Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Filled with her trademark spiritual and emotional healing, this story of sugary Sturm and romantic Drang is set on the coast of 19th-century Maine. When an anonymous young woman throws herself off a cliff, battering her skull and making her face an unrecognizable mess, a frightened fisherman takes her to Lethe House, where tormented young doctor Ian Carrick looks after a pack of loonies and writes scholarly papers on septicemia. Ian, formerly a celebrated Manhattan surgeon, had been shot by a jealous husband and, after a light-filled near-death experience, he was cursed with second sight allowing him to feel the psychic pain of anyone he touches. The great thing about the young cliff-jumper, whom Ian names Selena, is that when he touches her he doesn't feel anything but growing passion. He believes that healing Selena will restore his illustrious reputation, while Selena comes to realize that Ian needs just as much spiritual rescuing as she needed medical care. Though she has lost all her memory, she quickly makes a family of the odd band of wounded humanity in Ian's care, including his mad mother Maeve. The lovers would live happily and unorthodoxly ever after if Selena were not already married (though celibately) to a Shaker and must return to the orthodox religious community until she can't take the strict rules anymore. (Oct.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by Library Journal Review
Surprised by an unexpected flicker of hope, the reclusive and strangely telepathic doctor Ian Carrick agrees to help a woman brought to his isolated mansion, unconscious and bruised beyond recognition, and ends up having his faith in himself and his abilities restored by the very woman he sets out to save. This intensely emotional story explores the issues of mental and physical disability, the thin line between reality and illusion, and the healing powers of compassion, belief, and love. Despite an obvious and sentimental ending, Hannah's beautiful use of language, compelling and empathetic characters, and ability to involve readers make this historical, with a hint of the paranormal, well worth reading. Readers might also find Laura Kinsale's Flowers from the Storm (Avon, 1992) of interest. Hannah (When Lightning Strikes, LJ 8/94) lives on Bainbridge Island, Washington. (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
