Amazon.com
The three teenagers at the heart of Colum McCann's Everything in This Country Must have been fostered alike by beauty and by fear. Since they're from Northern Ireland, alas, the latter gained ground a long time ago. For them, there will always be a better before--before sectarian division and violence rent their families, before illness and death. In the title story, a 15-year-old and her farmer father fight to save his favorite draft horse, which has caught itself in a sudden flood:
The trees bent down to the river in a whispering and they hung their long shadows over the water and the horse jerked quick and sudden and I felt there would be a dying, but I pulled the rope up to keep her neck above water, only just.
As Katie and her father work, quickly, hopelessly, she fills in the gaps: the shame she feels at being slow, how her mother and brother were killed. In her eyes, all nature is alive and witness to the mare's dying, "since everything in this country must"--the connections are everywhere. The connections between humans, however, are not. When six British soldiers, "all guns and helmets," smash through the hedgerow to help, her father would rather sacrifice his horse than be grateful to the enemy. And even after one man risks drowning to rescue the horse, despair at the past destroys the present.
Though there is no overt death in McCann's second story, "Wood," the unsaid and the unsayable cast a pall over another family. After his father has a stroke, Sam and his mother must work by night in the family mill, making poles for banners for a political march. Despite their attempts at silence, the two are discovered, and this time the natural world seems somehow complicit in Ireland's factional wrath: "I looked at the oak trees behind the mill. They were going mad in the wind. The trunks were big and solid and fat, but the branches were slapping each other around like people."
Katie and Sam still have the capacity for wonder that has been worried out of their parents. McCann's third child, however, does not. In "Hunger Strike," a mother and son have gone from north to south for safety, a move that fills the 13-year-old with resentment. One gesture of kindness too many and he'll explode. Much has been made of the fact that in this collection McCann has confronted the Troubles for the first time. Equal attention should be paid to his exquisite, elemental narration--you never know which word will come next, and you're always desperate to find out. --Kerry Fried
Book Description
In his fourth book, Colum McCann turns to the "troubles" in Northern Ireland and reveals the reverberations of political tragedy in the most intimate lives of men and women, parents and children. In the title story, a teenage girl must choose between allegiance to her Catholic father and gratitude to the British soldiers who have saved the family's horse. The young hero of Hunger Strike, a novella, tries to replicate the experience of his uncle, an IRA prisoner on hunger strike. And in Wood, a small boy does his part for the Protestant marches, concealing his involvement from his blind father.
Customer Reviews:
heartbreaking and stunning work on youth in northern ireland.......2001-08-26
McCann's work is filled with subtlety and original crisp images that are culled with attention to detail. The novella and two short stories here feature experiences of youth affected by political turmoil in Northern Ireland. Yet the stories are not heavyhanded about the politics; they explore the lives of three adolescents while integrating the colonial frustrations into the narrative. This ie easily one of my favorite reads from the past year. The stories read quickly, but they have a density to them and a richness in language and emotion. While the tone seems brooding, there is still something to celebrate about the well written characters and insights that McCann offers in this work
Adult conflicts through children's eyes.......2001-06-17
If you are looking for a fresh, new look at "The Troubles," this is the book. I found the book to be disturbing because all three of the stories centered on children and their peripheral involvement in the North. In each of the stories the adults were too caught-up in the day-to-day difficulties they encountered due to the circumstances. None of the children written about were understood nor were their feelings and concerns acknowledged. It is heart-breaking to watch how these children suffer without the parental-figures in their lives even realizing the impact the war is having on the children.
A little great book!.......2001-03-03
Northern Ireland, with its troubled history and its extreme enviroment, is an easy subject for second-rate writers, and actually you can find a lot of would-be thrillers, unlikely to get a second edition.
For the same reason, Northern Ireland is a difficoult subject for good writers. That's why you can find many interesting non-fiction books, but really few good novels.
With "Everything in this country must" Colum McCann proves once again to be a great writer. While reading it, I was nearly overwhelmed by emotions. And I was amazed by both the simplicity and the effectivness of his writing.
