Lorna Peel – Author of historical fiction and mystery romance novels set in Ireland and the UK
Author Bio
I was born in England and lived in North Wales until my family moved to Ireland to become farmers, which is a book in itself! I live in rural Ireland, where I write, research my family history, grow fruit and vegetables and keep chickens and a guinea hen.
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Contact Lorna
Social Media Links
Website – http://lornapeel.com
Blog – https://lornapeel.com/blog
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Twitter – https://twitter.com/PeelLorna
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Historical Fiction by Lorna Peel
The Fitzgeralds of Dublin Series
The Fitzgeralds of Dublin Series is a gritty family saga set in Victorian Ireland. The series brings to life the dark underbelly of Victorian Dublin society and gets to the heart of the social issues of the day.
A Scarlet Woman: The Fitzgeralds of Dublin Book One
Can an idealistic young doctor and a fallen woman find love when Victorian society believes they should not?
Dublin, Ireland, 1880. Tired of treating rich hypochondriacs, Dr Will Fitzgerald left his father’s medical practice and his home on Merrion Square to live and practise medicine in the Liberties. His parents were appalled and his fiancée broke off their engagement. But when Will spends a night in a brothel on the eve of his best friend’s wedding, little does he know that the scarred and disgraced young woman he meets there will alter the course of his life.
Isobel Stevens was schooled to be a lady, but a seduction put an end to all her father’s hopes for her. Disowned, she left Co Galway for Dublin and fell into prostitution. On the advice of a handsome young doctor, she leaves the brothel and enters domestic service. But can Isobel escape her past and adapt to life and the chance of love on Merrion Square? Or will she always be seen as a scarlet woman?
Published: 6 September 2017
Amazon ASIN: B074LJJWJW
Universal Amazon Book Link: http://mybook.to/ascarletwoman
Paperback ISBN: 9781547079698, 401 pages
Link to Excerpt
A Suitable Wife: The Fitzgeralds of Dublin Book Two
Can Will and Isobel hold the Fitzgeralds together when tragedy and betrayal threaten to tear the family apart?
Dublin, Ireland, 1881. Will and Isobel Fitzgerald settle into number 30 Fitzwilliam Square, a home they could once only have dreamed of. A baby is on the way, Will takes over the Merrion Street Upper medical practice from his father and they are financially secure. But when Will is handed a letter from his elder brother, Edward, stationed with the army in India, the revelations it contains only serves to further alienate Will from his father.
Isobel is eager to adapt to married life on Fitzwilliam Square but soon realises her past can never be laid to rest. The night she met Will in a brothel on the eve of his best friend’s wedding has devastating and far-reaching consequences which will change the lives of the Fitzgerald family forever.
Published: 5 September 2018
Amazon ASIN: B07FDB3B3W
Universal Amazon Book Link: http://mybook.to/asuitablewife
Paperback ISBN: 9781723286810, 422 pages
Link to Excerpt
A Discarded Son: The Fitzgeralds of Dublin Book Three
Can Will and Isobel right the wrongs of the past without hurting those closest to them?
Dublin, Ireland, 1881. Isobel Fitzgerald’s mother, Martha, marries solicitor James Ellison but an unexpected guest overshadows their wedding day. Martha’s father is dying and he is determined to clear his conscience before it is too late. Lewis Greene’s confession ensures the Ellisons’ expectation of a quiet married life is gone and that Isobel’s elder brother, Alfie Stevens, will be the recipient of an unwelcome inheritance.
When a bewildering engagement notice is published in The Irish Times, the name of one of the persons concerned sends Will and Isobel on a race against time across Dublin and forces them to break a promise and reveal a closely guarded secret.
Published: 7 August 2019
Amazon ASIN: B07V1C41X2
Universal Amazon Book Link: http://mybook.to/adiscardedson
Paperback ISBN: 9781089743835, 395 pages
Link to Excerpt
The Fitzgeralds of Dublin Series: Books 1 – 3 Box Set
This Kindle box set contains the novels A Scarlet Woman, A Suitable Wife and A Discarded Son
Published: 2 April 2020
Amazon ASIN: B086R19BXB, 1221 pages
Universal Amazon Book Link: http://mybook.to/FitzgeraldsSeries1-3
A Forlorn Hope: The Fitzgeralds of Dublin Book Four
Can Will and Isobel bury their differences with those estranged from them and unite in a time of crisis or are some rifts too deep to heal?
