Friday, December 20, 2013

A Bit of Irish Music from Pat McDermott's The Rosewood Whistle

Welcome Pat McDermott, author of delightful, warm and witty Irish tales. 
The Rosewood Whistle is a true romance and takes place in such a romantic setting, Ireland. I'm sure you will fall in love with this story just as I did.--J.Q. Rose


I’m delighted to be visiting your beautiful, rosy blog again, J.Q. Thanks so much for having me back! Western Ireland is the setting for my latest release, an adult contemporary romance called  The Rosewood Whistle, a tribute of sorts to Ireland's traditional music. The story is told through the budding relationship of a man and woman given a second chance at love.

I had fun with this one. Each chapter title contains a phrase from an old Irish song I learned as a kid growing up on Mission Hill, an Irish section of Boston.

Like many immigrants, the Irish who emigrated to America helped keep their homeland alive through music. During the 1940s, 50s, and 60s, Irish records grew amazingly popular, especially in New York and Boston. My family wasn’t the only one playing those magical little 45s until they wore out. Almost every flat in my neighborhood’s three-decker homes had music blasting from open windows.



Irish music has it all: ghosts and romance, rebellions and outlaws, drinking and sea songs, death, emigration, and lullabies. No one needs to know the songs (or even be Irish) to enjoy The Rosewood Whistle, though it’s fun if you do. And no worries if you can't guess which tunes I used. I added a list the end of the book. So stop by the pub in the Excerpt below!


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Back of the Book:
Surrounded by Ireland’s music and myths, a widowed American writer meets a tour guide leery of love…

On her own at the end of a long and difficult marriage, Gemma Pentrandolfo still hears the critical voice of her husband taunting her from his grave. To foster her independence, she schedules a summer vacation in County Mayo intending to write her first book, and she’s counting on Ireland for inspiration. An idea presents itself when she tours Achill Island with a silver-tongued tour guide whose good looks prompt her to write more than her high-minded novel: she transcribes her years of longing in a steamy fantasy no one is meant to see.

Years have passed since an accident claimed the self-absorbed wife who scorned Ben Connigan and his music. Since then, the former tin whistle ace has avoided marriage, though he never lacked for female companionship before he traded his high-tech career for the slow-paced life of a hometown tour guide. Ben has accepted the end of his run of discreet affairs, until he takes Gemma touring. Her passion for Ireland impresses him. Her love of Irish music soon compels him to dust off his whistles. Knowing she’ll leave at the end of the summer, he sees no harm in keeping her company—until he dares to dream of spending the rest of his life with her.

But he knows it can’t be, not while the ghosts of their partners still haunt them. Not unless the music and myths of Ireland can help them find their way…

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Excerpt:
Scully tapped his arm. "Go buy her a drink, Ben."

"What?"

"You're staring at her like she's one of them feckin' U F of Os."

"She's windin' your clock, Big Ben," said Tom. "Be said and led by me: paddle the wave when it comes along. Buy the woman a bloody drink."

A vigorous nod bespoke Scully's agreement. "At least give her your business card. She's a Yank. Probably wants to see the sights. Trace her roots and all that shite."

Ben raised a hand. "Back off. I need no advice from a pair of henpecked husbands wearing their wedding rings through their noses."

Undaunted, Scully and Tom tilted their drinks to their smirking mouths. The gleam in their eyes dared Ben to act. Despite their jowls and glasses, they might have been fifteen again.

He wasn't about to reveal the incident with the hose to these two. They didn't have to know he only meant to apologize, not initiate farcical courtship rituals.

So why did a pendulum swing in his chest, its speed increasing with every stroke?

Something to do with her drenched blouse and pants. Would she remember him? Accuse him and his garden hose of lewd behavior? He swallowed a mouthful of beer and wiped his hand across his lips. The pendulum slowed. Aware of the eyes digging into his back, he kicked himself out of his chair and swaggered to her table.

She read her menu through little gold glasses. Tiny laugh lines enhanced her eyes and her curving lips. No lipstick. Ben liked that. She held the one-page card in her long slender fingers. No nail polish.

No paint nor powder, no none at all…

And no wedding ring. Scully was right about that at least.

She frowned at the menu as if she couldn't decide what to order. He thought he might suggest the soup, or perhaps the fish and chips, or maybe…

He'd reached the chair where she'd laid her coat. She sensed him there, for she looked up. Eyes as brown as Belgian chocolate widened in surprise. Her mouth fell open; her cheeks turned crimson. No doubt about it, she knew him. Now what?

