Lenlea, County Armagh, Ireland 1905. When her family is torn apart by religious intolerance, personal tragedy, and explosive secrets, young Eileen O’Neill is determined to reclaim the Yellow House where her family had been happy and bring her broken family back home

As war is declared on a local and global scale, Eileen cannot separate the politics from the personal impact of the conflict. Her choice is complicated by the influence of two men. James Conlon, a charismatic and passionate politcal activit is determined to win Irish independence from Great Britain at any cost, appeals to her warrior’s soul.

But Eileen also finds herself drawn to Owen Sheridan, the wealthy and handsome black sheep of the pacifist family who owns the mill where she works, and who believes that peace can never be achieved through violence.

The choice that Eileen makes will change the course of all their lives and give her a true understanding of herself. Set in Ulster in the early 20th century, this novel brings to life the conflicts leading up to the birth of the border that divided the island of Ireland, and still exists today.

Ellen Jane Hayes Conor, my grandmother, was a tremendous inspiration in my life and for the character of Eileen O’Neill. 

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

A family’s future is in the hands of one very brave young Irishwoman in this accomplished debut set between WWI and the growing violence of the Irish war of independence. Eileen O’Neill inherits a lifetime of struggle and heartbreak when her family is ripped apart by war, disease, mental illness and greed. And if civil war and family strife weren’t enough to deal with, Eileen is torn between James Conlon, a passionate Irish nationalist, and Owen Sheridan, a British army officer and the son of a wealthy family. As the war’s presence in her life intensifies, Eileen continues to weigh her heart’s pull against national pride, family loyalty, class divisions and her own spirit. This novel delivers the best of both worlds: secrets, intrigue and surprising twists will keep readers flipping the pages, while Falvey’s insight and poetic writing tugs at the heartstrings of the most cynical audiences. (February) Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Reviews

“Set in the tumultuous years before and after World War I, The Yellow House is an impressive debut that will appeal to readers of Irish family sagas. Falvey skillfully takes major events and reduces them to a personal level, focusing on the effects of World War I and religious unrest in Ireland on one woman and the people around her.” (Historical Novels Review, May 2010 )

“THE YELLOW HOUSE is an eloquently written story of the emergence of hope and love in a time of struggle and confusion in Ireland. It avoids the ever-present pitfalls of drowning us in a history lesson while not ignoring the richness of that very history. With her debut novel, Patricia Falvey breathes life back into an Ireland that has nearly vanished from memory. For that, I am grateful.” (Robert Hicks, New York Times bestselling author of The Widow of the South and A Separate Country )

“…Falvey tells a good story along the way. A host of interesting characters, surprising but plausible plot developments, and deftly incorporated details of the Irish struggle for independence add up to debut novel sure to please fans of historical romance.” (Kathy Piehl, Library Journal on The Yellow House )

“It is rare for a first-time novelist to tackle historical events in as refreshing a manner as Patricia Falvey does in The Yellow House….Take your time reading The Yellow House, you’ll be sad to see the last page.” (Irish America, June/July 2010 )

“This novel delivers the best of both worlds: secrets, intrigue and surprising twists will keep readers flippng the pages, while Falvey’s insight and poetic writing tugs at the heartstrings of the most cynical audiences.” (Publishers Weekly on THE YELLOW HOUSE )

“[O]ne of the best historical fiction novels I have read in years. . . . I simply could not pull myself away from this book. It took me back to classics such as Gaskell’s North and South and the heroine Eileen had so many of the qualities that I have always loved in dear Tess of Hardy’s Tess of the D’Ubervilles. When one book can bring me back to two of my favorite books of all time that are both absolute classics, I am in awe. This book kept me emotionally invested until the very end. . . . Wonderfully written, magically created, it could only come from a true Irish lass and to be her debut novel. . . .amazing. I loved it . . . every page.” (Stiletto Storytime, March 14, 2010 on The Yellow House )

“…You can often tell where a book’s plot and characters are going. But so many times I was astonished to find that what I expected on the next page was a complete surprise. Falvey held my attention with suspenseful events that constantly amazed me…THE YELLOW HOUSE is a powerful book, full of strongly drawn characters that exemplify vitality, humanity, and passion for life. They are so realistic, I felt like I knew them.” (Frank West, Irish American News )

“The early scenes of Eileen’s and James’ lawless exploits for the Catholic resistance make for thrilling reading….The book serves as a provocative reminder of the tangled strings of family, war and familial war, and also…a splendid example of old-fashioned, minimal-bodice-ripping romance.” (Joy Tipping, The Dallas Morning News, February 14, 2010 on The Yellow House )

“Intelligently plotted, with engaging characters, the novel offers a fresh view of the highly dramatic Revolutionary Period in Ireland. The well-researched history illumines but never smothers the storyline. Small details bring the era to life with stunning clarity. The writing is lucid and accessible, occasionally even lyrical. This is a very rewarding first novel and I look forward to reading more from Patricia Falvey.” (Morgan Llywelyn, author of Lion of Ireland, Pride of Lions, Grania, The Last Prince of Ireland, and The Irish Country series on THE YELLOW HOUSE )

“If you like historical fiction, with great flourishes of families destroyed and remade, this is a classic.” (The Review Broads on The Yellow House )

“…Falvey very successfully weaves together the politics, history, and landscape of Ireland in this period…Falvey brilliantly illustrates the cultural, political, and economic conflicts that result in erecting Ireland’s North/South dividing border. The well-researched history of the period emerges through the characters, their conflicts, and their choices. The story is absorbing and satisfying historical fiction.” (Sacremento Book Review & San Francisco Book Review, February 2010 on The Yellow House )

“Patricia Falvey draws on her North of Ireland roots to put a human face on the turning point in 20th century Irish history. A moving novel and singular achievement.” (Mary Pat Kelly, author of Galway Bay, on THE YELLOW HOUSE )

“THE YELLOW HOUSE was extremely interesting from an educational perspective. It brings to life the struggles of individuals and communities seeking freedom.” (Cecie O’Bryon England, The Washington Times, 2009 )

“The characters are full, rich and real and the history of Ireland feels authentic. The author refrains from delineating between the good guys and the bad guys. She allows the reader to make their own decisions and I liked that. The Yellow House is a winner. I just can’t shake the memory of it and that’s a good thing.” (Andrea Sisco, Minneapolis Insight Examiner, March 2, 2010 )

“A host of interesting characters, surprising but plausible plot developments, and deftly incorporated details of the Irish struggle for independence add up to a debut novel sure to please fans of historical romance.” (Library Journal on The Yellow House)