In His Irish Eyes

As a counterpoint to the death and destruction of war and to the stress and structure of being a US Navy test pilot, a corporate executive, and a successful business entrepreneur, Bob Touhey writes poems that celebrate the lives and lessons of the quietness of life, the comfort of family and friends, and the unbridled loyalty of animals. Bob's poems span the decades from a New Year's celebration in Times Square during his final year at the US Naval Academy to the recent death of several of his domestic animal friends. They span the globe from the foothills of Virginia to the teaming life of Bratislava, Slovakia, in Eastern Europe. Former university professor and Bob's friend, Steve "Doc" Troxel, has written short explanations to help the reader understand the context for each of Bob's poems so that the reader can better understand the gentler side of this decorated Vietnam War hero. Doc, who helped Bob get his wartime memories out of his head and onto paper in Seawolf, Where You From? uses his knowledge of the darker times of Bob's life to present a more well-rounded view of this American patriot and hero.

This historically accurate novel deals with the love that the Irish have for family and homeland and of the tremendous sacrifice they make so future generations can have a better life. It follows Elizabeth OMalley, as a child, from Ireland at the height of the "potato famine," through the growth of America, to the time when, as an old lady, she returns to unite her family in Ireland. To escape the devastation caused by the "potato famine," Elizabeths family pools their resources in order to provide passage for her and her mother and father to sail to America, the "land of milk and honey." After enduring many hardships on the crowded, storm tossed ship, they arrive in New York and much to their surprise, they encounter tremendous prejudices against the Irish. After working in the smelly tanneries, Elizabeths father is bitten by "gold fever" as word comes that the precious metal has been discovered in California. Their trip west is fraught with many dangers including Indian attacks and sand storms. However, friendships are formed with other family groups and Elizabeth finally finds happiness as the wife of one of these fellow travelers. Work in the mines is hard and dangerous and when she finds herself a widow with a small child, she migrates to Montana. She again finds happiness as the wife of a wealthy copper mine owner. However, she always has a yearning to return to her homeland, so when she finds herself old and alone again, she makes arrangements to gather the remains of her deceased family members together and unite them in the rocky soil of her beloved Ireland.

A private tour through the world of Frank McCourt's Pulitzer Prize winning memoir.

Ex-cop Callahan Garrity was more than happy to leave the Atlanta P.D. behind her to start her own business -- the House Mouse cleaning service -- and to indulge in a bit of freelance private investigation on the side. However, she owes too much to her former partner, Bucky Deavers, to refuse his request that she accompany him to the department's annual St. Patrick's Day bash. But the celebrating ends abruptly -- and badly -- when Bucky is shot during an apparent liquor store robbery while they're on the way home. Callahan is devastated -- and the talk that perhaps Bucky was dirty only intensifies her pain. Now, with the help of her feisty Mice, she's determined to find the culprit and clear her friend's name, even if it means piercing the veil of secrecy surrounding an Irish fraternal police organization that might be brewing up something far more lethally potent than green beer.

Meet Lady Hope, a spirited soul with a lineage that traces back to the high kings of Ireland, where destiny's call beckons her toward the thrill of adventure, just as she stands on the precipice of an arranged marriage that threatens to stifle her free spirit. Unwilling to yield to a life of conformity, she embarks on a daring journey, taking on the guise of a young lad. Accompanied by her loyal yet cowardly dog, Lady Gwyneth, she sets forth, unaware that the path to adventure can be treacherous... especially when it leads straight to matters of the heart. Enter Colin of Shanekill, a master of charm who can effortlessly captivate any woman's attention and conquer the mightiest warriors in battle. Despite his prowess, true love has remained elusive, or perhaps he's been adept at evading its grasp. Tasked by the enigmatic Irish Devil to locate Lady Hope, the wayward aristocrat who has fled from her responsibilities, Colin stumbles upon a young lad named Harold, caught in dire circumstances. He takes the young lad under his wing, providing not just care, but also imparting the essential lessons of manhood and the art of winning a woman's heart. As fate twists and identities are unveiled, the lines between charmer and the impulsive Lady Hope blur. Will Colin, the charmer, succeed in tempting the daring and impetuous Lady Hope, or will she, in turn, teach him the most profound lesson of all—how to finally embrace and experience the transformative power of true love?

A tragic death, a murder trial and a 170-year-old mystery – but what really happened? Shortly after Maria Kirwan died in a lonely inlet on Ireland's Eye, it was decided that she had drowned accidentally during a day spent with her husband on the picturesque island. This inquest verdict appeared to conclude the melancholy events that consumed the fishing village of Howth, Co Dublin, in September 1852. But not long afterwards, suspicion fell upon Maria's husband, William Burke Kirwan, as whispers of unspeakable cruelty, an evil character and a secret life rattled through the streets of Dublin. Investigations led to William's arrest and trial for murder. The story swelled into one of the most bitterly divisive chapters in the dark annals of Irish criminal history. Yet questions remain: Does the evidence stand up? What role did the heavy hand of Victorian moral outrage play? Was William really guilty of murder, or did the ever-present 'moral facts' fill in gaps where hard proof was absent? Now, this compelling modern analysis revisits the key evidence, asking sober questions about the facts, half-facts and fantasies buried within the yellowed pages of the Ireland's Eye case files.

Book 1 of the Romance in Ireland series. (No cliffhanger endings.) Rachel Kincaid, a business consultant from Columbia, Kentucky, is trying to pick up the pieces of her life after a bad breakup with her long-time boyfriend, Steve. Desperate to put distance between herself and reminders of Steve so she can move on, Rachel goes to Ireland with her best friend. Ciaran O’Reilly is an Irish actor on a dizzying rise to fame. With his classical tall, dark, and handsome looks, his wealth, and fame, he could have any woman he wants. However, he’s grown tired of the one-night stands and fame seekers only looking for the attention that comes with dating a celebrity. He’s ready for more… When her vacation puts Rachel in Ciaran’s path on more than one occasion, she struggles to guard her heart against the sexy Irishman’s charms. Can she put aside her past and learn to trust Ciaran? Can Ciaran trust Rachel is not just another fame seeker after her ex-boyfriend shows up and causes all Hell to break loose?