Saving Jane Doe

by Carolyn Purcell

As a consequence of getting an illegal abortion, Jane Doe nearly loses her life and does lose her family. As she seeks to restore her relationship with her children, she finds redemption for her destructive choice. Millions of women are living with the consequences of their choice to abort. This story shows that they can have love and forgiveness.

230 pages, Paperback

First published May 17, 2016

Reviews

[Kay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this book filled with love, forgiveness, tough life decisions and good people. Thought provoking, current issues we, humans, still, struggle with daily. Gives hope that all can be at peace if they/ we but try.
Thank you Carolyn Percell! Love all the Lexington local references! So excited to gift my other copies of your book! Keep writing, yogi buddy!

[Rose McCauley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was glad to read Dr. Purcell's book although the first part of it was a little clinical for me to read–I wanted to be a teacher since second grade and to become a writer since my early 20s so I never wanted to read medical books. But once I got thru the first few chapters, I enjoyed the rest of the story and its many twists and turns, and learned a lot!

The doctor in this fictional story is Dr. Cara Land, a young obstetrical resident at University of Kentucky hospital who is trying to help save a botched abortion victim who doesn’t know who she is. Over the course of many years, these two ladies help each other and become friends, sharing their families, almost like sisters.

My favorite character in the book is Dr. Land’s Uncle Henry who is kind and empathetic and touches many lives throughout the story. Dr. Land is also a very caring person who works so many hours she doesn’t have time to have a life of her own until later in the book.

This books takes us from 1971 when abortion was still illegal and through several decades until the late nineties–a time of much change in America. This book is a good look at life in the late 20th century and its many upheavals. It is also a story of helping each other and overcoming hardships with the help of some friends.

[Barbara Kemp · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story held my interest, but the writing was fairly amateurish. It was also silly how Cara was always available for the Green family and their births and traumas. I guess it would have been more realistic if the entire book had read like the first chapter. Plus, there were seldom any surprises after the first chapter, because the foreshadowing was not subtle. The strongest part of the book was how the author dealt with abortion and its aftermath. Legal or illegal, there are many issues surrounding the procedure, and the author handled them all like the professional she is.

[Visionary Impart · Rating 5 out of 5]

Saving Jane Doe by Carolyn Purcell is a deeply moving and beautifully written story about redemption, forgiveness, and the healing power of compassion. Purcell crafts an emotional journey that feels both raw and uplifting, capturing the struggles of identity, loss, and second chances with remarkable empathy. The characters especially Jessica and Dr. Cara Land are vividly real and will stay with you long after the last page. This novel is a powerful reminder that even in our darkest moments, hope and grace can lead us home.

[Diane · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an interesting little book. This is a book about hard decisions, recovery, and just the realities of life.

[Sarah Blair · Rating 5 out of 5]

Saving Jane Doe is about decisions made and their consequences; abandonment, hurt, and distrust; forgiveness, love, friendship and family ~ not just family you are born into, but also family you choose to be a part of. The characters are true to life, flawed and human. It is a 25 year journey with a group of people that you come to love and root for. I definitely recommend this book highly! It might be one of the best books I've ever read and is definitely the best book I've read in AGES! It has been a long time since I picked up a book that I couldn't put down. I had trouble laying it down just to go to the bathroom! I began the book rather late in the evening, I usually read a chapter of something and go to sleep. At 4:30 a.m. I FORCED myself to put it down to get a couple hours of sleep before work. All day at work I kept thinking about the characters and wondering what was going to happen to them. I left work early, skipped dinner and sat down to read. What a satisfying book!!! This is one of those books you can't wait to finish because then you'll know everything, but when you are finished, you want more. I hope the author, Carolyn Purcell, is working on another book, I can't wait to see what she has in store for us next.

[Peggy · Rating 5 out of 5]

For me, this book Saving Jane Doe is about family - and not necessarily ancestral genealogy roots, but also in this book - the loving, caring people who step out again and again from their personal and professional comfort zone and role to see beneath the surface of Jessie the main character and extend great love and spiritual wisdom.

Throughout this book, which holds somewhat extensive ob/gyn medical expertise, the author highlights and examines the at times horrific and oftentimes tragic outcome from abortion which has propelled Jessie and the whole host of characters - folks who genuinely with southern comfort healing power do step in and surround Jessie and her family with great love, compassion, understanding and the ole time country conciliation, reunion, and boundless love! Great read!

[Terri Milstead · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was excited to read this, the first (I hope!) novel by my friend and relative, Carolyn Purcell. The book is full of things Carolyn clearly knows well: women's health issues and God's love. I really enjoyed reading this book and if I had one problem with it it was that it moved too fast. I would love to have spent more time seeing the beautiful places that the characters commented on. Sometimes the story moved forward many years and it sometimes felt like I was missing something in the lives of these wonderful people when it did that. Lots of story here, lots of love and forgiveness, lots of life lessons. Would have been happy for it to have unfolded slower. Hope to read more of your work, Carolyn!

[Jane Northup · Rating 4 out of 5]

Saving Jane Doe
It has been a while since I have been so involved in a book that I couldn't put it down. I read late into the night and finished it immediately the next morning. The character development is really fine and there are some twists and turns that makes the reader want to know what is possibly next. The 'twist' in part 2 is a great surprise that leaves one feeling very satisfied that the story has come full circle.
This is a wonderful first-time author's effort. I highly recommend this book to all avid readers who love to get lost in the storytelling.
Well done Carolyn. I hope we see more from you.

[Lyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

A touching story about family, forgiveness, selflessness, love, and many other great things. It has a lot of medical aspects, and describes these issues in a fair amount of detail, though not enough that I think it would bother those who are squeamish. It's a very realistic story, and despite that, it's interesting. One of my favorite parts of it was the religion, because the characters feel blessed and make the most of their situations despite the countless struggles they have, and their annual study of the book of Luke brought them closer together. It definitely isn't a book that just preaches at you, though, so don't let my mention of religion keep you from reading it.
Note: I received this book for free through Goodreads Giveaways.

[Gill Proops · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book was full of medical information, but well explained, so don't think you need to be a medic to enjoy it. It is an easy read, and once started it is hard to put down because you want to know all the time what happens next.
Personally I found it very hard to believe that the Kentucky police were unable to put together the missing mother with the lady with amnesia in Lexington, and that worried me right through the book. However it was a really good story, with multiple characters who all rung true and were well-drawn.
I will use it for my book club next year because there is a lot that will promote good discussions.

A thoroughly good read and I recommend it to all.

[Glenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. It was a journey through trial and heartbreak, love and loss.
Great read that kept me wanting more.
The author was both informative and descriptive. thank you for sharing this story.

[Joyce · Rating 4 out of 5]

Chronology of a divided family which addresses social issues of today. Very interesting story teller.

[Nona · Rating 4 out of 5]

Forgiveness is the theme of this book and the story is an interesting and believable one. Dr Carolyn Purcell's settings are familiar to me and made this story even more enjoyable.

[Suzanne Parker]

Very slow reading.