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Sunday, August 16, 2009

Now I'm giving away That Certain Spark by Cathy Marie Hake

To enter the contest to win a copy of this book simply post a comment and make sure to leave me a way to contact you if you win. The comment needs to pertain to the topic of women working in traditionally male careers. In particular, what do you think about books where the heroine has a "man's job"? Do you like reading these types of stories? Why or why not?

My ten cents... I think this is becoming a trend lately. Women want to read about strong female characters. However, historically most women weren't in these types of roles. I suppose reading about the lives of typical women would be boring, so why not write about the women who managed to do the unthinkable and work in a "man's" field? It seems kind of feminist to me, but it does make for an interesting story. That said...um, I'm not really sure what I said, but there you have it!

Mini-synopsis:

A small town in 1890's Texas is up in arms when their new doctor turns out to be a woman.



About the book:

Gooding, Texas, is about to gain a double blessing—a veterinarian and a doctor. But when siblings Enoch and Taylor Bestman arrive, the discovery that Taylor is a lady doctor has the town up in arms. Especially Karl Van der Vort, the town blacksmith, who becomes the first patient...against his will.

Though hesitant to believe in Taylor's doctoring skills, Karl finds himself oddly protective of this surprising woman who dares to drive about town on her own, wearing the color red, for heaven's sake! Taylor, on the other hand, wants only to prove that doctoring is her life's calling, despite the town's opposition. The result? Pride meets attraction head-on, and sparks begin to fly.

41 comments:

Lynn McCallum said...

I enjoy reading that type of story. It is interesting to see how far we have come in a relatively short period of time.
Lynn McCallum
tomasmc@cogeco.ca

Hull.Margaret said...

Yeah for lady Doctors, even back then. I believe it has more to do with what God's original plan was before the fall. The was only one person who was both male and female.. until God decided to take the female from the male.
Penny...hull.margaret@ocls.info
2593 Grassy Pont Dr.
Lake Mary Fl 32746

Unknown said...

I think your question about women in men's jobs is interesting.I'm not sure that I put much thought into it before. It does make for a good story line. I like strong female characters, but I don't always think that they have to be in the "Man's world" to be strong. Sometimes the percieved weakness of typical, historic femininity can really be strength. That being said...I still like to read about women who turn a neighborhood on it's ear just because they are working in a place that some people think is taboo for women.

Please enter me in the drawing.

dr(dot)mrs(dot)banks(at)gmail(dot)com

Laurie Graham said...

Well, for starters, I loved reading "Forevermore" by this same author. As far as stories that deal with women in traditional male roles, I do find it interesting to read how people responded to them in historical times when it wasn't as common or acceptible and how a Christian woman in those times might have graciously, yet heroicly, handled her critics and pressed on to clear the way for other women God may have called or gifted for those types of jobs. It's also interesting to see various ways they managed to keep a good balance between their home and other work.

Patty Wysong said...

Historicals where the heroine works a man's job gives the story a twist. I think women like reading about strong women and even stronger men. =) Okay, so I like reading about strong women and even stronger men. Too much of a crying, wimpy woman makes me say 'Enough already! Next!'

Patty Wysong said...

Well nuts. I was so worked up over wimpy women that I forgot my contact info. LoL Sorry about that--just goes to show I'm a ditzie woman at heart. ;)
patterly at gmail dot com

Karin said...

I've never put too much thought into men's/women's jobs when reading a novel. What I HAVE noticed recently is a lot of novels about characters who are writers/editors. That seems to be getting old.

I don't think it matters what the career is - a woman can be a strong character if she's a SAHM or a cop. It's the personality that matters, not the career.

My thoughts on it...
Karin
kvbwrites(at)yahoo(dot)com

Martha A. said...

I think it depends what you mean.....I think many women do not belong in some careers, but being a doctor is not one of them. I like reading about strong women, but to a point, I don't like it when they are almost militant about doing everything for themselves and being better than a man type of thing. It is hard to read about or live with in real life.
martha(at)lclink(dot)com

Martha A. said...

And also, I get tired of reading about the super women of the west and would rather read about the women of the west who were like me sometimes and how they managed to function and get everything done without changing historical stuff like making them wear pants when historically was not terrible frequent or some other thing that mixes in something modern.
martha(at)lclink(dot)com

Linda said...

