What do you think?
Rate this book
Mercy Hospital #1
Critical Care
After her brother dies in a trauma room, nurse Claire Avery can no longer face the ER. She's determined to make a fresh start--new hospital, new career in nursing education--move forward, no turning back. But her plans fall apart when she's called to offer stress counseling for medical staff after a heartbreaking day care center explosion.
Worse, she's forced back to the ER, where she clashes with Logan Caldwell, a doctor who believes touchy-feely counseling is a waste of time. He demands his staff be as tough as he is. Yet he finds himself drawn to this nurse educator . . . who just might teach him the true meaning of healing.
Worse, she's forced back to the ER, where she clashes with Logan Caldwell, a doctor who believes touchy-feely counseling is a waste of time. He demands his staff be as tough as he is. Yet he finds himself drawn to this nurse educator . . . who just might teach him the true meaning of healing.
293 pages, Paperback
First published May 6, 2009
250 people are currently reading
2086 people want to read
About the author
Candace Calvert
25 books493 followersFormer ER nurse, wife, Mom and grandmother, Candace Calvert believes that love, laughter, and faith are the best medicines of all. Her Mercy Hospital, Grace Medical, and Crisis Team series for Tyndale House offers readers charismatic characters, pulse-pounding medical drama, romance, humor, suspense--and a prescription for hope. Think, “Grey’s Anatomy finds its soul.”
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 159 reviews
June 29, 2010
Was it Sherlock Holmes or Alice in Wonderland who told me to believe six impossible things before breakfast ... sounds sort of Cheshire Cat or Mad Hatter, so It must have been from Alice.
Even if it is after breakfast, here's the impossible thing.
I liked this book.
A lot.
Why should that be impossible? Because Critical Care is a romance. And oh no, not just a romance. A Christian romance. With nurses and doctors.
It's funny, it's quirky, it's heartwrenchingly sad. People learn about themselves, suffer losses, achieve more than they expected, and gain strength in themselves, and in God. The dialog is good and rings true, paced like normal conversation, very realistic. Dialog is hard to get right, as is balancing external and internal dialog.
And, even more surprising ... this is the first time I've ever picked up a novel that has, in the first chapter, a discussion of a Critical Incident Stress Debriefing.
Why is that surprising?
Because you don't see stuff like that in novels. You barely see it on television, on shows with cops and firefighters and doctors and nurses. And when you DO hear about it, there's a mention in passing, it's treated with derision, and they do it wrong. I am a Critical Incident Stress Management Provider. I know the process, I know how it functions, and how it helps.
Ms. Calvert does it right. Mostly. I'll give a pass on the small inaccuracies ... maybe she's not a provider herself, or the choices she made were for flow of the story. But mostly, she's dead on. Because I've been doing this for some time, I saw the not-so-little clues, the exaggerated startle responses, the caffeine jones, the little signs that pointed to how close to compassion fatigue and burnout the ER staff were running. The faint crispy scent underlying the disinfectant wasn't burn victims ... it was the staff. There was a realism to those interactions.
Thank you, Ms. Calvert.
Even if it is after breakfast, here's the impossible thing.
I liked this book.
A lot.
Why should that be impossible? Because Critical Care is a romance. And oh no, not just a romance. A Christian romance. With nurses and doctors.
It's funny, it's quirky, it's heartwrenchingly sad. People learn about themselves, suffer losses, achieve more than they expected, and gain strength in themselves, and in God. The dialog is good and rings true, paced like normal conversation, very realistic. Dialog is hard to get right, as is balancing external and internal dialog.
And, even more surprising ... this is the first time I've ever picked up a novel that has, in the first chapter, a discussion of a Critical Incident Stress Debriefing.
Why is that surprising?
Because you don't see stuff like that in novels. You barely see it on television, on shows with cops and firefighters and doctors and nurses. And when you DO hear about it, there's a mention in passing, it's treated with derision, and they do it wrong. I am a Critical Incident Stress Management Provider. I know the process, I know how it functions, and how it helps.
Ms. Calvert does it right. Mostly. I'll give a pass on the small inaccuracies ... maybe she's not a provider herself, or the choices she made were for flow of the story. But mostly, she's dead on. Because I've been doing this for some time, I saw the not-so-little clues, the exaggerated startle responses, the caffeine jones, the little signs that pointed to how close to compassion fatigue and burnout the ER staff were running. The faint crispy scent underlying the disinfectant wasn't burn victims ... it was the staff. There was a realism to those interactions.
Thank you, Ms. Calvert.
October 2, 2018
After a few hits and some misses from Calvert, this one nailed it!
The romance. Why don't more people write romance like this? While I wasn't thrilled with the amount of kissing happening so early - considering they had only just met and had no intentions of a serious relationship at the time - the way Claire put God first in their relationship and trusted his plan for her life even if that plan didn't include Logan was spot on and overlooked so often by romance writers. The redemption theme was so beautiful and perfect, and the climax scene with Logan and his tree stump actually made me cry.
I particularly loved Logan's character and his development, but Claire was also a fabulous character too. Erin's and Sarah's stories were also interesting, although it felt disruptive at times to have their POVs so often.
Overall, I greatly enjoyed this story, and highly recommend it if you are a fan of medical dramas with some romance.
The romance. Why don't more people write romance like this? While I wasn't thrilled with the amount of kissing happening so early - considering they had only just met and had no intentions of a serious relationship at the time - the way Claire put God first in their relationship and trusted his plan for her life even if that plan didn't include Logan was spot on and overlooked so often by romance writers. The redemption theme was so beautiful and perfect, and the climax scene with Logan and his tree stump actually made me cry.
I particularly loved Logan's character and his development, but Claire was also a fabulous character too. Erin's and Sarah's stories were also interesting, although it felt disruptive at times to have their POVs so often.
Overall, I greatly enjoyed this story, and highly recommend it if you are a fan of medical dramas with some romance.
