A Healing Heritage

In mid-19th century America, as today, there was a deep interest in alternative medicine. Possible healing methods-some helpful, some quite fantastic-emerged from different directions. Many fell by the wayside. This historical family saga concerns one that took hold.

A Healing Heritage was inspired by a true story.

As the novel opens, standard medical care means treatments such as bleeding, purging, blistering, and mercury pills. Many patients reject these methods, preferring the care of country healers and herb women. These women are not allowed to become doctors, but use methods proven for generations.

As the century moves forward, women fight for the right to become doctors, while patients fight for their right to choose their own care, and from which type of physician that care will come: regular, homeopathic, or eclectic. The battle between these factions gets fierce. In the middle of it all the Civil War breaks out, complicating all areas of life. These are the tumultuous times in which A Healing Heritage is set.

THE STORY:
MaryAnn Robinson, a natural-born healer, has a dream; an impossible dream. But a tragic family situation and the contents of a letter change her beliefs forever. She spurns the harsh methods of 19th century orthodox medicine and embraces alternative medicine, making a promise to herself; a promise which through the years-whether on farm, in wilderness, or in bustling city-she vows to keep.

Young MaryAnn becomes captivated by dark-eyed, handsome Grant Goodhew, man of dreams she didn't even know she had, but deep-thinking Grant has plans of his own. Will they join their lives and their plans forever as she hopes, or must she struggle on down her path alone? Will she be allowed to practice the type of medicine in which she believes, or will it be forbidden by the system?

Every twist and turn in MaryAnn's path is made exciting-or bearable-by her women friends, including vivacious Betsey Woodward, friend for life; cheerful homeopathic mentor, Dr. Madge Cook; and dear old Mrs. Bisner who is torn between old ways and new choices. But neither MaryAnn nor any of her friends would ever have believed the choice she will finally make and where it will take her.