Patrick Rooney is an author of techno-thrillers and historical fiction. A native of New Mexico, he attended the University of New Mexico, where he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Music Theory and Composition, and New Mexico State University, where he earned a Master's degree in Electrical and Computer......more
Patrick Rooney is an author of techno-thrillers and historical fiction. A native of New Mexico, he attended the University of New Mexico, where he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Music Theory and Composition, and New Mexico State University, where he earned a Master's degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering. He subsequently earned a Master's Degree in Business Administration from The University of Denver. He honed his writing craft while working as a software designer in the computer industry. He has written two novels. Patrick lives in Broomfield, Colorado, where his interests include playing and composing music, travel, yoga, and investment management.
Patrick Rooney is an author of techno-thrillers and historical fiction. A native of New Mexico, he attended the University of New Mexico, where he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Music Theory and Composition, and New Mexico State University, where he earned a Master's degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering. He subsequently earned a Master's Degree in Business Administration from The University of Denver. He honed his writing craft while working as a software designer in the computer industry. He has written two novels. Patrick lives in Broomfield, Colorado, where his interests include playing and composing music, travel, yoga, and investment management. (less)
* Thank you to the author for gifting me a copy of his book in exchange for a fair and honest review*
They say that the course of true love never runs smooth, and for young Brian O'Rourke and Elizabeth Reilly their love is definitely not going to be smooth.
It's 1848 and the I......more
* Thank you to the author for gifting me a copy of his book in exchange for a fair and honest review*
They say that the course of true love never runs smooth, and for young Brian O'Rourke and Elizabeth Reilly their love is definitely not going to be smooth.
It's 1848 and the Irish Potato Famine is killing people in huge numbers, and together with the evictions being carried out by English Landlords, Ireland is a very troubled and violent land. Despite their many differences, including Brian being Catholic and Elizabeth Protestant, they come together through a tragic set of circumstances, but shortly after, life will conspire to keep them apart for many years.
Brian, a talented violin player emigrates to America, whilst Elizabeth studies piano with Chopin and achieves success throughout Europe.
This story covers so many tumultuous events of its time, including the Potato Famine, the American Civil War, slavery and the Underground Railroad, the invention of the telegraph and so much more. It's a tale of love, hate, despair, compassion, and life in it's many varying degrees. There are some distressing scenes contained within this book, but historical facts back up these terrible acts, and so they are rightly included. That said, we also see compassion for fellow human beings shining through, when the world around them seems to have lost all sense and reason.
Patrick Rooney has given a wonderful insight into a time of great change, and also into how true love can overcome the many hardships, trials and disparities that life can throw at it. A moving read but ultimately one filled with hope.(less)
4.5 stars rounded up to 5 stars
THE ANGEL OF INNISFREE by PATRICK F. ROONEY is an epic, awe-inspiring, and a powerful Historical Fiction Romance novel that had me totally engrossed and savouring every moment while I was reading this book.
I found both the cover and the title of......more
4.5 stars rounded up to 5 stars
THE ANGEL OF INNISFREE by PATRICK F. ROONEY is an epic, awe-inspiring, and a powerful Historical Fiction Romance novel that had me totally engrossed and savouring every moment while I was reading this book.
I found both the cover and the title of this book to be appealing and very fitting which draws you right into this breathtaking and wonderful tale of enduring love.
THE ANGEL OF INNISFREE has us following along the story of Elizabeth Reilly and Brian O'Rourke told in their own points of view set over a 50 year period beginning in Ireland, 1848 to the satisfying and heartwarming conclusion in New York of 1898.
I haven’t read too many books that takes us on such a journey through time and this part of history which includes the Irish Potato Famine, the invention of the telegraph, the Underground Railroad, the American Civil War, President Lincoln, slavery, concert halls, and some other events and people that were influential in history from this time period. This is what I really enjoyed most about this novel because while I was reading I was also learning about these important events in history.
I really liked the author's writing style, narrative, and how the storyline was delivered as I was entertained and interested to the very end. The writing is simple and easy to understand with all the history that was included in this novel.
To sum it all up it was an insightful, moving, steady-paced, and an enjoyable read with a satisfying ending. Would recommend!!
Thank you so much to the author for gifting me a copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review!
All of Brenda and my reviews can be found on our Sister Blog:(less)
WOW!!!! "The Angel of Innisfree" is an epic, breathtaking story that will stay with me for a very long time!
