Curse of the Healer (The Derbfine Series Book 1)

Ashley
York
Genre: 
Historical

Aednat has spent her life as an outcast. Being both a cripple and a healer makes the people innately suspicious of her, so it comes as a great shock when a rogue band of warriors are hell-bent on stealing her away and claiming her maidenhood. They believe that as a great healer her purity will bestow magnificent power to the one who beds her first. Diarmuid is arrogant, devastatingly handsome, and unfortunately for Aednat, her assigned protector. Diarmuid has long held the belief that women were only good for one thing, so when he starts to realize that Aednat is more special than any maid he has ever met, his heart falls for her, and he will stop at nothing to protect her. 

This book has everything a romance reader could want in a love story; conflict, danger, threat of imminent death, a strong heroine with slight insecurities, and a dashingly handsome prince who fights for his woman despite all odds. This reads like a medieval fairy tale in some ways, but without the clichéd formula. Truly, Ms. York does a fantastic job of sweeping one away to medieval Ireland, and capturing all the heartwarming aspects of love, loss, and humanity. Love scenes are hot and steamy, yet well balanced, allowing the reader to appreciate the unfolding relationship between Aednat and Diarnuid. Some readers may find that the ‘wrap-up’ details after the main conflict is over drag a bit. Either way, readers will be enthralled, enraged, heart-warmed, and left wanting more!

MB Rose