Loved it!  Reminds me of the series "Call the Midwife"
923734
The characters were so easy to identify with. Each had it's own sort of inner beauty and flaws that made them so realistic. I look forward to reading the rest in this series.
2677147
Loved reading about the adventures of the midwifes in the the UK post WWII. The stories were heartbreaking, heartwarming and real! I've enjoyed the PBS series on TV, but also enjoyed reading the stories behind it all.
638191
Ive only read these books of Pam Goodwin and I absolutely love them. Im awed by the way she can weave a story together.
However - on several occasions I was brought to a deferent universe ;-) Do you know - Outlander?
This instalment reminded me of the first season and especially the last episode. Maybe her inspiration? With the mutilation and rape and the crazy sadistic villain. I could be wrong :-)
Over all it was well written. I felt bad for Tate with his unrequited love to Camila. But I actually like Lucia much better. And the basement scene - geez. I also like the possessiveness of Tate and the sass of Lucia.
And Van and Cole - I was laughing on many occasions. I liked how she managed to make Van more human. Not that he wasn't before, but I love his bluntness and humour.
Thumbs up!
3981398
This book reminded me of a short-lived show called Pushing Daisies, in which one touch by Ned made the dead come back to life, a second touch killed them permanently.  Such is the premise in Reviver, only with more people having the ability to touch the dead, momentarily reviving them, and allowing loved ones to say last words or, in many cases, help solve crimes, including their own murders.  While it definitely had a much more serious undertone than Pushing Daisies, the concept seemed at least inspired by the show, and it was great to not only read a novel about more but also getting down to some facts as well.  Highly recommended!
541878
This book is the second in a series, which I didn't realize initially, but it didn't make a difference that I haven't read the first. I really enjoyed this book for  many reasons including the historical look at the role of midwifery and medical practices at the time. It also addresses some difficult topics like domestic violence and relationships of all kinds. I really appreciated that although this book involves religion it doesn't try to candy-coat some difficult issues as other in the genre often can. I liked that it read as realistic- real behaviors and reactions that would be typical to see if real life. This book offered a nice historical glimpse at life as a community of faith and I would love to read the next book in the series to follow up with the characters.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher Bethany House in exchange for an honest review
1454600
I enjoyed this book, mostly because the characters were so completely interesting and different than any I've read before. I especially liked the way the book intertwined this woman's search for answers to her own birth, her own spirituality, and her commitment to being a midwife.  From a male perspective, I learned an amazing amount about the birth process and what it means to be a midwife.  It was almost a five star book for me, but there were two subplots that were left hanging.  One, the arrest, was the overall envelope for the whole book, so it was frustrating that it was not finished off with any clarity.  Still, this book gets a big thumbs up from me.  As I'm sure others have said and will say, I wish I had read this book before my kids were born.
2523970
The Midwife's Choice by Delia Parr is the second book in the At Home in Trinity series. This series needs to be read in order because it is basically one long book. This sequel was a wonderful continuation from the first book. I really enjoy the author's way of weaving the story and showcasing the protagonist's real struggles as a mother and as a human being. She doesn't make Martha better than anyone else or the only one who can save the day. Plus, the author based the character on a midwife from that time period so that must be why the story is so powerful since it's based on real life problems and solutions.

Martha Cade is thrilled to have her daughter, Victoria, back home from New York City. But when she learns that Victoria plans on going back to the city with her protector, June Morgan, she is devastated. Has she lost her daughter because of her expectations for her? Will she be able to mend their relationship before it's too late?

Martha also has to deal with her feelings for the mayor, her first beau. Thomas wants to marry her, but Martha isn't sure their wants will be able to work together. In the midst of this new dilemma, she cares for a young lady who was beaten by her brutal husband. Will they be able to convince her that her husband isn't safe?

I loved this story! The growth of Martha amidst uncertainty was done so well, and I loved how Martha was able to help her daughter reach her potential by showering her with love and compliments. It was a powerful part of the story and showcased the importance of encouraging our children to use their talents to be who God wants them to be. I can't wait to see what happens in the next book!

I was given this book for free from Bethany House in exchange for an honest review.
1866611
At Sierra Mercy Hospital, the patients are not the only ones in need of healing.

Sounds like the lead-in for a television medical drama, doesn't it?  I think that is what attracted me to Candace Calvert's novel Critical Care.  I am a big fan of medical drama.  It started with my parents--I can remember watching Trapper John, M.D.  with Mom and Dad when I was a kid.  The one must-see show for me now is Grey's Anatomy.  The one drawback to that show, is the immoral behavior of the entire hospital staff.  If hospitals are really run like the ones on TV....  WOW!  I can't even imagine.

Sierra Mercy Hospital is a bit different.  Sure, there are still romances among the staff members.  In this book, the romance is based on mutual respect and shared experiences, rather than solely on physical attraction.

Calvert uses her extensive medical knowledge and years of health care experience to create believable characters, interacting in a realistic setting.

After a deadly explosion at a daycare center, the emergency room staff at Sierra Mercy find themselves in need of help.  Not all of them are willing to admit to that need, though, let alone ask for it.  That puts Claire Avery, the nurse educator assigned to provide stress counseling in the ER, and Dr. Logan Caldwell, the head of the emergency department, at odds.  She is still dealing with a trauma from her own past, while he operates on the belief that problems need to be left outside the hospital.

