That Certain Spark
by Cathy Marie Hake
ISBN: 978-0-7642-0320-6
Publication Date: Aug. 09
Publisher: Bethany House
From the PublisherGooding, Texas, is about to gain a double blessing--a veterinarian and a doctor. But when siblings Enoch and Taylor Bestman arrive, the discovery that the long-awaited doctor is in fact a woman has the town up in arms. Karl Van der Vort is no exception, though he becomes Taylor's first patient...against his will.
Karl finds he can't deny Taylor's doctoring skills, but he also can't come to terms with her unladylike occupation. Taylor, on the other hand, wants only to prove that doctoring is her life's calling, despite the town's opposition. But when her practice--and Taylor herself--are threatened, Karl's protectiveness flares into a different emotion altogether.
My Review
As many of my commenters know, I am a Cathy Marie Hake devotee. I met her just over a year ago at the 2008 ACFW Conference here in Minneapolis. We were discussing her books and how book sales were going. That's when I knew Cathy on a level not as an author, but as someone desiring for all who read her books to know the Lord.
With tears in her eyes, she told me she could care less if another book sold as long as just one person picked up one her books and came to know the Lord. The sincerity she showed was just precious to me and something I will always carry in my heart.
That Certain Spark brings the reader back to Gooding, TX and with it, two new residents. Two doctors have been brought in by the town, on a veterinarian, the other a physician. Somehow, it was missed that Taylor, Gooding's newest physician is a woman. Back in the day, that didn't go over well. Her twin brother, Enoch, stood up for her and threatened to leave if they didn't accept her as well.
The townfolk aren't sure they want a woman doctor, but they want Enoch to stay. The Mayor decides that within 30 days Taylor has to have a majority of names on a list to stay on as Doc Bestman.
This book isn't as lighthearted as most of Cathy's other books. The story is fantastic even though the characters take on a more serious tone. I loved the banter between Karl, the blacksmith, and Taylor. Neither would let up on the other.
Enoch's devotion to his twin sister is strong. He is willing to leave Gooding to find somewhere else to practice vet medicine if it means his sister can work as a doctor. Enoch also finds that his heart has been taken, and very quickly by a single mom in town.
Will Gooding's men ever be able to accept a woman doctor? Will Taylor ever feel safe without Karl watching over her?
Even though That Certain Spark has characters from past Gooding, TX stories, this is a stand alone novel. It won't ruin the stories in the other novels Cathy has written, but I would highly suggest reading all of her other novels. Cathy by far has been one of my favorite Christian authors. It is not easy parting with this book. Merry Christmas!
About the Author
Cathy Marie Hake is a registered nurse who worked for many years in an oncology unit before shifting her focus to perinatal care. The author of over twenty novels, she lives with her husband and two children in Anaheim, California. Visit Cathy's Web site at http://www.cathymariehake.com/.
WIN THIS BOOK!!
Answer this question: Do you like historical fiction and if so, who is your favorite author?
Leave your email address in your comment! No email = No entry Must be at least 18 yrs old and a US Resident. Giveaway ends 12/18, 10 pm CST Void where prohibited.
I'd like to thank Jim at Bethany House Publishers for sending me my review copy. Head to Bethany House Publishers to purchase this and any of their other books. You can also sign up for newsletters and find out when certain author's next release is coming out. Check out their New Releases, Coming Soon, Award Winners and Best Seller tabs on their homepage!
For some reason, this seems to be a phenomenon and I haven't been able to figure out how to avoid it. My oldest child is 18 and it started with her. When she was around 7-8 she started tying to figure out what was real on tv and what wasn't. This was before the reality shows kicked into high gear. 
I thought I'd give it a go again and try to explain that the dogs are just actors. Someone stands behind the camera and tells the dogs what to do. The boy and girl aren't really brother and sister. They get paid for what they do, it's their job. The confused look on his face tells me it may still be a couple years before he understands it.
I decided that it would be to easy to let Doodle just go from maze to maze and ignore the Bible story that appears before each new level. Now he has to read one right when he starts and then more as he spends time playing. I know he'd get frustrated having to try and read each story. Now my 10 yr old is a different matter altogether. He can easily read through each story before the maze.
