The Yellow House

September 28, 2009
A family's future is in the hands of one very brave young Irishwoman in this accomplished debut set between WWI and the growing violence of the Irish war of independence. Eileen O'Neill inherits a lifetime of struggle and heartbreak when her family is ripped apart by war, disease, mental illness and greed. And if civil war and family strife weren't enough to deal with, Eileen is torn between James Conlon, a passionate Irish nationalist, and Owen Sheridan, a British army officer and the son of a wealthy family. As the war's presence in her life intensifies, Eileen continues to weigh her heart's pull against national pride, family loyalty, class divisions and her own spirit. This novel delivers the best of both worlds: secrets, intrigue and surprising twists will keep readers flipping the pages, while Falvey's insight and poetic writing tugs at the heartstrings of the most cynical audiences.

February 1, 2010
For eight-year-old Eileen O'Neill, the gatherings of her father's friends to make music in the family's yellow house in Northern Ireland seem an idyllic time. But even in 1905, politics tinge their conversations, revealing distrust between Protestant and Catholic. Illness, betrayal, and violent death soon tear the family apart, but Eileen perseveres with the goal of reclaiming her heritage. Working in a textile mill owned by the wealthy Sheridans, she realizes that few opportunities exist for Catholics to advance. Yet she senses the sympathy of Owen Sheridan, whose unconventional actions dismay his Quaker family, especially after he enlists in the British army. When Eileen joins the underground fight for Irish independence, she is drawn to charismatic leader James Conlon and marries him, a decision that leads to further heartache. VERDICT Although most readers will surmise that religious, class, and political differences will ultimately be overcome to bring Eileen and Owen together, Falvey tells a good story along the way. A host of interesting characters, surprising but plausible plot developments, and deftly incorporated details of the Irish struggle for independence add up to a debut novel sure to please fans of historical romance.Kathy Piehl, Minnesota State Univ., Mankato

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