Healer: A Novel (The Brides of Alba Series) [Paperback]

Linda Windsor (Author)

Book Description

Series: The Brides of Alba Series | Publication Date: June 1, 2010

Sixth-century Scotland—in the time of Arthur….

 

“The Gowrys’ seed shall divide your mighty house and bring a peace beyond the ken of your wicked soul.”

 

Her mother’s dying prophecy to the chieftain Tarlach O’Byrne sentenced Brenna of Gowrys to twenty years of hiding. Twenty years of being hunted—by the O’Byrnes, who fear the prophecy, and by her kinsmen, who expect her to lead them against their oppressors. But Brenna is a trained and gifted healer, not a warrior queen. So she lives alone in the wilderness with only her pet wolf for company. When she rescues a man badly wounded from an ambush, she believes he may be the answer to her deep loneliness. Healing him comes as easy as loving him. But can their love overcome years of bitterness and greed…and bring peace and renewed faith to the shattered kingdom?

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Linda Windsor is the best-selling, award-winning author of 29 novels in both the CBA and ABA markets, with an estimated million books in print. A former professional musician, Linda speaks often (and sometimes sings) for writing and/or faith seminars. Her recent work includes the early Celtic Fires of Gleannmara trilogy.

Product Details

• Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: David C. Cook; New edition (June 1, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1434764788
• ISBN-13: 978-1434764782
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.5 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (49 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #912,278 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Linda Windsor is the author of twenty-nine contemporary and historical novels. Her first sixteen were secular historical romance for Zebra/Kensington Publishing, NY as Linda Windsor and Linda Covington. In 1999, she switched to the inspirational market, once she was assured that Christian characters were not only flawed, but did indeed have hormones. Her late husband used to tease that there was a little of Linda in each of her heroines. Windsor contends he must have been referring to her sense of humor, resourcefulness and stubborness. NOT the figure.

Her inspirational historicals have placed in the secular historical category of some RWA contests and Affaire De Coeur polls. Both her inpirational historicals and romantic comedies, dashed with suspense, have won a few National Reader's Choice Awards, Aspen Golds, Barclay Golds, and numerous other RWA contests as well as the CBA Christy Award for the Irish Celtic RIONA, #2 of the Fires of Gleannmara series.

Windsor resides in a "painfully" restored (as in never do that again!) historic home on the Eastern Shore of MD. She still enjoys singing and playing music (keyboard and guitar) after a ten year stint in an 80's professional band. Today she plays the organ in her church and frequently does special music with guitar at church and for various charities.

Then there are home improvements. She can paper, paint, refinish furniture, and renovate, but... Let's suffice it to say, this Red Hat Lady and AARP member doesn't enjoy them as much as she used to.

Windsor is currently contracted for a three book historical trilogy titled Brides of Alba. HEALER, book one, will hit the shelves this June.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Recommended for the Setting, September 10, 2010

By 

Jennifer Bogart "@ Quiverfullfamily.com" (Alberta, Canada) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Healer: A Novel (The Brides of Alba Series) (Paperback)

I tried to resist Linda Windor's Healer (I've been trying to cut back a bit on my review obligations), but the unique premise drew me in. Because of my pagan background, I was a big fan of stories set in the Arthurian British Isles that incorporated magic, mysticism, and Celtic paganism. How unique it was for me to discover this tale that presented the Christian history of the time period rather than a revisionist pagan one!

There are certainly still pagan characters, and there is spiritual conflict between the believers and those following the `old ways'. However, the book is clearly weighted in favor of the Christian characters.

In any case, here's a basic plot synopsis. Brenna Gowrys and her clan have suffered at the hands of the O'Byrnes for a generation. Having received a prophecy from her mother upon her death, this foretelling has sent Brenna into a solitary life of hiding. Hiding from the O'Byrnes who seek to destroy her, hiding from her kinsfolk who would seek to manipulate her politically.

However, when an O'Byrne lordling is injured, Brenna takes him in without being aware of his past and uses her skills as a trained healer and herbalist to restore his health. Like many romances, this plot is fairly predictable; I'm sure you can guess what happens! But while the romance is a bit unbelievable and stereotypically written, the historical background is fascinating, and largely unknown to me.

As a result, I had a bit of a tricky time connecting all of the dots and making complete sense of the historical background (due to lack of familiarity with this newly cast Christian landscape and wealth of characters/allegiances etc.) What I did glean however has provided many hours of thought and conversation between my husband and myself.

The political intrigue kicks into high gear after the main romance portion of the story moves into a more settled state. This too isn't entirely unpredictable, but was more engaging than the romance storyline for me.

The writing is fairly average for Christian historical fiction, but the unique premise and historical angle is what elevates this title from the norm. If you're interested in exploring an introduction to the early Christianity (5th century AD), then this is a good entry-level title to explore this period and setting through fiction.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best Historical I've ever read!, June 8, 2010

By 

Elisabeth H. Bantz "bantzbooks.com" - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Healer: A Novel (The Brides of Alba Series) (Paperback)

I absolutely love Linda Windsor's tale of the HEALER set in early Scotland. In connecting the healer's story to King Arthur and his contemporaries, Windsor takes great care in keeping it true to her extensive research. And presenting it from a Christian's point of view makes the whole Arthur/Merlin story much clearer. I recommend it to all my family and friends. My granddaughter is reading it now.

With the onslaught of movies that glorify werewolves and witchcraft, this is a beacon in the darkness revealing what's really real. Three cheers to David C. Cook for making Linda's expert writing available. And three cheers to the author of Book 1 in the Brides of Alba series. I can't wait to read her next two books!

MOVIE MAKERS, here's your next blockbuster hit series!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Overall, a good read!, June 3, 2010

By 

Ronie K. "RonieK" (Texas) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Healer: A Novel (The Brides of Alba Series) (Paperback)

Linda Windsor's The Healer is a gripping tale that weaves a fictional tale into the revered Arthurian legends. Her characters were alive and relatable, the story intriguing! Windsor's take on the merlins was very clever and I love the way these old sages challenged the characters toward deeper morality and faith. While I felt the story seemed to drift a bit a little more than halfway, Windsor pulled it back together for a great ending. Overall, a very good read!

I received an influencer copy in exchange for a review but was not asked to provide a positive review.