It's a little book, just 150 pages. You could read it in two hours. But because it's a great book I would suggest you to read it very, very slowly, enjoying every word, every line, every emotion. And in so doing, may be you happen to realize that McCann is deceiving all of us: he writes poems disguised as short stories.
Purchase this book now!.......2000-03-26
This is one of the few books of its genre that I actually enjoyed. The characters and settings simply jump out of the pages at you and make you see so vidly everything that the author is attempting to convey.
I can't think of a single part of this book where I wasn't completely mesmerized by both the intelligent way the characters and plots weren't handling in an intelligent and poignant manner.
BRAVO!
Everything in this Country Must a Must.......2000-03-15
Colum McCann, one of the finest young writers in Ireland & Amreica continues to grace us with this corageous book. Not just corageous for the obvious subject, the Troubles in Northern Ireland, but its deeper one -- the connections between the life around us (political and otherwise) and the life inside us. At its center is not so much the Troubles but the depths and power of love -- love for country, for God, for family and for one's self. These loves are at odds with one another. The narrator of the title story loves her father and lost mother and brother, yet she feels drawn to the young English soldier who helps them save their horse, and very well may have caused the accident that killed her mother and brother. The mother in "Wood" must decide between her love for her invalid husband and her Protestant identity, and tries to balance them. And in "Hunger Strike" a boy's coming of age through his uncle's and country's political strife is guided and challenged by adults who wish to protect him and soothe his rage. This is not the "All You Need is Love" kind of love. This is deep, spritual, love -- the thing binds us and breaks us, and McCann is brave for tackling this within a political context and a world that often values surface issues instead of, to paraphrase Norman McClean, the river that runs through us.
Book Description
Like any sensible girl, Cassie tries to avoid vampires. But when the bloodsucking Mafioso she escaped three years ago finds Cassie again with revenge in mind, she's forced to turn to the vampire Senate for protection.The undead senators won't help her for nothing, and Cassie finds herself working with one of their most powerful members, a dangerously seductive master vampire- and the price he demands may be more than Cassie is willing to pay.
Customer Reviews:
More like 4 1/2 stars.......2007-10-04
"Touch the Dark" was a great find. It's mainly a vampire novel, but it centers around a clairvoyant who grew up in the vampire world. A nice touch in this book was that, unlike most vampire novels, Chance didn't spend a ton of time on the backstory of every vamp we meet. She didn't have to because she used some familiar historical characters-everybody from Kit Marlowe to Mircea (Vlad Tepes' brother) to the painter Raphael, to Rasputin (the villain). This gives an idea to their age without spending the whole book on them.
The reason this lost 1/2 a star for me was the author's habit of stopping in the middle of an action sequence to infodump, which I found annoying. It was mostly interesting stuff, though, so not so very annoying. I was glad to see that the problem didn't show up in the sequel, so maybe a rookie mistake? Anyway, great premise and great book for the most part.
Cool New Series.......2007-10-04
The first line sets up the tone of the whole book:
"I knew I was in trouble as soon as I saw the obituary. The fact that it had my name on it was sort of a clue."
It's the kind of start that makes me want to keep reading, and I'm really glad I did! This book stands out in the field of fantasy/paranormal romances that have come out lately. It's the characters that really made it for me. All of them were individuals with their own personalities and quirks. Pritkin was especially fun-although I worried that he was about to have a heart attack whenever he appeared-and Mircea and Louis-Cesare and . . . oh, hell, I loved all of them. Billy Joe, Cassie's ghost friend, was especially funny. Which was another neat element. I didn't expect a dark fantasy (and this is really dark in places) to also be funny, but it was.
Very good start to a series. The second is Claimed by Shadow and it was even better than Touch the Dark, I thought. And the third is Embrace the Night, out in April of 2008. Come on April!
Soldi start to a new fantasy series.......2007-10-04
This book rocks hard! The characters are fantastic, no two-dimensional types here. The dialogue is smart and witty. And the sexual tension is steamy. To the reviewer who found the idea of a sexual situation involving vampires and a human to be icky-where have you been? Buffy come to mind, anyone? Or about a thousand other fantasy books that have come out lately? Only Cassie's "encounter" doesn't turn out quite the way I--or she--expected, and I loved it. It was a funny, sexy, smart scene--like the rest of the book. More, more, more!
