A Bit of Irish Music from Pat McDermott's The Rosewood Whistle

Welcome Pat McDermott, author of delightful, warm and witty Irish tales. 

The Rosewood Whistle is a true romance and takes place in such a romantic setting, Ireland. I'm sure you will fall in love with this story just as I did.--J.Q. Rose

I’m delighted to be visiting your beautiful, rosy blog again, J.Q. Thanks so much for having me back! Western Ireland is the setting for my latest release, an adult contemporary romance called  The Rosewood Whistle, a tribute of sorts to Ireland's traditional music. The story is told through the budding relationship of a man and woman given a second chance at love.

I had fun with this one. Each chapter title contains a phrase from an old Irish song I learned as a kid growing up on Mission Hill, an Irish section of Boston.

Like many immigrants, the Irish who emigrated to America helped keep their homeland alive through music. During the 1940s, 50s, and 60s, Irish records grew amazingly popular, especially in New York and Boston. My family wasn’t the only one playing those magical little 45s until they wore out. Almost every flat in my neighborhood’s three-decker homes had music blasting from open windows.

Irish music has it all: ghosts and romance, rebellions and outlaws, drinking and sea songs, death, emigration, and lullabies. No one needs to know the songs (or even be Irish) to enjoy The Rosewood Whistle, though it’s fun if you do. And no worries if you can't guess which tunes I used. I added a list the end of the book. So stop by the pub in the Excerpt below!

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Back of the Book:

Surrounded by Ireland’s music and myths, a widowed American writer meets a tour guide leery of love…

On her own at the end of a long and difficult marriage, Gemma Pentrandolfo still hears the critical voice of her husband taunting her from his grave. To foster her independence, she schedules a summer vacation in County Mayo intending to write her first book, and she’s counting on Ireland for inspiration. An idea presents itself when she tours Achill Island with a silver-tongued tour guide whose good looks prompt her to write more than her high-minded novel: she transcribes her years of longing in a steamy fantasy no one is meant to see.

Years have passed since an accident claimed the self-absorbed wife who scorned Ben Connigan and his music. Since then, the former tin whistle ace has avoided marriage, though he never lacked for female companionship before he traded his high-tech career for the slow-paced life of a hometown tour guide. Ben has accepted the end of his run of discreet affairs, until he takes Gemma touring. Her passion for Ireland impresses him. Her love of Irish music soon compels him to dust off his whistles. Knowing she’ll leave at the end of the summer, he sees no harm in keeping her company—until he dares to dream of spending the rest of his life with her.

But he knows it can’t be, not while the ghosts of their partners still haunt them. Not unless the music and myths of Ireland can help them find their way…

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Excerpt:

Scully tapped his arm. "Go buy her a drink, Ben."

"What?"

"You're staring at her like she's one of them feckin' U F of Os."

"She's windin' your clock, Big Ben," said Tom. "Be said and led by me: paddle the wave when it comes along. Buy the woman a bloody drink."

A vigorous nod bespoke Scully's agreement. "At least give her your business card. She's a Yank. Probably wants to see the sights. Trace her roots and all that shite."

Ben raised a hand. "Back off. I need no advice from a pair of henpecked husbands wearing their wedding rings through their noses."

Undaunted, Scully and Tom tilted their drinks to their smirking mouths. The gleam in their eyes dared Ben to act. Despite their jowls and glasses, they might have been fifteen again.

He wasn't about to reveal the incident with the hose to these two. They didn't have to know he only meant to apologize, not initiate farcical courtship rituals.

So why did a pendulum swing in his chest, its speed increasing with every stroke?

Something to do with her drenched blouse and pants. Would she remember him? Accuse him and his garden hose of lewd behavior? He swallowed a mouthful of beer and wiped his hand across his lips. The pendulum slowed. Aware of the eyes digging into his back, he kicked himself out of his chair and swaggered to her table.

She read her menu through little gold glasses. Tiny laugh lines enhanced her eyes and her curving lips. No lipstick. Ben liked that. She held the one-page card in her long slender fingers. No nail polish.

No paint nor powder, no none at all…

And no wedding ring. Scully was right about that at least.

She frowned at the menu as if she couldn't decide what to order. He thought he might suggest the soup, or perhaps the fish and chips, or maybe…

He'd reached the chair where she'd laid her coat. She sensed him there, for she looked up. Eyes as brown as Belgian chocolate widened in surprise. Her mouth fell open; her cheeks turned crimson. No doubt about it, she knew him. Now what?

Fortune favors the bold, and all. Exploiting her befuddlement, he pounced. "We haven't been properly introduced. I'm Ben Connigan. Might I sit?"

Her eyes returned to their normal size; the red in her cheeks softened to a tea rose hue. She slipped off her glasses and smiled at him, and his heart flopped like a fresh-caught trout.

