Bestselling Author Donna Fletcher Crow Announces The Release Of The First Two Historical Fiction Epochs in The Celtic Cross Series, Part II, Ireland: The Pursuit of Peace

    WILMINGTON, NC, January 24, 2022 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Bestselling author Donna Fletcher Crow has announced the release of the first two Epochs in The Celtic Cross Series, Part II, Ireland: The Pursuit Of Peace

The Celtic Cross series moves to Ireland as two young people, Gareth from Scotland and Mary from America, go to work in a reconciliation center in Belfast shortly after the 1969 ceasefire in the Troubles.

In Epoch 5, The Planting of Ulster, Of Visionaries and Builders, Mary returns to Scotland in the summer of 1996, her head brimming with wedding plans. But Gareth has quite different ideas. He is off to work in a reconciliation center in Northern Ireland, made possible by the recent ceasefire in the Troubles. Filled with trepidation, Mary agrees to go with him. But what if those mad Irish start throwing bombs at each other again?

Desiring to understand the history of the conflicts that have torn this beautiful island for centuries, Mary turns to their friend's family journals. In 1610, Calum Lanark, refused the hand of his beloved Deirdre, joins the Scots settlers seeking to make a new life in the Ulster Plantation–where Lady Montgomery introduces planting potatoes into Irish agriculture. Amid new friends and bountiful opportunities, Calum seeks a future where he and Deirdre can live. Until disastrous strife destroys all his efforts.

In Epoch 6, The Hammering of the Inhabitancy, Of Brothers and Strangers, Mary and Gareth continue to struggle with their efforts to help the youth at the reconciliation center in Belfast in 1996, but their work is shattered by sectarian strife. In an effort to understand the roots of the unimaginable atrocities she sees around her, Mary turns to accounts of 17th century Ireland.

In 1639 the Lanark family is torn apart as the sons march off to war—on opposing sides. But at least the women will be safe behind the strong walls of their fortress. Won't they? And then Oliver Cromwell arrives at the head of his New Model Army in one of the most turbulent periods of all the long, troubled history of Ireland.

What Readers say about The Banks of the Boyne, from which the Celtic Cross Series, Part II is taken:

"This book tore at my heart as I read through the bitter history of Ireland. A must read for all who have even the smallest bit of Irish blood. The passion of the Irish people is absolutely amazing."

"Crow is so good at weaving a story one feels as if you're right in the midst of the action! I would recommend this to any history lover! If you are not a history lover…it will make you one!"

"Crow's description of life in Ireland will enthrall readers. The surprise ending shows the complexity of problems facing Ireland."

"Brings a new perspective to Ireland's struggle for peace."

"Gripping historical novel."

"Extremely good!"

"Great read on Irish History."

"Be ready for a heart-rending read."

Speaking about the Irish portion of her Celtic Cross series, Crow said, "I have found trying to tell the long, troubled history of Ireland an enormous, agonizing, but extremely rewarding task. Like my heroine Mary, I have struggled to understand the roots of the strife that has divided this island for centuries.

"The irony of a place filled with such beauty and populated with what are surely the friendliest, most fun-loving people on earth, never ceases to grip me. In many ways this is my story as I grew up puzzled by the news of discord and violence in the land of saints and scholars.

"I also believe this is a very important story for our world. In these days of so much animosity and conflict, we need to learn the lessons of history by seeing the importance of forgiveness, working together, and moving beyond the mistakes of the past."

Crow recently discussed her passion for the stories that drove her to write the Celtic Cross Series in an interview on The Authors Show. The interview, titled as The Vanquishers of Tyranny: Of Patriots and Priests is available in the archive section at The Authors Show site at https://www.theauthorsshow.com.

Donna Fletcher Crow is the author of 50 books, mostly novels of British history. She has taken a number of high-level industry awards for her work. Many of her books have been bestsellers in their categories, including 'A Most Inconvenient Death', which achieved #1 bestseller status in Christian Suspense. 'The Fields of Bannockburn', the epic from which The Celtic Cross Series, Part I: Scotland, The Struggle for a Nation is based, was listed as Fiction Bestseller by Christian Book Distributors and 'The Banks of the Boyne', the epic from which The Celtic Cross Series, Part II: Ireland, The Pursuit of Peace is based, hit #3 Best-Selling Fiction.

