Bohermore

Pirate Queen #1

by Jennifer Rose McMahon

'When your dreams become reality, being cursed can be a real nightmare.'

Like a punch in the face, eighteen-year-old Maeve O'Malley's visions knock her off her path. The Pirate Queen stalking Maeve in her dreams, killed her mother years ago, and now is coming for her.

Maeve's decision to ditch Boston College takes everyone by surprise as she packs her bags, leaves Boston, and heads to the west coast of Ireland to chase her dreams – and end them.

Maeve uncovers an ancient family curse that refuses to remain silent until she accepts her predestined role in what many thought was only legend. Her Irish history professor – a man she shouldn't be falling for – is the only person who understands the origin of the tormenting events.

Maeve's journey becomes a medieval treasure hunt through Ireland's castles and ruins as she tracks the wrathful Pirate Queen who has her marked for vengeance...

Genres: Fantasy, Romance, Pirates, Ireland, Mystery, Fiction, Paranormal

266 pages, Paperback

First published April 18, 2017

About the author

Jennifer Rose McMahon is a USA Today Bestselling Author who has been creating her Pirate Queen series and Irish Mystic Legends series since her college days abroad in Ireland. Her passion for Irish legends, ancient cemeteries, and medieval ghost stories has fueled her adventurous story telling, while her husband’s decadent brogue carries her imagination through the centuries. When she’s not in her own world writing about castles and curses, she can be found near Boston in the local coffee shop, yoga studio, or at the beach…most often answering to the name ‘Mom’ by her fab children four.

PUBLISHERS WEEKLY Starred Review for BOHERMORE:
"Excellent debut. Teen and adult readers alike will be clamoring for the sequel."

Reviews

[Lillian ☁ Cloud 9 Books ☁ · Rating 4 out of 5]

***** 4 Stars *****

A great beginning to an adventurous series filled with fantasy, action, and mystery.

Bohermore is about a young girl going to Ireland to break the family's curse. The deadly curse took her mother, and its grasp is even stronger on Maeve O'Malley.

I loved following the story and history, and I even Googled certain places and events to get a better idea of what Maeve was experiencing. I couldn't put this down.

[Mich Must Read · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bohermore is about a woman at the cross roads of her life. She decides to go to Ireland instead of going to college at home in Boston, in order to investigate her heritage and her strange waking dreams. This book has a thrilling treasure seeking vibe. They are not out looking for buried treasure in the traditional sense. The main Character travels through several old sites looking for clues to her dreams that get more real as she goes. There is also romance blooming through the pages, but it doesn't take over. I read this in one sitting. I could not put it down.

www.michmustread.com

[Lynnette Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bohermore was an awesome read! Maeve has suffered for years with what she calls “waking dreams” and feels that they were the cause of her mother’s death. At a crossroads, she decides to go to Ireland instead of college to see if she can find out what causes them and set herself free. This book has great characters and the plot flows very smoothly. I got so caught up in the story, that I was reading it at work! Can’t wait for the next book!

[Care · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazing first book in a series that promises to be full of excitement and adventure.

Maeve O'Malley has suffered from "awake dreams" since childhood where she is swept away in a rush of wind and sees scenes from the deck of a pirate ship. When her dreams become more and more vivid, Maeve travels all the way to Ireland to chase the mystery. Once there, she meets a musician Rory, a professor Paul, and a dangerous man named Fergal, all of whom seem to somehow be connected to her dreams and what they're telling her.

Bohermore is a well-written, captivating blend of reality and Irish lore, set in the beautiful Irish countryside. The descriptions are vividly and richly painted, and the main character development is deep and complex. I liked that while romance was a part of the story, the main focus was on Maeve's quest for answers. The mystery kept me on the edge of my seat, and the only disappointing thing about this book is that the second one isn't already out yet. I would highly recommend this to anyone who enjoys a bit of historical mysticism tossed in with an adventure story.

Thank to the publisher for an ARC in exchange for a fair review!

[Danielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Apparently authors want me to be fascinated by history. Ms. McMahon definitely had me googling female Irish pirates. It was awesome, and a little sad.

