This was a super quick read focusing on two people both needing a second chance.

Joss and Carson are both easy to like and want to see good things for. I loved their instant connection and the work they were both willing to do for a relationship to work. I especially appreciated the focus on a veteran’s mental health and how that can impact the people around them.

Joss’ jerk of an ex provides a dose of drama, a little intrigue, and a source of conflict.

Well written and entertaining, this is a definite must in the feel good read department.

I read this in one sitting while at work - thank goodness my boss had a meeting all afternoon, because I couldn't put it down!

It's no secret that I love when there's a main character that has some sort of ailment (broken bones, injured, PTSD, etc) and Carson definitely fits this mold. But I think in a way, Joss does with having to deal with her ex husband and his new girlfriend working at the same place she does with the gossip mill knowing all about their marriage. Talk about stressful. But go Joss for keeping her head up and not being chased out of work. Especially with the hot Carson on staff.

Carson and Joss have their issues but they've fit together from the get go. I loved their chemistry within seconds of them talking. And whew, were those sex scenes HOT!!!

I've read a few Brenda Rothert books and I've loved every one!

A sexy, hot page-turner. I LOVED Carson and Joss. The chemistry and storyline were AMAZING!!! Full 5 star review on Amazon and Goodreads.

I've never read the original Healing Touch novella so I'm glad it was part of this book. I can't say how much it was expanded but I would agree while Carson and Joss had a great start I feel as if they needed more. The story starts with Joss needing help with her room set up and Carson helping her out more than necessary. She also needed a boost after her marriage ended badly and he gave her that.

They were great and steady until Carson's old demons and insecurities rear up again and it became something to deal with for them to truly move forward. Joss has been his calm in his mind and he needs to open up more if she truly will be part of his life. Of course there's also the ex husband issues and mostly relationship problems to hurdle.


I'm glad despite some missteps they eventually learned to communicate and work it out. Showed their maturity even if they are late twenties still. All in all I liked them together, steamy and sweet and also balance the other out. No matter how different they are they work. It's quite a wonderful story about two people who heal each other broken in their own ways, mending, growing, and learning their worth. Brenda Rothert did a good job keeping things flowing and still maintai ning the plot. The right amount of feels and angst plus steam all wrapped up in a quick light read.

Healing Touch is a short but sweet read from Brenda Rothert.

I liked Joss, our heroine, she was smart and focused on her career. She remembered everyone's issues around her and always made sure everyone was doing ok even though she had issues of her own to worry about.

I will say that I found her forgiveness and kindness borderline ridiculous at times. I hated her ex and his hussy girlfriend, and how nice Joss was to the hussy. (To me it was like someone stole your crap car then you felt bad for them when the car is unreliable. Give me a break.)

I really liked Carson, our hero, and how he cherished Joss as she deserved to be. I liked the two together and felt like they belonged with each other.

Overall, I think this is a good story and would recommend it to contemporary romance fans.

I received an ARC in exchange of an honest review.

This was a cute story.
***Contains Spoilers!!***
29 year old divorced Joss is an OBGYN delivering babies and Carson is a 26 year old Veteran working Maintenance at the hospital Joss works at. He’s watched from afar and finally one night shift together in the same room the sparks fly!
They get along great, but Carson has nightmares and doesn’t want to talk feelings, doesn’t want kids because of his own father not being there for him. Joss isn’t bitter even though her cheating ex-husband Dean (doc in the same hospital) had an affair with one of the nurses (Amanda), the whole hospital knew before her and Amanda is now pregnant. Joss also wants kids. This is partly one of the problems Carson and Joss must tackle in this book.

I received this ebook copy from the publisher and NetGalley for an honest review.

This is a story of recently divorced physician that develops an unexpected relationship with a hospital maintenance worker. This book was originally written as a novella that told the story of how Joss and Carson met. Brenda Rothert later completed the story due to overwhelming reader feedback for the rest of their story.

