Goodreads Book Giveaway
The Girl in the Shadows (Part 2) There’s No Place Like Home
by Kim O’Shea
Giveaway ends January 29, 2016.
See the giveaway details
at Goodreads.
Tag Archives: historical drama
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Grace is Back!
Our favorite character, Grace, has returned to make us laugh, cry and hold our breath as we quickly turn the pages to find out what she has been up to now.
Sam Gomes from Ireland kindly left a review on our Facebook page
“Having Read a few of Kim’s fabulous books I thought I’d write a little review for those who haven’t read any of her books. Growing up myself in the uk I was a little sceptical about reading girl in the shadows thinking I may not get the Irish humour! I must say I was totally wrong. Anyone from any country can relate to Grace she’s a typical girl always wondering what it’s like to be grown up she’s naughty funny and very inquisitive & I could relate to her a lot. Each character in the book has been well described and the more you read it the more you learn to love each & everyone of them I think every family has a grace in it 🙂 I loved how I could relate to where she lived and I visioned her growing up where I now live even though that was never confirmed. Girl in the shadows is most certainly one of my favourite books & I read it in a few days as I couldn’t put the book down. I look forward to reading more about Grace & her family!! Kim is most certainly a very talented writer”
 
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Cover Reveal!
The Girl in the Shadows  Part 2 – There’s no Place like Home
Chapter 1
I’d been feeling unwell for some time before my mother asked my employer if she would go with me to see a doctor. I’d always been treated like a child and I was aware that after being born with a lack of oxygen, my brain did not work quite the same way and my outlook on life was often very different from what other people expected of me. I tended to take a more simple but questioning view of life. This had often led me into trouble before but I was completely unprepared for this….
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Fall in love with Grace and her beautiful way of looking at the world.
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Best Irish Authors – Maeve Binchy
Maeve Binchy was born in Dublin in 1940. She wrote newspaper columns and plays but is probably best known for her wonderfully Irish historical fiction novels and short stories. Her true to life characters portrayed life in Ireland with an often humorous twist.
Among her many wonderful characters my favorite is Benny, the awkward lump of a girl from Circle of Friends. Maeve mentioned that she considered herself to be a lump of a girl and never expected to marry, however she met her future husband Gordon, in London while recording a piece for radio. They married in 1977 and were together until her death in 2012.
     
As a young woman Maeve worked on a kibbutz in Israel and the life she saw and experienced there help to influence her writing. Her parents always believed in her and they sent her letters from Israel to a newspaper where they were published.This was the catalyst for her writing career.
Although I have read many of her short stories, her novels will always have a place in my heart and they have influenced my own writing of The Girl in the Shadows series.
I was very upset when I heard the news of her death. I wondered what I would do without my favorite author but to my delight her publishers have announced that they are going to publish one further collection – A Few of the Girls. In the meantime I will re-read some of the novels listed below.
     
