Alyson McGrath, owner of Napa Valley California’s McGrath Vineyards, and sponsor of her brother, Neil, America’s Formula One Racing Boat Team, was devastated when Kurt her ex-fiancé’s boat accident had left him in a coma for the past few months. Alyson dutifully spent time reading and talking with Kurt in the nursing home praying he would awake. She wasn’t a fan of the sport to begin with and hated it far more since Kurt’s accident.

Alyson has committed to sponsor the boat for the rest of this season and must go to Dublin, Ireland with Neil and her half sister, Kaitlin, to meet with the other competitors only for business sake. She couldn’t wait to be out of the sport altogether. She didn’t want her McGrath Vineyards to sponsor such a high risk sport.

Alyson arrives in Ireland only to be enchanted with Lord Brendon O’Conor despite herself. She isn’t one to take love or life so lightly after Kurt’s accident. Brendon is a widower with a daughter, Deborah, and claims he’ll never marry. Alyson and Brendon are both surprised at the passion that explodes between them. Alyson must go back to America in a few days time. They agree that they need time to consider the possibilities and will see each other before the Dublin race.

Brendon is a man of his word and visits Alyson at her vineyard. They have a wonderful time exploring her ranch and each other until the phone call that may be the end of their relationship. The next time they see each other is in Ireland for the Dublin race. Brendon is to be the driver of Ireland’s Team, but not if someone from Alyson’s past has anything to do about that.

Irish Mist is one of the best novels I’ve read this year. The ups and downs of Alyson and Kurt’s relationship, the emotional turmoil between Alyson and Brendon, their past experiences, including the across-the-pond relationship, along with speed and danger of racing make Irish Mist intriguing. It has romance, suspense, twists, turns, tenderness, and a fitting ending. The settings whether in California’s Napa Valley or the green of Ireland come to life in Irish Mists only adding more to a wonderful story! Krista Janssen writes a well-rounded story covering all bases with ease. It was my pleasure to take this journey and escape with Ms. Janssen and her wonderfully emotional and true to life characters. Kudos to Krista and Irish Mist! I’m definitely going to be on the lookout for Krista Janssen’s other works!

Reviewed by: Tracey