The Blood Upon the Rose by Tim Vicary

   It's 1919 and the Irish Republican Army has declared war on Britain. They see no reason why an outsider should rule their country when they've been doing it for years.  It's a war with firm sides.  While Britain is trying to stabilize Ireland, the IRA is doing everything in it's power to fight back.  Catherine and her father are on opposite sides of this war.  Privileged and extremely independent, Catherine feels the IRA is justified in the war it's waging. Her father on the other hand feels the IRA are a bunch of murders.  Catherine, a medical student, falls in love with Sean. The problem is Sean is one of the IRA members.   Love is never easy and when it happens during a war, things are that much tougher.  Catherine's father does everything in his power to keep her away from anything or anyone he thinks might be helping the IRA.  It's not easy though.  Catherine's story is one as old as time. Follow her on her path to love or heartbreak.


   This compelling novel details the IRA movement against Britain in a way that makes it easy to understand and read.  I loved the fact Sean and Catherine were able to sneak to spend time together and never get caught. This novel is one where you learn something historical while getting a small love story entwined in it.  I enjoyed 'The Blood Upon the Rose' for that fact alone.  Well developed characters, strife and a little hope thrown in for good measure makes this a novel you'll definitely enjoy.  


The only issue I found was the love story. I felt it could have been a bigger part of the novel and helped fill it out more. 


I gave this one 4 out of 5 books because it was more history lesson than love story.