Dublin, Ireland, September 1883. The rift between the Fitzgeralds deepens when Will’s father threatens legal action to gain visiting rights to his three grandchildren. But Will, Isobel and John are brought unexpectedly together by Will’s mother when Sarah’s increasingly erratic behaviour spirals beyond their control.
Isobel is reunited with a ghost from her past unearthing memories she would rather have kept buried while the fragile marriage of convenience orchestrated by John becomes more and more brittle before it snaps with horrifying consequences.
Published: 24 September 2020
Amazon ASIN: B08JGX4TLP
Universal Amazon Book Link: http://mybook.to/aforlornhope
Paperback ISBN: 9798688108330, 365 pages
Link to Excerpt
A Cruel Mischief: The Fitzgeralds of Dublin Book Five
Can Will and Isobel prevent events of the past from influencing the present and future?
Dublin, Ireland, October 1885. The fragile peace within the Fitzgerald family is threatened when Dr Jacob Smythe becomes one of Will’s patients, angering his mother. But in attending to the elderly gentleman’s needs, Will inadvertently reunites Sarah with an old adversary and Isobel discovers she and Dr Smythe have an unexpected and tragic connection.
When Alfie receives a card on his twenty-ninth birthday, the recognisable handwriting and cryptic message shatters his hard-won personal contentment. Has a figure hoped long gone from his life returned to Dublin to wreak a cruel mischief on all those who banished him? Is Alfie’s ambition of becoming a doctor about to be derailed when he has less than a year left at Trinity College?
Published: 2 April 2021
Amazon ASIN: B091LBYBDH
Universal Amazon Book Link: http://mybook.to/acruelmischief
Paperback ISBN: 9798732069006, 393 pages
Link to Excerpt
Into The Unknown: A World War Two Romance
Can love survive war?
London on 3 September 1939 is in upheaval. War is inevitable. Into this turmoil steps Kate Sheridan newly arrived from Ireland to live with her aunt and uncle and look for work. When she meets Flight Lieutenant Charlie Butler sparks fly, but he is a notorious womaniser. Should she ignore all the warnings and get involved with a ladies man whose life will be in daily danger?
Charlie Butler has no intention of getting involved with a woman. But when he meets Kate his resolve is shattered. Should he allow his heart to rule his head and fall for a nineteen year old Irish girl while there is a war to fight?
Private conflicts and personal doubts are soon overshadowed. Will Kate and Charlie’s love survive separation, parental disapproval and loss?
Published: 28 November 2019
Amazon ASIN: B081K2VF5B
Universal Amazon Book Link: http://myBook.to/intotheunknown
Paperback ISBN: 9781670076434, 371 pages
Link to Excerpt
Brotherly Love: A 19th Century Irish Romance
Can Caitriona and Michael’s love survive when it is opposed by the warring families in their small Irish village?
Ireland, 1835. Faction fighting has left the parish of Doon divided between the followers of the Bradys and the Donnellans. Caitriona Brady is the widow of John, the Brady champion, killed two years ago. Matched with John aged eighteen, Caitriona didn’t love him and can’t mourn him. Now John’s mother is dead, too, and Caitriona is free to marry again.
Michael Warner is handsome, loves her, and he hasn’t allied himself with either faction. But what secret is he keeping from her? Is he too good to be true?
Published: 1 February 2017
Amazon ASIN: B01NCR1FNN
Universal Amazon Book Link: http://mybook.to/brotherly-love
Paperback ISBN: 9781541002692, 312 pages
Link to Excerpt
Mystery Romance Novels by Lorna Peel
A Summer of Secrets
A manor house mystery romance crackling with sexual tension, family secrets and ancestral intrigue.
Sophia Nelson returns to her hometown in Yorkshire, England to begin a new job as tour guide at Heaton Abbey House. There, she meets the reclusive Thomas, Baron Heaton, a lonely workaholic.
Despite having a rule never to become involved with her boss, Sophia can’t deny how she finds him incredibly attractive.
