Tara McLaughlin's love for handsome, wealthy Reece Waldron seems doomed; he is engaged to an heiress from his own social circle. As an immigrant working in a factory, Tara has spunk -- but not much else. Still, she has survived family heartache and a catastrophe at sea, so she refuses to give up on her dreams - of Reece's love and of a career on the stage.
Tara's extraordinary singing voice gets her a job in vaudeville, but her rising fame brings her to the attention of a dangerous criminal named Muldoon, whom she spurned back in Ireland. He, too, has emigrated to the U.S. and lives in New York.
As Muldoon stalks her, Tara tries to cope with new challenges while still performing on a vaudeville stage every night. Reece seems as drawn to her as she is to him. Is he toying with her? Or will he break off his engagement? A hard-to-control young cousin, Sheila, is sent to live with her, and Tara hardly feels up to the task of chaperoning the headstrong teenager.
World War I breaks out. While Reece is overseas helping the American government develop its air strategy, Muldoon strikes at the people and things Tara holds dear. She is forced to flee, taking a resentful Sheila and going into hiding in the squalor of the Bowery.
Will Reece return safely from war-torn Europe? Will he follow his heart and marry Tara, or go through with his obligation to his fiancee? Will Muldoon succeed in destroying Tara's future?
"A Song Across the Sea" is a richly detailed story full of memorable characters, suspense and passion. Set in the early part of the 20th century, it captures both the simple, rugged life on a farm in rural Ireland and the excitement of vaudeville and Broadway in the early days of the 20th century.
"A Song Across the Sea" is approximately 117,000 words long.
Excerpt:
Suddenly Reece was beside her, a dark form silhouetted by the distant lights from the mansion. They came together breathlessly as the mermaids in the stone fountain looked on. In his arms at last, Tara finally knew the end of a long, bitterly felt hunger. There was no strangeness in his kiss, although it had been so long since their last one. It was the familiar, waking dream sheβd been living ever since she met him.
After a long time, Reece said: βThere are some things you must know, Tara.β
Praise for "The Rosebud Burglar" by Shana McGuinn:
βThe exciting plot is well formed and believable, especially given the mindset of Raine, and her desperation to return to her former wealthy and privileged lifestyle.β
-Nancy in the U.S.
βCouldnβt put it down.β
-Ruby in the U.K.