How many of the following novels have you read?
Light a Penny Candle (1982)
Echoes (1985)
Firefly Summer (1987)
Silver Wedding (1988)
Circle of Friends (1990)
The Copper Beech (1992)
The Glass Lake (1994)
Evening Class (1996)
Tara Road (1998)
Scarlet Feather (2000)
Quentins (2002)
Nights of Rain and Stars (2004)
Whitethorn Woods (2006)
Heart and Soul (2008)
Minding Frankie (2010)
A Week in Winter (2012)
For more info and details of the upcoming collection, “A Few of the Girls” make sure to bookmark the official Maeve Binchy website
Another Great Review!
From a lady in Dublin, Ireland
I read the book very quickly, within a day or two. It was one that I couldn’t put down, I kept having to read and find out what was happening next.
Grace’s innocence, enthusiasm and funny inquisitive nature brings you to have quite a few giggles.
It reminds the reader of what life was like back in the day, so simple and yet they were happy.
Definitely a read I would recommend to everyone. Genuinely one of the best books I have read in a very long time.
Ruth Deery, Ireland
5 Star Review!
From a lady in Portugal. Thank you Carolina!
” I read this book just in one day and I must say it was an experience like I hadn’t had for a while. This is not a big book but it is full of emotions and meaning that you won’t want to leave alone for too long.
Grace’s mind is as colourful and innocent as any child should be and she will be faced with many opportunities to show you so. She’s in fact the epitome of ingenuity and you are left with no other option but to fall in love with her. Be warned, she may make you burst into laughter even in crowded public places.
You will soon begin to realize the reason behind these behaviours (and it’s shadows) and hopefully you’ll keep feeling the same towards her and all the other little Graces around the world. You’ll learn that you can keep your pity to yourself and simply admire how truly happy one can be, even with the simplest and yet meaningful life. ” — Carolina Valdoleiros
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Win a Free copy – The Girl in the Shadows – Enter today!
Goodreads Book Giveaway
The Girl in the Shadows
by Kim O’Shea
Giveaway ends May 26, 2015.
See the giveaway details
at Goodreads.
Filed under Fiction
Sharing the Love!
After a very satisfactory launch The Girl in the Shadows has received some great reviews:
“Kim O’Shea’s ‘The Girl in the Shadows: A Pint of the Black Stuff’ sees the author breakthrough into the world of fiction with remarkable style and finesse as if she had belonged there all along.”
“Kim O’Shea beautifully captures the trials and tribulations involved in growing up with scenes packed full of humour in even the most serious of moments that will have you roaring with laughter, seamlessly followed by sweet moments that will draw a smile to your face or a tear to your eye.”
“Hi Kim , just finished reading your wonderful book. A lovely light hearted read. Can’t wait for part 2.”
“Hi Kim, I’m almost finished the book, I’ll be finished tomorrow first thing, it’s brilliant, really enjoying it.”
The Girl in the Shadows: A Pint of the Black Stuff
Buy it now, curl up by the fire and lose yourself in Grace’s special world.
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The Girl in the Shadows – A short extract!
My grandmother was getting on in years. She was nearly sixty at this time and to me she seemed ancient. I watched her closely every day.
“Granny Maura, do you think you’ll go straight to Heaven when you die?”Since I made my first Holy Communion I had become fascinated by Heaven and Hell.
“Of course I will! Sure, why wouldn’t I?”
“Mam says smoking and drinking are sins and I’ve seen you smoking your little pipe and having a second glass of poitin when the neighbours call.”
“Smoking and drinking too much are sins but a few puffs and a few sips are good for you.”
“Is that why the Priest fills up the chalice with wine every Sunday and drinks it down without wasting a drop?” I was intrigued.
“Jesus, Mary and Joseph! The wine is turned into the blood of Christ and that’s why the Priest drinks it
without wasting a drop!” My grandmother nearly had a seizure.
“Mick said he tried it once and it’s definitely not blood.”
“If the Priest catches Mick anywhere near the communion wine he’ll never be left near the altar again. Anyway, sure the Priest always wipes out the chalice after he finishes the wine.” My grandmother was calming down.
“Yes, but Mick said the cloth he used was covered in red wine not blood and he knows because he tasted blood when he cut his finger.” I was sure of my facts.
My grandmother sighed. “You’re a strange one.”
I wasn’t finished yet. “Granny Maura, are you pleased that you will soon see my grandfather? You know, when you die too?”
My grandmother swatted me on the arm, “Get away from me child! I’m not dead yet!”
“Yes,” I replied thoughtfully, “but you soon will be. All old people die and you’re really old.”
My grandmother was not impressed. “Child, run out and mind the hens before I slap some manners into you!”
I went outside to do as I was told, but I wasn’t convinced. After thinking about it, I decided that she wasn’t really lying; old age had just made her forget that she was going to die. I thought it would be only right for me to remind her regularly so that she would be prepared and her soul could go straight to Heaven.
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Kim O'Shea 