Customer Reviews

Healer: A Novel (The Brides of Alba Series)

5 star:		(22)
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3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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!

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.

This is the first book I've read by Linda Windsor. And to say it was amazing doesn't do it justice. I love historical novels, and my daughter is named Brenna, so I already had a great feel for the book. And as I started reading I soon realized the story Ms. Windsor created is breath-taking. This novel has the best dramatic scene I've ever read in a book. I can't tell you what it is because I don't want to spoil it, but trust me. The scene is etched in my mind--and I'm not likely to forget it. I love the love in the book. I love the devotion shown, the conflict, the heart ache and the happiness. I had tears and smiles throughout this book. The last thing I have to say about this book is read it.

Review:

Joanna, a trained healer, chose to marry for love - and her fateful decision drives a wedge between two once-close foster brothers, leaders of the neighboring Gowrys and O'Byrne clans. When Tarlach O'Byrne's obsession with Joanna turns violent, his bloody act sets in motion twenty years of bitter clan feuding, fed by Joanna's dying promise - that her infant daughter would divide Tarlach's house and usher in a peace beyond his comprehension. In the ensuing decades, Ronan, the O'Byrne heir, has grown weary of the self-destructive nature of his father's obsession to kill the Gowrys heiress. When Ronan is attacked by a would-be assassin, the one woman he's been reared to fear and hate nurses him back from the brink of death. Forced into a life of isolation, Joanna's daughter Brenna carries the knowledge of her mother's final words heavily on her shoulders - she's a healer, not the savior the Gowrys clan desires or the wolf-woman monster the O'Byrnes fear. She longs to practice the healing arts and live her faith openly, and hopes the stranger she saves could be the answer to her heartfelt prayers. Bound by decades of fear, guilt, and bloody feuding, both Ronan and Brenna will find their faith and love tested as never before if they are to be the long-promised catalysts for peace between their warring families.

With Healer, Linda Windsor returns to what she does best in my eyes - shining a light into the Dark Ages and illuminating a fascinating period in time, the rich history and traditions of the early church. Windsor deftly weaves a vibrant tapestry of family jealousy, vengeance, forgiveness, and love during a turbulent time when pagan beliefs vied for prominence with the rise of the early church. In my view no one can spin a meaty, substantial tale set during the Dark Ages and fill it with enough passion and danger to keep you turning pages quite like Windsor. What makes Brenna and Ronan's story even more compelling is that this time, Windsor crafts her story against the backdrop of the only historically documented Arthur, prince of Dalraida in sixth-century Scotland. I've always loved the stories and films of King Arthur and his knights, everything from the unabashed romanticism of Knights of the Round Table, to the gritty realism of King Arthur, to the magic and humor of Merlin. Reading about the historical Arthur and his attempts to unite the chieftains under his rule, his wise warrior-queen bride Gwenhyfar, and his advisor Merlin Emrys, a Christian druid and bishop in the Celtic Church, made for utterly absorbing reading. These characters, so familiar to fans of the legends, spring to life in a new and authentic way in the pages of Healer. I loved the authenticity, historical context, and epic feel these figures - the roots of many a beloved legend - lend to the storyline.

In addition to a liberal dose of history - including fascinating information regarding the fate of the Davidic line after the Jewish diaspora at the end of 2nd Kings - I also adore the love story Windsor spins within the pages of Healer. She excels at bringing passionate, wounded characters in search of healing to vibrant life. Brenna, and especially Ronan, are so fully realized so true to the time period, that I found it impossible not to be wholly immersed in their world. Windsor deftly illustrates the delicate push-and-pull between the Christian Celtic Church and the deeply entrenched pagan beliefs still so prevalent during this time period. When it was so easy for superstition to rule the day, the Christian practice of "nature magic" (i.e., the use of herbs and natural remedies to facilitate healing) to be misconstrued, feared, or in conflict with those who practiced spiritually dark arts. Healer is an epic tale of tragedy, love, and redemption set against the unforgettable, turbulent backdrop of early church history. This is Windsor doing what she does best, shedding light into some of history's darkest eras, and illustrating with an unwavering confidence the transformative, life-changing capability of wild, sold-out faith. I can not wait to read Caden's story in volume two - Thief releases Summer 2011.

I would like to extend a heartfelt "Thank you" to Linda Windsor and her publisher for sending me a copy of "Healer" to review for them. I am truly grateful for this generosity. I really appreciate the time, effort and expense it takes to make a reviewer copy available to me.

Linda Windsor's "Healer" is the first novel in The Brides of Alba series. From its absolutely breathtaking cover to all of the special extras that are included in the back of a book published by David Cook, this is a remarkable read! This is a Celtic-Arthurian tale of Brenna, a lonely medicine woman whose only companion is a wolf because of a prophecy spoken about her to a Scottish chieftan by her dying mother. The romance that is born from the rescue by this healer of the chieftan's son and heir has the power to save Brenna from loneliness and isolation, or it could possibly cost her life!

Linda Windsor has a way of transporting the reader to the superstition-laden time when people believed in magic. Her attention to detail will have you hearing the crackle of the fire and smelling the wood smoke. Her vivid descriptions and lively period dialogue ignite the reader's imagination to experience this novel almost as one would a motion picture. This is a beautiful story full of conflict and romance and political intrigue. I cannot wait for book two!

Brenna's hiding place is threatened when she takes in a wounded stranger. Is he friend or foe?

As he heals, they fall in love, only to discover their past, present and future are woven together by a prophecy by her mother. Her mother was murdered by his father.

The author's extensive research reveals the culture and beliefs of the clans waging war during the times of King Arthur. Highly recommend.

It is written Linda Windsor tells us that one child, a girl, will bring an end to a blood feud.

It is the 6th century, the time of Authur. Two families battle each other both looking for one woman. The o'Bynes seek to kill her to end their curse. The Gowry's believe she will lead them into battle and win the day.

But Brenna is neither witch nor warrior. She is a healer forced to live like a hermit with her beloved wolf. When the heir to the O'Byne clan is attacked Brenna saves him and nurses him back to life. A vision tells her that she should marry him but would she once she finds out sho he really is.

The O'Dyne family is in conflict. Guilt and greed eat at its very heart.

I have not read Christain historical romance before but this book is well written. The substitution of the love of God for magic you might find in most paranormal is refreshing

Let me just start off by saying that Linda Windsor's "Healer" is not just a straight Fiction novel. It is, in fact, Christian Fiction - something of which I was not aware when I got this book. It was the storyline itself that got me interested, and it was also the storyline itself that I quite enjoyed. However - this novel is written for those of faith. There is no other way to say it - it is HEAVILY populated with biblical references, prophecies, miracles and other Christian references. Within the arc of the story, they fit quite well - as long as it is something that you are looking for. If, however, you are hoping for story that does not fit in the religious genre, then this is not it.

The story itself was quite unique to my experience in that the author made a concerted attempt to blend actual history, including beliefs of druids and witches, within the framework of Christianity. Written as well as it was, Windsor does a great job. The connections made sense and did not stretch credibility to the breaking point, which could have been the case.

The ending certainly suggests a sequel, which is not surprising considering the author has mentioned a series that appears to be called "The Brides of Alba".

So - If you prefer to skip the religion, then I would *highly* recommend moving on to another book/author. One author to try that has written numerous Celtic Historical Fiction novels is Morgan Llywelyn. But, if you're looking for a really good Historical Christian Fiction novel, then I would certainly recommend this one.

I've never read a novel based around Christianity, but I thought this book sounded good. It was a great story. I liked how the healer eventually won over everyone. The auther was very descriptive about the surroundings as well.