This was a great story. That told of the attraction of two individuals of different backgrounds. Carson has deep personal issues that he is dealing with that spill over into their relationship. I would've liked to see this developed more within the story. I felt like all the through the book we encountered light-hearted conflict situations. I anticipated things to become stormy and you turn the page and everything was back to being happy.

Healing Touch is a good light-hearted read. Not much conflict within the story.

This is an adult romance. And I’m not talking about erotica, folks. (Though, there are plenty of sexy times.) No, I’m talking about a book where two mature adults fall in love and act like real, responsible, emotionally mature adults would act. No stupid misunderstandings. No one stubbornly refusing assistance. No alphaholes. No angst. Just two likeable, relatable folks falling in love like real folks in real life would. I can’t even tell you how rare that is in romance land, y’all. It was refreshing. Here’s the stuff I especially liked:

1. Carson is a hospital maintenance man. He’s not a shifter/billionaire/playboy/Navy Seal/step-brother/rockstar. He’s a guy with a real-life kind of job. And let me tell you, despite what other authors might be trying to sell you, there’s nothing unsexy about a guy who knows how to fix stuff.

2. Joss is stuck working at the same hospital with her ex-husband and the woman he cheated on her with. Does she fall apart in their presence and whine about her misfortune? Nope. She sucks it up (like a REAL woman would), and goes about the business of doing her job. And she’s damn good at her job. (There’s some GREAT competence porn here.) She’s also a little snarky and sassy in the process, and I really enjoyed that.

3. The women in the story aren’t out to get each other. (They don’t always talk sweetly to each other, but no one is actively trying to destroy anyone else.) When Joss has an opportunity to stick it to the woman who screwed her ex-husband while they were still married, she doesn’t take the shot. She takes the high road. Joss is totally classy, and remains totally classy throughout the story. What’s not to love about that? (Girl on girl hate is sooooo passé)

4. Carson has some PTSD issues from his time spent in Iraq. Does he keep it all in and stubbornly try to work through everything by himself? Nope. He talks to Joss about it openly and honestly, and even gets a therapist. What a great adult he is! (In case you couldn’t tell, I LOVED Carson)

5. While the women were all mature and mostly classy, the men had a moment or two when they acted like Neanderthals peeing on Joss to mark their territory. But even that seemed like something two guys would do in real life, so I wasn’t at all offended by it.

So, if everything was so great, why not a 5-star rating, you ask? Well...it was almost TOO low angst. There weren’t any major stakes. Everybody was so open and honest and upfront about everything that there wasn’t much tension in the story. I know, I know...I’m always bitching about how I want low-angst reads. But this one was so low-angst that I felt like there was just a little something missing. There’s a difference between low-angst and no-angst, and this one toed the line between the two.

But, overall, I was really impressed with this read. I loved Carson and Joss, and I’d totally be friends with them. You know, if they were real. (The author did THAT good a job of creating realistic characters.)

Long-story-short: this is a great read for lovers of mature, low-angst romance with plenty of sexy times between smart, hard-working, loveable characters.

Full disclosure: We received an ARC from NetGalley, free of charge.

These two are so sweet that they gave me a toothache. And although Joss and Carson are awkward to begin with, they get over that quickly when their overwhelming attraction to one another wins out. Unfortunately, they have lots of hurdles to overcome, and that doesn’t include all the other drama swirling around them. The question is this: do they have they have what’s necessary to make it work for more than just one night?

Brenda Rothert writes this story knowing how hard it is for smart women to be taken seriously. She manages to keep the integrity of her female protagonist in tact without losing romance readers love of alpha males.

Joss and Carson's story is fascinating...two people with pasts. Conflicts happen, resolutions happen, all in a realistic way.

And that elevator scene - OH that one....LOL!

It's a delight to see a book with grown-ups and pasts and things that happen that are real - not just another misunderstanding because they don't talk. Go forth and read!

If you have been hurt and you look for love in the most unexpected places. You may find that a healing touch is all you really need.

