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Irish Hope #1
Painter of Souls
An act of love that backfires.
A desperate quest that sends her to Ireland.
A hope for healing when everything looks impossible…
PAINTER OF SOULS, the first book in the Irish Hope series by #1 international bestselling author Kathia.
A world-renown artist from New Orleans, Abigail Angevine has always known two things: the women in her line have incredible psychic gifts and that she can heal people through her paintings.
So it’s a no brainer to do a painting for her professional dancer best friend when she needs serious help. But Abby’s attempt to heal her backfires—badly—leaving her best friend unable to walk and Abby unable to paint.
Powerless to correct the damage she knows is her fault, Abby searches for an alternate to cure them both. The only hope of healing rests in Ireland with Dr. Carrick Fionnlagh, known as the Miracle Worker. But Finn is haunted by his own ghosts and insists that he can’t help.
Now, she isn’t only trying to heal her friend but the good doctor as well. And the stakes raise when she realizes that he isn’t just a doctor to her—he just might be her future.
A desperate quest that sends her to Ireland.
A hope for healing when everything looks impossible…
PAINTER OF SOULS, the first book in the Irish Hope series by #1 international bestselling author Kathia.
A world-renown artist from New Orleans, Abigail Angevine has always known two things: the women in her line have incredible psychic gifts and that she can heal people through her paintings.
So it’s a no brainer to do a painting for her professional dancer best friend when she needs serious help. But Abby’s attempt to heal her backfires—badly—leaving her best friend unable to walk and Abby unable to paint.
Powerless to correct the damage she knows is her fault, Abby searches for an alternate to cure them both. The only hope of healing rests in Ireland with Dr. Carrick Fionnlagh, known as the Miracle Worker. But Finn is haunted by his own ghosts and insists that he can’t help.
Now, she isn’t only trying to heal her friend but the good doctor as well. And the stakes raise when she realizes that he isn’t just a doctor to her—he just might be her future.
- GenresMagical RealismIreland
396 pages, Paperback
First published October 9, 2020
132 people are currently reading
125 people want to read
About the author
Kathia
39 books28 followersKathia Zolfaghari writes mononymously as Kathia. She also writes under the name Kate Perry
With over 6 million books sold (and counting), Kathia’s novels have been #1 bestsellers around the world.
They’ve received starred reviews from Booklist, have consistently earned Editor’s Picks for Best Romance, and have been featured by O, The Oprah Magazine. Kathia has written over 40 books so far, some translated into several languages, all about hope and dreams and the bonds of friendship and family. She’s also written a couple screenplays and various poems (her ode to the color orange is particularly moving).
In addition to writing, Kathia is an acclaimed artist and photographer. The first painting she sold was in Paris, her favorite city in the world. Her artwork expresses in color what her books do in words. She selectively does commissions.
Kathia has been a master of Kung Fu San Soo since 2009, and she’s taught tai chi to adults and children for over twenty years. She’s also a master in the kitchen, her specialty being handmade 3-Michelin star pasta (or so her chef friend claims). She’s never been able to follow a recipe (everyone loves an element of surprise, right?), which makes it ironic that she loves to formulate cosmetics and haircare products.
A passionate world traveler, she’s lived in San Francisco, Buenos Aires, Paris, Madrid, New York, and Ireland. While she still loves to explore, she’s planted roots in the countryside where she tends her flower garden (she can make any seed pop) and sings Edith Piaf to her burgeoning bonsai forest. On any day, you’ll find her at home with friends and family, a pot burbling on the stove and one of her many eclectic playlists playing festively in the background.
With over 6 million books sold (and counting), Kathia’s novels have been #1 bestsellers around the world.
They’ve received starred reviews from Booklist, have consistently earned Editor’s Picks for Best Romance, and have been featured by O, The Oprah Magazine. Kathia has written over 40 books so far, some translated into several languages, all about hope and dreams and the bonds of friendship and family. She’s also written a couple screenplays and various poems (her ode to the color orange is particularly moving).