'Glastonbury' is her best-known book, which received the prestigious First Place, Historical Novel, award from the National Federation of Press Women. Readers and reviewers have raved about 'Glastonbury', calling it "The best of its kind," "richly fascinating," "beautifully researched," "gloriously evocative," and "panoramic." One Amazon reader said, "WHAT a work! Every reader can be enveloped in the sheer scope and quality, every historian be constantly nodding at the precise detail and accuracy, and every Christian can rejoice in the fullness of scripture. For me it is simply beyond descriptive praise. I would urge all who value truth to treat themselves to a feast."

The Celtic Cross is a 2-part series which begins with Scotland: The Struggle for a Nation. In 4 individual epochs it tells the stories of—'The Keeper of the Stone,' St. Columba; 'The Forger of a Nation,' Kenneth MacAlpin; 'The Refiner of the Realm,' Queen Margaret; 'The Vanquishers of Tyranny,' William Wallace and Robert the Bruce. Watch for all 6 epochs of Part II, Ireland, The Pursuit of Peace, coming early 2022.

The Elizabeth & Richard Mysteries is a literary suspense series using literary figures as background: Rudyard Kipling in 'The Flame Ignites', Dorothy L Sayers in 'The Shadow of Reality', Shakespeare in 'A Midsummer Eve's Nightmare', and Jane Austen in both 'A Jane Austen Encounter' and 'A Most Singular Venture'. Watch for 'A Prodigious Sum of Corpses: Seeking Sanditon at Jane Austen's Seashore', which will take readers to all of Austen's favorite seashore resorts. Accounts of Crow's visits to these sites are available on her blog under the heading "Jane Austen Seashore Tour."

The Monastery Murders Series features atmospheric contemporary crimes with their roots buried deep in the middle ages. Books in the series include 'A Very Private Grave', 'A Darkly Hidden Truth', 'An Unholy Communion', 'A Newly Crimsoned Reliquary', 'An All-Consuming Fire' and the newly-released 'Against All Fierce Hostility.'

The Daughters of Courage, 'Kathryn', 'Elizabeth' and 'Stephanie' is a pioneer family saga based on the stories of Crow's own family and other Idaho pioneers in the Kuna, Nampa and Boise area. A short story on her blog entitled "A Nostalgic Fourth of July" is based on a scene from 'Kathryn: Days of Loss and Hope'.

Where There is Love is a 6-book series of the enduring legacy of love and faith all based on historic people and events. The titles are: 'Where Love Begins', 'Where Love Illumines', 'Where Love Triumphs', 'Where Love Restores', 'Where Love Shines', and 'Where Love Calls'.

The Lord Danvers Victorian true-crime series is an Amazon bestseller in the British Detectives category. Books in the series include 'A Lethal Spectre', 'A Most Inconvenient Death', 'Grave Matters', 'To Dust You Shall Return' and 'A Tincture of Murder'. Donna provides a no-charge download of 'A Tincture of Murder' for those who sign up for her newsletter. More information is available at her website.

Donna Fletcher Crow's awards include:

Where Love Begins, Best Historical Romance, Pinnacle Awards 2019
A Lethal Spectre, Best Mystery, Pinnacle Awards, 2019
Glastonbury, First Place, Historical Fiction, National Federation of Press Women Award of Merit
The Banks of the Boyne, Silver Angel; First Place Historical Fiction, National Federation Press Women
The Fields of Bannockburn, First Place Historical Fiction, National Federation Press Women
Professional Achievement Award, Northwest Nazarene College
Juvenile Books Award of Merit, Idaho Press Women
Top Idaho Author
Pacesetter Award, Mt. Hermon Writers Conference
Outstanding Historical Fiction, Idaho Press Women, National Federation of Press Women,
Idaho Writer of the Year
Best Inspirational Novel, Finalist Romance Writers of America
Writer of the Year, Mt. Hermon Writers Conference

Donna is available for media interviews and can be reached by email at [email protected]. All of her books are available at online book retailers. More information, including a no-charge download of 'A Tincture of Murder', is available at her website at https://www.donnafletchercrow.com.

About Donna Fletcher Crow:

Donna and her husband live in Boise, Idaho. They have 4 adult children and 15 grandchildren living on 3 continents. Donna is a former English literature teacher and lifelong Anglophile. Idahoans with long memories will remember her as a former Queen of the Snake River Stampede, Miss Rodeo Idaho and runner-up for Miss Rodeo America. She is an enthusiastic gardener.

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