This is a tale of compassion, heartache, hope and despair of the remarkable Elizabeth Reilly and Brian O'Rourke in 1848 during the Irish Potato Famine and their quest to be reunite......more
WOW!!!! "The Angel of Innisfree" is an epic, breathtaking story that will stay with me for a very long time!
This is a tale of compassion, heartache, hope and despair of the remarkable Elizabeth Reilly and Brian O'Rourke in 1848 during the Irish Potato Famine and their quest to be reunited and be together in the following years. Many times I was choked with emotion at the plight of the Irish famine casualties and the other poignant events -they were handled so sympathetically and were very emotional. The meticulous attention to historical detail was second to none and Patrick should be commended on his research into all these actualities. I was learning interesting events in history whilst enjoying an excellent fiction novel. I really enjoyed the way the chapters were written from each of the characters point of view - feeling their every emotion. This story really called for you to take your time reading it and savour every moment - I actually felt like I could smell the peat brick fires in Ireland and the nauseating conditions on the famine ship!
This book moves along at a constant pace and flows through history seamlessly.
Beautifully written I can't recommend this powerful book enough - a must read for anyone of any age! With a beautiful front cover this book just draws you into its wonderful tale. It's such a contrast to Patrick's other book "The Acheron Deception" - showing just how talented an author he is to produce two such brilliantly different stories. I would love to read more by Patrick F. Rooney and wish him continued success in his writing!
A well deserved 5 stars; and then some!(less)
For historical fiction readers,
will be a fascinating tale of the life and times on both sides of the Atlantic during the nineteenth century. Follow two children as life, religion, war and prejudice will separate them for decades, even after they secretly vowed their hearts to each othe......more
For historical fiction readers,
will be a fascinating tale of the life and times on both sides of the Atlantic during the nineteenth century. Follow two children as life, religion, war and prejudice will separate them for decades, even after they secretly vowed their hearts to each other.
The Irish Potato Famine and the cruel evictions from English landlords were killing off hard-working Irish farmers in the hundreds. Those not killed for becoming rebels often escaped to the melting pot of America to start over. Brian O’Rourke was a proud son of Ireland who made that journey, only to find his keen mind and business sense, as well as his powerful work ethic will reshaped the life of one who lost everything. His only regret, never seeing the girl who saved his life, and stole his heart, his
.
The beautiful, English, young concert pianist, Elizabeth vowed to save herself for Brian, but her life took her to faraway places, learning under great masters in Europe. One brash decision, one marriage by name only and one voyage to America have finally put them on the same continent, but the Civil War, a brutally cruel husband and fate still kept them apart. Only when fate deems it the right time will two hearts be joined again, but have they changed so much that the young lovers they once were are gone forever?
Patrick F. Rooney has definitely written a romantic tale of long ago, that crosses decades, miles and the events of life, but in doing so, he has shared incredible hallmarks in history, cleverly inserting his characters while bringing history to life. This is not a fast-paced trip through time; this is a sometimes gritty, sometimes joyful journey for two souls, of the millions who came to this country to make their mark on the world, no matter how large or small. This is a tale to savor and relax into. Gather tidbits of the changes in this country, the people helped make them and visualize the changes occurring over several decades. Fascinating reading with heart, a slice of history that breathes and a love that endures.
I received a review copy from the author, Patrick F. Rooney in exchange for my honest review. We have no personal connections.
Publisher: SAVOIR Press
Publication Date: July 14, 2015
ISBN-13: 9780990743620
Genre: Historical Fiction
Print Length: 366 pages
Available from:
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For Reviews & More:(less)
The Angel of Innisfree Review So what and where is Innisfree? Innisfree is a small uninhabited island in Lough Gill, Ireland, featured in the poem Lake Isle of Innisfree by William Butler Yeats, at least, it was uninhabited in this novel. The Angel of Innisfree starts out in Ireland at Creevelea Abb......more
The Angel of Innisfree Review So what and where is Innisfree? Innisfree is a small uninhabited island in Lough Gill, Ireland, featured in the poem Lake Isle of Innisfree by William Butler Yeats, at least, it was uninhabited in this novel. The Angel of Innisfree starts out in Ireland at Creevelea Abbey, Dromahair, Ireland in the year 1848. Dromahair is a small village in County Leitrim, Ireland.