December 5, 2017
No villains here, in this uplifting hospital romance with characters that brought tears to my eyes, and I was so surprised that it it did. The writing drug me into what I thought would be just one of those hospital romances I used to read years ago. Now, I am deeper, more sophisticated….and so is this story. I thought this would be a three rating…until Sarah’s trouble. Religious without being preachy. Have I become a hopeless romantic?
See more at fundinmental
See more at fundinmental
January 1, 2017
This was so much fun! I love her books, and this was no exception!
June 1, 2009
This novel is a romantic ER drama. Readers who like ER dramas will probably love this novel. However, even if you don't normally care for ER drama (like me), I'd recommend you give this book a chance. It's a great book.
The pacing was excellent, with tension high from the very first page. The book was well-written with very likable and realistic characters and an interesting plot. The world-building (i.e. details of the medical trade and so forth) was excellent, bringing the story alive in my imagination without getting too technical or slowing the pace.
As for the romance, both main characters were better people for having met the other. Their strengths and weaknesses force the other person to grow--and I like that.
My only (minor) complaint is that use of symbolism in the book got a smidgen heavy-handed at the end.
Christianity was portrayed in a remarkably realistic manner, with several of the characters struggling with hurt and disappointment with God for letting bad things happen to them. Specifically, the main focus was on why God doesn't answer prayers in a way that made sense to them. Yet the book never got preachy. I think non-Christians would enjoy this book unless dead-set against anything that portrays Christianity in a positive light.
There was no sex, cussing, or gore. Overall, I'd rate this book as very good, clean fun.
The pacing was excellent, with tension high from the very first page. The book was well-written with very likable and realistic characters and an interesting plot. The world-building (i.e. details of the medical trade and so forth) was excellent, bringing the story alive in my imagination without getting too technical or slowing the pace.
As for the romance, both main characters were better people for having met the other. Their strengths and weaknesses force the other person to grow--and I like that.
My only (minor) complaint is that use of symbolism in the book got a smidgen heavy-handed at the end.
Christianity was portrayed in a remarkably realistic manner, with several of the characters struggling with hurt and disappointment with God for letting bad things happen to them. Specifically, the main focus was on why God doesn't answer prayers in a way that made sense to them. Yet the book never got preachy. I think non-Christians would enjoy this book unless dead-set against anything that portrays Christianity in a positive light.
There was no sex, cussing, or gore. Overall, I'd rate this book as very good, clean fun.
November 24, 2023
A well written, interesting medical story that delves into what an emergency room team goes through. Claire Avery was a nurse in the E R when her firefighter brother was brought in. She still lives with the trauma of him dying in front of her. That is why she wants to be an educator and not go back to the ER. Dr. Logan Caldwell is a perfectionist. He wants the top people in his department in order to give the best care in critical situations. He too has a past to overcome. I liked the progression of the romance between Claire and Logan.and how they discovered that God could heal old wounds and that He had a plan for 5heir lives that they were not expecting. The author showed the characters with flaws but also with compassion and even a little mystery.
Great start to a series I hope to finish soon.
* I purchased this book from a library sale. All opinions are my own.*
Great start to a series I hope to finish soon.
* I purchased this book from a library sale. All opinions are my own.*
June 25, 2009
You know you're an ER nurse when:
1. You're never late for work, in fact you come in 20 minutes early (see #2)
2. You are vigilant and diligent in making sure everything is stocked before your shift starts.
3. You can handle seeing an overwhelming amount of tragedy in one day.
4. You are addicted to coffee and/or diet coke and you're an incredible multi-tasker.
5. You believe in standing up for what is right, even it you have to stand up to the doctor barking orders at you.
6. You care more for your patients than for yourself.
7. You see yourself as a rock...nothing can affect you.
8. You learn to live without lunch and bathroom breaks.
9. You despise critical incident teams coming in to counsel you when they weren't there to see what you saw. Remember, you're a rock.
10. You work for Dr. McSnarley.
I really, really, really enjoyed this book!!! Coming from a nursing background, I understood a lot of the emotions covered in this book. I've been through the horrible shifts, losing patients, long hours with no lunch or bathroom breaks, Dr. McSnarleys...yet it is so rewarding!!
At first I was afraid this might be a book much similar to an episode of House or ER but it wasn't. I don't watch medical shows because they don't "get it right". Mrs. Calvert relied on her medical background to accurately describe the goings-on in an ER. It was written as if you were standing right there, looking onto the gurney, smelling the smells, hearing the beeps, blips, whirs, and stirs. I had a very hard time putting this one down and I look forward to other books to come in this series.
Claire just took on a job at Mercy Hospital and had her eye on the new Clinical Educator position. She was definitely qualified and on top of that, she was trained in critical incident stress management.
Erin is the top notch charge nurse who really cares for her staff. She works just as hard as they do on top of organizing Faith QD and a variety of fundraisers for the hospital.
Sara is a work horse and Erin's right hand. Sara is always early to work, meticulously checking to make sure all the equipment is in stock and functioning properly. She's a rock and is one of the most dependable nurses in the ER.
Then, well, there always has to be at least one...Dr. McSnarley...oh, pardon me, I mean Dr. Caldwell (Coldwell?). There's a complaint file on him a mile wide with the Chief of Staff but Dr. McSnarley is such a competent doctor that no one dares to get rid of him.
There's a horrible tragedy in the ER one day that brings all these people together...and changes lives forever. Through mutual sharing of woes, laughing, crying, and oh yeah, that much NOT needed critical incident stress management, the reader can see how taking care of oneself really is Critical Care. Just how do they do it? Well, you'll have to read it to see. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!!
1. You're never late for work, in fact you come in 20 minutes early (see #2)
2. You are vigilant and diligent in making sure everything is stocked before your shift starts.
3. You can handle seeing an overwhelming amount of tragedy in one day.
4. You are addicted to coffee and/or diet coke and you're an incredible multi-tasker.
5. You believe in standing up for what is right, even it you have to stand up to the doctor barking orders at you.
6. You care more for your patients than for yourself.
7. You see yourself as a rock...nothing can affect you.
8. You learn to live without lunch and bathroom breaks.
9. You despise critical incident teams coming in to counsel you when they weren't there to see what you saw. Remember, you're a rock.
