The Irish Matchmaker

I am a sucker for inspirational historical romance - especially when it is set in Ireland. Having read Jennifer Deibel's other books, I knew I was in for a treat. While I didn't love this as much as some of her other titles, it was still a nice quick read. Catriona Daly is a matchmaker just like her father - she is too busy helping other people find their forever love that she never gets to find a man for herself. When she starts to work with Andrew Osbourne - a man of means and property she is determined to match him with herself so that she can get away from their small Irish town and be financially well off. Donal Banratty, is a single father with a barely functioning farm. He never seems to come out ahead no matter how hard he tries. When his daughter Sara begs him to go to the matchmaking festival so she can have a mother - he reluctantly agrees. If nothing else he could use an extra set of hands around the farm. He isn't looking for love - he's looking for a partner. Little do Catriona and Donal know that what they are looking for could be right in front of them. 

The Maid of Ballymacool

Reminiscent of Cinderella's fairy tale but set in Ireland in the nineteen thirties. All Brianna has ever known of life is hard work and loneliness. Forced to toil from sun up to midnight with only one afternoon a week off to look forward to is a bit overwhelming. As an orphan she was raised in the Ballymacool Boarding House for young ladies, but not as a proper young lady, only as a maid. When a handsome young man comes to stay on the property to look after his cousin, Brianne's head turns and soon her heart follows. The headmistress does everything in her power to keep Brianna under her thumb and away from the wealthy young man - but the two are drawn together and soon they may uncover the mystery of Ballymacool Manor. Slightly predictable but wholesome. Inspiration and historical fiction fans will greatly enjoy. 

The Lady of Galway Manor

Annabeth De Lacy and her family have been sent to Galway to keep an eye on the Irish rebels. Without the English court to keep her entertained, Annabeth convinces her father to let her apprentice at a local jewelry shop. Annabeth is enthralled with the Claddagh design and it's meaning and she finds herself falling for Irish customs and ways of life. The only problem is that is putting her at odds with her English family who view the Irish as beneath them. The jewelry shop owner's son, Stephen, is an attractive young man with big dreams and a hatred of the English. He is initially appalled at having to take his new English landlord's daughter under his wing and show her the ropes of the business. Soon however, he finds himself falling for her and she for him. Can they place their prejudices aside and see what is right in front of them? A moving historical romance that inspirational readers will love. 

A Dance in Donegal

Moira's mother's dying wish was that her daughter go to Ireland and teach in the town she grew up in. Moira doesn't want to leave Boston behind but she keeps having ominous dreams and she finally feels compelled to go abroad. Set in 1920 this historical romance features a lovely backdrop, the Irish town of Donegal. When she arrives in the Emerald Isle it's not all sunshine and roses however. Many are skeptical of the "yank" and one of her students has set out to make her miserable. Moira thanks God for the few friends she makes and is determined to make it work. But that resolution becomes harder and harder to achieve as rumors of her and her mother begin to surface. Just what kind of reputation did her mother leave behind when she sailed to America? One constant in her new life is Sean, a nice and gentlemanly thatcher. Is there something more than friendship there? There are definitely some dark and unexpected moments in this inspirational historical romance, but Moira always turns towards God and makes the most out of hard circumstances.