St Patrick's Day Reading: The Irish Healer - Nancy Herriman 17/3/13

HapPy St Patrick's Day !

to all the reading and reviewing readers..

and

Welcome once again to It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

Mine was specifically chosen for Celebrating St Paddy's Day

A September book blog win that was repeatedly waylaid,

I finally received it in February and decided I wanted it

as an Irish Reading treat for St Patrick's Day..

Was it worth the wait?

Absolutely!

Loved it!  

Nancy Herriman's debut novel I would heartily recommend to any fans of 

historical fiction and old world romance ...

Here's my review as posted to Goodreads:

MY St Patrick's choice read for this month of March! 
I Luv'd this book.
Couldn't believe the trouble it took to procure a copy! 
None available for review from publisher. I then won my book of choice at Murphy's Library in September 2012, but TBD cancelled their order of my book not once but twice! I finally received it in February 2013 :)) I decided to save it as my treat for a St Patrick's read & so glad I did!

Amazingly, The Irish Healer is Nancy Herriman’s debut novel, published 2012. USA Today accurately calls it “...a lovely period tale of personal transformation and abiding love.” Definitely tantalizing along with its cover; runner-up in ACFW Genesis contest’s historical fiction 2009. A former engineer, Ms Herriman is a past winner of Romance Writers of America’s Daphne du Maurier Award for Best Unpublished Mystery/Romantic Suspense along with finalist placings in other contests.

1830. We’re introduced to Irish healer, Rachel Dunne, aboard a steamer escaping her homeland, arriving in search of London’s promise of new beginnings. A new beginning that will call for all the fortitude she possesses to rise up and conquer the inherent perils concealed along the journey... 

I found Rachel a likeable protagonist, authentic to her age and abilities; believable in her actions and reactions to new relationships and experiences. Other character descriptions authentically engaged my own positive / negative reactions. Well paced thought and action kept the story moving. Both my interest and emotions were engaged to its satisfying conclusion. 

Enough twists to frustrate my expectations whilst concealing pleasing resolutions. Historical details were excellent additions without being obtrusive or documentary. Occasional Gaelic expressions added authenticity. There is only one story detail that I would love to have resolved... perhaps a note to Ms Herriman will satisfy my curiosity!

Here are the first 2 chapters of The Irish Healer 

{read with an English accent}
by Amanda MacKnight and available via Oasis Audio

Thank you for sharing your writing gift with us, Nancy! 

I look forward to your next novel...

I've added this review to my year 2 commitment in Carrie's
Ireland Reading Challenge 2013

My other fantastic read for the Scotland Reading Challenge
is George MacDonald's 'The Marquis' Secret'

My full review is at Goodreads {click}
A few great quotes from this book to inspire..
""..the first step toward action is the beginning of the death of doubt..."

"Malcolm's feeling ran higher than night as he stood thus alone under the stars waiting to embark for he knew not where..."

“As you grow ready for it, somewhere or other you will find what is needful for you in a book.” 
~ George MacDonald from 'The Marquis of Lossie'
Highly recommended! I believe it's available to download free
due to age/copyright.  Historical action, adventure + romance!
{from a male perspective!!}
Love that!
Some great discussions and recommendations at the
Goodreads home for the Reading Scotland CHallenge
just click to link
if you're ready to throw your Scots book readings in with ours !

Check out host Sheila's 'Book Journey' each Sunday evening

for her It's Monday! link up to more great reads [ + readers!] here:

Tweet