Born in Fire is the first in Nora Roberts Born In Trilogy. The trilogy is about the lives of three women with ties to life in Western Ireland. This first book, Born in Fire, tells the story of Margaret Mary (Maggie) Concannon, the eldest Concannon sister, who is an artistic glassblower who has dreams of becoming a glass sculptress.

Maggie Concannon is a no-frills kind of girl. A classic beauty, who favors jeans and flannel shirts, is known for her strong, out-spoken free-spirited and temperamental personality. But along with those traits comes a woman who is deeply passionate, loyal and protective for those who she loves. There are times she comes across as flippant or rude, but quickly realize she is really a haunted and wild soul.

Maggie’ father Tom is the shining light of her life. Her father, who she was very close to, always encouraged Maggie’s love for glass art. To show his support for her craft he sent her to Venice to study glassblowing, much to her mother’s resentment.

The heartbreak of her father’s death rocked Maggie’s world. In his dying words, he had made her promise to follow her dreams and to ensure her sister Brianna did the same.

Their lives have been shadowed by their parent’s unhappy marriage. Maggie’s mother was angry and carried great resentment that her life did not turn out as she had planned. Riddled with past mistakes by her parents, Maggie has no notions or interest in love or marriage based on what she witnessed as a child. But underneath the hurt, Maggie mourns silently for the mother who does not love her. Unable to trust anyone other than her sister, retreats to her studio making glass sculptures.

Rogan Sweeny is a sophisticated businessman from Dublin. As the owner of an art gallery, he supports and shows work by Irish artists. When he first sees one of Maggie’s work, he is determined to sign her up. Not prepared to walk through the door of opportunity, Maggie refuses to compromise her art for fame and becomes suspicious of Rogan’s intent. Exasperated by her lack of trust and desire for acclaim, Rogan works to prove himself by allowing Maggie success on her own terms. Before he realizes it, he falls in love with Maggie and will not give up until they are together.

Both are strong personalities and know what they want. They are not without their conflicts, and by no means perfect. The interactions between Maggie and Rogan were hilarious and endearing. The truth is that she craves to love and be loved in return. Her art is an act of love and that is why everything she makes is so beautiful. In the end, Maggie chose to leave her issues in the past and take a leap of faith. By allowing Rogan to show her that life is what you make of it, happiness can be found and that the sins of the parents are theirs and theirs alone.

This is a story about family relationships, lost dreams and unexpected dreams that come to fruition, passion for art and addressing past demons, all set in the beautiful countryside of Western Ireland. This is the second Irish Trilogy by Nora Roberts that I truly fell in love with. The characters and their romance will remain with you time and time again.

Enjoy!