THE ARTIST’S HEALER, GRACE-BY-THE-SEA, Book 3 by Regina Scot

Dorset, England, July 1804

Regina Scott has done it again! She has provided entertaining fun characters with diverse and fully flavored personalities. In England, the town of Dorset Grace-by-the-Sea is small and dependent upon their local spa. It’s now equipped with a doctor, to attract vacationers to boost local business sales. This is a tight community where the residents watch out for one another—definitely not a place to keep secrets. Unless you are French spies who may have infiltrated the area. That’s the mystery, though. In the last book, local artist Abigail Archer was shot in the arm and now has need of the spa doctor. Their foibles and strengths are like oil and water. Could their needs be a possible connection? I can say no more—except if you want to see the plot unravel and entertain, I encourage you to order an eBook or novel of your own.

This is definitely a book about family, friends, romance, and intrigue pulled together with mystery. How do you suppose Doctor Linus Bennett will get along in Grace-by-the-Sea with his young son, Ethan? Napoleon’s spies add tension as well as talk that there are press gangs close at hand. Danger, misunderstandings, and romance will pull you into this tale that is adorned with forgiveness, overcoming spirit, and hope!

I did receive a free copy of this story so that I could write an honest review.  And now, you may discover if this is a valuable tale worthy of your time, which I believe it is. The above comments are my true observations of Regina’s latest novel. The last Grace-by-the-Sea story that I reviewed was on January 18, 2020, and you may look there to see Regina’s answers to her interview and the photo of the area she used to write THE ARTIST’S HEALER in the beautiful town of Grace-by-the-Sea, England!

QUESTIONS FOR REGINA:

Have you read any historical accounts from anyone dealing with those French spies?

Not the spies specifically, but I have read historical accounts of the fear of invasion that swept England during those years. Villagers all along the coast were watchful, expecting to see the French at any moment. So adding some spies into the mix seemed appropriate for the story.

Do you know any artists whom you based Abigail’s character on? (Your descriptions of her thoughts and observations are well written. Insightful!)

When I was researching another of my books, Art and Artifice, I read about Angelica Kauffman and Mary Moser, female painters who helped found England’s famed Royal Academy of Art. So, I knew a bit about what it took to create oil paintings at that time. I also had a dear friend who has since passed, who was a talented artist. I relied on her stories to get the feel of painting.

Are you a big city girl or a country girl? You have this town so realistic!

Small town girl all the way! London was the only large city I have visited where I felt at home. Right now, I live south of Seattle, on the way to Mt. Rainier, and I love seeing her in the distance on the days she is out. I always breathe easier when I am surrounded by fields and trees.

What extra info would you like to say about Ethan?

It was surprisingly difficult to write about an introspective, creative childlike Ethan. Most of the children I know have been remarkably resilient in times of trouble. But Ethan has been through a great deal, so making him a bubbly sort seemed wrong. My youngest son is rather introspective, and creative, though he has had few traumas in his life, for which I am thankful! I used him as Ethan’s model.

What is your next novel called, and can you give us an introduction to the storyline?

My next novel, out in October, is Nothing Short of Wondrous, the second book in my American Wonders collection from Revell. Widowed hotelier Kate Tremaine welcomes the U.S. Cavalry to protect Yellowstone. When her son is kidnapped, she must work with world-weary Lieutenant William Prescott to rescue the boy. Will they find that two wounded hearts can share one powerful love when God is in control?

The next Grace-by-the-Sea story, scheduled for January 2021, will be The Governess’s Earl. Rejected by the man she loved, quick-witted bluestocking Rosemary Denby is determined to win the position of governess to the temperamental Lady Miranda, daughter of the Earl of Howland. But is it the widowed earl who truly needs a lesson, in love?

Where do you wish your readers or potentially new readers to connect with you?

On Regina's website, I enjoyed the historical elements that she posted on her blog page. http://www.reginascott.com/

Regina Scott's bio:
Regina Scott is the author of more than 4550 historical romances set in Regency, England; pioneer Seattle; and the Old West. A stickler for getting it right, she’s sailed on a tall ship, driven four-in-hand, and learned to fence, all in the name of research. She and her husband of more than 30 years live in the South Puget Sound area, on the way to Mt. Rainier.