When she overhears the secret surrounding his parentage, she is torn. But is it her attraction to him or the fear of opening a Pandora’s box that makes her keep quiet about it?
How long can Sophia stay at Heaton Abbey knowing what she does?
Published: 1 March 2018
Amazon ASIN: B07B51ZTH2
Universal Amazon Book Link: http://mybook.to/ASummerOfSecrets
Paperback ISBN: 9781986599504, 364 pages
Link to Excerpt
My Name Is Rachel
Rachel wants to find her birth mother. Who wants to stop her?
Rachel Harris was abandoned as a baby on the steps of a church-run children’s home, fostered and later adopted. Who was her birth mother and what were the circumstances which led her to give up her baby?
Searching for someone who doesn’t want to be found seems a hopeless task until Rachel meets Matthew Williams, a Church of England clergyman.
Then the anonymous and increasingly frightening attempts to end their relationship begin. Are these actions connected to the mysterious events surrounding Rachel’s birth?
Published: 18 March 2020
Amazon ASIN: B085HZMBC8
Paperback ISBN: 9798621779115
Universal Amazon Book Link: http://mybook.to/MyNameIsRachel
Link to Excerpt
Only You
Jane is the wrong side of thirty and divorced. It’s definitely all over for her…isn’t it?
Jane Hollinger is divorced and the wrong side of thirty – as she puts it. Her friends are pressuring her to dive back into London’s dating pool, but she’s content with her quiet life teaching family history evening classes.
Robert Armstrong is every woman’s fantasy: handsome, charming, rich and famous. When he asks her to meet him, she convinces herself it’s because he needs her help with a mystery in his family tree. Soon she realises he’s interested in more than her genealogy expertise. Now the paparazzi want a piece of Jane, too.
Can Jane handle living — and loving — in the spotlight?
Published: 24 April 2019
Amazon ASIN: B07Q24PTTS
Universal Amazon Book Link: http://mybook.to/onlyyou
Paperback ISBN: 9781094641393, 255 pages
Link to Excerpt
Praise For Lorna Peel’s Novels
“A Scarlet Woman by Lorna Peel is a beautiful, gritty tale of love, despair, and learning to trust, set in Ireland in the 19th Century.” Linda at Books of All Kinds
“I have just read her second book after this and oh boy what a read both these books are. I bought the second book before I finished the first so I could go straight on to it. You won’t be sorry. Happy reading.” Amazon Reviewer on A Scarlet Woman and A Suitable Wife
“Great characters, solid writing credits and a very enjoyable book.” Discovering Diamonds on Brotherly Love
“This is an intensely readable book and one that was impossible to put down. There was always an air of expectancy, of danger over the burgeoning relationship and, as a reader, I was constantly adjusting my expectations of what would happen next. Needless to say, this is the hallmark of an excellent writer, which Peel clearly is.” Into The Unknown reviewed by Grant Leishman for Readers’ Favorite
“An Emotional and Poignant Romance – Beautifully Done.” Tina Williams at A Reader’s Review Blog on Into The Unknown
“A very enjoyable read with an unusual setting, a believable romance, main and secondary characters with depth, genealogy research and family secrets and intrigue. Well written and highly recommended.” Goodreads review of A Summer of Secrets
“Lorna Peel has written a fascinating story. She gives just the right amount of information and perfectly times when the reader is ready for something new. This kept me hooked and made me want to keep reading. Within the mystery and romance also lies the truth and the full story really shocked me. This is my first book by Lorna Peel and after reading The Image of Her (republished as My Name Is Rachel) I know it won’t be my last.” Anniek at With Love For Books
“…this was a fabulous novel. Put it on your reading list. It will not disappoint.” Victoria at The Romance Reviews on Only You
Interview Q&A
WHICH GENRE DO YOU WRITE IN AND WHY?
I write historical fiction and mystery romance novels. I love writing romance but I don’t write insta-love. I prefer to write about relationships which develop over time, so I send my heroes and heroines on a journey in search of their happy ever after. As well as that, I’ve always had an interest in history and genealogy and I’m lucky that I have very varied ancestors – I’m of Irish, Dutch, Welsh, German and Scottish descent – so I like to combine romance with history and/or genealogy in my novels with plenty of suspenseful twists and turns to keep everyone on their toes!
