DNF. As much as I love her books, this one didn't do it for me. I guess because it was a prequel and the plot was about a male character who I don't recall. I'm not a big reader of male characters to begin with.

At the turn of the 20th Century, young Blackie O’Neill leaves his home and everything he has ever known to start his life anew in England. Orphaned by the cruel fates of poverty as Ireland undergoes its harsh 19th Century, Blackie leaves behind County Kerry to live with his aunt and uncle in Leeds. As the title suggests, the young boy’s honesty and fortitude never falter, even with so inauspicious a beginning. He develops interests, desires, and ambition that drive him to thrive and succeed, eventually landing him work as a tradesman and builder.
Though steadfastly earnest, Blackie encounters his share of drama, notably with beautiful women who cross his path and business opportunities with Yorkshire gentry. Even as the details of his daily life and the struggles of his friends and family span only a few years, the implications of the hardships of his impoverished childhood keep the dramatic encounters grounded in realistic, early 20th Century detail.
The large cast of characters is introduced methodically, allowing the reader to get to know each person individually but also slowing the first portion of the book. Readers of Taylor Bradford’s earlier work will recognize the late arrival of Emma Harte, the heroine of A Woman of Substance. And while this novel features Taylor Bradford’s talent for developing new, likable characters, Emma Harte’s appearance might invite some wistful nostalgia for the heroine instead as the central figure.

This is a story for those that like a character driven book. There is not too much of a plot, but since it is a prequel I feel like it is doing its job of getting to know the characters!! I loved seeing Blackie grow from a teen to a man. I loved his grit and optimism.

Thank you to the publisher for my review copy. All opinions are my own.

I wanted to enjoy this title. Sadly, I have tried multiple times to pick it up and it is not working for me. This is a seasoned author and she does not need my validation. Overall, just not the book for me at this time in my life.

I enjoy reading Barbara Taylor Bradford and I loved this book.. I loved going back and following Blackie's life.

If you enjoyed Barbara Taylor Bradford's series A Woman Of Substance, you'll enjoy the Prequel A Man of Honor. Recommended read.

I received a free copy of this book via NetGalley and the publisher. This is my honest and personal review.

This is the prequel to Woman of Substance, which I read many years ago. The characters are rich and fully developed. Blackie is likeable, optimistic, determined and a hard worker. Although there is not a strong action plot to this book, it is a wonderful character driven plot. I really liked Blackie as a person. This book also introduces the strong, enterprising Emma Hart and how she and Blackie become friends. I enjoyed the back story to Woman of Substance.

I had a hard time getting into this book (likely more my fault than the books), and there's a lot of characters too. Likely my timing for this was off, and it's been a while since reading her other book.

He was born Shane Patrick Desmond O’Neill but everyone called him “Blackie”. He was the only surviving member of his family and he was only 13 years old. Because he was tall and big for his age he could take care of himself. Mrs. O’Malley , the cook, also looked after him.
Blackie’s Uncle Patrick lives in England and wants Blackie to come live with him and his wife. Patrick does construction and wants to teach his craft to his young nephew. Blackie is very smart and motivated to learn all he can.
Blackie learns so fast and has earned a reputation for being kind and fair that he is beginning to be known as a great builder.
Barbara Taylor Bradford has once again told a story of strength and goodwill. Her stories are encouraging and heartwarming.

A Woman of Substance is a title that is beloved by readers of sagas. It told the story of Emma Harte and her experiences in life and relationships.

One of the people who was most important to Emma was Blackie. He was a character who became very well known to readers of this series and to Emma. Now, BTB has turned her pen to telling Blackie’s story, beginning even before he met Emma (a maid at that time as this was before her rise). Fans of this series will want to read this title for sure. They will learn how Blackie became Blackie and how he grew from teen to man.

Many thanks to St Martin’s Press and NetGalley for this title. All opinions are my own.

A Man of Honor is the prequel to A Woman of Substance. It is the story of Blackie O'Neill, 13, living in Ireland until he meets Emma Harte. Blackie is a likeable character- big heart, ambitious, works hard and is a great man of integrity. I was engrossed by this book and want to read A Woman of Substance.

