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Tamrin Tales #1
The Herbalist's Daughter
Anna’s biggest concern is whether the sturdy young guard will ever notice her. That is until the mischievous young prince Naetok begins to stir things up at the Palace.
A fantasy romance, set in the author’s secondary world of Nardva and occurring about 20 years before the Akrad's Legacy Series.
A fantasy romance, set in the author’s secondary world of Nardva and occurring about 20 years before the Akrad's Legacy Series.
30 pages, ebook
Published October 31, 2016
About the author
Jeanette O'Hagan
29 books143 followersJeanette O'Hagan spun tales in the world of Nardva from the age of eight. She enjoys writing fantasy, sci-fi, poetry, and editing.
Her Nardvan stories span continents, millennia and cultures. Some involve shapeshifters and magic. Others include space stations, plasma rifles and cyborgs.
She has published over thirty stories and poems including the five books in her YA epic fanasty - Under the Mountain novella series -as well as Ruhanna's Flight and Other Stories, and her debut novel, Akrad's Children - a Young Adult secondary world fantasy fiction with adventure, courtly intrigue and romantic elements.
Her stories and poems have also been published in over twenty anthologies - including Gods of Clay, Challenge Accepted and Tales of Magic and Destiny in 2019
Jeanette has practised medicine, studied communication, history, theology and a Master of Arts (Writing). She loves reading, painting, travel, catching up for coffee with friends, pondering the meaning of life and communicating God’s great love. She lives in Brisbane with her husband and children.
Her Nardvan stories span continents, millennia and cultures. Some involve shapeshifters and magic. Others include space stations, plasma rifles and cyborgs.
She has published over thirty stories and poems including the five books in her YA epic fanasty - Under the Mountain novella series -as well as Ruhanna's Flight and Other Stories, and her debut novel, Akrad's Children - a Young Adult secondary world fantasy fiction with adventure, courtly intrigue and romantic elements.
Her stories and poems have also been published in over twenty anthologies - including Gods of Clay, Challenge Accepted and Tales of Magic and Destiny in 2019
Jeanette has practised medicine, studied communication, history, theology and a Master of Arts (Writing). She loves reading, painting, travel, catching up for coffee with friends, pondering the meaning of life and communicating God’s great love. She lives in Brisbane with her husband and children.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
May 3, 2018
A sweet fantasy romance. This is a short story so it is a quick read but the world is deftly painted and the main character Anna is likeable and you want her to find love. This is a good coffee break read!
September 11, 2016
A fantasy romance, set in the author's secondary world of Nardva. This is a delightful short story, which uses the unique customs of its settings to effectively blend the two genres.
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September 10, 2017A sweet and short happily ever after.
I first visited this fantasy land of Tamrin when I read Lakwi’s Lament in a the Like A Girl anthology, so I was immediately drawn back into the story. The Herbalist’s Daughter also features the royal characters, but this is the story of a romance between a girl working in the castle and a guard she has her eyes on. Her heart isn’t convinced. Chance leads them to spend time together and then…suffice to say it has a happily ever after.
I read this story twice and found subtle differences with each read. It’s a highly enjoyable read. And the author does a great job of telling the story without bogging it down with too much description or reference to other linked stories in the land of Tamrin. There are some lovely turns of phrase in this well-written story.
I first visited this fantasy land of Tamrin when I read Lakwi’s Lament in a the Like A Girl anthology, so I was immediately drawn back into the story. The Herbalist’s Daughter also features the royal characters, but this is the story of a romance between a girl working in the castle and a guard she has her eyes on. Her heart isn’t convinced. Chance leads them to spend time together and then…suffice to say it has a happily ever after.
I read this story twice and found subtle differences with each read. It’s a highly enjoyable read. And the author does a great job of telling the story without bogging it down with too much description or reference to other linked stories in the land of Tamrin. There are some lovely turns of phrase in this well-written story.
February 23, 2018
O'Hagan is a lovely author. Her stories are tight and appealing to read. This is the second book of hers I've read and they are based in another time and another place different to ours; but love, desire for companionship and acceptance are universal.
This is a tale, set in an even earlier time than the story (Akrads Children) where here, Anna is a teenage girl of lower position in the kingdom. She is a busy, ambitious girl who spots a certain someone in the kingdom and hopes for things to work out, that somehow should not.
If it wasn't for the mischievous prince of the Kapok (King), then her hopes may never have come to fruition.
This is a perfect story to introduce you to the Kingdom of Tamrin.
This is a tale, set in an even earlier time than the story (Akrads Children) where here, Anna is a teenage girl of lower position in the kingdom. She is a busy, ambitious girl who spots a certain someone in the kingdom and hopes for things to work out, that somehow should not.
If it wasn't for the mischievous prince of the Kapok (King), then her hopes may never have come to fruition.
This is a perfect story to introduce you to the Kingdom of Tamrin.
November 12, 2016
An enchanting story with engaging characters. Looking forward to reading more of this world.