I was captivated with this book from the first page.  Though it was not on my official "must review" list, I couldn't put it down.  Critical Care is the first Candace Calvert novel that I have read, but it will definitely not be the last.
1980736
I am watching the show on PBS and get more out of the  show because I read the book first.
It is all in the details.  Very thought worthy, in the way things were done in that area and the
respect the Midwifes had in the community. I would recommend reading the book be fore
watching the PBS special.
59273
I got hooked on Call the Midwife during the middle of the second season so had to buy Season One to see how it all started.  Loved every episode.  The characters were all unique in personality and there was enough drama, comedy and heart in each episode to leave you wanting more.
4927803
I'm always intrigued when reading a story about a midwife. Yet, this story was much, much more. It had mystery, suspense, trials and tribulations.

Madlen was a layered character. But my favorite character was Agethe. Neither woman was without flaws, which helped to make their lives more believable.

I happily read this as an April early read for Prime members.
1152710
I thoroughly enjoyed this book which has similar themes to the popular novel "The Help".  The book was very thoughtful and emotional.  I found the descriptions of the wet nurse feeding her babies to be especially touching and accurate.  It is a very easy book to read - I started and finished it within 24 hours.  I highly recommend this novel to anyone who enjoyed "The Help"!
4742903
This is the second in the series of Call The Midwife by Jennifer Worth.  In this book Jennifer describes the people she met while working in the neighborhood of Poplar, a dockside community filled with tenements.  She talks about the history of the area and with most emphasis on the people who had been products of the workhouses prevalent during Victorian Times and the Industrial Revolution.  Since her time at Nonnatus House was during the 1950's many elderly people that she cared for remembered those times and the stories are most vivid and could make up a Dicken's novel.  It's amazing how she is able to tell these stories in great detail and obviously spent a lot of time with the people she talks about in the book especially since she was having to be on call a great deal and was often sleep deprived.  Yet she cared enough to listen to the very heart rendering accounts of life in these stark, bare bones, environments where children were taken from their mothers, brothers and sisters were separated, and the "masters" of these institutions were mostly cruel and inflicting corporal punishment on them.  The main two stories in the book are of a brother and sister, and then lastly a very elderly gentleman who had been in the Scottish Guards and served in Africa during the Boer War.  There are also some old photos in this hard covered edition that show children and adults in various workhouses around 1900.

The other part of the book talks about the very senior Sister Monica Joan and her trials(literally!) and tribulations.  She also has a very interesting background and her adventure and misadventures make for some lightness in the book!
1705929
This was a great book, I was amazed at the joy these girls and women got out of life at a very hard time in history. I enjoyed this and highly recommend this to any one who liked Call the Midwife or any of those wonderful books.
1096166
This show is very informative for the time.  The midwifes giving care are very caring and passionate about their work.  Overall, a very interesting and wonderful show to watch.
324269
3  stars
  The Mountain Midwife is Laurie Alice Eakes latest addition to her stories of midwives across the centuries. It is a standalone novel but ties in with Lauries Midwives Series. Ashley Tolliver, the main character in this novel, is a direct descendent of some of the midwives in the previous series.
  I read and enjoyed the Midwives Series so was pleasantly surprised to receive this book and see that it connected with it and brought the family from that series into the 21st century. It was neat to think about a tradition such as midwifery being passed down through the generations of one family for so long.
  The book was well written and held my interest. The first chapter grabs you and draws you into the story quickly. I admit I did have a hard time connecting with the main character Ashley at times. Through a good portion of the story I felt she had a bit of a chip on her shoulder, was extremely defensive and very preachy to her patients and was just rather wooden. By the end of the story I feel she did grow and make some changes for the better in her attitude and actions.
  I appreciated the look into Appalachian life in the 21st century and feel Hunters preconceived notions of mountain people were probably pretty accurate. I enjoyed watching the changes in his thinking and prejudices as he got to know the community better.
  I did feel the end was a bit quick and I would have liked the story to have continued a bit farther in order to tie up some loose ends of some minor characters. Maybe there will be another book in the series to continue their stories? I am hoping so. Overall though, I felt it was a well written story with a storyline that kept my interest. I look forward to reading the next book by Laurie Alice Eakes.
  I received this book free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
3855711
The Mountain Midwife***** by Laurie Alice Eakes

Midwife Ashley Tolliver comes from a long line of midwives in the Appalachian mountain community she lives in. She loves being a midwife but ponders if she should further her medical training to better serve all of the community. As a midwife there is not much she hasn't seen/experiencedor so she thoughtuntil she helps a young woman in a difficult delivery and needs to get the hemorrhaging woman to the hospital immediatelyhowever, the new mother and baby is abducted and must be found before it is too late.

Hunter McDermott gets a strange phone call from someone claiming to be his birth-mother. But is she really or is it some kind of scam? Only one way to find out, track her down and talk to her face to face. Arriving in the Appalachian mountains he learns that the local midwife may be his only hope in finding his birth-mother. So, he seeks out Ashley to help him.

Being a retired RN, I enjoy reading stories with a medical story-line and midwives. I really liked Ashley and Hunter and their story. There are many twists and turns as they embark on their own quests which often times intertwine. Mystery, suspense, danger, family relationships, reconciliation, forgiveness, love and romance and faith are woven together to make this a heartwarming, endearing story.

~I received a copy of this book from The Fiction Guild Team Challenge, this is my honest review~