DNF. The buildup was to slow for me. Slow enough that I didn't feel the need to read more of it after 16% of it. ( )

A pesky light plays a prominent role in this historical fiction novel. The light is notorious in the small town that Lyric lies in. Many blame her mentally ill mother for it's presence. The light has a sense of humor and is a fun part of the book.

Lyric finds a stranger in her barn. Something big has made a hole in the barn door and the stranger is near death. Lyric knows that he must be an outlaw. He has no memory of his past or how he came to be injured in her barn. This book looks at two strangers who learn to trust each other and their instincts.

This book was fun to read. I enjoyed the growing friendship between Lyric and the Stranger (Josheph/Ian). Both jump to many conclusions about each other that are not accurate. They become friends and then realize that their feelings are stronger than friendship. There are too many unanswered questions about their past for either to feel comfortable developing a relationship other than friends.

I liked the secondary characters in this book. Lyrics sister, Lark, and her best friend Boots are quite the pair. They get into many scrapes and adventures that keep the story light and fun. Then there is the the character of the light. The light seems to mock it's victims. It keeps the townsfolk on their toes and adds a mysterious dimension to the story.

This is a clean story with Christian themes. ( )

4 stars

The Healer's Touch is a good clean story that has a main character is spooklight that is seen in Missouri. I had never heard of it but it would probably freak me out after awhile. It does scare a lot of the people in this book.

The setting is 4 miles south of Joplin, Missouri 1887. Their are a lot of outlaws that live close by.

I like Lyric Bolton and her sister Lark. They live with their mother alone on a small farm. Their mother is sick and has fits. Because of their mom's sickness people are scared of them and will not go to their place and don't welcome the girls either.

One night the Bolton's barn door is broken and she finds a injured man inside that looks close to death. Lyric thinks he is a outlaw. She rides into town to talk to sheriff about the outlaw. The sheriff wants her to bring him in because he does not want to go to her place. He also plans to hang him the next day.

Ian Cawley does not remember who he is or anything. He knows that he hill hang when she takes him in. He saw the light and it scared him and his horse and his horse threw him into the barn that night. He has no id on him and his horse bolted.

Lark is 14 and she plans to marry a farmer close by who is 17 and wants nothing to do with her. She has a real close friend that is not afraid to come visit. She also loves to read.

Lyric plans to take her sister and leave the area after their mother dies so she can have a normal life with friends and church. Lark does not want to move. Lyric wants to take the bounty she will get off of Ian to go away.

I liked the story and am glad that Lyric finally got a friend. Has some funny scenes in it. Also talks about scriptures and prayers.

I was given this ebook to read by Net Galley and agreed in return to give honest review of it. ( )

The Healer’s Touch
Lori Copeland

Book Summary: Lyric Bolton doesn't ask for much--just friendship and acceptance from her rural Missouri community. But her family is regarded with suspicion and fear because of her mother's sickness--a sickness of the mind that grows worse by the day. Lyric is resigned to a life of isolation and doesn't see any way out...but that's before Ian Cawley bolts into her life on a runaway stallion. As she opens her heart to Ian, Lyric dares to imagine a different life. But what will happen when he discovers the secret she holds closest of all?

Review: I forgot how much I love reading Lori Copeland’s books until I started this one. I was hooked right away and read 75% of the book in one day. I will not wait this long to read another book of hers. I loved her vivid description and could picture the mountains of Missouri and the Bolton Holler easily. The characters were well written and likable. Lyric and Ian were easy to like and root for. I found Lyric to loosen up a bit after tending to Ian. The only thing I was not enthralled with was the light. It did not add to the story and seemed to weigh it down at times - with Katherine and Levi. Overall a fast paced story that kept me interested all the way to the end.

I would like to thank Net Galley and Harvest House Publishing for allowing me to read and review this book in return for a free copy and I was never asked to write a favorable review by anyone. ( )

The year 1887 Lyric was not accepted because of her mother's sickness of the mind. She lacked friendships; however, Ian bolts into her life and everything changes........