The Lady Who Lived Again

Soul Survivor #1

by Thomasine Rappold

Madeleine Sutter was once the belle of the ball at the popular resort town of Misty Lake, New York. But as the sole survivor of the community’s worst tragedy, she’s come under suspicion. Longing for the life she once enjoyed, she accepts a rare social invitation to the event of the season. Now she will be able to show everyone she’s the same woman they’d always admired—with just one hidden exception: she awoke from the accident with the ability to heal.

Doctor Jace Merrick has fled the failures and futility of city life to start anew in rural Misty Lake. A man of science, he rejects the superstitious chatter surrounding Maddie and finds himself drawn to her confidence and beauty. And when she seduces him into a sham engagement, he agrees to be her ticket back into society, if she supports his new practice—and reveals the details of her remarkable recovery. But when his patients begin to heal miraculously, Jace may have to abandon logic, accept the inexplicable—and surrender to a love beyond reason…

Genres: Romance, Historical Fiction, Historical Romance, Paranormal, Fantasy, Mystery, Historical

222 pages, Paperback

First published December 8, 2015

About the author

A three-time RWA Golden Heart nominee, Thomasine Rappold writes historical romance and historical romance with paranormal elements. She lives with her husband in a small town in upstate New York that inspired her current series. When she’s not spinning tales of passion and angst, she enjoys spending time with her family, fishing on one of the nearby lakes, and basking on the beach in Cape Cod. Thomasine is a member of Romance Writers of America and the Capital Region Romance Writers.

Reviews

[Brittney Andrews (beabookworm) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Want to read a book with an MC that is as fierce as this Destiny's Child song?

I'm a survivor (what?)
I'm not gon' give up (what?)
I'm not gon' stop (what?)
I'm gon' work harder (what?)
I'm a survivor (what?)
I'm gonna make it (what?)
I will survive (what?)
Keep on survivin'(what?)

Honestly, I wasn't expecting to love this book as much as I did. I highly recommend this series if you are suffering from a reading slump and need a cure because let me tell yah--this book was so satisfying! And that ending... *swoon*

This isn't a literary masterpiece by any means, but I think if you are someone that enjoys adult romance and paranormal themed books, then you should definitely consider reading this. I purchased mine via Kobo's website for under $5.00 which, to me, is totally worth the money. Also, I am a huge sucker for historical fiction so I probably would have spent more if I had to.

HEA? - YUPPERS.
GIRLLLL POWAHH? - YES.
STAND ALONE? - YUP.
FLUFFY ROMANCE? - The equivalent of cotton candy.

[Melissa ♥ Dog/Wolf Lover ♥ Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

www.melissa413readsalot.blogspot.com

*MILD SPOILERS*

"Four dead girls on the slab, on the twelfth day of May. On Friday the thirteenth, one girl walked away."

That is what the kids would sing about Maddie!

I loved this book a lot! I really felt sorry for Madeleine Sutter (Maddie) in the book. After an accident kills all of her best friends, but one that was out of town, and she came back to life the next day.... the whole town didn't want anything to do with her. The stupid jerk Paster Hogle had everyone believing she was the devil. Did the jerk think the doctor could have made a mistake? Did he not think that God brought her back for good works? Nooopppppeee. She's a demon from hell in his eyes. The only person that in the town that doesn't treat her badly is her own grandfather. She lives with him and takes care of him along with their hired help.

Maddie still has her best friend Amelia that is coming to town to get married and wants Maddie at the wedding. Maddie wants nothing to do with it because everyone will just be upset with her being there. I say they can suck it! Maddie is a very sweet woman and has done nothing to deserve all of this, but it is 1882 and people are weird.

Maddie did come back with an ability. She can heal with her hands...most things anyway. Does that make her a bad person.. NO. She has kept this secret to herself, otherwise they would skin and tar her I do believe.



Along comes a new doctor to town after the old one decides to retire. His name is Jace Merrick. Maddie had an encounter with him in the woods before she knew who he was. I can't tell you EVERYTHING, but she ends up helping him get his office up and running. She also got him in a bind when she told some of the people that dumped her as a friend, they were engaged and going to Amelia's wedding together. After finding out all about Maddie's life, what happened, and how she was treated, Jace decided he would go along with her ruse. He was livid at the people in the town for treating her this way!

After spending some time together....hmmmm.. can you guess what happens :)



Yep, they get together. Later on in the book he finds out about her ability when a bad sequence of events occurs. He's afraid at first and shocked, but then it all falls into place.

Like I said before, I loved this book. I love the cover, I love the time frame the author puts us in and the characters are all played out very well. And if your looking for it, there are some nice sexy scenes in the book too :) This one is going on my to buy list!

*I would like to thank NETGALLEY and KENSINGTON BOOKS for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my honest review.*

[Carla · Rating 4 out of 5]

**I received a free eARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review**

Madeleine Sutter used to be one of the town favorites, everybody loved having her around. Girls wanted to be like her, boys wanted to be with her. Until one day she's in a terrible accident where she and her friends are declared dead, but Maddie doesn't really die, and she gets blamed for the whole thing and her neighbors start giving her the cold shoulder.

This girl is strong as hell.

The people from Misty Lake are awful. Poor Maddie here was in an accident where her best friends died and she almost died herself (was then close to losing a leg) and they're treating her like crap. Had this taken place some years before, they might have even burned her at the stake.



To me it was very admirable (and kind of frustrating?) how nice she was. Her neighbors were very mean to her, and she still wanted the best for them and use her healing powers to help them. Girl, no. Let them have whatever comes at them. I'm sorry. I consider myself a nice person, but I don't think I could find it in me to go out of my way to help someone who says it'd be better for everyone if I were dead (what?!). I would never harm them, of course, but I think I'd just let them be.

Although she does mention more than once that this whole experience has made her a better person. So I don't know.

And these "men of faith" in the story are just the worst of them all.



Even Maddie's fiancé left her because of what happened. Just when she needed him the most. And, on top of that, he started treating her like all the others.

And there's a point in the story when I kind of understood why they might be treating her like that, but it turns out that it's all just a big misunderstanding. Plus, the number one reason they're being jerks is because they think she's cursed or whatever.

