Blog Tour: Bittersweet Tapestry by Kevin O'Connell

Bittersweet Tapestry by Kevin O'Connell

Publication Date: November 1, 2019

Gortcullinane Press

eBook & Paperback

Series: The Derrynane Saga, Book Three

Genre: Historical Fiction

A dramatic decade has passed since sixteen-year-old Eileen O’Connell first departed her family’s sanctuary at remote Derrynane on the Kerry coast to become the wife of one of the wealthiest men in Ireland and the mistress of John O’Connor’s Ballyhar – only to have her elderly husband die within months of the marriage. Unhappily returned to Derrynane, within a year, under the auspices of their uncle, a general in the armies of Maria Theresa, Eileen and her sister, Abigail departed for Vienna and a life neither could have ever imagined – one at the dizzying heights of the Hapsburg empire and court, where Abigail ultimately became principal lady-in-waiting to the Empress herself, whilst Eileen, for nine momentous years, served as governess to the Empress’s youngest daughter – during which time Maria Antonia, whom Eileen still calls ‘my wee little archduchess’, has become Marie Antoinette, dauphine of France, though she continues to refer to her beloved governess as “Mama”. As Bittersweet Tapestry opens, it is the High Summer of 1770. Having escorted the future Queen of France from Vienna to her new life, Eileen and her husband, Captain Arthur O’Leary of the Hungarian Hussars, along with their little boy and Eileen’s treasured friend (and former servant) Anna Pfeffer are establishing themselves in Ireland. Their ties to Catholic Europe remain close and strong; in addition to Abigail and her O’Sullivan family and General O’Connell, his wife and young daughter in Vienna, their brother Daniel is an officer in the Irish Brigade of the armies of Louis XV, whilst their youngest brother, Hugh, is studying at École Militaire in Paris, his path to a commission in the Dillons’ Regiment of the Brigade. His gentle Austrian friendship with Maria Antonia having inevitably waned, Hugh’s relationship with the strikingly-beautiful young widowed Princess Marie Thérèse Louise of Savoy is blossoming. Though happily ensconced at Rathleigh House, the O’Leary family estate in County Cork, being prominent amongst those families which are the remnants of the old Gaelic order in the area, Eileen and Art find that the dark cloud of the Protestant Ascendancy hovers heavily, at times threateningly, over them. Bittersweet Tapestry is a tale of stark contrasts – between Hugh’s life of increasing prominence amidst the glitter and intrigue of the French court and Art and Eileen’s in English-occupied Ireland – especially as the latter progresses into a dark, violent and bloody tale . . . ultimately involving an epic tragedy, which along with the events leading up to it and those occurring in its dramatic wake, will permanently impact the O’Learys, the O’Connells – and their far-flung circle of family and friends in Ireland and across Europe. With his uniquely-descriptive prose, Kevin O'Connell again deftly weaves threads of historical fact and fancy to create a colourful fabric affording unique insights into the courts of eighteenth-century Catholic Europe as well as English-ruled Ireland. As the classic story unfolds amongst the O’Learys, the O'Connells, their friends and enemies, the tumultuously-dangerous worlds in which they dwell will continue to gradually – but inexorably – become even more so. Bittersweet Tapestry joins O’Connell’s well-received Beyond Derrynane and Two Journeys Home as The Derrynane Saga continues – an enthralling epic, presenting a sweeping chronicle, set against the larger drama of Europe in the early stages of significant – and, in the case of France – violent change.

Available on Amazon

About the Author

Kevin O'Connell is a native of New York City and a descendant of a young officer of what had—from 1690 to 1792—been the Irish Brigade of the French army, believed to have arrived in French Canada following the execution of Queen Marie Antoinette in October of 1793. At least one grandson subsequently returned to Ireland and Mr. O'Connell's own grandparents came to New York in the early twentieth century. He holds both Irish and American citizenship. He is a graduate of Providence College and Georgetown University Law Centre. For much of his four decades-long legal career, O'Connell has practiced international business transactional law, primarily involving direct-investment matters, throughout Asia (principally China), Europe, and the Middle East. The father of five children and grandfather of ten, he and his wife, Laurette, live with their golden retriever, Katie, near Annapolis, Maryland.

Website | Facebook | Goodreads

Blog Tour Schedule

Friday, November 1 Review at Gwendalyn's Books Sunday, November 3 Review at Carole's Ramblings Monday, November 4 Review at Locks, Hooks and Books Wednesday, November 6 Interview at The Writing Desk Feature at Chicks, Rogues, and Scandals Friday, November 8 Feature at Maiden of the Pages Monday, November 11 Interview at Passages to the Past Wednesday, November 13 Review & Guest Post at The Book Junkie Reads Friday, November 15 Guest Post at Before the Second Sleep Sunday, November 17 Review at A Darn Good Read Monday, November 18 Review at Books and Zebras Tuesday, November 19 Feature at What Is That Book About Wednesday, November 20 Review at Al-Alhambra Book Reviews Friday, November 22 Feature at Historical Fiction with Spirit Monday, November 25 Review at Hooked on Books Tuesday, November 26 Review at Red Headed Book Lady Review & Guest Post at Nursebookie Wednesday, November 27 Review at CelticLady's Reviews Friday, November 29 Review at Broken Teepee Excerpt at Coffee and Ink

My Review

Bittersweet Tapestry: A Novel of Eighteenth Century Europe is the third installment from Kevin O’Connell fabulous The Derrynane Saga. I recommend this series to be read in order, readers would not be disappointed! I enjoyed catching up with Eileen O’Connell ten years later.  The story is set in the eighteenth century. I loved the author’s details of the time. I felt like I was right there living among the people and experiencing what they are. 

