Critical Care - review revisited

Last week, when I posted the tour for Candace Calvert's Critical Care, I promised a more lengthy review for it once I finished the book (and then had a chance).

First of all, I am going to put in a disclaimer. My opinion is not the popular opinion because I've seen a number of good reviews about this book. It just wasn't one of my favorites.

I have to give credit to the publisher's team of writers and publicists for back cover copy and press releases for getting me interested in the book. I had said that the book started out slow, and it did, but it did pick up the pace the further in you got. To me, however, it didn't live up to what I expected from the teasers.

From the back cover:
After her brother dies in a trauma room, nurse Claire Avery can no longer face the ER. She's determined to make a fresh start--new hospital, new career in nursing education--move forward, no turning back. But her plans fall apart when she's called to offer stress counseling for medical staff after a heart-breaking day care center explosion. Worse, she's forced back to the ER, where she clashes with Logan Caldwell, a doctor who believes touchy-feely counseling is a waste of time. He demands his staff be as tough as he is. Yet he finds himself drawn to this nurse educator ... who just might teach him the true meaning of healing.

The medical drama wasn't as dramatic as I expected. The love connection seemed a too quick. BUT, I that could just be because I'm "Audra, the love skeptic."

Claire, the main character was just too wishy-washy about Logan for me. I like him, but I don't want to like him. He's a jerk, but he's not a jerk.

(Here comes my humorous take on it because you know I have to say something funny.) Something that stood out to me was that throughout the book, the characters were always holding their breath about something or the phrase "her breath caught" or "his breath caught". I thought the the medical drama was going to be all the characters turning blue and passing out and having to be rushed to the emergency room themselves.

This is the first book in Calvert's Mercy Hospital Series and the series does have potential.

Back a few months ago, every novel that I picked up The main verse of book was Jeremiah 29:11.

"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare (or peace) and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope."

In the book, Claire was really struggling to remember to focus on God's plans for her rather than her own plans for herself. Who doesn't need to be reminded of that from time to time? I was even sharing that with a friend today that was having a bad day.

So dear blog readers, that's the thought I leave you with for tonight.

For more information about Candace Calvert and Critical Care, visit her website.

Comments

Pam said…
Hi Audra,
I didn't realize you had your own personal blog.
Glad you survived VBS. I had my teenage daughter work in my place this year!
If you ever have the time (I know you are busy!), please visit my personal blog. : )
Audra Jennings said…
Hi Pam,

Thanks for stopping by!

Audra