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Frontier Doctor Trilogy #2
Beloved Physician
They say, “I do,” and only death shall part them. Back from their honeymoon, Dr. Dane and Tharyn Logan eagerly assume the reins of the medical practice in a small Colorado mining community. Dane’s selfless heroism quickly earns him a fine reputation among the townsfolk. But the hardship and danger of the West strike home when a band of renegade Utes captures Thayrn’s dear friend Melinda. Will hope survive after Melinda’s friends and fiancé have given her up for dead?
Story Behind the Book
When the challenge of the Western frontier began luring men and women westward from the eastern, northern, southern, and midwestern states in the mid-nineteenth century, they found a land that was beyond what they had imagined. Wherever they settled, from the wide Missouri River to the white-foamed shores of the Pacific Ocean, they clung to the hope of a bright new beginning for their lives. Often their hopes were dashed by fierce opposition from the Indians who had inhabited the land long before them. At times there was also struggle for survival against the hard winters and the loneliness of the vast frontier.
Story Behind the Book
When the challenge of the Western frontier began luring men and women westward from the eastern, northern, southern, and midwestern states in the mid-nineteenth century, they found a land that was beyond what they had imagined. Wherever they settled, from the wide Missouri River to the white-foamed shores of the Pacific Ocean, they clung to the hope of a bright new beginning for their lives. Often their hopes were dashed by fierce opposition from the Indians who had inhabited the land long before them. At times there was also struggle for survival against the hard winters and the loneliness of the vast frontier.
301 pages, Paperback
First published May 5, 2004
About the author
Al Lacy
113 books96 followersAl Lacy has written more than ninety novels, including the Angel of Mercy, Battles of Destiny, and Journeys of the Stranger series. He and his wife, JoAnna Lacy, are coauthors of the Mail Order Bride, Hannah of Fort Bridger, and Shadow of Liberty series. The Lacys make their home in the Colorado Rockies.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
June 6, 2023
I did not like this book. The constant use of a character's full name became quite tedious. I felt like I was reading a book report that was missing descriptive detail.
It seems that the author's intention was to give the plan of salvation rather than write a story about "the hardship and danger of the West". I know that it's important to share the good news of the Gospel whenever possible but it was overdone in this book. In my opinion it could have been a smaller part of the story which would have had the same impact while not making the reader feel like that was the true focus of the book. The Bible tells us to share the Good News, not make it the only thing we talk to others about.
This story could have used more action sequences (like Melinda's kidnapping) to make it interesting. Had the action at the end of the book been a larger part of the story my review might have been a little better. I do not recommend this book.
It seems that the author's intention was to give the plan of salvation rather than write a story about "the hardship and danger of the West". I know that it's important to share the good news of the Gospel whenever possible but it was overdone in this book. In my opinion it could have been a smaller part of the story which would have had the same impact while not making the reader feel like that was the true focus of the book. The Bible tells us to share the Good News, not make it the only thing we talk to others about.
This story could have used more action sequences (like Melinda's kidnapping) to make it interesting. Had the action at the end of the book been a larger part of the story my review might have been a little better. I do not recommend this book.
April 25, 2022
This book was alright..!
Not as good as the first one in the series.
The first one had meaning and suspense not only for the bad guys, but for Dane and Tharyn meeting + confessing their mutual love.
You’ve GOT to read the first one in the series though for this to really be good.
It’s nice seeing the continuation of Dr Dane’s job and the beginning of his life with Thayrn!
So far, the first two books in this series have been very repetitive with “hip replacement!”, “Dr Frazer and Nadine will take over as doctors when we need rest/have to go out of town”, and Dane just magically happening to be on the scene already when someone is shot in the torso. 😂 it’s annoying.
This book (and book 1) is super preachy. Sometimes there’ll just be two pages or more of scriptures and someone converting people to Christ. Don’t get me wrong, I’m all for Jesus, but it’s like every book 2-5 people are getting saved and they write a lot about it. Like I said, it’s just preachy.
ALSO: whenever Dane and Tharyn bring some people to Christ, they go allllll over town and tell every single person they meet, that now those people are Christians... then you have everyone rushing to the new Christians to congratulate them on choosing Christ. Like, it’s their business, AND you don’t want to spread the word soooo much and overwhelm the new believers. They may be annoyed and want to stop believing. (If people hate Jesus because of YOU, that’s bad) you don’t want to drive someone away from Christ.
I was NOT expecting Greg’s death. I even cried when he died! He didn’t deserve that at all. I suppose it made perfect sense for the story line... so that Cassandra would get even more money greedy and then go on to fake her own back lashes to try to blame it on Greg’s father (so that she could sue him and get some of his money).. but still, I can’t believe Greg died.
I also was shocked to learn that Cassandra fell from her bedroom window while trying to sneak out and died! DAMN! Hahaha the authors were like, “well, there isn’t enough time to make some important message about Christ with her as the example... turning to Christ after all the talk about her atheism... so let’s just kill her!” LIKE WHAT THE HECK! What was the point of even having her in the story?
