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Grace Medical #2
Rescue Team
Tired of running from her past, nurse Kate Callison intends to become Austin Grace Hospital's permanent ER director and make Texas her home. Despite staff friction, she's moving ahead. Then unthinkable tragedy wraps the ER in crime tape, bringing swarms of media, legal chaos--and a search-and-rescue hero who seems determined to meddle in her life. For Wes Tanner, nothing beats finding someone who's lost; he's known that helpless terror firsthand. So he'll expand his team's lifeline of hope: K9 tracking, swift water rescue, even horse-mounted searches. He's ready for anything--except Austin Grace's prickly and dismissive ER director. As Kate and Wes discover more about each other, new respect becomes something deeper. Kate wonders if her heart might have finally found a home. Then an unsolved missing persons case--and a startling new one--become catalysts that threaten the loss of all she and Wes have found.
384 pages, Paperback
First published April 1, 2013
163 people are currently reading
1394 people want to read
About the author
Candace Calvert
25 books494 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.”
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 169 reviews
May 22, 2018
I really like stories with rescue teams and medical things, however, this book just didn't do it for me. While I did like the story for the most part, I began to feel that something was missing. I couldn't quite figure it out until I stopped and really thought. Then I realized that though this is supposed to be a "Christian" book, there is seldom any mention of God. The only one who seems to read a Bible is the hero's stepmom. A few prayers when help was needed were mentioned and at the end two characters start praying. I also didn't like the fact that Wes Tanner, hero (really liked the guy for the most part), starts dating a woman who has rejected God. (He's supposed to be a Christian.) It never mentions him praying for her, or trying to help her spiritually. It seems that he's just attracted by her physical appearance and that she "needs rescued." There were a few times that God was mentioned when I found it hard to tell if the person was trying to pray, or cussing.
And the physical attraction between the two main characters had me reading really quickly to get past it. I won't even go into the kissing after only meeting a short time before, or the person taking a bath. (I prefer to stay out of a bathroom when someone is taking a bath.)
Another thing that annoyed me was all the "secret pasts" that the characters had. Does each character have to have a troubling past? The two main characters did, and the two sub-main characters (pretend that is such a thing) did, and two minor characters did. Thankfully the rest seemed to be just normal people.
All that said, I did enjoy the rescue parts, I liked the characters overall, and the ending was good. But I don't think I'll be reading the 3rd book in the series. At least not now.
And the physical attraction between the two main characters had me reading really quickly to get past it. I won't even go into the kissing after only meeting a short time before, or the person taking a bath. (I prefer to stay out of a bathroom when someone is taking a bath.)
Another thing that annoyed me was all the "secret pasts" that the characters had. Does each character have to have a troubling past? The two main characters did, and the two sub-main characters (pretend that is such a thing) did, and two minor characters did. Thankfully the rest seemed to be just normal people.
All that said, I did enjoy the rescue parts, I liked the characters overall, and the ending was good. But I don't think I'll be reading the 3rd book in the series. At least not now.
May 26, 2017
Rescue team is an interesting book about Kate Callison and Wes Tanner...well and a lot of peripheral stories. Kate Callison has taken the job previously owned by a woman named Sunni, who for all intents and purposes was the perfect boss for an ER. Her shoes are very hard for Kate to fill, and she knows it! Kate's style is very different. Nowhere near as warm and caring and personable as Sunni was. Compound that with lots of pain and raw emotions that Kate has been going through most of her life, and you have a person who's just not sure she can fit the bill. The story is about how she tries, to fit in, assisted by a couple of people who are on her side.
Lauren, the one person that she can consider a friend after several months of being on the job, and Wes Tanner work closely with her. He is a search and rescue coordinator, and love interest, who, by the way, Kate doesn't particularly like at the beginning.
Kate is hesitant to give of herself. She has a way of protecting her heart. When someone is interested in her she pushes them away. This is where Wes Tanner comes in. He seems to pursue her and Kate seems to be running.
Personally I felt sorry for Wes all the way through the book because he seems to be encouraged a little bit at a time as he makes inroads into Kate's heart, and then she pulls back. Very reserved at first, very cautious, but he breaks down her walls a little bit at a time until something happens that makes her go the opposite direction.
Meantime there are several subplots, one in particular about a young girl and her baby and something called Moses law, that allows young girls to give their babies to a hospital or fire station if they find being a mother too difficult. Several storylines revolve around babies or children being abandoned. Kate is caught up in the middle of this.
This was a pretty good story, but every evening as I settled into read it I kept forgetting what it was about. Generally this means I'm not that interested in the book. Nevertheless it was pretty good. The ending was great.
Lauren, the one person that she can consider a friend after several months of being on the job, and Wes Tanner work closely with her. He is a search and rescue coordinator, and love interest, who, by the way, Kate doesn't particularly like at the beginning.
Kate is hesitant to give of herself. She has a way of protecting her heart. When someone is interested in her she pushes them away. This is where Wes Tanner comes in. He seems to pursue her and Kate seems to be running.
Personally I felt sorry for Wes all the way through the book because he seems to be encouraged a little bit at a time as he makes inroads into Kate's heart, and then she pulls back. Very reserved at first, very cautious, but he breaks down her walls a little bit at a time until something happens that makes her go the opposite direction.
Meantime there are several subplots, one in particular about a young girl and her baby and something called Moses law, that allows young girls to give their babies to a hospital or fire station if they find being a mother too difficult. Several storylines revolve around babies or children being abandoned. Kate is caught up in the middle of this.
This was a pretty good story, but every evening as I settled into read it I kept forgetting what it was about. Generally this means I'm not that interested in the book. Nevertheless it was pretty good. The ending was great.
