Second Opinion

by Hannah Alexander

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Second Opinion is the first in The Healing Touch Series by writing team, Hannah Alexander. It was published in April, 2002, and it was my privilege to read it so soon off the press!

I appreciated the subtle blending of medical details into the lives of the main characters. I felt it wasn't really a medical drama, but rather a human story with medical elements woven into it as the main characters are actually medical personnel. Much of the story occurs in the hospital setting so there are medical terms used and conditions discussed in some detail. I felt there could have been more explicit use of medical terminology as I thought maybe it was too "dumbed down" for the average person.

I haven't really read any other medical setting books besides the Cheney Duvall series a while ago, so I compared the feel of this book and the story to the t.v. show ER (of which I am an interested watcher.) In comparison to the action packed ER, with all the blood and gore and life or death situations, this had little in that way. I found myself yearning for more action and a little more indepth view into the medical goings on. Even the mysterious illness that one of the secondary characters was going through was not played up like it could have been. So, while I enjoyed the characters and their individual struggles, I thought the book lacked some medical drama (at least in comparison to overdramatised television!)

However, I did appreciate the "realness" of the medical people, including Dr. Grant Sheldon, who questions himself and the possibility that he may have missed something vital in the woman who died suddenly. The doctors and nurses were presented as very normal, every day types of people which removes some of that "doctor aura" that seems to be between doctors and patients. I found that refreshing.

The characters were strong and well developed. Their relationships were believable, as were their motivations. I felt a great deal of compassion for each character and the specific trials each encountered. I was a little less empathetic of Dr. Sheldon's teen aged daughter, Brooke, and her mean spiritedness which would quickly turn more empathetic when it suited her. Perhaps it's just my general dislike of teenage games and manipulations that was accurately portrayed in this novel that made me uncomfortable. If that's the case, well done, Hannah Alexander. The trials and tribulations of teens was well portrayed.

I thought the struggles and problems that the Pastor, Archer, was experiencing was very well portrayed. I can totally understand how his fiance is hesitant to be marrying Archer and "the whole church" too. As a Pastor's wife, that issue is one that constantly rears its' ugly head too often. At first I found myself a little judgemental of her as I thought she was just too wrapped up in her own life of performing and wanted Archer to conform to her life. However, as the story unfolded I realized she had very real fears about Archer's church congregation. Fears which actually did come to light for Archer in the form of the confrontation with his three Elders about an assumed indecent relationship between Archer and the new nurse. It made me angry to watch them assume the rumours were true without asking his side of the story first. That was way too real in my experience of working in the ministry. Condemned even before being asked for his side of the story. Archer's devotion to God and to his calling to God's church was also very much appreciated. I think his torn feelings about his love for serving God where he believes God has called him (at this church) versus his feelings for Jessica, the love of his heart, were depicted very sensitively and realistically. Well done!

As a recap, I enjoyed the plot, the characters were interesting and well-developed, the medical drama was okay although I yearned for more drama and detail in the medical descriptions, the Biblical theme was gently portrayed thoughout, and it presented good Christian morals and values. Will I watch for the second book in The Healing Touch series to come out? You bet!

Review by Tracy