A Healer's Touch by Ashlynn Monroe

Story: 8
Presentation: 8
Total: 16
Publisher: Wild Horse Press
Paranormal Romance
To Purchase

Blurb: As if being a young single mother wasn't challenging enough, Phoebe is also the last adult descendant of the witch who cursed Willow Lake in response to her betrayal and murder. Phoebe inherited the family curse, but with love and compassion, she uses her magic for healing.

Fabian Sterling likes money, he likes power, and he likes Phoebe. He's also the ancestor of the man who burned Phoebe's witch ancestor at the stake. Can passion overcome a centuries old grudge? When he looks at Phoebe he doesn’t see a witch, only an angel. How can anyone so beautiful be reviled by an entire town? Fabian vows to protect her, whatever the cost.

Review: Ashlynn Monroe has written an adorable story about one of my favorite paranormals. A witch named Phoebe who has the ability to ease pain and heal people. Phoebe is a descendant of the Penn witches, who lost her parents too soon. She works hard all day to pay the bills and support her three year old son and herself. Phoebe doesn't spout off spells or hexes to the people who won't accept her. She isn't bitter about her life or her gift. The only thing thta matters to her is her son.

Ashlynn conveys the daily struggle this single mother goes through trying to make ends meet. At the same time, she never makes Phoebe look week or pitiful. There is a fire inside Phoebe that pushes her on. Even when she has exhausts herself to the point of unconsciousness saving the life of a little girl, Phoebe still pushes on. She visits the nursing home bringing healing and pain easing love to the residents, even if only for a little while. She uses her abilities for the greater good. Phoebe doesn't save the world and that's refreshing. She simply wants to help people.

However, when Fabian shows up to help her repeatedly, it is hard for her to let down her walls. She's guarded and doesn't trust people easily. Who could blame her? Especially when residents of Willow Lake "out" her on cable TV. She witnesses just how cruel and ignorant the townspeople can be. Even in the twenty-first century. Phoebe soon learns she cannot protect her son and herself from everything. Will she open herself up to Fabian and allow him inside her heart and life? Or will she lose the one man she has ever loved because of her pride?