July 30, 2018
Maybe rtc
January 2, 2019
Medical dramas by Candace Calvert are exciting, accurate, and well-written. I truly felt I understood what it might be like to be a nurse or supervisor in a sometimes understaffed ER when life and death situations come your way constantly. The author used to be an ER nurse, so I'm sure that's one reason she makes it all feel so real. Rescue Team has characters you will love, a couple of characters you will not like at all, and at least one, Kate, I did not think I could stomach in the beginning but truly ended up liking in the end. If you are expecting a simple, sweet, Christian romance set in a hospital, you will find so much more: work relationships, post-traumatic stress, a murder mystery, and the ins and outs of a safe haven law. I highly recommend this book if you enjoy the medical field, and even if you don't, it's worth reading. I can hardly wait for the next installment.
September 30, 2023
At first I was super confused because even though I knew that we continue with Kate’s story in this book, it doesn’t tell us how long it’s been since the previous book and suddenly we’re following her in another city and another job without knowing how she got there and what has happened.
We then realize that it’s because Kate has always been running from her past and the mistakes that she’s made but I really liked seeing how she changes and learns to let God rescue her.
I liked the relationship between Kate and Wes even when Wes also had to go through some self examination and learn to forgive.
We then realize that it’s because Kate has always been running from her past and the mistakes that she’s made but I really liked seeing how she changes and learns to let God rescue her.
I liked the relationship between Kate and Wes even when Wes also had to go through some self examination and learn to forgive.
April 4, 2020
This book was a suspenseful combination of medical and rescue suspense. Sadly, however, it fell short of the first book for me. I think this was mainly because I spent most of the book disliking Kate, the main character, which also made the romance feel unrealistic. I kept asking myself “why is he interested in her?!” There were A LOT of side characters. I actually had to make a list so that I could keep track of who was who (close to 30!). But not all was unlikeable. I think something Candace Calvert does an excellent job with is character development. There was no shortage of that, and Kate was an admirable character by the end :). I also thought this book concluded well. It wound down gradually. A nice treat. I find so many books hit an eventful climax and drop off so quickly that I’m left feeling a little deprived. This one gave me time to enjoy a good conclusion.
May 27, 2017
Nice read. Heroine is haunted by decisions she made in the past, decisions she's been running from for years. Hero has his own ghosts haunting him. They don't want to be interested when they meet, but they can't stop it. It's a good, well-done read.
February 6, 2014
Search and rescue team captain, Wes Tanner was driven into the darkness as a little boy and left in the woods by his mother. That heart-pounding of a seven-year old motivates the man to keep looking, to keep pushing, to find the people who are lost. The safety of other people is his top priority, and is almost a complete 180 from the views of Kate Callison, the interim ER director for Grace Medical in Austin, TX. Her life is such that Kate is always running, from her emotions, from her father, from anything that will remind her of the mistakes she's made in the past. Wes and Kate meet through tragedy, and she is inevitably drawn to his quiet strength and his certainty that God watches over His creation. Her instincts are to push him away, but what Kate doesn't realize at first is that when she pushes Wes away, she's pushing God away, and He is the One she needs most to quiet her fears and give her a future and a hope.
I vaguely recall reading another of Ms. Calvert's books a few years back, possibly Code Triage, and found it to be excellent. I'm not usually one for medical dramas, despite all those episodes of Diagnosis Murder, but I find Ms. Calvert's writing to be clear-cut and straight-forward, with realistic characters, and genuine fears and problems that they face. Realism is the key to Ms. Calvert's fiction, a key that dragged me deeper into the story in the hopes of a resolution for poor Kate who has been through so much, and for Wes who still struggles with his mother's abandoning him. She makes me want to invest in these characters, care about them, and that isn't always an easy feat to accomplish.
What I liked most is how Christianity was so seamlessly incorporated into Rescue Team. Sometimes a novel gets preachy, even for me, but Ms. Calvert knows the line she needs to walk. This is about desperate and hurting people reaching the conclusion that God is the only One who can help them climb from their pit of despair and loneliness. The romance in this book is mostly terrific (more on that in a minute), but in the end, Wes couldn't save Kate. It had to be God, and I loved how she came to that conclusion not by his urging or pushing, but by God's gentle nudge in her spirit.
All right, as for the romance, I love Wes and really like Kate. However, I'm not one to condone missionary dating, which is sort of what Wes does, and like clockwork he falls in love before he knows where he is, with a woman who doesn't share his faith. At least, not right away. The relationship worked out in the end, but I also wonder at the many instances of missionary dating that don't have such a happy ending. Just something to ponder.
Overall, Rescue Team was an exciting, enjoyable, and remarkably quick read. Ms. Calvert has quite the flair for imagery and her comedic timing with Wes's humor had me laughing out loud regularly. I'm excited to see what she has for us in the future!
- I received this book as a complimentary copy from Tyndale Publishers in exchange for an honest review, which I have given.
I vaguely recall reading another of Ms. Calvert's books a few years back, possibly Code Triage, and found it to be excellent. I'm not usually one for medical dramas, despite all those episodes of Diagnosis Murder, but I find Ms. Calvert's writing to be clear-cut and straight-forward, with realistic characters, and genuine fears and problems that they face. Realism is the key to Ms. Calvert's fiction, a key that dragged me deeper into the story in the hopes of a resolution for poor Kate who has been through so much, and for Wes who still struggles with his mother's abandoning him. She makes me want to invest in these characters, care about them, and that isn't always an easy feat to accomplish.
What I liked most is how Christianity was so seamlessly incorporated into Rescue Team. Sometimes a novel gets preachy, even for me, but Ms. Calvert knows the line she needs to walk. This is about desperate and hurting people reaching the conclusion that God is the only One who can help them climb from their pit of despair and loneliness. The romance in this book is mostly terrific (more on that in a minute), but in the end, Wes couldn't save Kate. It had to be God, and I loved how she came to that conclusion not by his urging or pushing, but by God's gentle nudge in her spirit.
All right, as for the romance, I love Wes and really like Kate. However, I'm not one to condone missionary dating, which is sort of what Wes does, and like clockwork he falls in love before he knows where he is, with a woman who doesn't share his faith. At least, not right away. The relationship worked out in the end, but I also wonder at the many instances of missionary dating that don't have such a happy ending. Just something to ponder.
Overall, Rescue Team was an exciting, enjoyable, and remarkably quick read. Ms. Calvert has quite the flair for imagery and her comedic timing with Wes's humor had me laughing out loud regularly. I'm excited to see what she has for us in the future!
- I received this book as a complimentary copy from Tyndale Publishers in exchange for an honest review, which I have given.
May 30, 2013
Candace Calvert in her new book, “Rescue Team” Book Two in the Grace Medical series published by Tyndale House Publishers brings us into the lives of Kate Callison and Wes Tanner.
From the Back Cover: Tired of running from her past, nurse Kate Callison intends to become Austin Grace Hospital’s permanent ER director and make Texas her home. Despite staff friction, she’s moving ahead. Then unthinkable tragedy wraps the ER in crime tape, bringing swarms of media, legal chaos—and a search-and-rescue hero who seems determined to meddle in her life.
For Wes Tanner, nothing beats finding someone who’s lost; he’s known that helpless terror firsthand. So he’ll expand his team’s lifeline of hope: K9 tracking, swift water rescue, even horse-mounted searches. He’s ready for anything—except Austin Grace’s prickly and dismissive ER director.
As Kate and Wes discover more about each other, new respect becomes something deeper. Kate wonders if her heart might have finally found a home. Then an unsolved missing persons case—and a startling new one—become catalysts that threaten the loss of all she and Wes have found.
Get ready for excitement as Kate Callison struggles to take over as permanent ER Director at Austin Grace Hospital. Wes Tanner runs a local search and rescue team because he still wonders why his mother committed suicide when he was a child. Both Kate and Wes need to work together to locate missing “Baby Doe”. “Rescue Team” is a thriller with all kinds of excitement and danger. However, it is also a romance that builds as Kate and Wes have to learn to trust each other. Candace Calvert knows how to weave a captivating story with wonderful characters that breathe. I enjoyed reading this book and look forward to the next book from Ms. Calvert in this series.
If you would like to listen to interviews with other authors and professionals please go to www.kingdomhighlights.org where they are available On Demand.
To listen to 24 hours non-stop, commercial free Christian music please visit our internet radio station www.kingdomairwaves.org
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Tyndale House Publishers. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
From the Back Cover: Tired of running from her past, nurse Kate Callison intends to become Austin Grace Hospital’s permanent ER director and make Texas her home. Despite staff friction, she’s moving ahead. Then unthinkable tragedy wraps the ER in crime tape, bringing swarms of media, legal chaos—and a search-and-rescue hero who seems determined to meddle in her life.
For Wes Tanner, nothing beats finding someone who’s lost; he’s known that helpless terror firsthand. So he’ll expand his team’s lifeline of hope: K9 tracking, swift water rescue, even horse-mounted searches. He’s ready for anything—except Austin Grace’s prickly and dismissive ER director.
As Kate and Wes discover more about each other, new respect becomes something deeper. Kate wonders if her heart might have finally found a home. Then an unsolved missing persons case—and a startling new one—become catalysts that threaten the loss of all she and Wes have found.
Get ready for excitement as Kate Callison struggles to take over as permanent ER Director at Austin Grace Hospital. Wes Tanner runs a local search and rescue team because he still wonders why his mother committed suicide when he was a child. Both Kate and Wes need to work together to locate missing “Baby Doe”. “Rescue Team” is a thriller with all kinds of excitement and danger. However, it is also a romance that builds as Kate and Wes have to learn to trust each other. Candace Calvert knows how to weave a captivating story with wonderful characters that breathe. I enjoyed reading this book and look forward to the next book from Ms. Calvert in this series.
If you would like to listen to interviews with other authors and professionals please go to www.kingdomhighlights.org where they are available On Demand.
To listen to 24 hours non-stop, commercial free Christian music please visit our internet radio station www.kingdomairwaves.org
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Tyndale House Publishers. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
June 25, 2013
Rescue Team
Candance Calvert
This is probably the first book that I have bought without reading what it is about much less read the back of it before plunging into the story. I just let the story flow and surprise me. :) it did! Not just that it was sweet romance, heart stopping drama and a mystery all over. It was very touching -- close to heart read. Written about dying babies, desperate mothers, hurting nurses and patients that want even more compassion this story reminded me of a turmoil and pain I went through last year. I had a primmi and she stayed in NICU for the 8 days of her short precious life. I was desperate for hope that she would make it. I didn't care about the people who stayed with her day and night I kept blaming them when they would call with the bad news...all until she died ...we were taken to private room and I cried my heart out for my baby, only after I had to give her back to them did I notice how all those nurses were crying and I realized that while I saw her only few minutes each day these women spent hours with her pouring their love on her, to them she was their little baby too... I know patients deserve compassion but I believe that medical personnel from ER to NICU to all directors and even volunteers deserve it much more. They chose this career because they want to help-- long house, low pay, difficult patients, life and death decisions, pressure from patients and their superiors and stress all over. They deserve our compassion, prayer and deep appreciation, they do all they can for us--patients-- and their job doesn't end when they clock out.