10. You work for Dr. McSnarley.
I really, really, really enjoyed this book!!! Coming from a nursing background, I understood a lot of the emotions covered in this book. I've been through the horrible shifts, losing patients, long hours with no lunch or bathroom breaks, Dr. McSnarleys...yet it is so rewarding!!
At first I was afraid this might be a book much similar to an episode of House or ER but it wasn't. I don't watch medical shows because they don't "get it right". Mrs. Calvert relied on her medical background to accurately describe the goings-on in an ER. It was written as if you were standing right there, looking onto the gurney, smelling the smells, hearing the beeps, blips, whirs, and stirs. I had a very hard time putting this one down and I look forward to other books to come in this series.
Claire just took on a job at Mercy Hospital and had her eye on the new Clinical Educator position. She was definitely qualified and on top of that, she was trained in critical incident stress management.
Erin is the top notch charge nurse who really cares for her staff. She works just as hard as they do on top of organizing Faith QD and a variety of fundraisers for the hospital.
Sara is a work horse and Erin's right hand. Sara is always early to work, meticulously checking to make sure all the equipment is in stock and functioning properly. She's a rock and is one of the most dependable nurses in the ER.
Then, well, there always has to be at least one...Dr. McSnarley...oh, pardon me, I mean Dr. Caldwell (Coldwell?). There's a complaint file on him a mile wide with the Chief of Staff but Dr. McSnarley is such a competent doctor that no one dares to get rid of him.
There's a horrible tragedy in the ER one day that brings all these people together...and changes lives forever. Through mutual sharing of woes, laughing, crying, and oh yeah, that much NOT needed critical incident stress management, the reader can see how taking care of oneself really is Critical Care. Just how do they do it? Well, you'll have to read it to see. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!!
October 26, 2009
Can a medical drama be written without explicit dialogue or scenes? Can an author craft a story without such material? Certainly! And Candace Calvert has done just that.
Critical Care is the engaging story of Sierra Mercy's Emergency Room physician (Dr. Logan Caldwell, aka Dr. McSnarly) and Claire Avery, an Education Nurse charged with securing the mental and emotional well being of the emergency care staff.
What did I learn from this book? What keeps takeout pizza's on speed dial for an ER doctor. The often comical mental discussions women have with themselves when falling in love. And finally, that there is nothing that an afternoon walk in a 'glorious field of daffodils' won't cure.
This story is filled with believable characters with personalities much like most work environments. There is always an ambitious type A personality such as Sarah Burke, another ER nurse that at Sierra Mercy Hospital is driven to succeed or to please at all costs.
In addition you'll often find dedicated managers/supervisors such as Erin Quin, Sierra Mercy's ER Head Nurse, who receive dictates from their superiors but identify more often with their subordinates. And there is most always a person having to process the fear and failures of their past like Claire Avery, the heroine with traumatic memories of the loss of brother.
With this array of characters and personalities, the reader can easily relate to Critical Care. As the novel develops and the reasons for each behavior is revealed, the result is a well developed storyline.
The romance between Dr. McSnarly and Claire Avery gradually unfolds first with frustration, then with uncertainty, and finally with grace. In the end, the story heralds that fact that our behavior is sometimes the result our past experiences and the clear choice in overcoming them is to simply face them.
Critical Care is a great read. I recommend it highly and look forward to Book Two.
Critical Care is the engaging story of Sierra Mercy's Emergency Room physician (Dr. Logan Caldwell, aka Dr. McSnarly) and Claire Avery, an Education Nurse charged with securing the mental and emotional well being of the emergency care staff.
What did I learn from this book? What keeps takeout pizza's on speed dial for an ER doctor. The often comical mental discussions women have with themselves when falling in love. And finally, that there is nothing that an afternoon walk in a 'glorious field of daffodils' won't cure.
This story is filled with believable characters with personalities much like most work environments. There is always an ambitious type A personality such as Sarah Burke, another ER nurse that at Sierra Mercy Hospital is driven to succeed or to please at all costs.
In addition you'll often find dedicated managers/supervisors such as Erin Quin, Sierra Mercy's ER Head Nurse, who receive dictates from their superiors but identify more often with their subordinates. And there is most always a person having to process the fear and failures of their past like Claire Avery, the heroine with traumatic memories of the loss of brother.
With this array of characters and personalities, the reader can easily relate to Critical Care. As the novel develops and the reasons for each behavior is revealed, the result is a well developed storyline.
The romance between Dr. McSnarly and Claire Avery gradually unfolds first with frustration, then with uncertainty, and finally with grace. In the end, the story heralds that fact that our behavior is sometimes the result our past experiences and the clear choice in overcoming them is to simply face them.
Critical Care is a great read. I recommend it highly and look forward to Book Two.
November 16, 2011
My younger sister is a nurse so I’m always on the look-out for great books that feature people in the medical field. I picked up a free ebook called Disaster Status by Candace Calvert, but when I saw it was the second book in the series I held off reading it in search of the first book. And that’s how I found Critical Care and the Disaster Relief medical series.
Claire Avery watched her brother die in the very Emergency Room where she worked as a nurse. She can no longer face the ER and all that goes with it. Instead, she is in search of a new career in nursing education. But an emergency, has her back in the ER trying to help the hospital staff cope with the situation.
Logan Cadwell is the head of the ER and a doctor who pushes himself and his entire staff to excel in everything they do. He doesn’t believe in hand-holding or coddling anyone and is immediately annoyed by Claire’s presence and her trauma relief tactics. But something about the woman has him intrigued and suddenly her presence isn’t so annoying any more.