As long as there isn't reverse discrimination against men it's not too bad. Male bashing is as bad as bashing women who work in a 'typical' male position. I agree with Karin, it's the personality that matters more than the career. Women tend to be more detailed, men more goal oriented. We need both.
Please enter me. thanks.
desertrose5173 at gmail dot com

Carla Gade said...

Michelle, I like reading about women pursuing typically male careers especially in historical novels. It creates a great storyline that involves adventure, conflict, and great goals to reach and sometimes suprizing epiphanies by various characters, including the heroine. Cathy Marie Hake handles these kind of stories so well and with a good dose of wit. I'd love to win a copy of her book.

carlagade at gmail dot com

The Write Life said...

This sounds like a wonderful story! I'd love to read it.

Paige
Paige@paigedooly.com

Anonymous said...

This book looks great! Hope I win.

milibro.sulibro at yahoo dot com

Lela Fox said...

Talking about the women doing the men's jobs now---it depends on the job. I believe even tho I have seen some women work "like" a man (and do it well); I stll feel like a man's job should not be offered a woman that asks for brawn and muscle. Other lines of work tho, I think a woman can do every bit as well. Just my opinion.... lol. I would love to win this book. It looks and sounds sooo goood! Thanks!
bubbysgammaw@peoplepc.com

Sherri said...

I enjoy reading about women in traditionally men's fields as long as the women are not militant feminists. It must have been hard for women during this time period to have the desire to help those hurting and be restricted to lesser roles. I'm looking forward to reading this book.

hbarnette@va.metrocast.net

Merry said...

Women moving into typically male dominated fields is interesting. I like spunky characters and Cathy Marie Hake does a wonderful job with them. I'd love a chance to win That Certain Spark. Thanks!

worthy2bpraised[at]gmail[dot]com

apple blossom said...

I love reading how women make it in a man's a world.

Here this year I've read

A Vote of Confidence
A Claim of her Own

That I can think of right off the top of my head and they were wonderful stories. This book looks just as good. I'd love to win it. Thanks.

ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com

Stacey said...

Great question, Michelle! I LOVE those types of books because they give me ideas for my own life... I've worked in all-male groups in the IT field for over 12 years - by God's will, not mine - I wanted to be a psychologist. Sometimes these environments are so saturated with testosterone, I want to give up and move on. But these books make me laugh at myself, give me fresh perspective, and get the creative juices flowing to help me adapt.

Please count me in for the drawing. Thanks so much.

stacey_dale[at]yahoo[dot]com

Anonymous said...

Well l never gave it much thought- about reading about woman in mens jobs, but l sure do love a woman who can give a man a run for his money in a career feild! take the military- back in the day woman coundl even fire a rifle (in the 70's) and look now they can fly jets!! you know how to contact me... Percy lookes like a great book!

Sherry Kuhn said...

I would agree that the strength of the heroine depends more on personality than the job. I like reading about strong women but I like it more when it's an inner strength rather than... she's out to prove she can do it better than a man. To me that inner strength comes from the Lord and knowing that your value does not rest in your job but in who you are in Christ.

That being said, I would love to read That Certain Spark.

Thanks,
Sherry K
love2stitch(at)hotmail(com)

fredamans said...

Thank you for the entry.

For me, I have a girlfriend who is a firefighter. I don't think there is a more traditional male position out there. She has to be strong enough to keep up with them at all costs, and even has to carry grown men out of burning buildings. My hats off to any woman who can fathom working in such a male dominated environment!!!

freda.mans@sympatico.ca

luv2read said...

I prefer books where the heroine is swept off her feet for the man and doesn't have to be responsible for bringing home the bacon. Proably because I grew up on Disney movies. Enter me in the drawing. spowell01(at)bellsouth(dot)net

JJ said...

I believe, "If you can, do it!". lol

gahome2mom/at/gmail/dot/com

judyg54 said...

Although I will admit to enjoying books about women doing a man's job, I must also say that I would appreciate just as much books where women are doing their traditional role in life. I think women who are being Moms, and caring for families and helping out in their churches and community could make for a good read if the right author came along. HHHmmmm! Any ideas on a good writer??!! Anyways, would love to win this book! Thanks for the chance.
judyg54(at)juno(dot)com

Mimi N said...

I'd give my eye teeth for this book! I absolutely adore Cathy Marie Hake!! She's one of my favorite authors! Please enter me to win!!

Blessings,
Mimi B

mnjesusfreak at gmail dot com

Edna said...