Jace, on the other hand, was really sweet. I loved how he defended her and played the part of her fiancé. But it's only obvious that he wouldn't believe her to be a monster. He's a man of science, and it didn't make sense to him that she could be some kind of demon. Although I'll admit that I didn't really like him being a womanizer, I mean... He "seduced dozens of women" and the only thing he missed about the hospital he used to work at was "its ample supply of willing nurses with whom to sate his body's carnal demands".



And he said he never had much free time when working at the hospital...

Anyway, he was still nice to Maddie, although he was mean a few times, but I think that was just his personality and him being narrow-minded about certain matters.

If you're interested in historical romance, especially if it has a little touch of fantasy, then consider getting this book. It's a very enjoyable read and I'm definitely looking forward to reading the next one. There was actually an excerpt of the second book in this and it's really good.


More reviews on my blog: Lipstick and Mocha

[Jenny Q · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 Stars. For three years, Maddie Sutter has been living as an outcast. Once one of the most popular and admired young ladies in town, she is now treated as a pariah, shunned by the people who were once her friends, all because she was the sole survivor of a driving accident that took the lives of three other young women, and the town has never forgiven her for it. Though she is lonely and bitter, she accepts this situation, living mostly in isolation with her elderly grandfather and the miraculous gift she's had ever since the accident: the power to heal with her touch. But her only remaining friend--who was on a European tour at the time of the accident--is coming home to get married, and she wants Maddie to share in her special occasion. While brooding over whether she wants to step back into the society that ostracized her, she stumbles into Jace Merrick, the new town doctor. Sparks fly, and Maddie revels in the fact that he knows nothing about her past and sees her for who she is rather than what she's done. When a run-in with the fiance who jilted her turns nasty, Maddie blurts out the only thing she can think of to shut him up, that she's engaged to the new town doctor and will be attending the wedding on his arm. Now she just has to convince Jace to go along with the sham until after the wedding.

Surprisingly, Jace does agree, but on one condition: Maddie has to help him set up his new practice and allow him access to her medical history. Maddie reminds him of a patient he could not save, and he wants to understand everything he can about her accident and recovery. As the two begin to work together, they find their mutual attraction hard to resist. Feeling guilty for taking advantage of a lonely young woman, Jace tries to put the brakes on, but his willpower doesn't last long against Maddie's bold sensuality. Maddie finds more than she bargained for with the young doctor, including what may be her only chance at a passionate relationship, and she discovers she likes having the opportunity to help people with her gift. As they grow closer, she wants more than anything to share her gift with Jace, but he has a grudge against "faith healers" and unorthodox practices, blaming them for the decline of his father's career and health. Maddie has to accept that the fantasy she's built around Jace is never going to be reality, but she determines to enjoy her time with him to the fullest until the wedding is over and their fake engagement is called off.

Jace doesn't believe a doctor can make a good family man, having witnessed the unhappiness in his parents' marriage. His past relationships have been limited to quick couplings amid the demands and horrors of a big city hospital emergency room, and he's never envisioned himself settling down. But he can't deny how much he enjoys having Maddie in his life. He admires her intelligence and her generous heart, and he's furious at the former town doctor for allowing people to think Maddie's survival was unnatural. His instinct to defend her against every slur is admirable, as is his desire to learn from her case so he will be able to treat the mental anguish traumatic injuries can leave behind. Jace only wants what's best for Maddie, and as the time to end their engagement draws near, he'll have to decide whether that includes remaining in Misty Lake with him. But before he gets the chance to make up his mind, the townspeople may decide for him. As the social event of the decade brings out the best and worst in people, Jace and Maddie find themselves fighting for more than just their hearts, and Maddie will have to decide if she can trust Jace with the biggest secret of all.

I am always on the lookout for something new and different in historical romance, and I went into this one with high hopes. I really wanted to love this, and I did like it, but it didn't blow me away as I'd hoped. I thought it ended up being fairly predictable, and there were some inconsistencies, not only in the plot but also in the world building and Maddie's characterization. Would anyone really call a deer hunter a "murderer" in the nineteenth century? Were there really dozens of slutty nurses running around back then for Jace to slake his lust with? And in the pivotal scene where Maddie runs into her ex-fiance and invents her fake engagement, why was Maddie at the dressmaker searching for the perfect dress to wear to the wedding when we later find out she had been in the wedding party all along and the bride had already ordered a dress for her? And this one bothered me most of all: Maddie says she's never backed down from a challenge when Jace determines there will be no more kisses between them and he's going to treat her professionally, yet for three years she's been hiding from the challenge of reclaiming her place in society. It would have been nice to see her display as much backbone with the townspeople as she did with Jace.

But overall, I thought this was an enjoyable romance with enough uniqueness about it to help it stand out from the crowd. It's well paced and plotted, and I couldn't put it down as I became absorbed in the characters' lives and in wondering if Jace and the town would overcome their prejudices and accept Maddie for who she is. I really liked the setting in a small upstate New York town and in the practice of a young doctor struggling to convince old-fashioned, superstitious people to embrace modern medicine. The tension between Maddie and Jace is sizzling, there's plenty of emotional angst, and the romance is sweet and satisfying. The Lady Who Lived Again is a promising debut, and I will be looking for more from this author.

*This review was originally posted to Romantic Historical Reviews

[Diane · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well this wasn’t what I expected at all for an historical romance set in 1882.
Maddie is the sole survivor of a tragic accident that took the lives of three of her friends. The people of the small town of Misty Lake, led by the families who had lost daughters, are determined to ostracize and blame Maddy for their deaths. Along comes the new young doctor in town, who admires Maddy’s determination to overcome her own injuries and help him tend to those in town who need healing.
Short book. Good plot. Unfortunately lots of explicit scenes 🫤

[Erin Burns · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received an ARC of this book from the Publisher, via Netgalley, this does not affect my opinion of this book or the content of my review.

You typically expect doctors to be Mary Stus in fiction (assuming they aren’t the evil villain), but this one is something of a cad and a rake. Jace is also more than a bit of a know-it-all ass. Maddie on the other hand, it is hard to get a handle on her, all puffing, preening, flirtation one minute, soundly grounded and reasonable the next, and flighty as all hell the next one.

