Corrigans' Pool - Softcover

Ryan, Dot

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0983119716 ISBN 13: 9780983119715

Publisher: Checkered Swan Publishing, LLC, 2011

Synopsis

ELLA CORRIGAN'S despair at being jilted pales in light of what follows after she makes the hasty decision to marry a man she has long avoided. Unaware that a friend's secret act of jealousy is responsible for her bitter heartache, she enters an existence never imagined during sweeter days as Mistress of her father's Savannah River plantation - where a mystery is building around the family's phenomenal natural spring, Corrigans' Pool. . . . The South is embroiled in a bloody Civil War by the time Ella discovers that Corrigans' Pool, on her family's property, is much more than the exquisite pond she had thought it to be all her life, but by the time she learns its dangerous secret, she is trapped by a secret of her own, blackmailed, and powerless against one man's unspeakable evil. Haunted by the threat of scandal, she struggles against the horrors of her new existence, an existence she must keep private even from the very people who could help her. Her life comes full circle when the past she has long blamed for her wretchedness steps unexpectedly out of the darkness to face her . . . FIVE STAR FOREWORD CLARION REVIEW (EXCERPT): Ryan's storytelling ability and masterful use of setting, dialogue, and characterization, adds up to an exquisite piece of historical fiction. Corrigans' Pool manages to blend romance, mystery, humor, and tragedy with flawless precision. The romance is moving but subtle, the mystery is suspenseful, and the story flows smoothly to a dramatic and satisfying conclusion. Readers are sure to be enthralled with this exceptional novel. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

About this title

From the Author:

Awarded 2011 "BOOK OF THE YEAR" in ForeWord Reviews 2011 Awards (romance division)

The first edition of Corrigans' Pool was published in 2009 and in 2010 was named a Finalist in the prestigious Indie Book Awards and also The International Book Awards. It was quite an honor, and a daughter, Tracy, and I flew to New York to attend the Indie Book Awards Ceremony and see the sights.  We made a wonderful discovery while there--WE LOVE NEW YORK and can't wait to go back for a longer visit! Also, had a great time at Book Expo America! In June of 2011, Checkered Swan Publishing, LLC published a second, revised, and slightly longer edition of Corrigans' Poo. If you would like the newer edition, please check the publishing dates and name of publisher when ordering Corrigans' Pool. (New edition published by Checkered Swan Publishing, LLC in June 2011)UPDATE: The latest edition of Corrigans' Pool won prestigious ForeWord Review's 2011 BOOK OF THE YEAR (romance category) .Corrigans' Pool is a Civil War era novel about a young Southern woman, Ella Corrigan, and her struggles to survive the horrors of a hasty marriage to a man she quickly grew to hate; this, in addition to issues of slavery and a tragedy that surround her plantation-owning parents.In the upcoming sequel: Ella, never dreaming she would leave Greenpoole Plantation someday, becomes an unwilling resident in the less than genteel boondocks of  South Texas . . . again in search of redemption that she feels can only be obtained through revenge  . . .

From the Inside Flap:

ELLA CORRIGAN, unaware that a friend's secret act of jealousy is responsible for her bitter heartache, makes a decision that will change her life in ways more horrifying than she could have ever imagined.
      The South in embroiled in a bloody Civil war when Ella discovers that Corrigans' Pool, on her family's property, is much more than the exquisite pond she had thought it to be all her life, but by the time she learns its dangerous secret, she is trapped by a secret of her own, blackmailed, and powerless against one man's unspeakable evil.
 
                                                                 
EXCERPT: Chapter 8. "Sweeter days."
     "For God's sake, Cricket!" Ella strained to maintain a whisper and still be heard. "The minnows are at us. I thought you said Mister Faircloth was coming?"
    "He comin'. He be off the hill 'fore long."
    "Off the hill!" Honor screeched. "Why, that must be a mile away!"
     The pair fumed, knowing they would have to stay put, for if they dragged themselves out of the water now, when he was on the high road, he was sure to see them. Fighting their ballooning attire and flicking at crawly things, they waited.
     "It's a good thing we grew up swimming in this river or we'd really be squirming right now, wouldn't we?" Honor mumbled, trying to straighten her wide straw hat and grab at her skirts as they again shot up around her chin. "What's that on your shoulder?"
    "It's my pet frog," Ella replied, teeth chattering. "Don't you recognize him, dear sister? His little brother has his feet tangled in your hair." The situation was suddenly all too funny and Ella pursed her lips to keep from laughing.
     "Well, guess what?" Honor giggled. "Their other brother is in my drawers, and Heaven help if he gets his little fingers tangled up you-know-where."
     For once, Ella did not scold her. They laughed so hard they had to hold on to each other to keep from falling. When it happened anyway, they went down without a struggle, emerging moments later, laughing, and sputtering, their dripping hats folding around their faces, as they tried to catch their breath amidst their hysterics.
     Moments later, Ella's mouth snapped shut at sight of Victor Faircloth staring silently at her from his buggy not fifty feet away. In full view of him, she and Honor ducked down behind the arrowheads again, and did not move until he turned the buggy around and drove back up the road. After that, Ella guessed that Victor's absence from Greenpoole was testimony to his perception-and to his anger.
 
EXCERPT FROM CLARION FOREWORD REVIEW: Ryan's storytelling ability and masterful use of setting, dialogue, and characterization, adds up to an exquisite piece of historical fiction. Corrigans' Pool manages to blend romance, mystery, humor, and tragedy with _awless precision. _e romance is moving but subtle, the mystery is suspenseful, and the story flows smoothly to a dramatic and satisfying conclusion.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
Jeannine Charier Hanscom
-ForeWord Clarion review-
 
Corrigans' Pool will soon be followed by a sequel, in which many Corrigans' Pool characters are drawn to the boondocks of Texas after the Civil War. 

About this edition

• Publisher: Checkered Swan Publishing, LLC
• Publication date: 2011
• ISBN 10: 0983119716
• ISBN 13: 9780983119715
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 430