Excellent Urban Fantasy.......2007-10-04
I cannot recommend this series highly enough. Both Touch the Dark and Claimed by Shadow were original, exciting and substantial reads. I've read both books twice and I can't wait until next April for the third, Embrace the Night. Chance has created an amazing world that has completely sucked me in.
I don't want to say too much about the plot, because the book has a strong mystery element and I don't want to be responsible for spoilers. But, essentially, Cassie Palmer is a clairvoyant on the run from the vampire who brought her up and used her psychic talents for his own nefarious purposes. She escaped him and lived a fairly normal life for three years. But, as the book opens, he has caught up with her. She returns from a break at work to find her obituary displayed on her computer screen. She assumes that it's a warning from her old master, and that she must flee immediately. From there on, Cassie and the reader are transported into a world of magic, danger, intrigue and secrets, where nothing is what it first seems and everyone is a possible enemy.
Vampires, werewolves, fey, time travel, assassins, witches-the book has it all, but it is all very well done and quite believable. It's obvious that a lot of time was taken on the worldbuilding, something that I found very refreshing. I'm tired of reading so-called fantasies which are little more than romance novels in disguise, with poor world-building and little attention to detail. Touch the Dark has none of that. The characters are well drawn, the writing is solid, the mystery was excellent, and the pace just never lets up!
Highly recommended.
Meh..........2007-10-04
Ok, there was a lot wrong with this. I read the whole thing, unlike many of the other low-star givers who reviewed this book. I found the book lacking in many ways. One was the glaring abuse of English in this book. There were a lot of elementary Grammar and idiomatic mistakes. Another was the kitchen-sink inclusion of every type of supernatural creature imaginable. The werewolf on the stairs was pointless, even though it looked like it might be important later. The inclusion of so many famous figures from history as vampires was ludicrous. Jack the Ripper, Rasputin, Cleopatra, I mean really! I found myself reading on just to find out what other travesties I could find. The 'love story' part of this book fell very flat. I was squicked out instead of enjoying the erotic scenes because they smacked of necrophilia, and were devoid of any arousing emotion. The ending wasn't an ending. The climax happens off-stage while the characters are getting it on, then it ends. The device of using the character's virginity as the key to the plot was just absurd. Very unsatisfying. The motivations of the villain were not believable, Cassie behaved foolishly, acting as a plot-puppet jumping through holes. Not recommended.
Book Description
Jennifer St. Giles begins a dazzling new series that takes you into a world of seductive shape shifters and mystical beings, and into the hearts of a band of heroic warriors known as The Shadowmen. . . .
Yesterday, Erin Morgan worked for a pioneering Manhattan medical center. Today, she's on the run, witness to a chilling conspiracy. Fleeing for her life in the Tennessee mountains, she is run off the road by a mysterious beast . . . and things only get stranger when she wakes the next day to find a naked Adonis sprawled on the hood of her car.
For centuries, Jared has been a shape shifter, sworn to protect mortals like Erin. But in saving her, Jared has damned himself, for the poison from his battle wound stirs a terrible blood lust. Determined to protect Erin, Jared stays by her side and discovers a sensual rapture beyond imagining . . . and a love that can change his fate. But can Jared overcome his savage thirst and protect Erin from the beast within?
Customer Reviews:
Shadowmen 1.......2007-09-13
An excellent paranormal read - a real page turner. The author has created a tightly consistent world/mythology for her series - filled with interesting characters and exciting events. A keeper!
My first romantic novel read.......2007-06-13
I'm a cynical person by nature. Like anyone, I've seen thousands of romance novels with Fabio on the cover lining supermarket shelves throughout the years. I never expected to pick up a romance novel and actually begin reading one, let alone read half of it in one sitting!
"Touch A Dark Wolf" is most definitely different from the kind of 'romance novel' I was expecting, with a firm anchor in plot and character, the romance and sexuality accenting it instead of trying to carry it. St. Giles has a great way of entwining the story with the romance, instead of feeling like you're reading out-of-place sexual situations for the sole purpose of having such in the book.
