Readers will be put through the wringer with this epic love story between a woman living on borrowed time and the man supporting her every step of the way. It's a romance of highs and lows , sweet and sexy, with memorable characters. Keep reading to get a tempting taste of March Wind by Mari Carr, along with my impressions of it, then make sure to add this third installment in the Wilder Irish series to your bookshelf!
Even if I’d known I would lose Sunday McCormick Collins so early, I would have married that beautiful woman. What we shared is all I’ve ever wanted for my children and my grandchildren. Love isn’t about the happy ending. It’s about the happiness found each and every day you’re together. – Patrick “Pop” Collins
Padraig Collins loves his bartending job at Pat’s Pub, the Baltimore hangout owned by his equally beloved family. He’s young, carefree, filled with starry-eyed hopes and dreams for his future…which are irrevocably thrown off course when patron Mia Curtis comes into the bar, visibly upset. When she leaves in tears, Padraig follows. He hopes to give the young woman comfort and assurance. What he gets in return is a massive dose of reality.
Mia has a ticking time bomb in her head, an inoperable tumor, with a diagnosis of only six months to live. As Padraig lets her cry on his shoulder, listens to her heartbreakingly detail the things she’ll never get to experience, he’s forced to face some hard facts about the way he’s lived his own life up to this point. Meandering through each day as if youth means immortality, and he has all the time in the world.
An evening of soul-searching leads to a life-changing decision—Padraig will help Mia accomplish everything on her bucket list. He won’t let her die with a single regret. But that goal transforms into something far deeper when Padraig falls in love with the courageous woman. His once endless future shrinks to months instead of years, accompanied by a crushing sense of desperation.
Until they realize life isn’t measured in time. It’s measured in moments...
This story will hopefully widen your definition of a traditional happy-ever-after. Not all of us get the luxury of a lifetime…but that doesn’t mean we can’t have a lifetime’s worth of love in the time we’re given.
EXCERPT:
Padraig came home from the bar. It was well after midnight, but he wasn’t surprised to find Mia sitting in the dark on the couch.
She had taken up residence there right after the visit to see Dr. Richards, and she’d remained there for three days. No amount of cajoling from him, his mom, Kelli, Colm or Pop Pop could budge her.
Mia had gone to a very dark place in her head, and Padraig was starting to fear she’d never come back out again.
“You’re up late,” he said, trying to adopt a casual tone, trying to drag them back to something tolerable. Seeing her like this, quiet, numb, defeated, killed him. Every morning, he woke up and died a little more inside.
He wanted to rage, to scream at her, tell her to snap the fuck out of it, but he couldn’t. Jesus. He wouldn’t.
She was dying.
Padraig had put himself in her shoes countless times over the past two months, and every single time he found himself exactly where she was right now.
Broken. Hopeless. Alone.
He could stay with her 24/7, surround her constantly with his family and friends, and Mia was still going to be alone.
His physical presence, his love, his desire to hold on to her wouldn’t change that. Mia was on a journey that he simply couldn’t take with her. He might drive her to the train station, but that was it. He’d go back home, and she’d go...
Mia seemed to have run out of tears, but Padraig hadn’t. He felt his eyes filling up. He used to pride himself on his strength, his ability to control pain.
Turned out he just hadn’t felt true pain. Until now.
“Want to go to bed?” he asked, unable to hide the huskiness in his voice that betrayed his sadness.
She shook her head but didn’t reply. The past few nights, Padraig had left her alone, let her sleep on the couch, thinking he was respecting her privacy.
He couldn’t walk away from her again.
Dropping down to the couch next to her, he blew out a long breath. “How about a bedtime story?"
She looked at him—really looked at him—for the first time in days, and he latched onto that response as hope.
She didn’t give him a yes or no, but he forged on anyway.
“My Pop Pop always used to tell me this one about St. Patrick. I was named after my grandfather, but he was named after the saint."
Padraig hadn’t thought about the story in years.
“Once upon a time, there was a man named Patrick, and he lived in this magical place called Ireland."
The corners of Mia’s lips tilted upwards at his dramatic fairy-tale voice. “I’m pretty sure Ireland is just a country. No magic."
Padraig pretended to be horrified. “I beg to differ. Ireland is the most magical place in the world—full of fairies and unicorns and leprechauns."
“I stand corrected. Sounds like a wonderful place. Maybe I should move there. I could use a little magic.”
FIND AT GOODREADS here.
MY IMPRESSIONS OF THIS BOOK:
Not many authors would write this kind of romance, but that's why it's so powerful and so memorable. It's not your usual romance, but it still pulls at the heartstrings as it makes its own definition of HEA. It's a definition that's true-to-life, empowering, and requires a box of tissues. From the first page to the last Ms. Carr crafted an epic love story, unconventional but no less satisfying despite its outcome, and it's a story I wouldn't have missed for the world.
