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Spellbound By Sibella
When Irish beauty, SIBELLA COTTLE sets her sights on the rakish HARRY LYNCH-BLOSSE, she is determined to steal his heart and make him hers; but Harry is not free to love her. He is still married to Emily Mahon, a staunch Catholic who refuses to have their marriage annulled. Even if she were to release him, his ambitions would be better served by marrying Lady HARRIETT BROWNE, a cousin of Lord Altamont.
Despite himself, Harry falls for Sibella and following a night of passion she becomes pregnant. Her plight is desperate. They elope to his mother's home in Suffolk in 1774 where Harry persuades a solicitor to confirm his freedom to marry. Sibella's hopes are dashed at the altar when a letter from Ireland denies Harry's right to marry. Harry promises to marry her once his annulment comes through. Although distraught, Sibella recovers to focus on her pregnancy. Her mood lifts when she gives birth to a healthy boy, MICHAEL.
Having returned to Balla, County Mayo, Harry becomes the 7th Baronet after his father dies. Good fortune follows when Sir Harry is elected to the Irish Parliament and Sibella delivers twin girls, CECILIA and Mary Anne. In the following years, Sibella gives birth to her second son, John, and after a further pregnancy, to her third daughter, Bridget.
During this time, Harry establishes the Balla Volunteers to protect Ireland from invasion. Lady Harriett assists him in this task much to the chagrin of Sibella. Worse is to follow when Sibella intercepts a letter from JAMES CUFFE MP, a trustee to Harry's estate. In the letter, Cuffe urges Harry to abandon "that woman" and marry Lady Harriett now that he is free to do so.
Sibella is terrified and seeks the advice of the witch, JUDY HOLIAN, who recommends the spancel, a love charm guaranteed to spellbind Harry for life. Aided by Judy, Sibella makes a spancel from a strip of skin cut from a corpse initially unaware that the body is that of Harry's illegitimate daughter, Ellen Colgan. Sibella must ensure that Harry never finds out the source of the spancel or he would surely abandon her.
Haunted by the spectre of witchcraft, Sibella's position is precarious. Her epic struggle for survival is interwoven against a background of intrigue, rebellion and romance. This extraordinary story is based on real events in 18th century Ireland.
Despite himself, Harry falls for Sibella and following a night of passion she becomes pregnant. Her plight is desperate. They elope to his mother's home in Suffolk in 1774 where Harry persuades a solicitor to confirm his freedom to marry. Sibella's hopes are dashed at the altar when a letter from Ireland denies Harry's right to marry. Harry promises to marry her once his annulment comes through. Although distraught, Sibella recovers to focus on her pregnancy. Her mood lifts when she gives birth to a healthy boy, MICHAEL.
Having returned to Balla, County Mayo, Harry becomes the 7th Baronet after his father dies. Good fortune follows when Sir Harry is elected to the Irish Parliament and Sibella delivers twin girls, CECILIA and Mary Anne. In the following years, Sibella gives birth to her second son, John, and after a further pregnancy, to her third daughter, Bridget.
During this time, Harry establishes the Balla Volunteers to protect Ireland from invasion. Lady Harriett assists him in this task much to the chagrin of Sibella. Worse is to follow when Sibella intercepts a letter from JAMES CUFFE MP, a trustee to Harry's estate. In the letter, Cuffe urges Harry to abandon "that woman" and marry Lady Harriett now that he is free to do so.
Sibella is terrified and seeks the advice of the witch, JUDY HOLIAN, who recommends the spancel, a love charm guaranteed to spellbind Harry for life. Aided by Judy, Sibella makes a spancel from a strip of skin cut from a corpse initially unaware that the body is that of Harry's illegitimate daughter, Ellen Colgan. Sibella must ensure that Harry never finds out the source of the spancel or he would surely abandon her.
Haunted by the spectre of witchcraft, Sibella's position is precarious. Her epic struggle for survival is interwoven against a background of intrigue, rebellion and romance. This extraordinary story is based on real events in 18th century Ireland.
