Book Review: The Herbalist
Today, I’m participating in a book review tour for The Herbalist, a Christian romantic mystery by Carole Brown. It is part of the Appleton, WV Romantic Mysteries series and was released on October 15, 2024.
Disclosure: I voluntarily received a complimentary copy of the book from the author as part of Celebrate Lit publicity tours. All views expressed are my own. This post includes Amazon affiliate links.
My Review
Let me start by saying that The Herbalist is a sweet, cozy mystery with strong elements of faith. The characters are likeable, and the community is supportive. I especially liked the main characters’ cute little children.
This story has an intriguing plot, but I did not enjoy it as much as I had hoped to. First of all, as a rookie herbalist, I was hoping to learn more about herbalism, but it was more of a side note rather than the story’s central theme that I expected from the title.
My second issue was the phrasing throughout the book, both in dialogue and storytelling. I can’t put my finger on exactly what I found awkward, but it kept taking me out of the story to have to re-read sections to understand what was being said.
Maybe it’s just me, though. I’ve read other glowing reviews, so if you enjoy sweet romantic suspense, you should try it.
From the Publisher
In The Herbalist, a young mother with five-year-old twins is accused of murder, but it’s a long, lonely walk down this West Virginia road, especially when you trust few people. Can Lana Taylor prove she isn’t guilty? Can she realize that she does have a few friends who’ll stick by her regardless of the accusations? And can she forget the past and learn to trust again?
And will Athan Meadows be able to not only find the answers Lana needs, but also win her trust and love?
About the Author
Besides being a member and active participant of many writing groups, Carole Brown enjoys mentoring beginning writers. An author of twenty-one fiction books and two short stories in an anthology, she loves to weave suspense and tough topics into her books, along with a touch of romance and whimsy, and is always on the lookout for outstanding titles and catchy ideas. An award-winning, best seller author, she has a degree in Religious Education and an Associate in Computer, along with other course degrees. She has a special love for animals—especially dogs, cats, elephants and horses (which is sometimes found in her books)—a love for flowers and plants, traveling and her husband who is her best go-to person for grounding her in her writing.
She and her husband reside in SE Ohio but have ministered and counseled nationally and internationally. Together, they enjoy their grandsons and great granddaughter, traveling, gardening, good food, the simple life, and did she mention their grandchildren?
More from Carole
When I started this series (The Appleton, WV Romantic Mysteries) I didn’t realize that I would, someday in the future, be writing Book Eight. Truly, this series is one of my readers’ favorites with many of them asking when the next book is coming out.
When I plotted The Herbalist, I knew the basic outline of how the story would go, but I didn’t realize all the technical details I would need to research, even though most of it, in the book, isn’t in-depth.
- Car items: fuel pumps, oil leakages, failing brakes.
- Dementia: mental stability, actions, progression, and more.
- Police procedures: The various actions from a police crew when there’s a murder, the people who examine bodies, the leniency that can or can not be used in a murder case.
And other items I studied. It was both fascinating and tedious, but necessary.
But I love research, so most times I enjoy it, especially when it comes to my books.
I wanted to create an interesting and catching story that was as real as I could make it. Though the major plot scene was planned, at times, I would be stuck, wondering what should happen next. And lying in bed at night is sometimes my best time to think of a scene and how to write it. I love it when this happens, because it’s the perfect idea for my book. So I jump from my bed to scribble down the thought at my desk.
Blog Stops
- Happily Managing a Household of Boys, May 24
- Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, May 25
- Roads to Everywhere, May 25
- Texas Book-aholic, May 26
- Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, May 27
- The Sacred Line, May 28
- Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, May 29
- Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, May 30
- For Him and My Family, May 31
- Stories By Gina, June 1 (Author Interview)
- Older & Smarter?, June 1
- Vicky Sluiter, June 2
- Book Butterfly in Dreamland , June 3
- Paula’s Pad of Inspiration, June 4
- Mary Hake, June 4
- Holly’s Book Corner, June 5
- Pause for Tales, June 6
Giveaway
To celebrate her tour, Carole is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon gift card and copy of the book in winner’s choice of paperback or eBook!!
Be sure to comment on the blog stops for extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.
4 Comments
Rita Wray
Thank you for the review. Sounds like a book I will enjoy.
Jlcp
Sounds absolutely wonderful
MICHAEL LAW
This looks like a great read. Thanks for sharing.
Pamela Chambers
Thank you for the clear, honest review… You always help me lock in on the books that I end up loving.