Trauma Plan (Grace Medical) Book Review

SUMMARY:  Sidelined by injuries from a vicious assault, chaplain Riley Hale is eager to return to her former duties as an ER nurse.  But how can she show she's competent when the hospital won't let her attempt even simple tasks?  Determined to prove herself, Riley volunteers at an urban free clinic despite her fears about the maverick doctor in charge.
     Dr. Jack Travis defends his clinic like he's commander of the Alamo.  He'll fight the community's efforts to shut its doors, even if he must use Riley Hale's influential family name to make it happen.
     As Riley strives to regain her skills, Jack finds that she shares his compassion - and stirs his lonely heart.  Riley senses that beneath Jack's rough exterior is a man she can believe in.  But when clinic protests escalate and questions surface about his past, Jack goes into battle mode, and Riley wonders if it's dangerous to trust him with her heart.

REVIEW:  Riley does what she can to regain her nursing career after a debilitating injury to her neck and right arm.  Working as a chaplain at Grace Medical Hospital, she meets Dr. Jack Travis, who works as an ER doctor and runs a controversial free clinic; controversial because it is located in a new upscale neighborhood where the residents want it gone.  Jack gives Riley a chance to work on improving her skills by working as a volunteer at the clinic.
     This book is really good.  The author does a great job showing Riley's struggle and how she never gives up.  She uses her strong faith to encourage those around her: co-workers, patients and their families.  Jack is a daredevil who lets others think nothing phases him but loves working with those less fortunate.  I like how Jack lets nothing stand in his way to keep the clinic running even though his anger issues cause him lots of trouble with the residents of The Bluffs.  The secondary characters also make this story work great with their wit, understanding and loyalty.  Trauma Plan is a great book.  I'm sure there will be another wonderful story to follow.

This book was provided by Tyndale House Publishers for review without compensation.

 Candace Calvert is a former ER nurse and author of the Mercy Hospital series.  Her medical dramas offer readers a chance to "scrub in" on the exciting world of emergency medicine.  Wife, mother, and very proud grandmother, Candace makes her home in northern California.  Please visit her website at www.candacecalvert.com.

Code Triage Book Tour

Dr. Leigh Stathos likes her ER shifts fast, furious, and adrenaline-infused -- "Treat 'em and street 'em" -- with no emotional complications.  Life's taught her a soul-rending lesson:  nothing lasts forever, including marriage.  And the clock is ticking toward the end of hers.  Then an unwelcome confrontation with "the other woman" begins a whole new set of lessons.

San Francisco police officer Nick Stathos never gives up, whether protecting his patrol neighborhood, holding fast to faith, or trying to save his marriage.  Seven days is all he has to reach Leigh's heart.  But when a desperate act of violence slams Golden Gate Mercy Hospital into lockdown, it starts a chain of events that will change lives forever.

Code Triage is the third book in the Mercy Hospital series but it stands on its own easily.  At first, the story line was hard for me to get into.  I don't know if it was because you are introduced to a lot of key characters right off or what.  About a quarter of the way into it, everything started to fall into place and the book became a lot more interesting.  I liked the way the characters developed and how the storyline evolved.  For a while, I wondered how they story would play out in the end and was pleasantly surprised.  At the end of the book, the author ties this book in with the first two in the series.  I wished I had read them because then the end would have been more meaningful.  Without them, the story still ended in a wonderful way.  I would recommend this book to anyone.  It is a great read.

Mrs. Calvert could easily add another book in the series with how she left Riley Hale's character.  If so, I would love to read it.

This book was provided by Tyndale House for review without compensation.  

Candace Calvert is a former ER nurse who believes love, laughter, and faith are the best medicines.  She wrote several humorous mysteries before penning the Mercy Hospital series.  Wife, mother, and very proud grandmother, Candace makes her home in northern California.  Visit her website at www.candacecalvert.com.