What I Thought:
This is a great modern-day medical drama/romance. I could see my sister and nursing friends within the pages of this book.
The trauma the hospital staff is forced to endure feels real, as does the pain Claire experiences everytime she steps through the door of the ER.
The side stories that happen outside the ER work perfectly with the plot and add perfectly to the story.
The added feature of the stump Logan is constantly trying to remove from his yard is such a great metaphor for the inner turmoil he is facing.
Claire Avery watched her brother die in the very Emergency Room where she worked as a nurse. She can no longer face the ER and all that goes with it. Instead, she is in search of a new career in nursing education. But an emergency, has her back in the ER trying to help the hospital staff cope with the situation.
Logan Cadwell is the head of the ER and a doctor who pushes himself and his entire staff to excel in everything they do. He doesn’t believe in hand-holding or coddling anyone and is immediately annoyed by Claire’s presence and her trauma relief tactics. But something about the woman has him intrigued and suddenly her presence isn’t so annoying any more.
What I Thought:
This is a great modern-day medical drama/romance. I could see my sister and nursing friends within the pages of this book.
The trauma the hospital staff is forced to endure feels real, as does the pain Claire experiences everytime she steps through the door of the ER.
The side stories that happen outside the ER work perfectly with the plot and add perfectly to the story.
The added feature of the stump Logan is constantly trying to remove from his yard is such a great metaphor for the inner turmoil he is facing.
March 22, 2018
I used to say medical drama wasn't my thing until I tried Candace Calvert. Her stories are compelling and transcend all the medical stuff that makes me want to bawl and/or pass out! I love that there's a strong Christian message in this one, though I did feel that it got kissy-face way early in the relationship—can someone explain to me why it's considered "normal" to kiss someone who you barely know and who you have no intention of officially dating? But that was my biggest complaint, other than having to skip over some pages of dialogue when it got too clinical and made me imagine too much medical crisis stuff. (I would be flat on the floor in any of those scenes.)
Highly recommended.
Highly recommended.
May 23, 2009
Some of my first "grown-up" books were those paperback nurse romances that my local library kept on a shelf right next to the children's section (that was in the days before teens had their own rooms at the library). I liked them so much that I decided I was going to be a nurse when I grew up, a goal that lasted until I took (and hated) high school chemistry. In any case, this book, Critical Care by Candace Calvert, reminded me of those old books.
Critical Care is primarily a romance novel. Her name is Claire and she is a nurse-educator who used to be an ER nurse. Her nurse-educator credentials are newly-minted, compliments of an inheritance from her brother, a firefighter who died in the ER where she was working. Needless to say, she wants no part of ER work and charts a career course as far away from it as possible. His name is Logan and he is the doctor in charge of the ER. They meet when she is called to the ER to do crisis intervention with the staff after a daycare explosion. He doesn't believe in counselling and all that touchy-feely stuff. They are attracted to each other nevertheless. Like many of those old nurse novels I used to read, he is demanding and hard to work for--but it is because of his deep care for his patients.
Critical Care is Christian fiction. I'd say it follows the typical Christian fiction romance model of at least one of the characters having to find God before they can live happily ever after. I'm also pleased to say the book has a definite pro-life message.
While Critical Care is a romance, and is primarily about the two lead characters, two of the other nurses get a lot of lines, and since this is the first book in a series, I'd guess that the next two will be about them.
I enjoyed Critical Care. There was nothing terribly original about it, but it was a light, fun read; the perfect way to veg out
Critical Care is primarily a romance novel. Her name is Claire and she is a nurse-educator who used to be an ER nurse. Her nurse-educator credentials are newly-minted, compliments of an inheritance from her brother, a firefighter who died in the ER where she was working. Needless to say, she wants no part of ER work and charts a career course as far away from it as possible. His name is Logan and he is the doctor in charge of the ER. They meet when she is called to the ER to do crisis intervention with the staff after a daycare explosion. He doesn't believe in counselling and all that touchy-feely stuff. They are attracted to each other nevertheless. Like many of those old nurse novels I used to read, he is demanding and hard to work for--but it is because of his deep care for his patients.
Critical Care is Christian fiction. I'd say it follows the typical Christian fiction romance model of at least one of the characters having to find God before they can live happily ever after. I'm also pleased to say the book has a definite pro-life message.
While Critical Care is a romance, and is primarily about the two lead characters, two of the other nurses get a lot of lines, and since this is the first book in a series, I'd guess that the next two will be about them.
I enjoyed Critical Care. There was nothing terribly original about it, but it was a light, fun read; the perfect way to veg out
October 30, 2017
Yes, there was a little more kissing in this book than I normally like. However, I am always blessed with time messages in Calvert's books, as well as her broken people. Without being crude, rude, or crass, she delves into real people with real issues. Life isn't always pretty, and even those who have good lives have real pain. Yet, in each of her books, God is there for the characters. I look forward to reading more by this author.
July 17, 2017
After watching her brother die in the ER Claire has no desire to ever work in the ER again. She tried, but it was too soon and an uncaring doctor called her a "weak link" and now that has crippled Claire for ER work.
Logan, Dr. McSnarly to the nurses, has no patience for nurses who can't keep it together on the job. Logan has no need for God in his life. After all, God refused to answer his prayers as a child so why should he need him now? The only problem is that Logan is miserable. He has run off almost every ER nurse he has worked with because of his harsh attitude, his marriage ended in divorce, he has the reputation of being uncaring, and he has no need for counciling that the hospital offers after a tragedy hits.
Claire is brought in to assess the ER staff after a particularly gruelling day in the ER. When she meets Logan the sparks fly! Claire sees a side of Logan that he has never shown at the hospital. Will they both learn that God's plans are so much better than theirs?
