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The Daylight Saga #1
The Bitter Dawning
Grainne MacDermott, newly dismissed from her position as lady’s maid in England, returned home to western Ireland in February 1847 – to a tragic land rent by hunger and rebellion. Starvation stalked the countryside, which lay helpless in the iron grip of the potato famine.
As resourceful as she was proudly beautiful, Grainne found work on the government’s infamous roadbuilding scheme, then later as housekeeper to the lustful Michael Kearney. And amid the desolation she also found love. Con Shonley, tall and handsome, burned with a wish to help set Ireland free despite his half-English heritage. His involvement with the rebels would threaten his chances of happiness with Grainne, who envisaged a safe future far away across the Atlantic. But she would stop at nothing to help her man . . .
Sara Fraser is the pen-name of marine commando and foreign legionnaire Roy Clews. Fraser is the author of Tildy , The Surgeon’s Apprentice , Til Death Do us Part and The Healing Nightfall , among many others. Fraser has written a number of mysteries as well as a number of novels influenced by a life of travel and work all over the world.
As resourceful as she was proudly beautiful, Grainne found work on the government’s infamous roadbuilding scheme, then later as housekeeper to the lustful Michael Kearney. And amid the desolation she also found love. Con Shonley, tall and handsome, burned with a wish to help set Ireland free despite his half-English heritage. His involvement with the rebels would threaten his chances of happiness with Grainne, who envisaged a safe future far away across the Atlantic. But she would stop at nothing to help her man . . .
Sara Fraser is the pen-name of marine commando and foreign legionnaire Roy Clews. Fraser is the author of Tildy , The Surgeon’s Apprentice , Til Death Do us Part and The Healing Nightfall , among many others. Fraser has written a number of mysteries as well as a number of novels influenced by a life of travel and work all over the world.
302 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 19, 1989
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About the author
Sara Fraser
37 books6 followersSara Fraser is a pseudonym for Roy Clews, a one-time Marine Commando and Foreign Legionnaire who has traveled and worked all over the world.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
October 7, 2025
Sara Fraser is a pseudonym for Roy Clews. While this historical fiction novel is well written, I skimmed the last chapters. The author’s military background is evident in the emphasis on the battle of the Irish to overthrow British rule and establish independence.
The factual accounts of the Irish rebellion are well documented and carried out by the hero, Con Shonley and his comrades. The details of the suffering brought about by the deliberate planning of the Famine by the British are painful to read. The characters include, the lover, priest, the villagers, the rebels, the gatekeepers, etc. The storyline moves along rapidly but this reader longed for an outcome rather than continuous revisiting of battle after battle.
It is a matter of taste and interest. This era of Irish history is one of my favorites, but too much text devoted to military conflicts caused my interest to flag.
The factual accounts of the Irish rebellion are well documented and carried out by the hero, Con Shonley and his comrades. The details of the suffering brought about by the deliberate planning of the Famine by the British are painful to read. The characters include, the lover, priest, the villagers, the rebels, the gatekeepers, etc. The storyline moves along rapidly but this reader longed for an outcome rather than continuous revisiting of battle after battle.
It is a matter of taste and interest. This era of Irish history is one of my favorites, but too much text devoted to military conflicts caused my interest to flag.
March 17, 2019
Intriguing
Love how descriptive this author is with his writings. He places you straight into her story. I didn't know much of Ireland apart from 1980's history lessons and then I didn't pay attention. Hey this leads you through without it feeling like a history lesson. I've learnt a lot without realising and look forward to reading the next book
Love how descriptive this author is with his writings. He places you straight into her story. I didn't know much of Ireland apart from 1980's history lessons and then I didn't pay attention. Hey this leads you through without it feeling like a history lesson. I've learnt a lot without realising and look forward to reading the next book
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews