Nice fantasy series featuring a wise woman (herbalist, healer) I listened to on audio. Slowly developing attraction between Blackthorn and Grim takes the full 3 books (this is #2) to develop. Both main characters are tone deaf to romantic signals. However, they both having a depth of feelings and emotions, and Ms. Marillier does an excellent job developing them. Blackthorn is a woman who acts when she must. However, her preferred weapons are reasoning and limited magic, and the cleansing power of exposure of bullies and cheats, not swordplay or fisticuffs. She is definitely not a girly-girl. 
 Begin with book one, although there are no cliffhangers so it would be possible to start with this one or either of the others.