by Nancy Herriman
(Worthy Publishing, 2012)
Amazing Debut Book!
I listened to The Irish Healer as an audio download through www.audible.com. I have a platinum membership which means I listen to two dozen books a year. For those of you who prefer audio and who regularly purchase books, the price ends up close to the cost of a paperback for many titles IF you order the membership. And NO, I do not own stock in the company!
SPOILER ALERTS (I am known for spilling the beans and if you don't want to know too much then don't read the review!)
The book starts off rather dark and I almost did not continue to listen. Am I ever glad that I did! Rachel Dunne, a healer, from Ireland, flees after being acquitted of murdering a child in her care. One thing I missed in the listen at the beginning, but caught at the end, is that Rachel did not realize that the initial job she has secured in London is with a physician.
A widower, Dr. Edmunds failed to save his wife, who died from a fever after giving birth. His previous medical assistant has left and he needs help. He is packing up and moving to his country estate to honor his father's dying wishes.
The details of the cholera outbreak are gross, but Nancy doesn't dwell terribly upon them. I don't normally like too much death in a book but I expect there would be a bunch of tertiary characters killed off, and there were. But she left our favorite characters alive and well.
The narrator for this book was amazing. She was perfect for the story. Rachel and the doctor are meant to be together and Nancy does a great job of showing the why/why not of the relationship. The craft was excellent. We will be reading plenty more from this author. I want to say that Nancy hits a midpoint between Christian historical fiction and Christian historical romance. She could satisfy either reader but those looking for a straight formulaic romance should look elsewhere as they may be overwhelmed by the phenomenal details she gives in the book.
The Irish Healer is available for purchase on Amazon, as well as on Christian Book Distributors, and on Barnes and Noble as well as in other fine book stores.
GIVEAWAY: Leave a comment and your email to be entered in this week’s contest. Drawing will be late Saturday. Your choice of Nancy Herriman’s books, choice of format.
CARRIE, I just love reading your reviews because you always show a different perspective on things...maybe from years of being a psychologist, I don't know. But I enjoy your forthright reviews, and spilling the beans??...nahhh.
ReplyDeleteCARRIE, I do love your reviews! Sweet, honest and always to the point! And I don't think you spilled the beans, at least not too many beans! LOL!
ReplyDeleteAfter all these great reviews of this book I'm really looking forward to reading it!
ReplyDeletePatty
pattymh2000(at)yahoo(dot)com
thanks for sharing, carrie...would LOVE to read (or listen) to this fabulous novel
ReplyDeletekarenk
kmkuka at yahoo dot com
Diana, remember when we got yelled at by the editor for stb!!!
ReplyDeleteTERESA, maybe not too many beans lol but definitely a little one, hint hint!
ReplyDeletePATTY, I would highly rx as a listen IF you can get it that way. The narrator brought the story to life!
ReplyDeleteYup, I do! But that was my fault, not yours! lol! AND it seems like it turned out to have been the right thing to do. (wink)
ReplyDeleteSo you finished listening in time to do a review! I'm glad you did Carrie!
ReplyDeleteI have never listened to an audiobook. Don't know if it's for me. I get the story better when I read then when I listen. This Dutch mind understand almost all that it reads, but not all it hears. LOL
KAREN, if you win, we should get it for you as the CD set. Best wishes and THANKS for coming by!
ReplyDeleteCarrie, your reviews are always informative and honest. That I appreciate! I haven't read the book but it doesn't seem like spoilers to me :) Makes me want to read it all the more and find out for myself how they overcome their obstacles!
ReplyDeleteANNE, I am the bean spiller and CARRIE is my accomplice. hehe Aren't her reviews great?!
ReplyDeleteI love audio books as I can dust, fold clothes, change sheets on beds,cook etc and listen to a great book at same time. I don't think you really spilled the beans Carrie. I'm adding this one to my wish list and can't wait to either listen or read. Thanks for the opportunity to enter giveaway.
ReplyDeletemisskallie2000 at yahoo dot com
ANNE, I am glad you like my reviews! I try to be honest. Like mentioning that the beginning was kind of dark. It got much better and hopeful after that first chapter.
ReplyDeleteMARIAN, the only other language I "know" is French but my ability to listen and understand French is pretty bad. I know some Italian, too, but not much - only enough to have understood my first fiance lol!
ReplyDeleteYeah, DIANA, I was the big bad accomplice on that caper, wasn't I, lol? As Hayes would say "that gal got pretty steamed up!"
ReplyDeleteMISS KALLIE, I love audiobooks. They give my eyes a rest and let me do like you do - clean and read at the same time!
ReplyDeleteLooks like a wonderful book!!
ReplyDeletemarissamehresman(at)aol(dot)com
MARISSA yes it is!
ReplyDeleteI've seen so many good reviews about Irish Healer. Am looking forward to reading it soon.
ReplyDeleteI am one of those who prefer historical details to a pure romance and I am interested in what the cholera epidemic was like. This one sounds like a great book to me.
ReplyDeleteCarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com
CAROL, you would love this book then - it is not a straight formulaic historical romance. And the book won a suspense award, per the regular book cover!
ReplyDeleteRWA Daphne duMaurier award for Romantic Suspense - wow, that is a coveted award. I can see why she won it, too!
ReplyDeleteMASTOLL, thanks for coming by!
I didn't win the Daphne for this book (so don't be expecting a romantic suspense, folks!), but it was an absolute thrill when I did.
ReplyDeleteWell, at least I am not as clueless as I thought. While this was very suspenseful, I thought of this as historical or historical romance, lol! Will the winning MS be published, NANCY?
ReplyDeleteCarrie, I enjoyed your review. I most certainly would love to win a copy of this book. Being this is a debut book makes me want to read it all the more!
ReplyDeleteBlessings!
sweetpea.judy(at)yahoo(dot)com
Very interesting review. I've not read anything by Nancy yet. This sounds like one my husband and I would like to read together. IF you spoiled the ending, Carrie, it's ok by me. I won't be telling my husband and it won't ruin the reading for me either. Sounded like you left lots of details and loose ends out.
ReplyDeletepurensimplenatural at gmail dot com
OH!! I JUST FOUND OUT THIS IS A DEBUT NOVEL. WELL, ALL THE MORE REASON TO GET TO KNOW NANCY AND HER BOOK (BOOKS,soon hopefully)
ReplyDeletepurensimplenatural at gmail dot com
This is a book I would really enjoy. I didn't read your whole review in case their was something I didn't want to know!
ReplyDeletepbclark(at)netins(dot)net
I want to read this book. I have heard only good things about it. :-) Enter me please.
ReplyDeleteAshley Robert
flwhizkid@yahoo.com
PAMELA, I agree! There is something about debut books, maybe it is because there is so much heart in them! Thanks for coming by!
ReplyDeleteMS. CLARK and MS. ROBERTS, you are both entered!
ReplyDeleteJUDY, good to see you here!
ReplyDelete