And then after she was found dead Cassandra’s aunt just said, “well, Cassandra, now you know there is a God”
That was so, like, dark! Morbid a little.
The ending was alright! It’s a cliff hanger for the next book in the series!
“Melinda? MELINDA?! YOURE ALIVE?!”
I’m excited for the next one in the series. Hopefully it’s a little better than this book and there’s more about Dane and Tharyn, and not just a bunch of random people (like Cassandra’s story that was thrown in for no reason other than to just be a filler).
Not as good as the first one in the series.
The first one had meaning and suspense not only for the bad guys, but for Dane and Tharyn meeting + confessing their mutual love.
You’ve GOT to read the first one in the series though for this to really be good.
It’s nice seeing the continuation of Dr Dane’s job and the beginning of his life with Thayrn!
So far, the first two books in this series have been very repetitive with “hip replacement!”, “Dr Frazer and Nadine will take over as doctors when we need rest/have to go out of town”, and Dane just magically happening to be on the scene already when someone is shot in the torso. 😂 it’s annoying.
This book (and book 1) is super preachy. Sometimes there’ll just be two pages or more of scriptures and someone converting people to Christ. Don’t get me wrong, I’m all for Jesus, but it’s like every book 2-5 people are getting saved and they write a lot about it. Like I said, it’s just preachy.
ALSO: whenever Dane and Tharyn bring some people to Christ, they go allllll over town and tell every single person they meet, that now those people are Christians... then you have everyone rushing to the new Christians to congratulate them on choosing Christ. Like, it’s their business, AND you don’t want to spread the word soooo much and overwhelm the new believers. They may be annoyed and want to stop believing. (If people hate Jesus because of YOU, that’s bad) you don’t want to drive someone away from Christ.
I was NOT expecting Greg’s death. I even cried when he died! He didn’t deserve that at all. I suppose it made perfect sense for the story line... so that Cassandra would get even more money greedy and then go on to fake her own back lashes to try to blame it on Greg’s father (so that she could sue him and get some of his money).. but still, I can’t believe Greg died.
I also was shocked to learn that Cassandra fell from her bedroom window while trying to sneak out and died! DAMN! Hahaha the authors were like, “well, there isn’t enough time to make some important message about Christ with her as the example... turning to Christ after all the talk about her atheism... so let’s just kill her!” LIKE WHAT THE HECK! What was the point of even having her in the story?
And then after she was found dead Cassandra’s aunt just said, “well, Cassandra, now you know there is a God”
That was so, like, dark! Morbid a little.
The ending was alright! It’s a cliff hanger for the next book in the series!
“Melinda? MELINDA?! YOURE ALIVE?!”
I’m excited for the next one in the series. Hopefully it’s a little better than this book and there’s more about Dane and Tharyn, and not just a bunch of random people (like Cassandra’s story that was thrown in for no reason other than to just be a filler).
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 1, 2018
A good story but they preach too much. I doubt people talked about salvation in real life all the time in that time frame.
November 21, 2018
More of the story. Read the whole trilogy.
March 17, 2019
Dane and Tharyn’s practice is thriving as well as their marriage.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 20, 2025
Great read
August 31, 2026
Lots of inaccurate information on historical details hip surgeries? Cost of doctors visits.. characters are flat.
October 13, 2013
This story about a frontier doctor is a great one as far as the plot goes. Indian uprisings, being called out of the doctor's office to deal with emergencies, making house calls on patients, men being challenged to a duel, spiritual conversions, and people putting their own lives in danger in order to save someone else are some of the things that make the story interesting. Doctors practicing medicine in that environment were very commendable, and this novel really brought to life what frontier physicians and their patients went through. The main reason I gave it 3.5 stars is because of the writing style. Some sections were perfectly fine, but others were written in a very simple, and often too repetitive, style. Although clear and descriptive, the writing became somewhat stilted and unbelievable when people were being led to Christ or God was being discussed. It was worth reading, and I intend to read the final volume in the series.
August 17, 2011
Wow most fourth graders could have written this book better. It is sappy and lame. There isn't even plot worth speaking of--more like little vignettes, and lots of schmoopiness. The newlywed couple calls each other "Darling" 9 times in one page. That is just lazy writing. I once heard good writing described as such that the characers' dialogue and actions show you what they're about. This book just crappily tries to tell you and it is completely one dimensional as a result.
January 24, 2011
A Love Story, the Wild Wild West and Prayer in the same book, COOL! I started it last year but it got buried under a stack of books so I finished it. The husband/wife writing team does a good job telling their story and telling me I need to spend quality time in prayer also.
301 pages
301 pages
August 20, 2016
Another book that I read to Diana. We can't do much anymore after her stroke, so I read to her to spend time together. Diana has always loved to have someone to read to her - and I like to do just that.
July 7, 2016
I am enjoying this author!!! Another wonderful book that speaks of saving souls by bringing them to the blessed Jesus!!!
August 26, 2010
A continuation of the orphan boy who grew up to become a doctor
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews