Sherry Schubert

Celtic Circle for Better, for Worse Sherry Schubert

Two American/Irish couples, separated by a generation but bound by blood, forge a tenuous truce until the tragic end of one plunges the other into turmoil. Bohemian Paula from Colorado and Irish Catholic Thomas, husband and wife of three years after four decades of separation and one marriage for each, struggle to hold their blended family together during desperate times. Paula's daughter Kiri and Thomas' son Michael, also married for three years contrary to the family's wishes, strive to create their own home and traditions. Resigned to their union, Thomas anxiously awaits the birth of a grandson from a son--perpetuation of the O'Connell name. BBC reporter Michael uses his job as cover to rescue journalists, translators and informants caught inside the borders of countries in conflict. Arab Spring uprisings force Kiri into service with his team as a volunteer medic, counselor and trauma triage specialist. Michael agrees to give up his dangerous job at the end of their current mission in favor of starting their own family, but his boss' treacherous change of plan dooms that promise. In the face of tragedy, patriarch Thomas sacrifices his integrity to discover the truth behind the mission and is burdened with more toxic secrets he cannot share with Paula. The adult children in this blended transatlantic family bicker and take sides. The only voices of reason come from the grandchildren whose rationality and understanding surpass that of the warring adults. All parties to the family conflict made the same vow, to remain loyal to the O'Connell family--for better, for worse--but are forced to examine how long such a commitment endures.