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The Rosewood Whistle is available on Kindle and in paperback from Amazon U.S. and Amazon U.K

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About Pat:

Boston, Massachusetts native Pat McDermott writes romantic action/adventure stories set in an Ireland that might have been. Glancing Through the Glimmer and its sequel, Autumn Glimmer, are young adult paranormal adventures featuring Ireland’s mischievous fairies. Both books are “prequels” to her popular Band of Roses Trilogy: A Band of Roses, Fiery Roses, and Salty Roses. The Rosewood Whistle is her first contemporary romance.

Pat is a member of the New Hampshire Writers’ Project, Romance Writers of America, and Celtic Hearts Romance Writers. Her favorite non-writing activities include cooking, hiking, reading, and traveling, especially to Ireland. She lives and writes in New Hampshire, USA.

Connect online with Pat:

Pat’s Web Site:

Pat McDermott Author Facebook Page

Twitter:

One Lovely Blog Award!!

My author pal, Tess Grant, gifted me with this award, the One Lovely Blog Award. Pretty picture isn't it? Tess has a fantastic YA series, the Kitty Irish Trilogy. Lots of suspense, witty, and entertaining read. .The first in the series is Trajectories.

Trajectories -Kitty Irish has heard all the rumors swirling around Daniel Phinney. Most of them involve a gun, a flask, and a temper. One chance encounter with the WWII veteran over a grisly find in the woods pulls the cover off the dark secrets of their small town, and Kitty is drawn into an unlikely partnership.

Armed with an antique rifle and a handful of homemade silver bullets, the two form an efficient team. Unfortunately, their game is werewolf hunting, and disaster is only a bite away.

To accept the award I have to tell you seven quick facts about me. (Try not to fall asleep through this, okay?)
1. I can't swim. Nope, I grew up in the corn fields of Central Illinois--no water playgrounds there. 
2. But I made sure my daughters could swim. One in fact was on the high school swim team and taught swim lessons!
3. I like potato chips dipped in ketchup. Especially good with a cold glass of chocolate milk.
4. I taught third grade. It is in my genes. My grandmother and mother were school teachers.
5. My dad was a funeral director. 
6. I swore I would have nothing to do with the funeral business, but I didn't keep that oath. My husband and I went into the flower business. I made tons of floral arrangements for...funerals.
7. I am a snowbird spending summers up north and winters in Florida. I still believe we should be known as sunbirds because we follow the sun.

To pay it forward, I’m tagging  a few fabulous bloggers for you to get to know better. Check them out!

Lorrie Unites Struiff

Gail Roughton

Pat McDermott

Joylene Nowell Butler

Sue Chef Featured Today

Sue Chef cooks up a career.

Sue Chef shares recipes for girls on Pat McDermott's blog. Sue's career in culinary arts is featured in my new e-book on careers, Girls Succeed: Stories Behind the Careers of Successful Women, Sue shares some easy recipes for girls to create.

Come on over and leave a comment to win prizes during the book tour!

Bodacious Blurbs Bonanza: Pat McDermott's A Band of Roses

Welcome to the Bodacious Blurbs Bonanza!

Blurb:

Irish kings still rule the Emerald Isle—and a princess is in trouble . . .

Ancient Irish traditions remain strong in a world where High King Brian Boru survived the Battle of Clontarf and established a dynasty that rules Ireland to this day.  When greed for oil prompts England’s Regent to claim an Irish island in the North Atlantic, Ireland’s Crown Princess Talty becomes a pawn in a murderous plot to seize the throne of England.

From Japan to California to an eleventh century Ireland preparing for the Battle of Clontarf, Talty must hide her true identity, though she can’t hide her ingrained training as a member of the Fianna: the warriors who guard the Kingdom of Ireland.  She brings home a discovery worth more than any oil well, yet all she wants is to return to her family and Neil Boru, the adoptive cousin she secretly loves and cannot have—or so she thinks.  Neil has a secret of his own, one that emerges as the Boru clan works with MI6 to thwart an invasion of Ireland and bring Talty home.

Review:

A Band of Roses: A masterfully told tale, May 4, 2008

By  Robin L. Haseltine (Houston, Texas)

    

A Band of Roses by Pat McDermott is an exciting, masterfully told tale that spans the globe and thousands of years. Skillfully drawn characters spring to life in the form of dashing Irish heroes and a very kick-butt princess who'll win your heart.

Modern day Princess Talty must wed a developmentally delayed King of England for the good of her country. When the wedding goes horribly awry, she picks up the tattered pieces of her life to fashion a new existence isolated from those she loves and depended on.

