From the author of “Galway Bay” comes the newly released tale of a vibrant Irish American woman in early 20th century Chicago. Set for release on February 3, the novel “Of Irish Blood” by Mary Pat Kelly creates a vivid and compelling tale woven with authentic detail and historical characters.
Based on Kelly’s great-aunt’s life, the novel follows the life of Nora Kelly who is thriving in the new land and new century in Chicago, making her large Irish family proud as she climbs the ladder of the Chicago fashion industry. However, when she gets involved with the wrong sort of man she flees to Paris to escape trouble.
There she finds friends in the “les femmes Americaines” and luminaries such as Gertrude Stein and Sylvia Beach. Nora also meets a group of Irish revolutionaries who challenge her to honor her heritage and join the fight. Swept into the bloody struggle to free Ireland, Nora faces betrayal and violence, but her greatest heartache is wondering if she will ever find her way home again.
Mary Pat Kelly’s previous novel “Galway Bay” garnered great attention from the #1 international and New York Time bestselling author Mary Higgins Clark, who called “Of Irish Blood” a “fascinating story. Engrossing with an endearing central character and a wonderful, rich, historical background.”
Pulitzer-prize winning author of “Angela’s Ashes” Frank McCourt also had high praise for Kelly. Upon reading “Galway Bay” he said, “You might wonder if Kelly knows everything about nineteenth century Ireland… But it's her exploration of the human heart that moves you. As they say in Ireland, 'Take your ease with this book.' You'll need time for laughter and tears and pure magic."
Malachy McCourt, New York Times bestselling author of “A Monk Swimming” said, “Mary Pat Kelly is a wonderful, creative, intelligent writer who is endowed with a sense of humor."
* “Of Irish Blood” will be released, in hardcover, on Feb 3, at $25.99. For more visit www.tor-forge.com.
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