De Ierse vallei

by Kimberly Cates, Toby Visser (Translator)

American Eve Danaher is devastated when she loses her daughter in a bitter custody battle and four-year-old Victoria is whisked to Europe out of her reach. Eve counts the days until Victoria turns eighteen, dreaming of their reunion. But years of lies have transformed the horse-mad girl Eve loved into an angry stranger. Hopes for reconciliation shattered, Eve goes to the west of Ireland in a quest to find the peace that has eluded her for so long. But fate has other plans. Elite steeplechaser Michael Halloran left the circuit after a tragic accident, to found Glenammura Farm, a haven where he nurtures troubled children and wounded animals. The handsome horseman teaches Eve the power of love. But can Eve trust it enough to find her way back to her daughter with the help of Michael’s healing magic and a horse named Innisfree? A horse no one thought could be tamed…

Genres: Romance, Horses, Contemporary, Ireland, Fiction

400 pages

First published July 1, 2000

About the author

Kimberly Cates lives in Illinois with her family.
Pseudonyms: Kimberleigh Caitlin and Kim Cates.

Reviews

[Deblieck Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hoe verder ik las hoe mooier het werd.

[Tina · Rating 5 out of 5]

At the start of this book I was convinced there was absolutely no chance that the H and h would ever find their way to each other. Eve, who traveled from America to Ireland for some quiet time to herself, and Michael, the ex horseman, could not possibly have made a worse impression on each other. Eve was nursing a heart left battered when her daughter Victoria was ripped from her loving arms some 14 years earlier by the girl’s heartless father. Michael had given up racing after he blamed himself for a horrible accident that had maimed his best friend. Two such troubled hearts, in the end, healed each other. Along the way Eve and Michael managed to turn around the life of Rory, one of the wounded children Michael helped on his farm Glenammura and Rory paid his love forward by saving Innisfree, a frightened horse who was thought to be untamable. This story brought me to tears so many times because of the love that the characters shared and the selflessness with which they demonstrated that love. This is truly one of the best books I’ve read in a very long time. Ms. Cates has always been a favorite author, but I truly believe this is one of her best efforts. It’s beautifully written with fully fleshed out primary and secondary characters who seem to come to life on the page. I definitely recommend this book. This book was provided by the author without any requirement for a review, positive or otherwise. All opinions are 100% my own.

[Eileen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fly Away Home by Kimberly Cates is much more than a romance; it is an amazing story that will draw on all your emotions. The story grabbed me from page one, not letting go until I turned the last page. Despite the pain, sorrow, and heartache, there is also healing, hope, and love. When you give someone the gift of love, it multiplies ten-fold. This book deeply touched my heart. This is a difficult review to write because words can never do this story justice. I have read and enjoyed works by Kimberly Cates in the past, but they were historical romances. It seems that this author can write in any genre and create a must read story.

This book takes you on a tour of Ireland with an experience tour guide; a haunted castle, a handsome hunk, colorful secondary characters, Irish horses, and of course a wee bit of magic. It's the story that feels essentially Irish; a heartfelt romance with tear inducing sweetness, with a hint of Celtic sadness. It's a story about a woman losing her way and finding herself, about damage and survival, heartbreak and hope, and the ultimate triumph of love.

Ms. Cates wrote a very sweet, poignant story with much angst, some laughter and lots of feelings. She had me in tears one moment, then anxious, and finally laughing. I highly recommend Fly Away Home to other readers.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.

[Patricia Solla · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story is all about a woman, Eve, who has lost custody of her daughter, Victoria. The story opens with Eve attending Victoria's high school graduation. Eve has not seen Victoria since Victoria's father sued for full custody of her at 4 years old. Chad, Victoria's father, is the son of very wealthy parents, had nothing to do with Victoria and her mother for those first 4 years. Not married, Chad did not support Eve and Victoria. Eve was just scrapping by with supporting Victoria and herself. After an accident involving Victoria, Chad swept in took Eve to court and won full custody of Victoria. Even when Eve had the means to try and take Chad back to court, she couldn't find them as Chad had the means to escape to wherever to keep Victoria away. Of course, while Eve send letters and presents, Chad kept everything hidden from Victoria and just bad mouthed Eve at every question from Victoria about her mother. Things come to a head after the graduation and Victoria's reaction to seeing her mother. Needing to just get away and think, Eve takes a 'vacation' to Ireland. What an adventure that follows. Ireland is magical and Eve is swept up in the world of horses, therapy, abusive parents and a romance - all filled with excitement. There's a wonderful HEA and that's all I going to say - Enjoy. I received a copy of this book as an ARC and am voluntarily giving this review.

