Book Review ~ Tending her Heart by Kathleen Shoop

My Thoughts:

Tending Her Heart is sweet, small town romance set during the Vietnam Conflict / War. Historically, it was a time of change … from Civil Rights to Women’s Rights. Our country saw many changes … but not in the Labor & Delivery Ward of Waterside Hospital, where Julie Peters worked as a nurse.

 Attractive, eligible bachelor, Dr. Michael Young could have any nurse on staff, but he is attracted to Julie’s spunky personality, the way she passionately sticks up for the mothers giving birth in her ward. At a nearby café, they have many deep discussions about the hospital’s procedures and protocols in the Maternity Ward. Through their long talks, they discover they agree on many points – but not on how to introduce these changes. He is calm and methodical ~ she is a hot-headed spitfire. They both feel their attraction and enjoy these flirtatious talks, even though they both know that workplace relationships rarely work out.

 Dr. Mann is their “set in his ways” boss who doesn’t like Julie’s radical, new fangled ideas to improve the birthing process for the mothers. He won’t tolerate anyone questioning his techniques – not his doctors on staff … and certainly not from the nurses.

 Sharing a Thanksgiving meal at a friend’s home, they realize that they can no longer deny their feelings for each other. Can they make it work? Can they each have successful careers working together? Can they actually “buck the system”?

 Psst … Kathleen Shoop, I, for one, would love to read more about this couple (hint, hint) … just sayin’ 🙂

Sweet, Fun Romance–Set in 1971, nurse Julie Peters is ambitious and tenacious, but her plans to modernize Waterside Hospital’s labor and delivery protocols are thwarted by old-school doctors and brown-nosing colleagues. The last thing on her mind is falling in love as she confronts her career-related demons. Still, she feels the pull of attraction to one special doctor.

Dr. Michael Young turned away from a prestigious research position at Duke University to practice medicine in a smaller, less intense setting at Waterside Hospital. While nurses chase him by the dozen, he is intrigued and satisfied with building a nest-egg for when the right woman finally happens along.

When Julie is faced with choices that put her job, her life’s dream in peril her relationship with Michael begins to ignite. Can a Thanksgiving stay in the regal home called Bliss give her the space she needs to right her future and fall in love? Will their growing love mean Julie loses herself? Humor, love and a similar attitude toward medicine seal their love, but will it destroy their careers?

Available to buy from….

Amazon.com    Amazon.co.uk    Barnes and Noble

“I love Julie Peters and the Endless Love Series! Julie’s relationship with Dr. Young was just so sweet and fun and I hope there’s more to come about this couple. There is nothing like reading Kathleen’s books–moving, funny, page-turning and Tending Her Heart is all of that–just fun.”
L. McShea

Praise for Home Again and Return to Love–Don’t miss out on reading book 3 in the series!
“lyrical writing that is a joy to read!”
L. Zottola

“A spell-binding story of a love which seemed to transcend time, space and circumstance.”
N. Budden

“Shoop’s character’s breathe”
Bev Rosenbaum

Also available…….

Endless Love series. Book one, Home Again

1969– Set on the shores of the Albemarle Sound, April Harrington has fond memories of summers at her family home, Bliss. After her fairytale wedding disintegrates, it becomes her refuge—the one place where she can attempt to pull the unraveling threads of her life back together. Unbeknownst to April, the stately house has been neglected in recent years. The once-sturdy roof is leaking in a few dozen places, and the wharf is rotting. Nothing is the same as she remembers. Nothing except for Hale, a Viet Nam pilot who is haunted by a dreadful secret, and who is also her brother’s best friend, a brother killed in the conflict that is tearing the country apart.

In Hale’s presence, April finds familiarity and solace. They share grief for a lost loved one, and from the comfort of Hale’s arms, passion blooms. Yet, April’s future is unresolved. Her wealthy, arrogant almost-bridegroom wants her back and the ghosts of Viet Nam are whispering to Hale. Can they find new love in an old treasured home, the kind of affection and trust that lasts forever?

Home Again, was named a finalist in the 2014 Next Generation Indie Book Awards.

Buy the book from…….

Amazon.com    Amazon.co.uk    Barnes and Noble

Endless Love Series, Book Two, Return to Love

Sweet Romance… Fresh off their whirlwind nuptials and unexpected, but joyous pregnancy, April and Hale Abercrombie are gleeful about their life together. But, while Hale is serving his country in Vietnam, he receives news of the loss of their newborn daughter.

Back home on leave, Hale can barely wait to hold his wife. Their reunion is passionate and their physical connection, strong and soothing. His embrace, his touch, and his love are just as perfect as April remembered. But nothing, not even Hale, can ease April’s heartache.

Hale stumbles through his attempts at convincing her that their future will be rich and full of wonder despite their loss. His good-hearted, but take-charge approach causes her to retreat. Even in grief, April recognizes Hale’s earnestness, yet she can’t help but distance herself from him. With only a short time before Hale must return to war, the couple begins to understand that hope starts with them—that the bliss they once knew will return only if they are willing to trust again.

Set on the beaches of the Outer Banks, Return to Love is the second book in the Endless Love series.

Buy the book from…….

Amazon.com    Amazon.co.uk    Barnes and Noble

About the Author

A Language Arts Coach with a Ph.D. in Reading Education, Kathleen lives in Oakmont, Pennsylvania with her husband and two children.

Kathleen has also written award winning Love and Other Subjects, After the Fog and her debut novel, The Last Letter. Recently, Kathleen has released the her first romance novella, Home Again (Book One of the Endless Love Series), Return to Love (Book Two) a novel-length work and has just released Tending Her Heart (Book Three). Books Two and Three in the historical fiction series that started with The Last Letter are nearly complete and should be shortly.

Kathleen has been featured in USA Today and the Writer’s Guide to 2013. Her work has appeared in The Tribune-Review, four Chicken Soup for the Soul books, and Pittsburgh Parent magazine.

Find the Author on the following sites….

Website   Facebook   Twitter   Pinterest   Google+   Goodreads

Book Tour Dates

Photobucket I received this book to review through Beck Valley Books Book Tours, all the opinions above are 100% my own.

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