If there is one thing I love about authors, it's when they go back and mine previous works for some great characters. Nora Roberts' first book, Irish Thoroughbred introduced readers to Travis and Dee Grant, and the world of horse racing and breeding. This first book was re-released in a two-book volume called Irish Hearts, which also contained Irish Rose, the story of Dee's cousin Erin. Roberts sets Irish Rebel in the same place, featuring the oldest daughter of Travis and Dee, Keeley.::: Yet Another Irishman Crosses the Pond :::When we last saw Keeley Grant, she was a little girl visiting her mother's relations in Ireland. Now, in Irish Rebel, she's all grown up, finished college, and is running her own riding school located on her parents' property. Enter Brian Donnelly, a trainer of renown in Ireland who has come to America to be considered for the trainer position Travis has opening now that his very successful trainer (and Dee's uncle), Paddy Cunnane, wants to retire and return to Ireland.When Brian first meets Keeley at a country club dinner dance, he is staggered, but thinks of her as the daughter of the lord of the manor, and feels that as a trainer, he's hired help, and has no chance of even being acknowledged by Keeley. Of course, as in any good romance novel, miscommunication abounds, with Brian thinking Keeley is a snob and Keeley thinking Brian just needs a good swift kick. But as Brian comes to realize that Keeley's riding school isn't exactly as it seems, and Keeley realizes that Brian's reluctance has to do with his own insecurity, the ending pulls together just as it's supposed to.::: Deja Vu :::I always enjoy going back to familiar places and characters, and honestly, Irish Rebel was probably the story I enjoyed most of the three books in this series. Keeley and Brian seem more fully fleshed out than characters in the earlier novels, and their relationship seems to progress more logically than Dee's or Erin's did in the previous books.However, anyone who has read the two novels contained in Irish Hearts is bound to notice more than one similarity between the earlier books and Irish Rebel, and I'm not talking about the Irish immigrant and the successful American. You'll find not only the classism, but also the attempted assault of the heroine, the desperate and money-hungry owner who causes trouble, and the struggle of the hero to deal with his feelings once he realizes he's in love with this woman he thinks he couldn't (or shouldn't) have.Still, even with this constant sense of deja vu, Irish Rebel is an enjoyable read, and definitely one of Roberts' better books in the shorter format.This review previously published at Epinions: http://www.epinions.com/review/Irish_...
What do You think about Irish Rebel (2002)?
I don't know why I shelved this one under 'heart breakingly wonderful favourites', because, even though it occupies a special place in my heart, being my first NR book ever, it certainly isn't a heartbreakingly wonderful favourite. The h was too stubborn for my liking, even back then, and it was obvious that NR was turning into the author she is now, modernising her views and her heroines. I much prefer her older work, I haven't read a new NR book in years. Excluding the In Death series, of course. I can't leave my baby Roarke for anything.Aaand this was supposed to be a review for Irish Rebel. I digress a lot. Anyway, I loved the horse theme in this novel - it is one of my favourites. I didn't particularly feel anything for the hero, he wasn't that special and didn't catch my attention like the h's father, Travis, did. Travis was quite something. *fans self*And now I'm going to stop writing this review, because as it turns out, I'm talking about everything else but the book. Rec'd for all you hardcore NR fans out there, but for old fashioned people like me, stay away.
—Aayesha Khatri
Keeley Grant is all grown up now, the daughter of Travis and Adelia. From the first book of this series. She has been brought up in the affluent and loving home of her family. Her love of horses runs deep as with her whole family business. She runs a small horse riding clinic for less privileged children. It is her life and thus far has no need for relationships. Brian Donnelly was suggested to the Grants from Uncle Paddy. He has been brought over from Ireland to help with training the race horses. Brian does not let any grass grow under his feet and plans to keep it that way. He is a wanderer. Keeley and Brian's relationship on the track and off is a volatile and love-hate adventure. Brian does not want to take her innocence and Keeley has fallen in love with the man. She is determined to break Brian as she would a wild stallion. I enjoyed this book although it wasn't my favorite one in the series.I found it hard to get into the story line and characters. Brain was very wishy-washy and Keeley was too overbearing. I like independent women in stories, but she was the spoiled rich girl who kept telling everyone she wasn't. I did fall in love all over again with Travis and Adelia Grant.
—Becky
This is the third entry in the Irish Hearts series. The hero and heroine of Irish Thoroughbred, Travis & Adelia Grant, are now watching their eldest daughter, Keely, find a man she could love. But Brian Donnelly has a clear Irish view of class and doesn't believe a trainer, particularly one who prefers to travel light and often, has any business getting seriously involved with the boss' daughter. Both are stubborn, but Keely isn't used to losing.I've made no secret of the fact that I love Nora Roberts' books, although some of her earlier ones were too constricted by Silhouette's requirements and demands. This book, written in 2000, shows how much she had developed when compared with the first book in the series, in fact the first book written for Silhouette, outlining Travis and Dee's romance.This is a good summer day read, no mystery or suspense, just how a determined woman can overcome the doubts of a stubborn man.
—Lizabeth Tucker
