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Eine Liebe in Irland.
Mary Burke, a beautiful woman trapped in a loveless marriage, gets on with life in neutral Ireland until one day the war comes crashing down on her doorstep when a B17 bomber makes a forced landing in West Cork.
Based on the actual landing of B17 bomber “T’Aint a Bird” during WWII, "Only a Paper Moon" is an enthralling story of unexpected love.
“Who did he think he was, dropping out of a plane like that, with his fancy ways, singing to her about Paper Moons?”
Based on the actual landing of B17 bomber “T’Aint a Bird” during WWII, "Only a Paper Moon" is an enthralling story of unexpected love.
“Who did he think he was, dropping out of a plane like that, with his fancy ways, singing to her about Paper Moons?”
Paperback
First published December 31, 1998
3 people are currently reading
480 people want to read
About the author
Tina Pisco
8 books12 followersTina Pisco has worked as a professional writer for over twenty-five years, writing for every medium except radio (including internet drama and comics). She lives in beautiful West Cork, Ireland and has published novels, non-fiction and poetry.
She has lived in West Cork, Ireland for over twenty years, where many of her books are set.
She has lived in West Cork, Ireland for over twenty years, where many of her books are set.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
July 3, 2013
I absolutely adored this story.
The story is set in Clonakilty, Ireland, Inchydoney Island, in West Cork County; during WWII early 1940's. A crew of mixed American's aboard a B-17 bomber lose navigation and make an emergency landing when the fuel runs low. Ireland was neutral at the time of the war, and there is much ado about a plane landing in their territory.
Mary Burke is a woman of equal parts strength and softness. She falls for a man who is so unlike her brutal husband Gerald; whom she has been given to in a loveless marriage. Her father racks up debts, and to pay them he gives the farm and his daughter Mary to Gerald Burke. But when the B-17 bomber plane drops out of the sky, things liven up when she meets Beauregard St. Soucis. Upon the landing of the B-17, Beau is injured and is taken to Mary's farm to be cared for. Beau is beautiful and full of that old Louisiana Southern charm. He is from a wealthy family and provides Mary the courage to believe she is more than beautiful.
The other characters really came to life in vivid displays throughout the story. I really enjoyed Ruth in particular. My most favored piece of the entire book that had me in stitches is on pg. 188:
"Jaysus, I've sunk down to me ankles in the muck," shrieked Ruth. "Me shoes are ruined. How am I going explain that?"
Les shone the flashlight on Ruth. She had missed the path and walked into the marsh. The sight of her struggling to get loose from the mud was so funny that Les and Dennis couldn't stop from laughing.
"Go away home and mock yer own!" she said giggling. The more she flayed around the more they laughed. "Shut up and help me, ye eejits!" she shouted.
Dennis reached out and grabbed her hand. "Come on girl, I'll pull ye out." Ruth popped out like a cork as Dennis pulled her out. "Holy Mother of God- I've lost them altogether now!" Ruth stood barefoot looking helplessly at the black muck. Les shone the flashlight over it but there was no trace of the shoes. It was as if the marsh had swallowed them up.
(i'm still chuckling!)
The mascot of the aeroplane is a Spanish monkey named Tojo, who really becomes a sensational hit in the small community. He is a lively distraction and makes a grand show. It saddens me and warms my heart how the community comes together to pay final respects when the monkey takes sick and dies.
There is by far much more to the story and characters galore, that are hard to capture unless you read the book, which I highly recommend. Come to the Author's Note at the end and you will find that there is some truth to the fiction which gives it even more appeal. Loved it!
The story is set in Clonakilty, Ireland, Inchydoney Island, in West Cork County; during WWII early 1940's. A crew of mixed American's aboard a B-17 bomber lose navigation and make an emergency landing when the fuel runs low. Ireland was neutral at the time of the war, and there is much ado about a plane landing in their territory.
Mary Burke is a woman of equal parts strength and softness. She falls for a man who is so unlike her brutal husband Gerald; whom she has been given to in a loveless marriage. Her father racks up debts, and to pay them he gives the farm and his daughter Mary to Gerald Burke. But when the B-17 bomber plane drops out of the sky, things liven up when she meets Beauregard St. Soucis. Upon the landing of the B-17, Beau is injured and is taken to Mary's farm to be cared for. Beau is beautiful and full of that old Louisiana Southern charm. He is from a wealthy family and provides Mary the courage to believe she is more than beautiful.
The other characters really came to life in vivid displays throughout the story. I really enjoyed Ruth in particular. My most favored piece of the entire book that had me in stitches is on pg. 188:
"Jaysus, I've sunk down to me ankles in the muck," shrieked Ruth. "Me shoes are ruined. How am I going explain that?"
Les shone the flashlight on Ruth. She had missed the path and walked into the marsh. The sight of her struggling to get loose from the mud was so funny that Les and Dennis couldn't stop from laughing.
"Go away home and mock yer own!" she said giggling. The more she flayed around the more they laughed. "Shut up and help me, ye eejits!" she shouted.
Dennis reached out and grabbed her hand. "Come on girl, I'll pull ye out." Ruth popped out like a cork as Dennis pulled her out. "Holy Mother of God- I've lost them altogether now!" Ruth stood barefoot looking helplessly at the black muck. Les shone the flashlight over it but there was no trace of the shoes. It was as if the marsh had swallowed them up.
(i'm still chuckling!)
The mascot of the aeroplane is a Spanish monkey named Tojo, who really becomes a sensational hit in the small community. He is a lively distraction and makes a grand show. It saddens me and warms my heart how the community comes together to pay final respects when the monkey takes sick and dies.
There is by far much more to the story and characters galore, that are hard to capture unless you read the book, which I highly recommend. Come to the Author's Note at the end and you will find that there is some truth to the fiction which gives it even more appeal. Loved it!
September 29, 2013
I received this book free from Goodreads giveaway.
This book was set during wwII. A B-17 Fly fortress bomber makes an emergency landing in Clonakilty Ireland. Wonderful settings and characters draw you into the book immediately. This is a well-crafted love story that will melt many a heart with its innocence, hardship, values, and heroes. Thoroughly enjoyable, I look forward to reading more stories by this author.
This book was set during wwII. A B-17 Fly fortress bomber makes an emergency landing in Clonakilty Ireland. Wonderful settings and characters draw you into the book immediately. This is a well-crafted love story that will melt many a heart with its innocence, hardship, values, and heroes. Thoroughly enjoyable, I look forward to reading more stories by this author.
August 19, 2015
Only a Paper Moon is a beautiful love story. I immensly enjoyed the delightful array of characters and how their lives changed and intertwined over a course of an incident. I also loved the many beautiful descriptions of Ireland depicted in this novel.
December 29, 2018
I had not read a book in years (other than college texts) and I picked this up because I liked the cover almost 20 years ago. I loved the story, the location and the history. It was an easy read and reignited my love of reading. I must get a new copy to reread.
March 30, 2022
It started slow, which is the reason for 4. Otherwise loved it. Loosely based on real events. Sweet story!
August 10, 2025
Only A paper Moon
Amazing story
Thank you
We are planning on visiting Ireland next month and staying at the O Donovan hotel in Clonakilty
Amazing story
Thank you
We are planning on visiting Ireland next month and staying at the O Donovan hotel in Clonakilty
December 5, 2013
This novel begins with the emergency landing of a B-17 in neutral Ireland during World War II. From here the story goes off on a fictional tangent. I should have paid more attention to the fact that this is listed as a historical romance because it is heavier on the romance than I usually care to read. This plane lands and people start pairing off left and right.
I don't mind a sweet, little love story now and then, but every couple in this book had a creepy factor from the married woman who falls in love with the guy at least a decade younger than her to the 18 year old soldier whose lady love is only 14. I was ready to reserve judgement on this if the author had based it on actual events, but this turns out to be pure imagination.
Pisco does a fabulous job of creating the Irish village of Clonakilty down to the residents' accents. Their wonder over seeing this plane "as big as a mansion" and the monkey who disembarks along with the crew was enjoyable to read about. Even the innocent romances were alright, but I could have done without the sexfest at the end. But that's just me, I'm sure other readers enjoy this culmination of the relationship that builds up throughout the novel. It's just not my thing.
The book ends with a look at where the main characters are 5 years after the American crew takes off again, and it was satisfying and romantic, if more than a little predictable. I would recommend this book to people who enjoy realistic historical romance.
I don't mind a sweet, little love story now and then, but every couple in this book had a creepy factor from the married woman who falls in love with the guy at least a decade younger than her to the 18 year old soldier whose lady love is only 14. I was ready to reserve judgement on this if the author had based it on actual events, but this turns out to be pure imagination.
Pisco does a fabulous job of creating the Irish village of Clonakilty down to the residents' accents. Their wonder over seeing this plane "as big as a mansion" and the monkey who disembarks along with the crew was enjoyable to read about. Even the innocent romances were alright, but I could have done without the sexfest at the end. But that's just me, I'm sure other readers enjoy this culmination of the relationship that builds up throughout the novel. It's just not my thing.
The book ends with a look at where the main characters are 5 years after the American crew takes off again, and it was satisfying and romantic, if more than a little predictable. I would recommend this book to people who enjoy realistic historical romance.
December 1, 2012
This is a story you might expect to read from a much more seasoned author but Tina Pisco’s debut is absolutely rich with color and characters. Her writing captures the essence of the rural Irish community and took me back to my own travels in the region. While she develops her main characters thoroughly, Pisco does an excellent job of giving the reader a good feel for the supporting cast. She incorporates elements of drama, suspense, and humor in enough proportion and in a timely manner that the pace feels perfectly right. This was a story that had you laughing one moment and choked up the next.
You don’t have to be a fan of the period or the region to really enjoy this wonderful story. If you appreciate a good love story or solid fiction with the right blend of elements then you’ll want to read Pisco’s debut, Only a Paper Moon. It captures the charm of the region and the people of southern Ireland – that quality alone is worth 4.2 stars.
Tom Clementson The Motley Chronicles
Be sure to take a moment and leave your feedback and comments about the book on Amazon and goodreads.
You don’t have to be a fan of the period or the region to really enjoy this wonderful story. If you appreciate a good love story or solid fiction with the right blend of elements then you’ll want to read Pisco’s debut, Only a Paper Moon. It captures the charm of the region and the people of southern Ireland – that quality alone is worth 4.2 stars.
Tom Clementson The Motley Chronicles
Be sure to take a moment and leave your feedback and comments about the book on Amazon and goodreads.
April 1, 2016
A beautiful story that I cam across by chance when I was writing on my MA Creative Writing course. It tells the true story about a B-17 Flying Fortress bomber named T'Aint A Bird (also one of my short stories based on the same true story) that gets lost during World War II and ends up in neutral Ireland.
Tina Pisco's book was recommended to me by the owners of the hotel in Clonakilty West Cork on my visit there and I enjoyed it immensely. Tina has a lovely way of describing the local characters and their reaction to this amazing event, weaving in good humour and suspense. If you enjoy books based on true stories and set in rural Ireland - you will find this delightful.
Tina Pisco's book was recommended to me by the owners of the hotel in Clonakilty West Cork on my visit there and I enjoyed it immensely. Tina has a lovely way of describing the local characters and their reaction to this amazing event, weaving in good humour and suspense. If you enjoy books based on true stories and set in rural Ireland - you will find this delightful.
Want to read
February 15, 2016335p Mary Burke, a beautiful woman trapped in a loveless marriage, gets on with life in neutral Ireland until one day the war comes crashing down on her doorstep when a B17 bomber makes a forced landing in West Cork.
Based on the actual landing of B17 bomber 1CT 19Aint a Bird 1D during WWII, "Only a Paper Moon" is an enthralling story of unexpected love.
Based on the actual landing of B17 bomber 1CT 19Aint a Bird 1D during WWII, "Only a Paper Moon" is an enthralling story of unexpected love.
October 12, 2015
i had forgotten how good this is. Set in West Cork in WW2 when an AMERICAN BOMBER CRASH LANDS IN A BOG and the americans change the lives of the locals forever. Based on true fact OI cant believe this hasn't been made into a film yet..A real page turner
November 4, 2012
So much of a lovely story it is, It affectioned me that I want to Visit Clonakilty & pay a visit to that Poor tojo's grave
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July 28, 2011w
May 7, 2013
Top class!
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews