Historical Fiction Spotlight: Under the Emerald Sky: A tale of love and betrayal in 19th century Ireland, by Juliane Weber

Available from Amazon UK and Amazon US

Escape to 19th century Ireland in the first book in the Irish Fortune Series, a historical fiction novel that sets the stage for an epic romantic saga. In a land known for its scenery, folklore, myths and legends comes a heart-wrenching family drama set amid the stark contrasts between Britain’s wealthy aristocracy and the poor Gaelic-speaking peasants living on the aristocrats’ land.

It’s 1843 and the former British Army officer Quinton Williams has come to Ireland to oversee the running of his father’s ailing estate and escape his painful past. There he meets the Irishwoman Alannah O’Neill, whose family is one of few to have retained ownership of their land, the rest having been supplanted by the English over the course of the country's bloody history. 

Seeing the injustices of Victorian Ireland, Alannah’s brother Kieran has learned to hate the English and imperialism. Aware of Kieran’s hostility towards the English, Alannah keeps her growing relationship with Quin a secret – a secret that cannot, however, be kept for long from those plotting to end England’s oppression of the Irish people. As the military officer and the heroine seek happiness in the face of hate and revenge, an action-packed romance ensues.

But as the love story develops between Quin and Alannah, disaster looms – the Great Famine that would forever change the course of Ireland’s history. With repeated failure of the potato harvest upon which most Irish families depend, thousands will go hungry, with sickness and starvation sweeping through Irish farms, decimating poor populations for years to come.

Join the strong female protagonist on her journey in an Ireland on the brink of ruin.

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About the author

Juliane Weber is a scientist by training. She holds degrees in physiology and zoology, including a PhD in physiology. During her studies she realised, however, that her passion lay not in conducting scientific research herself, but in writing about it. Thus began her career as a medical writer, where she took on all manner of writing and editing tasks, in the process honing her writing skills, until she finally plucked up the courage to write her first historical novel, Under the Emerald Sky.  Juliane was born in Germany but spent most of her life in South Africa. She now lives with her husband and her two sons in Hamelin, Germany, the town made famous by the story of the Pied Piper.  Find out more (and follow her blog) on Juliane’s website www.julianeweber.com and find her on Facebook and Twitter @Writer_JW