Ireland in 1848 is known at this time for the potato famine, the Young Irelander Rebellion. The rebellion mainly had to do with the British and how they treated the Irish, lower than dirt, they took the lands from the people that had resided there for centuries, turned them out of their homes, burned what they could and left the people to die. The food that the Irish people grew was taken from them and sold to other countries or it went back to Britain.
Brian O'Rourke is one of the sons of Big Paddy O'Rourke, one of these Irish that are told to get off the land or else. Well in Brian's family it was the or else, Brian's father and brothers are killed by the soldiers, the mother left to die and his sister kidnapped. Brian rescues his sister, which he does but his mother dies in the meantime. Brian vows revenge, kills a man and he becomes a wanted man and hides out on Innisfree. He and his sister Mary escape to America, hoping that life will be better there.
Elizabeth Reilly is a privileged woman who lives with her aunt in London but is visiting with her father who is tasked with the duty of having the Irish evicted from their lands, he does not condone the killing of course but he does what he is told. While Elizabeth is visiting she happens to hear beautiful music floating through her window. Elizabeth is a pianist and wants to be a concert performer but her father has other ideas. Well, Brian plays the fiddle and he is playing for the men, women and children who have died as a result of starvation.
After Brian kills a man he is badly wounded and Elizabeth takes care of him on the island of Innisfree and they fall in love. Well, there is no happy ending at this time as Brian and Mary escape Ireland the cruelty that they find there. Elizabeth and Brian pledge that they will find each other no matter what or how long it may take, it actually takes 14 years.
Upon arrival their lives are hard but they make it work and Brian eventually gets involved in working for the Telegraph companies. The Telegraph is in its infancy at this time and Brian becomes very prosperous, but he still pines for Elizabeth. Elizabeth, on the other hand, does eventually go to Paris to study with Chopin until his death.
The Angel of Innisfree is one of those epic novels that takes place over a period of 50 years. It takes the reader through the development of the telegraph, the international underground telegraph lines to Europe, the gold rush, concert halls, the Underground Railway, the Lincoln administration and his assassination and the Civil War. Through all of this Brian and Elizabeth persevere.
Is there a happy ending? Well, you have to decide that. This novel is easy to read, lots of history but not bogged down in it to make it dull. This is a bit different than the other novel I read by Mr.Rooney, The Acheron Perception, but just as good if not better. I am partial to anything Irish of course so this book was perfect for me. I loved it and highly recommend it. Like I said before, this is not a history book and if that is what you are looking for, this isn't it. This is an epic love story that enforces that even in the face of war and other atrocities, love can beat all.
I received a copy of this book for review and was not monetarily compensated for my opinion.
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"The Angel of Innisfree" is an epic romance for the ages! When two souls on opposite ends of the social spectrum fall in love, father-time throws them curve ball, after curve ball, trying his best to keep them apart. Will fate bring them together again, or will they be destined to always wonder what......more
"The Angel of Innisfree" is an epic romance for the ages! When two souls on opposite ends of the social spectrum fall in love, father-time throws them curve ball, after curve ball, trying his best to keep them apart. Will fate bring them together again, or will they be destined to always wonder what could have been? Patrick Rooney paints a vivid picture of the turmoil people endured in the 1800s and weaves it into an intriguing story of love and adventure.(less)
The angel of innisfree by Patrick Rooney.
Young Brian O'Rourke, an ingenious, Catholic, violin prodigy in a family of outlawed Ribbonmen peasants meets Elizabeth Reilly, a talented Protestant pianist from London, while she's visiting her father in a nearby castle. After secretly promisin......more
The angel of innisfree by Patrick Rooney.
Young Brian O'Rourke, an ingenious, Catholic, violin prodigy in a family of outlawed Ribbonmen peasants meets Elizabeth Reilly, a talented Protestant pianist from London, while she's visiting her father in a nearby castle. After secretly promising themselves to each other at the age of sixteen, Elizabeth returns to London to study piano with Chopin while Brian immigrates to New York on a famine ship.
