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Hallowed Halls of Medicine #5
A Killing Frost
A terrible secret haunts Dr. Jama Keith. But she must return to her past—her hometown of River Dance, Missouri—and risk exposure. She owes a debt to the town for financing her dreams. If only she can avoid ex-fiancé Terell Mercer—but River Dance is too small for that.
When Terell's niece is abducted by two of the FBI's most wanted, Jama can't refuse to help—Terell's family were like kin to her for many years. The search for young Doriann could cost Terell and Jama their lives. But revealing her secret shame to the man she loves scares Jama more than the approaching danger.…
When Terell's niece is abducted by two of the FBI's most wanted, Jama can't refuse to help—Terell's family were like kin to her for many years. The search for young Doriann could cost Terell and Jama their lives. But revealing her secret shame to the man she loves scares Jama more than the approaching danger.…
361 pages, Paperback
First published December 25, 2008
43 people are currently reading
865 people want to read
About the author
Hannah Alexander
48 books204 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
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Speaking of ebooks as stocking stuffers, Hannah Alexander is happy to announce that Sacred Trust, Solemn Oath, and Second Opinion have all been chosen as Amazon Limited Time deals. These ebooks are now half-price at only $2.49 each.
To go to Sacred Trust, click bit.ly/3VlifSE; for Solemn Oath, click bit.ly/4p8yHC1; and for Second Opinion, click bit.ly/4bhCvKo. But don't wait, because, as Amazon states, this is a limited time deal.
Merry Christmas and God bless you.
STILL LOOKING FOR STOCKING STUFFERS?
Know some family or friends for whom a book would be just perfect but paperback is too expensive or they prefer ebook? Amazon now has a new feature called Send as Gift that is apparently only for ebooks. Go to the product page for the ebook you want to gift and select the Send as Gift button. It will open a new window with an easy-to-fill-out form that will allow you to send an ebook as a gift to anyone in the U.S. with an email address. You can even include an optional message if you want.
Speaking of ebooks as stocking stuffers, Hannah Alexander is happy to announce that Sacred Trust, Solemn Oath, and Second Opinion have all been chosen as Amazon Limited Time deals. These ebooks are now half-price at only $2.49 each.
To go to Sacred Trust, click bit.ly/3VlifSE; for Solemn Oath, click bit.ly/4p8yHC1; and for Second Opinion, click bit.ly/4bhCvKo. But don't wait, because, as Amazon states, this is a limited time deal.
Merry Christmas and God bless you.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
January 16, 2018
Rural Missouri where meth labs hide away in the hills, and where everybody knows everybody, sets the scene for this mystery.
Dr. Jama Keith returns to her home town to work in a new medical clinic to pay off a debt to the town that paved her way. She hardly feels at home though. Her reputation for recklessness in high school shadows her right from the start. That’s not the only thing shadowing her new job either. She is haunted by her past with a secrete that keeps gnawing at her heart and gets worse each time she faces the man she loves. Tyrell has come back home too. He comes to take over his family’s farm and he also intends to marry Jama. That Jama can never marry this man because of the burden she carries, weighs ever more heavily as she finds herself working along side him to help solve looming tragedy.
First of all, Tyrell’s Father lands at the front steps of the clinic even before it has officially opened to be treated for what later turns out to be a heart attack. In the midst of this Tyrell’s 11 year old niece, Doriann, has been kidnapped by two of the FBI top wanted. They are meth addicts and wanted for murder.
The weather forecast calls for a freeze that threatens the local wine producing crops and further could kill an 11 year old girl lost in the woods, if the kidnappers don’t’ kill her first.
And then there is Humphrey. He is a wandering dog that loosely belongs to Tyrell’s family. Humphrey adds another pivot in the maze that has hit too many dead ends.
Not only is this a story about the past creating invisible barriers to life playing forward, but it is also a tale showing the devastating upshot of our drug culture’s crippling effects on innocent lives.
Combined with many charges down false paths, there is the the wild card of weather that can turn an event into complete calamity in a matter of hours.
Without sugar coating the heart aches presented on each side, there runs a story of faith. There is halting faith, questioning faith, desperate faith, and faith that has struggled through the night arriving at a sense of God’s greatness in all events. Herein is the faith that can clearly make a crooked way straight against all odds.
Dr. Jama Keith returns to her home town to work in a new medical clinic to pay off a debt to the town that paved her way. She hardly feels at home though. Her reputation for recklessness in high school shadows her right from the start. That’s not the only thing shadowing her new job either. She is haunted by her past with a secrete that keeps gnawing at her heart and gets worse each time she faces the man she loves. Tyrell has come back home too. He comes to take over his family’s farm and he also intends to marry Jama. That Jama can never marry this man because of the burden she carries, weighs ever more heavily as she finds herself working along side him to help solve looming tragedy.
