Irish Splendour: Dark Road Home (Edge of Freedom: Book Two) ~ Elizabeth Ludwig

The nightmares of her past have found Ana Kavanagh an ocean away.

Ana Kavanagh's memories of Ireland are mostly of fire an pain. As a girl she survived a blaze that left her an orphan, left her scarred, an left her angry at God. Now in New York, Ana finds a kindred spirit in Eoghan Hamilton, who's struggling with this own anger. His twin sister, Cara, betrayed him by falling in love with his enemy.

Cast aside by everyone, Eoghan hopes to rejoin the Fenians, an organization pushing or change back in Ireland, by securing information against Rourke, the man his sister married. Ana, Cara’s friend, may be his best source, and despite the attraction he feels, Eoghan determines to use the girl's sweet nature to his advantage.

Adding to the danger is specter from Eoghan's own past, one whose thirst for vengeance knows no bounds. Eoghan must choose which road to follow - bitterness or forgiveness - and where to finally place his trust.

　

　

Like its predecessor in No Safe Harbor, this story is immediately climactic from the very first page never relenting to the finale. The cliffhangers that Elizabeth Ludwig successfully incorporates, also lends to her talent of leaving the reader guessing throughout its entirety. Dark Road Home is alive with pure, realistic love that avoids the sugar-coated, repulsive reputations of romance novels. Sewn within a thriller, this work is beautiful, believable and alluring.

It is delightful to see the return of previous characters and settings: from the endearing residents at Amelia’s boardinghouse and the jovial folks at the church, to the intimidating villains in the shadows of the Fenians. Ana, Eoghan, and Brion McCleod are all deeply scarred in different ways, both physically and figuratively.

The landscape is richly detailed. Brion McCleod is led into a small back room at the pub where he meets with The Celt. One can feel the darkness illuminated by a single lantern or a couple of oil lamps just barely to outline those present. From the cozy candle shop and the boardinghouse to the safe haven of the church, the reader is transported straight into the book.

The ending does seem to somewhat echo No Safe Harbor, but it is creative enough to be excused and thoroughly enjoyed. Being so engrossed within this story, it is not exactly clear how this could have possibly been overlooked, but the one thing that appears to be missing is an explanation on the betrayal of an integral figure. There is no closure with this particular matter leaning one way or another in regards to the longtime relationship. Without including any spoilers, let it be known that this is not disruptive, but leaves the reader wondering what really took place and why. Hopefully there is a reason manifested in the sequel next year.

Elizabeth Ludwig is one of my new favorite authors. It is a very curious thing about her own connection to the Irish. Her storytelling in itself is reflective of Irish tradition, putting one in the mind of Frank McCourt. I cannot get over her knack for spinning a tale so genuinely packed with the wit, wrath, wisdom and adventure of true Irish lore. Even in moments of suspense, I find myself laughing at what I am most familiar with in this culture emanating from these characters: the easily activated ire of Ana, the flirtatious wit of Eoghan, and the ceaseless comedic banter and comebacks whether dealing with romance or danger.

It stirs my Irish rage like nothing else to see the ethnically ignorant complaining of their inability to comprehend the character’s personalities, behavior and speech. They are dismissing it as blasé writing or absurdity, rather than allowing room for cultural acceptance and education. You need an open mind to read Chekhov, Camus or Anaya in order to understand their heritage and appreciate their narratives.

Dark Road Home is the most long-awaited sequel on my recent literary horizon. It is challenging to have to wait until March of 2014 for Tide and Tempest. It is impossible to embark on another book for quite some time while these characters and ambiance of Ashberry Street are still fresh and lovingly on the mind.

Elizabeth Ludwig is an award-winning author whose work has been featured on Novel Journey, the Christian Authors Network, and The Christian Pulse. Her first novel, Where the Truth Lies, which she co-authored with Janelle Mowery, earned her the 2008 IWA Writer of the Year honors. This book was followed in 2009 by "I'll Be Home for Christmas," part of a Christmas anthology collection called Christmas Homecoming, also from Barbour Publishing.

In 2010, her first full-length historical novel Love Finds You in Calico, California earned Four Stars from the Romantic Times. Books two and three of Elizabeth's mystery series, Died in the Wool (Barbour Publishing) and Inn Plain Sight (Spyglass Lane), respectively, released in 2011.

Coming in 2012 is Elizabeth's newest historical series from Bethany House Publishers. No Safe Harbor, the first book in the Edge of Freedom Series, will release in October, with two more books following in 2013 and 2014.

Elizabeth is an accomplished speaker and teacher, and often attends conferences and seminars, where she lectures on editing for fiction writers, crafting effective novel proposals, and conducting successful editor/agent interviews. Her popular literary blog, The Borrowed Book, enjoyed a wide readership in its first full year, with more than 17,000 visitors in 2011. Along with her husband and two children, Elizabeth makes her home in the great state of Texas.