Full review to come soon.

~~~~ UPDATE~~~~

I have to say, any book that makes me stop reading to look up the historical content needs to be discussed. I want driven to Google to dispute the author’s subject, I was inspired to find out more about this kick ass chick from Ireland. It’s not often you hear of female pirates, am I right?

As for the rest of the story, I enjoyed it. It’s NA, which is not my most commonly read subgenre, and on occasion I had to remind myself how old the characters were. Also, there appeared to be minor inconsistencies in the background details. They really had nothing to do with the plot, but they would pull me from the story, breaking the veil, so to speak.

The idea behind Maeve’s journey is uber-fab and when you throw in a hot professor, an accident love affair, and still-feuding clans, you have a fun read that keeps you engaged and involved.

[Chelon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a six star read! I loved everything about this book. It is beyond well written the characters are relatable, the story is interesting and well paced. It manages to enthrall, without the flash of fight or sex scenes. The budding and established relationship between the characters and their ancestors is epic. I eagerly await the next book.

I was given a copy of this book by NetGalley for my honest review.

[Gianna · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one is definitely a fun one! I always had an interest in mythology and I knew virtually nothing about Irish culture or anything Celtic. While this story is more of a narrative then a history lesson the themes that the setting provides is very unique. Maeve's awake dreams are very well executed and I think that it makes her a very interesting character.
I have a weird affinity with pirate books, they definitely are my guilty pleasure, and even though the novel doesnt contain the usual action filled journey or the everyday life on the ship that I love about pirate books, I would definitely give this one a read.

[Jann · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very exciting and fast-paced paranormal mystery. It is spooky in places and the human characters well defined. I did love the peek into the history of Ireland and all the geographical details mentioned. I found the likeable young heroine a bit naive at times but perhaps I just don't remember what my friends and I were like at nineteen.

I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series.

Thanks to the author and Amazon for making this available to me to read!

[Debra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maeve Grace O'Malley has suffered for years from what she called her "awake dreams". The scared her from the time she was a child, but her Irish grandparents would never tell her anything. We're they visions, nightmares? They seemed so real, and she believed they were going to kill her one day, that they had killed her mother. So Maeve travels to Ireland to try to find the answers. She embarks on a journey of history, danger and love. Her past and her future seem to be tied to Ireland. Will she find her answers? You'll NEED to read this book. Ms. McMahon writes with a wonderfully vivid hand. Her characters are so full of life, and the story feels as though you are living it as well through her written words. I can't wait to read the next book.

[TheCraftyLass · Rating 4 out of 5]

*First Impressions

The cover gives the impression of a dark and foreboding tale, full of folklore, myths and a little bit of magic.

When i first started reading, I was intrigued by the secrecy surrounding Maeve's Irish roots. We meet her during a family get-together in her Boston home, where she has been raised by her grandparents since her mother's death. We learn early on that there is something special about Maeve, not least because of her visions; or awake dreams as she calls them. We follow her to Ireland where she struggles to control her ever-strengthening episodes, whilst meeting all sorts of characters; some friends, some foes, and some that aren't so clear!

Enrolling in a history course at NUIG (National University of Ireland, in Galway), she soon finds a kindred spirit to join her on her quest, but how will it end?

*Thoughts

Without wanting to give too much away (I try to keep my reviewing a spoiler-free zone!) I found BOHERMORE an enthralling read. The action was well-paced and I found that the inclusion of lots of historical details made for an interesting read.

As I continued reading, I found myself really rooting for Maeve, and was eager for her to find the answers she was seeking.

The author's writing style is easy to read; and she weaves many snippets of historical detail, myth and legend with ease.

I was left wanting to seek out further reading on as she is such an intriguing character; and can't wait for the second book in The Pirate Queen series, to find out what happens next for Maeve.

*Rating & Recommendations

A suspense-filled read, I rate this thriller 4 out of 5 stars.

Recommended reading for lovers of YA fiction and fans of Paranormal tales, with a bit of history mixed in.

*The Author

Jennifer Rose McMahon lives in Massachusetts with her husband, who she met whilst studying in Ireland, their four children and two dogs.

A family connection to the O'Malley clan and a growing fascination with it's medieval history during many, many visits to Ireland inspired her to write Bohermore.

When not writing, she splits her time between her day jobs as a high school guidance counselor, yoga instructor, and mother.

*Disclosure

I received a free ARC of this book from the publisher, via NetGalley, in return for an open and honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Calye Bowen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a partial review and you can check out the whole thing on my blog!

So I love this book. As soon as I fell into this Irish world, I was hooked. McMahon weaves in powerful imagery, mystical themes, and cultural facts. Plus, she highlights the brogue of the Irish characters (which are everywhere, BTW!), and I felt like I could practically hear the accents in the way the dialogue was written. I loved that.

As for Maeve, I really like her. She's a strong character that struggles with her fear and chooses to take a step into the unknown to solve the mystery that has tormented her and taken away so much. I can relate to her anxiety and, especially, her intense love for coffee. Seriously. Girl loves it, using phrases like "sacred first sip" and whatnot. I see you, Maeve. *Clink*

