Monday, March 4, 2013

When the Heart Heals by Ann Shorey, review and giveaway

     This book lured me in when I learned it was set in the era immediately after the Civil War. I am of course a sucker for Civil War anything. This was a pleasant departure from the typical southern belle or crusading war heroine's tale.


Ann Shorey
     Rosemary Saxon is a no-nonsense heroine who knows her way around an herb garden as well as a doctor's office, but she has a tender and vulnerable side. She was infinitely likable with her sweet Bodie, her dog/walking companion/protector, and her penchant for rescuing young women in crisis. When she secures employment at Doctor Elijah Stewart's after the Civil War in small town Missouri, winning his heart is but one of her challenges. Winning his patients' confidence proves more daunting than even she is prepared for. Someone in town has it in for her and her herbal remedies.

     Suspense, romance, and a beautifully woven theme of forgiveness fill each page. And each of the multifaceted characters adds depth to the spiritual message and texture to the fabric of small town life.

     Shorey is a skilled writer, and I enjoyed this story and its hero and heroine as they each overcome family offenses and find love against all odds. This is the first of this author's work I have read, and I will look for more. 

 I am giving away my gently used copy of this little gem of a book to one lucky commenter. Please leave a comment about your favorite fictional heroine and what made you enjoy her. 
For extra entries, follow this blog, tweet this post or facebook this post. Four entries possible total.

 Good luck! Contest ends Friday 8 PM March 8.
Posted by at

36 comments:

  1. AnonymousMarch 5, 2013 at 11:07 AM

    I think my favorite fictional heroine is Jane Eyre. I really enjoy her story and she is a strong and independent woman who overcomes many setbacks. I enjoyed reading the book again and I enjoy watching the movies as well.

    Katie J.
    johnsonk133[at]yahoo[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Kathleen L. MaherMarch 5, 2013 at 5:36 PM

      Thanks, Katie. I hate to admit I have never read or watched her story, but I have always wanted to, and now I want to even more. Good luck onte giveaway.

      Delete
  2. MelodyMarch 5, 2013 at 11:39 AM

    I still believe that Scarlet O'Hara is my favorite herorine. Though she was quit selfish, she was raised to be that way. She fumbled so many times trying to find her way but she did love that plantation and learned to work hard, trying to save it. If only she could have kept Rhett and that plantation!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Kathleen L. MaherMarch 5, 2013 at 5:38 PM

      I love Scarlet, too, Melody. She has such determination and pluck, and she always thinks of her feet. I love to imagine that she and Rhett worked things out after all. :)
      Thanks for stopping by. you have two entries.

      Delete
  3. MelodyMarch 5, 2013 at 11:40 AM

    I follow this blog!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Library LadyMarch 5, 2013 at 1:33 PM

    Being from the South I love all things "Southern" especially books about the Civil War.
    Thanks for entering me in the giveaway.
    I follow the blog.
    Janet E.
    von1janet(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Kathleen L. MaherMarch 5, 2013 at 5:39 PM

      Thanks for commenting, Janet. I'm a Northern girl who loves all things southern. :) Not sure what that makes me. LOL

      Good luck! that's two entries.

      Delete
  5. KayMMarch 5, 2013 at 2:36 PM

    My favorite heroines tend to change from book to book. Perhaps that due to my short memory--LOL! The only one that I'll probably never forget is Scarlett O'Hara. Presently, I am reading the Apple Turnover Murder by Joanne Fluke. It is the 13th or 14th book in the Hannah Swenson series. She's a fun character. She reminds me of a young Jessica Fletcher, but she seems to take life and herself less seriously. Thank you for the giveaway. I am a new follower to your blog.
    Blessings and prayers,
    may_dayzee (at) yahoo (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Kathleen L. MaherMarch 5, 2013 at 5:42 PM

      Thanks for the follow, Kay! I agree--Scarlett seems to be the standard by which I measure all other heroines. But Hannah Swenson sounds fun! I have you down for two entries. Good luck.

      Delete
  6. Jocelyn GreenMarch 5, 2013 at 2:44 PM

    Hi Kathleen and Ann! Thanks for the post, and congratulations on your new release Ann! It looks wonderful. My favorite fictional heroine is Jo March from Little Women. I identify with her--not super beautiful, sometimes too quick to speak, a writer. :)I am working on my patience, though. hee hee Children help with that exercise. HA!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Kathleen L. MaherMarch 5, 2013 at 5:44 PM

      You love Jo, too? She is so creative and strong--a real touchstone for the whole family. I can definitely see why you are drawn to her, Jocelyn. You have the same wonderful traits.
      Thanks for leaving a comment. I have you down for two entries, also.

      Delete
  7. AnonymousMarch 5, 2013 at 2:56 PM

    My favorite fictional heroine that comes to mind first is Elizabeth from Pride and Prejudice.

    sonflower277 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Kathleen L. MaherMarch 5, 2013 at 5:47 PM

      I confess i have not read this book, but I have loved the various versions on film. Elizabeth is witty and a keen judge of character except when it comes to her own heart. Love her complexities.
      Thanks for visiting, and good luck on the giveaway!

      Delete
  8. karenkMarch 5, 2013 at 5:55 PM

    my favourite female heroine is usually from the current book that i'm reading...today, i'm reading 'into the free' by julie cantrell...and the 'hero' is named millie.

    karenk
    kmkuka at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Kathleen L. MaherMarch 5, 2013 at 7:59 PM

      Hi, Karen. Thanks for participating. I know what you mean about loving each new heroine I read. :)
      Good luck on the giveaway. You have two giveaways :)

      Delete
    2. AnonymousMarch 6, 2013 at 8:53 AM

      Hi thanks Kathleen and Ann I am also from the northeast and I love the south and also the Civil War. Sometimes when I am reading about historical events I feel like I am there at that moment. Scarlett Ohara was one of my favorites that I love to read over and over again. I also love the clothing that the ladies wore back in those days.
      I enjoyed reading about the Underground Railroad where slaves were being helped to flee the southern plantations. One day I came across a lady who was also a slave and helped and her name was Harriet Gunman. I enjoyed reading about her and I would have loved to have been able to have helped.

      Thank you for the drawing or contest I can't wait to read Ann Shorey' s book When the Heart Heals. I love reading her books.

      Mary Duff
      missniceguy@hotmail.com

      Delete
    3. Kathleen L. MaherMarch 6, 2013 at 8:57 AM

      Hi, Mary. We have much in common! I adore Civil War and stories of the Underground Railroad. In fact,I wrote about a man from Elmira, NY who was a male version of Harriet Tubman, that great conductor on the Underground Railroad. You'll find it in my February post if you wanted to check that out.
      Thank you for visiting and I wish you luck on winning Ann's book.

      Delete
    4. AnonymousMarch 6, 2013 at 8:58 AM

      Her name was Harriet Gunman. Sorry the error in her last name. A gain thanks for the drawing Kathleen.

      Mary Duff
      missniceguy@hotmail.com

      Delete
    5. AnonymousMarch 6, 2013 at 9:01 AM

      Harriet Tubman
      Mary Duff
      missniceguy@hotmail.com

      Delete
  9. AnonymousMarch 6, 2013 at 9:28 AM

    Thank you for entering me in the contest Kathleen. Sorry for the other post it was on my kindle and sometimes its hard posting on there.

    Mary Duff

    ReplyDelete
  10. UnknownMarch 6, 2013 at 8:15 PM

    Too many books for me to choose a female heroine. I love Jane Austin, Charlotte Bronte, and other fiction writers of that era to pioneer/wagon train/mail-order-brides and especially my all time favorite Civil War and Underground Railroad era. I love learning and reading about unusual facts during that time.

    deamundy at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Kathleen L. MaherMarch 6, 2013 at 8:48 PM

      I know what you mean, Deanna. Too many to choose from. One of my newer favorites was Adalia from Veil of Pearls by MaryLu Tyndall. But there are too many to mention.
      I have you down for two entries.

      Delete
  11. UnknownMarch 6, 2013 at 8:16 PM

    I am a follower.

    deamundy at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  12. Wendy NewcombMarch 6, 2013 at 8:31 PM

    I don't have favorites, I just really really like many, lol. I've never been one to choose favorites of anything.

    wfnren(at)aol(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  13. Wendy NewcombMarch 6, 2013 at 8:33 PM

    I tweeted here: https://twitter.com/WendyNewcomb/status/309476595847032833

    wfnren(at)aol(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  14. Wendy NewcombMarch 6, 2013 at 8:38 PM

    I blogged here: http://www.facebook.com/wendy.newcomb.92

    wfnren(at)aol(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  15. Wendy NewcombMarch 6, 2013 at 8:38 PM

    I am a follower of this blog.

    wfnren(at)aol(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Kathleen L. MaherMarch 6, 2013 at 8:50 PM

      yay, Wendy, I have you down for all four entries. Thank you for sharing on fb and twitter, and for following. And being unable to choose a favorite. . . LOL I am exactly like that when it comes to candy bars. Never could choose a favorite. LOL

      Delete
  16. MarissaMarch 7, 2013 at 1:14 AM

    My favorite fictional heroine is Angel from Redeeming Love. I think she represents all of us. We always run away from God, but he draws us back to him.

    marissamehresman(at)aol(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  17. MarissaMarch 7, 2013 at 1:15 AM

    I follow your blog!

    marissamehresman(at)aol(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  18. Kathleen L. MaherMarch 7, 2013 at 1:42 AM

    Marissa, I loved Angel and her story, too. I related. I hurt for her past, and grieved for her mother, and cheered for her chance at redemption. God is as much the hero in that story as her patient suitor. Great pick!
    Thanks for the follow, and I have you down for two entries.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Kathleen L. MaherMarch 8, 2013 at 10:54 PM

    Janet E. You have been selected by random.org as the winner for this lovely book! Congratulations. :) I will email you shortly to find out where to mail it.

    ReplyDelete
  20. AnonymousMarch 11, 2013 at 12:12 AM

    I used to be able to find good іnformatiοn from your blog аrtiсles.



    Also visіt my website; ephedra alkaloids

    ReplyDelete
  21. AnonymousMarch 18, 2013 at 8:56 PM

    Hola! I just discovered your
    site: Blogger: History repeats itself when I was
    browsing delicious.com.
    It looks as though someone loved your blog so
    much they decided to bookmark it. I'll definitely be returning here more often.

    my blog Please visit my site

    ReplyDelete
  22. Ann ShoreyApril 8, 2013 at 8:19 PM

    Hi Kathleen, Thank you for the review of When the Heart Heals. Wish I'd seen this post sooner!! Found it today on my Giga Alerts page.
    Blessings,
    Ann

    ReplyDelete

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)