Tuesday, March 1, 2016

First Chapter, First Paragraph No. 2: The Healer's Apprentice, by Melanie Dickerson



Welcome to First Chapter, First Paragraph Tuesday Intros,
hosted by Diane @

Every Tuesday, each participant
shares the first paragraph 
(sometimes two) from a book
they're reading,
or thinking about reading.



The book I've picked this week is....




The Healer's Apprentice
Melanie Dickerson
Trade Paperback, 272 pages
Zondervan 
September 15, 2010
Christian Fiction, Fantasy,
Fairy Tale Retellings, Historical Fiction,
Romance, Young Adult Fiction


https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7826101-the-healer-s-apprentice



 
Rose has been appointed as a healer's apprentice at Hagenheim Castle, a rare opportunity for a woodcutter's daughter like her. While she often feels uneasy at the sight of blood, Rose is determined to prove herself capable. Failure will mean returning home to marry the aging bachelor her mother has chosen for her—a bloated, disgusting merchant who makes Rose feel ill.

When Lord Hamlin, the future duke, is injured, it is Rose who must tend to him. As she works to heal his wound, she begins to understand emotions she's never felt before and wonders if he feels the same. But falling in love is forbidden, as Lord Hamlin is betrothed to a mysterious young woman in hiding. As Rose's life spins toward confusion, she must take the first steps on a journey to discover her own destiny.




Chapter 1


Spring, 1386, Hagenheim, 
The Harz Mountains, Lower Saxony

The townspeople of Hagenheim craned their necks as they peered down the cobblestone street, hoping to catch a glimpse of the Duke of Hagenheim's two handsome sons. The top-heavy, half-timbered houses hovered above the crowd as if they too were eager to get a peek at Lord Hamlin and Lord Rupert.

Rose shifted her basket from her left hip to her right and wrinkled her nose at the stale smell of sweat from the many bodies pressed close, mingled with the pungent scent of animal dung. Chickens and children skittered about, the clucking and squealing adding to the excited murmurs.

"I'll wait with you to the count of one hundred, Hildy, then I'm leaving." Rose couldn't let Frau Geruscha think her apprentice was a lazy dawdler. 

"Are you not curious to see if they've changed?" Hildy asked, her green eyes glinting in the sun.  
 

     

Have you ever read this novel?
If so, what did you think?
If not, would you continue reading,
judging from the excerpt above ?









24 comments:

  1. That's a really great introduction. I like the setting and the time period. I don't know that I've ever read anything set so long ago. I think it would be fun.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi, Margot!

      Indeed it is!! I love historical fiction set in medieval times, especially if there's fantasy in it! And yes, this does sound like a fun novel. Well, there's romance involved, so I know I'll enjoy it!

      Thanks for stopping by and commenting!! :)

      Delete
  2. A lovely opener -it really sets the scene very well!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi, Cleo!

      I agree -- this is indeed a lovely opener! I have really enjoyed seeing how Dickerson introduces her main character, too!

      Thanks for dropping by and commenting!! :)

      Delete
  3. I do love the intro - hope you enjoy this one.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi, Diane!

      Yes, this intro is great! I know I'll really enjoy reading this novel!

      Thanks for commenting back!! :)

      Delete
  4. This sounds interesting and you get a pretty good idea about Rose from the first few lines! I think I'd have to read a little bit more before I knew if it was one for me! Thanks for sharing :) I hope you have a great next week!
    My Tuesday Post
    Juli @ Universe in Words

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi, Juli!

      Yes, I'm very interested in this story! I really like the medieval setting! And I also like the fact that the heroine is apprenticed to a healer, and one of patients is a prince....SO swoony! Lol.

      You're very welcome for the share! Thanks for commenting back!! Hope your week is going great, too!! :)

      Delete
  5. What a pretty cover! I like the intro - and I'd continue reading. :-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi, Kay!

      I agree -- the cover is very pretty, and the intro is interesting! I know I'm going to enjoy this one!

      Thanks for dropping by and commenting!! :)

      Delete
  6. I haven't read this author, but the cover is beautiful and the intro is interesting. I would read on, I generally like historical fiction with a bit of fantasy thrown in.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi, Judy!

      I agree with everything you've stated here! This author is new to me, as well, but I know I'll enjoy reading this book!

      Thanks for coming by and commenting!! :)

      Delete
  7. I am curious...and I always feel sorry for those who are supposed to marry some disgusting bachelor...LOL. Thanks for sharing, and for visiting my blog.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi, Laurel!

      Oh, you're so funny! Yes, I, too, feel sorry for any woman whose family tries to get her to marry "some disgusting bachelor", as you put it. Lol. This will be a rocking GOOD story, I know!

      You're very welcome for the sharing, and my visit to your blog. And thanks to you for commenting back!! :)

      Delete
  8. I like the way the author establishes the setting of the story right away. This sounds like a story I'd like.
    My Tuesday post features THE ALL-GIRL FILLING STATION’S LAST REUNION by Fannie Flagg.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi, Sandra!

      Oh, I do, too! And I really like the heroine already. This will most likely be a sweet romance!

      Thanks for commenting!! :)

      Delete
  9. I really like the sound of this one, Maria. A healer who doesn't like the sight of blood--that would be challenging. I hope you enjoy it!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi, Wendy!

      I do, as well! And I agree -- that situation is challenging. It also strikes me as funny. I know I'll enjoy this one!

      Thanks for commenting back!! :)

      Delete
  10. Not really the kind of book I typically read, but I hope you enjoy it. Girl Who Reads

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi, Donna! Oh, I definitely will! Thanks for commenting!! :)

      Delete
  11. I do like the intro and would keep reading. This is a new to me author.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi, Nise

      Yes, this intro is really great! I discovered this author some time ago, and have her books on my TBR. I decided to feature this one. Looking forward to reading it!

      Thanks for commenting!! :)

      Delete
  12. Very nice intro! I'd keep reading. :-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi, Diana!

      Oh, I love that intro! I know I'm going to enjoy this!

      Thanks for commenting back!! :)

      Delete

THIS IS NOW AN AWARD-FREE, AND TAG-FREE BLOG. Thanks for the compliment, though! : )

As of today, 9/23/18, I have permanently enabled comment moderation, due to a sudden rash of SPAM comments. I appreciate your patience!

Thanks for your thoughts on my posts! I always reply here, as well as comment back on your blog. Have a WONDERFUL day!! :)