Born in Shame

Nora Roberts

Contents (25)

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events or locales is entirely coincidental.

BORN IN SHAME

A Jove Book / published by arrangement with the author

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ISBN: 1-101-14599-4

A JOVE BOOK®

Jove Books first published by The Jove Publishing Group, a member of Penguin Putnam Inc.,

375 Hudson Street, New York, New York 10014.

JOVE and the “J” design are trademarks belonging to Penguin Putnam Inc.

Electronic edition: July, 2002

Dear Reader,

I’ve dreamed of Ireland. Of a land where there was magic in the mists, dark, brooding mountains that held secrets and green fields that rolled into forever. And that is what I found when I went there.

I’ve talked with many of my friends and family who have been to Ireland. Invariably those with roots that were transplanted from that country in the past all felt a tug when they stepped onto Irish soil. I know I did. There was a recognition, a sense of knowing, even before you took the first breath, just what the air would taste like.

There’s a beauty in the little village with its pub and crooked streets, in the bustle of cities like Galway, in the cliffs that tower over the ocean, and the fields sleeping under the mists. There are simple things, like the farmer leading his cows across the road, and grand ones like the ruins of a castle standing centuries old beside the winding ribbon of river.

There are stone circles dancing in a farmer’s field, and fairy hills in the forests. And just as magical are the flowers blooming in the well-tended garden or the taste of fresh scones at tea time. Simple things, and grand ones. That’s what I found in Ireland.

For Born in Shame, the last book of my Born In trilogy, I wanted to bring a woman, an American, to Ireland for the first time. To give Shannon Bodine her roots, her family, and a romance that would suit the contrasts and endurance of Ireland. To give to her that magic of simple and grand things.

And I hope to give them to you as well.

Slainté,
NORA

Look for the other books in the trilogy . . .

BORN IN FIRE

BORN IN ICE

Titles by Nora Roberts

RIVER’S END

THE REEF

INNER HARBOR

RISING TIDES

SEA SWEPT

HOMEPORT

SANCTUARY

FINDING THE DREAM

HOLDING THE DREAM