Jeff High

You have to love a book that begins with a medical crisis out on hold to move the Christmas decorations off of the clinic’s gurney and follows with some really funny stuff! In More Things in Heaven and Earth we meet newly-minted Dr Luke Bradford, just out of residency and owing more than $200K in school loans. He decides to repay the monies by becoming a small town doctor, just like his father – although that is the last thing he wants to do.

Luke hits Watervalley, Tennessee with a show more spilled beer on his clothes (he hadn’t even had a drink) and makes an interesting first impression. Which is nothing compared to the impression Watervalley’s townfolk leave on him. Luke is going to learn people and learn them fast.

From his housekeeper “call me Mrs. Thompson” to his clinic staff to the town curmudgeon, John Harris. Watervalley is full of good intentions. You do remember what they say about good intentions?

Nothing bad in this book, just a lot of humor, truth and enjoyment. A wonderful gift to yourself or someone else. Out in October. show less

The Splendor of Ordinary Days is reminiscent of Jan Karon’s Mitford series with its rural Tennessee setting and slightly quirky characters. Yet this third book in the Watervalley series has a bit of an edge to it — characters face complex challenges and troubles. Told through the first person voice of outsider and town doctor, Luke Bradford, Jeff High’s novel is a good pick for those looking for a small town getaway with heart.

Luke Bradford has settled into his role as the only doctor show more in the rural community of Watervalley. Although his dreams of becoming a researcher have been put on the back burner, his relationships with townspeople and his girlfriend have become an important part of his life. Old and new friends have come to make Watervalley feel like home.

Small town life is at the center of The Splendor of Ordinary Days. Although part of a series, I found this novel easy to get into. Life is real in Watervalley and many of its citizens struggle with past hurts and resentments. Characters deal with PTSD, alcoholism, and infertility. I particularly liked that the author built much of the story around the challenges of our nation’s veterans — past and present. For those who choose only books from the Christian genre, this book may not be for you. There is mild profanity throughout and no central spiritual message. But if you are looking for a well-written novel dealing with the realities of life in a small town setting, check this one out.

Audience: adults.

(Thanks to the author and LitFuse for a review copy. All opinions expressed are mine alone.) show less

Wow it is so nice to see fantastic books are still being written, and in this case it is the author's first book!
The book sounded promising from the back cover but I kept thinking isn't this Doc Hollywood? The short answer is NO. Not by a long shot. This was a book that was pure enjoyment to read. None of the characters are as simple and straight forward as they seem, and there are some very clever twists to the story that I would not ever expected in a story like this especially for authors show more first book.
Wonderfully fun book to read. show less

Fun and intriguing characters contribute to the mysteries of a wildly improbable and fascinating tale of small town and country life.

The good, yet wary, doctor, goes for frequent runs, yet never takes Rhett for a walk or a run...?