Thank you for completing their story!
Joselyn & Carson, what a beautiful story! She deserved this, and what a amazing character you made her be! Don't miss out on this one, get their whole story in this amazing book, feel the love as these two get to know one another and experience their strong bond!
5 stars, don't miss this one!

“Finding happily ever after, 4 stars”



Joss has had a craptastic year. Ever since her husband left her for a nurse at their hospital its like everyone is staring and talking about her. She’s happy to be rid of him but he killed her confidence and she’s full of self-doubt. Until Carson. Will Carson be the one to bring the old Joss back?

Carson has invisible scars from war and now he’s trying to keep his mind and hands busy. He has this warped idea that he’s not cut out for relationships until he meets Joss. Will she be able to change his mind? And if she can will he be able to let go of his past and give her a fair chance?

I really liked Healing Touch. The title fit perfectly with what was happening in the story. Carson and Joss found solace in each other. It was beautiful. I did want to punch Joss’ ex for causing problems and being an overall d-bag though. But I feel like the main lesson in the story is forgiveness.

Plot-4/5

Characters-4/5

Heat-4/5

Writing style-4/5

Overall-4/5

Second chances are what most people wish for but Joss & Carson actually got theirs. Damaged not only by the atrocities of war, but by an unfaithful woman supposed to be his fiancée & a useless, no good father, Carson has set himself up for being alone forever. A cheating husband & being the object of work place gossip has left Dr. Joss Drake angry, sad & hurt because she’s done nothing wrong yet she’s the one paying the price. A very stuffy room bring Joss & Carson together & the need for quick air conditioning starts the beginning of a second chance for both of them. Both characters are strong, honest & certainly sexy with a chemistry that heats up the pages. They both have a lot to deal with, but it doesn’t take long for them to realize that together is where they belong & together they can accomplish just about anything. This book will grab your heart & tug on the strings, as well as make you cheer as wrongs are righted & truths are told & make you sad when feeling not good enough gets in the way of true happiness. All of this has come together to create another wonderful story from author Brenda Rothert.

Newly divorced Joss is ready to move on but since her and her ex, work in the same place it seems everyone is stuck on the gossip. Can they just let it go so she can continue to better the hospital and the women who need her? Carson is back in the states after his time overseas and it seems going homes not an option but when the opportunity comes to work in a hospital he jumps at it, he knows he won't have to talk to people so I mean how bad can it be. However, when Joss comes into the room she lights it up and he's drawn to her and he knows he needs to run the other way. Can they work together or will their personalities be too much for each other?

I guess this book was released before and this is a new rewrite. That being said I never read the first one so my opinions are only on this one. I found the characters fun, both are stubborn, strong-willed and a little broken. I liked how fierce, tenderhearted and big-hearted Joss is she was easy to enjoy in this book. Carson was broken and tried to be macho. I felt like there was no real hero in this book but I felt like they were both trying to be heroes for each other. This book does have strong language and adult scenes. Overall, in the end, I was not a fan of this book. I felt like the story was good just some things could have been without.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley. I was under no obligation to post a review and have given my honest opinion

4.5 Stars for Healing Touch by Brenda Rothert, this may be a quick read but that distracts nothing from the story this quick easy to read book still packs a massive punch. This story was first published as part of the Night Shift Anthology and this is Carson and Joss’s story. Two people trying to live life the best they can Carson a veteran suffering from PTSD and Joss a doctor who was badly hurt by the person she loved will the sizzling chemistry be enough for them both to put their trust in each other. Carson is Mr Fix It at the hospital so when Joss needs help he does what is needed to fix her problem but when sparks fly between these two will he accept pt he is good enough to be her partner and will Joss’s ex let them move on together.......
This short sweet read is full of romance and passion that left me wanting more from this easy to love couple. Great job Brenda Rothert.

