As the ship leaves Ireland, the lovely Rachel Dunne sobs quietly to herself. Leaving everything and everyone she holds dear, Rachel seeks a fresh start where the ugly stain of her past won't be known. With the help of her English cousin, she has landed a temporary position in the home of Dr. James Edmunds to assist with coordinating his library collection before he moves from London to become a gentleman farmer in Finchingfield.

In spite of her loneliness, Rachel enjoys her work and soon finds herself falling for the handsome widowed doctor. Perplexed by his actions, she struggles with her own emotions as she knows she would never be accepted by his class in society or his heart as he had so loved his beautiful and perfect wife. What can she do, especially now she needs to help her own family back in Ireland?

Vowing never to attend the sick again as she has lost her trust in her skills as a healer and her faith in God's help, Rachel unintentionally has her past made known. How will Dr. Emunds react when he finds out? Where can she go?

Set at the start of the cholera outbreak in London in 1832, debut author Nancy Herriman has definitely launched her career as a writer with this utterly captivating and gripping story of two people, each with their own secrets and ashamed of their past failures, as they find love and God's grace. Her authentic portrayal of the times and characters pulls you right into this story which is so realistically described in detail and description.

Hopefully, we can look forward to more of Herriman's work in the future. THE IRISH HEALER is truly a reading delight you will not want to miss! Enjoy!