IRISH ROGUE By Candace McCarthy Zebra Historical Romance December 2001 ISBN # 0-8217-7033-0 {Click here to buy this book} Long time author Candace McCarthy's newest, "Irish Rogue" is set in the mid-19th century against the early American backdrop

Elizabeth Hanlin finds herself with a son after the sudden loss of his father. It's working as a serving girl in the Bread and Barrel Inn that patron John Foley becomes acquainted with Elizabeth. He's widowed and lonely. And Elizabeth is the kind of woman he enjoys the company of, though not for the same reason that many think. Elizabeth agrees to marry John but only after much coercing on John's part. Unfortunately, 5 years later Elizabeth, now known as Lizzie, finds herself widowed with two children and her late husband's plantation to run, Millie's Station. But the plantation is failing so Lizzie calls on her friend Kathleen Quaid at Green Lawns Estate to help. With her husband's approval they send a man from their plantation to help Lizzie get back on her feet.

Conor McDemott is not happy to be going to Millie's Station. For as much as he likes and respects his employers, he doubts the honesty of Kathleen's friend Lizzie Foley. Who could trust a known gold-digger with a scandalous past? Conor is also leery of leaving Green Lawns Estate. Not only does he like his job there but he's secretly been doing research to find his sister and he believes he's got the best lead of his life when he's asked to help Lizzie. It has been Conor's intention to come to American, find his sister then return to Ireland. The money he made along the way would go to helping out back home. But once he reaches Millie's Station, not all is as it appears, nor what he's been led to believe.

"Irish Rogue" is a delightful read with charming characters and solid plot. This book has a bit of everything for readers…an Americana setting, intrigue, mystery, well developed characters, strong plot, interesting secondary characters and a hero with an accent to swoon over. Forget the very young man on the cover. The Conor in the story is a well developed man!