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Chautona Havig

Chautona Havig

Using story to connect YOU to the Master Storyteller

Romance & Ireland in One Book? What’s Not to Love?

by Chautona Havig · 6 Comments

Irish Encounter takes a chance meeting in Galway and explores what could be... all the way back home to North Carolina, by way of Africa for one of them. via @chautonahavig

It’s five a.m.  I’m exhausted and really just need sleep.  Since I’m at a hotel and have to leave in a few hours, I shouldn’t be awake at all, but I’ve just finished a book, and I’ve got things on my mind.

Irish Encounter

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Romance & Ireland in One Book? What’s Not to Love?

Okay, so that is a weird title for me. After all, I’m not exactly a big romance lover.  But really, in the Anne Shirley scheme of things, I do call the aching beauty of Irish greenness and history romantic all in itself, so…

This book has a lot of things going for it. For one thing, it’s solid Christian fiction.  The story would absolutely die without the faith element.  It wouldn’t work.  Full points on that score.

I liked the characters–their believability as well as their virtues and flaws. Ellen and Payne are people you’d meet almost anywhere.  They just happened to meet in Galway.  The instant attraction even works well.  It isn’t overdone, but the author acknowledges through the story she weaves that this thing happens.  But can it turn into something deeper?

Well, in this story it does.

There were parts that didn’t grab me. For example, most of the section from the time Helen went home until the professors arrived with their proposal could have been cut. That says something to me. Despite that, I doubt readers would be bored by it–just uncertain of its necessity. I’m a strong proponent of “showing” over “telling” but maybe in this case it would have been stronger to just “tell” in dialogue.  Actually, I’m pretty sure that happens anyway.  So…?

The conflict (and I admit there isn’t tons but I actually think the amount of it is realistic).  Still, that conflict is a bit cliched.  The guy misunderstands the obvious.  The woman assumes something else… cue typical romantic formula.

However, despite that, I really did enjoy most of the story and think it was a nice way to spend an evening (or early morning, actually).  Absolutely am not sorry I requested the review copy I was sent, and I’ll be checking out more from this author. Recommended for people who enjoy solid Christian fiction, who are looking for protagonists who are a little older and more mature, and for people who like a glimpse of a nice setting outside the norm as a fine backdrop for their stories.

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Comments

  1. James Robert says

    August 12, 2020 at 2:16 am

    Great post and I appreciate getting to find out about another great book. Thanks for all you do and for the hard work you put into this. Greatly appreciated!

    Reply
  2. Alicia G says

    August 10, 2020 at 6:28 pm

    You had me at Ireland and Christian fiction! Love love Ireland!
    I hadn’t heard of this one before, kindle here I come! Lol

    Reply
  3. Hope Toler Dougherty says

    August 10, 2020 at 9:00 am

    Thank you for reading and reviewing Irish Encounter, Chautona!

    Reply
  4. Emma says

    August 9, 2020 at 9:49 pm

    This does sound like a good one! It’s not common to find a book set in Ireland.

    Reply
  5. Amelia says

    August 9, 2020 at 4:16 pm

    Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  6. Debbie P says

    August 9, 2020 at 1:00 pm

    This sounds like a really great read.

    Reply

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