Spellbound

by Jeanette Baker

Applauded as "a forceful writer of character and conflict" (Publishers Weekly), Jeanette Baker uses her "exceptional gift for storytelling" (Romantic Times) to create satisfying, evocative novels that resonate with rich tradition and the passions of the human heart. SPELLBOUND Life is hard for outlanders on the island of Inishmore, a lesson Mollie Tierney's mother learned long ago. After eleven years, Emma Tierney took her infant daughter and headed home to America, leaving her resigned husband and defiant son behind. Nearly three decades later, eager to know her Irish kin, Mollie accepts a temporary teaching position on the island. Before she can even pack her bags, word comes that her brother and his wife, Kerry, have died, leaving Emma custody of their young children. Heartbroken, Mollie vows to help care for her nieces and nephew until Emma can send for them. But Mollie has reckoned without her feelings for Sean O'Malley, Kerry's grief-stricken twin. Determined to keep the children, he sees Mollie as the enemy even as he yearns to hold her close. It's up to Mollie to teach him to trust his heart -- and her own.

Genres: Contemporary

Hardcover

First published April 1, 2001

About the author

I love all things Irish, the language, a good cup of tea, soda bread, stew, smoked salmon, banoffee pie, green hills, happy cows, chedder cheese,... and all things Southern, sweet iced tea, southern hospitality, everything written by Anne Rivers Siddons and Johanna Trollope, blazing sunsets, driving through hot desert nights with the windows open, coffee and conversation with good friends, Katherine Hepburn movies, dessert, intimate gatherings and bright breezy days.

I live in Southern California during the winter months where I teach school to remarkably well-behaved 6th graders. During the summer months I live in County Kerry, Ireland where I take long walks, listen to traditional music, sigh over gray skies and write, write, write.

Reviews

[Sharon · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very sweet book in some ways. I liked Mollie and Sean but am not sure why the character of Russ was even included—means to an end I guess. Just FYI, there are pretty explicit sex scenes

[Debby]

Mollie Tierney's mother, an American artist, married a native Inishmore fisherman and lasted 10 years on the isolated island before leaving her son and returning to CA with her infant daughter. 20+ years later, Mollie has been corresponding with her sister-in-law Kerry and is planning to come teach for a year. Before she arrives, Kerry dies in childbirth and her husband dies two weeks later. Kerry's twin brother begins caring for their three children and is not happy when Mollie and mom arrive to be their legal guardians. Mollie falls in love and comes to understand both of her parents and all works out. Well done.

[Erin · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'd give it 3.5 stars if I knew how. I enjoyed much of the book but the lead characters weren't my favorite people. It often felt like I was walking into the middle of a conversation or a conversation ends with no resolutions. The time frame was tricky too. It was difficult for me to figure out how much time was passing, things felt either too slow or too fast.

[Mandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Awesome love story taking place on a small Irish island.