Fortune favors the bold, and all. Exploiting her befuddlement, he pounced. "We haven't been properly introduced. I'm Ben Connigan. Might I sit?"

Her eyes returned to their normal size; the red in her cheeks softened to a tea rose hue. She slipped off her glasses and smiled at him, and his heart flopped like a fresh-caught trout.
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The Rosewood Whistle is available on Kindle and in paperback from Amazon U.S. and Amazon U.K
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About Pat:

Boston, Massachusetts native Pat McDermott writes romantic action/adventure stories set in an Ireland that might have been. Glancing Through the Glimmer and its sequel, Autumn Glimmer, are young adult paranormal adventures featuring Ireland’s mischievous fairies. Both books are “prequels” to her popular Band of Roses Trilogy: A Band of Roses, Fiery Roses, and Salty Roses. The Rosewood Whistle is her first contemporary romance.

Pat is a member of the New Hampshire Writers’ Project, Romance Writers of America, and Celtic Hearts Romance Writers. Her favorite non-writing activities include cooking, hiking, reading, and traveling, especially to Ireland. She lives and writes in New Hampshire, USA.

Connect online with Pat:





17 comments:

Pat McDermott said...

Thanks so much for your warm hospitality on this chilly December day, J.Q. I'm delighted to be visiting your beautiful blog again!

Ana Morgan said...

Music is such a powerful medium, Pat, and your title (and cover) are enticing. Best wishes for many, many sales. I'm off to buy now.

Pat McDermott said...

Ana, music is indeed a powerful medium. I hope you hear it in the pages! Thanks so much for stopping by to visit.

J.Q. Rose said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
J.Q. Rose said...

Hi Pat and Ana, welcome to the early risers! "Hear it in the pages" indeed, I did. Thanks Pat for sharing this beautiful story on the J Q Rose blog.
Ana, thanks for stopping in. You'll fall in love with this book.

Unknown said...

Nice to meet you, Pat! I absolutely love your cover, and find your excerpt very compelling. I don't read many romances, but just may have to check this one out. :)

Pat McDermott said...

Nice to meet you too, Heather. I love the cover too. The cover artist outdid herself this time, IMHO. I usually write action/adventure and young adult. The Rosewood Whistle is my first attempt at pure romance. I'm pleased with the results :-) Thanks so much for taking the time to leave a comment Much appreciated!

J.Q. Rose said...

Heather, yes please check it out. Lyrical language and a very romantic setting. I only wish there would be some way we could listen to the music they play at the pubs...I'm sure that will be in the future too. Pat, maybe you should do an audio book for this one with the Irish music added in? That would be so cool!!

Pat McDermott said...

Not a bad thought, J.Q. I'll have to look into that. For now, we'll have to make to with the song list I included at the end of the book :-)

Helena Fairfax said...

I love the sound of your novel, Pat! What a great idea. My family are Irish. My granddad played the fiddle, and my brother plays the Irish whistle. He had his own band and used to tour the pubs round London. He still busks occasionally, especially at Christmas. Loved your tale, and the cover is fabulous. Thanks for intorducing me to Pat, JQ. Happy Christmas!

Pat McDermott said...

Helena, how wonderful to be surrounded by musicians! My family had its share, including me. I belonged to an Irish-American band, years ago, before the kids came along. I had fun working music into The Rosewood Whistle, and yes, the cover is fabulous. The cover artist who designed it is one talented lady. Thank you so much for stopping by. Enjoy the holidays!

J.Q. Rose said...

Aren't blogs wonderful for meeting others? Glad to introduce folks to Pat, a talented writer and friend. Helena, you have a lot in common with her. My bro Jim plays the whistle and the squeeze box in a musical group around his community. Just for fun. No pubs..LOL. Thanks for coming over.

Miss Mae said...

Loved this excerpt, Pat, and the dialogue of the three men. Also of how his heart "jumped like a fresh-caught trout". Sigh! :)

My mom was Irish. Her family even had a Coat of Arms. Maybe that's not impressive, but I always thought it was. :)

And I clogged for years and always felt I was doing my part of the "Irish jig", LOL

Very nice to meet you, Pat, and this story sounds like a winner. :)

Pat McDermott said...

Very nice to meet you too, Miss Mae. I think a Coat of Arms is darned impressive! The McDermotts have one, though darned if I can figure out what the symbols are. My mother's family, the O'Briens, have a fabulous lion on theirs. Thanks so much for stopping by. Happy Holidays, and keep clogging!

J.Q. Rose said...

MM--yes you'll like this story. Hey, I bet I B Nosey could do an Irish jig. He's pretty good at dancing around his zany interviews!!

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