I loved Wes and his rescue team, their sacrifice for total strangers.. Ohhh and Nancy Rae, only Candance can lace so much drama and hurt with good natured laugh. This is amazing truthful, hopeful life story that makes you stop and thank God for His perfect plan and all the blessings we have in Him alone.
Thank you Candance for writing yet another fascinating story, cant wait till next one. Write faster :)
Candance Calvert
This is probably the first book that I have bought without reading what it is about much less read the back of it before plunging into the story. I just let the story flow and surprise me. :) it did! Not just that it was sweet romance, heart stopping drama and a mystery all over. It was very touching -- close to heart read. Written about dying babies, desperate mothers, hurting nurses and patients that want even more compassion this story reminded me of a turmoil and pain I went through last year. I had a primmi and she stayed in NICU for the 8 days of her short precious life. I was desperate for hope that she would make it. I didn't care about the people who stayed with her day and night I kept blaming them when they would call with the bad news...all until she died ...we were taken to private room and I cried my heart out for my baby, only after I had to give her back to them did I notice how all those nurses were crying and I realized that while I saw her only few minutes each day these women spent hours with her pouring their love on her, to them she was their little baby too... I know patients deserve compassion but I believe that medical personnel from ER to NICU to all directors and even volunteers deserve it much more. They chose this career because they want to help-- long house, low pay, difficult patients, life and death decisions, pressure from patients and their superiors and stress all over. They deserve our compassion, prayer and deep appreciation, they do all they can for us--patients-- and their job doesn't end when they clock out.
I loved Wes and his rescue team, their sacrifice for total strangers.. Ohhh and Nancy Rae, only Candance can lace so much drama and hurt with good natured laugh. This is amazing truthful, hopeful life story that makes you stop and thank God for His perfect plan and all the blessings we have in Him alone.
Thank you Candance for writing yet another fascinating story, cant wait till next one. Write faster :)
April 23, 2013
Anyone who has read my blog for long knows that while I enjoy a wide range of novels, I particularly love books set in my home state of Texas as well as those in the medical genre. Candace Calvert has hit both of these sweet spots with Rescue Team, the latest in her Grace Medical series, which takes place in the capital city of Austin. As with her previous novels, Calvert has written a story that gripped me from the opening paragraph until the final sentence. I loved so many elements of this tale. Kate's struggles at work as she assumes the position of a much-loved ER director (who has been missing for almost a year) garnered my sympathy, as did the emotional scars from her past that continue to haunt her, while Wes Tanner's own childhood heartache that spurred his dedication to the search and rescue team tugged at my heart. Calvert gave the novel some lighter moments by weaving some iconic Austin landmarks and locations into the story, showcasing some of the reasons the city claims the slogan "Keep Austin Weird." And an additional "character" named Nancy Rae provided moments of pure delight! Intriguing as this novel is, however, its real beauty lies in the message of forgiveness and hope that resonates from its pages. Rescue Team is the perfect prescription for anyone needing to be reminded that God's grace is the ultimate search and rescue!
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received an advanced copy of this book from Candace Calvert. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received an advanced copy of this book from Candace Calvert. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
June 4, 2013
Just finished this book....thought it was great! The main character, Kate Callison, is one you've met before if you've read Candace Calvert's books. She's prickly and has sadness in her past that causes her to keep her distance from people, although as a nurse she rescues and helps. Wes Tanner is on a rescue team....his favorite words are "you're not lost anymore". But it's out of his past hurt that he is so passionate about what he does. Coming from completely opposite perspectives, Kate and Wes find themselves in one another's paths. Wes is kind and warm, Kate is bristly and untrusting. It took awhile for me to warm up to Kate just because she was so abrupt. But once I understood her, my heart went out to her. I enjoyed the process between Wes and Kate, with Wes' patience and persistence, and Kate's need to trust and be loved working together to slowly melt the ice she has around her heart. The hospital and rescue settings are well written and suspenseful, and the relationship is very sweet and warm. There is wonderful healing that actually brought me to tears. And I love that both Wes and Kate had things to learn and to let go of. Everybody has something to learn and something to teach. Nice touch. I've enjoyed all of Candace Calvert's books; they are books that I keep for my own shelves. You'll want to read all of them, because the characters show up in more than one place. It was nice to finally read Kate's whole story, and to witness her finding redemption, peace and love. Nice job, Candace. Again. :)
April 20, 2013
Ok,so I will admit that I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Of course, I will also admit that I've done that to all of the books by Candace Calvert. So please, don't take my "Man Card" away just yet.
Kate Callison has spent her life running, now all she wants to do is take over as permanent ER Director as Austin Grace Hospital. The hospital is under a PR nightmare with the recent disappearance of their ER Director, a couple of deaths attributed to long wait times and an anonymous blogger keeping all of this fresh in the media. Wes Tanner runs a local search and rescue team on the side. A couple of rescues brings him into contact with Kate and feelings between them begin to grow. Kate isn't sure she wants to open up to Wes with all her baggage, but her feelings keep getting in the way. Now there's a missing baby and everyone is on the lookout. Kate runs away to clear her head when things with Wes take a wrong turn. What is so bad in her past that she can't overcome? Will Wes let her run without chasing? Is the baby ever found? Yes, you're right, GO BUY THE BOOK!