As I said before, I read half of the book in one sitting! And from someone who, first off, has never read a categorized romance novel before; and secondly, grew up not liking to read, that is saying something! I would in fact recommend this book to my fantasy-reading brothers (hoping they could get past the idea of reading a 'romance novel') as an intriguing and intricate fantasy, and a great otherworldly read.
Some reviewers labeled this nothing more than a Gerard Butler fanfic, which I find extremely odd. Though there were a few possible references to the Scottish actor, if you aren't "looking" for them, it's doubtful they will detour you. The physical description of Jared actually caused me to picture a character different from Butler, as many of the characteristics weren't shared between the actor and the book's principle male character. I compliment St. Giles on the character of Jared, who lived and breathed on his own, as did Erin, the story's principle female hero.
Wonderful, intriguing read, waiting for the release of its sequel!
What was I thinking?.......2007-04-15
If you like sappy rediculous romance novels - you may like this. I should have known better just by looking at the cover. I stopped reading it after the first chapter. My book club gave this book a good rating but they just want to sell more books.
Touch a Dark Wolf.......2007-02-26
Not as bad as some reviewers said, but I admit it does need some work. The book begins when the herione is run off the road when two wolves have it out on the hood of her car. I know, it sounds interesting, but the author mucks it up at this point. I suppose St. Giles is attempting to give her novel an epic touch by switching scenes from villian to hero to watchers. She moves from one point of view to another. A master writer can do this successfully, but St. Giles only ends up confusing the reader. I read through about six chapters before I felt I had a vague understanding to what was going on. She should have stuck with one point of view and let the reader discover what was going on along with that character. If it wouldn't have been for this confusing point of view stratagy she adapted, I think it would have been a good book. Or at least much more enjoyable.
Book is HOT HOT HOT!!.......2007-02-22
This book is HOT...that's all I'm going to say. I'm anxiously awaiting the next book in the series. I'll have to read this one again first though!
Book Description
This is a reprint of Book One in Carin Rafferty's acclaimed Sanctuary series. When Ariel Dantes's twin brother disappears, she goes to the last person known to see him-Lucien Morgret, a self-proclaimed warlock. Ariel doesn't believe in witches and warlocks, but Lucien not only looks the part, he does appear to have some type of psychic powers. There's no other explanation for the strange and terrifying things that happen when she meets him. At first Lucien refuses to help Ariel, but then he suddenly appears in her home and agrees to go after her brother, but under his conditions. Ariel doesn't want to trust this sexy man who scares the daylights out of her, but if she wants to find Armand, she doesn't have a choice. Ariel finds her world turned upside-down as Lucien helps her infiltrate his coven. It soon becomes clear that the only chance she has of saving her brother is to sacrifice her soul by letting Lucien cast a spell over her. But will his spell be strong enough to defeat a rogue warlock practicing the forbidden Old Ways, or will it backfire and condemn them all to death?
Customer Reviews:
This book is excellent!!!!!!!!!!!!!!.......2007-07-18
If your looking for a book that has everything,
romance, suspense, intrigue, and a battle of
wits versus a battle of two male witches then
look no further, this book is it par excellence!!!!!!!
This is fantastic romantic fantasy.......2007-03-17
Ariel Dantes tried to talk her twin brother Armand from visiting with self proclaimed warlock Lucien Morgret, but failed to persuade him as he believes there is something beyond the mundane existence while she is the ultimate non-believer. Armand met with Lucien in a seedy bar the Witches' Brew in a downtrodden Philadelphia neighborhood. However, Armand never came home or contacted his sister afterward.
Terrified for what might happened to her sibling, Aries goes to the same bar that is the last place she knows Armand went to; there she plans to accost Lucien, the last person she knows of who spoke with her twin before he vanished. Though attracted to one another, Lucien refuses to get involved with her brother's potential plight as he insists Armand is an adult. Despondent, Ariel returns home not sure what to do next while also berating her self for wanting the so-called warlock. However, something must have happened because Lucian suddenly appears out of nowhere in her home agreeing to rescue Armand, but Ariel must accept all his stipulations starting with sacrificing her soul. Ariel wonders if her biggest fear is not for her brother or even her soul, but for her heart as Lucien frightens in ways no man has ever before.
