A Naval Surgeon to Fight For (Channel Fleet, Bk 4) (Harlequin Historical, No 1814)
Author:
Genres: Literature & Fiction, Romance
Book Type: Mass Market Paperback
Author:
Genres: Literature & Fiction, Romance
Book Type: Mass Market Paperback
Terrific book. One of the things I like most about this author is her use of ordinary people instead of members of the nobility. It makes a refreshing change of pace. In this book, we have Jerusha, the penniless daughter of a vicar, and Jamie, a surgeon with the Royal Navy.
Jerusha's prospects are slim in her small hometown. Her mother sends her to Plymouth to be a companion to her aunt, where she looks at a dismal future catering to grouchy old women. Her aunt is selfish, snobbish, and mean-spirited. Things begin to change when chance takes her to a naval hospital nearby. She encounters Jamie, a navy surgeon she knew as a child, and discovers a calling to help the injured.
Jamie joined the Royal Navy as a surgeon's mate when he was thirteen. He eventually studied and passed the exams to become a surgeon. He spends most of his time either at the hospital in Devonport or onboard various ships. Because of the war with Napoleon, he is very busy. The last person he expects to see is the little girl from fifteen years earlier.
Jerusha quickly becomes involved with Jamie's work at the hospital. Her aunt would disapprove, so she sneaks out. Experience tells the reader that this will eventually cause a problem. I loved Jerusha's interactions with the patients she helped. Their stories are frequently heartbreaking, but some are filled with hope. I liked seeing how her confidence grew as she took on more responsibility.
I loved seeing the relationship between Jamie and Jerusha develop. It started in a fun manner, as Jamie referred to the day they met. There is a sweet part that refers back to that day, and Jamie won my heart right away with how he comforts her. I liked seeing them together. Their interactions are real and relatable, from the discussions of their work to the lighter moments of teasing. It is an unusual relationship in that they spend more time apart than together because of Jamie's long periods spent at sea. However, the often difficult and extreme circumstances of their time together bring them closer than a more traditional relationship is likely to do. The scene where Jerusha joined Jamie on the ship was especially intense. The ending was great, with a twist that would affect their future.
One of the many things I loved about this book was the detailed descriptions of the hospital and its patients. They weren't just nameless props for the story but portrayed as real human beings. Their lives and personalities were realistic, and their injuries and actions were believable. This book gave me a different perspective on the Napoleonic War's naval blockade, the effects on people, and the Battle of Trafalgar.
As a side note: The name Jerusha is unusual and memorable, and it took me a while to remember where I had heard it before. I finally recalled that Jerusha was the preacher's wife's name in James Michener's book Hawaii.
Jerusha's prospects are slim in her small hometown. Her mother sends her to Plymouth to be a companion to her aunt, where she looks at a dismal future catering to grouchy old women. Her aunt is selfish, snobbish, and mean-spirited. Things begin to change when chance takes her to a naval hospital nearby. She encounters Jamie, a navy surgeon she knew as a child, and discovers a calling to help the injured.
Jamie joined the Royal Navy as a surgeon's mate when he was thirteen. He eventually studied and passed the exams to become a surgeon. He spends most of his time either at the hospital in Devonport or onboard various ships. Because of the war with Napoleon, he is very busy. The last person he expects to see is the little girl from fifteen years earlier.
Jerusha quickly becomes involved with Jamie's work at the hospital. Her aunt would disapprove, so she sneaks out. Experience tells the reader that this will eventually cause a problem. I loved Jerusha's interactions with the patients she helped. Their stories are frequently heartbreaking, but some are filled with hope. I liked seeing how her confidence grew as she took on more responsibility.
I loved seeing the relationship between Jamie and Jerusha develop. It started in a fun manner, as Jamie referred to the day they met. There is a sweet part that refers back to that day, and Jamie won my heart right away with how he comforts her. I liked seeing them together. Their interactions are real and relatable, from the discussions of their work to the lighter moments of teasing. It is an unusual relationship in that they spend more time apart than together because of Jamie's long periods spent at sea. However, the often difficult and extreme circumstances of their time together bring them closer than a more traditional relationship is likely to do. The scene where Jerusha joined Jamie on the ship was especially intense. The ending was great, with a twist that would affect their future.
One of the many things I loved about this book was the detailed descriptions of the hospital and its patients. They weren't just nameless props for the story but portrayed as real human beings. Their lives and personalities were realistic, and their injuries and actions were believable. This book gave me a different perspective on the Napoleonic War's naval blockade, the effects on people, and the Battle of Trafalgar.
As a side note: The name Jerusha is unusual and memorable, and it took me a while to remember where I had heard it before. I finally recalled that Jerusha was the preacher's wife's name in James Michener's book Hawaii.
