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The O'Brien Tales #10
The Ward of the Castle
Spanning two decades, from the wild coast of a Tasmanian penal colony to the west coast of Ireland, an exiled rebel’s betrayal precedes his return to his homeland.
In mid-nineteenth-century Ireland, a small girl arrives on the same dock her mother departed from six years earlier. Laoise Hogan is alone, traumatized, and bearing letters from her mother addressed to the man who abandoned them. Sir Lucius O’Brien, 5th Baronet, 13th Baron Inchiquin, is summoned to Dublin by an orphan society. He finds himself face to face with a small girl whose haunted face looks eerily similar to his brother's.
Phelan McCrohan and his cousin Pearl have enjoyed a simple and safe childhood on Inishean, nestled away from the harsh realities of mainland Ireland. Now grown, they must leave the protection of their island home to widen their social opportunities and further their education. As Phelan and his friend Jefferson finish school and seek employment, Phelan finds himself in service to Sir Lucius O’Brien. As he settles into his life in Co. Clare, the last thing he needs is to be distracted by the lovely and mysterious ward of the castle, Laoise O’Brien.
Centered around Dromoland Castle and the political turmoil of post-famine Ireland, four young people learn the value of friendship and the power of true love.
In mid-nineteenth-century Ireland, a small girl arrives on the same dock her mother departed from six years earlier. Laoise Hogan is alone, traumatized, and bearing letters from her mother addressed to the man who abandoned them. Sir Lucius O’Brien, 5th Baronet, 13th Baron Inchiquin, is summoned to Dublin by an orphan society. He finds himself face to face with a small girl whose haunted face looks eerily similar to his brother's.
Phelan McCrohan and his cousin Pearl have enjoyed a simple and safe childhood on Inishean, nestled away from the harsh realities of mainland Ireland. Now grown, they must leave the protection of their island home to widen their social opportunities and further their education. As Phelan and his friend Jefferson finish school and seek employment, Phelan finds himself in service to Sir Lucius O’Brien. As he settles into his life in Co. Clare, the last thing he needs is to be distracted by the lovely and mysterious ward of the castle, Laoise O’Brien.
Centered around Dromoland Castle and the political turmoil of post-famine Ireland, four young people learn the value of friendship and the power of true love.
- GenresAudiobook
458 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 18, 2023
83 people are currently reading
96 people want to read
About the author
Stacey Reynolds
19 books211 followersStacey Reynolds began writing after a trip to Europe, where she was bewitched by the coastal counties of Western Ireland. She lives on the coast of North Carolina with three of her five children and her dashing husband, a retired Marine Officer. To learn more about the author check these resources: www.staceylreynolds.weebly.com
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
April 6, 2024
Another wonderful story from Stacey Reynolds about the O’Brien Clan and the altogether gorgeous West of Ireland! It was nice to see a flash from their very rich and interesting history.
June 27, 2023
Fantastic
I have read every book in this series and loved them all. This author knows how to bring out all the feelings in the reader,I have laughed, cried and have gotten angry in every on of these books. I just hope there will be more stories about the O'Brien family.
I have read every book in this series and loved them all. This author knows how to bring out all the feelings in the reader,I have laughed, cried and have gotten angry in every on of these books. I just hope there will be more stories about the O'Brien family.
July 18, 2023
This makes me want to read all the other O'Brian books again.
I just love this series. I'm looking forward to the next one. I was trying to think who would be next. Hopefully, this is not the last one.
I just love this series. I'm looking forward to the next one. I was trying to think who would be next. Hopefully, this is not the last one.
August 2, 2023
another embracing O’Brien story
Don’t miss this one! A beautiful story of love, loss, growth and history in Ireland, about the strength families draw from each other during the worst of times and the best of times.
Don’t miss this one! A beautiful story of love, loss, growth and history in Ireland, about the strength families draw from each other during the worst of times and the best of times.
November 17, 2023
One of my favorite series!! It was amazing to get some of the back history of the O’Briens. There isn’t a book in this series that hasn’t been absolutely wonderful, where I couldn’t stop listening until the end!
November 27, 2023
Book 10 of the fabulous O’Brien Tales did not disappoint. I loved the story, characters, plot, and the narration by Justine Eyre. I want more. Meanwhile I may start again at the beginning. Love, love, love this series by Stacey Reynolds.
October 30, 2024
Enjoy this series and the book is good - glad to hear more backstory on the history with the O’Briens. However…
This book got really frustrating towards the end, it’s been an issue in some of the previous books that names are spelled incorrectly between books, or they reference the wrong spouse to O’Brien husband, etc. However, in this one they make a pretty significant glitch that changes the tone of the story… Pearl repeatedly references that her aunt never really felt like a mother figure to her and yet towards the end of the book when talking to Laoise it’s like the author forgot who was talking… She started referring to Phalen’s mother as her mother, calling his sisters her sisters (even references delivering her “sister” Roisin).
