Only with Blood by Therese Down (Book Review)

Only with Blood

By Therese Down

(received in exchange for an honest review)

Genre- Fiction / Christian / Historical

Published by- Lion Fiction

Copyrighted- 2015

Number of pages- 313

Age Group- Adult 

Description of book- paperback, listed price- $14.99, ISBN 978-1-78264-135-3

Jack Flynn.  Caitlin Spillane.  Donal Kelly.

Their lives are about to connect in Only with Blood, by Therese Down.

Jack Flynn lives in Tipperary in the new Republic of Ireland.  He is a farmer, who is dying of tuberculosis, and he wants a wife who can give him a son.

Caitlin Spillane is a high school student who is going to be forced by her father to marry Jack.  She will do it, but at what cost to her?

Donal Kelly is an IRA activist, who has fallen in love with Caitlin.  He wants to save her from her circumstances.

What will happen in their lives?  How many people will be affected by their actions?

Read an excerpt.

About the Author-

Therese Down currently works as the Head of English in a High School in England.  She currently lives in Worcestershire and has been teaching English Literature and Language for over 20 years.

My thoughts-

Only with Blood was an interesting read. 

I liked learning more about Ireland in the 1940's, when there was a lot of political turmoil.  The historical aspect was interesting, but I was captivated with the people, Jack Flynn, Caitlin and her family, and the outsider, Donal Kelly. 

Jack and Caitlin get married, but their age difference is so great (Caitlin is still at the local school) that they really don't have a marriage.  They are able to have a working relationship, which is important, because Jack is dying of tuberculosis.  I am sure the relationship would have been different if he had not been so sick.  I don't think that Donal helped their relationship or a chance of a relationship, because he wanted Caitlin.

Therese Down did a good job of evenly adding the political turmoil and Jack and Caitlin's relationship.  When I was reading a chapter about politics, I wanted to learn more about Caitlin and Jack, and vice versa.

I was surprised by the ending.  I can't tell you what it was, but Jack became my favorite character, even though he purchased Caitlin from her father.  I recommend this book to those who like history and family.

Disclosure of Material Connection- I received Only with Blood, by Therese Down, for free from the Kregel Publications’ Blog Tour.  All links were current when posted.  I was not required to write a positive review.  The opinions I have expressed are my own or those of my family.  I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.