But, as we see just how the townspeople have treated Maddie, and how she bears up under it and faces down her fears, you can’t help but learn to like her. She learns to truly live again and we watch her blossom on the page, and it is HER doing, not the love of nay man or the regard of any other person. Frankly I don’t think anyone else besides her grandfather (and their two servants-who aren’t really fleshed out) and Dolly (a minor character) are worth anything at all. And that includes the supposed hero and her best friend.

Frankly I liked her best friend Amelia until she single handedly managed to ruin almost everything there at the end and then blithely went on about her life. And while there was some degree of chemistry between Jace and Maddie, I didn’t really warm up to him until the very end at all.

For all that though, I liked Maddie so well, and enjoyed her journey so much that it bumped up my rating tremendously. I was also interested in the events of the town and how things would resolve. And I am especially hoping that as this series plays out that we get to see Dolly’s happily ever after.

But don’t read this expecting some epic love story, or a woman who gets rescued by the love of a man, because in this case it is almost like the classic video game situation only in reverse. Jace is the princess in the tower with no agency, and he is Maddie’s prize in the end for completing her quest. But for readers who like that sort of thing, of which I am one, I heartily recommend this book.

https://burnsthroughherbookshelf.word...

3.5 stars

[Maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the Publisher via NetGalley for a fair and honest review and rated it 5 out of 5 Stars.

A captivating mixture of paranormal and historical romance, The Lady Who Lived Again by Thomasine Rappold grabbed my attention from the first page and never let go. The first book in a new series, Ms. Rappold’s story is filled with colorful characters, sharp dialogue and a scintillating romance. Set in a small town in upstate New York, showcasing the best and worst of small town living, Ms. Rappold’s Soul Survivor series is off to a promising start.

Ms. Rappold does a good job introducing us to her characters right from the start. A young woman who survived a catastrophic accident that claimed the life of three of her best friends, Madeleine Sutter, is both emotionally and physical strong. She’s also beautiful, intelligent and very lonely due to the small minded nature of several people in town. I easily connected with her from the start and enjoyed watching her character develop like a butterfly emerging from its cocoon. Especially since she’s “come back” from death with a “gift” she keeps a secret.

Ms. Rappold also did a good job developing Jace Merrick, the new doctor in town, who quickly finds himself attracted to both Madeleine and the mystery behind her accident, recovery and reputation. A man of science, who both wants to heal his patients and change the brutal nature of disease, Jace is intelligent, curious and somewhat flawed. He’s also somewhat of a womanizer who only misses one thing from living and working in a big city hospital, the nurses. While I liked Jace and had no problems connecting with his character, I wasn’t always sure he was a good fit for Madeleine. At least at the very beginning.

The attraction and romance between Madeleine and Jace is well developed and felt natural. The story is well paced and I liked how Ms. Rappold brought Madeleine and Jace into each other’s everyday life so that they could get to know each other better. I also liked how it gave us a chance to get to know the characters in town better as we got to watch them interact with Madeleine and Jace as individuals and as a couple. The secondary characters are well written and several of them prove to be very challenging to deal with.

Will Madeleine share the secret behind her recovery and her “gift”? Will Jace accept that there might be things in life science can’t explain? And will their attraction and romance turn into something more permanent? You’ll have to read The Lady Who Lived Again to find out. I loved it and can’t wait to read the next book in this series.

[Suze · Rating 5 out of 5]

Madeleine was once a very popular girl. She and her friends were loved by everyone, but ever since their accident, of which she was the sole survivor, people have turned against her. She shouldn't have walked away unharmed at all and instead of being dead she woke up with an extraordinary ability, she can heal people. She's a social outcast, but this might change when Jace arrives in town. He's in Misty Lake to start a medical practice and has to get used to working in the countryside. He and Maddie both need help. Jace needs to get his business organized and Maddie wants to become a regular member of society again. Will they both benefit from their agreement?

The Lady Who Lived Again is a fascinating story. Maddie has the ability to heal and that is something the scientific Jace doesn't believe in. My heart sometimes ached for Maddie, due to her accident she lost everything that was important to her. However, she never despairs. She's a strong and capable woman. She knows who she is and she's smart. Being with Jace improves her life and that was wonderful to see. Jace is a kind and caring man. He's passionate about his profession, which is why working together with a woman with an unscientific gift might prove to be too difficult. I couldn't wait to see where their relationship would lead and what Jace would do when he'd find out about Maddie's ability. Their agreement is interesting and even though they aren't an actual couple it's clear that they're attracted to each other. I loved the chemistry between them and liked the fact that they're both intelligent people with a strong opinion. That makes interesting reading.

Thomasine Rappold combines historical romance with a paranormal aspect and as I'm a big fan of magical realism this mix made me very happy. It's well executed and the era it's set in works perfectly with the ability of the main character. I also loved the colorful descriptions of the setting, Misty Lake is an intriguing town and I really enjoyed reading about it. I kept hoping its inhabitants would be friendlier to Maddie again as she doesn't deserve to be shunned and disrespected. Her story is impressive and I loved it from beginning to end.

[Kristen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wasn't sure what to expect when I got this book for free, but I very much enjoyed the story!

I'm not exactly sure how to describe this, as it has a bit of several things: drama, romance, unexplainable circumstances, small-town prejudice, but overall, what I liked most was the characters and the attempts they make to deal with the challenges that life throws at them.

Madeline is a wonderful character, and I liked her a lot. She is in a terrible situation, being the town's hated and feared pariah, but she never becomes bitter or hateful in spite of the way she's treated and still tries to help whenever she can.

Without giving spoilers, Maddie has an odd ability after the accident that killed her friends. She tries to help when she can even though it just makes the ignorant, fearful townspeople even more nasty to her. It's an interesting twist to the story, especially when she becomes involved as the office assistant to the new doctor in town - a doctor who believes everything can be explained by science - and has to hide what she can do.

The story is very dramatic at points, almost melodramatic in a few places, but in spite of that I found this a compelling read. The characters are so well-written that they feel like real people, and most of them are very likable people that I found myself rooting for very strongly. I wanted happy endings for all these people and was very invested in the story all the way through. I read this in only two days because I really wanted to know how it ended.

I enjoyed this story and would consider reading other books by this author.

