When the Heart Heals

When the Heart Heals

by Ann Shorey

About the book (from the publisher):

Readers are invited to travel back to 1867, to the town of Noble Springs, Missouri, for an engrossing story of love's tentative first steps and fragile future in the face of opposition. With tenderness and grace, Ann Shorey tells the story of Rosemary, a sympathetic but strong woman determined to thrive in a world that doesn't always understand. Courageous and unconventional, Rosemary Saxon served as a nurse during the Civil War, a service that has caused most women in town to regard her as unfeminine and downright vulgar. Although she would like to put her experiences as a nurse behind her, she must support herself. She takes a position with Dr. Elijah Stewart and a mutual attraction begins to develop. But when a sophisticated woman arrives in town claiming to be Elijah's fiancee, a heartbroken Rosemary decides to leave Noble Springs and start fresh. Can Elijah convince her of the mystery woman's deception before he loses her forever?

My take:

This was a wonderful read! I have always enjoyed novels written around the Civil War era, so I really enjoyed this one. I found Rosemary's character to be very interesting. I had no idea that female nurses were considered "vulgar" in that time period. I found myself sympathizing with her character and all of the non-fictional heroic nurses of that era who gave up their reputations and "soft" lives to serve wounded soldiers and civilians. 

Towards the end of the book I found myself irritated with Rosemary's refusal to listen to Elijah's story. I suppose there has to be some romantic tension, but at that point I just found myself annoyed with her character. I guess it comes back to the fact that we all have faults and irritating qualities. 

I would give this book a "4" and recommend it to anyone who enjoys historical fiction, especially around the Civil War era.


Available February 2013 at  your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Company.



About the author:

Ann Shorey is the author of Where Wildflowers Bloom, The Edge of Light, The Promise of Morning, and The Dawn of a Dream. She has also published selections in The Cup of Comfort series and in Chicken Soup for Grandma's Soul. Ann and her husband make their home in southwestern Oregon.


Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Revell Books. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."