Considering how much the author made a point to say she never truly felt like she had a mother figure growing up, making this big an error this far into the book just makes it hard to finish.
Add on the fact that she repeatedly reiterates components of the story from earlier in the book in a way that makes it seem like she is rehashing stories from different book almost makes it feel like she doesn’t know her own characters/plotline, and had to go back and look at notes from earlier. (E.g., 5-6 reminders that Pearl knows who her real father is but not as a natural discussion or part of the story - more like a note to the reader… made even more complicated when in the same paragraph they reference that Pearl doesn’t know, guessing intended to be stated by her father, and in the next sentence, reminds the reader that Pearl does know)
It all just gets very awkward and probably could’ve used one or two more rounds of editing to ensure someone the discrepancies
This book got really frustrating towards the end, it’s been an issue in some of the previous books that names are spelled incorrectly between books, or they reference the wrong spouse to O’Brien husband, etc. However, in this one they make a pretty significant glitch that changes the tone of the story… Pearl repeatedly references that her aunt never really felt like a mother figure to her and yet towards the end of the book when talking to Laoise it’s like the author forgot who was talking… She started referring to Phalen’s mother as her mother, calling his sisters her sisters (even references delivering her “sister” Roisin).
Considering how much the author made a point to say she never truly felt like she had a mother figure growing up, making this big an error this far into the book just makes it hard to finish.
Add on the fact that she repeatedly reiterates components of the story from earlier in the book in a way that makes it seem like she is rehashing stories from different book almost makes it feel like she doesn’t know her own characters/plotline, and had to go back and look at notes from earlier. (E.g., 5-6 reminders that Pearl knows who her real father is but not as a natural discussion or part of the story - more like a note to the reader… made even more complicated when in the same paragraph they reference that Pearl doesn’t know, guessing intended to be stated by her father, and in the next sentence, reminds the reader that Pearl does know)
It all just gets very awkward and probably could’ve used one or two more rounds of editing to ensure someone the discrepancies
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 21, 2023
Another great story
A really good read. Nice to learn about the O'Brien history and the story of the family from The Keeper book.
It informs you about the stories of Ireland and the struggles for women and Catholics.
I would like to get back and catch up with the current families. Please give us a book that updates all the family members and gives us sweet Cora also the other grandchildren as they are growing into there O'Brien heritage.
Just got back from 10th trip to Ireland and a visit to Doolin and Doolin Cave!!
Wonderful B&B's there and 3 great pubs for great food.
A really good read. Nice to learn about the O'Brien history and the story of the family from The Keeper book.
It informs you about the stories of Ireland and the struggles for women and Catholics.
I would like to get back and catch up with the current families. Please give us a book that updates all the family members and gives us sweet Cora also the other grandchildren as they are growing into there O'Brien heritage.
Just got back from 10th trip to Ireland and a visit to Doolin and Doolin Cave!!
Wonderful B&B's there and 3 great pubs for great food.
November 19, 2023
Exceptional! It's been awhile since I finished the previous book in this series and this one just makes me want to go back to the beginning and listen to them all again.
Well written, compelling, heart wrenching, and wonderful characters. The story is so engaging that you forget the world around you. It's very hard to find another book that will satisfy after finishing one of "The O'Brien Tales".
Thank you Stacey Reynolds for continuing this wonderful series.
Well written, compelling, heart wrenching, and wonderful characters. The story is so engaging that you forget the world around you. It's very hard to find another book that will satisfy after finishing one of "The O'Brien Tales".
Thank you Stacey Reynolds for continuing this wonderful series.
May 28, 2025
In mid-nineteenth-century Ireland, a small girl arrives on the same dock her mother departed from six years earlier. Laoise Hogan is alone, traumatized, and bearing letters from her mother addressed to the man who abandoned them. Sir Lucius O’Brien, 5th Baronet, 13th Baron Inchiquin, is summoned to Dublin by an orphan society. He finds himself face to face with a small girl whose haunted face looks eerily similar to his brother's.
The story and narration is great. Has some retelling of the history of Ireland. (I "read" the Audible edition.)
*****
The O'Brien Tales by Stacey Reynolds
1. Raven of the Sea 2. A Lantern in the Dark
3. Shadow Guardian 3.5 Fio
4. River Angels 5. The Wishing Bridge
6. The Irish Midwife 6.5 Dark Irish
7. Burning Embers 8. The Keeper
8.5 Last Call: A Doolan Novella 9. Hawick
10. The Last Sip of Wine: A Novel of Tuscany 11. Sanctuary
The story and narration is great. Has some retelling of the history of Ireland. (I "read" the Audible edition.)
