Monday, October 10, 2011

Review - The Doctor's Lady

   

The Doctor's Lady

by Jody Hedlund


Priscilla White planned on going to India to become a missionary. She'd prayed, planned, and prepared, sure that God was calling her to go. When her plans were sidetracked by the Missionary Board's newest requirement - that all missionaries be married couples - she was stunned. Surely there was a way around it. She'd vow to be devout, celibate, whatever it took to bring the Gospel to the poor heathens in that distant land. This was 1836, after all, and she was a strong, modern Christian woman.

Dr. Eli Ernest's visit to Priscilla's church in Angelica, New York was no different from any of the other church visits. He hoped to drum up support for his journey west to minister to the Nez Perce Indians in Oregon Territory. People were misinformed about the gentle Native American tribe, thinking that they were savages. Most church members sent missionary dollars overseas, perhaps unaware of this worthy cause in their own country. Eli wrestled with the Missionary Board's new decision too; he needed to return west before next winter. A wife? Out of the question. A woman had never traveled across the continent; she wouldn't survive the trip.

Sparks fly when Priscilla and Eli first meet. The pair publicly clash, revealing facets of their strong willed character. When a suggestion is made that they marry to solve the Missionary Board decision dilemma, they initially resist. Fueled by a desire and conviction to fulfill their callings, however, they relent, make a deal to be married in name only, and embark on the dangerous cross country journey.

Their journey is fraught with hardship, peril, and awkwardness (a fellow traveler is Priscilla's former beau). Priscilla is determined to brave the wilderness without being a burden to Eli. It is not long, however, before she questions whether her decision to go west was really God's will. Eli is happy enough to have a wife and the Missionary Board's support, but is not pleased with the burden that a woman adds to the trip. He tries to remain detached in case the rigors of the trip are too much and he must send Priscilla back to New York. Likewise, Priscilla keeps her growing feelings to herself, keeping their "business deal" in mind. Tension and misunderstandings ensue as they inch closer to their destination in the northwest.

If I were to rate this book, I would give it five stars. Jody Hedlund is a excellent storyteller; I was engaged from beginning to end. I view Jody's books as not only a pleasure to read, but as an example of fabulous historical fiction. As a writer, I observe plot, characters, style, description, and the other ingredients necessary to make a story great. Jody does it all well! I highly recommend this book. Can't wait until her next book comes out.

Jody Hedlund will be stopping by for an interview this Thursday, October 13. I invite you to join us! She's generously offered a copy of The Doctor's Lady to one of my followers. Please note the following details.

To be Eligible for the Giveaway:

  • You must be a follower and leave a comment, with email address, on this or Thursday's post.
  • Gain bonus entries by posting this on Facebook, your blog, &/or Twitter. Please include link with your comment.
  • Open to residents of the United States only.
  • Deadline to enter is noon EST, Saturday, October 15, 2011. Winner will be notified via email and will have 48 hours to respond or another winner will be chosen. Winner will be announced Monday, October 17.

What's the latest and greatest book you've read?

Happy Monday,
Karen

I received a influencer copy of The Doctor's Lady from Bethany House. No compensation was received.

31 comments :

  1. I just finished Shifting by Bethany Wiggins. It was so good! I did tweet this for you and posted it on google+. This looks like such an amazing book. Your review was great!

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  2. Just saying hello to Karen here folks, and I'm sure some of you are experiencing above normal temps like we are in the Lancaster Pennsylvania area the last few days. It should be hitting 80 degrees today, and trust me I'm hardly complaining and i know this is really artificial. Richard from Amish Stories.

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  3. What a fantastic review. I bought Jody's first book for my sister and I can't wait to read this one.

    Tweeting:

    Twitter

    Facebooking:

    Facebook

    robyn(at)robyncampbell(dot)com

    *waving* (((hugs)))

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  4. I've got to read this book. I've seen so much good buzz about it on the interwebz. Nice post!

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  5. Nisa,
    Have heard of Wiggins but haven't read her book. Thanks for your kind words and for passing along the info!

    Richard,
    Hello to you too! It's warmer here too. I actually just came in from the garden with a bunch of tomatoes and peppers!

    Robyn,
    Thanks amigo! Appreciate you passing this along. :)

    Laura,
    Hope you get to soon! The buzz about it is correct, in my opinion anyway! :)

    Blessings,
    Karen

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  6. I've heard a lot of buzz about this too. Sounds like such a great book!

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  7. Hi Karen -

    Great review.

    I just finished Jody's book and loved it! She knows how to hook a reader and keep them turning pages.

