Early Praise for Russell Rowland
“Dear Mr. Rowland, thank you for the poems you gave me … There is a lot happening here (i.e. in the poems), and I hope you will be able to give poetry some major attention. Clearly you already have. Yours truly, Donald Hall.”
—Postcard from Donald Hall, 14th U.S. Poet Laureate
Dr. Rowland is an artist at interweaving the threads of nature, with mankind’s journey through it, into a tapestry that connects the earthly to the spiritual. New Hampshire’s hills, streams and settlements form the panorama for his artistry. Surveying that scene, Rowland often peers through the present into the past, with its inhabitants and activities—as one reflects when coming across the old stone pasture walls that run through the Granite State’s deep second-growth woods.
—Shirley Anne Leonard, Editor, WestWard Quarterly magazine
Seven-time Pushcart Prize nominee Russell Rowland writes from New Hampshire’s Lakes Region, where he has judged high-school Poetry Out Loud competitions. His most recent book, Wooden Nutmegs (2020), is also available from Encircle Publications. He is a grandfather and a trail maintainer for the Lakes Region Conservation Trust. In Magnificat, his second full-length poetry collection, Rowland “magnifies,” in the traditional sense, that spiritual presence embodied by the hills and lake country of New Hampshire. Topography, habitats, and seasons provide abundance, as well as a healing renewal of life.
Rating
Almost could see the beautiful green of Ireland a very good mystery Inter gained in several ways had do many things going on at once plus the feeling of knowing everyone at the B and B. Would love to stay at Shepherds myself.
I enjoyed this story of Jordan and her uncle and their adventures in Ireland. Having a “tour” of some of the famous local attractions added so much to the story.
This time architect Jordan Mayfair’s travels have taken her to Ireland with her travel-writer uncle (last time around, the locale was Provence). A thoroughly entertaining and well-written cozy mystery. Can’t wait for the next one in this series.
I loved this book! I had read the first Jordan Mayfair mystery, "Pursuit in Provence," and as soon as I finished it, I wanted to read more! I read a lot of books in this genre, and with many of these books, it’s easy to spot "who done it" early on, which takes all the fun out of a mystery. With "Secrets and Shamrocks," the story was so well-written that I kept changing my opinion of "who done it" throughout the book. I also enjoyed learning about Irish history. Ms. Gobbell struck just the right balance between history and story, only including historical elements that advanced the plot or added to the background of Ireland. In other words, I did not find it necessary to skip large sections of boring history to get to the good parts; it was all good! I am very much looking forward to the next installment in Jordan’s travel adventures.
I loved this book! I read some of the other reviews and although I agreed with what most said, I think a couple gave away too much. Most of the fun in reading a mystery like this one is not knowing what happens next. I look forward to the next book in the series.
Author and professor Phyllis Gobbell has already exhibited the fine art of writing mysteries–both fictional and real life mysteries. As an English professor and experienced writer, she creatively demonstrates the craft of mystery writing, bringing her characters to life with engaging dialogue and elegant, picturesque imagery. Secrets and Shamrocks demonstrates not only Gobbell’s skillful storytelling, but also her understanding of Irish life and culture, including religious doctrine and practice as well as the tumultuous Irish political history. This story was a joy to read! –Perry C. Cotham, Ph. D.
A novel set in Tipperary Ireland. Take a trip to Ireland in this delightful novel, where drama unfolds, scenes transport you and a mystery unfolds. Based on an actual trip to Ireland and replicated beautifully, this novel will delight and capture your heart. Its a long way to Tipperary but not a long way to buying this book ….
