Carole's Sunday Review: Courage between love and death

Author: Joseph Pillitteri

Title: Courage Between Love and Death

Genre: Historical Fiction

Pages: ebook

Published: March 2018

Where I Got It: My shelf (Given to me by the author/publisher for my honest and unbiased opinion)

Elspeth has recently landed a nursing position at the 1901 Pan American Exposition Hospital in Buffalo, New York. This is a big boon for her, but things are not going as expected. She has to navigate mischievous patients, egotistical doctors, rival nurses and prejudices. For an Irish girl with a temper, this is no easy feat. Now President McKinley is coming to visit the Expo and everyone is in an uproar. On the home front, her life is no less hectic as she struggles to put food on the table and look out for her younger siblings.

When the unthinkable happens, it is a turnings point, not only for the medical industry and our country’s security, but also for Elspeth personally. With her career and reputation on the line, will she have the courage to overcome the challenges she faces to clear her name and continue to be there for the ones she loves?

The cover was what I caught my eye when I first saw this book. It really drew me in. Simple, but I adore it for some reason. 

The story was interesting too. It follows Elspeth and her family who are Irish and trying to make it in New York. She lands a nursing job that is more than what she thought it would be. She has to deal with jerk fellow nurses, egotistical doctors, weird patients, prejudices, and her own heart. Before things can settle, President McKinley comes to visit. Well, and this is no spoiler, he gets shot and now they have to try the nation's president. 

Elspeth was an interesting character. I really enjoyed reading and following her. All she wanted was to be able to feed her family and live in peace...maybe even marry. I liked her a lot and I adored her mom. Everyone else? No. Well, I lie, I did like President McKinley...he seemed like a sweet fellow. I did kind of like Gunner, but I didn't trust him a bit.

There was a lot of drama at the hospital and in her personal life. It was hard not to like her and want her to get everything and live in peace. There were some parts that seemed to drag on a bit, but overall I did enjoy the journey. I also liked how this really showed how primitive the medical industry was then. I still can't wrap my head around the fact how doctors refused to see how a clean tool is best. Even if they don't understand germs it just makes rational sense. Same with the bleeding. I'll never understand their view. 

In the end, this was a good read. Some spots that seemed to drag on, but overall, it was an interesting read. I'll give this 3 stars.