Is this a "guy's book"? I will be honest and say that this is not your regular guy's book. The theme is romance, redemption and a lot of talk about feelings. I will also say, though, that I enjoyed this book. The character of Wes has such a strong faith and belief system, but even he has an "AHA!" moment in the book that most men need to read about so that they can get their own "AHA!" moment.
Kate Callison has spent her life running, now all she wants to do is take over as permanent ER Director as Austin Grace Hospital. The hospital is under a PR nightmare with the recent disappearance of their ER Director, a couple of deaths attributed to long wait times and an anonymous blogger keeping all of this fresh in the media. Wes Tanner runs a local search and rescue team on the side. A couple of rescues brings him into contact with Kate and feelings between them begin to grow. Kate isn't sure she wants to open up to Wes with all her baggage, but her feelings keep getting in the way. Now there's a missing baby and everyone is on the lookout. Kate runs away to clear her head when things with Wes take a wrong turn. What is so bad in her past that she can't overcome? Will Wes let her run without chasing? Is the baby ever found? Yes, you're right, GO BUY THE BOOK!
Is this a "guy's book"? I will be honest and say that this is not your regular guy's book. The theme is romance, redemption and a lot of talk about feelings. I will also say, though, that I enjoyed this book. The character of Wes has such a strong faith and belief system, but even he has an "AHA!" moment in the book that most men need to read about so that they can get their own "AHA!" moment.
June 3, 2013
Candace Calvert is one talented lady! I always look forward to reading her latest book, Rescue Team, and somehow they keep getting better and better!
The intensity of working in an emergency room lends itself to a fast-paced book with lots of drama (and trauma!). That in and of itself tends to get me caught up in the story. But with characters like Kate and Wes, I couldn’t help but get hooked early on. Plus, Candace’s experience as a nurse is a huge asset to each of her books. There’s such realism in each encounter with ER patients.
I think the best thing about the characters in this book is that they’re great people … people you want to be friends with. BUT they’ve got plenty of flaws as well. (I hate “perfect” characters!) In this case, Wes and Kate each have issues from their past that are causing them to struggle in their current situations. It makes for a great friendship between them … if not difficult at times. I also loved the family aspect of this book. Wes’s family plays a significant role in his life and it shines throughout the story.
At times reminiscent of a cleaner version of favorite medical dramas like ER and Grey’s Anatomy, Rescue Team is a winner! [5 stars]
I received a free copy of this book from Tyndale House in exchange for my fair and honest review.
The intensity of working in an emergency room lends itself to a fast-paced book with lots of drama (and trauma!). That in and of itself tends to get me caught up in the story. But with characters like Kate and Wes, I couldn’t help but get hooked early on. Plus, Candace’s experience as a nurse is a huge asset to each of her books. There’s such realism in each encounter with ER patients.
I think the best thing about the characters in this book is that they’re great people … people you want to be friends with. BUT they’ve got plenty of flaws as well. (I hate “perfect” characters!) In this case, Wes and Kate each have issues from their past that are causing them to struggle in their current situations. It makes for a great friendship between them … if not difficult at times. I also loved the family aspect of this book. Wes’s family plays a significant role in his life and it shines throughout the story.
At times reminiscent of a cleaner version of favorite medical dramas like ER and Grey’s Anatomy, Rescue Team is a winner! [5 stars]
I received a free copy of this book from Tyndale House in exchange for my fair and honest review.
February 25, 2013
In Rescue Team Candace Calvert writes a story of hope and forgiveness. Kate Callison struggles with forgiving herself for abandoning her baby and Wes Tanner struggles to forgive his mother for abandoning him as a kid. Wes and Kate like each other, but Kate knows it can never work out between them because she did the unforgiving thing, or can it?
Kate‘s relationship with her father is not good. When her mother died he was not there for Kate. He was a drunk and she ran away from home. Now her father has changed and found God, and is trying to get back into Kate’s life. But can Kate forgive him? And can Kate ever tell him that she gave away his grandson?
Secondary characters make the story more interesting. There’s a young woman with a baby she didn’t want, a nice hospital volunteer with a secret of her own, an elderly lady who thinks her doll is a real person, the hospital’s attorney, Kate’s friend Lauren, and as usual there an injured animal in the story.
Like Candace Calvert’s other books this is story with romance, suspense, and lovely characters. Fans of Calvert’s books don’t want to miss this one!
*Thanks to the publisher for providing me with a review copy through NetGalley.*
Kate‘s relationship with her father is not good. When her mother died he was not there for Kate. He was a drunk and she ran away from home. Now her father has changed and found God, and is trying to get back into Kate’s life. But can Kate forgive him? And can Kate ever tell him that she gave away his grandson?
Secondary characters make the story more interesting. There’s a young woman with a baby she didn’t want, a nice hospital volunteer with a secret of her own, an elderly lady who thinks her doll is a real person, the hospital’s attorney, Kate’s friend Lauren, and as usual there an injured animal in the story.
Like Candace Calvert’s other books this is story with romance, suspense, and lovely characters. Fans of Calvert’s books don’t want to miss this one!
*Thanks to the publisher for providing me with a review copy through NetGalley.*
February 24, 2013
I usually enjoy Candace Calvert's books. Sadly, this story was too predictable for me. I couldn't connect with the characters.
When ER nurse Kate Callison tells search and rescue volunteer Wes Tanner that she doesn't need to be rescued, well you guessed it...he rescues her. After all, this is what he does, physically, as well as spiritually, ever since he became a lost soul who was saved. Ten years earlier, Kate had abandoned her baby, something she cannot forgive herself for. When an abandoned baby is found in her ER, and subsequently dies, old pain resurfaces.
