Ellis Island...Review

About the book:
Sweethearts since childhood, Ellie Hogan and her husband, John, are content on their farm in Ireland—until John, a soldier for the Irish Republican Army, receives an injury that leaves him unable to work. Forced to take drastic measures in order to survive, Ellie does what so many Irish women in the 1920s have done and sails across a vast ocean to New York City to work as a maid for a wealthy socialite. 

Once there, Ellie is introduced to a world of opulence and sophistication, tempted by the allure of grand parties and fine clothes, money and mansions . . . and by the attentions of a charming suitor who can give her everything. Yet her heart remains with her husband back home. And now she faces the most difficult choice she will ever have to make: a new life in a new country full of hope and promise, or return to a life of cruel poverty . . . and love.

I love Irish history and the Irish immigration to America has always fascinated me.  Kate Kerrigan addresses it from a perspective I was not familiar with.  When Eileen Hogan's husband is injured and unable to work, she travels to New York to work as a maid for a wealthy woman.  In New York, she is introduced to a life that is drastically different than her own in poor rural Ireland.  She becomes accustomed to running water and electricity, nice clothes and earning her own money.  Missing her husband desperately, she is torn with wanting to stay in comfortable America or return to poverty stricken Ireland and the man she loves.

I appreciated the contrast of life in Ireland and life in America.  Granted, it was life in rich New York and not poor immigrant New York, but nevertheless, the contrast was stark.  I liked the characters.  I would have liked a little more development, especially among some of the supporting cast.  I felt like we really only skimmed the surface of the potential many of these characters have, including John and his family. However, I also understand that this is the first book in a trilogy, so I hope that we will see more of these people soon.

There is incidental profanity, used in context. 

Thanks to Trish from TLC Book Tours for the opportunity to review this book. You can learn more about Kate Kerrigan here.  You can purchase your own copy here.  You can see other reviews and tour stops here.

Tuesday, June 28th: 2 Kids and Tired Book Reviews
Wednesday, June 29th: Life In Review
Tuesday, July 5th: Dolce Bellezza
Wednesday, July 6th: Rundpinne
Thursday, July 7th: Reviews from the Heart
Monday, July 11th: Book Addiction
Tuesday, July 12th: Tina’s Book Reviews
Wednesday, July 13th: Colloquium
Tuesday, July 19th: Raging Bibliomania
Thursday, July 21st: A Cozy Reader’s Corner
Wednesday, July 27th: Peeking Between the Pages

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Read 6/11

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4/5 Stars

Comments

  1. This book looks really good. Thanks for the giveaway and I follow your blog! utahteachersmarket@gmail.com

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  2. I had no idea this was part of a trilogy! Glad to see you liked it. It's on my shelf, waiting to be read or even tucked in my carry-on for vacation next week. ;)

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  3. Please add me to this giveaway list. I appreciate it!

    janezfan (at) yahoo (dot) com

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  4. This book sounds like an amazing read and I would love to read it.
    I follow by google read as cenya2.

    cenya2 at hotmail dot com

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  5. I didn't realize this was part of a trilogy - now I REALLY want to read it!

    Thanks for being on the tour.

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  6. I've been reading more historical fiction and the title caught my eye. From your review this sounds like a book I'd like.

    I follow the RSS feed in my reader and I added you to GFC. Email addy is in my profile.

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  7. This book sounds interesting! I'd love to win.
    diamond in the ruf 31 at gmail dot com

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  8. This book looks intriguing. Thanks for the giveaway.
    -follow your blog via GFC
    mtakala1 AT yahoo DOT com

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  9. I'm looking for some good books to read after my kids go back to college in another 6 weeks and our house becomes quiet again. Thanks for sponsoring this giveaway!
    bkittie at hotmail.com

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  10. I would love to read it. And I'm a GFC follower .

    Thanks!
    Jenn
    learnquilling@gmail.com
    I Love Making Hair Bows!

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  11. I love books about Ireland. Have you read B. J. Hoff's Song of the Silent Harp series? It's an old one but very well written and interesting. I don't read a lot of fiction, but I did enjoy that one.

    New GFC follower.

    Blessings on your week!

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  12. This sounds interesting! Count me in!
    I'm also a follower.

    Margaret
    singitm@hotmail.com

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  13. This sounds great! Please count me in. Thanks so much!

    I follow

    I blogged:
    http://cerebralgirl.blogspot.com/2011/07/book-giveaways-in-blogworld-07-02-11.html

    nfmgirl AT gmail DOT com

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  14. This book sounds so good and I cannot wait to read it! Thanks for the giveaway opportunity!

    I am a GFC follower (Colleen Turner)

    candc320@gmail.com

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  15. looks like a good read
    robinlscott4 at hotmail dot com

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  16. follow you on gfc
    Robin Scott
    robinlscott4 at hotmail dot com

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  17. hoping to take my daughter on the boat ride over to Ellis Island this summer to see the museum and Statue of Liberty. Would love to read this book beforehand.
    Rachel@MeOnATee.com

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  18. Looks like a great book!
    ramblesahm at yahoo dot com

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  19. I follow you on GFC as Ramblesahm!
    ramblesahm at yahoo dot com

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  20. would love to get a chance to read this one - historical fiction is one of my favs

    penguinjo99 at gmail dot com

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  21. GFC follower - Jo Penguin
    penguinjo99 at gmail dot com

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  22. Thanks for the review and giveaway! I love historical fiction. :)

    susanna DOT pyatt AT student DOT rcsnc DOT org

    I'm not a follower yet (GFC seems to be down yet again), but I'll try to come back later and follow.

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  23. This book looks amazing, I've been to Ellis Island and as the relative of an Irish immigrant(s) I can't wait to read this book.
    I follow via GFC
    tweeted-http://twitter.com/#!/HendyMartin/status/89874238269423616
    hendymartin1 at yahoo dot com

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  24. this book sounds awesome!! thank you for the contest!!

    +1 email in profile
    +1 tweeted: http://twitter.com/#!/in_the_hammock/status/89911543369695232
    +1 gfc follower

    Thank you

    inthehammockblog at gmail dot com

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  25. Sounds like a very interesting book - thanks for the giveaway!
    Terry
    timk0113@aol.com

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  26. bakergrl5@yahoo.com

    Would love to read! Thanks for the contest!

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  27. I would love a chance to win this book.
    I follow you publicly via gfc as mamabunny13
    mamabunny13 at gmail dot com

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  28. I am new to your website, but am looking forward to perusing it further. I found you through Frugality is Free which led me to Summertime Under the Stars. Will be reading the blog. I would love to have a copy of Ellis Island.

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  29. Love your blog. I'm following.
    Ann
    cozyintexas@yahoo.com

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  30. I would love to read this book. My great grandparents were from Ireland and came through Ellis Island...I love to read stories like this.

    I also follow you via GFC as dukebb.

    Thanks,
    VaDebby@cox.net

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  31. tweet
    http://2kidsandtiredbooks.blogspot.com/2011/06/ellis-islandreview-and-giveaway.html
    robinlscott4 at hotmail dot com

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  32. I really want this book! Thanks for the giveaway, don't worry, my email is visible! =)

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