A LADY IN ATTENDANCE
Five years in a New York reformatory have left a blemish on Hazel's real name. So when she takes a job as Doctor Gilbert Watt's lady in attendance in 1898, she does so under an alias. In the presence of her quiet and pious employer, Hazel finds more than an income. She finds a friend and a hope that if she can set her tarnished past in order, she might have a future after all.
As Gilbert becomes accustomed to the pleasant chatter of his new dental assistant, he can't help but sense something secretive about her. Perhaps there is more to this woman than meets the eye. Can the questions that loom between them ever be answered? Or will the deeds of days gone by forever rob the future of its possibilities?
Rachel Fordham pens a tender tale of a soft-spoken man and a hardened woman, as well as the friends who stand by them, as they work toward a common purpose -- to expunge the record of someone society deemed beyond saving -- and perhaps find love along the way.
My Review:
I can't believe this is my first Rachel Fordham novel! And I can't believe that this first read-by-me book has a dentist hero! I mean...really...how on earth can an author make a dentist swoony (no offense to the author whose husband is actually a dentist. Blushing furiously.) What I mean to say is that while I am sure there are an unlimited number of dashing swoonworthy dentist types in the real world they definitely aren't for me because I have a phobia. Seriously, I'm breaking out in a sweat and feeling the reverberations of a drill in my back molar as I write this review.
Even so, Gilbert did manage to steal my heart (but if he comes at me with a drill I won't be held responsible for my actions!) He's a quiet, thoughtful, steadfast man and when he speaks....be still my heart...he is ardent in his simplicity. Honestly, I want to list some of the beautiful things he says to Hazel here, but it's better if you discover those gems on your own. On your fainting couch. With a fan handy. :-)
Hazel, in contrast, is lively and quick-witted and...let's just say she lives up to her red hair. She's the perfect foil for Gil and I loved the way they balance each other out. And the way Hazel's backstory unfolds makes for a riveting read, and transforms a sweet romance into an intriguing mystery as well.
A compelling redemptive story laced with forgiveness and hope.
Book provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications inc.
GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:
This giveaway is for a paperback copy
If you would like a chance to win a copy of A Lady in Attendance, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoread AT yahoo DOT ca. If you add your email to a comment, remember to use AT AND DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it's easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday August 21 2021. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck!
I’m glad you discovered Rachel’s books as I enjoy them so very much. Now we can do the book twin shuffle.
ReplyDeleteWheee -- don't spin me too hard, I prefer my dizziness to come from hero swooning rather than dosie dohing. (have no idea how to spell that)
DeleteI enjoyed reading about a hero who didn't have a "typical" Christian Fiction profession/career. Rachel's books are so good!
ReplyDeleteeclitton at gmail dot com
Yes, it's find to find diversity of all kinds in our reads, isn't it...though dentist was a real stretch for me. Bwahahaha! Good luck, Elizabeth!
DeleteThis sounds so good!😃
ReplyDeleteIt sure is. Good luck, Elly!
DeleteI hadn't thought about that, but heroes are typically not dentists - quite a few doctors, though, in all my reading over the years. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteYep...never had a dentist hero before. They tend to be either creepy or goofy secondary characters if they show up in a story at all. Poor dentists. Good luck, CC!
DeleteI have a couple of Rachel's novels in my TBR.
ReplyDeletepsalm103and138atgmaildotcom
Here's hoping you can add this one to your pile. Good luck, Caryl!
DeleteI would love to read this book, please enter me, thanks! lclee59(at)centurylink(dot)net
ReplyDeleteYou're in, Connie. Good luck!
DeleteI've read all of Rachel's books but this one. Intriguing that the hero is a dentist!
ReplyDeleteteamob4 (at) gmail (dot) com
lol -- who'd have thunk it? It works though...really well. Good luck, Trixi!
DeleteLove the cover on "A LADY IN ATTENDANCE" first thing. Secondly, I don't know that I've read a book where the main character is a dentist before. Like you, I'm not fond of them and just going to get my teeth checked cam make my nerves stand on end.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a fabulous book and one I would most definitely enjoy having the opportunity to read. Thank you for the chance to win a copy!
2clowns at arkansas dot net
I always have to bribe myself with a new book when I go to the dentist. :-) Good luck, Kay!
DeleteI keep seeing Rachel's books on blogs but I haven't read one yet. A Lady in Attendance sounds like one I should read. A dentist isn't our typical hero but I kind of like that he's out of the norm.
ReplyDeletepmkellogg56[at]gmail[dot]com
I missed her first two as well, glad I got to read this one. I figure if she can convince me to swoon over a dentist she's definitely a great writer. Bwahahaha! Good luck, Pam!
DeleteI do not think I have read any of this authors books, but this sound like one I would enjoy reading. golden0522 AT msn DOT com
ReplyDeleteThis was my introduction to her writing and I'm a fan now. Good luck, judy!
DeleteI just ordered this from our library interloan a few minutes ago. I would love to own my very own copy!! Kathleen ~ Lane Hill House
ReplyDeletekathleen[dot]e[dot]belongia[at]gmail[dot]com
Received a notice: "Too soon to order. Unavailable." Kathleen
DeleteGah! Don;t you hate it when your hopes are dashed? Good luck, Kathleen!
DeleteI love rachel's books. I glad you finally discovered her. cheetahthecat1986ATgmailDOTcom
ReplyDeleteI'm glad too. So many authors to keep track of! Good luck, Kim!
DeleteOh, I love Rachel's books and have yet to read this one! Thanks for the fun review.
ReplyDeleteLLWaltz [at] gmail [dot] com
You're welcome, Laura. Good luck!
DeleteI haven't read any of Rachel's books yet either but I see that I need to!
ReplyDeletepbclark(at)netins(dot)net
Here's your chance. Good luck, rubynreba!
DeleteI read Rachel's very first release, but none since then. The dentist hero is a new one for me too!
ReplyDeletepattymh2000(at)yahoo(dot)com
I can definitively say that I've never met a dentist hero (in fiction, anyway.) Good luck, Patty!
DeleteOh my goodness, I adore Rachel Fordham's books! She's such a talented writer. This is the only one of hers I don't own.
ReplyDeletedmandres5 at Gmail dot com
You've gotta keep the collection current, Melissa. Good luck!
DeleteLoved your review. I love my dentist, but she's a woman. Yet, I never swoon when it's my time for a check-up. Haha. I recently purchased my first Fordham novel (Yours Truly, Thomas,) because it sounded like my kind of story. So, I'll be like you before this book and will be reading my first soon.
ReplyDeletetlhcoupon(at)hotmail(dot)com
I need to backtrack. I'm glad you have a nice dentist. I think some of my phobia stems from some really severe experiences when I was a child with a particularly brutal dentist. Shudder. So nice, personable dentists are a must. Hmmm, I might have to search around for a female dentist and see if that calms my anxiety any. Good luck, Terrill!
DeleteRachel Fordham is a new author to me too. rrwalter34ATGMAILDOTCOM
ReplyDeleteI think she's written three books now but this is the first one I've read. Good luck, Becky!
DeleteI don’t think I’ve read any of her books. This book d sounds great!
ReplyDeletekarenskrayons(at)gmail(dot)com