WHO HAS BEEN THE BIGGEST INFLUENCE ON YOUR WRITING?
A teacher (inadvertently) and myself and my own stubbornness. I was never encouraged to write imaginative essays at school and one teacher even refused to read or mark any of their class’ imaginative essays. I wasn’t going to allow that teacher to discourage me from even trying to write, but it wasn’t until I left school that I began writing and I’ve been writing ever since.
WHO IS YOUR FAVOURITE AUTHOR AND WHAT IS IT THAT REALLY STRIKES YOU ABOUT THEIR WORK?
Historical novelist Sharon Kay Penman. The amount of research which goes into her books must be phenomenal but it never shows.
HAS YOUR COUNTRY OF ORIGIN/CULTURE INFLUENCED YOUR WRITING?
The city of Dublin plays a large part in my family history so I’ve always wanted to write some novels set there. My paternal ancestors were from Dublin and I’ve done a lot of research on the family tree as well as research into the areas where they lived and also into what they did for a living. I’ve also lived in Dublin, so having all that work done and being able to visualise streets and buildings and know how long it takes to walk from A to B was a great help to me when I sat down to write A Scarlet Woman. I still had to undertake a great deal of research for the novel but the groundwork was already complete.
DO YOU HAVE A FAVOURITE TIME OF DAY TO WRITE?
I used to write very late at night as I’m a night owl. More recently, it’s been in the afternoon (when possible) and in the evening. I must be getting old!
WHAT IS THE BEST THING ABOUT BEING AN AUTHOR? AND THE FLIP SIDE – WHAT IS THE WORST?
The best thing is when someone you don’t know tells you they enjoyed reading your novel(s). That makes all the hard work worthwhile. The worst is promotion. It has to be done, but I’d rather be writing.
IS SOCIAL MEDIA AN ESSENTIAL CHORE OR SOMETHING YOU ENJOY? WHICH FORUM DO YOU PREFER?
I do find social media an essential chore. I don’t like Facebook, it’s far too Big Brother-like IMO, but I need a Facebook Author Page. I much prefer Twitter as tweets are short and to the point and, so far, Twitter doesn’t restrict who can see them.
I recently joined Instagram, but my favourite social media platform is Pinterest. I can spend hours there. I have boards for all my novels, one board with some great old photos of Dublin (which was an enormous help to me in writing A Scarlet Woman and A Suitable Wife) and many more, including my favourite TV series, films, music etc.
IF YOU WEREN’T AN AUTHOR, WHAT WOULD YOU BE UP TO?
Something involving historical research. I love research! I’m a research nerd!
IT’S THE LAST DAY AND THE EARTH IS FACING OBLIVION – WHAT BOOK WOULD YOU READ?
If the earth is facing imminent oblivion, I don’t think I would be reading! I would be saying goodbye to family and friends instead. But if I was stuck on a desert island, my books of choice would be Sharon Penman’s Welsh Princes Trilogy – Here Be Dragons, Falls The Shadow and The Reckoning. I was brought up in North Wales so I’ve either been to or know of the places mentioned in the novels.
Quick Facts
Favourite Authors: Sharon Penman, Phil Rickman, C.J. Sansom, Thomas Hardy
Favourite Books: Here Be Dragons/Falls The Shadow/The Reckoning by Sharon Penman, Star of the Sea by Joseph O’Connor, Sovereign by C.J. Sansom, Daughter of Lir by Diana Norman
Favourite Films: Hitchcock’s Rebecca and The 39 Steps, Last of the Mohicans, Lawrence of Arabia
Favourite TV Programmes: State of Play, Ripper Street, Six Feet Under, Blackadder, Robin of Sherwood
Favourite Colours: Purple, Green, Deep Red – anything bold and not wishy-washy!
Favourite Animals/Birds: Chickens and guinea fowl (I keep four chickens – three hens and a cockerel – I also have one guinea hen). I love dogs, too. I haven’t owned one for a long time, but I hope to again one day.
Favourite Food: Pasta or most Italian foods – I prefer savoury to sweet!
