Reviewer: Robyn Roberts
Title: Healer
Author: Linda Windsor
Publisher: David C. Cook
ISBN-13: 978-1-4347-6478-2
Release Date: June 2010
Genre/Sub-genre: Inspirational Historical Fiction
Year/Setting: Present day, Maui
Overall Rating: Sixth Century, Alba (Arthurian Scotland)
Sexual Content Rating: Subtle
Language (Profanity/Slang) Content Rating: None
Violent Content Rating: Minimal
Linda's Website/Blog: www.lindawindsor.com
In Arthurian Scotland, Brenna of Gowrys was sent into hiding for more than twenty years based on the prophecy given by her mother before her death. Her mother’s dying words to Tarlach O’Byrne sent him into a stroke and sealed the fates of the Gowrys and O’Byrnes clans. Brenna is hunted by the O’Byrnes since she is a threat to them and their lands. The Gowrys clan looks for her because they believe she can lead them to a victorious war against their enemies the O’Byrnes. But Brenna is gifted as a healer and was raised as one. She has no knowledge of war and is not a warrior, so she lives in the woods with her wolf and sends her healing medicines through her only friend, the hermit priest Brother Martin.
On the day of the annual ‘witch hunt’ the O’Byrnes hold to search for her to find and kill her, she witnesses an ambush of an unsuspecting man. He is badly wounded and while the rest of his party search for him, they unknowingly leave him in the woods where he will die from his injuries. Brenna rescues him and uses her healing gift to help restore him to health. All the while she is tending him, she is unaware that he is her sworn enemy and that he could destroy her. In their weeks together, Brenna comes to realize that she cares for him not only as a patient, but also as a man. Can the marriage of Brenna and Ronan unite the hearts of the clans or will it lead to more destruction and Brenna’s death?
Linda Windsor has woven this story into a stunning tapestry. Her research into King Arthur and the Knights of the Roundtable is woven so seamlessly into the story that while it is fiction, it reads as reality. Brenna and Rowan come from such separate worlds and for them to find any love at all is a miracle. We get to meet historical characters that come alive under Linda’s pen. She also does an excellent job of showing how the early Druids embraced the Druid (Master/Teacher) Jesus and how they turned to the church. I was fascinated with the historical facts as much as the storyline.
Brenna is a strong woman with a backbone of steel, but living in hiding has kept her totally innocent. She is the hint of spring after a long winter when she enters a room. Her faith is rock solid and not easily shaken. I admired her for continuing to walk in faith when things looked so bleak. Ronan is all male, a born leader and ready to take on the O’Byrne clan and the world. He is as stubborn as Brenna so when they butt heads, it was a total battle of wills and usually brought a giggle or two as they sought to resolve (and win) their argument. I giggled because often, naiveté and womanly charm would trump sheer strength and brawn.
I don’t know what I initially expected from this book, but I was thrilled to find such an exquisitely beautiful story hidden in its pages. Linda Windsor is a master at her craft and I am counting the days until the second book in the series comes out. Healer is a jewel and while it might not seem like one on the surface, there is something rare and beautiful and wonderful about Brenna and Ronan’s story.
Robyn
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