*****
The O'Brien Tales by Stacey Reynolds
1. Raven of the Sea 2. A Lantern in the Dark
3. Shadow Guardian 3.5 Fio
4. River Angels 5. The Wishing Bridge
6. The Irish Midwife 6.5 Dark Irish
7. Burning Embers 8. The Keeper
8.5 Last Call: A Doolan Novella 9. Hawick
10. The Last Sip of Wine: A Novel of Tuscany 11. Sanctuary
December 16, 2023
Another puzzle piece to the O’Brien family.
Lovely backstory to the ghosts in The Keeper in book 8. Now we know what happened to the kids and how it tied into the O’Brien’s.
Could’ve thumped William for his careless acts but at least it brought Alicia to the home and father she needed. Wish Josephine had gotten her comeuppance but can’t have everything.
Can’t wait for book 11.
Lovely backstory to the ghosts in The Keeper in book 8. Now we know what happened to the kids and how it tied into the O’Brien’s.
Could’ve thumped William for his careless acts but at least it brought Alicia to the home and father she needed. Wish Josephine had gotten her comeuppance but can’t have everything.
Can’t wait for book 11.
June 20, 2023
Love!!
I have no words on how much I loved this book. Laoise and Phelan are some of my favorite characters from the series. This story is heartbreaking and at the same time beautiful. I loved every minute that I got to read this book!
I have no words on how much I loved this book. Laoise and Phelan are some of my favorite characters from the series. This story is heartbreaking and at the same time beautiful. I loved every minute that I got to read this book!
June 21, 2023
Another fantastic Book from Stacey Reynolds
Stacey Reynolds is a gifted author. Her books transport you to another place and time. As with her other books this is another story that can be enjoyed over and over. Thank you Stacey, we are all looking forward to book 11!
Stacey Reynolds is a gifted author. Her books transport you to another place and time. As with her other books this is another story that can be enjoyed over and over. Thank you Stacey, we are all looking forward to book 11!
June 21, 2023
Book 10 doesn’t disappoint can’t wait for Book 11
I love The O’Brien Tales and I can’t pick a favorite. They are all so good and I can’t put them down. Stacey weaves a tale that pulls you from start to finish with lots of Spice tossed in.
I love The O’Brien Tales and I can’t pick a favorite. They are all so good and I can’t put them down. Stacey weaves a tale that pulls you from start to finish with lots of Spice tossed in.
November 21, 2023
The O'Brien Tales
I have read every book in this series and have loved all. This is a first to introduce the earlier years. Not surprising to find strong women and men. Can't wait to read the next.
I have read every book in this series and have loved all. This is a first to introduce the earlier years. Not surprising to find strong women and men. Can't wait to read the next.
November 9, 2024
Bestest
Recommend because I love the author. Mostly because this is a more historic story of the O'Brien family. History, heartbreak, love story and scandal. All done with a loving story.
Recommend because I love the author. Mostly because this is a more historic story of the O'Brien family. History, heartbreak, love story and scandal. All done with a loving story.
Read
June 18, 2023Sucked me in from the start
I just love this series!
Am going to have to order the books to put in my library
Loved going back in time
I just love this series!
Am going to have to order the books to put in my library
Loved going back in time
July 1, 2023
always so good
Stacey Reynolds did it again by taking back into the O’Brien past. I couldn’t put it down and can’t wait to visit Ireland!
More please!
Stacey Reynolds did it again by taking back into the O’Brien past. I couldn’t put it down and can’t wait to visit Ireland!
More please!
Read
July 18, 2023The ward of the castle
An amazing book written so you feel all characters hearts and feelings. I've loved all the O'Brien Tales, but especially this one as it is a true history.
An amazing book written so you feel all characters hearts and feelings. I've loved all the O'Brien Tales, but especially this one as it is a true history.
August 6, 2023
Lovely as always
What a lovely story of love, loss, family and their secrets. Just love all her books. So wonderfully written as always.
What a lovely story of love, loss, family and their secrets. Just love all her books. So wonderfully written as always.
October 30, 2023
best book yet
Absolutely loved this book. Can’t wait for the next. ESP eisllt loved how long it was. Thank you Stacey Reynolds’s👏🏻
Absolutely loved this book. Can’t wait for the next. ESP eisllt loved how long it was. Thank you Stacey Reynolds’s👏🏻
December 17, 2023
Disappointing. Waited months to read this with a boring storyline.
February 11, 2024
a very nice read
The story told of the Irish history and of women’s place at a time of hardship. It is a great love story.
The story told of the Irish history and of women’s place at a time of hardship. It is a great love story.
September 20, 2024
This is a great romantic series set in Ireland, Brazil and Italy.
August 10, 2023
Love this simple series about the O’Brien family. Irish love story, this one goes back to history
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews