WHO IS PAT MCDERMOTT?
Boston, Massachusetts native Pat McDermott writes romantic action/adventure stories set in an Ireland that might have been. Glancing Through the Glimmer and its sequel, Autumn Glimmer, are young adult paranormal adventures featuring Ireland’s mischievous fairies. Both books are “prequels” to her popular Band of Roses Trilogy: A Band of Roses, Fiery Roses, and Salty Roses. The Rosewood Whistle is her first contemporary romance.
Pat is a member of the New Hampshire Writers’ Project, Romance Writers of America, and Celtic Hearts Romance Writers. Her favorite non-writing activities include cooking, hiking, reading, and traveling, especially to Ireland. She lives and writes in New Hampshire, USA.
Pat’s Web Site:
http://www.patmcdermott.net/PAT IN HER OWN WORDS...
I’m
delighted to be visiting Get Lost in a Story again, this time with The
Rosewood Whistle. Western Ireland is the setting for my new adult
contemporary romance, a tribute of sorts to Ireland's traditional music told
through the budding relationship of a man and woman given a second chance at
love.
I had fun with this one. Each chapter title contains a
phrase from an old Irish song I learned as a kid growing up on Mission Hill, an
Irish section of Boston.
Like many immigrants, the Irish who emigrated to America
helped keep their homeland alive through music. During the 1940s, 50s, and 60s,
Irish records grew amazingly popular, especially in New York and Boston. My
family wasn’t the only one who played those magical little 45s until they wore
out. Almost every flat in my neighborhood’s three-decker homes had music
blasting from open windows.
Irish music has it all: ghosts and romance, rebellions and
outlaws, drinking and sea songs, death, emigration, and lullabies. No one needs
to know the songs (or even be Irish) to enjoy The Rosewood Whistle,
though it’s fun if you do. And no worries if you can't guess which tunes I
used. I added a list the end of the book. So stop by the pub in the Excerpt
below!
Surrounded by Ireland’s music and myths, a widowed American writer meets a tour guide leery of love…
On her own at the end of a long and difficult marriage,
Gemma Pentrandolfo still hears the critical voice of her husband taunting her
from his grave. To foster her independence, she schedules a summer vacation in
County Mayo intending to write her first book, and she’s counting on Ireland
for inspiration. An idea presents itself when she tours Achill Island with a
silver-tongued tour guide whose good looks prompt her to write more than her
high-minded novel: she transcribes her years of longing in a steamy fantasy no
one is meant to see.
Years have passed since an accident claimed the self-absorbed
wife who scorned Ben Connigan and his music. Since then, the former tin whistle
ace has avoided marriage, though he never lacked for female companionship
before he traded his high-tech career for the slow-paced life of a hometown
tour guide. Ben has accepted the end of his run of discreet affairs, until he
takes Gemma touring. Her passion for Ireland impresses him. Her love of Irish
music soon compels him to dust off his whistles. Knowing she’ll leave at the
end of the summer, he sees no harm in keeping her company—until he dares to
dream of spending the rest of his life with her.
But he knows it can’t be, not while the ghosts of their
partners still haunt them. Not unless the music and myths of Ireland can help
them find their way…
* * * * *
EXCERPT:
Scully tapped his arm. "Go buy her a drink, Ben."
"What?"
"You're staring at her like she's one of them feckin' U
F of Os."
A vigorous nod bespoke Scully's agreement. "At least give her your business card. She's a Yank. Probably wants to see the sights. Trace her roots and all that shite."
Undaunted, Scully and Tom tilted their drinks to their smirking mouths. The gleam in their eyes dared Ben to act. Despite their jowls and glasses, they might have been fifteen again.
He wasn't about to reveal the incident with the hose to
these two. They didn't have to know he only meant to apologize, not initiate
farcical courtship rituals.
So why did a pendulum swing in his chest, its speed
increasing with every stroke?
Something to do with her drenched blouse and pants. Would
she remember him? Accuse him and his garden hose of lewd behavior? He swallowed
a mouthful of beer and wiped his hand across his lips. The pendulum slowed.
Aware of the eyes digging into his back, he kicked himself out of his chair and
swaggered to her table.
She read her menu through little gold glasses. Tiny laugh
lines enhanced her eyes and her curving lips. No lipstick. Ben liked that. She
held the one-page card in her long slender fingers. No nail polish.
No paint nor powder, no none at all…
And no wedding ring. Scully was right about that at least.
She frowned at the menu as if she couldn't decide what to
order. He thought he might suggest the soup, or perhaps the fish and chips, or
maybe…
He'd reached the chair where she'd laid her coat. She sensed
him there, for she looked up. Eyes as brown as Belgian chocolate widened in
surprise. Her mouth fell open; her cheeks turned crimson. No doubt about it,
she knew him. Now what?
Fortune favors the bold, and all. Exploiting her
befuddlement, he pounced. "We haven't been properly introduced. I'm Ben
Connigan. Might I sit?"
Her eyes returned to their normal size; the red in her
cheeks softened to a tea rose hue. She slipped off her glasses and smiled at
him, and his heart flopped like a fresh-caught trout.
* * * * *
The Rosewood Whistle is Available on Kindle and in
Paperback from Amazon and other online book sellers.