From the opening scenes, where you'll be squirming in your chair, to the ending chapters, where you'll be on the edge of your seat, you'll be assembling the odd bits of scattered puzzle pieces until the entire picture becomes clear and striking.

The heart of A Band of Roses is a tender love story with a satisfying and feel good ending that makes the reader want to stand up and cheer. Kudos to Ms. McDermott for weaving a fanciful tale that seizes the imagination and takes the reader on an emotional roller coaster ride.

BUY LINK: Amazon

Bodacious Blurbs Bonanza: Glancing Through the Glimmer

Welcome to the first Bodacious Blurb in the Bodacious Blurbs Bonanza.  Come back every Wednesday to discover more books for your summer reading pleasure!


Author Pat McDermott has generously offered a copy of the e-book to the winner of a random drawing. Please comment to enter your name in the contest.  
Winner selected on Friday at 9 p.m EDST.

Blurb:

In the modern Kingdom of Ireland, few mortals believe in the fairy folk. Without that belief, the fairies are dying. Finvarra, the King of the Fairies, would rather dance than worry—but he must have a mortal dancing partner.

When Janet Gleason’s grandfather becomes the new U.S. Ambassador to Ireland, the sixteen-year-old orphan must leave Boston and her friends behind. Janet is lonely in Dublin and unused to her grandparents’ stuffy social life. An invitation to a royal ball terrifies her. She can’t even waltz and dreads embarrassment. Finvarra’s fairy witch overhears her fervent wish to learn to dance.

Seventeen-year-old Prince Liam Boru loathes the idea of escorting another spoiled American girl to a ball. In fact, he detests most of his royal duties. He dresses down to move through Dublin unnoticed and finds himself on his royal backside when Janet crashes into him. Intrigued, he asks to see her again, and she willingly agrees. Unaware of each other’s identities, they arrange to meet. When they do, the fairies steal Janet away.

Liam’s attempts to find her trigger a series of frustrating misadventures. Can he and Janet outwit a treacherous fairy king who’s been hoodwinking mortals for centuries?

Reviews on Amazon

Amazon BUY LINK 

Catch me on Thursday afternoon, July 12 on the Muse It Up Publishing Blog...Let me know what frightens you!

Recipe: Pat McDermott's Guinness Beef Stew

Today we welcome Pat McDermott to the fantastic line up of delicious recipes. Pat will send the winner of the drawing a copy of her newly released YA paranormal fantasy, Glancing through the Glimmer. Please leave your email address in your comment so we can contact you if you win. Thank you!...Now Pat, please tell us how you discovered this tasty dish.

 One chilly autumn day, I found myself in a Dublin pub before a roaring peat fire with a glass of wine and a gorgeous bowl of Guinness Beef Stew. Alas, the cook wouldn't share the recipe!

When I returned to New Hampshire, I concocted a tasty stew on a par with the one I'd enjoyed in Ireland, and I'm happy to share the recipe. Sorry I can't offer a roaring peat fire!

GUINNESS BEEF STEW à la PAT

4 lbs. lean beef stew meat, trimmed

3 Tbs. vegetable oil

A dollop of bacon fat (optional but good)

5 Tbs. flour

One large vidalia onion, chopped fine

1½ lbs. sliced mushrooms, all white or mix of wild

4-5 cloves of garlic, minced

1 can of fat-free beef broth

3 cans of Guinness Stout or Draught

3 tsps. Worcestershire sauce

2 tsps. dried thyme

A few bay leaves

1½ Tbs. brown sugar

Salt and pepper to taste

Heat the oil in a deep sauté pan, add bacon fat and brown the meat, sprinkling with flour as it cooks. Remove meat to large stew pot. Add onions and cook for a few minutes, then add the mushrooms and saute until they release their moisture and start to brown, adding minced garlic and sprinkling on any remaining flour. Add to meat mixture.  Deglaze sauté pan with beef broth and add mixture to meat.  Add Guinness slowly.  Add remaining ingredients. Stir well and simmer, covered, for about two hours, or until meat is tender. Remove cover and simmer a bit longer to thicken sauce. Serve with mashed potatoes, favorite vegetables, and/or Irish soda bread. Serves six hungry people, and leftovers are great.

Blurb for Glancing Through the Glimmer:

In the modern Kingdom of Ireland, few mortals believe in the fairy folk. Without that belief, the fairies are dying. Finvarra, the King of the Fairies, would rather dance than worry—but he must have a mortal dancing partner.

When Janet Gleason’s grandfather becomes the new U.S. Ambassador to Ireland, the sixteen-year-old orphan must leave Boston and her friends behind. Janet is lonely in Dublin and unused to her grandparents’ stuffy social life. An invitation to a royal ball terrifies her. She can’t even waltz and dreads embarrassment. Finvarra’s fairy witch overhears her fervent wish to learn to dance.