A very moving and emotional read. I loved the story and the characters. Especially Elizabeth and Brian. It was lovely that they promised themselves to each other. Had me in tears. 5* .(less)
The story begins in Ireland in 1848 during the Irish Potato Famine. Landlords are ruthlessly evicting their tenants and thousands are dying in the streets. When 16-year-old Elizabeth Reilly nurses Brian O’Rourke back to health after nearly starving to death, the young lovers’ fates become intertwine......more
The story begins in Ireland in 1848 during the Irish Potato Famine. Landlords are ruthlessly evicting their tenants and thousands are dying in the streets. When 16-year-old Elizabeth Reilly nurses Brian O’Rourke back to health after nearly starving to death, the young lovers’ fates become intertwined. After Brian’s family is killed by English soldiers, he and his sister Mary are forced to flee to America on a famine ship and start a new life, but not before promising Elizabeth that he would find her someday. Elizabeth moves to France to study with Chopin and pursue her dream of becoming a concert pianist. Elizabeth and Brian each take incredible journeys that give the reader a glimpse into the rich history of the telegraph, the Underground Railroad, and the American Civil War. Will Brian and Elizabeth find each other in a country ripped apart by war?
Strengths
I’m always excited when I find a really good historical fiction novel. I detest history books but I enjoy learning about the past. Historical fiction, for me, is the best way to learn history because it makes those time periods come alive in ways that text books can never achieve. I don’t know if I can express emphatically enough how much I loved The Angel of Innisfree. There was so much action–far more I would ever expect from this genre!–and the story line was consistently moving along at the perfect rate: slow enough to savor the setting, but quick enough to keep me interested in what was going to happen next.
The main characters were phenomenal; I couldn’t believe the hardships both Brian and Elizabeth endured and overcame so that they could be together. Brian refers to Elizabeth throughout the novel as his angel of Innisfree. My favorite quote of the book came in the very last paragraph:
“I remember him playing his violin on the Viking rock to comfort the dying then, how he rescued Mary, how he helped the Negroes escape on the Underground Railroad, how he helped the wounded soldiers at Antietam, and a hundred other kindnesses over the years, and it occurs to me that he may have been the angel of Innisfree all along.” (Elizabeth, epilogue.)
The writing style is clear and strong, the history is fascinating and informative, the characters are compelling, and the love story is one for the ages.
Weaknesses
In a book this strong it is hard to come up with any weaknesses. It was perhaps a little long, but it really was a story I wanted to savor and take my time with. (Unfortunately, I didn’t have that luxury!)
Conclusion
I am at a loss for why this book only has a few reviews on Amazon and Goodreads. It is as good a book as any I have ever read. Readers, let’s band together and share the word about this good tale! If you haven’t read it yet, go get a copy now. I promise you won’t regret it!
I give The Angel of Innisfree a full 5 stars, wishing I could give it more.
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XXX I bought a copy of this novel after having it brought to my attention by the author. The history of the U.S., especially those years between 1800 and today, are my preferred reading for pleasure -and this was a pleasure to read.
The Angel From Innisfree is an excellent historical nove......more
XXX I bought a copy of this novel after having it brought to my attention by the author. The history of the U.S., especially those years between 1800 and today, are my preferred reading for pleasure -and this was a pleasure to read.
The Angel From Innisfree is an excellent historical novel, vivid in detail and accurate in time, one I would recommend to anyone who enjoys novels based on the period between 1848 and 1898. This novel carries us through the eyes of Brian O'Roarke, from the loss of most of his family from religious persecution and the Irish potato famine during 1848, his 16th year, and the rescue of his sister Mary and their immigration to New York. We follow Brian's contributions to the growth of the telegraphic communication system in the U.S. and it's importance in the Civil War. And Music. This novel is filled with the joy of music. I wish I could give it 6 ******.
We follow Elizabeth from Ireland through her schooling in London, her presentation to the Queen during her unwilling coming out, her piano lessons and training with Chopin in Paris and her immigration to the U.S. South, just before and during the Civil War.
And of course we get to follow the young lovers, bound to each other by promises in Ireland in their 16th year, into their long postponed life together. Altogether a wonderful read, one I will keep for a more leisurely read in future.(less)
A tale through the history of the Civil War era, the Angel of Innisfree follows characters from their origins in Ireland, to the United States. Fleeing the horrors of the potato famine, Brian and Elizabeth both live a fascinating life and take part in influencing history. Through Brian’s work develo......more
A tale through the history of the Civil War era, the Angel of Innisfree follows characters from their origins in Ireland, to the United States. Fleeing the horrors of the potato famine, Brian and Elizabeth both live a fascinating life and take part in influencing history. Through Brian’s work developing the telegraph, we learn how the Union used this powerful tool to win the war. Touching deeply into humanity and the disparity of religion and slavery, this book was an excellent read!(less)