Kindle Edition Download to your Nook (eBook) Amazon Ginger Myrick--Accidental Author of Romantic Historical Fiction Amazon.com Barnes&Noble Category:  Historical Fiction Type: Fiction Pages: 350 Copyright: October 2012 Price: $3.99 (eBook) Spanning the reigns of Richard II, Henry IV, and Henry V, THE WELSH HEALER tells the compelling story of a young woman growing up during the transitional period from Plantagenet to Lancastrian rule. It touches upon historical events including the Welsh rebellion, the English army's invasion of France, and their triumph at Agincourt. In the midst of England's Hundred Years’ War, Arlais is the gentle and free-spirited daughter of a humble Welsh household. Though just managing to scrape out a living in the rugged hills of northern Wales, her loving environment and strong family ties make for a happy home. But there is more to her than meets the eye. She is endowed with a mystical gift passed down through an ancient line of healers. She has been told her entire life that she is the fulfillment of a prophecy and destined to preserve the bloodline of kings. Despite the wondrous expectations for her future, she is content to wait for her intended mate, a mysterious man seen in a dream on her tenth birthday.   But the Welsh rebellion strikes and turns her world upside down. Arlais is forced to journey across the whole of Britain to live with a distant relative. While the events foretold by the prophecy unfold around her, she settles into the unfamiliar country continuing her path toward fulfilling her destiny and experiencing companionship, heartache, and love along the way. Excerpt The Prophecy Prologue June 26, 1387 In the tenth year of a child king’s reign Out of the Northwestern hills of the land Sired by an adamant nonbeliever A girlchild born with a healing hand. After the week of a midsummer’s revel A time when the shadows are on shortest earth Under the light of a new crescent moon Is when the latent scion shall give birth Only after her family’s demise Will she pass into her mentor’s safe care Price of her sacrifice for a dark prince Wounded for life while transformed into hare The maid shall continue, her only companion Spirit protector, man turned to beast Shall guard her until she meets her intended Unbidden love of a stone from the east In her long life she will see come to pass Four kings named Harri ascend to the crown One returned to his birthright at last One on a faraway soil brought down One of them roused from the depths of malaise The other a young lad delivered from death, Spawn of this last a new dynasty born Risen from Wales, preserved by her breath It was a family legend that Briallen had saved the Black Prince from death, brought him back from it, it was said, at the risk of her own life. He had suffered a calamity when she happened to be near, and she had rushed to his side to aid him. Only after ensuring that he would survive had she transformed into a hare to effect her escape and was attacked by one of his hounds. The dog had bitten her hind foot and broken it, leaving her seriously maimed and crippling her for the remainder of her life. It was a selfless deed, especially astonishing for the fact that she was a native of Wales to whom Edward—bearing the title of prince of that land along with crown prince of England—would seem a usurper. But she had saved him nonetheless and nearly forfeited her life in the process. Caron had sought to commemorate Briallen’s sacrifice by naming the child for the meadow where it had taken place. She put forth the name Arleigh, meaning ‘field of the hare’ in Old English, but her husband with his staunch Welsh nationalism would have none of it. It derived from the original usurpers, the Saxon invaders, who had pillaged and raped and stolen the land of his ancestors, claiming it for their own. They had swept the Welsh westward, finally leaving them with only this last mountain stronghold, a mere portion of their original homeland. How did she expect him to ever agree to that? And besides, it was a male name. But this had not fazed Caron in the least. She was much more resourceful than that. “You know, husband,” she began in a contemplative tone, “the signs are consistent with the events foretold in the prophecy. If this child should be the one to fulfill it, she should bear a name to denote her significance.” “And what traditional Welsh name did you have in mind?” Dylan asked, emphasizing the importance of their heritage and raising his right eyebrow in question. He knew enough of her ways to be wary. “Well,” she said thoughtfully, “Arlais means ‘from the temple’. We could honor her destiny and pay tribute to my aunt in the same gesture.” “Hmm …” he mused, turning her suggestion over in his mind. Finally, nodding his head with a small, resigned smile, he looked up at her and chuckled. “I might have known you would find a means to finagle your wish. You know I could not refuse you even if I were so inclined. Very well, then, you shall have your Arlais.”

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautifully written story in an uncommon setting!
Wales, late 14th Century--Arlais is a girl of ten when her destiny is foretold by an ancient prophecy claiming her as a renowned healer who will ultimately save a bloodline of kings. During a perilous era, when the Welsh were warring against the English, the young girl's family had a humble but happy home until the political unrest invaded even their secluded little farm, ripping the family apart and leaving Arlais in dire straits with winter quickly approaching. Her only consolation is a product of her curious healing powers that she'd always taken for granted, and never fully understood.

True to the prophecy, Arlais's path finds her in a foreign land with a distant relative whom she'd not previously met. Her position as an outcast did not extend to her unique talent with herbs and medicines the villagers relied on, and so she's able to carve out a life among a hostile people. Through the years Arlais finds herself searching for the man, her destined mate, whom she was offered a glance during a dream as a child. The fate of the English kings, Henry IV through Henry VII, is one theme of the story--with the final being of Welsh descent, while Arlais's various relationships and quest to unravel the prophecy are the main focus. With much humor, many heartwarming scenes, and--yes--some despair, the life of this extraordinary girl is portrayed parallel to the foretelling, but not always as expected by the characters or by the reader.

This is yet another gem of a novel from an author who is not only a book lover and avid reader of historical fiction, but also a writer possessing a talent for naturally flowing and elegant prose, and excellent editor to boot. As with her other novel, El Rey: A Novel of Renaissance Iberia, this self-published eBook reads like a classic Anya Seton novel, with interesting characters and authentic settings. That one of her favorite authors is Jean Plaidy enticed me to read El Rey, which I thoroughly enjoyed and struck up an easy friendship with Ms. Myrick. So taken with our common interests, she decided to use a form of my name and those of my family members in her second novel, as well as my (much photoshopped) image on the cover.

Ginger, thank you for portraying my brothers, Morgan and Keenan, so gracefully in your story and capturing their essence--especially that of Keenan, who was so much like your Kynan--and giving my daughters, Alannah and Lorelei, an exciting and beautifully written "proof" of their mischievous natures to peruse in the future. I am honored and awed at your intuitiveness and insightful creations - you are much like Briallen in this. Thank you, and I cannot wait to read the next one!

This review was first published at Historical-FIction.com

5.0 out of 5 stars Absolute Magic!
For those on the fence over the warning in the product description, do not be alarmed. The supernatural events in this book come in snips and snatches, and are not overdone which makes it all the more believable. The real magic however is in the storytelling and how this author connects with the reader on so many emotional levels. As suggested in the beginning of the book Mrs. Myrick does a wonderful job of convincing that the story did occur, further substantiated by the historical facts that were woven seamlessly into the work. From the onset I was drawn into The Welsh Healer's spell by a poetic prophecy. The meaning was revealed throughout the story and keeps the reader in question until the very end, and concludes with an epilogue that touches greatness.
I am left in awe at the beauty of the final pages.

5.0 out of 5 stars A magical historical love story!
This story warms your heart as you journey with Arlais, a young Welsh girl who posseses a magical healling power and discovers an old prophecy that connects her to generations of healers. I loved the look at the rural life of peasants during this medieval era. Even mundane chores were interesting. The author tells a well rounded story and pays close attention to details. I also loved that these characters, particulairly the men showed tenderness and affection. The look at Welsh folklore, the language and Arlais extensive knowledge of herbs is equally interesting and entertaining. A magical love story woven into a wonderful historical!