I like all of Cathy's books, I have not read a one that was not good. Please enter me into the contest to win this one.

May God bless


mamat2730(at)charter(dot)net

adge said...

I liked to read when a woman worked in a man's job back then because she took full advantage of her gifts, even if it involved stepping over boundaries. But I don't like it when it seems as if she's just trying to prove a point or that she can do better than any man could, etc, and that seems to be what the whole story is about.
I'd love to win this book. Thanks for the chance.
gasweetheart211[at]netscape[dot]net

Ashley E said...

Honestly, sometimes I get tired of that "trend". It seems like every heroine these days has to be able to kick butt and have fun doing it. I do enjoy reading about normal women. Their lives can be interesting too! That said, some authors do it so well, that I don't care, and Cathy Marie Hake is one of them.

ashley.vanburen[at]gmail[dot]com

windycindy said...

My view is that most women would do a better job than a man! I really liked the Dr.Quinn show when she was a doctor in the town. The reactions of some people just amazed me. I do enjoy reading atypical stories.
Thanks, Cindi
jchoppes[at]hotmail[dot]com

Denise said...

I think those type of stories are the best. It gets very 'old' when you keep reading about women who are just waiting for a man to marry. The only excitement they have is housework, playing the piano, etc. A woman who follows her heart, no matter what people think, I love that kind of conflict. It's more fun than the traditional heroine.

Andi said...

Historicals are my fave, especially with a female heroine. Thanks for the chance Michelle.
Andinewberry(@) yahoo(dot) com

LuAnn said...

I think I enjoy reading about strong women because I can't believe they were all so weak. For example, look at the women who helped settle the west. More women than men survived the trip, many of whom were having babies along the way. And when they got there, they were the ones who actually built the towns -- they founded the churches, schools, etc. -- because the men were busy breaking ground to plant crops so everyone could have food. They were also the ones who dealt with the Indians as trading items was needed because the Indians had more respect for them. So, I imagine that had to be the way it was in other areas, too. Women were never the weaklings in history, but men wrote the books!

Anonymous said...

One of the many things I like about this time period, is how feminine women were. One thing I like about these types of books, is seeing how the author maintains the character's femininity, while still making them strong and independant in character.
Please enter me in the contest!
booklovercb at yahoo dot com
~Carman

Cherie J said...

I am with you about a woman not having to show strength by taking on a man's occupation. I know that some courageous women had to be the first to take on field's that were traditionally considered a man's but I don't think so many books have to have heroines doing this though. Seems like there are alot of historical books doing this lately.It's becoming a rather common theme. Cathy Marie Hake is a wonderful writer though and I enjoy reading her books so I am still interested in reading this one. Please add me to the drawing. Thank you1

cherierj(at)yahoo(dot)com

Jblanton said...

I enjoy reading books where the main female character is independant and can do anything that a man can do. THis makes the story interesting It can be boring when the woman is dependent on the man to support her.

Jo said...

I enjoy hearing and reading about where women are independent and will do the same job that men will do. Nowadays it is not uncommon at all for a woman to be a Dr and a man to be a nurse but back than women just didn't go to medical school and become drs. This book sounds like a great read and I would love to be entered in the drawing.

Blessings,
Jo
ladijo40(at)aol(dot)com

Katherine said...

I love this time period. Women had to be strong and independent to make it on the "new frontier". I love a story that has a big strong guy who sweeps the leading lady right off her feet! Please enter me for this drawing.

kefarley89(@)gmail(.)com

Megan said...

Well my mom owns a construction company and I also work in construction, so I know all about working in male dominated fields. It's a great feeling to know what you are talking about and shock all of the men in a meeting. I would love to read this book as well, it sounds great and I love historical fiction!
megan.nadalet(at)gmail(dot)com

Anonymous said...

If you are qualified for the job, it shouldn't matter if you are a woman or a man. Even if it's a dangerous job, it should still be your choice!

I'd love to win this book.

lelou2 AT ymail DOT com

Lori (sugarandgrits) said...

It doesn't matter to me, as long as the story holds my attention! I'm pretty independent (and stubborn) so if I wanted to work in a "man's"position, then I probably would. lol

I can't wait to read this book! Cathy is one of my favorite authors.

Thank you,

sugarandgrits[at]hotmail[dot]com
http://sugarandgrits.blogspot.com/

Edgy Inspirational Author said...

and the winner is...

Stacey Dale!

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