a quick bit of money." I felt that Ran always saw Lacey more as an opportunity and that only later he sees her differently but not by much.
This is a beautifully written story and I truly enjoyed reading it. I love how each character gets time in the limelight and the focus of the story as they contribute so well to the development of the main characters and the story itself. There is heartbreak, loss, treachery, love and joy. This book has it all. I really look forward to reading more from this author in the future and will be encouraging others to read this dynamic novel.
Now, there is some sexual content and violence in this story but nothing graphic that should dissuade any reader (adult) from reading and enjoying this beautifully written novel.
I am rating this book 5 out of 5 stars and can say I absolutely enjoyed it.

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

Intricately woven, historic fiction that creates a
riveting storyline. It is set in Ireland.
In 1911, the Irishmen are in a state of discontent
being under English influence. This discontent
is fostered by both upper and lower classes.
This story will grip the reader in an steadfast
hold from beginning until the end.
Description is skillfully woven throughout the
story. You will feel as if you are part of the family.
All the characters are vivid, colorful and well defined.
The main characters are willful, lively, interesting
with undeniable chemistry between them.
Loss, heartbreak, the Irish revolution, betrayal of
trust mix with some shenanigans, growth and love
with captivating writing for a good historical fiction read.
I volunteered to read The Irish Tempest. Thanks to
Read for Review for the opportunity. My opinion
is my own.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not bad.
I loved it.
Great story.
Can't wait for the sequel. I'll be keeping an eye out for it.
Recommended.
Received as a Gr giveaway.

[Aldis · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Irish Tempest by Elizabeth J. Sparrow is a romance set in the beginnings of the Irish resistance of British rule, spanning 11 years and several continents.
Court O'Rourke grew up in Torrey Castle, raised by his Grandfather Devlin and Aggie, the housekeeper. His constant companion was Lacey de la Roche, Captain Anton de la Roche's daughter who was raised beside him when her father went to sea. Lacey's rebellious streak keeps Court, several years older, quite busy. The 2 grow apart as Court matures and goes to India in the British Army, and Lacey gets sent to boarding school. As usual, Lacey makes her life more interesting - by racing her horse. She falls for Ransom Longo, a man of many dubious talents and loyalties. Lacey finds herself torn between the 2 men, and when the Irish begin resisting the British rule, both men get caught up in it, finding themselves strange allies for a time. Love, blackmail, killing, and kidnapping are some of what happens throughout the rest of the story, in the lyric green hills of Ireland. Sparrow has now tempted me to look into Irish history of that time because her story was so compelling. It starts out slow and sweet, then starts steamrolling until the end. I liked this because the lessons of history are not hammered into the story; the story is a natural slice of the history. If you like history and romance, this is a good choice. I will now be looking up what else Sparrow has written...

[Mystica · Rating 5 out of 5]

My knowledge of Irish English relations was a bit hazy and this helped in a way to clear some of the misconceptions I had.

The year 1911 and there is a simmering discontent amongst all walks of Irishmen. Unlike most rebellions which are confined to the labour and lower working class, this transcends class barriers and upper class folk also want to throw off the yoke of English supremacy in their own country.

Thrown together by circumstance and geography Court and Lacey lives are interwoven from the time Lacy was an infant and Court a teenager. The relationship is a tender one from the very onset but circumstances of a mixed up reasoning drives Court to take a position in the English Army in India for three years. Lacey is heart broken but is also attracted by a scheming and charismatic horse trainer in her family's employ.

The Easter Uprising of 1916 is meshed into the story along with the fledgling romance of Lacey and Court, their marriage and their future.

This was a very fine debut novel and I am waiting for the sequel.

[Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

An epic story of family and destiny! I really enjoyed this story of an Irish family and a high-born daughter, Lacey, as she grows from a feisty, headstrong child to an independent, strong woman. Courtland is the teenage boy that received a lash from her whip as he was trying to teach her to ride her horse. He becomes the only one who can handle the fiery lass, and they are destined to be lifelong friends.Set in the early 1900's, times of war and rebellion come throughout their lives, and you wonder if they will ever have a time of love and peace. It's a tumultuous tale, covering many different events and people in their lives; all with a good dose of Irish brogue and tenacity, as well as temper in the midst of a strong love. I highly recommend this book. It captures your attention with the antics of the young Lacey, and then you have to keep reading to find out what happens to her in her life and love.

