The Herbalist by Carole Brown

The Herbalist is contemporary fiction by Carole Browne

About the Book

Book: The Herbalist

Author: Carole Brown

Genre: Romantic Mystery

Release date: Spring 2025

It’s a long, lonely walk down this West Virginia road, especially when you’ve just been accused of murder.

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? 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

The Herbalist is contemporary fiction by Carole Browne

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 indepth.

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 the 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.

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?

Find the answers in: THE HERBALIST.

My Review

“Besides my degree in management, I decided to pursue a degree in natural remedies, took some classes, studied under a well-known, well-respected herbalist and received certification that I was qualified to work with them.”
With the help of her mother, Lana is trying to raise her two children. When she is convicted of murdering her mother’s friend, she is shocked. Her herbal remedies were meant to help not harm. Others who have known Lana are quick to come to her defense, but Athan has just met her and is not so sure. He has a daughter to look after and needs to be sure. Will the truth be revealed?
The book is set in Appleton, and the small town adds to the charm. This is the first book that I read in this series. While the author does explain connections, I was still confused at times. Those who have read the author’s other books probably appreciate the repeat characters, but some of the sideline scenes may not make sense to first time readers. At least I felt that way.
Faith is an important part of this book. Occasionally the plot felt a bit preachy. But I think the author’s heart behind the words does shine through.
Both the main characters have been in love before. As parents, their children help to connect them. But this part felt a bit rushed as far the intensity of their feelings. Their behavior is sweet toward each other.
The suspense plays a smaller role although there are certainly some dangerous scenes. One could kind of predict the ending. But parts do leave the reader guessing in a good way.
Secrets play a prominent role. In my opinion, one should have been revealed earlier on. I feel like the main female protagonist kept certain parts of her life hidden, and I personally think that the male of character should have known more about her before wanting to move forward. This affected my rating: 3.5 stars to 4 stars.
I read this book as a part of a tour. I wanted to read and review it. All opinions are my own.

Blog Stops

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.

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