As Kate and Wes draw closer and she tells him the truth of her past and why she is who she is today, she runs away and finally prays for help and forgiveness. Part of her healing process involves confessing all to her estranged father. Will this be enough to heal her soul? Is it too late for her to start life fresh with hope for the future? Will Wes still want to be a part of her life?
This book was provided by NetGalley and Tyndale House Publishers in exchange for my honest review.
When ER nurse Kate Callison tells search and rescue volunteer Wes Tanner that she doesn't need to be rescued, well you guessed it...he rescues her. After all, this is what he does, physically, as well as spiritually, ever since he became a lost soul who was saved. Ten years earlier, Kate had abandoned her baby, something she cannot forgive herself for. When an abandoned baby is found in her ER, and subsequently dies, old pain resurfaces.
As Kate and Wes draw closer and she tells him the truth of her past and why she is who she is today, she runs away and finally prays for help and forgiveness. Part of her healing process involves confessing all to her estranged father. Will this be enough to heal her soul? Is it too late for her to start life fresh with hope for the future? Will Wes still want to be a part of her life?
This book was provided by NetGalley and Tyndale House Publishers in exchange for my honest review.
September 1, 2014
Kate is a prickly ER nurse on the run from her past. After finding herself pregnant following sexual assault as a teenager, she abandons her newborn at a fire station. A decade later, she finds herself running an ER reeling from multiple tragedies, among them a beloved nurse who went missing and is assumed dead, and a newborn abandoned in the ER restroom who dies. But Kate holds it all together, despite the resentment for filling the deceased nurse's shoes, the constant bad publicity for the hospital, and crumbling internally.
Wes is a search and rescue volunteer who keeps finding himself in Kate's ER. Sparks fly, and the next thing you know he finds himself going from being told off publicly by Kate to taking her on dates in downtown Austin.
Themes: abandonment, abuse–physical and substance, forgiveness, faith. Standard fare leading to a predictably standard plot, this story was similar to a romantic comedy without the comedy: fairly entertaining but not a lot to chew on.
Two stars for the "I could see it coming a mile away" plot combined uninspiring writing.
Wes is a search and rescue volunteer who keeps finding himself in Kate's ER. Sparks fly, and the next thing you know he finds himself going from being told off publicly by Kate to taking her on dates in downtown Austin.
Themes: abandonment, abuse–physical and substance, forgiveness, faith. Standard fare leading to a predictably standard plot, this story was similar to a romantic comedy without the comedy: fairly entertaining but not a lot to chew on.
Two stars for the "I could see it coming a mile away" plot combined uninspiring writing.
September 4, 2016
I'm a sucker for Medical romances especially when I need something light and frothy - you know what I mean - mindless relaxation reading, the chick-lit-with-scrubs-and-blood sort of genre.
This started out okay, but then.. sigh.. it got all churchy-preachy. God everywhere. I wish there was a warning for these sorts of stories. I hate being blind-sided by a writer who tries to foist their religious beliefs off on me. It would have got a solid three, maybe even four stars but for the constant references to God.
This started out okay, but then.. sigh.. it got all churchy-preachy. God everywhere. I wish there was a warning for these sorts of stories. I hate being blind-sided by a writer who tries to foist their religious beliefs off on me. It would have got a solid three, maybe even four stars but for the constant references to God.
Read
February 6, 2014Made me cry tears of joy
It was hard for me to get into this book at the start. I even put it down and read and finished another book before picking it back up. but once I got past all the names and huge amount of details and got them.all straight in my head, I couldn't put it down. it's a great story of forgiveness and second chances. God always has a plan!!!
It was hard for me to get into this book at the start. I even put it down and read and finished another book before picking it back up. but once I got past all the names and huge amount of details and got them.all straight in my head, I couldn't put it down. it's a great story of forgiveness and second chances. God always has a plan!!!
May 24, 2013
Vintage Candace Calvert; tender romance and skillful dissection of deep seeded life issues.
December 30, 2015
Awesome story couldn't put it down
April 30, 2018
I never really thought that medical dramas were my type of read, but Candace Calvert's beautifully written, heart wrenching stories are definitely changing my mind on that notion.
In Rescue Team, the story moves to Austin, Texas at Austin Grace Hospital, but tells Kate's story, an ER nurse who was introduced in the first book, Trauma Plan. Kate has recently taken the temporary position as Grace Hospital's emergency room director after the previous director went missing. Right from the start, she's facing many difficult issues in trying to keep her emergency room running efficiently; including patient complaints, media ill wanted attention, and low morale among her staff. Things take a turn for the worse when an abandoned baby is discovered in one of the emergency room washrooms, and suddenly Austin Grace hospital finds itself in headlines everywhere. The evening the baby was abandoned, a search and rescue hero enters Kate's life. Wes Tanner seems to be everything Kate's not, and she's determined to keep her distance. After all, how could someone with perfect faith who had a perfect upbringing ever be interested in someone like Kate who has made massive mistakes in the past that she's sure no one could ever forgive her for.
Candace Calvert was an emergency room nurse herself, and this definitely shines through to the reader in the heartfelt way the emergency room scenes are written. I literally felt like I was right there experiencing everything along with the ER staff, even though I knew nothing about the medical terminology that's dispersed throughout- a fact that indicates just how talented of an author Candace Calvert truly is. Kate's story was heartbreaking to read, and showcases both the fact that turmoil in childhood can have such a negative effect on children, and that you can never truly run from your past, instead you need to work through it. In Rescue Team, the faith element is blended in beautifully to the developing story, and I loved how the author chose to focus on the fact that you can't truly heal old hurts without the help of our Heavenly Father.
