A light romantic story with themes of friendship, injustice, and forgiveness.
Book Title: A Lady in Attendance by Rachel Fordham
Category: Historical Fiction, 336 pages
Genre: Christian Romance
Publisher: Revell Publications
Release date: June 1, 2021
Tour dates: Oct 11 to Nov 5, 2021
Content Rating: G
Book Description:
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 Review:
Reviewed by Laura Fabiani
The premise of this historical romance quickly caught my attention. A woman who has undergone five years in prison during the late 1800s is now starting over and gets hired as a lady attendant to a dentist. Being a die-hard fan of historical fiction with strong female characters, I was curious as to how Furham was going to tackle this subject.
A Lady in Attendance turned out to be a lighthearted quick read, which is fine, except that it's not what I expected. It's a clean sweet romance with the male lead Gilbert being a recluse dentist, which I thought was different and interesting as a choice, and the female lead Hazel a reformed rebellious teenager. The descriptions of Gilbert's work as a dentist in the late 19th century was something I have not yet encountered in a historical novel so kudos to the author for bringing this to life in a novel.
I think the flawed characters made this realistic, however, the writing style left me wanting more. It had a modern feel to it with much of the story and its descriptions taking place through dialogue.
If you're looking for a light romantic story with themes of friendship, injustice, and forgiveness without deeper explorations, this one has a good pace and will keep you engaged.
Buy the Book:
About the Author:
Rachel Fordham has long been fascinated by all things historical or in the words of her children “old stuff”. Often the historical trivia she discovers is woven into her children’s bedtime tales. Despite her love for good stories she didn’t attempt writing a novel until her husband challenged her to do so (and now she’s so glad he did). Since that time she’s often been found typing or researching while her youngest child naps or frantically writing plot twists while she waits in the school pick-up line. In addition to her passion for storytelling she enjoys reading, being outdoors and seeing new places. Rachel lives with her husband and children on an island in Washington state.
Learn more about current projects at rachelfordham.com. You can also follow Rachel on Facebook, Instagram, BookBub, and Goodreads.
Learn more about current projects at rachelfordham.com. You can also follow Rachel on Facebook, Instagram, BookBub, and Goodreads.
Enter the Giveaway!
Ends Nov 5, 2021
Thank you for being on the tour!
ReplyDeleteAmy
HF Virtual Book Tours
Sorry this book didn't go as deep as you would have liked, but the dentist part does sound very interesting!
ReplyDeleteNicole @ Feed Your Fiction Addiction