Under the Wild Sky

by Mary Ryan

Self-published

Mary Ryan is an author who had a significant literary following back in the 1990s with bestsellers such as Whispers in the Wind, Shadows from the Fire and The Song of the Tide. And of course, it was her book Into the West that formed the basis of the screenplay directed by Jim Sheridan.

We haven’t heard from Mary in a while but, after 15 years, she is back on our bookshelves with her newest self-published novel, Under the Wild Sky and readers are excited about her return.

Given the year that’s in it, she has set her novel against the backdrop of the 1916 Rising and its aftermath. It follows the story of young trainee teacher Ellen Healy, who falls in love with Guy Forrister.

However, from the beginning, it’s a relationship with its challenges as Guy is a cadet in the British army.

For their love to flourish, they must confront and overcome the deeply entrenched political and religious beliefs of their time.

Add to the mix Ellen’s brother Harry who, spurred on by the nationalistic fervour gripping Ireland, joins the fledgling Irish Volunteers with his fiancée Deirdre determined to fight alongside him.

Mary Ryan might have been off our radar a while, but she certainly hasn’t lost her touch in this moving novel that is part romance and part historical fiction.

You’ll find copies in Easons and Dubray Books for €12.95 and on Amazon.

Nothing on Earth

by Conor O’Callaghan

Transworld Ireland

Another Irish novelist but this time, we’re delving into a very different era. Conor O’Callaghan’s debut novel, Nothing on Earth raises eyebrows from the first glance of the cover depicting the Irish ghost estates of recent years.

In fact, Conor has essentially updated the Gothic novel with this unique setting.

Narrated by the local priest, it tells the story of a solitary family living in one of these abandoned estates. As they start to disappear one by one, it becomes a real suspense page turner.

He cleverly plays on the eeriness of the setting as well as portraying an assumption of guilt by the priest.

This novel may be described as a little strange and a bit terrifying, but utterly compelling. It’s certainly one we think will be creating quite a buzz in book clubs across the country in the coming months.

The Love of a Lifetime

by Melissa Hill

Simon & Schuster

Heading away on holidays and looking for something a little more relaxed? Well, Melissa Hill is your woman. A bestselling author of chick lit, The Love of a Lifetime is the perfect poolside read.

The main character Beth has a love for Hollywood films and has notions of a life filled with “movie moments”. So when she receives an anonymous takeaway cup with a cryptic message suggesting a meeting at Tiffanys, she assumes it must be Danny, her boyfriend of seven years.

Things have become a bit predictable with Danny, though. She is forced to consider whether he has realised their relationship needs an injection of spontaneity or if, instead, it is her charming new work colleague Ryan with his flirtatious gaze and encyclopaedic movie knowledge. In a journey that brings you through New York’s most memorable and romantic movie locations, this is one to enjoy with a good bar of chocolate.

The House at the Edge of Night

by Catherine Banner

Penguin

If you loved Captain Correlli’s Mandolin, this is the book for you this summer – perfect for popping into the holiday suitcase.

The House at the Edge of Night has just been published in paperback and the story is set on the beautiful island of Castellamare.

Sitting on the side of a hill and rumoured to have survived four earthquakes, the crumbling house on Castellamare is believed to be cursed by the locals.

So when Amedeo Esposito from Florence decides to bring the house at the edge of the night back to life, it causes quite a stir.

Having restored crumbling walls, he opens the doors of the house as a bar in a bid to start a new venture with the beautiful and intelligent Pina.

But the walls have stories – sometimes even miracles – and the house becomes the stage for long-running feuds, great love affairs and unexpected friendships. CL