July 26, 2017
What a lovely little story. Somewhat obvious that the plain girl gets the guy she likes in the end despite the addition of the dashing Prince and a does he, doesn't he but it's written so charmingly that it doesn't matter that it's a cliche. Excellent world building, part of a larger setting I believe so I'm looking forward to reading more.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 24, 2017
Plain and hardworking Anna wonders if she will ever attract the attention of a suitor. Her beautiful sister and striking friend both have men standing in line but Anna only wants one.
Anna works in the palace as a nursemaid to Princess Lakwi and Prince Naetok but her true passion lies in the mysterious knowledge that her herbalist mother is passing down to her. Will Anna delve into the dark arts to attract a husband or will she trust the Maker’s timing?
Jeannette O’Hagan once again draws us into her complex world of Nardva and the characters we are coming to know and love. Jeannette opens up another facet into the world she is creating with this beautifully crafted romance.
Anna works in the palace as a nursemaid to Princess Lakwi and Prince Naetok but her true passion lies in the mysterious knowledge that her herbalist mother is passing down to her. Will Anna delve into the dark arts to attract a husband or will she trust the Maker’s timing?
Jeannette O’Hagan once again draws us into her complex world of Nardva and the characters we are coming to know and love. Jeannette opens up another facet into the world she is creating with this beautifully crafted romance.
November 20, 2019
Excellent quick read.
This charming and delightful story focuses on Anna, nurserymaid at the palace and daughter of the local herbalist. The misery of feeling less attractive than others and of being not quite fulfilled in life imakes Anna a character that many readers will easily relate to. Despite her own perceptions of her shortcomings, Anna is a good-hearted and honourable young woman who does her job well.
While there are moments of doubt and events that threaten Anna’s safety, the overall tone of the story is warm and lighthearted. It is a quick read that very effectively delivers an important message: others often see more value or beauty in us than we perceive in ourselves.
’The Herbalist’s Daughter’ will appeal to readers of young adult fantasy, fairytale and romance.
This charming and delightful story focuses on Anna, nurserymaid at the palace and daughter of the local herbalist. The misery of feeling less attractive than others and of being not quite fulfilled in life imakes Anna a character that many readers will easily relate to. Despite her own perceptions of her shortcomings, Anna is a good-hearted and honourable young woman who does her job well.
While there are moments of doubt and events that threaten Anna’s safety, the overall tone of the story is warm and lighthearted. It is a quick read that very effectively delivers an important message: others often see more value or beauty in us than we perceive in ourselves.
’The Herbalist’s Daughter’ will appeal to readers of young adult fantasy, fairytale and romance.
June 27, 2021
This was a delightful short story, with characters to cheer for, a little mischief, and some difficulties to deal with. I found the progression from the introduction to the satisfying ending well-paced with enough detail to build up a good impression of the situation the Herbalist's Daughter found herself in.
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April 14, 2017I have a soft spot for ‘The Herbalist’s Daughter’. It was my first published short story in 2015. I wrote it for the Tied in Pink: Romance anthology which was inspired by the lovely Stacey Welsh to raise money for breast cancer research. (Tied in Pink is available on Amazon and includes beautiful stories of love, loss and triumph, all tied up with a pink ribbon from fourteen authors from around the world.)
Set in Tamra, ‘The Herbalist’s Daughter’ occurs some years before the events of Akrad’s Children and its sequel, Rasel’s Song. The kernel of the story was inspired by some words an older Anna speaks to Dinnis about her time at the palace (in Rasel’s Song).
Anna is a favourite character of mine (but then most of them are) both in her younger and older incarnations. In 'Fever' (on my website Jeanette O'Hagan Writes), I tell how she came to palace.
I had fun with the cover design for this edition of The Herbalist's Daughter - using the pink and green ribbons mentioned in the story & the original cover of Teid in Pink (by the wonderful Drusilla Morgan) as inspiration. I appreciate the tough and truthful critiques of my emerging artist in residence though any faults in the design are entirely my own.
Set in Tamra, ‘The Herbalist’s Daughter’ occurs some years before the events of Akrad’s Children and its sequel, Rasel’s Song. The kernel of the story was inspired by some words an older Anna speaks to Dinnis about her time at the palace (in Rasel’s Song).
Anna is a favourite character of mine (but then most of them are) both in her younger and older incarnations. In 'Fever' (on my website Jeanette O'Hagan Writes), I tell how she came to palace.
I had fun with the cover design for this edition of The Herbalist's Daughter - using the pink and green ribbons mentioned in the story & the original cover of Teid in Pink (by the wonderful Drusilla Morgan) as inspiration. I appreciate the tough and truthful critiques of my emerging artist in residence though any faults in the design are entirely my own.
June 20, 2018
Enjoyable romance
Well written short story, seen through the eyes of the royal nursemaid. A fantasy romance in a moderately medieval world with a hint of magic. The author paints the tale, vivid imagery and characters. And there is more to this world tone told.
Well written short story, seen through the eyes of the royal nursemaid. A fantasy romance in a moderately medieval world with a hint of magic. The author paints the tale, vivid imagery and characters. And there is more to this world tone told.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews