About Me I am a retired librarian and I now support books and authors through my reviews.

I have always loved to read and I was able to share that love through my work as a public librarian for 22 1/2 years. I now promote literacy by reading, and then writing reviews. I love to support authors by sharing my reviews with others!

Tuesday, June 29, 2021

A Lady in Attendance by Rachel Fordham

A Lady in Attendance

ABOUT THE BOOK


Five years in a New York state reformatory have left a blemish on Hazel's real name. So when she takes a job as Doctor Gilbert Watts'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, a hardened woman, and the friends that 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 THOUGHTS.....



'Regret once again swept over her, churning inside until she feared she would be sick. Life outside the reformatory walls was supposed to be fresh and new, but already she'd soiled it with a falsehood.' 

A Lady in Attendance has everything that I love in a book: romance, conflict, and characters who are flawed and fallible, but so eager to change. Hazel McDowell wants to make amends for her wrongdoings, and begin a new life, but her secret past may prevent this from ever happening. I absolutely loved Hazel and I longed for her to be reconciled with her family once again!

"I love the woman you are today and who you'll be tomorrow. That woman is born from who you were yesterday. I want it all."

Who knew that a dentist could be so romantic? Gilbert Watts seems to be a man of few words, but when he speaks....oh, the beautiful sentiments that come out of his mouth. And it's all because of a red-haired dental assistant, with sparkling eyes and a flawless wit, who has helped him discover what has been missing in his life!

I enjoyed the historical details of this story that is set in 1898, and learning about the dental practices of that era. I smiled at Gilbert's concern about the propriety of having a female assistant, and then, his relief that Hazel would be there to help him handle his very difficult patient, Alberta Robertham.

This is a stunning story with an unlikely hero, a young woman who has suffered more than she deserves, a romance that will leave you wanting more, and a beautiful message of hope, faith, and forgiveness. Author Rachel Fordham has done it once again, and I highly recommend A Lady in Attendance to all who enjoy historical Christian romance!

I received a copy of this book from Revell. There was no obligation for a favorable review. These are my own thoughts.

My rating: 5 of 5 stars






ABOUT THE AUTHOR



Rachel Fordham
 started writing when her children began begging her for stories at night. She’d pull a book from the shelf, but they’d insist she make one up. Finally she put her love of good stories with her love of writing and she hasn’t stopped since. She lives with her husband and children on an island in the state of Washington.



1 comment:

  1. I also loved this book! It was my first by Rachel Fordham, but it will not be my last :)

    ReplyDelete