![]() Why do we LOVE Ireland? Because it’s GREEN and rugged and awesomely beautiful and ... has a rich history and strong people… and an appealing culture (drink and dance) and stone circles and fences… and huge cows plus you – OMG – fall in love with all of Ireland the minute your feet touch Irish soil! But it's really about her beautiful, resilient, amazing people. The Hills are Alive With Green! For a writer from Arizona, so much green is intoxicating. Not to mention the appeal of Guinness and Irish whiskey! And the music – well, who can listen to a jig or reel without tapping their feet? Or attempting to dance! ![]() I'm all about the Green! I grew up in the U.S. South and get the country music connection as well as clogging to Irish dance. According to my dad, our name Tate was Scots-Irish. But when I was in Ireland and asked about my possible heritage, I was told “Tate? No, maybe marauders from the north or England.” Yikes! Green Revenge! I know, I know, I've been to the two Tate Museums in London. But since I'm a writer, I can claim Tate is Irish, just as my dad thought. And he's in many of my books, not just the Irish ones – see if you can find him. ![]() Breaking News! An epidemic of Green has hit the country! Here's a surprise – the Irish love America! They've even written songs about 'going to America.' So many of their relatives sought refuge here and so many of us claim an Irish heritage, that they embrace this country. And we embrace them right back. Once, on a tour of the remote Aran Islands, our guide took us on a skinny cart path to the very end, where we overlooked the vast Atlantic Ocean. “If ye look closely on a clear day," he said in a rich Irish brogue, "ye kin see all the way to Baston, where me kin live.” You Green up my life! Awww… I’m in love with this mystical green Ireland! What's the question? Green is the answer! When I wrote my Irish Hearts Series, I wanted to include all the green beauty and culture of this rich island, as well as the people's stories of Love, family, loss and belonging. CLAIRE’S EMBRACE, unlikely love and that amazing lace; EMBRACEABLE YOU, Sienna's love, meeting Claire in America, and that amazing lace; SECRET EMBRACE, Claire’s youngest daughter, Brianna, finding love in Ireland, music, and a little lace magic; MYSTIQUE, Claire’s oldest, near-perfect daughter, Danika, and a loving time travel. Look for another MYSTIQUE story later this year. Maybe there’s something to that amazing lace, after all! You can find these Irish stories at my website- http://www.marytateengels.com
Mary Tate |