[Maria · Rating 2 out of 5]

Madeline Sutter was in a wagon accident with her 3 friends (possibly 4, the called the group the 5 fairest, but later there was another girl who was one of the "fairest" too. This is why internal consistency is important.) She "wakes up" from the dead with the ability to heal. The local doctor was incompetent, missing that she was just unconscious and the local preacher declared her a devil. Social ostracism for years. The new doctor is determined to bring science to this backwards community.

Why I started this book: I read a review that looked promising and I am always on the hunt for new paranormal romance and/or historical romance.

Why I finished it: It was short and honestly strange. This book answers the question of what would happen if you added sex scenes and paranormal plot lines to a Christian fiction genre stock characters. The answer is nothing good, but like a wagon accident, you have to crane your neck just for the sheer novelty alone.

[Gina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book. I quite literally could not put it down. I finished it in a few hours after I started it.
Maddie is like that likable outcast character that I have seen in a few other books I've read, yet is still an awesomely strong character. She was originally loved by everyone, but after an accident in which some of her friends died, she was blamed despite her having nothing to do with their deaths.
Jace is a likable guy who likes her despite the gossip and hatred from the townspeople. The only problem I had with him was that he refused to admit his love for her, making her nearly leave the town without him. He's such an idiot sometimes.
I loved how well the characters in this book were developed, making me enjoy the book even more.
I definitely recommend giving this book a read.

[Julia Leru · Rating 5 out of 5]

Хорошая книга. Адекватные герои, продуманный (конечно, предсказуемый, но умеренно) сюжет, приятный язык автора без современных словечек. Мэдди понравилась своим упорством, желанием помогать, несмотря на то, что за помощь она чаще получала оскорбление нежели похвалу. Джейс - герой в сияющий доспехах. Его готовность защищать Мэдди, еще не зная - потому что несправедливости не место в его продуманном логичном мире - ах, она просто сразу же расположила к себе. Очень понравилось, буду читать вторую часть, автору спасибо.

[Tin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This week, I had started and stopped reading three novels -- making it to 25%, and then giving up on them. I was about to call it a bad week of reading for me, and then I started reading Thomasine Rappold's debut novel, The Lady Who Lived Again, finished it, and loved it.

It's New York in the Gilded Age, but Thomasine Rappold has chosen to set her story in the gray and bleak, and appropriately named town of Misty Lake. I like the idea of "mist" -- that not-quite middke ground between clear and hazy -- not as solid-looking as clouds, but not a shapeless notion as fog -- it's perfect for the world where Madeline lives in: where her gift of healing lives alongside modern science.

Madeline Sutter was, perhaps, the fairest of the Fair Five. The leader of a group of the most beautiful and sought-after girls in Misty Lake. The world was their oyster, and everyone adored them. Life was good, and the future for all four girls was bright. Then the world turned upside down, when a birthday picnic in the mountains of Misty Lake ends in the tragic death of Madeline and her friends, but, strangely, Madeline returns from the dead a day after -- coincidentally on Friday the 13th.

Now Madeline bears the scars of the accident, the hostility of the families of her friends, the directed enmity of the town's pastor, and the suspicion of the rest of the town.

For three years, Madeline has accepted her lot as outcast, but, when her only friend, Amelia, one of the Fair Five (who was on holiday at the time of the accident), decides to return to Misty Lake for her wedding, and asks her the be part of the wedding party, Madeline's first instinct is to refuse, but, then, she realizes that Amelia might be right -- that this might be her chance to regain her place in society.

Jace Merrick is the new town Doctor: young, fresh from the Big City -- armed with skills and modern ideas. Jace is looks my for a fresh start after serving in the emergency rooms of Pittsburgh. He is weary and wary, and he is hoping that Misty Lake might restore a little bit of his faith in the world.

This is Thomasine Rappold's mesmerizing and compelling story of two people seeking for the light at the end of the tunnel. Both of them have handled themselves very well and survived on their own, but they discover that life, and the world becomes more bearable when they are together. What keeps you reading Rappold's debut novel is following Madeline's arduous journey, and how she bears the unbearable burden of being the only survivor of the town's worst tragedy. Her only allies are her grandfather, who is too sick and frail, and is confined to the house, her friend Amelia, whose family moved away from Misty Lake, and Jace Merrick, a new addition to the town.

You can't help but admire Madeline, who possesses a quiet dignity, and an overwhelming grace in the face of open hostility, but she is not perfect. You can see Madeline struggle, stumble, and fall -- but you also see a different Madeline, remnants of the old Madeline, one who charms and teases her way to getting what she wants. And I love that Madeline does not wallow in being a martyr -- she keeps herself active and proactive, despite all opposition.

Jace is a modern man who now lives in a town that hasn't moved forward: they've had the same pastor, they've had the same doctor, the same mercantile store owner, etc. -- it's a town that is alive, and bustling, but not quite at the same pace as the rest of the country. When Jace first meets Madeline, he is intrigued by her beauty -- and when he finds out Madeline's story, the scientist in him is intrigued even more.

Love and logic are at opposing poles for Jace, who struggles to maintain a professional distance from Madeline -- and with good reason: if he is to help Madeline regain the town's good opinion, she must preserve her reputation, and, if Jace is to be Madeline's greatest defender, he must show that he is an unbiased opinion. Madeline knows that her gifts are counter Jace's medical background, and the last thing she wants to do is expose herself to more scrutiny and judgment -- but the temptation to experience desire, to be admired for herself and not for her past -- it is irresistible.

Our hero and heroine represent opposite ends of the spectrum: Madeline relies on her emotions and feelings, and Jace is very analytical -- but, they compliment each other very well. Both are able to provide a unique perspective for the other -- I really love how well they worked together in Jace's clinic. ^_^

The Lady Who Lived Again, is, at it's core, a story of "you and me, against the world" -- and Thomasine Rappold could have easily created flat one-dimensional villains, but, the author does the fair thing, and provides the town with an honest, legitimate reason: someone's daughter, sister, granddaughter, cousin, or friend, died that day -- and they can't help but resent and be angry at Madeline, who survived, despite being the one driving the wagon. The town pastor, and the town doctor, could have, as moral pillars, called for calm, and order, but, they, too -- lost that day, and would stand to lose even more if they had stood by Madeline.

How the author resolves all is just as wonderful, and, for me, seals the deal -- making this a true 5-star read for me.

[Terry · Rating 4 out of 5]

A different kind of historical romance, with a paranormal twist! Of the 3 books in the Sole Survivor series this one is the best. It's not a deep and complex book, but I enjoyed the story, and Maddie and Jace had great chemistry. It was a great book because it was so unique and unusual.

[Talie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun quick romance with old time setting with sprinkles of magic.

You will despise the closed minded neighbors who make sole survivor an outcast. You quickly come to like the doctor who sees the survivor beyond her one event but as she is today.

[Riley · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Fair Five. Misty Lake NY's clique made up of beautiful, flirtatious girls that were always more concerned about wearing the latest fashion than acknowledging the average people on the street. Then the accident happened. Four of the friends were killed in a wagon accident. Strike that. The day after the town doctor proclaimed her dead, Maddie Sutton awoke from the coma she had been in.

Waking with terrible injuries, Maddie was told she would never walk again. But her determination and her newly manifested healing ability got her on her feet again. Maddie's strength made me appreciate her from the beginning of the story. She never seemed to blame anyone even if she had just cause. Overnight, Maddie went from being a member of the youthful Fair Five to a young woman who was forced to grow up before she was ready. Good thing. I have little interest in reading about immature characters. So I liked Maddie. She is not totally grown up though, so expect some behavior that is not well not thought out. To make the story interesting.

Maddie's new found strength doesn't get her very far with anyone except her grandfather. Grandfather did not have a huge role in this book, but he was inspiring and pivotal to Maddie's story. But to the rest of the residents of Misty Lake, the sole survivor of the town's greatest tragedy is both blamed for the accident and considered an abomination.

Enter the new town doctor. Though anxious to establish himself and fit in, Dr. Jace Merrick still defends Madeline against Misty Lake's narrow mindedness. He is disgusted with their attitudes and does everything he can to help her to become a part of the community again. Including masquerading as her fiance' so she can attend her friend's wedding.

I really tried to like Jace. He was great when he was defending Maddie. But his arrogance and lack of interest in Maddie's opinions really irritated me. Yes, I get the whole 'I'm a Doctor. I am confident (and arrogant.)' thing. But his attitude really made me wonder what Maddie saw in him. Jace's mindset prevents Maddie from telling him about her special healing talent. There is no way he would ever understand. Jace's arrogance makes him as close-minded as the Misty Lake residents that anger him when they misjudge Maddie.

However, since Jace does stand up for Maddie – a lot – I finally decided he was okay. Besides, it is a romance. If Maddie is going to like him and even fall in love with him, the least I can do is give him a chance.

Other characters in the book are just as easy to like or dislike. On the like list is Dolly whose physical demeanor enables her to appreciate the unfairness of Maddie's treatment. On the dislike list is Pastor Hogle who encourages the town's attitude toward Maddie. The Lady Who Lived Again is comprised of uncomplicated characters. They make it easy to draw the line between the good guys and the bad guys. The question is, will any of the bad guys be redeemed. Or should they be?

I was actually looking for a bit more complexity to the story, but the plot of The Lady Who Lived Again is as straightforward as its characters. Maddie's paranormal ability is not so much of a plot device as it is a character motivation.

The story moves along and can be read in one quiet evening. I enjoyed it, though not enough to continue with the series. It appears that each story in the Sole Survivor series will stand alone. If you enjoy a little bit of the paranormal combined with your historical romance, you might enjoy The Lady Who Lived Again.

ARC provided by NetGalley

Originally posted at Ramblings From This Chic.

[Donna · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not badly written, but a predictable fluffy romance.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 Stars

Ultimately, this book was a disappointment to me. I had high hopes as I always love a good historical romance with a touch of the supernatural. The book pleases on a few regards; yet, the other issues drag it down.

I liked Madeline and Jace as individuals. They both have strong constitutions and wills, being able to face heavy trauma and tragedy to come out stronger the other side. I liked Jace’s no nonsense, scientific attitude towards medicine, not being taken in by the local hocus-pocus and superstition. I liked how he approached the new venue of small town practice vs big town emergency room. I also liked how Madeline faced ostracizing from the locals again and again and still had the strength to show her face in town, knowing what she’d face. She’s a courageous gal, and I liked that.

Some of the medical details were also interesting. I liked how Jace started to contemplate using Madeline’s coping techniques as treatment for medical trauma. His past history with victims of survivor’s guilt and PTSD and being unable to treat them successfully ate him up. I liked that these two were able to grow together and use Madeline’s horrific past experiences to help people in future.

Now the romance part I’m on the fence about. I liked their exchanges together; I felt that their personality types dovetailed well together. For the most part, they’re very sweet and passionate together. However, the relationship has a tendency to run hot-cold in its progression. Both parties would go back and forth on whether they would actually pursue a relationship together and constantly fell back on the same excuses. I don’t know if these plot devices were used to help ratchet up the romantic tension or not; but to me, it just read as exasperating and tiresome, maybe because they were used so often.

The parts of the book I had some very serious issues with were the extent of the superstition in this small town and the role that certain secondary characters played. I mean, come on, this is the 1880s! The beginning of the modern industrial age and you’ve got a whole town believing in hocus-pocus, superstition, and the “power of the Devil” to such an extent?!?! Maybe some individuals, yeah, but the entire town? I could see these town folk getting ready to burn Madeline at the stake if the story had taken place 200 years earlier.

Then there’s the power that the preacher wielded. Now a religious preacher in small towns did control much influence with people, the field that they were in and all. And I can see where the motivation this particular preacher has in his hatred of Madeline personally. But it’s the power he has over the entire community that makes this a stretch. It’s his preaching hatred and that Devil claptrap about Madeline that makes everyone ostracize her so much. Not just individuals, the whole community. That just seems like a stretch to me, personally, that one man would have so much power.

While the main leads were enjoyable in and of themselves and their relationship was sweet and passionate at times, this book didn’t live up to the potential that it had with such a unique spin on a supernatural historical romance. I felt like this book fell on its face. A populace more situated for the Dark Ages, too-big-for-their shoes secondary characters, and a yes/no relationship kept this book back from greatness. I wouldn’t say no the second book in the series maybe some time in the future. But I won’t be going out of my way to find it.

[Kristina Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Lady Who Lived Again by Thomasine Rappold is A Solve Survivor Novel. Madeleine Sutter is twenty-four years old and lives in Misty Lake, New York with her grandfather. She is the sole survivor of an accident that claimed her friend’s lives three years previously. The town doctor declared her dead (I personally think she was in a coma) and then Maddie woke up the next day. Now no one in the town will associate with her (they are a superstitious lot). Maddie did wake up with one little benefit—she has the ability to heal (which she keeps a secret). Her grandfather tried to convince her to move away, but Maddie will not leave him (he is ill). Maddie was engaged to Daniel Hogle, but he broke up with her after the accident (the jerk). Daniel has now returned to town with a new fiancé. Maddie’s old friend, Amelia Strope is coming back to town to get married. Amelia wants Maddie to be a part of the bridal party. Maddie is hoping this will be a chance to show the town that she is the same person that she was before the accident.

Dr. Jace Merrick is the new doctor in town. He is taking over the practice of Dr. Benjamin Filmore (the doctor who declared Maddie dead). Jace would like to study Maddie’s case. He does not believe the superstitious nonsense that the townspeople have been spouting. They come to a mutual agreement. Jace will pretend to be engaged to Maddie and escort her the festivities leading up to the wedding as well as the wedding. Maddie will share information from her accident and recovery with Jace as well as help him with his practice (she is a good assistant and a good organizer). But Maddie cannot help but use her special powers to help those who are ill. Can this ruin the budding relationship between Maddie and Jace? Can Jace ever accept Maddie’s special abilities? Will the town ever accept Maddie?

The Lady Who Lived Again was a very interesting novel. It is an historical novel with a paranormal element (which is the best part). I just wish the paranormal element had been played up a little more. It took a back seat to the romance in the novel. The Lady Who Lived Again is easy to read. My interest was captured right away. The setting sounded beautiful, and I liked the main characters (especially Maddie’s grandfather) for the most part. Jace’s attitude grated on my nerves sometimes (especially when he would dismiss Maddie’s ideas). The Lady Who Lived Again is a good novel to read on a quiet evening. I give The Lady Who Lived Again 4 out of 5 stars. It is well-written and engaging. A good first book in a new series. I just wish the paranormal element had been more prominent. That is what drew me to the book.

I received a complimentary copy of The Lady Who Lived Again from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Check out my blog for more details: http://bibliophileandavidreader.blogs...

[Cerian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Originally given 3.5 hearts at Rookie Romance.

Madeline Sutter was once part of The Fair Five, a group of vivacious, beautiful young girls who were adored in their community. After a terrible accident involving four of the five girls, four girls were left dead...until Madeline Sutter was resurrected. Okay, so she wasn't actually resurrected but she was declared dead (accidentally) and now the whole town either fear her or despise her. In addition to thinking she's some kind of abomination, they also blame her for the deaths of her three friends.

Madeline is certainly a resilient woman to endure the hate and abuse from the people in her town, people she once called friends. Now her only ally is her ailing grandfather. Madeline has a very compassionate nature, with a kind heart. This means that she finds it difficult not to use the healing ability that she gained after the accident, even though if she's caught using it the townspeople would likely try and string her up. I loved that Maddie was also confident and could take charge with Jace. Despite liking Maddie, I do wish that she had stood up for herself more. She feels responsible for the accident and so feels that she deserves some of the blame, but it is frustrating to see how cruel they can be.

Jace was exactly what Maddie needed. She needed someone who wouldn't be cowed by the townspeople and would stand up for her. The way he sees Maddie, helps her to see herself through new eyes again. He's a Doctor from the city, so he can be a little arrogant and set in his own ways. His rigid belief in science does make it hard for Maddie to be able to trust him with her secret, as she's afraid he will spurn her and her gift. I did love how Jace stood up for Maddie and was protective of her, which was all the sweeter when contrasted with the behaviour of the people in town.

Jace and Maddie have a sweet relationship that develops gradually into friendship before exploding into passion. I liked that before anything really happened between them, they became friends. Despite the possibility of Jace's practice suffering because of his relationship with Maddie, he continues to support her and spurns the close-mindedness of the town.

The romance takes center stage, and Maddie and Jace are certainly a couple you can root for. I personally would have liked a bit more resolution at the end, particularly with the Pastor and the townsfolk. Overall though, it was a very enjoyable romance, with the an intriguing paranormal element.

*I received a review copy for my honest opinion. Thank you!

[aikaterine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Originally posted on Book-o-Craze, on a tour hosted by Tasty Book Tours.


This has been an exquisite read for me!

Maddie has been an outcast on her own town for the past three years, ever since a terrible wagon accident in which four girls were found dead. Among them, Maddie, too. But to the doctor and the whole town's surprise, she didn't stay dead. In fact, when she suddenly opened her eyes, everyone assumed she was resurrected. But, her severely injured and broken leg would leave her unable to walk again, according to the doctor's sayings. So, when she started walking again, through her own struggling, everyone started believing that miracles don't happen twice, and all this must have been the work of the devil.

In a small town like that the rumors spread fast, and everyone started viewing Maddie as a nuisance to the peacefulness of their town. She lost her friends, her fiance and her place in the small society.

But Maddie, has an even deeper secret. Ever since she awoke after this accident, she has been able to heal other beings.

When Jace, the new doctor of the town finally arrives, is immediately intrigued by the young woman, even after asking around and realizing how infamous she is. Her rare case intrigues him even more, but his effort on getting direct information from her has been futile.

With the wedding ball of one of her friends approaching, one where Maddie has been invited to, she must find an escort so that she won't have to face the pity of her neighbors.

She then decides to strike a deal with Jace: She will offer him more information about the accident and help him set up his new office, while he will pretend to be her fiance and escort her to the ball.

But, what they never counted on affecting them, was the intense attraction between them. And, Maddie's deep secret, too!

This was a very passionate novel with a very intriguing story!

Maddie was a very strong young woman, who, taking into account all the tragedies she had to go through, that changed her life to the core, managed to cope in a much better way than anyone would have anticipated!

