In medieval Germany, A poor woodcutter’s daughter escapes her mother’s match making schemes by apprenticing with a healer in the Duke’s castle. There Rose can support herself and remain unattached—or marry for love alone. She has avoided the advances of unscrupulous men, but when the Duke’s handsome sons, Lords Wilhelm and Rupert, return from schooling at Heidelberg, their attentions put Rose to the test. Far above Rose’s station, the honorable Lord Wilhelm must marry the mysterious Lady Salomea of Marienberg to maintain peace in the realm. Faced with these obstacles, Lord Wilhelm and Rose struggle to stifle their feelings for one another. Meanwhile, the younger brother, Lord Rupert, of questionable reputation, woos Rose. But will a nobleman really marry a penniless peasant?
Wilhelm leaves the castle to hunt down the sorcerer, Moncore, who having vowed revenge, has forced Lady Salomea into hiding. Things turn nasty when Moncore also takes a sudden interest in Rose.
If you like romance, The Healer’s Apprentice is all that. But the story also conveys powerful spiritual truths that some reviewers have missed. During a time of uncertainty and corruption within Christendom, God still empowered humble people of faith to experience His extraordinary love and transforming power. Courageously, Rose clings to God’s radical love and faces difficult choices with faith—and her decisions make all the difference.
Melanie Dickerson’s The Healer’s Apprentice was both a Christy and Carol Award finalist
Age Range: 12 and up
Genre: Romance Historical
Zondervan 2010
Series: Sort of, different characters, bu the first of four Historical Romances including Christy Award finalist, and Carol Award Winner 2012
Available: Amazon, ChristianBooks Also ask for this book at your local library
I love Castle books! so happy to see a Christian one. And I love romance. But I had a hard time with getting through this one, don’t know what it was exactly, but it seemed to drag for me. Maybe because I read more romances meant for adults? And it might have felt a bit preachy, but then all my friends love it, so maybe it was just me.
I agree with Izmadiz. It was hard for me to get into this story. For some reason I didn’t feel like I was inside the heroine’s skin, but that I was reading a book the whole time. I like reading experiences that sweep me away to another time and place, and this one just didn’t have that whole “swept away” feeling. Maybe it’s because I’m more used to reading adult novels? I don’t know. But I must admit I really loved the fairy tale idea behind this story. That part was a definite keeper. 🙂