[Avid reader Di · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best books I have read this summer

What a treat is was to open the pages of this wonderful romance and immerse oneself in the magic and love that occurs between Eve and Michael. The author is an artist using words to paint such wonderful pictures of Kilrain and the surrounding areas of Ireland. The castle setting is intriguing as are the people who are nearby. Eve is a wonderful character and the author really lets the reader get emotionally involved with her and those around her. The novel is filled with a wonderful depth of characters, Bridely who owns the castle, Michael Halloran who runs a therapy farm and Rory who is a teenage boy looking for someplace and someone to love.
The story has its highs and lows and I could not put it down until I read the last page. It felt like I was there with the characters as they spoke and made decisions. It is not often that a book can draw one in so completely that all is forgotten around the reader. This is a must read if you like romance, horses and imagery.

[Christel Van de beek · Rating 5 out of 5]

In één ruk uitgelezen, dit boek heeft me volledig in zijn greep gehouden. Het verhaal is een meesterlijke mix van romantiek, pijn en heling, waardoor het al mijn emoties aansprak.

De personages zijn prachtig uitgewerkt, met diepgang en ontwikkeling die je echt meevoeren in hun reis. De liefde die ze ervaren is zowel intens als kwetsbaar, en de momenten van gebrokenheid zijn aangrijpend en herkenbaar.

Wat dit verhaal bijzonder maakt, is de balans tussen verdriet en hoop. Terwijl de hoofdpersonen worstelen met hun verleden, vind je ook de kracht van liefde en de mogelijkheid tot heling. De schrijfstijl is poëtisch en meeslepend, waardoor elke pagina een genot is om te lezen.

Dit boek is niet alleen een romantisch verhaal, maar ook een ode aan de kracht van emotionele groei. Een absolute aanrader voor iedereen die houdt van verhalen die je aan het denken zetten en je hart raken.

[Lisa Arnold · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was much better than I was expecting. It starts off with a woman being given the brushoff by her teenage daughter who has just graduated. The woman decides to take a holiday and heads off to Ireland to stay in an ancient tower while the owner is in hospital. If you were expecting soppy romance this is not the one for you but it does tell the story of how a group of broken people and a horse with some serious issues learn to trust each other and in the process all of their lives are enriched. Throw in an old lady who is in love with a ghost and her gargoyle ugly pug and you have an interesting story. Well done

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

Eve os heartbroken that her her daughter whom is now 18 wants nothing to do with her . Her saughter father took her from her when she was 4 years old. So Eve decides to go to Ireland and stay in the castle while the owner is in hosp that where she meets Michael and learns what love is and it exist. She find out her daughter is in Ireland and maybe just maybe Eve can have full happiness with her daughter involved too.

I enjoy this author historicals this my first read by her outside that genre really enjoyed it

[Charlene · Rating 5 out of 5]

An all around great Read! Laughter and sadness, love and hope, lots of interesting and complex characters. Ireland and horses! Such a great combinations! A must read!

[isa · Rating 5 out of 5]

super mooi!

[Tracy wittman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was absolutely on of my favorites....i even wrote it down in a journal so I would rememember!

[Bcgrad · Rating 5 out of 5]

Favorite Quote:
"The human heart...could open wider & wider to bring people into its warmth, that the farther it reached the stronger it got, the more beautiful it became."

[Marry Szenasi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Redelijk goed, een makkelijk boek

[♥AmandaDarlin♥ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very romantic, simple, and a good book!

[Ldlimes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mistakes can work out.

[Bonnie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting book. A couple of unexpected twists. Likeable characters.

[Marijke · Rating 4 out of 5]

Heerlijk boek met alle verdrietige en mooie momenten.....

[Marianne Jay · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was really a good book.

[Serena · Rating 5 out of 5]

i liked this book alot very good but i was hoping mother and daughter would renuite