Sacred Trust

ER Trilogy #1

by Hannah Alexander

Emergency room surgeon Lukas Bower decides to leave the city for a small-town hospital and finds more trouble than he expected.

Genres: Christian Fiction, Fiction, Christian, Mystery, Medical, Suspense, Contemporary

352 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1999

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

READY FOR THE NEW YEAR?

At this time of year, we have just finished reflecting on Christmas, when God gave us the greatest Gift ever possible. Now our thoughts are to the new year, with its upcoming rewards and challenges. Many of us will once again come up with New Year’s resolutions. This year I’m going to stick to my diet. This year I’m going to get into shape. This year I’m going to break that 5-minute mile. Okay, okay; it’s been a LONG time since I had that New Year’s resolution. And many will once again fail to live up to those resolutions, with their often unrealistic expectations. But enough about that.

Cheryl has chosen her word for the new year. It is solace. According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, solace means:

1. comfort in grief: alleviation of grief or anxiety

2. a source of relief or consolation

Rather than discouraging anyone, our prayer for you is that God will grant you solace as you face the new year's rewards and challenges.

Happy reading and God bless you.

Reviews

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Christian medical drama. Well written. Read it straight through in four hours.

[Stephanie *Spunky Avenger* · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sacred trust is such a good book, Hanna Alexander did such a remarkable job, you can tell she put the time and research into it.
It's a faith based book that really hits home, it's easy to forget that Christians are people too and go through real struggles Lukas the main character I'd a doc who got a bum wrap and that will follow him for a long time. He meets amazing people along the way who help him grow and face fears along the way, there is some parts that will break your heart. But it is such a good read, I would definitely suggest it. Definitely a 10 stars out of 5 book

<3

[Susie Sellner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sacred Trust blends Emergency Room medicine, hospital politics, Christian principles, realistic and well-developed characters, and compassion to create an exciting novel. You don't want to miss this book! I have purchased the entire series and look forward to reading the other two books in the series as well.

[Lynn Spencer · Rating 3 out of 5]

B- so 3.5 stars This is one of Hannah Alexander's early novels and while it's a little rough around the edges, one can definitely see the promise of some of her later medical romances. This book, first in a trilogy, is light on the romance, though one can definitely see the stage being set.

Dr. Lukas Bower, the new ER doc in a small-town Missouri hospital, is devoted to God and tries hard to do the right thing. This brings him into conflict with some at the hospital who play politics - including giving meds to the drug-seeking addict whose father happens to be a powerful attorney on the hospital board.

When Dr. Mercy Richmond meets Lukas, things are a little testy at first but she quickly develops a great deal of respect for him both on a personal level, when he treats her family members, and on a professional level, as she works alongside him. Both Lukas and Mercy have tons of baggage from their pasts and in this book, we see them starting to face their past issues and figure out where they want to be in life. Since Lukas is a believer and Mercy is not, their answers to these sorts of questions are different, and I found both characters primarily likable.

This novel is fast-paced and if you like medical drama, you will probably enjoy it. I found some of the hospital politics overwrought and melodramatic. In that respect, it reminded me of some of the later episodes of "ER", which was very popular at the time this book was originally published(1999). Not a bad read, but Alexander's later books improve in quality.

[CindyG · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh the politics of a hospital. Dr Bower takes the brunt of it again! ER medicine at its finest and accurate as well! Small town powers, money powers, and people in position powers all make life for Dr Lukas Bowers complicated. Your heart gos out to him. Then there’s the side plot of Dr Mercy and her controlling ex and their 10 y/o daughter. Could they help each other? Love the faith aspect woven into this one as well. Captivating read for sure.

[Melody Tregear · Rating 4 out of 5]

3½ stars rounded to 4

This was definitely a drama, not a romance. It is interesting and keeps your attention. Unfortunately it is not a standalone. Some things are answered in the last two chapters but a number of things are not. The potential romance brewing looks like it may develop in book 2. For that reason this is, for me, more a 3 to 3½ star book because it feels incomplete. But if you can afford the next book in the series, I'm sure your experience will be different.

[Christine Dillon · Rating 4 out of 5]

An oldie but a goodie.
I was particularly encouraged by the reality of the book and the naturalness of Lukas' sharing his heart with Mercy towards the end of the book. I have now gone on and read the rest of the series.
This book is for those who enjoy medical stories - if you don't probably best not to pick it up.

[Sylvia Winter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Life in your hands.

The rush of incoming patients into the emergency department of the hospital , brings humanity to the forefront of medical need. The speed of triaging, the clear instructions, the fear of what is ahead are well covered in this fast moving novel. Could not put it down.

[Annette Sullivan · Rating 5 out of 5]

a very lovely story

I found this story so engrossing that it was hard to stop reading to get some sleep.
It is a clean imaginative and well written story, with grief and hardship, overall it was compassionate and very healthy, no quoting of scripture, but written with characters that believe. Well done.

[Medenna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really really good story.

This book had me engaged from the very beginning. The main characters were well developed and the suspense was palpable. I never really thought much about hospital politics before but this book takes the reader behind that wall. I love that the faith element is strong and redemption is offered.

[Judy Payne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I stayed up all night reading!

Refreshing and clean, and smooth reading. Love that characters are Christian and shared their faith in real life circumstances. A great read and very well written. First time in a long while I've not had to stumble over "proofreading" or go back to get clear focus on a character's name. Look forward yo reading next book.

[Dorie Crouthers · Rating 5 out of 5]

medical drama at its best

I loved this book. This is the second book for Hannah Alexander that I have read, and I was fascinated and did not want to put it down. The characters are so well developed and revealed throughout the book that you went to visit this hospital. But not as a patient. Although they would take excellent care of you.

[Judith McNees · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good story

I enjoyed the story. I could have used less medical jargon and procedures. It also bugged me that Lukas was such a stickler for procedures but he didn't report Tedi's abuse the first time. Doctors are mandated reporters.

Overall it was interesting enough to keep me reading, even though the romance was very understated. Perhaps it will grow in the next book.

[Adair · Rating 4 out of 5]

the authors really made these people real seems to me read something else by this husband/wife team few years and it was so so or maybe just the wrong time wrong book anyway picked this one up enjoyed it and will look for another one by them

[Dorothy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a super book and I couldn't put it down. It is the story of Dr. Lukas Bower who has been hired to work in the emergency department. There are several problems, but his main problem is the ER director who dislikes him.

[Debra Pease · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fast paced

Thrilling once it got going. I worked in hospital administration for 8 years and never saw doctors acting as bad as this Jarvis character. Today doctors are heavily monitored for giving narcotics to patients. Can't wait for sequel!

[Christina Sinisi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm not always a fan of medical drama--not one of those people who are glued to E.R. shows--but I enjoyed this one because I became a fast fan of Dr. Lukas.

I want to give him a hug. :)

And I'm excited there is a follow-up with the same characters. Already reading.

[Donna M Wetzel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good read

Very good and kept me reading. Characters by TVwere interesting and true to life. The problems depicted in this story are every day occurrences in ER's all over the country. Highly recommended.

[Janet Griffith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Problems

After much Tim and effort Dr Bower starts a new job in ER at a hospital in a small town only to run into a rash of problems all over again. How will he weather this new storm?

[Patricia Whittington · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW!

I had not read anything by this author before, but I could not stop reading once I started. Very fast paced medical story and so believable.. I already have the next book in this series and am ready to settle down and read.

[Lesley Barklay]

A Christian medical drama about an ER doctor who moved to a small town to avoid office politics, but gets sucked into drama anyway, and a GP who is locked in a custody battle with her abusive ex husband. More time is spent developing the hospital drama than the romance.

[Lynette · Rating 3 out of 5]

Had I known it was a Trilogy…

There are books I try not to read..Trilogy is one of them. Sex and language are my other two not.
Reading reviews of the other 2 was almost enough for me to purchase the 3rd one. But, I will pass.

[Deborah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really like the characters. Looking forward to reading more in this series.

[Theresa Dr. Gerstner · Rating 3 out of 5]

Written with a Christian undertone.

[Pauline Paddy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sacred trust book 1

I am so happy I ran across this book. I loved every page. It was a wonderful read. I cannot wait to start book two. My new forever author for sure

[Jane Weiler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Peaceand justice

It's hard to find peace when there seems to be no justice. This a riveting story of doing what is right depending on God to give you peace.

[Deborah · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best books I’ve read in a while. Hard to put down.

[April · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book so much. Angst, belief, unbelief, the stories of several different people and how they come together. Intriguing medical info. Look forward to the next book in the trilogy!

[Joyce Marion · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good. Lukas has left the big city hospital and all the politics for a smaller town. He is an ER doctor. But, the thing about a small town hospital is the dynamics of the people. You do what they want even when it's not the best for the patient. Dr. Mercy lost custody of her daughter in a nasty divorce 5 years ago. She would love to have her daughter with her, but it would be another nasty court battle. Tedi would love to live with her mom. Her dad drinks and scares her. As Lukas and Mercy work together, Mercy realizes that he's actually a nice man. He's caring to the patients and the staff. When some of the powers that be try to undermine him, she tries to help. Very fast paced book as you navigate life in the ER.

[Dennis L. Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read

I loved this book. This was my first book by Ms. Alexander but it won't be the last. Easy to read and hard to put down.