Seventeen-year-old Prince Liam Boru loathes the idea of escorting another spoiled American girl to a ball. In fact, he detests most of his royal duties. He dresses down to move through Dublin unnoticed and finds himself on his royal backside when Janet crashes into him. Intrigued, he asks to see her again, and she willingly agrees. Unaware of each other’s identities, they arrange to meet. When they do, the fairies steal Janet away.

Liam’s attempts to find her trigger a series of frustrating misadventures. Can he and Janet outwit a treacherous fairy king who’s been hoodwinking mortals for centuries?

Excerpt:

            The first time Liam slipped and fell, he cursed the rain-damp grass. He blamed his second tumble on his haste to catch up with Janet. What on earth had possessed the girl to run off like that? She couldn’t possibly want to find music that badly.

            Music only she could hear.

            The third time he lost his balance, he’d swear someone had pushed him, but no one was there. He landed on his hands and knees and cursed again. He might not be a muscleman, but he was far from a clumsy dolt. A lifetime of sports and outdoor treks had surely left him fit enough to climb a scrubby little hillside.

            Something strange was afoot.

            I’m being ridiculous. The breeze must have kept him from hearing the music she heard. She’d likely gone after the owner of whatever was playing the tune to learn its name.

            Yet the Nose of Howth seemed deserted. How odd for a sunny Sunday morning. Even if Janet had gone off seeking the source of the music, no amount of rationalizing could explain why she’d left so abruptly. The chilling sense that she was in danger had Liam’s heart thumping high in his throat.

            Should he call his cousin? If Kevin was still on the pier, it would take him a while to get here. And practical Kevin would surely think Liam astray in the head.

            Maybe he was, but something told him he had to find Janet, and fast. Keeping close to the ground as if he were dodging radar, he clambered monkey-like up the hill. This time he reached the top of the rise. Lumps in the landscape surrounded him, clumps of rock and rolling masses of heather and gorse that encircled the level spot where he stood. He knew the place well. Except for the curious lack of weekend hill walkers, nothing seemed amiss.

            “Janet!”

            He listened hard. A seagull cried in the distance. Otherwise, all was silent. No, wait! Music drifted toward him, a plucky harp tune he might have enjoyed under different circumstances. Was that what Janet had heard?

            Where was it? He turned in a circle, squinting in the sunlight, scanning, straining to hear. When he returned to the spot where he’d started, a jolt of fear set his pulse racing.

            A round stone hut had appeared on the highest part of the clearing. Its low thatched roof rose to a ridiculously high point. It resembled a roundhouse, the sort of dwelling that belonged in a prehistoric ring fort.

            Or a fairy fort.

            Liam swallowed hard. He’d seen replicas of such huts in Ireland’s folk parks. He’d also viewed ruins of the original ring forts, all that remained of the structures built by the mysterious peoples who’d lived and died in Ireland thousands of years ago.

            Where had this one come from? Why was it on the Nose of Howth? Liam had never seen it before, nor had he heard of any gimmicky tourism plans for the cliff walk. Of course, he didn’t know everything. Convincing himself that he’d failed to see the hut at first because the sun had blinded him, he ventured toward the structure.

            He spotted a doorway and relaxed. Janet was there, speaking to a woman wearing a period costume, medieval or older. That’s what it was, he thought: tourism come to tarnish Howth. How could Uncle Peadar have allowed such nonsense?

            Liam called Janet’s name again, but neither she nor the woman showed any sign that they’d heard him. The wind must have carried his voice away. He stalked toward the roundhouse. As he approached, the costumed woman placed a necklace over Janet’s head.

            The roundhouse flickered, faded, and reappeared. Alarmed, Liam stopped. This was no tourist gimmick. As his thoughts scrambled for an explanation, the woman grabbed Janet’s arm and pulled her into the hut.

            “Janet, no!” His ferocious roar proved useless. Unbelievably, the roundhouse began to dissolve. No longer doubting his horrified senses, he dove at the hut and charged through the disappearing door.

            The world around him melted away.


Where can we find you on the Internet, Pat? 

My Web Site:  http://www.patmcdermott.net

My Writing/Travel Blog (Put the Kettle On):   http://pat-mcdermott.blogspot.com

My Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/pat.mcdermott1

Facebook page for Glancing Through the Glimmer: http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/www.patmcdermott.net

My MuseItUp Author Page: http://museituppublishing.com/musepub/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=168&Itemid=82

Buy Link at Muse It Up Publishing

My cooking blog (Kitchen Excursions): http://kitchenexcursions.blogspot.com/

 Pat featured the FREE Good Eats, Great Reads Recipe Collection on the Kitchen Excursion's blog. Thanks, Pat! Please request this collection from Pat or me or any of the authors in the GEGR event.