Sorry for the hiatus readers. I have just come back from a quick immersion into the Celtic world. I was very fortunate to be able to meet up with a friend of mine during this part of her trip to several parts of the world (including Spain, UK and Australia). I have therefore just spent the last two weeks in Ireland and Scotland.
Although I could simply share with you the pictures and experiences from my trip, I thought I’d try and take this occasion to try and once again expand my reading, watching and listening habits, and share those with you as well. This Celtic theme will take a few weeks, but I hope that at the end of it you will have your curiosity peaked or will have learned something of interest.
Scotland and Ireland share more than an interesting and violent history: they’ve both been pillaged by Vikings, invaded by Brits and have a common ancestry. In the early 500s a Celtic tribe, known as the Scots, crossed the Irish sea from northern Ireland and established a kingdom in south-western Scotland. Thus these two people share a language, a history, as well as an intense pride and enthusiasm for life!
Ireland and Scotland are very popular settings and themes in the romance genre, both within and without the British Isles. Stories ranging from the more outlandish to the more serious can be found in bookstores and libraries around the world. I will start by sharing some of my favourite Celtic stories within this genre at this introductory stage.
Nora Roberts’ gift for imagery makes her a prime candidate to capture and share the interesting and varied landscapes that can be found throughout Ireland. From the lowerlands of Dublin, to the cliffs of the west Atlantic shores to the mountains of the north, she’s the person to go to if you want to travel from the comfort of your chair, or plan an imaginary trip for when you have enough money to travel where you want! My personal favourites are The three fates and Tears of the moon (from the Gallaghers of Ardmore, Irish trilogy also including Jewels of the sun and Heart of the sea).
The three fates deals more with the role of Irish people and Irish culture within the world history. The Irish diaspora, starting 
mainly with the Great Famine (1845-1850) has made the Irish population a significant representative of the world population, as members of our families and communities around the English-speaking world. This tale draws on historical plots from the great migration boats of the late 19th and early 20th century to tell a three-part romance story which spans from Ireland to Iceland to New York city.
Her Irish trilogy takes mostly place in south-east of Ireland, the county of Waterford. Focusing on the more memorable aspects of Irish society: pubs, music and myths, these three stories are simply a fun read. Just like the cottage belonging to Kate Winslet’s character in The Holiday(2006), these three stories are cozy, intimate and picturesque with just the right touch of love at first sight, rediscovering old loves and love grown over time.
So far, the only books I’ve read from Teresa Medeiros have been historical romance (I’m still waiting for the library to get a copy of Goodnight tweetheart). However these romances are filled with humour and action and just the right amount of cheesiness. I would like to recommend Some like it wild and Some like it wicked.
These two books play on the natural and historical tensions between the Scots and their southern neighbours during the early 19th century, integrating tartans, clans and highland castles for to create joyful and touching stories.
If despite liking the thoroughly modern take on medieval families portrayed in Brave (2012) you still want a taste of romance, please try these two books and tune back to this blog as I continue to share my Celtic experience with you.
cozyfun 