Beside Golden Irish Fields by Ava Miles

Somewhere along the way, Angie Newcastle lost herself. The colors that used to describe her and give her artistic works purpose have all faded to black. When she looks in the mirror, she no longer sees a young, vibrant woman holding a tiger by its tail. Now there’s a frumpy divorcee with high blood pressure staring back at her.

When the visual arts league she manages closes due to budget cuts and she loses her day job, she can’t afford to keep ignoring the obvious: she’s hit a serious wall. She needs to make art that sells again, like it used to when she was younger. She needs to make something.

She needs a new life.

When her eccentric cousin in Ireland hears of her troubles and offers her free room and board in exchange for teaching painting lessons to her village community, Angie jumps on the opportunity. She packs up her recently widowed sister and nephew, hoping the magic of the countryside will awaken the well of creativity that’s dried up inside her as well as heal their grief.

She expected the golden fields beside her ancient Irish cottage to inspire her. She didn’t expect them to be populated by sheep sprayed with uplifting words. And she certainly didn’t expect anyone like their owner, reclusive sheep baron Carrick Fitzgerald.

Angie is determined to focus on her art, which has always suffered when she’s had a man on the scene, but she can’t ignore that Carrick touches that part of her that she’s lost. As they begin a hesitant friendship, speaking of life and telling stories of their once happier selves, the walls around Angie’s heart begin to crumble and she’s inspired to pick up her paintbrush again.

Neither want to find love. Certainly Angie didn’t anticipate finding Carrick, the most unexpected of Prince Charmings, in the wilds of Ireland. Only she’s afraid her art will suffer long-term if she lets herself love him all the way. Worse: will she lose the vibrancy that she’s refound?