The Heart of Doctor Steele

I received this story – eBook from NetGalley by the publisher: Crimson Fox Publishing!

Thank you so much for this.!

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Let me start off by saying the cover is stunning!  Anyone else agree?

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And here we go:

The story was amazing.  The writing was really really good!  I just could not stop reading.   It had a beginning, middle, and end.  You could follow the story and understand it.  The story also had me guessing what was going to happen next.  I really really liked it!

I loved the beginning how Margaret’s sister, Charlotte listens to gossip about the new neighbor Dr. Steele moving in to his departed Aunt’s home due to scary things he had done to women.   Margaret refuses to believe such gossip and rather hear the truth from Dr. Steele.  So it begins!   From there the story begins, which tells me Margaret is curious.  So was I!  I wanted to know what was up with him.

 Margaret:  She is a woman who is curious, brave, and doesn’t shy from her words.  She means what she says.  She isn’t the type who wants marriage, she wants to be educated.  She is even brave to put her reputation on the line to help Dr. Steele and others.   She kicks butt in my eyes.

Dr. Steele is a man who is trying to figure himself out after dealing with a mess that came his way.   He seems to lost hope and forgets who he is.  He does not want Margaret’s reputation ruined as she could care less.  He tries his best to shield her but she stands her ground and actually helps him out with his past.  He is surprised and feels greatness for her the way she handles herself.   I think she sparked him to remember who he is.  Of course you can’t ignore the attraction between the two.

Throughout the story Dr. Steele tries his best not to do anymore work but Margaret talks him into it.  He is worried that he is not at his best but as I said Margaret gets him motivated.   The past comes to haunt Dr. Steele and even gets him in more trouble which ends up in court but all ends well.   Somehow being positive and having great help saves Dr. Steele

I love the interaction between Margaret and Dr. Steele.  The way they talk to each other further along the story is amazing.   The attraction they have for each other is really nice. I love how it just sparks!!   Love it love it love it.

(How many times am I going to use the word spark?)

Now I  want to know what they are up to now.  Will there be a sequel to their adventures?  If there isn’t then that’s okay!

There was this one quote in the book that struck at me —   This is where Dr. Steele was thinking on things.  “He lingered on the last words Penderton had said before he retired for the night.  It may be helpful to remember women ton’t only marry because they believe in marriage.  They also marry because they fall in love.“

I thought the quote was rather interesting.  Do women marry because they believe in marriage or do they do it for love?  Imagine the days back then compared to now.   I just had to put that out there.

This book was just awesome.  It sparked!   If you like sweet, historical romance with great, realistic characters then you gotta read this.  I am so going to read more from this author.

Colette Dixon did it again!

The Heart of Doctor Steele is a beautiful book explaining the life of the 18th century woman who was interested in medicine. It's feminist features are a wonderful mix with it's romance. I didn't stop reading until the very end.

A well researched novel.

The Heart of Doctor Steele was a quick read; with real depth.  Dr. Steele has lost everything until his neighbor Margaret steps into his life.  She seeks to repair his reputation.  Sweet novel of finding a way to stand up for yourself against all odds and triumphing.

This book is a fascinating glimpse into pre-civil war medicine, with a side of romance.  The medical aspect of the book was extremely interesting - and terrifying.  I cannot imagine undergoing a hysterectomy or cyst removal surgery without anesthesia.  Of course the other treatments are equally horrifying - but still.  

John Steele is a doctor who specializes in the treatment of women with what we would term gynecological issues.  This book takes place before that was a specialty and when a man examining a woman below the waist was consider beyond impropriety.  John is pioneering surgical treatment for large ovarian cysts, uterine fibroids, and adhesions. Because of what he is doing and some bad results of the surgeries - he has been vilified and has really sunk into a serious depression.  

Margaret lives with her family next door to where John has moved to drink himself into oblivion.  She is a very smart daughter of a professor.  She is fascinated by medicine and wants to learn more.  She sees John moving in as an opportunity to study medicine with him.  And makes every effort to draw him out of his depression and back to life.  She also assists him with a surgery to remove a 7lb cyst (OMG) shortly after meeting him.  They are drawn together - and seem to quickly fall in love.

Overall - the book was very well written and historical detail was on point.  The descriptions of the surgeries aren't for the faint of hear though!  And if you struggle with cysts and fibroids  or other related issues, this story might be triggering for you.  

Fans of very accurate historical romance will enjoy this one for sure!  The only reason I'm not giving this four stars is because it dragged somewhat - and I didn't always understand the motivations for the way Margaret was acting.  Both she and John seemed a little over-the-top melodrama at times.

I received this as an ARC from NetGalley, but these opinions are all my own.

Loooved this book. Descriptive historical setting and strong main characters. The setting around female health and medicine was fascinating.

Honestly, when I started this book I was afraid it was going to be a DNF (even though I rarely ever do that). It was slow and I did not think it would get its groove. But hold the phone, when the story really took off it took off. The setting is unusual, the storyline is nothing I have ever read before and it was wonderful. John is the youngest most curmudgeonly man I have ever read. It is almost hysterical if it was not so tragic. Margaret is a women ahead of her time and does not let men stop her from what she wants and craves – to be helpful even applying to Harvard medical college. The dynamic of John and Margaret’s relationship is loving and so sweet. I am so glad I gave this story a second chance because it became a great story.