Jace was a bold young man who completely had my attention since the very beginning.

The author's easily flowing writing style made the novel an even better read, I completely enjoyed.


All in all, 4,5 stars to a unique and passionate read that narrated the story of one particularly brave and gifted heroine.

[Janis Hill · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would like to thank Kensington Books for a free ARC of this book in exchange for an open and honest review.

‘The Lady who lived again’ was a very enjoyable little read. Although not the most historically accurate of historical romances I have read, I don’t care as it made up for it with the romance, the character’s personalities and that little touch of the supernatural. And I really do wish I could explain WHY I didn’t feel it historically accurate enough… there was just something to the personalities and mindsets I couldn’t come to believe. But I still loved the characters, the setting and pace of this book so did not let such a minor niggle get in the road of me enjoying the read.

It was a perfect escape from reality to fill up a few hours for me at a stressful time and therefore a well written book that, for me, did what I expected it to.

Although I’ve not read any other works by Ms Rappold, I can see myself looking for her the next time I need a bit of romantic escapism. I really enjoyed her writing style, her characters; the whole small town setting of Misty Lake and her romance and sex scenes were just the right balance without being over the top and being the only reason the book was written. Yes, call me a prude, but I’m not a fan of romance novels that seem to rely solely on constant graphical sex to sell it. ‘The Lady who lived again’ has just the right balance to titillate and entertain, but not so much as it takes over the story and actually destroys the romance and suspense of just exactly HOW the happily ever after will occur… and will it actually occur?

Would I recommend this book to others? I would, but would point out it’s not the most historically accurate of tales. Sorry, I hate to be so picky (as I really enjoyed the story) but, yeah, skim the inaccuracies and just enjoy the budding romance.

Would I buy this book for myself? Possibly. Though, to be honest, it’s more the sort of thing I would borrow from my library to escape with as needed. I did enjoy it a lot and I am keen to read more by this author… but I’m still undecided as to whether I’d own it. If I feel myself craving to return and relive Jace and Maddie’s romance in a few months’ time… then obviously I should own it so I can grab and read at whim.

In summary: A fantastic bit of escapism through a well written romance with a bit of a supernatural twist. I liked the characters, the setting and the pace and look forward to reading more from this author when I can.

[Melody May (What I'm Reading) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Posted on What I'm Reading

All right I was drawn to the cover of The Lady Who Lived Again. I mean it's a pretty cover, and the title is definitely intriguing. Of course, it was calling my name and after I read the blurb it became a must read. I have to say that I wasn't disappointed. The story is unique, interesting, and captivating.
We have Madeleine Sutter (Maddie) who goes from bell of the ball to pariah after one fatal afternoon. After three years she decides she needs to reenter society, and part of the reason is one of her best friend's is getting married. She's a bit reluctant to go, because of how the town treats her. You wonder why she stays in a town believes she's of the devil, but she cares deeply for her invalid grandfather and couldn't leave him. She has a lot of capacity for love, but no one gives her the opportunity. We are introduce to the new doctor who is handsome and use to be a bit of a playboy back in Pittsburgh, Jace Merrick. However, he's starting a new life in rural Misty Lake, New York. He's intrigued by Maddie.

I liked both these characters. We have Jace who is kind of running from his past and we learn a little about why he's a bit skeptical to the unexplained. Maddie is definitely an unexplainable. However, I did like how he stood up for Maddie when no one was willing. Even her best friend a bit frazzle with Maddie at one point of the story. I adore Maddie. She had a lot of character growth. She started out as a shallow person before the accident, but once the accident happen she learned to be kinder. She had to humble herself, but being a pariah kind of does that to a person. She tried to be kind to people, but the people were fed so much hatred from the pastor. I have to say he's in the wrong business. Anyway, it's a bit heart-breaking at times.

Overall, The Lady Who Lived Again is a beautiful written story that will carry you off. It's not a happy cheery story, but it does have a happy ending. It takes sometime to get to that point. However, you get to watch the journey between Jace and Maddie. It's not easy for Jace to accept things that can't be explain, but when it comes to his happiness he's willing to take a chance. The Lady Who Lived Again will you spellbound and wanting more.

[Marilyn Rondeau · Rating 4 out of 5]

This once again, is a new author for me. I was impressed by the summary and thought to give it a try and am quite glad I did. THE LADY WHO LIVED AGAIN is the story of a young woman, Madeline Sutter, who was in a wagon accident with four of her friends. Madeline and all four friends were killed in this accident – according to the doctor who pronounced them dead. Madeline was misdiagnosed and seemed to come out of what had to have been a coma. The townspeople, led by the pastor who had lost his daughter in the accident, accused her of being a demon and cursed by coming back to life.

Bad enough to be thought of as a pariah, in the town she had grown up in but some kind of miracle had allowed her to come back with an innate ability to heal. An ability Madeline truly had to keep hidden or she would be viewed as even more of cursed individual by a maddened pastor.

When the doctor who misdiagnosed Madeline retired, Doctor Jace Merrick who had fled the city for the country life of a town doctor came to replace him. A logical man after hearing the superstitious gossip concerning Madeline Jace became something of her champion, and began to admire her strength as well as her beauty. As Madeline came to have strong feelings for Jace and knowing of his issues with his father, she knew she must keep her healing talents hidden from him.

The story itself was truly quite engaging and Ms. Rappold fleshed out all the characters remarkably well with enough information to interpret all their motivations. The idea of Madeline having to ask Jace to pretend to be her fiancé for the sake of her only friend’s wedding so that she could attend was just one more example of her strength and determination to make the best of her untenable position in Misty Lake, NY.

Jace and Madeline’s romance followed in a reasonable way and was both sweet and sensual. Dialogs were succinct and the secondary characters and different scenario’s were all tied into and added depth to the entire story. All in all - the writing and story were both engaging and highly enjoyable.

Marilyn Rondeau

[Angel Hatfield · Rating 4 out of 5]

Maggie had lived through an accident while 3 of her best friends had not. The doctor had even pronounced Maggie dead and the next day she came to and then the town felt she was some kind of demon and wished she had died with the other girls. It had been three years and still whenever she went to town everyone watched everything she did. Even those who had cared for and loved her. Now seemed to dread seeing her like all the rest of the town other than her grandfather.Her three friends were gone but before the accident they were called the Fair Five. Maggie was the sole survivor of the worst tragedy in Misty Lake’s history. Daniel even broke off Maggie and his engagement. Maggie had awakened after the accident with the ability to heal but she kept that to herself. Jace was the new doctor in town and had been quiet the player in the big city. Jace had shot a deer on Maggie's grandfathers land Maggie had healed it before he came tracking it.Amelia was out of town before and after the accident so she hadn’t seen how Maggie was treated and still was being shunned for being alive. She is the one friend Maggie still has. Amelia wanted Maggie to be a bridesmaid at her wedding. Maggie helps Jace get his office up and running and Maggie tells some people they are engaged. Jace sees how Maggie is treated and decides to go along with the fake engagement.
I really liked this story. I felt really bad for Maggie for all she had suffered. Felt like I was there with her. I understand why she lied about her and Jace and was very glad he went along with it. It had only toke one person top say Maggie was a demon for the whole town to turn on her so sad. But back in those days …. How hard it had to have been to been so popular and loose three of her best friends as well as her own serious physical things Maggie had to go through to heal but then to be so unwanted by everyone but her grandfather. A couple times Jace was a little mean to Maggie and i didn’t like that at all after how everyone else treats her. I love the plot . I liked the ins and outs of this story. I recommend.
I received an ARC of this story for an honest review.

[Mave · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars
This historical novel is an amazing and intense reading with a fabulous heroine, an amazing setting and interesting plot.
Maddie was a lively girl, always dressed elegant and takes part in many parties along with her inseparable friends. But one night there was a bad accident, her friends have died and she went into a coma. She had miraculously and inexplicably awakened. She also acquired the gift of healing. In the small town near New York in which she lives, however, everyone hates and despise her for what has happened. They consider and treat her like a monster and blame her for the death of her friends. The new village doctor, Jace Merrick, is intrigued and attracted to this girl and to the halo of magic and mystery that surrounds her. He wants to help Maddie to reintegrate into society, is willing even to pretend to be her boyfriend. This fake relationship requires them to spend much time together, will have the opportunity to know each other better and to discover that there is a strong chemistry between them. Will their relationship work?
All the characters are well-developed and well-defined, even the secondary ones. The author presents them gradually, as they interact with the two protagonists. Maddie is a great character. She's a strong woman to survive to hatred, indifference, isolation, disappointment, jokes. She's a good person, kind who loves animals and likes to help people who suffer. Jace is a practical man, he doesn't believe in miracles and magic, he believes only in science. He's intelligent, charming and it is a pleasure to see him interact with Maddie. I like their relationship, are two different people who complement each other.
I'm happy to be the first book in a series, I can not wait to read more.
This was a great read that left me turning the pages, eager to know what was going to happen next. A must read that I completely loved !!!

[Diana · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading The Lady Who Lived Again. (Soul Survivor #1) by Thomasine Rappold.
This story is set in the 1800s in rural Misty Lake. Madeleine (Maddie) Sutter was the soul survivor when the wagon she was on crashed during a storm, her three friends did not make it. Maddie was pronounce dead as well but the next day she awoke. The small town doctor didn’t know what to think, and couldn’t explain why she was alive and the others weren’t. She was now an outcast. She lived with grandfather.
Maddie also seems to be able to heal others. Something that she didn’t have before the accident. Should be a blessing but seems to be a curse.
Dr Jace Merrick comes to town to take over the medical practice of the previous doctor who is retiring. He is very interested in Maddie’s case.
I love reading this story because the author did a great job of explaining details. I could follow the story and felt it was very intriguing. This was a book I couldn’t put down. I loved how the chemistry between Dr. Merrick and Maddie. Maddie’s friend Amelia came back to town to have her wedding there. Maddie of course couldn’t attend to the affair alone and when her ex fiancé ask who she is going with she said she was going with the new Dr. Merrick. Well of course he didn’t know and Maddie needed to get him on board with the idea.
I did receive a copy of this book from Netgalley and Tasty Blog Tours.

[Debi Yoneda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I needed a book that was easy to concentrate on while flying home after xmas holidays. Somewhere during 2016 I had downloaded this novel onto my Kobo reader. I was up on New Years Day at 0430 and headed to the airport, browsing thru my lists of potential books to read, when I came across this story. While in the taxi I started reading the first chapter and was hooked right away.
Romance novels are really not my style, but this book was the exception. Maddie was a young woman that survived a horrible wagon accident that killed three of her best friends, but somehow she survives and becomes ostracized by her community. A young family doctor moves into the area and the story begins.
Easy read, well written and definitely captivating. My poor husband (who does not travel well) was left to handle this trip on his own. I found I could not put the book down. Got up early this am and continued reading and have just finished reading my first book of 2017.
If you are looking for a story to just entertain you, this is it. Easy and definitely a fun read.

[Jeri · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. Though it was set in the horse and buggy days, it didn't feel like an "old" story.

Maggie is the soul survivor of a tragic buggy accident that killed three of her friends that day. Though the doctor had pronounced her dead, she wakes up the next day. Not only is her life changed by the accident, her whole life is upside down. She is now the pariah of the town because they believe she is at fault for the accident and she must be evil for coming back to life. When she meets the new town doctor he wants to see how it is possible she recovered from her grave accident. But she refuses until she needs someone to attend a wedding with her as her "escort". Now Maggie hopes to make a new entrance into society, but she has a secret that she can't afford for anyone to find out about.

I received an advanced copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Gabby (What's Beyond Forks?) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Full Review at: What's Beyond Forks?

This book grabbed my attention from the beginning. There's a steamy romance, judgmental town folk, sticky situations, dangerous situations, and a touch of the paranormal for good measure. Maddie's a pretty amazing character. Her strength and ability to overcome her past is inspiring, especially in this time period. She has her moments of breaking down, but who wouldn't? It really showed her as human and brought her to life even more. Jace was fun, and he was Maddie's complete opposite. This was an absolutely wonderful start to a new series. I'm ready for more.

The ARC of The Lady Who Lived Again by Thomasine Rappold was kindly provided to me by the publisher through NetGalley for review. The opinions are my own.