Amid the Oncoming Storm
The Irish Fortune Series, Book #3
by Juliane Weber
"A heartbreakingly emotional read. The pages practically turn themselves."
~ Yarde Reviews & Book Promotion
~ Yarde Reviews & Book Promotion
It’s the spring of 1847 and there’s much for Quin and Alannah to look forward to. And yet, the previous years’ hardships have left their mark. The famine that’s had Ireland in its grasp for the past two seasons continues to rage unabated, with hunger and disease sweeping across the land. As thousands lie dying, dissension spreads among the Irish people, the British government’s carelessness and their landlords’ ruthlessness breeding hatred in the poor and the oppressed.
With suffering all around them Quin and Alannah hold onto what happiness they’re able to. But can they trust the people living on their estate?
Set amongst the anguish of Ireland’s most devastating time in history, Amid the Oncoming Storm is a story of hope and resilience in a land struggling to rise from the depths of despair.
“Quin froze, feeling suddenly as if he'd stumbled upon something he had no right to be part of.
"Gentlemen," he said slowly, doffing his hat and doing his best to look agreeable as he peered around the room...”
"Gentlemen," he said slowly, doffing his hat and doing his best to look agreeable as he peered around the room...”
Amid the Oncoming Storm is the third book in Juliane Weber's evocative, award-winning Irish Fortune Series. It can easily be read as a standalone book, as previous events are hinted at within the plot. Set over the span of 1847-1848, we follow Alannah and Quin Williams as they try to survive bad weather and the constant threat of famine alongside their tenants on their family estate.
The story opens with the great news of Alannah's pregnancy. But having previously miscarried, her feelings are an emotional blend of total bliss and wariness. Thrilled at the baby's movements, hopeful that this time all would be well, she can't shake off a niggling sense of apprehension. But she does well in trying to hide her thoughts from her English husband, Quin.
When the couple are invited to spend a weekend at the manor house of acquaintances – the in-laws of Oliver, one of Quin's three best friends from his days in the British army – they welcome the change, even though they don't hold the most positive memories of that family. The undercurrents between the different family members are quite apparent. As expected, the visit doesn't pass without disagreements, but at the end, Alannah has discovered a good friend in Oliver's wife, Anne. However, the arrival of a group of beggars on the doorstep serves as a dark reminder of the harsh realities of life in rural Ireland. When Quin and Alannah provide them with food and a few coins, their hosts are appalled.
Glad to return home, they soon also face new arrivals in their tenant village – starving workers who'd lost families to hunger and disease. Quin allows them to stay, and to work on the farm with the other tenants. But little does he know that amongst the group there are those who wish ’his types’ harm...
Meanwhile, Alannah's pregnancy progresses well, much to her delight, but dark clouds descend again on their happiness. One fairly good harvest helps, but it's not enough to feed a whole country of starving people. And the worry about the next harvest never leaves their minds.
But most worryingly, there are rumours of rebellion by the starving Irish against their British oppressors. And soon, Quin and Alannah realise that these are far too close to home for comfort...
Will they manage to stay on their land whilst the country around them falls apart?
Amid the Oncoming Storm is a truly enthralling novel. The moving plot is heart-warming and heart-breaking at the same time. The story begins calm enough, in the vein of a sweeping family saga, without any major dramas, but it doesn't take long for the reality of the times to rear its ugly head.
Quin and Alannah are a couple who put much store into the welfare of their employees and their tenant farmers. But their good intentions aren't welcomed by everyone, and the supportive work they're doing doesn't count in the rebels’ blind thirst for revenge on anyone English.
They are a really likeable couple, caring, aware of what went on around them, and yet (unlike many in society circles) not uncritical of the government of the day. Reading the papers, both keep themselves informed of the horrors around them – starvation, eviction, harsh sentencing, or a dreadful death on the numerous ’coffin ships’ that take those poor souls to the New World. Through their eyes, we experience the desperation of the Irish population, and the often blatant ignorance (accidental or intentional) of those in charge – of whichever background.
The narrative doesn't paint a pretty picture of the British handling of the times, and the brutal evictions and deportations that happened regularly. But the author also doesn't shy away from laying part of the blame on those Irish who took advantage of the situation – firmly through the eyes of our intelligent, realistic protagonists. A very clever feat by the author.
And whilst we admire the glorious green, fertile landscape, we learn that this beautiful land was not enough to feed an Empire – and the local population.
The amount of research Ms Weber has undertaken is incredible. Not only does she share the darkest details of the situation in rural Ireland in the mid-1840s, but the way she describes it really makes you think. It's a challenge to the reader to discover more about what happened beyond of the basic lines we learn at school.
Amid the Oncoming Storm is a thrilling read – heart-warming and evocative, yet shocking and sad at the same time. But the author doesn't lose herself in blind stereotypes. All the characters are well fleshed out, with their own views and attitudes on full display. Alannah and Quin are caring, yet realistic; Quin's father – the baron – is very old-school English; Mr Murphy – one of the antagonists – is aggressive and vile, but without turning into a caricature. And then there are others whose quirks and foibles gave me a few giggles, much needed given the dark historical background of the novel. And despite the seriousness of the situation, Ms Weber doesn't forget to show us the warmth, hospitality, and friendship of ordinary people, too.
If you enjoy intriguing plots interwoven with real history, you should not miss this truly compelling novel. Trust me, you will learn something new – and enjoy a wonderful story at the same time.
I would definitely recommend Amid the Oncoming Storm to readers who love sweeping family sagas full of drama, history, danger, passion, and ultimately, love.
I Highly Recommend.
Review by Cathie Dunn
The Coffee Pot Book Club
Juliane Weber
Juliane Weber is a scientist turned historical fiction writer, and author of the Irish Fortune Series. Her stories take readers on action-packed romantic adventures amid the captivating scenery and folklore of 19th century Ireland.
Under the Emerald Sky, the first book in the Irish Fortune Series, was awarded bronze medals in The Historical Fiction Company 2021 Book of the Year Contest and The Coffee Pot Book Club 2022 Book of the Year Contest.
The second book in the series, Beneath the Darkening Clouds, was selected as an Editors' Choice title by the Historical Novel Society and was awarded a bronze medal in The Historical Fiction Company 2022 Book of the Year Contest.
Juliane spent most of her life in South Africa, but now lives with her husband and two sons in Hamelin, Germany, the town made famous by the story of the Pied Piper.
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