When I picked this book up I was expecting a faith based, medical drama, but I got so much more than I was expecting. A beautiful romance that begins as a friendship, two protagonists who need to learn to "let go and let God," a couple of mysteries woven throughout; including who abandoned their baby and what happened to the previous ER director, and an overall emphasis on Jesus' unfailing love, and the importance of family, friendship and redemption.
I actually ended up loving this second edition in the series even more than I did the first, and as numerous scenes in this book hint at who's going to be the main character in the third book, I'm definitely looking forward to picking that one up as well.
Final Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I literally had no complaints about this one, and I highly recommend. I didn't think that Kate was going to be a character I was going to care for, but I was proven wrong, and my heart was breaking for her for everything she'd had to go through, and the fact that until Wes came along, she'd faced it all alone-believing there was no way that God or her friends and family could ever truly forgive her.
Definitely pick this one up if you're looking for a heart wrenching, medical drama that focuses on God's love for us, and the way that true healing can only come through finding Him!
Favorite Quote: "He said good memories are God's mercy, that they give us hope. And not having hope is the 'worst kind of lost.'"
In Rescue Team, the story moves to Austin, Texas at Austin Grace Hospital, but tells Kate's story, an ER nurse who was introduced in the first book, Trauma Plan. Kate has recently taken the temporary position as Grace Hospital's emergency room director after the previous director went missing. Right from the start, she's facing many difficult issues in trying to keep her emergency room running efficiently; including patient complaints, media ill wanted attention, and low morale among her staff. Things take a turn for the worse when an abandoned baby is discovered in one of the emergency room washrooms, and suddenly Austin Grace hospital finds itself in headlines everywhere. The evening the baby was abandoned, a search and rescue hero enters Kate's life. Wes Tanner seems to be everything Kate's not, and she's determined to keep her distance. After all, how could someone with perfect faith who had a perfect upbringing ever be interested in someone like Kate who has made massive mistakes in the past that she's sure no one could ever forgive her for.
Candace Calvert was an emergency room nurse herself, and this definitely shines through to the reader in the heartfelt way the emergency room scenes are written. I literally felt like I was right there experiencing everything along with the ER staff, even though I knew nothing about the medical terminology that's dispersed throughout- a fact that indicates just how talented of an author Candace Calvert truly is. Kate's story was heartbreaking to read, and showcases both the fact that turmoil in childhood can have such a negative effect on children, and that you can never truly run from your past, instead you need to work through it. In Rescue Team, the faith element is blended in beautifully to the developing story, and I loved how the author chose to focus on the fact that you can't truly heal old hurts without the help of our Heavenly Father.
When I picked this book up I was expecting a faith based, medical drama, but I got so much more than I was expecting. A beautiful romance that begins as a friendship, two protagonists who need to learn to "let go and let God," a couple of mysteries woven throughout; including who abandoned their baby and what happened to the previous ER director, and an overall emphasis on Jesus' unfailing love, and the importance of family, friendship and redemption.
I actually ended up loving this second edition in the series even more than I did the first, and as numerous scenes in this book hint at who's going to be the main character in the third book, I'm definitely looking forward to picking that one up as well.
Final Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I literally had no complaints about this one, and I highly recommend. I didn't think that Kate was going to be a character I was going to care for, but I was proven wrong, and my heart was breaking for her for everything she'd had to go through, and the fact that until Wes came along, she'd faced it all alone-believing there was no way that God or her friends and family could ever truly forgive her.
Definitely pick this one up if you're looking for a heart wrenching, medical drama that focuses on God's love for us, and the way that true healing can only come through finding Him!
Favorite Quote: "He said good memories are God's mercy, that they give us hope. And not having hope is the 'worst kind of lost.'"
May 7, 2021
This book was great. I liked it more than the first, but that may have something to do with how long it took me to finish the first book due to other commitments.
I thought all of the plots were great and tied together nicely. The overarching theme of finding the lost was done well. Candace Calvert does a great job of writing characters that are human. I find that so many Christian books have some characters that can do no wrong. But this book shows all the characters for who they are: sinners that make mistakes. It was also so refreshing to read a book that spent time dealing with how the events influenced the characters’ mental health.
A lot of reviews I’ve read said people didn’t like Kate. I liked her, but I think I may be biased because we share a name. But I also read the first book that features a subplot with her, and I liked her then. I was curious to see what would become of her and excited to read this book where she was the focus.
Sometimes it was overly cheesy but I didn’t mind. I got so attached to the characters that I was a bit emotional during the ending scenes (could have had something to do with lack of sleep too lol)
As a student nurse I found all of the medical cases fascinating, as well as the work relationships among the hospital staff. I highly recommend this book for anyone that likes a good clean romance and is interested in working in healthcare.
I thought all of the plots were great and tied together nicely. The overarching theme of finding the lost was done well. Candace Calvert does a great job of writing characters that are human. I find that so many Christian books have some characters that can do no wrong. But this book shows all the characters for who they are: sinners that make mistakes. It was also so refreshing to read a book that spent time dealing with how the events influenced the characters’ mental health.
A lot of reviews I’ve read said people didn’t like Kate. I liked her, but I think I may be biased because we share a name. But I also read the first book that features a subplot with her, and I liked her then. I was curious to see what would become of her and excited to read this book where she was the focus.
Sometimes it was overly cheesy but I didn’t mind. I got so attached to the characters that I was a bit emotional during the ending scenes (could have had something to do with lack of sleep too lol)
As a student nurse I found all of the medical cases fascinating, as well as the work relationships among the hospital staff. I highly recommend this book for anyone that likes a good clean romance and is interested in working in healthcare.
