There are many books, TV shows, and movies featuring the
prominent lawmen, gunfighters, and outlaws of the old west. Perhaps the only
well-known doctor is Doc Holliday and he was really a dentist. I really liked
Doc Adams on Gunsmoke, but other than
that doctors have been extremely overlooked. This is sad considering how
important they were.
During the days when western towns were rowdy and rough
doctors patched up gunshot and knife victims, they delivered babies, saw towns through
epidemics and even declared men dead after court-ordered hangings.
There were few doctors out west. Many graduated and wanted to
stay in the bigger cities. The mayor of Big Rock in Colorado Territory places
an ad in the newspaper asking for a doctor to build a practice in their growing
town. Dr. William Steere answers that advertisement, but will he get patients?
They are in need of his services … if only they can get over
their racial predicude that he is a half-breed.
Except:
He sucked in his lips. She hadn’t said she didn’t have
feelings for him. That was a good sign. By the way she looked at him he could
tell she was interested. He just had to persuade her somehow that they could be
together in Big Rock.
“I see, Miss Page. Well, I will be by tomorrow to check on
you.”
“Check on me? Now listen here, Dr. Steere, I didn’t get shot.
I didn’t even break a bone. There is no reason for you to check on my sprained
ankle.”
Fire burned in her eyes. He didn’t respond, merely headed for
the door.
She liked him, wanted him. Usually it was the boy who showed
he loved the girl by antagonizing her. Miss Page was flustered because she
loved him. He’d bet all his money on it. Of course, he longed for her to say
those words. Hopefully in time she could.
Stuck in the chair with her foot emerged in the bucket of
water Miss Page couldn’t run after and chastise him. However, her glare
scorched his back. “Did you hear me, Dr. Steere?”
He turned around and grinned. “Yes, I heard you, Miss Page.
I’m just doing my job. All my life I’ve had to work extra hard for the things
I’ve wanted.” And I want you.
His piercing lust elicited a tiny shiver from Miss Page. His
gaze having the effect he wanted gave him silent encouragement. Oh yes, she
wanted him. “It was hard getting into medical school as a half-breed. I
wouldn’t take no for an answer.”
Blurb:
Ida Page has seen the worst the west has to offer. Snubbed by the citizens of Big Rock, Colorado, ever since the town cleaned up its act and became civilized, she has tried to change with the times. No other line of work available, she became a laundress after the mayor shut down the whorehouse, but the good people will not allow her to forget her past as a shady lady. She has given up on ever being accepted, let alone falling in love, until a handsome half-breed stranger arrives in town.
After the War Between the States, William Steere has been looking for a town to build a medical practice. He answered a newspaper ad placed by the mayor of Big Rock and hopes their desperate need for a doctor will overrule their race prejudice against his half-breed status. At the Independence Day picnic, he is introduced to all the town citizens except for one woman sitting off by herself. This redhead draws him to her with merely a gaze.
Can the two outcasts find love and acceptance in each other's arms or will the town’s cruelty and a smallpox epidemic tear them apart?
Buy Links:
Liquid Silver Books ~ Amazon US ~ Amazon UK ~ Barnes and Noble ~ ARe
Author Bio:
Haley
Whitehall lives in Washington State where she enjoys all four seasons and the
surrounding wildlife. She writes historical fiction and historical romance set
in the 19th century U.S. When she is not researching or writing, she plays with
her cats, watches the Western and History Channels, and goes antiquing. She is
hoping to build a time machine so she can go in search of her prince charming.
A good book, a cup of coffee, and a view of the mountains make her happy. Visit
Haley’s website at http://haleywhitehall.com.
Where to find Haley Whitehall:
Twitter:
http://twitter.com/HaleyWhitehall
Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/LightonHistory
Amazon
Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/Haley-Whitehall/e/B0078EO6CE/
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Thanks for hosting me! :)
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