Publisher: Worthy Publishing
Publication Date: April 3, 2012
ISBN: 978-1-936034-78-9

Blurb for The Irish Healer: Accused of murdering a child under her care, Irish healer Rachel Dunne flees the ensuing scandal while vowing to never sit at another sickbed. She no longer trusts in her abilities–or God’s mercy. But when a cholera epidemic sweeps through London, she feels compelled to nurse the dying daughter of the enigmatic physician she has come to love. James Edmunds, wearied by the deaths of too many patients, has his own doubts about God’s grace. Can they each face their darkest fears? Or is it too late to learn that trust and love just might heal their hearts?

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When I opened the envelope containing my ARC of THE IRISH HEALER, I didn’t know what to expect. The title appealed to me, the cover enticed me, and the first lines gripped me. “My name is Rachel Dunne. I am not a murderer.” Wow! Powerful.

Rachelle Dunne is reeling from being accused of murder. Though she is acquitted, her family is bearing the brunt of the accusations. In an effort to restore the honor of the Dunne name, Rachel leaves her beloved homeland and sets sail for London, her mother’s birthplace. From the moment she sets foot on the foreign soil, she feels abandoned and alone. No one is at the dock to meet her in what is to be her new home. Frightened and uncertain, she waits…and waits.

When the doctor finally arrives to get her, he is astonished for he expected a much older woman. Already feeling adrift, Rachelle fears the doctor will not want to employ her. Arriving at her new temporary home, she is met with disdain and outright hostility from the household maids. After dinner Dr. James Edmunds, her new employer, requests to see her in the dining room. She fears she is going to be asked to leave, but instead he asks Rachelle if she’ll assist him with his patients in addition to her other duties. Aghast at having to be put in a position of helping sick people, she tells him she is unqualified. He assures her that she will only have to greet the patients, gather information, and give them comfort while they wait. Rachelle is left with no option but to agree. If he knew she had been accused of murder when caring for a sick person, he wouldn’t want her anywhere near his patients…but she mustn’t reveal the truth.

Dr. Edmunds is in the process of closing down his practice and retiring to his country estate where he will be a gentleman farmer, though Rachelle can tell that’s not what his heart desires. As she works closely beside him, an attraction grows, but both social status and painful secrets keep them apart. Only through a crisis where Rachelle must face her worst fear and James must come to terms with his pain will they come to know the truth in their hearts.

One thing is a must to keep me interested in a story…strong characters. Nancy Herriman doesn’t disappoint in this department. This was a “can’t put it down” debut book, one that had me wondering how the story would have a happy ending. I needn’t have feared. Ms. Herriman followed through on her promise to give a sigh-worthy end to an emotional story. This is a book I highly recommend and one I will come back to read again.

Mark your calendars for April 3, 2012 when the book will be officially released and available for purchase from Worthy Publishing and on Amazon and with other distributors.

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Nancy Herriman Bio: THE IRISH HEALER is Nancy Herriman’s fourth completed manuscript, and it was runner-up in the Historical Fiction category of the 2009 ACFW Genesis contest. She also won the 2006 RWA Daphne du Maurier award for Best Unpublished Mystery/Romantic Suspense and has been a finalist in other contests. Nancy is a member of american Christian Fiction Writers, Romance Writers of America and the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators. She lives in the Midwest with her husband and two teenagers, and is very active in the music ministry at her church.