In addition to writing, Kathia is an acclaimed artist and photographer. The first painting she sold was in Paris, her favorite city in the world. Her artwork expresses in color what her books do in words. She selectively does commissions.
Kathia has been a master of Kung Fu San Soo since 2009, and she’s taught tai chi to adults and children for over twenty years. She’s also a master in the kitchen, her specialty being handmade 3-Michelin star pasta (or so her chef friend claims). She’s never been able to follow a recipe (everyone loves an element of surprise, right?), which makes it ironic that she loves to formulate cosmetics and haircare products.
A passionate world traveler, she’s lived in San Francisco, Buenos Aires, Paris, Madrid, New York, and Ireland. While she still loves to explore, she’s planted roots in the countryside where she tends her flower garden (she can make any seed pop) and sings Edith Piaf to her burgeoning bonsai forest. On any day, you’ll find her at home with friends and family, a pot burbling on the stove and one of her many eclectic playlists playing festively in the background.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
May 17, 2021
Kathia has been one of my all-time favorite authors — writing as Kate Perry — and I have missed her writing. I am so glad that Kathia is back!
Oh wow. I enjoyed this book! It’s a delightful and complex love story. But what makes this book stand out for me is how the author incorporated magical realism into the tale. Is magical realism an oxymoron? I hope not because Kathia made the magic believable, realistic. I loved how she incorporated a powerful healing ability through painting as the central plot mechanism in Abigail’s story. No angst, just excellent character development and storytelling. Plus, the conversations between Abigail and her guides are priceless. Loved it!
So fun, unique, and has a lovely Irish setting perfect for St. Patrick’s Day. Overall, it’s a great read, and I am looking forward to more marvelous stories from Kathia.
Highly recommend delving into this magical Irish story!
I’ve read all of Kate Perry’s books, most before I started blogging. However, I think the Summerhill series is my favorite. Please visit my review of Say You Will.
Oh wow. I enjoyed this book! It’s a delightful and complex love story. But what makes this book stand out for me is how the author incorporated magical realism into the tale. Is magical realism an oxymoron? I hope not because Kathia made the magic believable, realistic. I loved how she incorporated a powerful healing ability through painting as the central plot mechanism in Abigail’s story. No angst, just excellent character development and storytelling. Plus, the conversations between Abigail and her guides are priceless. Loved it!
So fun, unique, and has a lovely Irish setting perfect for St. Patrick’s Day. Overall, it’s a great read, and I am looking forward to more marvelous stories from Kathia.
Highly recommend delving into this magical Irish story!
I’ve read all of Kate Perry’s books, most before I started blogging. However, I think the Summerhill series is my favorite. Please visit my review of Say You Will.
October 30, 2020
Captivating
Kathia knows how to pull her readers in with her characters and story telling! Her characters come alive and it’s easy to walk right into the story with them! Welcome back Kathia- you have been missed!
Kathia knows how to pull her readers in with her characters and story telling! Her characters come alive and it’s easy to walk right into the story with them! Welcome back Kathia- you have been missed!
October 25, 2020
Wow, it was so nice to see Kate Perry releasing a new book. Although this isn't the type of book I usually read I was sucked in. Maybe because I'm traveling to Ireland next year but I loved these characters. I can't wait to see what the second book gives us.
May 31, 2021
Take a Piece of My Soul
A psychic artist who heals by painting amended past life scenes misses the mark when a painting for her best friend, a ballerina, leads to violence and injury. The dancer's leg is broken and the artist's wrist is sprained. Unable to dance or paint the duo go to Ireland in search of a doctor. But he is on sabbatical after the death of a high profile patient. Then there is his billionaire buddy who steals pieces of souls.
This is an okay read. It opened well but quickly became repetitious. Really no suspense. The romantic aspects were tedious. The artist has a crass monk as a spirit guide. He quickly becomes more annoying than amusing. It seems both women have the same past life problems. The brat next door quickly gets tiring too. She has the same gift as the artist. Not horrible but did not realize its promise.