I made up my mind. I wasn't going to be afraid anymore. -Maeve O'Malley

Okay, so Rory. I was a fan of his straightaway, but you can tell he is struggling with his own demons. He's all over the place. One minute he's charming, protective, and strong. Another minute he's insecure, cold, and self-absorbed. I found myself getting turned off of him from his behavior, and I was glad to see Maeve doing the same thing. She was strong enough to walk away from a toxic relationship this time around. (But are things ever really that simple? Hmmm skeptical. We shall see!).

Paul is an interesting element as well. I like the connections that both Paul and Rory have with Maeve, and this love triangle trope was enjoyable for me, considering I don't especially enjoy them most of the time.

Overall, I just loved this book. It was magical and an enjoyable read with a mysterious hook that kept me flipping through page after page. I wish I had picked it up sooner, because this is one I definitely want on my shelves in hardback form. It's a keeper.

Overall: 5 out of 5 stars

[Catherine Greenfeder · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maeve O'Malley, a recent high school graduate who has been raised by her maternal grandparents goes on a quest to find out the cause of her daytime dreams which have been frightening her for years and their connection to the death of her mother. She can no longer stay home and be intimidated by the frightening dreams featuring a threatening Pirate Queen and wonders about their cause.
In her decision to find out, Maeve ditches plans to go to Boston College, refuses her grandmother's attempts to stay home, and travels to the the west coast of Ireland. While enjoying time with friends and falling for a local pub musician named Rory, she takes classes at the university of Galway. At the college she has strong feelings for her young history professor, Paul McGratt, who tells her more about the Celtic legends and history behind the Pirate Queen. Despite the unwritten rule of professor and student involvements, Maeve and Paul fall in love and discover a connection to the daytime dreams and the Pirate Queen.

There is intrigue, romance, a bit of Irish folklore and history which makes the novel a compelling read for anyone interested in the supernatural, Celtic history and lore, and romantic young adult fiction. The ending left me wanting for more and to continue the series by Jennifer Rose McMahon.

[Deb · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book. All the characters were so well developed and the storyline so descriptive I could picture it in my mind. The descriptions of the highlands, the countryside, the old castles and landmarks almost made me feel like I was there with them. The storyline really pulled me in with the vivid dreams of the two main characters Maeve and Paul by taking them and the reader back in the distant past of Ireland's history to experience an injustice that played out in the lives of their ancestors. An injustice so traumatic it was still affecting the lives of their descendants in the present and was considered by many a curse. Not only that but they were actually interacting with those ancestors from the past. The echoes of those same warring clans that had fought over land and property so long ago were still continuing into the present. I found this to be a story with many dimensions. It's a story of family, their histories, their loves and losses and hopefully their redemption. As there is one more book in this series I'm definitely going to read it to find out how the whole story plays out. Can Maeve help right an injustice from the past so that their ancestors can find peace and put an end to the curse? I can't wait to find out. You should check it out too

[KelticKat · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good solid 4.5 stars for me.

I had a bit of trouble at the beginning - seemed to start a bit slow and awkward - but that changed in a hurry.

As I’ve admitted many times I’m a bit of a history geek and any book that makes me google maps and historical events or people really makes me giddy and thus story did just that.

Enjoyed watching Maeve grow into her own person - now mind you the story is not done yet and she still had a bit of growing left to do. She did frustrate me in the way she never seemed to really break it off with Rory.

I did how ever really love Paul and how even when he questioned Maeve he stepped back and let her do her thing and was there to catch her when she fell.

Looking forward to resolving the dreaded cliffhanger - but that will wait for another day!

[Suzanne Garrison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Don’t judge a book by its cover

I can hear Sr. Gertrude telling me that now as if the 4th Grade library time was earlier today. I saw the cover, noted the words “Pirate Queen” and put this in my ‘pirate romance’ category on my Kindle (yes, I categorize my books...doesn’t everyone?).

So it’s not a pirate romance per se, but it does have eternal love that calls across centuries, a family/generational saga, a good dose of Irish history, and some good old paranormal stuff. *sigh*. I was in heaven as I read this.

Each page had me anxiously turning to the next. The character development is strong, even with the secondary characters. And the lovers kept apart over centuries...*sigh*. I’ve bought the conclusion to this book and can not wait to start it.

[Denise · Rating 5 out of 5]

I came across this gem with this also being a new to me author. the story line tempted greatly especially thanks to the mention of pirates. You are given this one character that this author uses to at first seduce you-Maeve, then others are added to continue the job. She has her issues with them causing her to change her course to another direction. Once you are on her journey with her you are not leaving for a bit. This story has many elements you look for in a novel with it capturing you wholly with the flow fabulous. The drama will get you with other things working the emotions that when you reach the end of this one you realize you could very well read more from this author.

[Kelsey Ketch · Rating 3 out of 5]

When I first discovered this novel, I was so excited because it involved the famous pirate, Grace O’Malley; one of the women pirates I admired when I was back in high school. On top of that, it was set in Ireland. The plotline and settings didn’t disappoint. I loved the mystery of the curse—realistic nightmares Maeve experienced that later become actual hauntings. These visions led her into different cities and ruins across Ireland’s beautiful landscape. These aspects were what captivated me and kept me reading. More so than the characters or the romance.

Maeve was likeable, but not relatable. The biggest reason for this is that she had no background. Throughout the novel, there was no mention about her life before college, or how her and her mother’s curse affected her life, or what happened to her father. Heck, I’m still wondering how Maeve and her mother kept her mother’s maiden name. There was no past. No depth. Basically, Maeve’s life began in college. On top of that, the relationships in this novel, other than Paul and Maeve’s, felt superficial. There really was no connection between her and Michelle or her and Rory.
Though, I’ll be honest, when Rory was first introduced, I was really hoping he would become the stronger love interest over her professor, Paul. Mostly because I don’t feel comfortable when professor-student relationships are encouraged. Fortunately, the forbidden relation was already mentioned in the summary, and I was prepared when the relationship began midway through the novel. And in the end, Paul was one of the best written characters in Bohermore. I just wish he was a graduate student instead of a professor.

However, the real short coming of this novel was the flow. On average, every other page had a section break or a sudden change. This made the novel very difficult to read. Especially when Maeve was at the airport one minute, then at her flat in the next. Or how Maeve and Michelle met in the street outside Maeve’s flat, then suddenly, they were at the bar in the next paragraph. It was like that through the majority of the novel. Even the ending had too many sudden jumps between events. Which I, personally, found very distracting.

In conclusion, this is an intriguing New Adult novel. Unfortunately, I can’t recommend this book due to the romance, which is the majority of the plotline, and because the choppy flow. But I will say the mystery and atmosphere was still worth the read for me, personally.

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was one of the extremely rare times that I bought a book based on the cover alone. I didn't even know what it was about. Turned out to be a fantastic purchase. This was such a great read. I was sucked in from the beginning and couldn't put it down. The way Ireland was described made me feel like I was there. Adventure, danger, mystery and romance. What more could you ask for! I only wish it was longer. I really didn't want to stop reading. I wish books 2 and 3 were available now!!

[Diane Holiday · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this read! A great mix of suspense and romance. The descriptions of Ireland swept me away. Castles, pirates, beautiful scenery. I felt like I was right there. The whole concept of "awake dreams" intrigued me and I found myself lost in the story in a good way. The characters were well drawn and the writing is high quality. A nicely crafted story steeped in history, legend and emotion. Can't wait to read more from this author.

[Laura May · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book is fine; had it not been set in Ireland I wouldn't have continued past the opening chapters however. Plenty of frustration at the protagonist, who can't seem to put simple clues together. More generally, the characters are emotional caricatures. Moreover, this book, rather than being finished, inexplicably requires you to keep reading the rest of the series to reach any resolution. As such nothing actually HAPPENS in this book. Not recommended, 1.5*.

[Tanya · Rating 5 out of 5]

She drops out of college to everyone surprise. She is having dreams and now the pirate queen is now after her. She needs to try to end her curse and find out about her past. Will she find what happened? See if she can break the curse

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Patricia A Spring · Rating 5 out of 5]

Strange and different

Grabbed my interest and held it through the book. I made the mistake of reading the prequel first because even though it was written after the first book, it didn't completely jive with this story, confusing me a bit. I'm sure it filled in some holes but I would recommend reading it in the order it was written . I can't wait to read the next book

[Phthon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh. My. That was just a friggin’ AWESOME book! I couldn't put it down! I was completely engrossed in the story and I experienced the emotions that the main character felt! I totally recommend this book!

[Kimberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 Stars. This one is a tough one for me to rate and review because my thoughts on the writing and the story itself are kind of all over the place. That said, I do want to read Pirate Queen, #2 and I do believe that in the next novel McMahon's writing will be polished to the next degree.

[Laura · Rating 1 out of 5]

I just couldn't get into this one. Maeve read as much younger than 18. The relationships she has with everyone are really shallow. And the Irish themes felt forced and didn't flow. I liked the opening scene at the cemetery and then it went downhill fast.

[Debra McEathron · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pirate Queen

This is an amazing story of bringing lovers togethers from a previous time by two people in present time. Marvel and Paul have to solve the mystery of their visions. They also have to be careful of the enemy.

[Elizabeth Jane · Rating 2 out of 5]

Couldn't keep my attention...

I enjoyed the premise behind this book. That's about it. The writing was...so-so (many passages were over explained which is annoying to me). I couldn't bring myself to WANT to keep reading. If I get like that, I move on to the next book!

[Conny · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love to read about Ireland and the highlands and castles.
This book gave me that and so much more.
I also loved Meave and Paul, those two are such fun.
I'm reading book 2 now, and I know it's going to be great, just like this one.

[Véronique Laplante Grenier · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really love it. Can't wait for book 2.

[Selene Clare · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good book, but very predictable
Interesting read