Like Claire, at first I didn't care for Logan! But also like Claire he grew on me! I loved his more vulnerable side and I definitely loved the peeks of humanity and caring that he showed to his patients in the hospital. The spiritual aspects of the book were also well done. Claire and Logan's different struggles with God and how He helped them overcome those struggles were definitely true to life experiences. I liked the secondary characters in the story as well. We read Erin's story in the next book DISASTER STATUS, which I read years ago so may have to read again! The ER activity was exciting and the romance between Logan and Claire was sweet. I enjoyed CRITICAL CARE. If you are a fan of medical romance stories then this will suit you perfectly!
Logan, Dr. McSnarly to the nurses, has no patience for nurses who can't keep it together on the job. Logan has no need for God in his life. After all, God refused to answer his prayers as a child so why should he need him now? The only problem is that Logan is miserable. He has run off almost every ER nurse he has worked with because of his harsh attitude, his marriage ended in divorce, he has the reputation of being uncaring, and he has no need for counciling that the hospital offers after a tragedy hits.
Claire is brought in to assess the ER staff after a particularly gruelling day in the ER. When she meets Logan the sparks fly! Claire sees a side of Logan that he has never shown at the hospital. Will they both learn that God's plans are so much better than theirs?
Like Claire, at first I didn't care for Logan! But also like Claire he grew on me! I loved his more vulnerable side and I definitely loved the peeks of humanity and caring that he showed to his patients in the hospital. The spiritual aspects of the book were also well done. Claire and Logan's different struggles with God and how He helped them overcome those struggles were definitely true to life experiences. I liked the secondary characters in the story as well. We read Erin's story in the next book DISASTER STATUS, which I read years ago so may have to read again! The ER activity was exciting and the romance between Logan and Claire was sweet. I enjoyed CRITICAL CARE. If you are a fan of medical romance stories then this will suit you perfectly!
June 23, 2018
3.75 Stars!
June 21, 2010
There are three relative-milieu perspectives in which you often find stories set.
First, there’s the inside-looking-out view. At the risk of sounding self-serving, I’ll use my own Ben Amittai: First Call as an example. The hero—the prophet Jonah—is viewing the outside world from inside his unique perspective as a prophet called of God. He sees the effects of his calling—his milieu, if you will—on those around him who are not part of that calling, but are touched by it.
Second, there’s the view from the outside looking in. TL Hines’ Waking Lazarus has an interesting twist on this perspective as our hero, Jude Allman, has forced himself outside his milieu, denying his calling, and looking in only as his gift is forced upon him.
Finally, there’s the inside-looking-in view.* Candace Calvert has excelled in this perspective in Critical Care. Here we see the inside workings of a trauma team operating within the milieu of an emergency room, and we see the effects of the ER on the actors living and working within it. What do I mean? Oh, okay, enough of the esoteric stuff. Here’s the scoop:
Doctor Logan Calvert is the hard-nosed ER director at Sierra Mercy Hospital. The good doctor’s utmost motivation is the wellbeing of his patients. “Good,” you say. Well, in his drive for perfection, he goes through ER nurses like a hot knife through soft butter. If they aren’t the crème of the crop, they’re history. No questions asked, no answers offered. Oh, and he has a hidden trauma in his past that defines his drive.
Nurse Claire Avery is attached to the education department of the hospital. Her counseling task: to “heal the healers” who day in and day out, psychologically deal with the trauma they encounter in different ways—and not always gracefully. Oh, and she has a hidden trauma in her past that defines her drive.
ER Nurse Sarah Burke is an overachiever. Excessively efficient, she is driven by her self-imposed commitment never to let Dr. Caldwell down. Oh, and—yes, you guessed it—she has a hidden trauma in her past that defines her drive.
ER Nurse Erin Qinn is the nurse-in-charge of the ER nurses. She is competent, caring, and caught in the middle between the iron-fisted Dr. Caldwell and her own nursing staff. Hidden trauma? I’ll let you decide.
In short, if I were unfortunate enough to end up in an ER, this is the team I’d want working on me.
All of these drives at times complement, at times collide. Conflict, the grit of reality in the ER and, of course, unexpected romance combine to make this a fast-paced novel that challenges your mind, your heart, and your faith all at the same time. Ms. Calvert—a former ER nurse herself—delivers a tightly-written tale that sends you to the peak of contentment on one page, then into the valley of frustration on the next; kind of like, well, life in an emergency room. Her command of the intricacies of the ER and the pressures it imposes on those who work there permeate her story as the ER team handles one crisis after another. Come to think of it, I wouldn’t mind Ms. Calvert being on that trauma team either…
If you like ER and Grey’s Anatomy, but yearn for a clear Christian motivation in the mix, Critical Care is your book.
* No, I didn’t forget the outside-looking-out. The milieu of the story is the “in” and there would be no setting for the story if there were no “in.” Nice try. :-)
First, there’s the inside-looking-out view. At the risk of sounding self-serving, I’ll use my own Ben Amittai: First Call as an example. The hero—the prophet Jonah—is viewing the outside world from inside his unique perspective as a prophet called of God. He sees the effects of his calling—his milieu, if you will—on those around him who are not part of that calling, but are touched by it.
Second, there’s the view from the outside looking in. TL Hines’ Waking Lazarus has an interesting twist on this perspective as our hero, Jude Allman, has forced himself outside his milieu, denying his calling, and looking in only as his gift is forced upon him.
Finally, there’s the inside-looking-in view.* Candace Calvert has excelled in this perspective in Critical Care. Here we see the inside workings of a trauma team operating within the milieu of an emergency room, and we see the effects of the ER on the actors living and working within it. What do I mean? Oh, okay, enough of the esoteric stuff. Here’s the scoop:
Doctor Logan Calvert is the hard-nosed ER director at Sierra Mercy Hospital. The good doctor’s utmost motivation is the wellbeing of his patients. “Good,” you say. Well, in his drive for perfection, he goes through ER nurses like a hot knife through soft butter. If they aren’t the crème of the crop, they’re history. No questions asked, no answers offered. Oh, and he has a hidden trauma in his past that defines his drive.
Nurse Claire Avery is attached to the education department of the hospital. Her counseling task: to “heal the healers” who day in and day out, psychologically deal with the trauma they encounter in different ways—and not always gracefully. Oh, and she has a hidden trauma in her past that defines her drive.
ER Nurse Sarah Burke is an overachiever. Excessively efficient, she is driven by her self-imposed commitment never to let Dr. Caldwell down. Oh, and—yes, you guessed it—she has a hidden trauma in her past that defines her drive.
ER Nurse Erin Qinn is the nurse-in-charge of the ER nurses. She is competent, caring, and caught in the middle between the iron-fisted Dr. Caldwell and her own nursing staff. Hidden trauma? I’ll let you decide.
In short, if I were unfortunate enough to end up in an ER, this is the team I’d want working on me.
All of these drives at times complement, at times collide. Conflict, the grit of reality in the ER and, of course, unexpected romance combine to make this a fast-paced novel that challenges your mind, your heart, and your faith all at the same time. Ms. Calvert—a former ER nurse herself—delivers a tightly-written tale that sends you to the peak of contentment on one page, then into the valley of frustration on the next; kind of like, well, life in an emergency room. Her command of the intricacies of the ER and the pressures it imposes on those who work there permeate her story as the ER team handles one crisis after another. Come to think of it, I wouldn’t mind Ms. Calvert being on that trauma team either…
If you like ER and Grey’s Anatomy, but yearn for a clear Christian motivation in the mix, Critical Care is your book.
* No, I didn’t forget the outside-looking-out. The milieu of the story is the “in” and there would be no setting for the story if there were no “in.” Nice try. :-)
November 27, 2011
Critical Care was the first novel I have ever read by Calvert. I had never heard of her, but I read her book on a recommendation from Amazon, as they were having a freebie sale on her novel. I also enjoyed this novel as well. It is a Christian fiction book about an RN recovering from a tragedy of working in the ER when her brother (a firefighter) dies. As an RN myself, I have to say that this was the first from many novels (and TV shows for that matter) about medical issues that I enjoyed. Having a nurses education makes me a cynic when it comes to medical dramas, because my eyes automatically catch the mistakes. I cannot focus on the story because I am too busy saying to myself, "Well, THAT'S not what really happens." "Yeah right, doctors NEVER do that." But this novel was fairly accurate when it came to medicine, so I had time to enjoy the storyline. Though predictable, the story was a fun read that did deal with difficult issues. I thought the author handled death, dying, and stress issues very well, both with making them apparent but not the center of the novel. Having spent a semester in a Pediatric ED, I have seen the stressors on the employees who deal with death everyday. I agree with the general message of the novel both on a personal and general level. Those who work in such a field that deals with the life-and-death issues need to have a way to deal with them. Because the novel was a Christian fiction, the focus is on a faith centered orientation. On a personal level, I understand that it is important to deal with those issues, and one way is to know that Someone greater is in control. And that I can work my hardest and do my best, but at the end of the day, it is His decision. From a general perspective, some type of stress relief in all walks of life is important.
And on a different note (not on that tangent), I will summarize that this novel was again, a good summer read, perfect for a read-a-thon. It was a quick read, and again, I stayed up later than I should have trying to finish it. I only had one major pet-peeve with the writing. You can tell from the writing that this novel is meant for a series, because there were several other characters with problems other than the main ones and several parts of the novel were focused around those. I would say that, personally, there were too many perspectives brought in. I would have enjoyed it a little more if less of the story was told from the different characters. Instead, I would have written it by presenting the background stories through conversations and observations of others instead of basing several pages developing the other characters through their perspectives.
All in all, I enjoyed it as a good summer read. I would have given it a 3.5 stars, but alas, no 1/2 stars....
And on a different note (not on that tangent), I will summarize that this novel was again, a good summer read, perfect for a read-a-thon. It was a quick read, and again, I stayed up later than I should have trying to finish it. I only had one major pet-peeve with the writing. You can tell from the writing that this novel is meant for a series, because there were several other characters with problems other than the main ones and several parts of the novel were focused around those. I would say that, personally, there were too many perspectives brought in. I would have enjoyed it a little more if less of the story was told from the different characters. Instead, I would have written it by presenting the background stories through conversations and observations of others instead of basing several pages developing the other characters through their perspectives.
All in all, I enjoyed it as a good summer read. I would have given it a 3.5 stars, but alas, no 1/2 stars....
January 23, 2016
CRITICAL CARE is the first book I've read from Candace Calvert. And though it is written with the typical opposites attract storyline, it still made for an enjoyable read.
With the main setting being an ER room at a hospital, we watch as Claire Avery, a nurse educator, deals with the trauma that plagues her past, and has driven her from the hospital she once worked at. We also watch as she deals with developing feelings for Dr. Logan Caldwell, a man that is so single-minded, he sees no need for the counseling she wants to provide his staff after a tragic daycare center explosion.
Claire has tragedies of her own. She has left the hospital she once worked at as an ER nurse, when her brother, a firefighter is brought in and she is unable to save him. Changing gears, she decides to become a nurse educator and relocates to a new hospital, hoping for a new start. Unfortunately, she buts heads with Dr. Caldwell, and his unsympathetic ways. Not wanting his negative attitude to derail her, she continues to meet with staff members and offers them the counseling they need despite his pessimistic comments.
When the ER becomes shorthanded, Claire is called upon to fill in. Dealing with her anxieties while working with patients, she knows she can never go back to the stress and fear of working an ER. It is more than she can handle. But, the more she is around Dr. Caldwell, the more she feels an attraction for him. He also feels an attraction for Claire and tries to get to know her on a more personal level. When Claire learns that Logan is dealing with his own heartbreak, she begins to see a softer, more personable side to him.
Overcoming past fears, past relationship, and the feeling of loss, Claire and Logan venture into new territory as they both decide to understand each other better and grow their relationship on their shared passion of saving people.
With the main setting being an ER room at a hospital, we watch as Claire Avery, a nurse educator, deals with the trauma that plagues her past, and has driven her from the hospital she once worked at. We also watch as she deals with developing feelings for Dr. Logan Caldwell, a man that is so single-minded, he sees no need for the counseling she wants to provide his staff after a tragic daycare center explosion.
Claire has tragedies of her own. She has left the hospital she once worked at as an ER nurse, when her brother, a firefighter is brought in and she is unable to save him. Changing gears, she decides to become a nurse educator and relocates to a new hospital, hoping for a new start. Unfortunately, she buts heads with Dr. Caldwell, and his unsympathetic ways. Not wanting his negative attitude to derail her, she continues to meet with staff members and offers them the counseling they need despite his pessimistic comments.
When the ER becomes shorthanded, Claire is called upon to fill in. Dealing with her anxieties while working with patients, she knows she can never go back to the stress and fear of working an ER. It is more than she can handle. But, the more she is around Dr. Caldwell, the more she feels an attraction for him. He also feels an attraction for Claire and tries to get to know her on a more personal level. When Claire learns that Logan is dealing with his own heartbreak, she begins to see a softer, more personable side to him.
Overcoming past fears, past relationship, and the feeling of loss, Claire and Logan venture into new territory as they both decide to understand each other better and grow their relationship on their shared passion of saving people.
March 9, 2013
This story drew me right in. It’s about a team of one doctor, and many nurses that work in a hospital E.R. In this story, you feel the personal battles each one is facing, the battles they have faced, and the dreams they have. Logan is the doctor. He is known as been hard, he only wants the best in his team. He carry’s the responsibility of every life that comes though those doors. He knows about loss, but knows he can’t focus on the loss, he has to soldier though each day. He strives to offer only the best care for each patient. Claire is still traumatized from the night she was working as an E.R. nurse the night her brother who was a firefighter came in from a accident that happened. Sara who is strong as nails is battling a loss. She lives on diet coke, and checks and double checks supply’s knowing life’s depend on her doing her job. You will be drawn to each character in the book. It is an emotional story about people that live to help others while they too are facing battles of their own.
Below is a sample of the beautiful scene the author paints for the readers to enjoy:
“mm-hmm,” Logan answered, slipping an arm around her shoulders and returning to the view. Daffodil Hill, Three hundred thousand fluted blooms dancing in the breeze, lifting their buttery faces to be kissed pink by the setting sun. A few yards away, the last straggling picnickers loaded baskets and blankets into cars parked along the rural roadside, one of the children tossing chips to a ragtag clutch of chickens.
Below is a sample of the beautiful scene the author paints for the readers to enjoy:
“mm-hmm,” Logan answered, slipping an arm around her shoulders and returning to the view. Daffodil Hill, Three hundred thousand fluted blooms dancing in the breeze, lifting their buttery faces to be kissed pink by the setting sun. A few yards away, the last straggling picnickers loaded baskets and blankets into cars parked along the rural roadside, one of the children tossing chips to a ragtag clutch of chickens.
June 24, 2009
Christian ER/Grey's Anatomy, without the sex and with McSnarly instead of McDreamy.
Claire Avery leaves ER nursing after her brother dies in the trauma room, on her watch. Wanting to make a fresh start she finds a position in a small hospital, focusing on nursing education and stress counseling, rather than ER nursing. As she works to find her place among the staff, she finds herself clashing with Logan Caldwell, the ER doctor. Logan doesn't like counseling or soft staff. He's tough and focused and expects the same from his nursing staff. When staffing issues force Claire back into the ER, she finds herself both at odds with Logan and drawn to him at the same time.
From my limited medical understanding, I found the ER setting realistic and believable. The story shifts between Claire and Logan and two other nurses on the ER staff. Predictably, all of their stories wrap up neatly at the end. As with most Christian fiction, at least one person must reestablish their faith in God before the anticipated happy ending. Themes of abortion and SIDS are explored, as well as divorce and forgiveness.
An easy, light read. Perfect for an afternoon of escape. I look forward to reading the rest of the series.
Claire Avery leaves ER nursing after her brother dies in the trauma room, on her watch. Wanting to make a fresh start she finds a position in a small hospital, focusing on nursing education and stress counseling, rather than ER nursing. As she works to find her place among the staff, she finds herself clashing with Logan Caldwell, the ER doctor. Logan doesn't like counseling or soft staff. He's tough and focused and expects the same from his nursing staff. When staffing issues force Claire back into the ER, she finds herself both at odds with Logan and drawn to him at the same time.
From my limited medical understanding, I found the ER setting realistic and believable. The story shifts between Claire and Logan and two other nurses on the ER staff. Predictably, all of their stories wrap up neatly at the end. As with most Christian fiction, at least one person must reestablish their faith in God before the anticipated happy ending. Themes of abortion and SIDS are explored, as well as divorce and forgiveness.
An easy, light read. Perfect for an afternoon of escape. I look forward to reading the rest of the series.
August 30, 2009
Debut author, Candace Calvert, has accomplished something unique and wonderful with the start of her Mercy Hospital Series. "Critical Care" introduces us to a wonderful cast that I'm hopeful to see again and again in future books. Logan is the doctor in charge of the ER at Mercy and is known for being hard on nurses, to the point of making them quit. Erin is the head nurse who runs the nurses like a pro, but can't seem to get her love life to get in line like it should. Sarah is the reliable nurse that works extra, extra shifts and is always early because she doesn't want to let Logan down - but is her personal life falling apart? Into the middle of this mix in the ER we find Claire thrust because a huge daycare tragedy has occurred and they need her help with evaluating whether the staff is handling what they dealt with. The only problem is that Claire, who used to be an ER nurse, had trauma of her own and now avoids the ER like the plague. Can these four broken, hurting healers heal themselves? This venture into the ER is sure a riveting way to find out. I am looking forward to our next venture to Mercy Hospital!
