"Irish Tale of Redemption"

THE LAST BRIDE IN BALLYMUIR was the first book I have read by Dorien Kelly and when I closed it I found myself immediately wanting to read the sequel--which of course isn't due out for ages.

Miss Kylie "Soon-to-Be-A-Saint" O'Shea has spent her life and money trying to live down her father's crimes and pay back the people he cheated. She is extremely conscious of her reputation as she is a teacher in a Gaelic school. Kylie fears that even a breath of scandal would get her fired.

Kylie spends her life doing good works and staying as far from men as she can, because of an incident on her 18th birthday. To say Kylie is repressed is an understatement, in many ways she has shut down emotionally.

Into Kylie's bleak world walks Michael Kilbride, who has just been released from 14 years in prison as an Irish Terrorist. It is obvious from his first appearance that Michael is not a terrorist and his story is heartbreaking; but he also is burdened by guilt for the lives that were lost due to his youthful stupidity.

Michael is as strong and wonderful a 'beast' as any romance reader could want. He is never cruel and in spite of all he has suffered in his life, he does not let bitterness devour him. Watching him interact with his sister, Vi and his brothers is a joy to read. It is also a very realistic picture of children of an emotionally abusive mother trying to bond and survive, in spite of Mam's best efforts to make them feel they have no value.

What follows this baggage-laden couple's meeting is a lovely redemption story of two people who fall in love despite all of the reasons they should not do so.

When Kylie and Michael share their traumas with each other I was moved and really enjoyed watching them put their lives together in a truly deserved 'happilyeverafter.'

What set Ms. Kelly's story apart from many other tales of angst and redemption was the realistically flawed natures of the two lead characters. Kylie for all her do-gooding is a coward when it comes to standing up for Michael. She is loathe to give up her carefully built reputation. At one point she slinks away with Michael when she spots an enemy, as she doesn't want to be seen with him. Michael believes her claim of illness and is glad she didn't see the enemy as he 'knows she would have stood up for him.' The reader knows otherwise and I thought it a wonderful choice for the author to make Kylie not a completely likable character. Plus, it makes her final stand so much more meaningful.

Michael for his part has trouble dealing with his anger and desire for retribution against the people who tricked and betrayed him. But, thankfully he doesn't take this anger out on the people who love him.

THE LAST BRIDE IN BALLYMUIR is a quick read that kept my interest throughout and I can hardly wait to read the next book in the Ballymuir series. New-to-me authors that write this well often send me off in search of their backlists and I can feel a 'glom' coming on.

Reviewed by Linda Hurst
Posted March 26, 2003

Steeped in the age-old beauty and traditions of Ireland, Dorien Kelly's enchanting contemporary novel transports readers to a picturesque Irish village where passions run deep....

Summary

Miss Kylie "Soon-to-Be-a-Saint" O'Shea teaches at the Gaelic school, helps her neighbors and volunteers for every good cause. No one in Ballymuir can figure out why she keeps the interested lads at bay but they all warn her that she's in danger of fulfilling a local legend: becoming the last bride in Ballymuir. When a stranger named Michael Kilbride comes to the village wild rumors surround his every move. But Kylie, captivated by Michael's intense passions, lets herself go where Michael leads her -- into an awakening of dreams and desires...even if it means exposing her beloved village's and her own darkest secrets.