Carole's Monday Review: The Bittersweet tapestry

Author:  Kevin O'Connell

Title: Bittersweet Tapestry (The Derrynane Saga, Book Three)

Genre: Historical Fiction

Pages: 380

Publication Date: November 1, 2019

Where I Got It: My shelf (Netgalley)

Unhappily returned to Derrynane, within a year, under the auspices of their uncle, a general in the armies of Maria Theresa, Eileen and her sister, Abigail departed for Vienna and a life neither could have ever imagined – one at the dizzying heights of the Hapsburg empire and court, where Abigail ultimately became principal lady-in-waiting to the Empress herself, whilst Eileen, for nine momentous years, served as governess to the Empress’s youngest daughter – during which time Maria Antonia, whom Eileen still calls ‘my wee little archduchess’, has become Marie Antoinette, dauphine of France, though she continues to refer to her beloved governess as “Mama”.

As Bittersweet Tapestry opens, it is the High Summer of 1770. Having escorted the future Queen of France from Vienna to her new life, Eileen and her husband, Captain Arthur O’Leary of the Hungarian Hussars, along with their little boy and Eileen’s treasured friend (and former servant) Anna Pfeffer are establishing themselves in Ireland.

Their ties to Catholic Europe remain close and strong; in addition to Abigail and her O’Sullivan family and General O’Connell, his wife and young daughter in Vienna, their brother Daniel is an officer in the Irish Brigade of the armies of Louis XV, whilst their youngest brother, Hugh, is studying at École Militaire in Paris, his path to a commission in the Dillons’ Regiment of the Brigade. His gentle Austrian friendship with Maria Antonia having inevitably waned, Hugh’s relationship with the strikingly-beautiful young widowed Princess Marie Thérèse Louise of Savoy is blossoming.

Though happily ensconced at Rathleigh House, the O’Leary family estate in County Cork, being prominent amongst those families which are the remnants of the old Gaelic order in the area, Eileen and Art find that the dark cloud of the Protestant Ascendancy hovers heavily, at times threateningly, over them

Been itching for more when book 2 ended! I was so excited when this was ready to be read. 

The story continues with Eileen and her friends/family. After escorting Maria Antonia to the Versailles, they have withdrawn back home to Ireland. However, not all is happily ever after for them or for the archduchess. There is a dark cloud on the horizon. 

I feel so bad for everyone. I just want them to have a HEA and live peacefully, but that is never the case. There is always something so it  made this story more realistic. Sad things happen and we all know the story of Marie Antoinette especially at the beginning of her unhappy marriage. I still wanted it to be different for her! I just want her to be loved! SIGHS. And I want Art and Eileen to be all happy and live their lives in peace in Ireland. But alas....not meant to be. 

The beginning was a little slow, but it worked and I liked it. It does allow for those who didn't read book 1 of 2 to be able to know what is going on. However, I do encourage reading books 1 and 2 to fully fall for the characters and get attached.

The writing is just as lovely as the others. The author really knows how to bring the story and characters to life in a beautiful way. 

OOoooOOOOO the feels in this one especially after a certain event. My poor heart! It did get a tear from me. Ugh. Won't say what, but it got me right in my heart there. 

Grrrr that baddie!!! *shakes fist* 

I want to be like Eileen when I grow up! And I loveeeee Art too!

The ending has me wanting more even though I am worried for our characters especially as time trickles on and we know Marie Antoinette and her family will have their own doom cloud heading towards them. Sobs!

In the end, this was addictive! I couldn't put it down just like the others. I think this was my favorite so far even though I was so upset at that one scene. Sob! I highly recommend this series for historical fiction lovers. 5 stars. :) 

Carole's Sunday Review: Two journeys home - Kevin O'Connell

Author: Kevin O'Connell

Title: Two Journeys Home - The Derrynane Saga

Genre: Historical Fiction

Pages: 295

Published: Not Published

Where I Got It: My shelf (Given an advanced reading copy for my honest and unbiased opinion.)

It’s now 1767. Eileen O’Connell has availed herself of a fortuitous opportunity to travel back to Ireland. In Two Journeys Home, the O’Connells encounter old faces and new—and their lives change forever.

Her vivacious personality matched only by her arresting physical presence, Eileen returns to Derrynane this time not as a teenaged widow but, rather, as one of the most recognised figures at the Habsburg court. Before returning to Vienna several months later she experiences a whirlwind romance, leading to a tumult of betrayal and conflict within the O’Connell clan. 

Abigail lives not in the shadow of her sister but instead becomes the principal lady-in-waiting to Empress Maria Theresa.

Hugh O’Connell, the youngest of the large family, leaves behind waning adolescence and a fleeting attraction to the youngest archduchess when he begins a military career in the Irish Brigade of the armies of Louis XV. But more royal entanglement awaits him in France…

Such an honor to be given the advanced reading copy! I enjoyed the first part of the saga a while back and I liked it. I couldn't wait to continue the story of Eileen and her family, so when the author counted me about reading this...I could NOT say no! 

I really must say this here and now....this author really does have a way with words. The world and the characters are so vivid. The writing style reminds me of the old style. Very eloquent and sure some things are over explained, but it is done in a way where it is beautiful and not annoying. 

In the past book I liked Eileen, but that was it. In this one, I really connected with Eileen and I grew to adore her more. I think after all her trials in the last one helped made her a stronger character. She knows her mind and knows what she wants in life.

Abby is still one of my favorites and I am glad we got to run into her again. She is a doll.  

Ooooo Art. I fell in love with him the moment I meant him. Eileen didn't stand a chance honestly ;) His sister though....I feel like she is going to be a problem in the future. We shall see. 

The best part of the book was when Eileen and Art went back to Vienna so Eileen. I may be biased because I do love Marie Antoinette and even as a side character, she fascinates me. It was good to see more of her and the others. I do want to see more. I hope Eileen goes back someday to Vienna and then to Versailles. 

My one and only issue with the book was the sudden POV switches. It was a little jarring for me. I did get used to it, but when there were the switches I had to reread the paragraph or page. Other than that, no others issues I can think of!  

Overall, I was hooked from page one. I honestly think this was better than the first book...which that is rare. The characters and world building was done in such a beautiful manner. I can't wait for the next one to see what is next for the clan. I am going to be sad because sooner or later Marie Antoinette will meet her fate and I know Eileen will be sad. I do recommend this saga. You should read the first one first. I shall stamp this with...5 stars.