Diego Montalvo's Latino folk healing tradition is the antithesis of everything injured cardiac surgeon Caroline Malone believes, but he's the most compelling man she's ever met. Diego wants to heal both her body and her heart, but helping her will mean losing her because Caroline can't stay in his world...and Diego can't leave.

~ Reviews ~

"Treasure. The word in Spanish is 'tesoro,' and if the treasure is rare enough, you call it 'tesoro veradero,' meaning real or true treasure. Jean Brashear's THE HEALER falls neatly into the realm of true reading treaure, a book of conflict, medicine and love that will bring on the tears--but leave the reader refreshed and ready to read the other books in her 'Deep in the Heart' series.

"Brashear's characters are vibrant--exquisitely drawn and compelling--and draw the reader into a world of caring and concern for others that some, sadly, may not recognize, and others may miss painfully. Her touch is light enough to illuminate the difficulties of not belong to either of two cultures without turning the ensuing conflict into a soapbox denouncing injustice.

"Part of a series, THE HEALER will undoubtedly entice readers into ordering the other books about Caroline's sisters--and hoping to heck that books about Diego's siblings are in the works as well!" --RioRendezvous

"Author Jean Brashear creates a powerful tale of spiritual healing in THE HEALER. Brashear's graceful narrative seamlessly bridges two vastly different worlds. Both Caroline and Diego undergo a tragic transforming moment that changes the course of their lives, leaving them with spiritual wounds as damaging as the ones that tear their flesh. In this searing tale, contradictions and impossibilities give way to hearts that need to rediscover dreams and self-forgiveness. Secondary characters, particularly Diego's insightful grandmother, provide intriguing depth to this powerful tale. Once again Brashear proves herself to be an author of fabulous richness, making her a favorite of romance readers. THE HEALER comes very highly recommended." -- Wordweaving.com

"Romance readers are in for a treat with Jean Brashear's outstanding Harlequin Superromance THE HEALER...how beautifully Jean Brashear has segued into the longer HSR format which gives her fans even longer stories to cherish! One can only hope that after Ms. Brashear concludes the Malone trilogy she follows with books about all of Diego's fascinating siblings." -- Patricia Rouse, Rouse's Romance Readers' Groups

"...Engaging characters, thoughtful philosophical perspectives, and a rural setting described in so much detail I felt as if I'd actually been there...the inclusion of the beliefs of curanderismo are dovetailed into the plot and action seamlessly, and the progression of the romance is suspenseful enough and slow enough to make the reader begin to wonder if there really will be a happy ending or not...Mama Lalita is the epitome of the traditional wise woman...a character not easily forgotten, as her quiet comments still echo after the book's end. This is enough by itself to make this title worth another read. THE HEALER is a book that deserves a space on your "Keeper" shelf." 5 hearts -- The Romance Reader

"If you have never read a Jean Brashear book then you couldn't have picked a better place to start. New and old readers alike are in for a treat as Jean follows up her most recent release, What the Heart Wants, with her newest SuperRomance, The Healer. You will lose your heart in the process...Jean Brashear delivers another thought-provoking and emotionally engaging story with the romance of Diego and Caroline. It is a romance that is sure to have readers cheering them on as they wipe the tears from their eyes.

The Healer is a book not to be missed because Jean Brashear's books are treasures to be cherished. And this is most definitely one that you will cherish for years to come. It's a book that might just heal your own heart right along with Diego and Caroline. So while you're chasing the cold away during these cold winter days sit back and let this book warm you to your very soul." -- Diana Tidlund, Writers Unlimited

"...an engaging, thought-provoking romance...sheer pleasure for the audience. Readers will seek the first novel in the "Deep in the Heart" series, WHAT THE HEART WANTS (starring Caroline's sister Ivy) and anxiously await missing sibling Chloe's story." -- Harriet Klausner, TheBestReviews"

"Jean Brashear's strong storytelling talent shines in THE HEALER, a poignant romance about two people traveling different paths toward the same goal-to heal, to comfort and to love." -- Romantic Times

"Jean Brashear always gives her readers a divine read! THE HEALER touches your heart and soul with its far-reaching warmth. It's the kind of love story you like to read more than once just to savor. Ms. Brashear is all about romance!" -- Suzanne Coleburn, Winner of the Melinda Helfer Award / Reader To Reader Reviews

"With a unique writing style that is both dynamic and fiery, yet still believable and emotionally appealing, Brashear bravely mixes the lives of a driven cardiac surgeon, who can't see beyond the end of her gifted scalpel, and an ex-Special Forces medic, caught between two ethnic worlds, as he practices folk medicine in his peaceful mountain retreat." -- Lucele Coutts, ROmance Authors and Readers (ROAR)

"Ms Brashear has written a captivating story about two people trying to adjust to the aftermath that fate has handed them. Although The Healer is the second story about three sisters separated as children, it is definitely a stand alone book. However, once having read the story, the reader will be compelled to go back and read the previous story, all the while eagerly awaiting the last." -- Reader to Reader reviews

~Excerpt~

Outside, she heard a voice, low and soothing.  Dulcita's excited yap. The shuffle of a horse's hooves, the jingle of a bridle.

She stretched and yawned.  What was it about this place that kept her forever napping?

She rose from the sofa, padded to the kitchen window and looked outside.

And sighed.

Diego's Appaloosa stamped the ground, seeking to divert the man's attention from the foal Diego was speaking to in a low, soothing voice.

Lobo sat nearby, ears at attention, regal as he ignored Dulcita nudging at his side.

All of them vying for Diego's notice, just as she and her sisters had vied for her father's.

But Diego was different.  Instead of withholding himself, he made time for each of them, roughhousing Lobo, chivalrous with the elderly Dulcita.  Hands gentle on the skittish colt, strong and affectionate with his own mount.

His hands...always his hands drew her.  Comforting but firm.  Caring and sure.  Seductive.

She couldn't take her eyes off him.

Behind the many guises, what did he want for himself?  Since he'd lost the life he'd planned, what were his dreams now?

Diego glanced up as if he'd heard her, eyes piercing the half-opened window between them.

Caroline lifted her hand in greeting.

Diego smiled, and her heart stumbled.

Yes, he was dangerous; she sensed that deep in her soul.  Too much about him was a mystery, too much unsettled.

But in a way unlike any man before him, Diego Montalvo called to her.  Made her aware of herself as a woman.

An affair would be good for you.  She should run screaming.  Should slam the door and turn the locks.  An affair was something she didn't have time for—

Who was she kidding?  She had nothing but time.

But—

Instinct stirred.  This man was too complex, too compelling.  He wouldn't be ignored, the way she'd always ignored men before when her career beckoned.  If she was bold enough to take the lure he cast, she couldn't be sure he'd be easily set aside when convenient.

A faint smile curved her lips.

No, there was nothing easy about Diego Montalvo.  He exuded power as surely as he breathed.  He had his own battles he did not admit, his own wounds not yet healed, but she'd better not take him lightly.

Healer and warrior, troubled by a destiny he had not yet embraced but too principled to turn away from the needs of others, no matter how they burdened him.

If she had a brain in her skull, she'd lock the doors, draw the drapes and stay very, very far away.

But he fascinated her, and Caroline had always liked a puzzle.

She drew herself a glass of water and drank deeply, giving herself time for reason to win.

Then, more like the woman she'd always been, she set the glass down and walked to the door.