Saratoga Reviews

Through all that happens, Connor and Sinead learn about each other, their weaknesses, their strengths, and their opposing plans for their future. Both have the strong, stubborn Irish temper that won’t allow either to give in, and their future looks even more fragile than either wants it to be.

Ms. Nelson has penned a story that is a fantastic read, full of the atmosphere and unique tone of the era in the 1860’s New York, characters that are so life-like you can easily picture them, page-turning events that keep you reading to see what happens next, and a love that is strong and endearing despite all the obstacles Connor and Sinead have to face.

A definite recommend to lovers of the historical genre! If you’ve never read Ms. Nelson’s Scottish Historical Romance (CLAN GUNN: GEREK) and her Medieval Irish Romance (LOST SON OF IRELAND) you will quickly become a fan and search for these books after reading Saratoga Summer: 1863! ***** Five Roses from Kari Thomas, LoveRomances.com

Dorice Nelson has once again proven that she has what it takes to master the feat of writing a story so compelling, so real, so intriguing that you keep turning page after page, not able to put the book down until the last page has been reached – and then you will find yourself wishing that the book hadn’t ended because you aren’t quite read y to leave the story behind. SARATOGA SUMMER:1863 is just that kind of book – and Dorice Nelson is just that kind of writer. Kristie Leigh Maguire, MyShelf.com

SARATOGA SUMMER: 1863 grabs you and won’t let go! You’ll go from the beautiful green hills of Ireland to New York … a city in unrest over the Conscription Law … on to a peaceful, budding, Thoroughbred racehorse ranch in Saratoga. Conner O’Malley is forced to travel to America with his younger brother, Egan, to marry Sinead Cavanaugh in a desperate attempt to form a family to help her keep son and honor her husband’s dying wishes. As soon as he consummates the marriage, he plans to return to his beloved horses in Ireland with or without his bride. After all, he can’t stay with a woman who detests what he loves to do best … train Thoroughbred racehorses. This is the first novel in a series about the O’Malley brothers who wind up in Saratoga during horseracing season. SARATOGA SUMMER: 1863 is a wonderful story of love and sacrifice that will leave you feeling good and grinning from ear to ear. Margaret Marr, Romance At Its Best

SARATOGA SUMMER: 1863 engulfs the reader in the turbulent times surrounding the New York Draft Riots. Unrelenting heat combined with upheaval over the Enrollment Act of Conscription turned New York City into a veritable pressure cooker, liable to explode at any time. Ms. Nelson allows her readers to experience the emotions of this troubled period in time through her descriptive passages. Julie Shininger, eBookIsle

Ms. Nelson has certainly continued to bring forth the best in historical romance that I can honestly say I have ever read. First it was CLAN GUNN: GEREK, and then she did it again with LOST SON OF IRELAND. Now she has not only done it again, but she certainly has clinched her number one spot
with SARATOGA SUMMER: 1863. I don't know how she continues to do it, but I certainly hope that she never stops.

I guess I'm just fickle. I fell in love with Gerek in CLAN GUNN: GEREK, and then when I read Ms. Nelson’s LOST SON OF IRELAND, again I fell in love, only this time with Bruic. As if this isn't bad enough, now I am totally in love with Conner. Ms. Nelson's characters are that strong. They don't give you a chance; you fall head over heels in love with them whether you want to or not.

This is not only true of the heroes of Ms. Nelson's books, but also of her heroines. They are strong women, women who don't rely on their beauty, women of strong character with personalities of their own, women who compliment the men in their lives.

SARATOGA SUMMER: 1863 is a lot more though. It is so rich in its description of a true historical time in America's history that you feel as if you are actually living it. A time in history that perhaps we should not be so proud of, and yet a time that we all should not forget.

Ms. Nelson takes you on a sightseeing adventure through the streets of New York City that can only be described as very frightening, and heartbreaking. She puts you into the mind and thoughts of two newly arrived immigrants from the green countryside of Ireland. Thoughts that are in awe of what they see, hear, and smell. She brings you into their minds as they try to find their way through the throngs of people and try to understand why many of the people who came from their own country, act and behave as they do.

SARATOGA SUMMER: 1863 begins in Ireland, in the summer of 1843. Life is beautiful. The Brennan family is happy working the horses on the O'Malley estate. Then something horrible happens…

Twenty years later Finn receives a note from America. Soon afterwards the eldest son, Connor, and his younger brother, Eagan head for America to meet Connor’s young bride, Sinead, and her young son, Robbie. What awaits the O'Malley brothers is anything but what they were expecting, and certainly enough to make Connor think twice about staying in America. But Sinead is determined to stay. Concerned about Robbie, she doesn't care if Connor goes back to Ireland or not, as they run for their very lives from the rioting gangs.....

If you never read a historical romance again in your life, you have to read SARATOGA SUMMER: 1863. It will absolutely astound you. I cannot put into words the power Ms. Nelson puts into her characters and scenes. Power that will absolutely take your breath away. Review by: 5 Daggers from Sue Hartigan, Member of RIO, All About Murder Reviews

Ms Nelson skillfully paints a horrifying picture of New York City during the riots in July of 1863 that were brought about by mostly Irish immigrants protesting the Conscription Acts. The new family's desperate escape from the riots and subsequent move to Saratoga moves the story along well. However, the romance doesn't move as quickly, as the newlyweds are too busy with everything else to really get to know each other. Sinead and Connor are stubborn people and are quick to let their "Irish temper" get in the way. Although it takes a while for them to warm up to each other, both are characters you will come to admire. Robbie is a delightful little boy who immediately wins Connor's heart and makes it easy to understand why Sinead is willing to go to extremes to keep him with her.
For a satisfying story about love and family, don't miss SARATOGA SUMMER: 1863. - Jennifer Bishop, Romance Reviews Today

This is the third work by Dorice Nelson that I have read for review. SARATOGA SUMMER: 1863 is another in the body of well-wrought tales produced by this writer. Filled with the same gritty colloquy and robust characters, the well-developed story line is advanced on the author's solid research into the time, people and the place portrayed in the work. Writer Nelson uses her maturing talent to craft an engaging product presenting the invidious events of July 1863 in New York City. The reader is caught in the drama of the desperate escape through the riot filled streets en route to Saratoga.

Sinead and Connor are each stubborn, strong-willed individuals who spend much time allowing their 'Irish temper' to get the best of them. The narrative carries the reader along from the opening paragraphs and holds them fast to the last lines in this work crafted with superior prose and superbly fleshed out characters the reader is loathe leaving. I hope to learn that SARATOGA SUMMER: 1863 is the first in a series about the O'Malley and Brennan clans. ***** Five Stars - Reviewed by: Molly Martin, Scribe’s World