    Blessings,
    Susan :)

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  8. Great job, Karen. I can tell you enjoyed it! It sounds interesting. I'd love to win this book. (I've not read the first one yet; does it build on that, or are the characters totally separate?)

    rschrockmt@yahoo.com

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  9. I heard about the book but didn't know much about it. Sounds wonderful though. Can't wait to read the interview.

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  10. Lydia,
    It's a winner in my book. :) The buzz is true as far as I am concerned!

    Susan,
    Thanks a bunch! Glad to hear you liked it too. You're right, it is a page turner!

    Clarissa,
    Hope you get a chance to read it. The interview will be fun, I think. Jody's a great guest. :)

    Blessings,
    Karen

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  11. Just finished The Chair by James L Rubart. Fantastic. I love the cover on Jody's new book - would love to win this one, she is such a good writer.
    jancline(at)ymail(dot)com

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  12. Thank you so much again for the lovely review, Karen! And it's wonderful to see everyone here today on your blog! I'm so glad that many of you enjoyed my first book, and I hope you'll all eventually have the chance to read The Doctor's Lady too! Blessings!

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  13. Jan,
    I've heard good things about his books! I'll have to check them out. Added your name to the list. :)

    Jody,
    It's always a pleasure! You write wonderful stories. :)

    Blessings,
    Karen

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  14. I loved The Preacher's Wife & looking forward to reading this one. I would be thrilled to win it.
    Wilma

    wilmamet6(at)gmail(dot)com

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  15. Thank you for your review Karen. I am looking forward to reading this book with our book club in 2012.

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  16. I am a GFC Follower as librarypat.

    This period of expansion and relations with the Nez Perce have always interested to me. This sounds like it will be an interesting and enjoyable story.

    librarypat AT comcast DOT net

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  17. Tweeted the giveaway.
    http://twitter.com/#!/pbbearclaw/status/123579859866882049

    librarypat AT comcast DOT net

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  18. I shared this on Facebook.
    http://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=222431594484329&id=1505535916

    librarypat AT comcast DOT net

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  19. I have enjoyed so many good books it is hard to choose a favorite or greatest.
    I am getting ready to read ONCE UPON A THANKSGIVING, an pair of stories by Linda Ford and Winnie Griggs.

    librarypat AT comcast DOT net

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  20. Wilma,
    That was a good one too! I am sure you will enjoy this one as well. :)

    Lynn,
    I think you and the group will have a good time with this one!

    Pat,
    Thanks for spreading the word! I really appreciate it!

    Blessings,
    Karen

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  21. Thanks for the lovely review. It does sound like an interesting book! Don't enter me into the draw though, as I'm not US-based!

    J.C.

    Join me in the Trick or Treat Spooktacular! Could you help make the Grand Prize a brand new Kindle Touch?

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  22. Wonderful review!I read Jody's first book but haven't read this one yet. I would love the chance to win it!talker445@yahoo.com

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  23. Hi Karen ...I am seeing Jody's book everywhere. Its getting wonderful reviews like her first book.

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  24. J.C.,
    You are welcome! So sorry we can't do overseas for now. Thanks for stopping!

    Terri,
    I think you might like this one too! Got you on the list. How are things in TX? :)

    Rachna,
    She wrote a winner, that's for sure! Thanks for coming over toady!

    Blessings,
    Karen

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  25. As you saw in my post this week, I also love Jody's writing. :) I look forward to the interview!

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  26. Thanks for the review, Karen! Jody's first novel got such great reviews, I'm delighted to hear this one is as good!

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  27. Sarah,
    Yes, it was a good post! Very clever. :) I think you may enjoy the interview. It was fun!

    Talli,
    You are welcome! The reviews don't do it justice; it is a winner!

    Blessings,
    Karen

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  28. Oh, I am very excited to read this book. I enjoyed the first one and have been hearing great things about The Doctor's Lady.

    I am a follower.

    nina4sm/at/gmail/com

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  29. I won this on Katie Ganshert's blog, so don't enter my name. I am so looking forward to reading it! After I finish my revisions on my book, which comes out in April.

    The latest and greatest is Jesus Calling by Sarah Young. So insightful.

    God's best,
    Jen

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  30. Sylvia,
    If you liked the first, I think you may enjoy this one! Got you on the list. :)

    Jen,
    I think you will enjoy it! And congrats on the book deal, btw! :D

    Blessings,
    Karen

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  31. Sounds wonderful! I'm behind the times and just downloaded Jody's first one a few weeks ago. :-)

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Thanks for stopping by and sharing your thoughts. Have a blessed day!