Favourite Way to spend a Saturday Night: Pizza and Scandi-noir on BBC4!
Libraries
The paperback edition of A Scarlet Woman: The Fitzgeralds of Dublin Book One is available to borrow at Colchester Library in Essex, UK and at Wivenhoe Library in Essex, UK. Just enter my name into the Essex Libraries online catalogue to reserve it. A Scarlet Woman is also available to borrow at Killarney Library and Kenmare Library – both in Co Kerry, Ireland – and at Deansgrange Library and Stillorgan Library – both in Dublin, Ireland.
The paperback edition of A Suitable Wife: The Fitzgeralds of Dublin Book Two is available to borrow at Mohill Library, Drumshanbo Library, Carrick-on-Shannon Library and Ballinamore Library – all in Co Leitrim, Ireland. A Suitable Wife is also available to borrow at Killarney Library and Kenmare Library – both in Co Kerry, Ireland.
The paperback edition of A Summer of Secrets is available to borrow at Donegal Central Library in Letterkenny, Co Donegal, Ireland. A Summer of Secrets is also available to borrow at Raphoe Branch Library in Co Donegal, Ireland and is also available to borrow at Manorhamilton Branch Library in Co Leitrim, Ireland and Dromahair Branch Library in Co Leitrim, Ireland. A Summer of Secrets is also available to borrow at Kenmare Library and Tralee Library – both in Co Kerry, Ireland and at dlr LexIcon in Dún Laoghaire, Co. Dublin, Ireland.
The paperback edition of Brotherly Love is available to borrow at Colchester Library in Essex, UK. Just enter my name into the Essex Libraries online catalogue to reserve it. Brotherly Love is also available to borrow at Ballinamore Library, Co Leitrim, Ireland and at Mohill Library, Co Leitrim, Ireland. Brotherly Love is also available to borrow at Killarney Library and Kenmare Library – both in Co Kerry, Ireland – and at Sligo Central Library in Sligo, Ireland and at Eltham Library one of South Taranaki District Libraries in New Zealand.
The paperback edition of Only You is available to borrow at Ballinamore Library, Co Leitrim, Ireland.
The paperback edition of New Blood (now republished as A Summer of Secrets) is available to borrow at Colchester Library in Essex, UK. Just enter my name into the Essex Libraries online catalogue to reserve it. New Blood is also available to borrow at Sligo Central Library in Sligo, Ireland and at Hawera Library one of South Taranaki District Libraries in New Zealand.
Libraries Ireland is a shared library management system which allows anyone with a public library card borrow and reserve items from any public library in the Republic of Ireland. All 30 library authorities are part of the service – you can see the full list on this page. Search the Libraries Ireland online catalogue.
My books can be suggested or requested for purchase for your local library via the library’s website, usually in the catalogue section, or contact your library directly. The details required for libraries to purchase and stock my paperback books are:
Title: A Scarlet Woman: The Fitzgeralds of Dublin Book One
Author: Lorna Peel
Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform
ISBN: 9781547079698
Title: A Suitable Wife: The Fitzgeralds of Dublin Book Two
Author: Lorna Peel
Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform
ISBN: 9781723286810
Title: A Discarded Son: The Fitzgeralds of Dublin Book Three
Author: Lorna Peel
Publisher: Independently Published
ISBN: 9781089743835
Title: A Forlorn Hope: The Fitzgeralds of Dublin Book Four
Author: Lorna Peel
Publisher: Independently Published
ISBN: 9798688108330
Title: A Cruel Mischief: The Fitzgeralds of Dublin Book Five
Author: Lorna Peel
Publisher: Independently Published
ISBN: 9798732069006
Title: Brotherly Love
Author: Lorna Peel
Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform
ISBN: 9781541002692
Title: Into The Unknown
Author: Lorna Peel
Publisher: Independently Published
ISBN: 9781670076434
Title: A Summer of Secrets
Author: Lorna Peel
Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform
ISBN: 9781986599504
Title: My Name Is Rachel
Author: Lorna Peel
Publisher: Independently Published
ISBN: 9798621779115
Title: Only You
Author: Lorna Peel
Publisher: Independently Published
ISBN: 9781094641393
