Stones Corner - Turmoil: (Volume 1)

If you enjoyed the heart-breaking, deeply moving tale of Louise Kennedy’s, award-winning Trespasses set in Belfast, then the Stones Corner series is for you.

In war-torn Derry, Northern Ireland in 1972, two social opposites, Caitlin, a factory girl, and James, an Oxford educated bachelor, fight for their lives and their love amidst the turmoil of bombings, violence, and the never-ending chaos of the Troubles.

As they struggle to survive, a British soldier confronts the horrors of guerrilla combat and battles with his own beliefs.

When unexpected events set off a chain reaction, Caitlin and James face their own fears, betrayal and disappointments in search of love, courage, and hope. Will they find it in time to break the cycle?

Find out in this gripping novel of loss, loyalty, love and resilience.

REVIEWS

“Judge, 30th Annual Writer’s Digest Self-Published Book Awards.
This book is exemplary in its structure, organization, and pacing. The structure of the chapters/parts aid in a compelling organization of the story or information. The pacing is even throughout and matches the tone/genre of the book.
Set in Derry in Northern Ireland, the author expertly follows four characters through escalating violence during “The Troubles.” She maintains a gripping pace, shows how these stories interconnect, and maintains all the varying Points of Views. Good reveal at the end.

C.S. Holmes for IndieReader, May 14, 2021 IR Rating 5*****

STONES CORNER, Turmoil, Book One written by Jane Buckley, is a political novel that chronicles daily life during the 1970s in troubled Derry and Londonderry, Northern Ireland, via individual stories. The brutal struggles of the Irish are written with historical accuracy that details the horrors of discrimination, oppression, and state suppression the Irish experienced during the dark years when the irregular war ensued. Excellent novel for political thriller fans and history buffs alike.

Reedsy Discovery July 2021 5*****plus!

5 stars Plus, beautifully written, heart-wrenching saga of Northern Ireland troubles

After Bloody Sunday, things are still volatile in Northern Ireland. The British forces in Derry, exhausted from lack of success, are zealous for payback. Private Robert Sallis is in his barracks, trying to understand the hatred with which he and his mates are daily bombarded.

A girl is wooed by the fervent Republican Kieran. Kieran convinces her to set up a honeytrap for soldiers.

Caitlin and her sister Tina try to carry on. Caitlin, her face black and blue from the soldiers’ blows, goes to work at the only remaining shirt factory. The boss’s nephew, James Henderson, catches her eye.

James, in his uncle’s opulent dining room, finishes his partridge dinner, surrounded by Protestant businessmen, politicians and policemen. At work, James needs a secretary, and her supervisor suggests Caitlin, warning him that she’s ‘a Papist’.

As he and Caitlin pursue a clandestine love affair, James plans a conference with both sides of the sectarian divide, hoping for a rescue strategy for the factory and peace for Derry.

All these characters interconnect in complex and heart-wrenching ways, finally climaxing at the fateful conference at the City Hotel. Stones Corner-Darkness, Part II of the series, deals with the fallout from this event.

The characters are rich, and the plot moves along at a good pace. The dramatisation is great and the dialogue believable.

This novel is gorgeously written, with careful editing. We feel the terror of the raid on Derry —the downdraught of helicopter blades, the rattling of roof tiles, the salivating German Shepherds—the agonising grief at her father’s death.
I rate this 5 stars Plus.

I was born in Derry in the late 60s and, like many young people, I had to leave to find work elsewhere. So, at the naïve age of 17, I moved to London and lived and worked there for over twenty-five years before moving to France. My husband John (born in Cork) and I finally returned home to Derry in 2017. We love living here but had forgotten how unpredictable the weather can be! I lived predominantly in London throughout the awful time that is known as "The Troubles." It was apparent at the time - and still is today - that not all the facts of the horrific events that took place in Ulster - by both warring factions - were presented in an honest and unbiased way. This was especially true with the media on the UK mainland. John and I over recent years have recognised that many of the people we've been fortunate enough to meet on our travels around the world, didn't understand why or how the conflict here in the North of Ireland began and continued over a number of decades. I found this particularly frustrating and so decided I'd take it upon myself to perhaps educate them and others by writing a historical fiction novel based around the events of this horrific period in our history. I've never written anything substantial before and, me being me, decided I wouldn't write just one novel, but I'd write a series! It is right for us all to try and move on from "The Troubles", but in doing so, it is important to understand how and why they occurred. In any event, we must also take into account the lessons, hardships and sorrows that affected our country, individuals and others so we can continue the healing and reconciliation process.