My new novel is now for sale: 6 x 9, 510 pages, 140,000 words, $21.95, $26 media mail; $27 priority mail from me autographed. The books should arrive sometime within the next week! This is a big book with a gorgeous cover designed by Stephannie Beman. Within the next week the book should be available on Amazon.com  The Kindle will be $8.99 on Amazon within the next few weeks when I receive the file to download.

These are the blurbs on the back book jacket: 

 

This is the story of Mary Margaret Kathleen Kelly O’Reilly, a young Pagan Catholic born with a veil (second sight) in Dingle, Ireland in 1798. This romantic historical tale begins in an Ireland still under British rule, with the oppression of Roman Catholics, and great bitterness among the Irish people, who desire most of all freedom from the British Crown. Our heroine’s life has many twists and turns, numerous triumphs and tragedies. At a young age, Maggie finds herself torn between her passion for her young smuggler and a handsome soldier of the Crown. The story is rich in the history and drama of the 1800s in Ireland, Europe and America between 1798 and 1871.

"The Irish hold a special place in the formation of America. They crossed the Atlantic with a passion for living to make a difference in their new world. Such is story of Mary Margaret Kathleen Kelly O'Reilly, born with special powers to see beyond what others might see. She lived her life fully with conviction and knowledge of what wonders lay ahead. Her story evolves from immigrant struggles, to seeking justice for slaves and women, while raising a family full of tragedy, love, laughter and humility. It's the story of America and the people who made this country great."

Maggie Linton

 Program Director

SiriusXM Book Radio

The work on this novel started in 2003 when I spent the spring reading books about Irish history, England, Napoleon, Wellington, early America, the War of 1812, the Druids, herbs, tenant farmers, British rule, Irish immigration, the American Revolutionary War, slavery, abolition, the Underground Railroad, the Irish Famine and the Gold Rush, in addition to the size of ships that were used to bring the Irish to America. I watched countless videos on all these subjects, and that summer I went to the Ireland for the seventh time, this time with my friend Susan Scott. We spent a week touring various Irish cities and counties, (I did kiss the Blarney Stone) and another week in Dingle, Ireland where we stayed at a local bed and breakfast, for it is in Dingle  that the story of Mary Margaret Kathleen Kelly O'Reilly begins on November 7, 1798.

I'm nearly half Irish, since I'm Irish on both sides. My maternal grandmother was fully Irish, and my paternal grandfather was Scot-Irish. When I took a bus tour of Scotland in 1984 the bus driver claimed that all the Scots are really Irish, since it was the Irish that initially settled in the Highlands of Scotland centuries ago. I'm also English on my father's side and German on my mother's side. However, the Irish immigrated just about everywhere and settled all over the world, as perhaps you may already know. First perhaps, because of persecution of one sort or another when the British came a-conquering and stole their lands, plundered, raped and murdered the Irish people. Learning some of those details made me rather ashamed of my English blood for a time. I loved reading about ancient Ireland and their wonderful customs. Of course, I saw the week folk myself when I was a child in Kansas City, so they evidently immigrated right along with the Irish. Or perhaps it's because of my Irish blood? That seems perfectly logical to me! Years ago, a medium once told me that I was psychic primarily because of my Celtic blood. Weren't the Germans Celts too?

I loved writing this book. In the beginning I listened to a lot of Irish harp music to put me in a magical mood to write a story about a lass born with a veil on the Emerald Isle. Of course, when you're a writer there is always a bit of you in each and every character you create and I loved developing all the characters in PASSION AND PRINCIPLE, which was first called A WOMAN OF PASSION, by the way. But after due consideration, I realized that title made the book sound like something a bodice-ripper and it's really not a bodice-ripper sort of novel at all. This is my literary novel. I wanted to write a story about a heroine's entire life instead of just writing about bits and pieces of her life. My hope is that in reading PASSION AND PRINCIPLE you will get to know Maggie O'Reilly rather well as you share in her tragedies and her triumphs.  I look forward to hearing from you think of my novel. I hope you love it as much as I do. I really do!

To order an autographed copy call 703-373-7353 or email me at pattiemclaine@gmailcom I accept checks, cash and all major credit cards.

Also, this month I'm doing a sale on my memoir, COSMIC CONSPIRACY - Psychic to the Rich and Famous for $12.50 plus shipping, 6x9 paperback, 410 pages, and on BITTERSWEET SUMMER - Paula's Story for $12.50, 6x9, 400 pages, either or both autographed from me. For another $5 with either book you will be able to receive a copy of THE RECYCLING OF ROSALIE, 5.8x8.5, 220 pages. 

You can read more about me and my books at www.patriciamclaine.com 

I look forward to hearing from you.