[CoffeeTimeRomance andMore · Rating 3 out of 5]

I normally enjoy historical fiction yet found myself being lost many times moving forward through The Irish Tempest. There were so many places and issues happening at once. Yet that was my only issue reading this book. I did enjoy the colorful cast of characters and the ever-growing romance between Lacey and Courtland. Overall I would say use your own judgment but if you are fans of this genre I am sure it will be too your liking.
Matilda
Reviewer for Coffee Time Romance & More
Full Review @ Coffee Time Romance & More

[Lynn · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you for making this title available. Unfortunately, the further I read, the more I was convinced that this was not the kind of book that I would enjoy. This is no criticism whatsoever of the plot, characters, writing style, setting, or the author. Merely a statement of my own preferences.

[Karen Turner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the story, would like to continue reading more from the author. Received from net galley for an honest review.

[Katherine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although the title is The Irish Tempest, it is not clear if it is meant to refer to the spoiled, headstrong Lacey, who irritated me completely, or to the Irish attempt to gain independence from Britain. If the latter, there was certainly very little about the Troubles. Although the bulk of the book revolves around the relationship between Lacey and Court, the relationship between their two families was rather murky. This earlier section is sweet and pastoral, it is repetitious and doesn't really explore the Raj in India and Irish soldiers in a British Army, nor does it spend much time on World War I and any impact it may have had on Ireland or the families of the story.
Lacey's relationship with Ran and Court's with Katherine are strange undeveloped plot lines. Some characters are not mentioned for so long in the narrative, that I forgot how they fit in the story. I finished reading the book, because it was pleasant enough reading. It finally picked up speed and became interesting at the end when the RIC and British started to truly go at a war to decide Ireland's fate. The story ends at the point where Britain is trying to get either Collins or de Valera to take a deal and the family has suffered loss of family members and possessions and appear to be leaving for America. There is to be a sequel. I hope there is more depth to the story and less scope in time.

[Karen A. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Unlike most heroes and heroines, those nearly perfect and unselfish characters we meet in many “historic” novels, it was a pleasant surprise to find two very real people in this delightful novel – characters full of their own self-interests, yet very likeable. Lacey and Court, in The Irish Tempest by Elizabeth Sparrow, are two vibrant and compelling individuals, who captivate the reader with both their exploits and their compassion. Entering their world, we observe the evolution of these characters from self-absorbed young antagonists to mature, multi-faceted individuals. Another pleasant surprise with this self-published first novel is the very professional editing and quick-moving plot that make this book a joy to read. I’ve struggled through many first novels that have great plots yet are painful to read because of sloppy editing.

In The Irish Tempest, not only will you learn a great deal about the history of the world during the early 1900s in Ireland, India, and the United States – a fascinating and frightening time – but you will enjoy an exciting, well-written tale of friendship, revenge, love and betrayal. A remarkable story – beguiling and unsettling, much like the main character, Lacey de la Roche – that will satisfy both the romantic and the historian.

[Claudia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Elizabeth J. Sparrow and Waxing Gibbous Press for the free copy of this book.

I enjoyed it very much. The characters grew on me as they themselves went through a decade of
enormous world, Irish and personal changes. So much going on in one beautifully organized book.
The Maureen O'Hara hair and horses on the cover hooked me, the story kept me reading.

[M. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed the setting. I won it in a contest and it was a good read!

[Valerie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not your typical romance, but the main characters clearly have a soul mates, destined to be together forever kind of love. One of the main differences I noticed in this story was both of the main characters are deeply flawed. Both characters have major issues and the author showed a lot of honesty with how she portrayed the characters and brought out their true human nature.
The depth of the history details in this book suprised me. It was very interesting to read about this time in Ireland. I don't have a great knowledge of that period in that region and felt like I had to do a little bit of guessing as to what the big picture was during that time. While the author did a superb job with all of the detailed history in this book, I felt like she may have forgotten that not everyone is aware of what happened during this period of time.
My main objection with this book stems from a lack of commitment from the main characters. I felt that certain characters showed bad moral judgment after saying they were in love with someone. It truly was unsettling and made me question their true feelings...but that is just how I felt.