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08 September 2011

Diana's book review of The Doctor's Lady by Jody Hedland



The Doctor's Lady 
by Jody Hedlund
(Bethany House, September, 2011)


Reviewed by Diana Flowers
 5 stars~ *****
  
Riveting Read!!
The Doctor's Lady takes us on an exciting, but arduous journey, as two couples begin a trek across country to minister to the Nez Perce Indians in Oregon in the early 1800s. Priscilla White, feels God has called her to minister to the people of India, never to be a wife or mother as the drs. have all pronounced her incapable of ever being able to bear a child. However, just as the missions board refuse her because she is single, Dr. Eli Ernest offers Priscilla an interesting proposal...to become his business partner and travel with him to start a mission in Oregon for the Nez Perce tribe. However, they too must be married, and decide to do that, but in "name only".

Eli Ernest has no interest in taking a lady with him, for to do so would bring added danger and slow him down. His passion, however, is to start a mission and bring salvation to the Indians, and if he has to take a woman, so be it. Eli carries a heavy burden of guilt on his shoulders for not being able to protect his sisters and father as a child, so he is fiercely protective of Priscilla. As Priscilla finds herself falling in love with Eli, and is constantly rebuffed by him, the battle raging within her heart is as bad as the torrential river, that almost drowns her at it's crossing, the bone-tiring weariness of the journey, and the danger that lurks around every path.

After suffering from flea bites, a near rape, cholera, and constant Indian threats, Priscilla and Eli, and their partners, face their biggest obstacle yet....crossing the Blue Mountain Range to reach their final destination. Will they make it, or will their dreams end in in defeat or even death? The author's note at the end had some surprises and heartbreak that I wasn't aware of while reading this book, and only served to make me love this book even more!
 

I love alot of author's work, but I have my favorites narrowed down to ten...ten that I just have to read their new novels as they are released! After reading The Preacher's Bride and The Doctor's Lady, Jody Hedlund is now on my top FIVE favorite authors list. This book was utterly fantastic and a must read for all historical fiction lovers! Jody's writing style was impeccable and totally realistic...the romance was heart racing and exciting...the conclusion very satisfying. This book will surely win many awards! Outstanding job, Jody! 

Giveaway: Leave a comment for a chance to win a copy!  Put your email addy on there.  

52 comments:

  1. The Doctor's Lady was easily one of my favorite books of the year! Whoever wins it will be blessed indeed. And yes, Jody is as sweet as she looks in her pic...and so smart! Some people have it all.:) Thank you, Carrie, for the marvelous pics!

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  2. I've been looking forward to this book coming out! I'd love a chance to win it. :)

    sunshine6892 at hotmail dot com

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  3. Diana, after reading your review of this book, I know without a doubt I must read it! I haven't read anything by Jody yet as she is a new author to me. I was so captivated by the cover also. It is so beautiful!

    Blessings,
    judyjohn2004[at]yahoo[dot]com

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  4. Cathy and Judy, welcome to OTT! I guarantee you, you will not be able to put this one down...it was a work of art! One would have thought Jody Hedlund had been there; the book was so realistic! She is one smart author!

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  5. Good afternoon, ladies!! Thank you again for the lovely review, Diana (and for your very kind words about me!). For those who haven't yet read any of my books, you're welcome to give my debut book, The Preacher's Bride a try for FREE if you have a Kindle or a Nook. It's available for just a short period of time for free this month in an ebook format!

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  6. I have read "The Preacher's Bride," and absolutely LOVED it. Would love to win "The Doctor's Lady!" donnaeharmon@yahoo.com

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  7. I'd love to read The Doctor's Lady by Jody Hedlund. Thanks for adding me to the drawing. :-) joan[at]joancwebb[dot]com

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  8. I would love a chance to read it.....i have a nook color so i could receive it this way too

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  9. Julie lippo

    Mrslippo@hotmail.com all small letters

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  10. I have wanted to read this book since the first time I saw the cover. The review makes it sound great, so put me in please.

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  11. Would love to win this book, thank you for the chance.

    wfnren(at)aol(dot)com

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  12. Donna, you are sure to love TDL as well. Thank you for coming by!

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  13. Welcome to OTT, Joan and Julie! Throwing your name in the hat!

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  14. I cannot wait to read this book! penguinns (at) gmail (dot) com

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  15. I really want to read this book! I have heard nothing but good reviews about it! Thanks for the chance to win and good luck to all!

    kendraedens@gmail.com

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  16. After reading your review, i must say I'm anxious to read this book. It sure sounds like a winner. I would also like to be a winner --of this book.

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  17. Waving to my friend across the pond! Hey, Marian! They say you can't judge a book by its cover, here in America. Maybe they say that in Holland, too, I don't know, but in this case whoever "they" are, are quite wrong.

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  18. You are officially entered, wfnren and Penguinns! Penguinns?:-)

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  19. Welcome to Overcoming Through Time, Kendra! I agree; I think this book has received mostly all 5 star ratings, on both Amazon and CBD!

    And oh, anonymous, please come back and leave an email. Without a name or an email, should you win, we would have no clue as to how to get in touch with you. That would be sad...

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  20. Just a reminder, ladies, if you go to older post, we still have a giveaway going on for Waterfall! A fabulous book for any age!

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  21. Loved the first book and know I will love the second! Jodi is a great writer. You have a nice blogsite.

    Kerrie bilker1@sccoast.net

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  22. I give the book 10 stars!! The story was wonderful as it has you crying, has you laughing, and has you picturing in your mind every step they take!! Thanks, Jodi for a wonderful read. Couldn't put it down!

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  23. Thank you from me and Carrie, Kerrie! Please come back often as we do alot of reviews and giveaways of great books here! Lots of luck in the drawing!

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  24. The review sounds so interesting. I believe that he finally falls in Love an takes her with him,the family makes it across with a lot of hardship. Would love to win the book if it is Gods will. Sounds like a book you can't put down once you start reading it. Thanks an God Bless. crochetsandi@hotmail.com

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  25. Thank you for sharing that with us, Joyce! I'm sure Jody will be pleased!

    Thank you, crochetsandi, for your comment. Your predictions made me smile...I hope you get a chance to read this and find out what happens. God bless you back, dear.

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  26. Sounds like a powerful read! Would love to win. Thanks for the opportunity!

    desertrose5173 at gmail dot com

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  27. Welcome, Linda to OTT! Count yourself officially entered!

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  28. Love seeing so many visitors to Diana's review and the giveaway! Thank you for the kind words, everyone! I do hope you'll all have the chance to read the book at some point! And if you do, I'd love to hear from you! Make sure to stop by my facebook page and say hi!:-)

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  29. I absolutely loved the Preacher's Bride...I can't wait to read this one. Thanks for the chance to win. tsmathews61@gmail.com

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  30. Hey, Teresa, my Bobbsey Twin! The Preacher's Bride was great, wasn't it? You'll really love this one, too! It's awesome! This is also one of the first books, that the back cover is as pretty, if not more so, than the front! Wait 'til y'all see it!

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  31. This comment is for my sis-in-law who is unable to leave a comment:

    This sounds like a wonderful book! Please enter me!

    ~Barbara Smith
    thatoldgal@gmail.com

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  32. You all have been busy over here! We had an IEP meeting this afternoon and are still "recovering" from that! Came back to find all these great comments. Jody is a powerful writer. This will need to go on my TBR list!

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  33. I came from ACFWBC.

    desertrose5173 at gmail dot com

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  34. I came from ACFWBC and this book sounds really great!! Thanks for the tip also about The Preacher's Bride being free for kindle, I have yet to read anything by you Jody so I went and downloaded that book!! Thanks for the chance to win!

    Courtney
    kcmelone at yahoo dot com

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  35. Thank you, Linda, for letting us know. Extra entries for you!

    Courtney, I know you will enjoy The Preacher's Bride, and honestly, I think Jody just gets better and better with each book she writes. Well, she has only written two so far and is working on her third, but that is my prediction. LOL! Extra entries for you as well, Courtney!

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  36. I would love to win "The Doctor's Lady". Please enter me in the drawing. Thanks for the chance to win.

    debbiemcla(at)msn(dot)com

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  37. You're welcome, Debbie, and thanks for coming over to OTT!

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  38. thanks for the chance to read jody's latest novel...i loved 'the preacher's bride'

    karenk
    kmkuka at yahoo dot com

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  39. Hey, Karen. I'm certain you'll love this one too! Lots of luck in the drawing!

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  40. Oh, I loved The Preacher's Bride and cannot wait to read this one. Marriage of conveniences are always a plus too!

    nina4sm/at/gmail/dot/com

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  41. Welcome, Sylvia, I quite agree!


    I am entering a comment for Wanda Chamberlain, who has consistently tried to enter with this format and can't. We've got you covered, Wanda! Thank you for your persistency!

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  42. ACFWBC, being a key phrase, I write it first as not to forget it later since I get wrapped up in my comment-ing sometimes.

    I've just become acquainted with the name,Jody Hedlund, and am looking forward to reading some of her work. This book, about being a doctor's lady sounds like a great book and one I'd like to tell the world about after reading it first, of course.

    Makes me wonder how many times I've done things for MY convenience' sake and it turned out to have a surprising ending.

    Thanks for entering me in the drawing... twice.. but I had a question: how long does the winner have to claim the prize? I'm off to the mountains during each week of Sept to support my hubby for archery deer season and only home on weekends. Didn't want to enter and then miss out if I win.

    Pam Williams
    cepjwms at wb4me dot com
    Oh. and did I mention ACFWBC?

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  43. Thanks for entering me Diana.
    Just giving it a try to see if it works now that I have Google Chrome.
    Wandaelaine at gmail dot com

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  44. Yay, finally, Wanda!! So glad that worked for you!

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  45. Welcome to OTT, Pam. Thank you for your great comment. Don't worry; just have a good time in the mountains with hubby. Should you win you will be sent an email and we will give you time to respond.:)

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  46. ACFWBC.....Were we supposed to post it first to get the second entry?
    = )
    I enjoyed the other book before this and this books sounds really interesting. This is a time period of history that was a passion of mine! I would enjoy reading it....martha(at)lclink(dot)com

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  47. Hi, Martha. Welcome to OTT...and anywhere you want to post it is fine. lol You will get your double entry! This time period is also a passion of mine...and Jody did such a fantastic job with it! You'll really enjoy it!

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  48. Congrats to Wendy (wfnren) on winning The Doctor's Lady and to Anne Payne who won Waterfall! Thanks to all of you for coming over to bless and encourage Jody!

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  49. Thank you, this was a great finish to a good week! I appreciated the chance to enter the giveaway and I know I'll enjoy the book.

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  50. You're welcome, Wendy! Don't forget everyone, to come on over this coming week...we'll be featuring a whole week of fun with Julie Lessman and her books and a giveaway!

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  51. What an endorsement! Please add me to the drawing. I saw this on ACFWBC. :)
    twinwillowsfarm at gmail dot com

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  52. I'm sorry, Pegg, if you'll look a few comments up you will see that a winner was drawn last nite.:( Please join in on the fun this coming week, though, when we will be having Julie Lessman Week!

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