Padraig Collins has a good life, lots of friends and family, and is content working behind his family's bar. When it comes to his love life, he's happy to play the field but has yet to find "the one". Over a few weeks he became an acquaintance of a young woman visiting his bar, but one particular night's revelations changes their lives irrevocably. From that one moment Padraig finds out what true love really means. With what little time he has with Mia he embraces life to the fullest, relishing every moment, in gestures both big and small. Throughout his time with Mia each word and deed endeared him to me. His relationship with her started out as friends, but the more time they spent together the closer their hearts became. Once they decided to become lovers he was an intriguing dichotomy of gentle and rough in scenes that had had me feeling warm fuzzies as well as making me me blush. He was everything Mia needed him to be. He was sweet and supportive, making every one of her wishes come true, and for all that he's another addition to my list of book boyfriends.
Mia was born to an uncaring mother and an absent father. The only love she ever had came from her grandmother and once she left this earth Mia found that she only had herself to count on. It's been a solitary existence until she started spending nights at Pat's Pub. Time there meant being with a family, a group of people who through fate and circumstances became a family to her. On the day she received the worst news possible she found Padraig's shoulder to cry on and from that moment on they became a formidable force in living life to the fullest. Each day she overcame the things that used to scare her. She no longer held off until tomorrow as for her there weren't that many tomorrows left. Her journey through the stages of dying were realistically depicted, she had good days and bad, and with each high and low I found myself experiencing the same. In a journey that could've been all about her she made sure to leave behind a legacy that was heartbreaking as well as heartwarming in pushing Padraig to fulfill all his own dreams. It was an expression of true love and had me clapping my hands, while wiping away my tears.
This was an epic love story, featuring powerful emotions and characters you quickly came to care about. Mia and Padraig's journey as a couple was unconventional, but no less satisfying. While living life to the fullest they took time out to smell the roses. Heartfelt talks, scorching encounters, and quiet moments of introspection were nicely balanced with the reality of Mia's time coming to an end. Although I kept hoping the outcome would change I still found myself dragged along by the beautifully nuanced storytelling and a couple whose love will never die!
Padraig Collins has a good life, lots of friends and family, and is content working behind his family's bar. When it comes to his love life, he's happy to play the field but has yet to find "the one". Over a few weeks he became an acquaintance of a young woman visiting his bar, but one particular night's revelations changes their lives irrevocably. From that one moment Padraig finds out what true love really means. With what little time he has with Mia he embraces life to the fullest, relishing every moment, in gestures both big and small. Throughout his time with Mia each word and deed endeared him to me. His relationship with her started out as friends, but the more time they spent together the closer their hearts became. Once they decided to become lovers he was an intriguing dichotomy of gentle and rough in scenes that had had me feeling warm fuzzies as well as making me me blush. He was everything Mia needed him to be. He was sweet and supportive, making every one of her wishes come true, and for all that he's another addition to my list of book boyfriends.
Mia was born to an uncaring mother and an absent father. The only love she ever had came from her grandmother and once she left this earth Mia found that she only had herself to count on. It's been a solitary existence until she started spending nights at Pat's Pub. Time there meant being with a family, a group of people who through fate and circumstances became a family to her. On the day she received the worst news possible she found Padraig's shoulder to cry on and from that moment on they became a formidable force in living life to the fullest. Each day she overcame the things that used to scare her. She no longer held off until tomorrow as for her there weren't that many tomorrows left. Her journey through the stages of dying were realistically depicted, she had good days and bad, and with each high and low I found myself experiencing the same. In a journey that could've been all about her she made sure to leave behind a legacy that was heartbreaking as well as heartwarming in pushing Padraig to fulfill all his own dreams. It was an expression of true love and had me clapping my hands, while wiping away my tears.
This was an epic love story, featuring powerful emotions and characters you quickly came to care about. Mia and Padraig's journey as a couple was unconventional, but no less satisfying. While living life to the fullest they took time out to smell the roses. Heartfelt talks, scorching encounters, and quiet moments of introspection were nicely balanced with the reality of Mia's time coming to an end. Although I kept hoping the outcome would change I still found myself dragged along by the beautifully nuanced storytelling and a couple whose love will never die!
My rating for this is an A+
*I received a copy of this book from the author for review in exchange for my honest opinion.
PREVIOUS INSTALLMENTS IN THE WILDER IRISH SERIES...
The wildly popular Wild Irish series by New York Times bestselling author, Mari Carr, is back and hotter than before!
She's sleeping with the enemy...
After a nasty breakup, Caitlyn Wallace is giving her love life an extended break to focus on her career. The hiatus suits her just fine, until she comes face-to-face with a cutthroat businessman who’s used to getting everything he wants. Now he wants Pat’s Pub—and he’s not taking no for an answer. Caitlyn should despise the arrogant man for threatening her beloved family’s business, but there’s something about Lucas’s dominant nature that has the hidden submissive inside her trembling…and in the sexiest way possible.
What should be a run-of-the-mill real estate acquisition goes off the rails quickly when Lucas Whiting meets the beautiful granddaughter of pub owner Patrick Collins. Lucas never mixes business with pleasure, but that rule is broken the moment he meets Cait. One date turns into two, and soon the couple is thrust into a steamy, life-altering affair for which neither is prepared. One that will ultimately force them to choose between family loyalty and love.
“No show, no contest, nothing. Nothing is more important to me than you."
Ailis Adams couldn’t be more dissimilar from Hunter Maxwell. Quiet to his loud, calm to his frantic, bookish to his street smart…they have no common ground. Except for the fact that Ailis’s boyfriend just ran away with Hunter’s fiancée. So no one is more surprised than Ailis when a friendship flourishes. Pat’s Pub’s resident wallflower discovers she actually enjoys spending time with the bar’s gregarious, attention-seeking musician.
When Hunter lands a spot in February Stars, his big shot at breaking into the music scene, who better to guide him than his new bestie? She’s a sharp businesswoman who grew up on her famous parents’ tour bus. Ailis isn’t keen to leave her quiet life in Baltimore, but she knows the ins and outs of the biz, and even she grudgingly admits no one will have Hunter’s back better than a friend.
However, with one impulsive kiss, everything changes. Ailis’s friendly feelings toward Hunter turn to serious lust…and more. But falling for a musician isn’t a good idea. Fame comes with a price, one Ailis isn’t sure she’s willing to pay. She’s already left behind a life on the road once before, in favor of planting roots close to her family and their beloved pub. Though, her family will always be there…and four walls can’t love her back...
So is home really a place? Or is it where her heart resides…with her gorgeous bad boy rock star?
Ailis Adams couldn’t be more dissimilar from Hunter Maxwell. Quiet to his loud, calm to his frantic, bookish to his street smart…they have no common ground. Except for the fact that Ailis’s boyfriend just ran away with Hunter’s fiancée. So no one is more surprised than Ailis when a friendship flourishes. Pat’s Pub’s resident wallflower discovers she actually enjoys spending time with the bar’s gregarious, attention-seeking musician.
When Hunter lands a spot in February Stars, his big shot at breaking into the music scene, who better to guide him than his new bestie? She’s a sharp businesswoman who grew up on her famous parents’ tour bus. Ailis isn’t keen to leave her quiet life in Baltimore, but she knows the ins and outs of the biz, and even she grudgingly admits no one will have Hunter’s back better than a friend.
However, with one impulsive kiss, everything changes. Ailis’s friendly feelings toward Hunter turn to serious lust…and more. But falling for a musician isn’t a good idea. Fame comes with a price, one Ailis isn’t sure she’s willing to pay. She’s already left behind a life on the road once before, in favor of planting roots close to her family and their beloved pub. Though, her family will always be there…and four walls can’t love her back...
So is home really a place? Or is it where her heart resides…with her gorgeous bad boy rock star?
You met Rory in February Stars. Now read the rest of her story.
Rory Summit should be sitting on top of the world, now that she’s set herself up for super stardom. At the moment her dream comes true, she questions if this is what she really wanted. Life implodes at the unexpected death of her sister, and soon she’s on a plane to Hope Falls to care for her orphaned niece with the help of a man whose heart she broke a year earlier.
Kevin Sanders fell in love with his brother’s new sister-in-law at the wedding. What should have been a one-night stand turned into a casual affair, whenever Rory breezed back into town. There was no denying the two of them were perfect for each other, but for six years they maintained the status quo–neither of them seeking more. That changes when one night…it all goes wrong.
Now they’re forced to put the past behind them for the good of their niece, Angel. Playing house with Rory stirs up those same desires in Kevin, but he’s been down that heartbreak road with her before. And Rory isn’t sure how to convince him that her dreams and her feelings changed the night she made the biggest mistake of her life and walked away from him.
Rory Summit should be sitting on top of the world, now that she’s set herself up for super stardom. At the moment her dream comes true, she questions if this is what she really wanted. Life implodes at the unexpected death of her sister, and soon she’s on a plane to Hope Falls to care for her orphaned niece with the help of a man whose heart she broke a year earlier.
Kevin Sanders fell in love with his brother’s new sister-in-law at the wedding. What should have been a one-night stand turned into a casual affair, whenever Rory breezed back into town. There was no denying the two of them were perfect for each other, but for six years they maintained the status quo–neither of them seeking more. That changes when one night…it all goes wrong.
Now they’re forced to put the past behind them for the good of their niece, Angel. Playing house with Rory stirs up those same desires in Kevin, but he’s been down that heartbreak road with her before. And Rory isn’t sure how to convince him that her dreams and her feelings changed the night she made the biggest mistake of her life and walked away from him.
FIND AT GOODREADS here.
Writing a book was number one on Mari Carr’s bucket list and on her thirty-fourth birthday, she set out to see that goal achieved. Too many years later, her computer is jammed full of stories — novels, novellas, short stories and dead-ends and she has nearly eighty published works.
Virginia native, Mari Carr is a New York Times and USA TODAY bestseller of contemporary erotic romance novels. With over one million copies of her books sold, Mari was the winner of the Romance Writers of America’s Passionate Plume award for her novella, Erotic Research.
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