Title: Doctor in Petticoats
Author: Mary Connealy
First published January 1, 2010
319 pages, Paperback
ISBN: 9781602601468 (ISBN10: 1602601461)
Rating: 4.28
Overview
When Beth and Alex survive a stagecoach accident, Beth is surprised to find a doctor among the passengers. She forces him to tend to the injured, but Alex can only care for the patients as long as Beth is there beside him, yelling at him.
However, when Alex saves Beth’s sister’s life, he realizes he needs to marry Beth to keep her close. Beth thinks he’s crazy but can’t deny his skill and her empathy for him.
They marry despite her parents’ protests, but trouble looms ahead as a bounty hunter is after Alex for desertion from the army. With everything at stake, Alex must turn himself in, but he may face a firing squad.
Just as Alex is starting to come to his senses, Beth is beginning to fall for him. Can they survive the challenges they must face together?
About the Author
Mary Connealy is a talented author who specializes in romantic comedy set in the world of cowboys, often with a strong suspenseful twist. Her skills have earned her numerous accolades, including two Carol Awards and finalist status for the Rita, Christy, and Inspirational Reader’s Choice awards.
Mary has written an impressive 65 books and novellas, including the popular Braced for Love, A Man with a Past, and Love on the Range series for Bethany House Publishing. Additionally, she has written four series for Barbour Publishing, as well as numerous stand-alone books and novellas for multiple publishers.
In 2017, Mary will celebrate a decade of being a published author, with nearly a million books in print. Prior to her career as an author, Mary earned a degree in broadcast communications with a focus on journalism, and even worked at her local newspaper.
To connect with Mary and learn more about her work, visit her online.
Editoral Review
Doctor in Petticoats by Mary Connealy: A Charming Western Romance
Mary Connealy’s Doctor in Petticoats is a lighthearted and romantic western fiction that will surely entertain readers who are looking for a charming love story set in the rugged American frontier. Published in 2010, the book tells the story of a young and smart medical school graduate named Emma Chandler, who disguises herself as a man in order to practice medicine in a small town in Colorado.
Despite the challenges of keeping up with the charade and avoiding detection, Emma quickly proves herself as an exceptional doctor, and finds herself drawn to the town’s handsome and brooding sheriff, Cal Bergen. Connealy, a renowned author of western fiction, brings to life the picturesque and dangerous world of the Wild West with her vivid descriptions of the landscape, the people, and the culture of the era.
From the dusty streets to the rough saloons, from the rugged ranches to the peaceful meadows, the setting of the book captures the essence of the pioneer spirit and the raw, untamed beauty of the American wilderness. This backdrop serves as the perfect canvas for the characters to interact, fall in love, and face their personal demons.
Throughout the book, Connealy masterfully weaves together the themes of gender roles, medical ethics, social status, and personal identity, creating a rich tapestry of ideas that will resonate with modern readers. Emma’s struggle to reconcile her desire to heal with the constraints of her gender, Cal’s internal conflict between duty and love, and the townsfolk’s resistance to change all add depth and complexity to the story, making it more than just a simple romance.
The historical accuracy of the book also makes it a valuable source of insight into the challenges and triumphs of the early women doctors who fought for their right to practice medicine in a male-dominated field. One of the strengths of the book is its well-crafted characters, who are likable and relatable despite their flaws and quirks.
Emma, in particular, is a strong and smart protagonist who defies the conventions of her time without losing her femininity or her compassion. Cal, on the other hand, is a classic cowboy hero who has a heart of gold under his tough exterior.
Their chemistry is palpable and their dialogues are witty and endearing, making the reader root for their happy ending. However, the book is not without its flaws.
The plot, while engaging, is a bit predictable and formulaic, following the typical tropes of the genre. The secondary characters, including the villains, are somewhat one-dimensional and underdeveloped, serving only as plot devices.
The pacing of the story, too, is a bit uneven, with some parts dragging while others rushing. Despite these minor shortcomings, Doctor in Petticoats is an enjoyable and entertaining read that will appeal to fans of western romance and historical fiction.
Its blend of humor, drama, and romance, combined with a well-researched and believable historical setting, make it a stand-out in its genre. Overall, I would highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to escape to the Wild West for a while and experience the thrill of falling in love in the dusty plains.
I give it four stars out of five.
