The Doctor's Wife by Myra Hargrave McIlvain
The Doctor’s Wife by Myra Hargrave McIlvain
My Review:
This is the second book I’ve read
by Texan author Myra Hargrave McIlvain and it did not disappoint.
Amelia sails to Galveston, Texas,
hoping for adventure and a new life far from her home in Germany. Almost immediately,
her employer abandons her, and she is forced to work as a chambermaid in a
local hotel. But a handsome doctor, whom she’d met aboard ship proposes to her.
He prepares her for a rough life in the new port city of Indian Point on
Matagorda Bay, but she accepts, willing to face the hardship for the chance of
a better life.
Dr. Stein was truthful about the state
of the town, little more than a refugee camp with dozens of families living in tents
despite the winter’s cold. The temperature is not the only chill in the air and
her marriage remains unconsummated, leaving her lonely and confused. Setting
aside her feelings, she stands beside Dr. Stein as they build a prosperous life
together, opening a mercantile store as well as his medical practice. Still,
she longs for love …
The Doctor’s Wife is set
in the 1840s-1850s in Texas, just after it became the 28th US state,
after giving up its independence. This is a fascinating time in Texas/American
history. The US immediately declared war on Mexico and the border between the
two countries was reset and officially became the Rio Grande River.
As in the story, hundreds of
German immigrants were pouring into Texas, promised land that turned out to be
in Comanche Territory. They eventually settled in the Texas Hill Country, founding
the towns of New Braunfels, Fredericksburg and many more.
I really enjoyed learning more
about this time period and McIlvain does a great job laying out the history of the
day. Full of descriptions of daily life, the hardships and the joys of life on
the Texas Coast, it made the characters come to life. When Amelia travels to
New Orleans to buy for her store, the author treats us to life in the Crescent
City. The author doesn’t shy away from the ugliness of slavery and the brutality
of life in the 19th century.
Amelia is a wonderful character,
and I grew attached to her as she slowly understands her husband and accepts
the state of their marriage, while also finding love on her own terms.
The book is part of a three-part series,
and I look forward to reading more about Amelia and her family.
I highly recommend this book and all
of author Myra Hargrave McIlvain’s books. This was a five-star read for me!
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