Book Blurb:
This enemies-to-lovers romance opens in the winter of 1798, when Ireland is on the verge of rebellion against British rule. Colin Wainwright is a son of Anglo-Irish aristocrats and a former captain in the British Army. He deplores how the native Irish are treated yet feels a grudging loyalty to the crown.
Brenna O’Hanlon is a daughter of tenant farmers. As a young girl living on the Wainwright estate, she adored Colin from afar. Until her brothers attempted to kill his father, Squire Wainwright, for seducing their older sister. The family fled to Dublin, where Brenna became a housemaid.
Ten years later, Colin meets the new housekeeper, none other than Brenna—hired under a false name by his father. Judging her far too young for such a post, he accuses her of being his father’s latest doxy. Her temper flares, but she convinces him she is no such thing. Colin hatches a plan, making it appear that the two are lovers in order to thwart the squire’s wicked plans for Brenna. Although she hates this shameful deception, it inevitably feeds the growing attraction between her and Colin.
However, Brenna has a secret. She’s a spy for the United Irishmen, a society dedicated to Irish liberty. She means to intercept messages between Squire Wainwright and a high-placed militia officer. Her brothers, Rory and Kevin, followed her north to pass on any information she obtains. She has little success, but takes guilty pleasure in romantic, sometimes humorous interludes with Colin.
Their story takes a dark turn when an incident involving loyalist bullies infuriates Colin. Upon discovering Brenna’s true identity and mission, he comes to a decision that changes both of their lives. Intrigue and violence dog their steps as the country rushes toward war. In spite of such harrowing circumstances, or perhaps because of them, the flames of desire and a deepening love bind the unlikely pair tighter and tighter.
Rebellion breaks out on May 23rd. Brenna and Colin are caught up in the fighting. Will they attain a very personal victory in the midst of war?
Book Buy Link: https://geni.us/le3p8
Author Bio:
Lyn Horner resides in Fort Worth, Texas – “Where the West Begins” – with her husband and several very spoiled cats. Her two grown children live within easy driving distance along with a gaggle of delightful grandkids.
Trained in the visual arts at the prestigious Minneapolis College of Art and Design, Lyn worked as a fashion illustrator and art instructor for a number of years before turning to her longtime love of writing. She takes pride in crafting passionate love stories, both historical and contemporary. When not writing, Lyn enjoys reading, gardening, genealogy, visiting with family and friends, and cuddling her furry, four-footed children.
The author’s Texas Devlins series blends authentic Old West settings, steamy romance and a glimmer of paranormal. This series has earned multiple awards and nominations, including Crowned Heart reviews and a Rone Award nomination from InD’Tale Magazine.
Lyn was a contributor to Rawhide ʼn Roses, a Western Romance Anthology. This book was a finalist in the 2015 RONE Awards anthology category. Lyn was also part of the bestselling western Christmas anthology Silver Belles and Stetsons. Regrettably, these books are no longer available. However, she is represented in The Posse, a historical western anthology available on Amazon.
Jumping from the American Old West to the present time, Lyn immersed herself in her eight-book romantic suspense series, Romancing the Guardians. These books combine her trademark flashes of psychic phenomena with Irish folklore and a chilling pre-apocalyptic theme. Along the way, readers are treated to thunderous action, terrifying suspense and sizzling romance in places around the world.
Editorial Review:
County Armagh, Ulster Province, Ireland; January 1798
Colin Wainwright cursed the clouds obscuring the moon and held his stallion, Corsair, to a cautious trot along the dark road. So far, he hadn’t encountered ice and snow such as he’d contended with in the Highlands of Scotland, where he’d spent the past two months with his Uncle Rodrick— his mother’s brother— and his family. However, a cold night wind laden with the odor of damp, decaying foliage from nearby hedgerows slashed at him unmercifully.
Horner immediately captures the reader's interest with striking images and a tangible sense of suspense. The first paragraph pulls us into a world where every decision could have disastrous repercussions, setting the scene for a drama where political and personal issues collide.
Lyn Horner's Rebel Mine transports readers to a turbulent time in Irish history by weaving a complicated tale of love, dedication, and revolution against the backdrop of 18th-century Ireland. As realistic as it is thrilling, this enemies-to-lovers romance has a plot full of historical intrigue and emotional depth.
The masterful storytelling transports readers to a realm of political turmoil and forbidden yearning from the very first page to the very last.
The giant flinched and sent his employer a narrow-eyed glare. “I’ll thank ye not to shout, laddie,” he grumbled in a cavernous Scots burr.
Watching him approach, Brenna noticed his slightly uneven gait and puffy eyelids, and she realized he had tipped a few too many pints last night. Now she understood Colin’s surprise at the fellow’s morning arrival. What she did not understand was why he tolerated such behavior in his manservant.
