Some burdens can’t be carried alone
After her disastrous trip back home, Agna could use a win. A promotion to a position of authority over her team of healers seems like the perfect chance to turn things around. But the kind of leader who relies on meticulous planning and complete control can only stretch herself so thin for so long.
Keifon has settled into his new life: a mentor he respects, a circle of friends, and even a chance to give back to his community. He has confessed his feelings to his dearest friend, or so he thinks, and waits for her reply. But questions rise along the way: could he keep the next lost soul from making the same mistakes he did?
Something has to give when the pressure builds. The only way through is to work together with those they love — if they can figure out what that means.
The Healers’ Purpose is a medium-stakes fantasy about building community, finding balance, and defining your own path.
Contains depictions of magical medical treatment, career burnout, and a scary/violent incident near the end of the book. Full Content Notes (including spoilers)
No AI was used in the writing, editing, or cover of this book. MS Word Spellcheck was used.
All purchasing and borrowing availability may vary by location. Some storefronts may apply DRM; I do not opt into that if I have a choice to.
Purchasing Options
Ebook
All-in-one Healers ebook package on Ko-fi (a slight discount)
Ko-fi, Purpose only (direct download)
Barnes & Noble (online) | Kobo | Apple Books | Amazon (US / UK / AU / others available)
Bookshop.org | Barnes & Noble (online) | Amazon (US / UK / AU / others available)
Available through IngramSpark for bookstore orders
Borrowing Options
Everand | Hoopla seems to be indefinitely delayed; I will update if this is resolved
Available on Libby for library requests, must be approved by your library first (be nice)
The Books2Read mostly-universal book link includes more purchasing and borrowing options.
Cover design: Miblart
First published Aug. 2022
So is this series complete?
Yes, but maybe not like you’re thinking. This series isn’t structured as one ongoing story that has been split up into parts. Each volume has its own story, and they unfold in order in the characters’ lives. At the end of each one, the main plot of that volume has been resolved, and other, minor plot details aren’t resolved. I take an approach to characterization and story that has some real-world-style messiness to it and allows space for stories to be spun in the future. If you prefer a story with absolutely every thread tied up neatly and nothing else going on in the characters’ lives or in the world, this series might annoy you.
In the Doylist view, the law of diminishing returns is a real concern. I love this series dearly, but it has not sold very well. The prospect of diving back into a story I personally love, putting a ton of work into it, and having it sell a tiny handful of copies is what happened with The Strangers’ Sanctuary, and while I don’t regret writing that book, I don’t know if it’s a good idea to repeat that pattern.
On the other hand, all of my work is in that bucket of “not many people like it, but a few people really do.” I respect and relate to that. So for that small handful of people this story has spoken to, I might take that plunge someday.
All of that said, I have not ruled out the concept entirely, if only for my own love of the story and characters. It might take a different form, like a skip forward in time, a series of shorter stories, or a book where Agna and Keifon are side characters. I don’t know. It’s not immediately around the corner, but never say never, either.
If you only read series that will never, ever, ever have any more stories happen in that world, uhhh, keep an eye out for news of my death, I guess. 😉 Otherwise, thanks to anyone who has given this series a try.