First of all, Tyrell’s Father lands at the front steps of the clinic even before it has officially opened to be treated for what later turns out to be a heart attack. In the midst of this Tyrell’s 11 year old niece, Doriann, has been kidnapped by two of the FBI top wanted. They are meth addicts and wanted for murder.
The weather forecast calls for a freeze that threatens the local wine producing crops and further could kill an 11 year old girl lost in the woods, if the kidnappers don’t’ kill her first.
And then there is Humphrey. He is a wandering dog that loosely belongs to Tyrell’s family. Humphrey adds another pivot in the maze that has hit too many dead ends.
Not only is this a story about the past creating invisible barriers to life playing forward, but it is also a tale showing the devastating upshot of our drug culture’s crippling effects on innocent lives.
Combined with many charges down false paths, there is the the wild card of weather that can turn an event into complete calamity in a matter of hours.
Without sugar coating the heart aches presented on each side, there runs a story of faith. There is halting faith, questioning faith, desperate faith, and faith that has struggled through the night arriving at a sense of God’s greatness in all events. Herein is the faith that can clearly make a crooked way straight against all odds.
July 4, 2017
Dr Jama Keith returns to River Dance the town where she grew up. Her childhood was difficult: her mother, suffering from a mental illness, left her and her father, and her father died soon after. As a result, Jama was taken in by the Mercer family and brought up as their child.
Now Jama has returned, as a fully fledged doctor, she takes up her position at the newly opened clinic in town. Before the clinic is even open, her adoptive father comes to the clinic after a fall off a ladder. Jama realizes there is more going on and immediately dispatches him to hospital.
Tyrell, one of the dons in the Mercer family, has proposed to Jama, but even though she loves him, circumstances prevent her from accepting. Something tragic in Jama's past is holding her back.
Meanwhile, Tyrell's niece, Dori, has been kidnapped by drug dealers on the FBI most wanted list.
This is a romantic thriller. Jama, Tyrell, his large family, the director of the new clinic, .Ruth, and characters from the town, are interesting, multi dimensional characters.
A good start to a new series.
Now Jama has returned, as a fully fledged doctor, she takes up her position at the newly opened clinic in town. Before the clinic is even open, her adoptive father comes to the clinic after a fall off a ladder. Jama realizes there is more going on and immediately dispatches him to hospital.
Tyrell, one of the dons in the Mercer family, has proposed to Jama, but even though she loves him, circumstances prevent her from accepting. Something tragic in Jama's past is holding her back.
Meanwhile, Tyrell's niece, Dori, has been kidnapped by drug dealers on the FBI most wanted list.
This is a romantic thriller. Jama, Tyrell, his large family, the director of the new clinic, .Ruth, and characters from the town, are interesting, multi dimensional characters.
A good start to a new series.
March 5, 2023
A suspenseful, fast-paced, intelligent medical drama with a layer of romance.
The main characters work through the bumps in their relationship all while dealing with family crises, trauma in the community, and trailing a serial killer who kidnapped a young niece. There's a lot going on in this 48 hour drama, but the authors seem to make it all work out in the end, dropping clues to a past mystery. I loved the intrepid, smart young Doriann, and her parts in the story had me rooting for her. The dog Humphrey was a perfect side hero too.Doriann's honest prayers were priceless. There are some mentions of faith here and there, but fairly light. A bit of a plot twist in the end made it even better. Easy to read as a stand alone, though part of a series. 4.5 stars
(An ebook was given as part of a Goodreads giveaway. All opinions expressed are my own.)
April 2, 2023
captivating medical romance
A Killing Frost by Hannah Alexander is a captivating story. It held my attention from the beginning until the end. Kidnapping, secrets from the past, family and faith in God are all woven together to bring readers a great story. The characters are realistic and relatable as the author portrays their strengths and their weaknesses. Readers who enjoy the medical romance genre will not want to miss A Killing Frost. I read a complimentary copy of the book from Goodreads and was not required to write a review. The opinions are my own.
A Killing Frost by Hannah Alexander is a captivating story. It held my attention from the beginning until the end. Kidnapping, secrets from the past, family and faith in God are all woven together to bring readers a great story. The characters are realistic and relatable as the author portrays their strengths and their weaknesses. Readers who enjoy the medical romance genre will not want to miss A Killing Frost. I read a complimentary copy of the book from Goodreads and was not required to write a review. The opinions are my own.
