Since I personally know the author who is a fellow dispatcher at another agency and am good friends with the real-life "George," I already knew some of the trip that inspired the book. As a writer myself, I must say that this book is extremely well written. Although I don't fancy romance novels, I did like this, although the steamy scenes were too explicit for me and I didn't like the adulterous theme. But over all, it was a good book. Good debut, Claudia! I also must add that Claudia Thomas is a wonderful woman. She recently served as a critical incident debriefer at the site of the WTC attacks, counselling emergency workers. She took an entire month off from her job to do this. What an awesome lady!

In Irish Hearts the reader is treated to a tour of Colleen Keating's personal world as she sojourns towards new beginnings and refuses to allow her neglectful husband to hold her back from life's adventures. Colleen is a pioneer styled woman living in contemporary American who travels throughout England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland in search of her ancestral roots -- and finding more than she expected. Entangled within a loveless marriage, we empathize with her temptations when she encounters Ciaran Kelly, a handsome Irishman. Both of these star-crossed lovers are bound by commitments and experience the tug of hearts and distress of souls as the irrevocably find their mutual affections requited, yet forbidden. Irish Hearts is a superbly crafted novel of romance and responsibility, of unexpected opportunity and socially required sacrifice.

Well done. Haven,t read a romance in years. So glad I chose this one. The characters were so real Ifelt as though I was part of the story. I hope there is more to come from this author. She has a true feeling of life. As they say on Broadway,"author,author."