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A. D. Lawrence

Teoksen The Purple Nightgown tekijä

3 teosta 37 jäsentä 15 arvostelua

Tekijän teokset

The Purple Nightgown (2021) 35 kappaletta
When the lioness roars (2012) 1 kappale

Merkitty avainsanalla

Yleistieto

Sukupuoli
female

Jäseniä

Kirja-arvosteluja

Stella Burke, heir to a clothing company and accompanying fortune left when her father died, suffers from near-daily debilitating migraines. When the latest suggested treatment doesn't work, she comes across a book called Fasting for the Cure of Disease by Linda Burfield Hazzard and then discovers that the doctor has a health spa not too far away. Desperate for anything to ease her pain, she insists that her family chauffeur take her to the spa. Henry is more than just her chauffeur, a close friend and confidante who has been part of her life since they were both kids. He doesn't trust the doctor's methods and definitely doesn't easily agree to take Stella to the spa. When the spa turns into a prison and Hazzard's methods prove even worse than Henry imagined, can Stella find a way to escape, or will she die alone as one of Hazzard's walking skeletons?

A solid entry to the True Colors series, which focuses on different true crimes from history, with real historical facts melded with fictional characters and situations. I liked it more than most of the others I've read in the series, mostly due to the fact that the crime part of the story was more a focal point than the romance. Though the two main characters' thoughts about how they feel about each other was brought up at a couple of random or wildly irrelevant times, it was not overly pervasive. Stella's struggles at the spa, with the treatment, with her uncertainty about whether or not she should stay, and then with her futile attempts to escape, were a well-written driving force.

Adding to that is a sub-plot with Henry and his dream to start a children's home, which gave the story somewhere to go to avoid a slow, plodding narrative of Stella wasting away. It also allowed a light in the darkness of Stella's story. I really liked the culmination of all of that at the end of the story. I also appreciated that we weren't expected to just accept that these two people liked each other simply because we were told they did. They fit together well, had a history, and even had flaws that the other had to be willing to accept.

If I hadn't known that this woman and her spa were historical fact, I would have had a difficult time believing anyone would go to her for treatments. But I think the author did a good job trying to imagine a scenario in which someone of sound mind would be desperate enough to place themselves in such danger for the hope of relief--not that the victims expected such danger when they checked into the spa. It had a few dark moments as Stella saw things she wasn't meant to see, the truth about what was going on at the spa; they didn't bother me, but it seems good to mention it for those who prefer to avoid dead bodies and other things related to that in their reading (it's a small amount, really).

There was a particular Chekov's gun-style "prop" that I really expected to come into play more near the end of the book. I'm not sure that's a fault of the author's, as the prop definitely had its uses, but I still expected something in the way of even a minor twist involving it. However, overall, I enjoyed the book. It's not too pushy in its inclusion of Christianity. Stella has to realize that she's not very good at being still and letting God be in control, but she really doesn't even come to the place where she "sits still" and turns to him until she's literally forced to not move for a while. It's a shallow theme of God's will being best, but it's there. I think anyone who enjoys clean romance, especially historical romance, and especially those who like crime or darker content in novels, will like this book.

Thank you to Netgalley and Barbour Publishing, Inc. for providing me a copy of this book to review.
… (lisätietoja)
 
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Kristi_D | 14 muuta kirja-arvostelua | Sep 22, 2023 |
I enjoy reading the books in the True Colors series and looked forward to reading this one. This book like the others in the series portrays actual events and people from the past while adding in characters who are either based on real people or ones fitting the time and circumstances.

. This story dealt with a doctor who convinces patients to fast. With a wealthy heiress who suffers from migraines, she seeks the care of the doctor. The sometimes grisly nature of this story may cause some people concern. So if you like real stories, check this book out for yourself

I received a complimentary copy of this book, but this in no way influenced my review. All opinions are my own.
… (lisätietoja)
 
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PattiPeanut1992 | 14 muuta kirja-arvostelua | Apr 6, 2021 |
The Purple Nightgown is fiction based on historical facts, and it is truly a disturbing story. Stella Burke and Henry Clayton are fictitious characters but Linda Hazzard and several of the other clients really existed. In the early 1900s, Hazzard operated a clinic (sanitarium) that promised good health. Her methods included fasting that were severe, inhumane, and bordering on torture. Worst of all, clients who entered her clinic were cut off from the world and they often didn't leave!

As I read this story, I found it hard to understand Hazzard's mindset but we know that evil has always existed and greed is often a contributing factor! The Purple Nightgown is A.D. Lawrence's debut novel and it's a great addition to the True Colors historical crime series. It is chilling but it's also a novel of hope and faith. I recommend it to all who enjoy historical Christian fiction.

I received a copy of this book from the author and publisher via Celebrate Lit. There was no obligation for a positive review.
… (lisätietoja)
 
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fcplcataloger | 14 muuta kirja-arvostelua | Apr 2, 2021 |
A.D. Lawrence is a girl after my own heart with her passionate interest in true crime, and I am so glad that her debut novel is part of Barbour’s True Colors series. From the time that I first heard about the series, I knew that I would read every book; it can be difficult, if not downright impossible, to find a Christian approach to this genre, which mollifies the otherwise horrifying details and adds hope. Even though the stories are fictional, their basis stems from historical American crimes, some perhaps more disturbing than others. In my opinion, “The Purple Nightgown” fits into the “more disturbing” category, although Lawrence handles it very well, balancing the story with a beautiful romance and life lessons.

Surprisingly, I was not familiar with this particular crime story prior to reading “The Purple Nightgown.” I will be completely honest and admit that if this was not part of the series, which can be read in any order since they each cover a different crime, I may not have picked it up. As someone with a history of negative medical encounters, this was a difficult story to read at times, but that testifies to how incredibly well Lawrence has translated the experiences of the characters to the reader. I felt a connection to Stella Burke, who suffers from nearly daily debilitating migraines, because I have had long periods of uncontrolled chronic migraine throughout my life, and I empathized with her desperation to be well and to make a difference. Her close friend and chauffeur, Henry Clayton, is my favorite character for his steadfast loyalty and devotion. Certain scenes are so beautifully evocative that I had tears in my eyes.

As for the Institute of Natural Therapeutics run by Linda Hazzard, it at first seems to stretch credulity to consider that people voluntarily submitted themselves to strict fasting regimens and tortuous treatments in order to achieve the promised perfect health. However, in some respects, not much has changed today, as people still search for the latest diet plan or take incalculable risks for the potential of improvement. Gaslighting, as we now call it, also continues to be a problem, contributing to an already burdened system. Perhaps the most shocking element is that Hazzard’s book, “Fasting for the Cure of Disease”, is available on Amazon in various formats, and the Kindle version is only $0.99! I definitely cannot recommend it.

Despite how full of premonitions the first half to two-thirds of “The Purple Nightgown” is, the last fifty or so pages proves to be nothing short of harrowing. The edge-of-your-seat suspense bears down as the forces of God and the enemy collide and Stella finds herself forced to “Stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which He will accomplish for you today…The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still” (Exodus 14:13,14). Stella is portrayed realistically, with the flaws of her wealthy upbringing as an only child, as is Henry, her opposite in status but a champion when it comes to helping others. Stella finally comes to the realization that “Though she’d chased her own pursuits, God hadn’t changed—His love hadn’t changed. He’d waited for her at the very spot she’d wandered away and welcomed her back with open arms as the father of the prodigal had his errant son.” The use of the color purple and the nightgown is inspired and significant throughout the story.

Recommended for those who enjoy true crime and who don’t mind some details thereof; while lacking anything graphic, there is necessary context within the story that may be disturbing to sensitive readers. The nickname of Linda Hazzard’s institute was Starvation Heights, after all.

I received a complimentary copy of this book through Celebrate Lit and was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are my own.
… (lisätietoja)
 
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Stardust_Fiddle | 14 muuta kirja-arvostelua | Mar 31, 2021 |

Tilastot

Teokset
3
Jäseniä
37
Suosituimmuussija
#390,572
Arvio (tähdet)
½ 4.5
Kirja-arvosteluja
15
ISBN:t
4