The Medicine Woman of Galveston: Sneak Peek

by Amanda Skenandore

Be one of the first to read this sneak preview sample edition!

Caught in the great Galveston Hurricane of 1900, a female doctor who’s joined a traveling medicine show to support her disabled son is forced to weather the storm and its aftermath in a town hostile to the troupe’s unconventional ways but desperate for their help. 

Readers of Ellen Marie Wiseman, Sandra Dallas, and Sara Donati will be captivated by this story of medical historical fiction by Amanda Skenandore, registered nurse and acclaimed author of The Nurse’s Secret and The Second Life of Mirielle West.

Once a trailblazer in the field of medicine, Dr. Tucia Hatherley hasn’t touched a scalpel or stethoscope since she made a fatal mistake in the operating theater. Instead, she works in a corset factory, striving to earn enough to support her disabled son. When even that livelihood is threatened, Tucia is left with one option—to join a wily, charismatic showman named Huey and become part of his traveling medicine show.

Her medical license lends the show a pretense of credibility, but the cures and tonics Tucia is forced to peddle are little more than purgatives and bathwater. Loathing the duplicity, even as she finds uneasy kinship with the other misfit performers, Tucia vows to leave as soon as her debts are paid and start a new life with her son—if Huey will ever let her go.

When the show reaches Galveston, Texas, Tucia tries to break free from Huey, only to be pulled even deeper into his schemes. But there is a far greater reckoning ahead, as a September storm becomes a devastating hurricane that will decimate the Gulf Coast—and challenge Tucia to recover her belief in medicine, in the goodness of others—and in herself.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction

67 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 1, 2024

About the author

Amanda Skenandore is an award-winning author of historical fiction and a registered nurse. Her books have been translated into multiple languages and garnered accolades from the American Library Association, Reader’s Digest, Silicon Valley Reads, and Apple Books. She is a 2024 Nevada Arts Council’s literary fellow. Amanda lives in Las Vegas with her husband and their pet turtle, Lenore.

Reviews

[Ulana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tucia was a lady doctor in 1900 when there were few women doctors. They did not get the respect or jobs that men doctors did. She had a bad experience in a surgery and lost her nerve and her position. She had a disabled son, and the only job she could get was working in a corset factory. She lost this job so she took a job with a Medicine Show since they needed a doctor with a medical license. But she had to presend to be a nurse while Mr. Huey took in the money with his show and snake oil fake medicines. Tucia did not like working for him and fooling people. 2/3 of the book was about the Medicine Show and stories about the people who who with her there. Finally they end up in Galvestion right before the devestating 1900 Hurricane hit. Yes, doctors are needed there.

[Krista · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an OK book. I think the book summary oversold the female doctor after the 1900 Galveston hurricane disaster ascpect, and understated the amount of time that would be spent in a Traveling Medicine Show. I think that expectation, made me impatient to get on to the Galveston part which was just about the last 5% - 8% of the book.

[NJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can’t wait to read the book!

This looks fascinating…..an unmarried female doctor, with a child. A woman who has given up medicine is unexpectedly given a job with a con artist medicine man. I’m looking forward to reading more!

[henry smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Seems like it might end up being good reading. The first part is interesting and kept my attention.

[Jean · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed getting to know Tucia and the traveling show characters. Did feel the end of the books was a bit rushed.

[Linda Stone · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed reading. Having read Erik Larson’s Isaac’s Storm, gave you a good picture of what Tunis experienced. Also about a traveling medicine show.