The Doctor Delivers

by Janice Macdonald

The Doctor Delivers by Janice Macdonald released on Apr 24, 2002 is available now for purchase.

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0373710607
• ISBN13: 9780373710607
• Release Date: May 2002
• Publisher: Harlequin Books
• Length: 299 Pages
• Weight: 0.33 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 4.2" x 6.6"

Customer Reviews

I loved this one!

THE DOCTOR DELIVERS by Janice Macdonald September 7, 2004 In THE DOCTOR DELIVERS, Janice MacDonald writes a story about a divorced woman with two children who finds herself falling in love with a doctor who is known as a ladies man, never wanting a commitment from any of the women he's been with. Catherine Prentice is a divorced mother of two young children, Julie and Peter, and is trying to make a living at Western Hospital in the public relations department. Her job is to help get good publicity for the hospital. Her big challenge at the moment is to convince Dr Martin Connaughton to take part in a press conference, but he's notorious for his hot temper and his lack of cooperation. And Catherine is not one to be very aggressive. Her boss Derek is not very happy at the way Catherine is handling the situation, and she's worried that her job is at stake. While Catherine has problems at work, she also has issues with her ex-husband, who happens to be married to her ex-best friend, Nadia. Gary, the ex-husband, does his best to intimidate Catherine and make her feel insecure as a mother and as an employee of the hospital. In his eyes nothing she does is right. It doesn't help when the kids come home from their visits with dad, filled with stories of how wonderful Gary and Nadia are, and all the things Peter and Julie get when they are out shopping. Catherine feels less than nothing as a parent, knowing that Gary is trying to make her think she cannot provide for them, yet she will not accept any help from anyone. She is doing this on her own. Dr Martin Connaughton works in the NICU at Western Hospital, and although he's known throughout as a man with a terribly hot temper, he's also known for being an excellent neonatal doctor. Martin has been married before, years ago when he was still living in Ireland. It's been five years since Sharon had died, and he has never really gotten over the tragedy. He keeps walls around him, making sure he never gets attached to any one woman. His life is his work. It is inevitable that Martin and Catherine meet, since it is Catherine's mission to convince Martin to be friendlier to the press. When they see each other at the hospital holiday party, they find that there is a spark between them, and Martin is ready to get to know Catherine better, despite the fact that it is her job at work to make him do something he repeatedly refuses to do. Something about her smile reminds him of someone, and then he realizes it is his beloved Sharon. He no longer wants to avoid Catherine, and wants to spend more time with her instead. When Martin delivers triplets on the Long Beach Freeway, he becomes a hero, and it is up to Catherine to make sure that Martin is available to the press for interviews. When the press finds out that one of the triplets may not make it out of the hospital alive, a controversy arises involving Martin and a surgeon who wants to perform a controversial type of surgery to save the infant's l

A heart-rendering drama -- Highly recommended

Twelve years of marriage provided Catherine Prentice the ideal career. She enjoyed raising her children and baking cakes. Divorce provided her with disillusionment and overwhelming challenges. Her husband married her one-time best friend, and now continuously underscores her inability to provide for her children financially. Still on probation for her new job in the hospital's public relations department, Catherine's job is on the line when Dr. Martin Connaughton refuses to go along with surgery on his newest patient. Martin is a rebel. He refuses to comply with hospital politics for the sake of publicity, especially when doing so is morally wrong. Five years ago his wife died when they were in Northern Ireland, and he has subsequently immersed himself in his work, building emotional walls that forbid entrance by other people. Yet somehow Catherine slips past his defenses, making him smile again. Then the chief of surgery recommends an operation for Martin's newest patient, and he cannot agree. His defiance risks his job and Catherine's as well. He also risks both of their hearts.Author Janice Macdonald creates a richly textured romance in THE DOCTOR DELIVERS. When politics and medicine collide, morals and ethical dilemmas create dynamic tension drawn from Macdonald's own experience in the public relations department of a large medical center. Her knowledge of neonatal care units likewise lends a touch of realism that brings her tale vividly alive. The emotional intensity of both primary and secondary characters results in a powerful, heart-rending drama. Heroine Catherine will especially score points with single mothers struggling with career, children, and finances. When she receives a letter from the bank regarding her overdrawn account, I could not help but empathize. Hero Martin's coldness exterior belies his overwhelming concern for his young patients, likewise endearing him to the reader. With crisp dialogue and wonderful characterizations, Macdonald delivers an excellent first novel that promises great things for her writing career. Highly recommended.