Thank-you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for my honest review..

Blackie O’Neil is a strong and determined man. He steps out of his life of poverty to learn to build and design buildings. We follow his life as a 13 year old orphan in Ireland and his move to England to live with his aunt and uncle, where he learned his trade. We are introduced to a handful of characters including Emma Hart, who is just as strong and determined as Blackie to make something of herself.

I felt like this was a great introduction to these characters. I have not read the rest of the books in this series but now I definitely want to pick them up to see where their story goes.

I received this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

#barbarataylorbradford #amanofhonor which is a prequel to #awomanofsubstance it’s a historical fiction book where a young Blackie meets a young Emma. It’s the backstory of Blackie for those that have read the other books in the series. And. If you haven’t. No worries. Because it doesn’t need to be read before/after. It’s one of those guilty pleasure reads you can pick up and get lost in. #stmartinspress #netgalley #bookstagram #readersofinstagram #leeds #series #barbarataylorbradfordbooks #guiltypleasurereads

A Man of Honor is the prequel to A Woman of Substance. It is the story of Blackie O'Neill from the age of 13, living in Ireland ,until he meets Emma Harte. Blackie is a very likeable character- kind, ambitious,hard-working and a man of integrity. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and now feel the need to re-read A Woman of Substance
Thank-you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I hadn't read the other books in this series, but because it was a prequel I decided to give it try. I love historical fiction set in this era and was interested in the Irish background of the main character Blackie O'Neil. However I was often confused by the multiple and constant POV changes and nothing seemed to fit together. I'm assuming that had I read the other books things might have made more sense for me. Overall it was well written and I might try more books by this author.

I voluntarily read and reviewed a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

A man of Honor
Barbara Taylor Bradford
The prequel to Barbara Taylor Bradford's New York Times bestselling and dazzling saga A WOMAN OF SUBSTANCE.
(This review is based on an Arc sent to me by NetGalley)
Opening five years before the start of A Woman of Substance, A Man of Honor begins with 13-year-old Blackie O’Neill facing an uncertain future in rural County Kerry. He was orphaned and set sail for England to live with his mother’s brother in Leeds.
Blackie was to be apprenticed to his Uncle Patrick, a builder. Blackie learns his trade as a navy amid the grand buildings and engineering triumphs of one of England’s most prosperous cities He was a hard worker and had dreams of eventually having his own business to build houses.
His tenacity is evident as his uncle gives him bigger and bigger projects to complete.
One day high on the Yorkshire moors, in the mists of a winter morning he meets a kitchen maid called Emma Harte. Like his friend Emma, he is ambitious, driven, disciplined, and determined to make it to the top.
In a Man of Honor, the true Blackie O’Neill is revealed.
I have read and enjoyed all Barbara Taylor Bradford’s books but in a Man Of Honor we see how Blackie’s place in the Harte dynasty and when and how he met and worked with Emma Hart.

This is book 8 of the Harte Family Saga. This is Blackie O'Neill's story. Set before "A Woman of Substance", this tells Blackie's story of how he moved about to find a better future and eventually the love of his life.

This is the story of Blackie O’Neill and he is a character that I really liked. The writing is atmospheric and I felt transported to Ireland. I read Woman of Substance many years ago and now I want to read it again to follow up from this story.
Many thanks to St. Martin’s Press and to NetGalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

This is a prequel to A Woman of Substance, which I have not read. Perhaps that would have made a difference. Although I liked the main character Blackie O'Neal, I thought the story was too long. A lot of different characters were involved, a couple of countries, several love triangle type events. I got bogged down. I think this wasn't my genre. I do thank the author Barbara Taylor Bradford for the opportunity to read this book.
Thank you also #netgalley and #stmartinspress for the opportunity to read #amanof honor.

This book was very slow and disjointed compared to other books by Barbara. While I saw that, there are many great things about the book. Blackie is a likeable character and is hard working. I wish we got more of him and not the other story lines. I wish there was more of a plot vs descriptions. I felt very bored.