A psychic artist who heals by painting amended past life scenes misses the mark when a painting for her best friend, a ballerina, leads to violence and injury. The dancer's leg is broken and the artist's wrist is sprained. Unable to dance or paint the duo go to Ireland in search of a doctor. But he is on sabbatical after the death of a high profile patient. Then there is his billionaire buddy who steals pieces of souls.
This is an okay read. It opened well but quickly became repetitious. Really no suspense. The romantic aspects were tedious. The artist has a crass monk as a spirit guide. He quickly becomes more annoying than amusing. It seems both women have the same past life problems. The brat next door quickly gets tiring too. She has the same gift as the artist. Not horrible but did not realize its promise.
June 17, 2022
Abby and Lynne, both trying to recover from physical and emotional injuries, are desperate enough to travel to Ireland in search of the "Miracle Worker", Dr. Carrick Fionnlagh. This story was a delight to read. Its many unexpected developments and impossible situations kept me riveted to every page. The mystic atmosphere and psychic abilities of these characters entranced and focused my attention to every detail of this story. Good Read!!!!
April 24, 2022
Painter of Souls (An Irish Hope Novel Book 1)
Aware that not all books are written for all people, this book was not for me. To enter cursive words through said book they were not needed to impress me. I usually cannot wait to finish because of enjoying books, I could not wait to finish the book, as I did not enjoy this one. Sorry!
Aware that not all books are written for all people, this book was not for me. To enter cursive words through said book they were not needed to impress me. I usually cannot wait to finish because of enjoying books, I could not wait to finish the book, as I did not enjoy this one. Sorry!
December 14, 2023
I downloaded this book on the basis of the high ratings! Just goes to show. I gave it a few chapters but this book is REALLY badly written and has no literary merit whatsoever. Just awful writing. Ridiculous plot premise. Don't read this if you like well written book. I suppose the fact that it was free on Kindle should have been a warning sign.
April 6, 2022
Healing for my soul! A masterpiece!
I read a lot of books, but rarely find one that resonates deep within me like this one did. A soul’s journey as a healer expressed in a magical tale of love and redemption…this book is a masterpiece. I’ll be reading this one again and again!
I read a lot of books, but rarely find one that resonates deep within me like this one did. A soul’s journey as a healer expressed in a magical tale of love and redemption…this book is a masterpiece. I’ll be reading this one again and again!
October 15, 2025
Book was wonderful if you like the mystical subject
I'm not quite sure how I found this book in my library. I know that's strange, but it was so well written that I got sucked into the story. I hope you'll enjoy it.
I'm not quite sure how I found this book in my library. I know that's strange, but it was so well written that I got sucked into the story. I hope you'll enjoy it.
August 7, 2021
Excellent Read
If you believe in fairies and people with 'special' gifts.... You'll enjoy this book! I found it a book I couldn't put down... I hope you do too!
If you believe in fairies and people with 'special' gifts.... You'll enjoy this book! I found it a book I couldn't put down... I hope you do too!
November 21, 2022
A Great Read
My first read from this author, but not my last. Looking forward to reading the second book in the series. Good job.
My first read from this author, but not my last. Looking forward to reading the second book in the series. Good job.
April 30, 2023
Painter of Souls
Very interesting and hard to put them down. Highly recommend reading them as well. Looking forward to reading more of Kathias books.
Very interesting and hard to put them down. Highly recommend reading them as well. Looking forward to reading more of Kathias books.
April 13, 2024
Loved the story but could have done without so many sexual references and scenes, Just my opinion but I felt that detracted from the story.
August 11, 2024
Exquisite. One of the most captivating books ever. I couldn't put the book down until I finished. I already downloaded the other two books in this series. The way Kathia writes makes of think of someone who weaves magic into the fabric of the characters. Totally enchanting and mesmerizing. I highly recommend it.
June 4, 2021
I liked many things about this, but the thing with Dermot was too dark and horrifying. Ending the book with that terrible teaser for the next novel basically killed any good feelings from the happy ending.
May 29, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews