GRR Reviews Darlin' Irish: Texas Devlins, Book Two by Lyn Horner

Darlin' Irish is a historical Western romantic adventure featuring an Irish lass Jessie with a gift of precognition that arrived as "visions", and her adventures across the West with her Tye, and a handsome army Captain David. The book is quite entertaining, with a lot of adventure for them to fall for each other, and an evil guy who was really out to get them... The book really has a bit of everything and packed a lot of plot in 300+ pages (and it felt like a bit more than that!)

To recap, Jessie Devlin, with the gift of second sight, had survived the Great Chicago Fire of 1871, but later she had a vision of her being saved by a gentle loving stranger... out West. When her brother Tye was determined to head West to try for a stake in the silver mines, Jessie decided to go with him, against their father's wishes. But another vision gave her doubt... a fiery-eyed madman with black hand reached out for her... But she chose to go, trusting her visions. On the train, they met Captain David Taylor. Originally from Texas, he was banished from his home for joining up with the "wrong side" (i.e. Union). Jessie was sure that David was the kind man from her dreams, but David's personality was nothing like she expected, as David has no taste for her firecracker temper, that reminded him of someone he'd rather forget. However, their journey was interrupted by violence and came to a head in Utah. But the battle was not over, not until a final battle on the plains of Texas.

Both characters are flawed to a degree and their interactions are a delight to read. The "heavy" was not TOO evil, but evil "enough" to make a good opponent for Captain Taylor. Too bad the heavy was introduced really late, like almost mid-book. And yes, you'll come to understand what do the visions mean. The supernatural bits are just light enough to not be creepy nor powerful, i.e. just adds some spice. Tye will find his own love in the next volume. The book is has a few scenes of violence. Several people will die, and many people got hurt. So this is not *that* kind of romance. But it is a fun read.

Category: Historical Western

Primary Plot: Fiery Irish Lass went West with her brother to seek a better life; is the grumpy Captain Taylor man of her dreams? Who is the black hand nightmarish figure?

Tropes: adventure, precognition, triangle, evil ex, scars, kidnapping

Overall Rating:  5/5