The Painted Progressive is the third in the series and I recommend reading the first two first. The book is interesting and I enjoyed the characters.

I really, really wanted to like this book a little more than I did. Admittedly, it's mostly my fault because I didn't realize it was the third book of the series. I read some of Kristy's books in the past and really enjoyed them for their excellent plotting and fantastic writing style. This one was no different in terms of being well written but I felt there was a little too much going on with characters that didn't seem to have a clear connection for awhile. So I think it's a good bet that this would have been an excellent book if I read the previous two since I felt there was something lacking a bit in terms of background characterization.

An engaging read, right from chapter 1: a wedding, likeable characters, romantic setting and scenery, a wintry castle, and a handsome man appears on the scene at the end of chapter 1. And did I mention excellent writing? Plus, the cover is spot on for attracting readers! Thank you for giving me the opportunity to review this book!

"I received a complimentary copy of The Painted Castle. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own."
I really enjoyed the way in which this book was written - to show how a family’s and Ireland’s freedom were intertwined.
Ireland is a land of contrasts in which Catholics and Protestants have fought against each other for hundreds of years: this book personalizes that struggle.
In 1797, the Catholics and the Irish are at war - Maeve Ashford, a Protestant Heiress, unexpectedly comes upon Eoin O’Byrne, a Catholic whom she thinks he is a wounded horse thief.
You will freedom fighter siblings - Rory, a soldier fighting his way through Belfast in 1916, and Issy, his sister, a photographer who records the leaders and events of the uprising - and finally Lanie, Ellie, Cormac, Cassie and Quinn, the ones who are the benefactors of these events and families.
Enjoy the history and the families involved in Ireland’s struggle for freedom!

Didn't know this was a series before I decided to read and review! To me no sense in reading the third book if I didn't read the first two to me it wouldn't get a fair review!