Expected
publication: September 1st 2017 by Ashland Creek Press
Along the windswept
coast of Ireland, a woman discovers the landscape of her own heart
When Annie Crowe travels from Seattle to a small Irish village to promote a new copper mine, her public relations career is hanging in the balance. Struggling to overcome her troubled past and a failing marriage, Annie is eager for a chance to rebuild her life.
Yet when she arrives on the remote Beara Peninsula, Annie learns that the mine would encroach on the nesting ground of an endangered bird, the Red-billed Chough, and many in the community are fiercely protective of this wild place. Among them is Daniel Savage, a local artist battling demons of his own, who has been recruited to help block the mine.
Despite their differences, Annie and Daniel find themselves drawn toward each other, and, inexplicably, they begin to hear the same voice--a strange, distant whisper of Gaelic, like sorrow blowing in the wind.
Guided by ancient mythology and challenged by modern problems, Annie must confront the half-truths she has been sent to spread and the lies she has been telling herself. Most of all, she must open her heart to the healing power of this rugged land and its people.
Beautifully crafted with environmental themes, a lyrical Irish setting, and a touch of magical realism, The Crows of Beara is a breathtaking novel of how the nature of place encompasses everything that we are.
When Annie Crowe travels from Seattle to a small Irish village to promote a new copper mine, her public relations career is hanging in the balance. Struggling to overcome her troubled past and a failing marriage, Annie is eager for a chance to rebuild her life.
Yet when she arrives on the remote Beara Peninsula, Annie learns that the mine would encroach on the nesting ground of an endangered bird, the Red-billed Chough, and many in the community are fiercely protective of this wild place. Among them is Daniel Savage, a local artist battling demons of his own, who has been recruited to help block the mine.
Despite their differences, Annie and Daniel find themselves drawn toward each other, and, inexplicably, they begin to hear the same voice--a strange, distant whisper of Gaelic, like sorrow blowing in the wind.
Guided by ancient mythology and challenged by modern problems, Annie must confront the half-truths she has been sent to spread and the lies she has been telling herself. Most of all, she must open her heart to the healing power of this rugged land and its people.
Beautifully crafted with environmental themes, a lyrical Irish setting, and a touch of magical realism, The Crows of Beara is a breathtaking novel of how the nature of place encompasses everything that we are.
My Thoughts…
I have never been to
Ireland or Seattle yet I now feel like I have. Julie Christine Johnson made these places
come alive to me while reading this book.
I could picture the stunning mountains, the rolling hills, the small
quaint town, and the beautiful water views.
Even the language made Ireland come alive to me. I loved how in one part she actually explained
how to pronounce words.
Onto the characters…
Annie and Daniel, sigh. They are
wonderful. I love how they both are
struggling with being in the recovery program for alcoholism. While they are from different parts of the
world it seems that they are soul mates.
From the first minute they see each other, before the first words were
spoken, the reader can feel the attraction, the sparks, and the pull between
them. There was never any doubt that
Annie and Daniel had to come together in
some way. I love that they are on
opposite sides of an environmental cause, the reason Annie has come to Beara.
There isn’t as much
confrontation between the two sides of the mining as I expected when I picked
up the book. I expected more drama,
more conflict, and more struggling between the sides. While I felt this was to be the main point
of the story I was surprised that it wasn’t.
The main story was Annie finding herself, finding a place to call home,
and being happy with herself.
I recommend picking
up your own copy and losing yourself in the beauty and charm of Ireland with
Daniel and Annie.
Thank you Julie
Christine Johnson for a copy of your book in exchange for an honest
review.
Book Links
About Julie Christine JohnsonNamed a “standout debut” by Library Journal, “very highly recommended” by Historical Novels Review, and “delicate and haunting, romantic and mystical” by bestselling author Greer Macallister, Julie’s debut novel In Another Life (Sourcebooks) went into a second printing three days after its February 2016 release. A hiker, yogi, and swimmer, Julie makes her home in northwest Washington state.
Thank you for making the time and space for me on your beautiful blog, Charlotte Lynn. I'm so grateful for all you do to support authors.
ReplyDeletexoxo Julie