The Healer by Gregg Luke -- Blog Tour/Giveaway

The Healer

Author: Gregg Luke

Publisher: Covenant

Published: February 3rd, 2015

ISBN13: 978-1-62108-826-4

Paperback: 272 pages

FTC FYI: Received a paperback copy from the publisher in exchange for honest review.

Goodreads Summary

After successfully completing his first-year professorship, Welsh folklore expert Chris Pendragon has earned a vacation. At least that's what the young scholar tells himself—but deep down he feels an urgency to reassess his life, to find a sense of purpose. Hoping that perhaps a trip to Wales will provide the answers he seeks, Chris embarks on a journey of self-discovery. But he could never have anticipated the unimaginable adventure that awaits him ...

Shortly after his arrival in Wales, Chris is witness to a horrific accident with more far-reaching consequences than he could have dreamed. Following Chris's heroic rescue of one of the victims, an unexplainable phenomenon is revealed: bones that had been broken were made whole with Chris's touch. Still reeling form this discovery, Chris is approached by a wizened old man with an implausible answer: Chris has been chosen to be the bearer of the Dial, a healer of unparalleled power. But the calling is fraught with peril, and Chris soon discovers there are those who will stop at nothing to seize the power of the Dial. With the help of a beautiful, if skeptical, doctor, Chris must choose: go back to the life he was leading or embark on a thrilling new destiny.

My Review

The Healer grips you from the first page and doesn't stop until the end!  I really enjoyed this book and Chris's journey to find the answers he is seeking and also how to find himself in his new role.  I was fascinated by the Welsh history and loved the details of Chris's travels.  I thought there were some very clever twists and turns, especially involving Dr. Ingledew.  I loved Chris, but I think the character that surprised me the most was Father Llewellyn.  He was a treat, absolutely delightful. 

Every time he spoke, I smiled.  The Father says something to Chris that really struck me.

"I've come to believe that those with the greatest blessings are often those with the greatest challenges." (page 229)

This statement fit this book perfectly.  Chris, at first, sees his role as a healer as a burden.  I loved reading his self-discovery and how he plans on handling it in the future.  The history of the Dial was fascinating and enjoyable.  The last few chapters were icing on the cake, a perfect way of showing the reader how he plans to treat his gift.  I'm so excited to see what is next for Chris.

5 out of 5 stars.

Author Links

Goodreads / Website 

Purchase Links

Amazon / Barnes and Noble / Deseret Book / Seagull Book

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Blood Moon by Teri Harman -- Blog Tour

Blood Moon

Author: Teri Harman

Publisher: Jolly Fish Press

Published: June 22, 2013

ISBN13: 9781939967008

Hardcover: 354 pages

FTC FYI: Received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Goodreads Summary

Willa dreams of true events and her best friend is a ghost. Simon can heal any wound with a touch and senses others’ emotions, intentions. All their lives they’ve felt alone in their bizarre abilities, hiding behind a facade of normalcy, wondering why and how. The night Simon walks into the Twelve Acres Diner and meets Willa face to face, in a swirl of electric heat, they are bound to one another and glimpse the magic of who they are.

Across town a witch is held prisoner in the derelict basement of an old Victorian house. One night as it rains, she dares to reach her filthy, scarred hand out the window. Willa, walking home from work, recognizes the pathetic hand from a recent, terrible dream.

After a daring rescue of the witch, Willa and Simon are catapulted into the alluring but dangerous world of witchcraft and the magic of The Six Gifts. Answers to all their questions are within reach, but they’ve stepped into the middle of a deadly fight for the Powers of the Earth. Do they stay, risk their lives on the promise of power, or walk away?

Teri Harman's groundbreaking debut novel, the first installment in The Moonlight Trilogy, completely reinvents the modern concept of witches and magic. With its authentic translation of the history of witches into a fresh and entertaining package with unprecedented characterization, Blood Moon is sure to capture readers from the first page.

My Review

Right away I was taken into Willa and Simon's story.  I was intrigued by their instant connection and what will become of their relationship.  I really enjoyed how the author told the story from different points of view.  We got to see the story through many different character's view points, even ghosts and bad guys.  I also really liked how the story went from present to past, telling us of important events that were vital to the story, and how the past and present connected.  I also appreciated how Willa and Simon, when faced with certain situations, really look their time to know what was right for them.  I loved reading about the different types of magic, or gifts, that the witches had.  There were also some surprising twists and turns that kept me eagerly reading this book until way past my bedtime.

Content

Violent scenes.  

4 out of 5 stars.  This is the first book of The Moonlight Trilogy.  I am really looking forward to the next book.

As part of the Blog Tour for Blood Moon, there is a Rafflecopter giveaway.  There is also a giveaway on Goodreads. 



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Author Links

Facebook / Twitter / Website / Goodreads

Purchase Links

Amazon / Barnes and Noble