February 8, 2019
Rating 3.0
Tired of running from her past, nurse Kate Callison intends to become Austin Grace Hospital’s permanent ER director and make Texas her home. Despite staff friction, she’s moving ahead. Then unthinkable tragedy wraps the ER in crime tape, bringing swarms of media, legal chaos—and a search-and-rescue hero who seems determined to meddle in her life.
For Wes Tanner, nothing beats finding someone who’s lost; he’s known that helpless terror firsthand. So he’ll expand his team’s lifeline of hope: K9 tracking, swift water rescue, even horse-mounted searches. He’s ready for anything—except Austin Grace’s prickly and dismissive ER director.
Several stories of loss and grief come together over the ER at local hospital. Safe Harbor Rules interesting.
Tired of running from her past, nurse Kate Callison intends to become Austin Grace Hospital’s permanent ER director and make Texas her home. Despite staff friction, she’s moving ahead. Then unthinkable tragedy wraps the ER in crime tape, bringing swarms of media, legal chaos—and a search-and-rescue hero who seems determined to meddle in her life.
For Wes Tanner, nothing beats finding someone who’s lost; he’s known that helpless terror firsthand. So he’ll expand his team’s lifeline of hope: K9 tracking, swift water rescue, even horse-mounted searches. He’s ready for anything—except Austin Grace’s prickly and dismissive ER director.
Several stories of loss and grief come together over the ER at local hospital. Safe Harbor Rules interesting.
February 3, 2017
I have always enjoyed medical plots, which naturally made Candace Calvert an author I always pick up.
This being my 5th book from her, I got rather bored with the stories as they all sounded pretty similar. She has written about the stress coping meetings multiple times, always having 1 character being distrustful of that service, while the other character is the coordinator. This was interesting when I first came across it, but then when almost every book had the same plot line, I just got sick of it.
Perhaps I need to take a break from Candace Calvert until I have forgotten the repetitive counselling plot.
This being my 5th book from her, I got rather bored with the stories as they all sounded pretty similar. She has written about the stress coping meetings multiple times, always having 1 character being distrustful of that service, while the other character is the coordinator. This was interesting when I first came across it, but then when almost every book had the same plot line, I just got sick of it.
Perhaps I need to take a break from Candace Calvert until I have forgotten the repetitive counselling plot.
May 19, 2019
I thought this one was better than the first book. I like the ER stories and reminds me of work! Women leaving their babies in the ER does happen and often women don't know a safe way of giving their child away when they feel like they are unable to care for them. Kate has a past that she has to deal with and all while managing an ER that loved their previous manager that disappeared without a trace. Wes volunteers for search and rescue and has searched many days for this manager and others some with good outcomes and others not. I love how the drama does not overtake the hospital storyline.
June 30, 2021
A good read.
This is the second book in the Grace Medical Series. I would recommend reading this series in order. It will give you background on some of the people.
Nurse Kate Callison is tired of running and wants to become Austin Grace's permanent ER director. There is some staff friction but then a series of tragic incidents occur. Will some of these be blamed on her? Will she finally deal with her past baggage and lay it to rest?
Wes Tanner volunteers with the rescue team and he is at the hospital when one of the tragic incidents occur. Will he be able to help Kate deal with this incident? Will it force him to come to peace with his past?
This is the second book in the Grace Medical Series. I would recommend reading this series in order. It will give you background on some of the people.
Nurse Kate Callison is tired of running and wants to become Austin Grace's permanent ER director. There is some staff friction but then a series of tragic incidents occur. Will some of these be blamed on her? Will she finally deal with her past baggage and lay it to rest?
Wes Tanner volunteers with the rescue team and he is at the hospital when one of the tragic incidents occur. Will he be able to help Kate deal with this incident? Will it force him to come to peace with his past?
June 21, 2017
Good reading.
No blood, guts or gore here just a calm read about rescuing people in trouble. Now that can be people lost in a forest, cliff climbing, washed away in a flash flood or lost in their heart. Anyway Wes seems to be well versed in the area, and has his hands full with a missing nurse, two babies abandon, an older Alzheimer patient and a women he hopes to win over.
It's a good story, with compassion, friendship, rekindled relationships and maybe love.
No blood, guts or gore here just a calm read about rescuing people in trouble. Now that can be people lost in a forest, cliff climbing, washed away in a flash flood or lost in their heart. Anyway Wes seems to be well versed in the area, and has his hands full with a missing nurse, two babies abandon, an older Alzheimer patient and a women he hopes to win over.
It's a good story, with compassion, friendship, rekindled relationships and maybe love.
November 17, 2020
Finding Peace
I loved this book because it was full of life, the happy kind, the sad kind and the forgiving kind. Candace Calvert told the story of many young women today through Kate and I wish they could read this book. It was a wonderful love story but also a story of accepting God's grace and His forgiveness.
I loved this book because it was full of life, the happy kind, the sad kind and the forgiving kind. Candace Calvert told the story of many young women today through Kate and I wish they could read this book. It was a wonderful love story but also a story of accepting God's grace and His forgiveness.
April 3, 2022
I downloaded this ebook for free in 2014 from Barnes and Noble, and it has been in my Nook library.
I recently finished another book by this author, and I enjoyed her writing style that uses a theme of redemption when she writes in the Christian fiction genre, and it works if you like cowboy romances.
I recently finished another book by this author, and I enjoyed her writing style that uses a theme of redemption when she writes in the Christian fiction genre, and it works if you like cowboy romances.
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