Joss is an OB doctor and her ex-husband (also a doctor) and his nurse girlfriend work at the same hospital in the ER. Joss is sick of being the topic of hospital gossip so she works nights trying to avoid it all. When she calls maintenance for help to fix the air conditioning in an office she just took over, she does not expect the sexy hunk that shows up. Carson doesn't like being around people since he got back from the Middle East, so he took the night shift at the hospital. But his world goes into a tailspin when he goes to fix an air conditioning problem and comes face to face with the beautiful doctor. Joss and Carson end up at her apartment for a quick romp in the sack, but come the next day, neither one has gotten their itch scratched enough and they begin a relationship.

These two characters were both broken and tried to heal each other ... I could feel their pain. Joss was that beautiful girl that didn't know it and that just made her all the more endearing. And Carson's demons couldn't stop him from wanting to be a better man and I couldn't help but fall in love with him. This is one of the feel good books that you wish wasn't over when you read the last page. A quick, funny, and heartbreaking romance with lots of steam!

I received an ARC courtesy of Kindle Press through NetGalley in exchange for a honest review.

Joss and Carson's story was gorgeous!

"The sound of a deep voice made me look up. Was the clenching of my lady parts due to my thoughts about sex or him?"

Dr Joss Drake is just trying to get through each day after her ex-husband had an affair with a nurse at the hospital where they all work. She devotes all her days and nights to work in the OB department. She's leary of dating anyone due to her trust issues. When the guy from Mechanical turns up to help her with a problem, it's the first time she's felt a spark of interest in anyone in a while. He's broody, taciturn, and leaves her tongue-tied.

"Seeing the pretty, buttoned-up doctor who'd caught my eye in my first week here with her hands on her tits was just too damned good to pass up."

Carson Stephens is an army vet and dealing with the horror of his experiences. He also has trust issues where women are concerned. However, the beautiful blonde doctor caught his eye, and when she begs him to help her with her logistical problem, he can't say no to the opportunity to make her smile.

Over the course of their night shift, they form a bond that is a beginning of something tentative but also very promising.

"She made me feel. I was feeling want and trust and vulnerability."

This story was gorgeous! I read it in one sitting, as Joss and Carson fell in love and dealt with the issues that cropped up between them. Joss is a strong woman. Even though she might doubt her own attractiveness to the opposite sex, she's a capable, kind and honest woman. I liked her directness and her boldness with Carson.

Carson's facade is strong and silent but I loved his thoughts about Joss. I loved how sexy and beautiful he found her. As he got to know her, I was thrilled by his determination to be with her, and how he was willing to show her his weaknesses. They were both such genuine characters with real-life issues and a fantastic connection.

This was a very readable, smooth story that was so sexy and heartwarming, and made me melt.

I throughly enjoyed Healing Touch. It was a great read. It has the perfect blend of sexy scenes, conflict and love.

Joss and Carter meet at work. Both work in the same hospital, her as an OB physician and him as a maintenance man. Each has their share of past heartache. Joss was cheated on by her ER physician husband, with a nurse from the same hospital. Carter is a veteran, that is having a though time since he’s been discharged.

These two characters come together and fall hard and fast. I enjoyed how evenly the book flowed. The characters felt read and genuine. They had great chemistry. I especially loved the route Joss went when she had interactions with Amanda, her ex’s new girlfriend. She handled it with grace , and was far more mature than I would have been.

I believe this book was initially written as a novella and turn in the full novel I read. I’m glad she did. I would definitely love to read even more about this couple!

Joss was a doctor working at the same hospital as her cheating ex husband and the woman he cheated with. I felt horrible for her. A weaker woman wouldn’t have been able to handle the situation as well as Joss. While preparing a room for her research she found she needed air conditioning. She called someone in mechanical to come help her out. Carson was a young army veteran now working in the mechanical area of the hospital. He had noticed Joss before, but never approached her. They each found the other very attractive. What started out as just mutual attraction went much, much further. I really enjoyed this quick story. It all takes place in a short amount of time, but it was still a full, entertaining story.