March 6, 2023
Killing Frost review
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I originally read it in the late 2000s & it was just as great the second time. Doriann is a hoot, and I loved the other characters as well. Lots of suspense to keep you hooked! I'm looking forward to reading other books in this series
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I originally read it in the late 2000s & it was just as great the second time. Doriann is a hoot, and I loved the other characters as well. Lots of suspense to keep you hooked! I'm looking forward to reading other books in this series
July 4, 2020
I loved this book. I loved the suspense and how the storyline switched. I also loved how it was Christian and how God came into the story quite often. It was very mysterious with a big cliffhanger throughout most of the story. The romance was great too.
February 9, 2021
Awesome read.
Captivating. Didn't want to put it down. Interesting writing style....flipping characters but not at chapter breaks. Great story of forgiveness and seeing things from another person's viewpoint.
Captivating. Didn't want to put it down. Interesting writing style....flipping characters but not at chapter breaks. Great story of forgiveness and seeing things from another person's viewpoint.
March 20, 2024
Loved this book! It had me glued to my iPad until I got to the end. Great story of mystery, danger, love & loss. Covers problems of guilt and forgiveness. Can't wait to read more from Hannah Alexander.
June 19, 2024
Exciting, clean must read!
Jama comes back to her home town to start her practice as a doctor. Before the doors opened she had an emergency patient. I enjoyed reading this book and will read others from this author!
Jama comes back to her home town to start her practice as a doctor. Before the doors opened she had an emergency patient. I enjoyed reading this book and will read others from this author!
April 10, 2023
What a beautifully complex story! I couldn’t stop reading. Thoughtful, deep characters and side-by-side suspense! Wow!
June 5, 2023
Excellent writing, strong characters. I found myself crying at their dispare.
June 13, 2023
Danger
There was nothing that I didn't like very well written. Courage on the child's part praying trusting God the others were learning to trust. Crazy kidnapping good reads
There was nothing that I didn't like very well written. Courage on the child's part praying trusting God the others were learning to trust. Crazy kidnapping good reads
October 12, 2025
Suspenseful
Another really good book in this series. Secrets destroy people and relationships. Thankful for God’s promises and restoration for those who ask.
Another really good book in this series. Secrets destroy people and relationships. Thankful for God’s promises and restoration for those who ask.
December 6, 2025
The book was kind of slow and hard for me to get into until over half way through. Then it picked up and had a good ending and a sweet story of forgiveness.
August 8, 2016
©2009
46C/399P
Book Summary—Dr. Jama Keith is forced to return to her hometown, River Dance, in order to repay the town’s investment in her medical education. This wouldn’t be so bad if it weren’t for the Mercer family, who took her in when her mother left her father and when he, some eight years later, died. The Mercers became her foster family, and oldest-of-five Tyrell Mercer is her heart’s desire. And that’s the problem. Because of a bad choice in her past involving Amy Mercer, his sister, she harbors a secret that could forever distance her form the family and especially from her heart’s desire. And, as if things couldn’t get worse, Doriann, Tyler’s niece, is kidnapped by two of the FBI’s Most Wanted, and Morty Mercer, the Mercer patriarch, has a serious heart condition that could threaten his very life. And Jama Keith is, of course, at the center of each. Right alongside Tyler.
My Review—Firstly (and it’s nitpicky), J-A-M-A is a Sudanese surname, so I had a hard time hearing it for a Missourian female.
Now, about the story: It was okay. My mother read it years ago and really liked it. Usually, she and I have the same taste in novels, but I just didn’t feel all that enthusiastic about this one. Maybe because I really didn’t warm to Jama. I admit the mystery’s in this one, I didn’t guess at all, but, before learning her mystery, I was bored with her game. Tyrell proposes to her, and she turns him down—without an explanation! I find this exceedingly rude. I don’t know about ALL men, but it seems to me few will get to a point of proposal unless they’re fairly certain your heart’s his, so, for Tyrell to propose, he had to think his love was returned (and he even says this). And it is but, because of her secret, she says no. And the poor guy’s stumped. And, of course, curious. And she very rudely rebuffs his desire to know her reason—each time he prods her for it.
After learning her reason, I get why she would feel he’s say no, but he still deserved to know. And, once she finally DOES tell him, she wigs out because he gets upset. Duh. Of course, he’s going to be upset at first (spoiler alert!)—you had a part to play in his sister’s death! But that doesn’t mean he’ll STAY upset. He needs time to digest and adjust. It’s not the reason he was expecting, so cut the guy some slack. But, in the book, Tyrell (and the authors) make it seem as if HE’S to blame for his very natural reaction. Yuck.