280 pages, Paperback
First published August 1, 2013
11 people want to read
About the author
Paul B. McNulty
13 books8 followersPaul is a Fulbright Scholar and Alumnus of University College Dublin, Ohio State and MIT. He served on the academic staff at UCD from 1972 through 2005. After retirement, he studied Genealogy/Family History and Creative Writing. His diploma project, “The Genealogy of the Anglo-Norman Lynches who settled in Galway,” led to the discovery of a treasure-trove of stories that inspired him to write historical novels based on real events in 18th century Ireland. These include Spellbound by Sibella, The Abduction of Anne O’Donel and A Story of the Bodkin Murders each published by Club Lighthouse CLP, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. The first two novels have been finalists in the William Faulkner Novel Competitions, New Orleans in 2012 and 2013 respectively.
He has also self-published The Genealogy of the Anglo-Norman Lynches… in 2013 and a novella, A Rebel Romance in 2014, both with CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform.
More recently, he has written the first draft of a play, based on an extract from his novel, Spellbound by Sibella. A reading of this play occurred within the Theatre Festival of UCD dramsoc in November 2015. He has also completed a second play based on an extract from The Abduction of Anne O’Donel. His third play based on an extract from his novella, 1798: A Rebel Romance was staged by UCD DramSoc on 18-22 April, 2016 at University College Dublin.
Paul lives in Dublin with his wife, three children and three grandchildrens. The wild splendour of Mayo and Connemara inspires his writing. Links to social media include Facebook and Twitter. His website address is https://ucd.academia.edu/PaulMcNulty
He has also self-published The Genealogy of the Anglo-Norman Lynches… in 2013 and a novella, A Rebel Romance in 2014, both with CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform.
More recently, he has written the first draft of a play, based on an extract from his novel, Spellbound by Sibella. A reading of this play occurred within the Theatre Festival of UCD dramsoc in November 2015. He has also completed a second play based on an extract from The Abduction of Anne O’Donel. His third play based on an extract from his novella, 1798: A Rebel Romance was staged by UCD DramSoc on 18-22 April, 2016 at University College Dublin.
Paul lives in Dublin with his wife, three children and three grandchildrens. The wild splendour of Mayo and Connemara inspires his writing. Links to social media include Facebook and Twitter. His website address is https://ucd.academia.edu/PaulMcNulty
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
December 19, 2015
Mehreen Ahmed's review
Yet another spellbinding 18th-century love story about heirs and heirlooms. The intriguing Spellbound by Sibella delves much deeper into complex politics and policies, adultery, and illegitimacy juxtaposed beautifully with a much finer poetic backdrop. As much thrilling as love itself, are also the captivating daffodils. The soft, sensuous petals adorn the rooms of the castle indifferent to anyone admiring them. Witchcraft, romance, and a book "full on" with facts dribbling out of the Irish history. The nuances of the drama are all projected in an opulent mastery of the language well matched with the plot, as it thickens. Almost a heathen spirit, running through the book as it did in the great works of the Bronte sisters. Much like Heathcliff and Rochester possessing diabolic attractions, McNulty's characters also seem to be portrayed in a similar vein - wuthering, passionate, amoral.
Yet another spellbinding 18th-century love story about heirs and heirlooms. The intriguing Spellbound by Sibella delves much deeper into complex politics and policies, adultery, and illegitimacy juxtaposed beautifully with a much finer poetic backdrop. As much thrilling as love itself, are also the captivating daffodils. The soft, sensuous petals adorn the rooms of the castle indifferent to anyone admiring them. Witchcraft, romance, and a book "full on" with facts dribbling out of the Irish history. The nuances of the drama are all projected in an opulent mastery of the language well matched with the plot, as it thickens. Almost a heathen spirit, running through the book as it did in the great works of the Bronte sisters. Much like Heathcliff and Rochester possessing diabolic attractions, McNulty's characters also seem to be portrayed in a similar vein - wuthering, passionate, amoral.
January 19, 2014
A great weekend read. Try it
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews