When the Heart Heals, Sisters at Heart #2 by Ann Shorey, ©2013

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.
 
Rosemary 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 fiancée, 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?

Return 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. Readers will find in Rosemary a sympathetic but strong woman determined to thrive in a world that doesn’t always understand.
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My Review:

   "Are you treating my patients again, Miss Saxon?" The doctor stepped into the reception area.
   Rosemary jumped to her feet. "Miss Haddon is a friend of mine, Doctor. This is a social call." She sucked in her lower lip. He had the most irritating habit of popping out of his office at awkward moments.
   --When the Heart Heals, page 29

I love this story! I had a full scholarship to nurses' training and didn't attend. I was always told to hop on board but I never did. This comment makes me smile. Rosemary is a dilly! What a kindred friend she would be! She would be remarkable. I also think I would like Bodie, her diminutive collie watchdog. I would so like to be invited for tea! We would have much to chat and giggle about ~ by ourselves, of course.

Rosemary Saxon, previously a war nurse, applies for a position with the new doctor in town. She immediately recognizes Dr. Elijah Stewart. Before being sent to a battlefield hospital, he had been a surgeon at Jefferson Barracks where she spent her early weeks of nursing. Obviously, he doesn't recognize her. She is newly under his employ. Some have already come to her for remedies since her return home.

A turn of events accuses Rosemary as rumors descend upon the small community. She is a brave woman. I loved this story. I give it an absolute 10+. When the Heart Heals is an excellent story by Ann Shorey. I highly recommend it. I have not read the first book. This story can be read as a stand-alone.

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Ann's new series, Sisters at Heart, follows her ancestor's emigration from Illinois to Missouri after the close of the War Between the States. As the series title promises, the books are linked by the friendship between Faith, Rosemary and Cassie, the novels' protagonists.

One of the best things Ann learned about fiction is that it’s okay to make stuff up! Thus, although these novels are inspired by her courageous female ancestors, the largest percentage of their adventures are fictional. Ann leaves it to her readers to separate truth from “it could have happened like this.” 





Excerpt, Chapters 1-3
http://www.annshorey.com/cmsdocuments/WhenTheHeartHealsSC.pdf


In When the Heart Heals, Book 2 in author Ann Shorey’s Sisters at Heart series, Civil War nurse Rosemary Saxon wants to use her skills as a healer in the town of Noble Springs. But the townsfolk, and the town's new doctor, aren't sure what to make of her unconventional ways!

To celebrate the story, Ann and Revell Books are proud to announce the TEA WITH ROSEMARY giveaway, featuring three incredible prizes.

http://www.annshorey.com/contest.html

This giveaway starts February 15, 2013 and ends March 7, 2013 @ 11:59 pm (PST). Winners will be selected Friday, March 8, 2013.


Coming Soon:
Watch for a novella from Ann, titled Lessons in Love, to be included in a collection with authors Amanda Cabot, Laurie Alice Eakes, and Jane Kirkpatrick. Release date TBA.


Thank you to Revell Blog Tour Network Historical Fiction for sending me a copy of When the Heart Heals to review in my own words. No other compensation was received.