This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Free Book Program, which is open to all readers and is completely free. The author will provide you with a free copy of their book in exchange for an honest review. You and the author will discuss what sites you will post your review to and what kind of copy of the book you would like to receive (eBook, PDF, Word, paperback, etc.). To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email.
This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Review Exchange Program, which is open to all authors and is completely free. Simply put, you agree to provide an honest review an author's book in exchange for the author doing the same for you. What sites your reviews are posted on (B&N, Amazon, etc.) and whether you send digital (eBook, PDF, Word, etc.) or hard copies of your books to each other for review is up to you. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email, and be sure to describe your book or include a link to your Readers' Favorite review page or Amazon page.
This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Donation Program, which was created to help nonprofit and charitable organizations (schools, libraries, convalescent homes, soldier donation programs, etc.) by providing them with free books and to help authors garner more exposure for their work. This author is willing to donate free copies of their book in exchange for reviews (if circumstances allow) and the knowledge that their book is being read and enjoyed. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email. Be sure to tell the author who you are, what organization you are with, how many books you need, how they will be used, and the number of reviews, if any, you would be able to provide.
Reviewed by Natasha Jackson for Readers' Favorite
In Water and Fire we meet Belinda, a student mid-wife working in a hospital in the Australian countryside. Belinda is dedicated to her job and the passion she exhibits to help women give birth to healthy babies is contagious and really jumps off the page. Of course Belinda has her own personal demons chasing her toward career success, not to mention a lanky Irish intern seemingly smitten with her. Demelza Carlton brings this story to life allowing us to witness the burgeoning relationship between Belinda and Aidan. Aidan is a funny character who would be creepy in a stalker way if he wasn’t so darned gentlemanly about his affections. He’s homesick and Belinda has her own personal issues that make her question her desirability to Aidan, despite his feelings for her.
Water and Fire is a unique story that features a strange cast of characters, including an elderly horn dog masquerading as a hospital maintenance man, a surprised possum, and a nursing intern selling her goodies to pay for college. They’re strange and entertaining but altogether lovable. What I loved most about the growing relationship between Aidan and Belinda is how she helps him get over his fear of babies (yes, babies!) and kind of nurtures him into becoming a confident and capable doctor. While I hoped for a much different ending, Demelza Carlton does a fantastic job making me understand why Belinda makes the choices she makes, even if I don’t agree with those choices. It was a quick, enjoyable read with a weird twist.