Oddly, he seemed entirely unperturbed, either by the man’s appearance or his surliness. “I told you there was no hurry,” he said as the Scotsman lowered the trunk to the floor between their feet. “What are you doing here so soon?”
The big man straightened, looking a bit pale, and wiped a huge hand across his forehead. “Phah! Those slackwits at the inn dinna deserve my company.”
In the winter of 1798, when the novel starts, Ireland is on the verge of revolt against British control. Brenna O'Hanlon, a feisty Irish housemaid and covert spy for the United Irishmen, and Colin Wainwright, a disillusioned former captain of the British Army, are at the heart of this compelling story. There is tension, humor, and poignancy in their journey from mutual mistrust to a profound and lasting love.
Horner creates a drama that seems both enormous and personal by deftly balancing the romance with the stakes of rebellion. The tension in the story is continuously fueled by the interaction of their personal conflicts, particularly Brenna's secret objective and Colin's mental fight between duty and justice. The slow-burning relationship is interspersed with sincere moments of intimacy, witty repartee, and snatched looks that heighten the satisfaction of their eventual union.
Rebel Mine is mostly about the characters, and Horner gives each one nuance and consideration. Brenna is strong and resolute, representing the spirit of resistance, whereas Colin is a man divided between his morality and his heritage. Their evolution as a pair and as people is exquisitely shown, and their chemistry is electric.
The plot is enhanced by supporting characters like the cunning Squire Wainwright and Brenna's brothers Rory and Kevin. They raise the stakes and shed more light on the family and social dynamics of the era.
The conclusion succeeds in every way, giving the individuals' individual journeys closure while allowing ample opportunity for introspection. Without giving anything away, Colin and Brenna's story's resolution seems well-deserved, moving, and incredibly fulfilling. In a realistic yet hopeful manner, their love wins, shining brightly during a dark period.
Horner skillfully keeps things consistent throughout the book. From Colin's shifting allegiances to Brenna's espionage, each subplot is expertly weaved into the main story. With intervals of action and intrigue interspersed with periods of reflection and romance, the pacing is consistent. Readers are kept interested until the very end as the plot arc builds toward a climactic insurrection that feels both inevitable and terrifying.
Mitchell actually shook with rage. “Not all of them,” he ground out. Then his cruel eyes raked Brenna. “I assumed you were the old stallion’s newest mare, but it seems you serve the young stud. Or perhaps both, eh?” He flicked Colin a taunting smirk.
Colin growled and prepared to lunge at the bligeard, but Brenna threw herself in front of him, holding him back.
“Nay! I’ll not have ye fight over me.” Aware of the heavy silence surrounding them, she knew that every eye in the hall was trained upon her and the two men. “What would be the point?” she whispered fiercely. “Look around. By sundown the entire county will believe I’m your plaything. Exactly as ye intended, aye?”
Glancing around, Colin muttered a low curse. He gazed at her bleakly for an instant, then gently moved her aside. “You may thank Mrs. Murphy for my not calling you out, sir,” he told Mitchell in a cutting tone. “But be warned, I shall not tolerate such insults to her again.”
The book is enjoyable to read because of its well-formatted and edited content. From the enormous Wainwright estate to the bustling streets of Dublin, Horner's descriptive prose clearly evokes the scene, and the dialogue flows naturally. Readers are compelled to flip the page as each chapter concludes on a suspenseful note.
Rebel Mine is unique because it combines romance, espionage, historical fiction, and social critique. Horner offers a sophisticated viewpoint on the era, deftly and deeply examining themes of resistance, loyalty, and class. A fascinating twist in the story, the fake-mistress trope is handled with fun and inventiveness, giving Colin and Brenna's relationship more depth.
Horner writes in a deep and vivid style. Her historical accuracy enhances the story and immerses readers in Ireland in the eighteenth century. The conversation seems appropriate for the era while yet being readable by readers today. Horner's ability as a writer is demonstrated by the harmony between action-packed scenes and heartfelt love moments.
Fans of romantic drama and historical fiction will both enjoy Rebel Mine's engrossing fusion of romance, history, and intrigue. By illuminating a significant period in Irish history and crafting a story of love that cuts beyond class and conflict, Lyn Horner has created a work that is both enjoyable and enlightening. This book will leave you speechless, regardless of whether you are pulled to the historical backdrop, the exciting espionage, or the steaming romance.
A perfect book for anyone searching for a heartfelt, historical, and memorable page-turner!
*****
“Rebel Mine” by Lyn Horner receives five stars and the “Highly Recommended” award of excellence from The Historical Fiction Company
Award:
To have your historical novel editorially reviewed and/or enter the HFC Book of the Year contest, please visit www.thehistoricalfictioncompany.com/book-awards/award-submission
Comments