June 7, 2013
Critical Care by Candace Calvert
It took one night for nurse Claire Avery's life to change. She was on duty in the ER the night her brother was brought in. After his death she leaves for a new hospital and a new position that keeps her as far from the ER as possible. Her life is ER free until the day there is an explosion at a daycare center. The ER needs hands and Claire's are skilled. She's asked to return to the ER and her life isn't ever the same.
Dr. Logan Caldwell is feared and revered. The hospital staff respects his skills but his manner keeps them on their toes. He doesn't accept anything less than perfection and Claire is about to put her rusty skills to the test. She survives a shift in the vicinity of Logan but then goes toe-to-toe with him as she fights for counseling for the staff after the horrors they saw. Logan doesn't feel the same as Claire does about talking about feelings.
Again Calvert brings about the drama of the ER with the human doctors and nurses that carry the burden of saving lives and even losing lives.
It took one night for nurse Claire Avery's life to change. She was on duty in the ER the night her brother was brought in. After his death she leaves for a new hospital and a new position that keeps her as far from the ER as possible. Her life is ER free until the day there is an explosion at a daycare center. The ER needs hands and Claire's are skilled. She's asked to return to the ER and her life isn't ever the same.
Dr. Logan Caldwell is feared and revered. The hospital staff respects his skills but his manner keeps them on their toes. He doesn't accept anything less than perfection and Claire is about to put her rusty skills to the test. She survives a shift in the vicinity of Logan but then goes toe-to-toe with him as she fights for counseling for the staff after the horrors they saw. Logan doesn't feel the same as Claire does about talking about feelings.
Again Calvert brings about the drama of the ER with the human doctors and nurses that carry the burden of saving lives and even losing lives.
June 22, 2010
My mom had the first two books in this series and after the intense read that my last book was, I was looking for something light. This book was OK, but reminded me more of the sappy series of teen hospital romances that I read a couple weeks ago than I would have cared for. Part of it is that these books are Christian fiction, so the author doesn't stray into any grey areas that can add thrill to a book.
I felt the characters were well developed, though I had trouble deciding whether I would like the nurse who was the main character becaue she was an educator and not necessarily a clinician. Overall, I found myself wishing for more time focused on the events in the hospital and less on the relationships outside, and I found the ending to be rather predictable.
I felt the characters were well developed, though I had trouble deciding whether I would like the nurse who was the main character becaue she was an educator and not necessarily a clinician. Overall, I found myself wishing for more time focused on the events in the hospital and less on the relationships outside, and I found the ending to be rather predictable.
May 25, 2009
Critical Care was an enjoyable read. It reminded me of a cross between a Trixie Belden book and an episode of ER. It has the innocence of Trixie Belden but the romance, medicine and trauma of ER without the bedhopping.
The story focused mostly on Claire (a nurse brought into the ER during a tragedy to heal the healers) and Logan's (a doc with an attitude) relationship as they get to know one another and each finds emotional healing. I am looking forward to reading more books in this series and seeing how the author develops other characters.
The story focused mostly on Claire (a nurse brought into the ER during a tragedy to heal the healers) and Logan's (a doc with an attitude) relationship as they get to know one another and each finds emotional healing. I am looking forward to reading more books in this series and seeing how the author develops other characters.
December 31, 2009
I would like to give this book 3 1/2 stars. It was very enjoyable reading, though somewhat predictable. It was easy reading, and I didn't want to put it down. The characters are believable because they're human, thus fallible. I enjoyed the romance between Claire and the Medical Director. The director was crusty on the outside and sentimental, romantic on the inside. Claire was tentative of this bold doctor and of any relationships. I found myself cheering Claire on as she faced and overcame her fears.
Thumbs up!
Thumbs up!
November 26, 2011
Like some other reviewers said before, this is kind of an ER/ Grey's Anatomy with a Christian twist. I didn't dislike the story, but there was something lacking. I enjoyed the development of the romance, even if somewhat predictable. The nursing aspect was good, but it did feel a little like reading an episode of ER, and I wasn't too crazy about the spiritual developement. I think the Mark of the Lion series by Francine Rivers ruined any other Christian romance for me.
December 23, 2012
I read this book in no time at all, only a few hours. A Christian book, I don't usually read this genre, but got along okay with this one. The characters were traditional, got tired of the heroine wimping out over the ER and thought she should have pulled herself together after two years of mourning her brother. She should have received counselling somewhere along the line. The male hero is traditional of course, and suitably gorgeous.
Liked the cat, who is the sanest of the lot of them!
Liked the cat, who is the sanest of the lot of them!
January 19, 2016
Any books with a medical setting is a plus for me, I was excited to dive into this expecting intense medical trauma scenes,
Medical jargons mentioned in this book are minimal, it will not be a problem to readers unfamiliar to follow along the story.
While it's not the very best book I have read, it was a good enjoyable read nonetheless, I do recommend it to romance lovers (the theme is romance rather than medical issues, with the main characters pining for each other)
Medical jargons mentioned in this book are minimal, it will not be a problem to readers unfamiliar to follow along the story.
While it's not the very best book I have read, it was a good enjoyable read nonetheless, I do recommend it to romance lovers (the theme is romance rather than medical issues, with the main characters pining for each other)
February 23, 2011
Free from Amazon for my Kindle. This one was a romance (no suspense or mystery) set in a hospital, specifically the emergency room. Very light and easy read, predictable with a good outcome. This one was Christian fiction, as well, so it had a ribbon of faith running through it. Those are always my favorite, light or not :)
February 18, 2011
Not part of the plan. That seemed to be a central theme for Claire. This was a good read. I enjoyed the characters, each one of them added a key component to the story. The dialog and situations were real and intriguing. It is definitely a feel good story.
March 3, 2011
This was a free download on amazon. It was a decent read. Especially since it was free. I won't read the sequel unless perhaps it's a free download one week. It was kinda slow going and I'm not down with the fact it took dude so long to realize he was going to make it work with the chick.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 159 reviews