Still, the story, itself, was good. Except, once again, Tyrell’s blamed because he, the big brother of five (seven?), told one of his little sisters that she’s, basically, a negligent mother (and her husband, a negligent father) because she, Heather, shoves off her daughter, Doriann’s, rearing onto her twin, Renee. Tyrell claims Heather’s too busy with her medical career and gives her daughter too much leeway. Which is correct! And is proven by Doriann’s kidnapping. But, of course, Tyrell’s scolded for his speaking the truth to his sister and brother-in-law, Mark Streeter.
So, except for being a vehicle for beating up on the man who, as I read it, was in the right, it was a good story. Kidnapping, drugs, medicine, “ER” scenes, and drama, plus interesting characters and one very cute dog (Humphrey)—make for a good story. I suppose I’ll read the next in the series.
Grade: B+ - A-
46C/399P
Book Summary—Dr. Jama Keith is forced to return to her hometown, River Dance, in order to repay the town’s investment in her medical education. This wouldn’t be so bad if it weren’t for the Mercer family, who took her in when her mother left her father and when he, some eight years later, died. The Mercers became her foster family, and oldest-of-five Tyrell Mercer is her heart’s desire. And that’s the problem. Because of a bad choice in her past involving Amy Mercer, his sister, she harbors a secret that could forever distance her form the family and especially from her heart’s desire. And, as if things couldn’t get worse, Doriann, Tyler’s niece, is kidnapped by two of the FBI’s Most Wanted, and Morty Mercer, the Mercer patriarch, has a serious heart condition that could threaten his very life. And Jama Keith is, of course, at the center of each. Right alongside Tyler.
My Review—Firstly (and it’s nitpicky), J-A-M-A is a Sudanese surname, so I had a hard time hearing it for a Missourian female.
Now, about the story: It was okay. My mother read it years ago and really liked it. Usually, she and I have the same taste in novels, but I just didn’t feel all that enthusiastic about this one. Maybe because I really didn’t warm to Jama. I admit the mystery’s in this one, I didn’t guess at all, but, before learning her mystery, I was bored with her game. Tyrell proposes to her, and she turns him down—without an explanation! I find this exceedingly rude. I don’t know about ALL men, but it seems to me few will get to a point of proposal unless they’re fairly certain your heart’s his, so, for Tyrell to propose, he had to think his love was returned (and he even says this). And it is but, because of her secret, she says no. And the poor guy’s stumped. And, of course, curious. And she very rudely rebuffs his desire to know her reason—each time he prods her for it.
After learning her reason, I get why she would feel he’s say no, but he still deserved to know. And, once she finally DOES tell him, she wigs out because he gets upset. Duh. Of course, he’s going to be upset at first (spoiler alert!)—you had a part to play in his sister’s death! But that doesn’t mean he’ll STAY upset. He needs time to digest and adjust. It’s not the reason he was expecting, so cut the guy some slack. But, in the book, Tyrell (and the authors) make it seem as if HE’S to blame for his very natural reaction. Yuck.
Still, the story, itself, was good. Except, once again, Tyrell’s blamed because he, the big brother of five (seven?), told one of his little sisters that she’s, basically, a negligent mother (and her husband, a negligent father) because she, Heather, shoves off her daughter, Doriann’s, rearing onto her twin, Renee. Tyrell claims Heather’s too busy with her medical career and gives her daughter too much leeway. Which is correct! And is proven by Doriann’s kidnapping. But, of course, Tyrell’s scolded for his speaking the truth to his sister and brother-in-law, Mark Streeter.
So, except for being a vehicle for beating up on the man who, as I read it, was in the right, it was a good story. Kidnapping, drugs, medicine, “ER” scenes, and drama, plus interesting characters and one very cute dog (Humphrey)—make for a good story. I suppose I’ll read the next in the series.
Grade: B+ - A-
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March 1, 2017I really enjoyed reading this book.
March 4, 2012
"A Killing Frost" is Christian romantic suspense. Actually, it's two stories--Doriann and the kidnappers in one storyline and Jama and Tyrell in another, and they only briefly merge at the end.
The characters were complex and acted in realistic ways. The vivid details brought the setting and characters alive in my imagination. The high suspense was created by medical emergencies, threat of physical danger to Doriann, and relationship tensions.
