Book excerpt: Proud Irish Heart is set in Ireland and in Miami, Florida in 1895. Kate Murray, seeking to escape a dismal life created by her cruel father, takes her sister’s place as the match-made bride of Michael Driscoll. She has loved him since she was fourteen, but he went to America to make his fortune. After arriving in Miami, Kate rejects Michael’s proposal of marriage, believing it is only based on duty and obligation, while she wants love. Kate starts a successful restaurant called The Proud Irish Heart, but she cannot free herself from her desire for Michael. She is unsuccessful in her attempts to get him to renew his marriage proposal. Her passion for him increases when she learns his body while caring for him during a life-threatening fever. She feeds him, saves him from death by the fever and the designs of a lying woman, and finally attempts a seduction of Michael all without success. Michael fears making a commitment to their marriage and desires only Kate’s friendship. Frustrated, Kate leaves Miami. Will Michael follow her and propose again?