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 A former engineer, Ms Herriman is a past winner of Romance Writers of America’s Daphne du Maurier Award for Best Unpublished Mystery/Romantic Suspense along with finalist placings in other contests.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:

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What Am I Reading? Monday Feb 4 2013

It's the 1st Monday of February!
What are You Reading?

Just put down AJ Cronin's
Adventures in Two Worlds

My first introduction to this author, though certainly not the last.

Absolutely loved his style, unique command of English
that made reading pure pleasure.
Two of his books were made into movies.

Based on this book, the BBC ran an ongoing series, Dr. Finlay.  

Amazing man.  Amazing human interest stories from
Scotland, Wales, London, Europe.

Found it in the lounge library while searching for Scottish authors for the

Scotland Reading Challenge 2013 on now .

I've now picked up another new to me Scottish author,

Compton MacKenzie, [kind of a giveaway with that name!]

who's book Monarch of the Glen is also a fave BBC series.

[available on dvd]

The book copy I received from the library is ancient,

so no corresponding book image to be found.
Again, the writing is personable as are the characters.

No wonder the series went on to its seventh season!

Another addition to my Scotland Reading Challenge
Pinterest Board tracking my reads
[good source for suggestions if you're interested
or have any to offer!]

I'm now completing the Bairn level of 4.

Enjoying the enthusiasm of other participants,

and hoping to get a linky up on the sign up page as soon as I have

uninterrupted internet !

Feel free to add your interest in comments if you're joining.

[even if it's for reading 1 itsy bitsy book!]

That's it for now.
The 21 Days of Wonder challenge has been fab,

but tomorrow marks the last prompt.

Sunday's was an amazing exploration into the meaning of our name.

Check it out..

See you when I can take a peek out from under my bookstack!

HapPy Reading!

More reader listings HERE

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Scotland Reading Challenge 2013 for January's 1st Monday !

Its January 2013’s First Monday! What are you reading?

I’m reading my first selection

in the Reading Scotland Challenge 2013

which I’m hosting now thru November..

You 

are cordially invited to participate!

Scroll down for the posted details...

My first book choice is one of Scottish author Rosamunde Pilcher’s

short story collections,

“Flowers in the Rain & Other Stories”

Other books and authors in queue?

George MacDonald series [many available as free ebook downloads] 

 Liz Curtis Higgs’ “Mine is the Night”,

 Jennifer Hudson Taylor’s “Highland Sanctuary”

to start off!

How about your own reading choices on this 1^st Monday?

Looking forward to hearing from you ~

Especially looking forward to hearing your response

to the Reading Scotland Challenge !

EnJoy your reading time this week ...

Find more at Sheila's Book Journey

More Monday Inspy here



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Scotland Reading Challenge for 2013 !

2013 Reading Scotland Challenge

Wondering if there are other readers, beside myself, 

who would be interested in a Challenge
to read anything Scottish this year?

I have found a number of Scottish authors whose writings
I’m keen to pursue,
along with Scottish settings and storylines
that keep pulling my attention in their direction.

Interested?

Here’s your opportunity to join the adventure!

Create your own public post of participation
at Goodreads, on FB, Pinterest, etc
If you post it later as a page, it will be easier to find for updating.
Link to your post/page in the comments below
and JOIN US at our GOODREADS GROUP.
Not a blogger?  Post your involvement in comments by Nov 1st 2013.

The more genres we explore the richer our experience.
Poetry, history, biography, memoir, essays, fiction, ya
children’s, contemporary, mystery, romance, fantasy,
spiritual, time travel, photography, recipebooks..
Whatever involves Scotland,
whether author, location, subject, is on target.

Then determine your level of involvement  ~
Bairn at 1 – 3 books
Lass at 4 - 7
Laird at 8 - 11
Queen of Scots at 12 +

Pick up your participation button [top] before you go...
even if you're in at 1 book!

Be sure to return and post the link to your reviews.
Your response may be the motivation for another
to read your discovery!

Wanting to add a Scottish themed Giveaway during the year?
Definitely welcomed!
All who complete their posted commitment level
will be entered for a surprise Scottish treat
at the conclusion of the Challenge Nov 30th 2013!

Looking forward to sharing our Scottish adventures !

For those inquiring about reading suggestions
I have a Scotland Reading Challenge shelf at Goodreads
and a Pinterest board of books ~
I look forward to hearing / seeing your choices ! 

When tweeting about the challenge ,
books you've completed, reviews written, etc.
Please use hashtag #ReadingScotland

THANKS for joining us !

For more inspiring posts ~

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