Though hesitant to believe in Taylor's doctoring skills, Karl finds himself oddly protective of this surprising woman who dares to drive about town on her own, wearing the color red, for heaven's sake! Taylor, on the other hand, wants only to prove that doctoring is her life's calling, despite the town's opposition. The result? Pride meets attraction head-on, and sparks begin to fly.
Christian fiction writer Hake, who is also a nurse, offers her fans a mixed blend of fun, witticism and romance and a theme of medicine, with scenarios involving the care and keeping of man and beast. Against a backdrop of male chauvinist prejudice and smalltown small-mindedness, twins Enoch and his sister Taylor Bestman, veterinarian and medical doctor respectively, arrive in Gooding, Tex., with the best of intentions. What they find is a great deal of anti-female sentiment when it’s discovered that Taylor, the new medical doctor, is a woman. Determined to prove herself, Taylor takes on whatever the little town can throw at her and slowly wins over most of the people’s affections, including that of a stubborn blacksmith who views medicine as an inappropriate profession for a woman. Hake’s text is sweet, to be sure; still, the plot resolves all too neatly and swiftly, almost like an unlikely miracle cure. (Aug.) Copyright 2009 Reed Business Information.
Average Rating: 4 out of 5 stars(4 out of 5 stars)
8 of 20 Reviews Showing:(View All Reviews)
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Patty Le Blanc (Yakima, Wa), January 01, 2010
Twins Enoch and Taylor arrive in Gooding, Texas, having been signed on as a veterinarian and doctor respectively. Unfortunately, the town got more than they bargained for in Taylor because she's a woman. The town was taken aback, fully expecting both of them to be men. Being 1892, they don't take this very well at all. The only way to get into their graces is to prove her abilities, which she has opportunity to do very quickly with Karl Van der Vort. She has to doctor him emergently and is able to do so quite ably. This still doesn't win Karl to her side, but other things Taylor do cause different reactions. I loved Taylor as a character. She is quite feisty, confident in her abilities, and ready to prove who she is and what she is capable of. I would definitely recommend this book very highly. This is the first book I have read by this author, but I will be looking for more in the future because I liked this one so much.
3 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Angela (Tecumseh, OK), October 21, 2009
This was my least favorite book of this series. The story was a little disjointed and the conversations were hard to follow at times. I hope there is another book in the works so that the series ends on a better note.
3 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by CKendall (Burlington, NC), October 14, 2009
The town of Gooding, Texas is in need of a new doctor and a new veterinarian. Thankfully, brother and sister Enoch and Taylor Bestman answer the call and move from Chicago to Gooding only to find that in this small town, a woman doctor is not a welcome sight in 1892.
Karl Van der Vort is the town blacksmith. He is a tough, hard-working man and when an injury requires medical attention, the idea of having a woman doctor tend to his injuries does not exactly thrill him. While he admires Taylor’s skills, he still does not approve of her being a doctor, until a threat could harm Taylor and her medical practice. Only Karl can protect her.
That Certain Spark was a cute story with very likeable characters, but I found that I just never did really get into the book. The writing didn’t seem to flow, which made it difficult for me to stay engaged as the story moved along. I liked the idea of the story and I thought the characters were well written and well developed, but I just didn’t get lost in the story the way I like to when I read a book. I found my mind wandering a bit from time to time and I had to remind myself what I just read. That Certain Spark was certainly not a bad book, and I will definitely want to read another book by this author.
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Camila (Brazil), October 04, 2009
Loved it. Her books are filled with colorfull characters and funny dialogues. Loved Taylor, she really was fighting for what she believes
3.5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Janet (Portland, OR), September 27, 2009
Taylor Bestman is the new doctor in the small town of Gooding, Texas in 1892. The town is so excited to meet the new doctor, the only problem is she is a woman! She joins her twin brother who is the town's new veterinarian on a four year adventure. She has a great challenger to win the trust of the town, especially the men. Taylor’s very first patient requires surgery to save his leg. He is only willing to cooperate because in his great pain he only thinks she is “helping him” and doesn’t realize she is the doctor. Taylor is surprised to make a true friend out of her first patient. Taylor finds herself battling not only against prejudice but sabotage.
4 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Lauryn Abbott (Sunny, AZ), September 14, 2009
What a delightful and fun book! It’s easy to forget the struggles that women went through to enter into male-dominated careers. "That Certain Spark" by Cathie Marie Hake, reminds us of how difficult it was for women to fit in and be accepted as doctors. Between the tension of conflicting gender roles, the natural rhythm of sibling support and rivalry, and the surprising attraction between a progressive young woman and a traditional man, sparks are flying everywhere! This was entertaining from start to finish and I enjoyed every minute of it.
4.5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Carla Gade (Oakland, ME), September 13, 2009
Cathy Marie Hake did it again! That Certain Spark is the sixth novel, each who stand well on their own, in a series of books that feature the community of Gooding, Texas. Hake is gifted at caputuring personalities and That Certain Spark is no exception. When Gooding gets a new doctor and veterinarian they were expecting a couple of men. Much to their chagrin, the new Dr. Taylor MacLeay Bestman is a woman, with a captial W. Taylor is bright, determined, and has a mind of her own. Married to her occupation, she has no room in her life for love. Or so she thinks. But what she truly has to contend with is the townsfolk and their notions about if and how a female doc can fit in. She'll need to prove her skill, gain their support, and keep out of danger if she is to succeed. But will she succeed in refraining from falling in love? You'll have to read the book to find out. You'll be delighted by the cameos from much loved characters from Hake's previous novels. The story carried me along and I couldn't put it down, especially toward the end . . . which in reality makes a nice beginning!
1 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Beth (Londonderry, NH), September 10, 2009
This book was not very interesting. The other books in this series were very good, but the character interaction and dialogue between Karl and Taylor was not very good at all-kind of boring and the conversations were choppy and somewhat annoying with their constant barbs at one another-just did not flow well. I was not convinced of their love for each other. Too bad it did not meet the standards of the other enjoyable books in the series.
View all 20 Reviews
Write a review of That Certain Spark, Only in Gooding! Series #4
Catalog Shopping
Membership
