Maggie Blackbird

Today, I’m hosting award-winning author Amanda Uhl’s latest release Healing Kiss, a paranormal romance.  Be sure to read my review.  And don’t forget to enter the Rafflecopter giveaway.

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Title: Healing Kiss
Series: N/A
Author: Amanda Uhl
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Length: 314 pages
Release Date: April 27, 2023

To save her dying sister…

Lillian Milano channels energy from the healthy to heal the sick, which makes her an incredible nurse. But her gift puts Lillian and those she loves in danger from an organization that will stop at nothing to exploit her talent. When her sister becomes gravely ill, wealthy computer genius Tristan King is the one man with enough vitality to save her sister’s life. But being near him threatens to expose her secrets and destroy the walls she’s built around her heart.

She bargains with a billionaire.

Tristan doesn’t believe in the supernatural and is wary of emotional entanglements. But his beloved mother is dying, and his lying ex-fiancée won’t leave him alone, so he strikes a deal: In exchange for his help, Lillian must pose as his date for a hospital fundraiser. As the pair work together to save their loved ones, they confront a spiraling web of secrets that threatens their growing feelings for each other. The choices they make will either destroy their lives or heal their hearts.

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The room wavered before her eyes like some kind of drug-induced mirage. Fatigue hit her hard, and she put her head in her hands and struggled to catch a breath.

“She’s exhausted.” Tristan commanded Dr. Beyton’s attention. His hand settled on her shoulder, solid and protective. Warmth traveled from her shoulder to her heart, giving her the strength to remain standing. “Is there somewhere she can lie down?”

“Of course.” Dr. Beyton cast her a clinical stare. “The chair over in the corner reclines.” He pointed to a blue armchair. “I’ll get the nurse to help you.”

“I’m okay. It’s just lack of sleep,” she heard herself mumble from some distant universe. As well as a massive transfer of energy. “Take care of Hannah.”

Tristan leaned toward her. “Come lie down.”

Lillian sniffed the rich scent of soap mixed with cologne that was Tristan. The smell dazzled her senses, opening a longing in her heart she thought she’d sealed long ago.

“But you…Hannah…”

“Will be fine. You, I’m not so sure. Your friend doesn’t need you collapsing on her.” His tone softened. “Relax, Zoey. Let me help you.”

“I can manage…”

Strong arms pulled her up and into his side. She clung to him to prevent herself from passing out. The room swung madly, like a thousand colorful horses spun on a possessed carousel. Candles burned behind her eyelids.

And then her mother was there.

“Lillian,” she said. “Listen to the man, sweetheart.”

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I read and reviewed three previous novels by the author, so when this came up for a chance to review, I was in.  Why?  Because I love the author’s writing.  She’s one of those writers that snares me with her descriptions, voice, and narrative, along with her realistic dialogue, as well as tight plots.

Since you read the description, I’ll get straight to the review.  The first thing I will say is the main character, Lillian, is a kind and giving person.  So kind and giving, she puts herself at risk many times to help others.  But what she needs to address are her fears.  Mind you her one fear is justified—Kineatic, a sinister organization that has played a big part in the death of Lillian’s mother.  No wonder poor Lillian is on the constant run.

Having lived so long with fear because of her gift, Lillian’s first reaction is to always bolt and find a new place to hide.  She’s spent so much time running, it’s as natural to her as the skin covering her body.  But now she has to stop running and help her sister.

Tristan has his own secrets going on, and there’s a good reason why he won’t have children, which ended his engagement to his fiancée, who broke it off with him.  Mind you, if he truly loved her and believed in the relationship, he might have told Angelina (his former fiancée) about his health condition from the beginning.  It’s only fair.  Or maybe I missed it somewhere in the novel.

But I didn’t say the two main characters are perfect, and this is why I like them.  They tend to keep a lot close to the chest, which aptly costs them much in life.  You only get what you’re willing to give, right?  This presents great character arcs for the two main stars, something I enjoyed.

I also loved the sub-plot with Kineatic.  Mind you I was hoping to hear a bit more from them during the novel, but they were relegated to the backdrop, that horrible grey cloud lingering on the horizon, serving as a reminder of why Lillian lives in fear.

My one disappointment was Angelina.  She was Lillian’s opposition.  But a bit two-dimensional for me.  She was the woman Tristan was set to marry, so I wished she would have had some redeeming qualities because when the opponent lacks any good qualities, it makes me wonder what attracted the love interest to propose marriage.  In other words, it reflects badly on them.

But that was my only quibble.  The plot is wonderfully executed.  The scenes are written wonderfully.  The dialogue is very much in character.  And those arcs I mentioned are fulfilled.

This is another great read from the author.  She does a great job describing what happens in the mind during the healing process.  Do yourself a favour and get a copy.  It’s intense but also has a beautiful theme of life is life (we all live and we all die, so enjoy the time that you have on planet Earth) as mentioned by the mother who makes cameos that I enjoyed.

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Award-winning author Amanda Uhl has always had a fascination with the mystical. Having drawn her first breath in a century home rumored to be haunted, you might say she was “born” into it. After a brief stint in college as a paid psychic, Amanda graduated with a bachelor of fine arts in theatre and a master’s degree in marketing. Over the past twenty years, she has worked as an admissions representative and graphic designer, owned her own freelance writing company, and managed communications for several Fortune 500 companies, most recently specializing in cyber security and data.

Amanda is an avid reader and writes fast-paced, paranormal romantic suspense and humorous contemporary romance from her home in Cleveland, Ohio. When she’s not reading or writing, you can find Amanda with her husband and three children, gathering beach glass on the Lake Erie shoreline or biking in Cuyahoga Valley National Park.

Follow Amanda: Website |  Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest

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