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