This is fantastic romantic fantasy starring two terrific protagonists. Perhaps antagonist might be a more suited definition of their early relationship as the heroine distrusts the warlock, does not believe in paranormal powers, and wonders if he harmed her twin even as she falls in love with her "adversary". The story line is action-packed while Rafferty's realm sees plausible. Still the tale belongs to the changing relationship between the cynic and the warlock with souls and hearts on the line.
Harriet Klausner
Can it get any better than this?.......2005-06-05
"Ariel Dantes was alone in the world and desperate to find her lost brother. Lucien Morgret was the only one who could help her, but he was a man of danger, a man of shadows, a man who could touch the depths of her soul.
But when darkness meets light, Ariel's world is turned upside-down as she experiences things that she never thought could exist outside her imagination. And as Ariel falls deeper and deeper into Lucien's spell, she is drawn toward desires she cannot resist, even it it meanse losing her heart and soul by surrendering to Lucien's touch"--from the back cover.
If you like witches and warlock romance then you won't want to put this book down. I recommend reading all of Rafferty's books and if you know of more she's written please e-mail me!
Carin Raffery's Warlock trilogy: Touch of Night, Touch of Magic, and Touch of Lightning.
touch of night.......2001-06-08
This was an excellent book. She actually made me believe that there may be real witches out there somewhere. She kept you spellbound from start to finish. I would really like to see and read more of her work.
The characters grab you from the get go and do not let go!!!.......1999-03-17
This is the type of reading I love. The story was absolutely wonderful, in fact all three books were fabulous!! I have been hoping that Carin Rafferty would follow these with a fourth book, as she seemed to leave an opening for a fourth with the young historian witch in her final book. I truly hope that she writes many more books, most especially of her witches and warlocks in Sanctuary!! Its a great read and I recommend it to all who look for that exciting page turner that just won't allow you to put it down!!! Sadly, it would seem that Carin has disappeared.....
Product Description
Dark Touch By Vonna Harper Obsession. Insanity. No other words explained why Mace Seeger had come so far to see a woman he should have nothing to do with. But from the moment he'd found Sara Parmenter's photograph in her dead husband's wallet, he'd had no choice. Her haunted eyes stared out of the picture at him, distracting him from her naked and bound body. The woman he found at the isolated ranch was no longer helpless, no longer trapped by a cruel and violent man, because Ronnie Parmenter was gone, murdered. He had ceased to be a threat and danger. Sara desperately wanted to believe the same thing. The young widow would do whatever it took to free herself from her nightmares, to embrace the futureĀand understand why she was willing to risk everything with Mace. A lifetime ago she'd been a sexual woman, a willing and eager bed partner. The realities of her marriage had stripped that from her, but being near Mace reawakened primitive, unfocused need and allowed her to dream of willingly giving her body, her mind, her trust to him. Sara was changing, returning to life. But Ronnie wasn't done with her. Or with Mace.
Customer Reviews:
One for the garage sale. .......2006-03-04
Dark Touch: The author writes about a woman (Sara) who was raped, beaten, tortured by her husband. The husband (Ronnie) is then murdered. Then a man (Mace) shows up at her door with her husbands car.
She invites this man into her life.
The author then forces us to believe that Sara is a closet submissive and unconsiously enters into another BDSM relantionship with Mace.
Mace is bound and determined to bring out her being a submissive in a loving way.. Mace makes her relive her past experiences during sex. I was kind of thinking....LEAVE HER ALONE MAN,,SHE HAS BEEN THROUGH ENOUGH.
The underlying mystery involved is the dead husband who talks to Mace and Sara. This ghost is actually trying to kill them. The ghost (Ronnie) actually talks to them through-out the book and this is very confusing. I had to go back and re-read dialog to see who was talking.
I have read this Author's other books and have not been disappointed. I will continue to read her books, I just think she got a little weird in this one.
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