Doriann--the kidnapped 11-year-old--was grabbed by the bad guys while she was disobeying her parents, so she started bargaining with God that she'd never do this or that again if he'd only protect and save her. By the end, she realized that God had been taking care of her long before she started making bargains with him. One of my favorite lines was, "This was why Humphrey was a wandering dog. Because God knew that someday, this dog would need to wander here and find a freezing kid in the middle of a killing frost" (to help keep her warm). I loved Doriann's part of the story.
The Christian element was woven into the story, and it never came across to me as preachy. There was a minor amount of "he swore" style bad language. There was no sex. Over all, I'd recommend this well-written, suspenseful novel.
The characters were complex and acted in realistic ways. The vivid details brought the setting and characters alive in my imagination. The high suspense was created by medical emergencies, threat of physical danger to Doriann, and relationship tensions.
Doriann--the kidnapped 11-year-old--was grabbed by the bad guys while she was disobeying her parents, so she started bargaining with God that she'd never do this or that again if he'd only protect and save her. By the end, she realized that God had been taking care of her long before she started making bargains with him. One of my favorite lines was, "This was why Humphrey was a wandering dog. Because God knew that someday, this dog would need to wander here and find a freezing kid in the middle of a killing frost" (to help keep her warm). I loved Doriann's part of the story.
The Christian element was woven into the story, and it never came across to me as preachy. There was a minor amount of "he swore" style bad language. There was no sex. Over all, I'd recommend this well-written, suspenseful novel.
June 5, 2015
Hannah Alexander writes fabulous medical mysteries…
I must admit, sometimes they’re just a bit difficult for me at the beginning, but this is only because they pull me into such a vivid, believable reality that I’m immediately scared and wanting to hide under my bedcovers!
A Killing Frost has a “killer beginning”! Eleven-year old Doriann has skipped school, only to be kidnapped by two crazy lunatics. It’s such a great story, that only when I finished it, did I realize why much of the action at the beginning of the story actually happened. Wow!
Hannah’s characters are complex, professional “real” people who are very convincing, especially the bad guys. Even the conflict between Dr. Jama Keith and Tyrell… I would never have guessed what would come up later!
I’d say more, but I’m too afraid I’d reveal something I shouldn’t – and I HATE spoilers, so I’ll leave you with this…
If you enjoy reading a great mystery, you have to read A Killing Frost!
February 8, 2013
Obligations, debts to pay, small town dramas, a kidnapping, and FBI investigations make up "A Killing Frost". Dr. Jama Keith returns to River Dance and immediately gets thrown into a confrontation with her former fiance, Tyrell before the clinic even opens. First patient, his father, then his niece was abducted so there was no escaping their meeting again. Hopefully their reunion would be a pleasant one without having to reveal her secret to Tyrell. Captivating and suspenseful twists along with Doriann's faith in God's guiding hand completes another one of Hannah Alexander's great adventures!!
May 19, 2015
Another great Hannah Alexander book. Romance,Suspense,Medical, and Inspirtion all woven together in one story. It is well written. A couple of my favorite quotes are "Aunt Renee always said that the enemy you see today could be a brother or sister in Christ tomorrow because with God all things are possible." and "As she prayed she realized that she was thinking of reason to keep praying because she discovered that she felt closer to God. Safer. It made fear go away for a little while." I fell in love with these characters. I hope I will get to meet them again.
February 26, 2014
A new author for me. I liked the story of a girl returning to her hometown to be a doctor, but it was just a bit to unbelievable. She saves a life, reunites with her boyfriend, solves a mystery in one day!
April 29, 2016
This is a new author to me. Thanks to some recommendations from a book discussion group, I was told to explore the softer. This husband-and-wife team writes very good medical mysteries. I'm enjoying these books so far. I just started the hideaway series, and I'm looking forward to that. Great work
July 31, 2016
Christian fiction with a slightly dark edge. Story alternates between Doriann's kidnapping and Jama's return to her childhood roots, until the two storylines become intertwined in the small town of River Dance.
June 19, 2019
Romantic suspense set in a small town. Good story with medical drama incorporated.
March 11, 2009
Good but not as spiritual as I was anticipating it to be.
May 14, 2009
Good story, I read it in one day. Lots of interesting characters.
June 2, 2009
Really, really enjoyed the Hideway series from this author so was excited to see a new series had begun. This book did not disappoint.
June 9, 2010
Wow- edge of seat. Nicely done.
September 7, 2010
Predictable almost all the way through but still a good read.
November 30, 2010
This was enjoyable... a little predictable and not entirely realistic but a fun read. It has suspense and the usual side romance story :)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews