Review: What Heals the Heart
This Western historical romance is set in 1874 - 1875 Nebraska. This period was during the Gilded Age when industries like factories, mining, and railroads were prevalent and bosses were more concerned with financial gain than worker safety.
This novel begins with Joshua Gibbs. He survived the Civil War, to become a small-town doctor with a soldier’s heart. Chapter one opens with Joshua resting alongside his Irish setter Reginald Phineas Major who senses Joshua’s distress as Joshua dreams.
Many minutes later Joshua meanders Cowbird Creek on the way to his practice. Joshua can see a large number of patients and sometimes his payment comes in the form of fresh eggs.
The blacksmith was a frequent visitor as was widow Freida Blum. Joshua is only too happy to offer up Laudanum for Freida Blum's pain. Frieda on the other hand is determined to beef Joshua up and marry him off Rebecca Wheeler. But Joshua is rather captivated by Miss Clara Brook.
The Silver State attracted settlers and strengthened the economy and while Joshua was used to seeing Li Chang’s Laundry and the Wells Fargo Stagecoach he felt he should protect members like Dorthy and Hope from the man selling snake oil.
When not at work, patching wounds, and delivering babies, you might find Joshua hanging out at Madam Mamie’s parlor house. He enjoyed Mamie’s frank exchange of how she won the parlor house in a poker game. Joshua spent many evenings at Madam Mamie’s parlor house and not all were spent talking.
One night, Joshua and Robert sat and plotted about marrying Freida off to Thaddeus Spencer, who they described to look like a stooped heron. Then on the other hand she might prefer Alton Farley, who had a twinkle in his eye and whose face shifted from one expression to another. But the question on many people's minds was who would Dr. Gibbs end up marrying.
I highly recommend this book. The atmosphere was meticulous and the characters felt real and were engrossing.
I received a copy of this book from Karen A. Wyle
- Publisher : Oblique Angles Press
- Language : English
- Paperback : 324 pages
- ISBN-10 : 0998060453
- ISBN-13 : 978-0998060453
- Item Weight : 12 ounces