The Healer

This is the next to last novel in Henderson's "O'Malley" series (excluding a novella). The O'Malleys are a group of seven who met in foster care. They had variously been orphaned, abandoned or removed from abusive situations. They banded together, decided to be a family, and changed their names to O'Malley. The series follows their adult lives. This one focuses on Rachel (Rae) who is a trauma counselor specializing in children.

The blurb for this book is somewhat deceptive, as it speaks only about a trauma that Rachel deals with in this story. It does occur, about halfway through the book, but although an important event it is not the primary focus. Throughout the series, Jennifer, the youngest sister, has been dealing with cancer. In show more this book, she is nearing the end. The focus is really on how Rachel deals with personal trauma and constant trauma in her work. She struggles with a newfound faith, actually inspired by Jennifer, and how to hold onto it when it becomes clear that there will be no miraculous healing of Jennifer. She alternates between finding comfort in her faith, and confusion as to how a good God could allow this for her sister. She also find comfort in the strength of her family, and in a new relationship with Cole, a firefighter and arson investigator. He is tremendously supportive, but she worries that it will not be much of a relationship if all she can give him is her fears and her tears on his shoulder.

Henderson's stories tend toward introspection. Although there is a dramatic event here, and a crime to be resolved, if you are looking for high-paced action and adventure, you won't really find it. If you are looking for a more thoughtful, touching and sometimes emotional story, this certainly fits the bill. show less

Rachel O'Malley works disasters for a living. Her specialty? Helping children through trauma. When a school shooting rips through her community, she finds herself dealing with more than just grief among the children she is trying to help. One of them saw the shooting, and the gun is still missing. Introducing the O'Malleys, an inspirational group of seven, all abandoned or orphaned as teens, who have made the choice to become a loyal and committed family. They have chosen their own surname, O'Malley, and have stood by each other through moments of joy and heartache. Their stories are told in CBA best-selling, inspirational romantic suspense novels that rock your heart and restore strength and hope to your spirit.

This book was slow at first but sped up towards the middle. It was a satisfying book, with its ups and downs. If you like romance, you’ll defiantly love this book. It’s centered more on the relationships than the mystery, unlike most of Henderson’s books.

I did it again read a book out of series I did enjoy this book a bit of a tear jerker Rachel O'malley is a trama pyscologist that lends her help to those in need and there is a lot of need i do own one more from the O'Malley series and I am looking foward to reading it It is a bit refreshing to hear a book writen with a christain point of view.Really enjoyed this book definatly would recomment it id you have not read it.

Rachel O'Malley helps others, particularly children, overcome traumatic events. Will she allow the man who loves her to help overcome her exhaustion and memories when she becomes a witness to a school shooting?

"Rachel O'Malley works disasters for a living. Her specialty is helping children through trauma. For years Rachel has touched grief as she helps others through it, but now grief is something very personal -- she is losing her own sister to cancer. Helping the other O'Malley's through the crisis is taking everything Rachel has to give. When a school shooting rips through her community, she must lean hard against God to find the strength to help the children. For there is more than just sorrow confronting her, there's a secret. One of the students was there. One of them witnessed the shooting. And the murder weapon is still." From https://www.librarything.com/work/161386/descriptions

I absolutely LOVED this series, although I started with the Prequel and loved that one the most... the actual first book int he series seemed really slow at first, but the series as a whole is one of my favorites!