Bittersweet Tapestry: A Novel of Eighteenth Century Europe gets four and a half stars from me. I would love to read more of this series in the near future. 

I received this book from the publisher. This review is 100% my own honest opinion.

Blog Tour: Two Journeys Home by Kevin O'Connell

About the Book:

It’s 1767. As the eagerly anticipated sequel to Beyond Derrynane begins, Eileen O’Connell avails
herself of a fortuitous opportunity to travel back to Ireland. In Two Journeys Home, the O’Connells
encounter old faces and new—and their lives change forever.

Her vivacious personality matched only by her arresting physical presence, Eileen returns to
Derrynane this time not as a teen aged widow but as one of the most recognised figures at the
Habsburg court. Before returning to Vienna she experiences a whirlwind romance, leading to a
tumult of betrayal and conflict with the O’Connell clan.

Abigail lives not in the shadow of her sister but instead becomes the principal lady-in-waiting to
Empress Maria Theresa.

Hugh O’Connell leaves behind waning adolescence and a fleeting attraction to the youngest
archduchess when he begins a military career in the Irish Brigade under Louis XV. But more royal
entanglement awaits him in France…

Author Kevin O’Connell again deftly weaves threads of historical fact and fancy to create a colourful
tapestry affording unique insights into the courts of eighteenth-century Catholic Europe and Protestant
Ascendancy–ruled Ireland. Watch as the saga continues to unfold amongst the O’Connell’s, their friends
and enemies, at home and abroad.

Editorial Reviews:

O’Connell is a fantastic storyteller. His prose is so rich and beautiful it is a joy to read. The story is
compelling and the characters memorable – all the more so because they are based on real people. . .
I am Irish but I did not know about this piece of Irish history. It is fascinating but historical fiction at the
same time . . . Highly recommended for historical fiction lovers!

(c) Beth Nolan, Beth’s Book Nook

I enjoyed the first part of the Saga awhile back . . . (and) couldn’t wait to continue the story of Eileen and
her family . . . this author really does have a way with words. The world and the characters are so vivid . . .
Overall, I was hooked from page one. I honestly think that (Two Journeys Home) was better than (Beyond
Derrynane) – which is rare. The characters and world-building was done in such a beautiful manner . . . I
can’t wait for the next one . . .

(c) Carole Rae, Carole’s Sunday Review, Book Girl of Mur-y-Castell

Two Journeys Home: A Novel of Eighteenth Century Europe . . . is a gripping story that will transport the
reader back in time, a story with a strong setting and compelling characters . . . a sensational romance,
betrayal, family drama and intrigue . . . The plot is so complex that I find it hard to offer a summary in a
few lines, but it is intriguing and it holds many surprises . . .  great writing. Kevin O’Connell’s prose is crisp
and highly descriptive. I was delighted (by) . . . how he builds the setting, offering . . . powerful images of
places, exploring cultural traits and unveiling the political climate of the time . . . The conflict is (as well-
developed as the characters) and it is a powerful ingredient that moves the plot forward . . . an absorbing
and intelligently-crafted historical novel . . . .

(c) Divine Zapa for Readers’ Favourite

About the Author:

Kevin O’Connell is a native of New York City and the descendant of a young officer of what had—
from 1690 to 1792—been the Irish Brigade of the French Army, believed to have arrived in French
Canada following the execution of Queen Marie Antoinette in October of 1793. He holds both Irish
and American citizenship.

An international business attorney, Mr. O’Connell is an alumnus of Providence College and
Georgetown University Law Centre.

A lifelong personal and scholarly interest in the history of eighteenth-century Ireland, as well as that
of his extended family, led O’Connell to create his first book, Beyond Derrynane, which will, together
with Two Journeys Home and the two books to follow, comprise the Derrynane Saga.

The father of five children and grandfather of ten, he and his wife, Laurette, live with their golden
retriever, Katie, near Annapolis, Maryland.

Links:

Author Website 

Facebook Page

Amazon Profile Page

Buy the Book

Tour Schedule: Blog Stops (February 19th – 23rd)

February 19th

Spotlight  Layered Pages

February 20th

Guest Post -The Writing Desk

Guest Post – Blood Mother Blog

February 21th

Book Review - A Bookaholic Swede

Book Excerpt – Kate Braithwaite

Guest Post – A Literary Vacation

February 22nd

Interview & Review – Flashlight Commentary

Book Excerpt – Just One More Chapter

Book Review –Impressions In Ink

February 23rd

Book Review – Lock, Hooks and Books

Book Review – before the second sleep

March 5th –Tour Recap

Novel Expressions Blog Tours Website

My Review

Two Journeys Home: A Novel of Eighteenth Century Europe is the second book from
Kevin O’Connell’s series called The Derrynane Saga. Even though I did not read Beyond
Derrynane, I still thought it was a good historical. The characters are captivating and the
plot fascinating. Being an Irish girl, I greatly enjoyed the vividly detailed setting in Ireland. I believe Two Journeys Home: A Novel of Eighteenth Century Europe is one historical readers
would not want to miss and I give it four stars. I cannot wait to get my hands on book one and
see what happened prior to this one. I received this book from the author. This review is 100% my honest opinion.

Follow me on Bloglovin, Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter, GFC or Email