Step by Step (Crisis Team)

I have read several of Candace Calvert’s novels, but I think Step by Step is her best so far. It is filled with characters I could relate to and came to care about, descriptive prose that put me right in the action — whether in the ER, on the beach, or on a nighttime motorcycle ride — and themes that touched my heart. The second book in her Crisis Team series, Step by Step can be read as a standalone. If you are a fan of medical drama, then you definitely need to check this one out.

Taylor Cabot and Seth Donovan have shared a lot during the past 3 years. But Taylor feels she needs to move on — new home, new job and perhaps a new love — and doesn’t need Seth or anyone else to remind her of her grief. But this ER nurse show more encounters trauma everyday — physical and emotional. Can a self-imposed deadline really move her into a future free from doubts and loss?

There is much to like in Step by Step. Characters, both main and secondary, are well-developed. I found myself immediately drawn to their stories — their hurts and their hopes. I could easily identify with their struggles with the past impacting their present and future. These characters are really real! Lives are messy and not all things can or will be cleaned up. As the wife of a veterinarian, I was touched by Calvert’s inclusion of some furry characters as well. (And I am happy to say the vet in this book was not a villain!) San Diego is the setting of the novel and its vibrancy came to life within its pages. There is a definite Christian message in Step by Step that is naturally woven into the narrative. Short chapters make this one a quick read as well.

Calvert is a former ER nurse and her experience and expertise make for an authentic feeling novel. She also does her research. I loved the time she spent developing the role of a Crisis Care Team in helping people move through the process of traumatic events. I wish my own community had a resource like that. The story lines with Marty the rescue cat and Taylor’s dog, Hooper, are developed with sensitivity and a great awareness of the needs of both owner and pet. Kudos for great research and writing with both of these aspects.

Step by Step proved to be a thought-provoking read. I found myself wishing this one was a book club choice, and I can’t wait to share it with members of By The Book! I loved it and am betting you will too.

Highly Recommended.

Audience: adults.

(Thanks to Tyndale for a review copy. All opinions expressed are mine alone.) show less

Step by Step, second in the Crisis Team series by Candace Calvert is another winner! In this medical fiction, the author broadens the story of Taylor Cabot, whom readers met in the first book of the series. Taylor, widowed now three years, taking steps to move on from the past has relocated to San Diego. She has a survival list she's ticking off one by one, trying to take control a step at a time to find peace, even wearing a fitness bracelet to track her calories and steps. Complications arise when two men become strong forces in her life. Seth, a friend from Sacremento has come to San Diego to help with training individuals in the Chaplain Crisis Care program. Rob, a physician, has taken interest as well. Two very different men, one show more flies by the seat of his pants and the other is methodical and has life under control. Who will win her heart? Will neither have a chance? To make things even more animated, Sloane a snarly staff nurse enters the scene. She seems so familiar and yet, just who is she, why is she so hard to connect with? And just what secrets does she have? Life is messy with a dying dog and secrets, grief-stricken pasts and uncertain futures. Calvert does a great job with making her characters realistic and evocative. The story line flows well and touches on a number of issues--anger, grief, alcoholism, forgiveness, and faith in a God who is at work in people's lives to bring peace in His way. Another key subject of the book is the Chaplain Crisis Care program. The author gives an amazing glimpse into this program as they interact with individuals unraveling from trauma and grief to give them hope amidst the storm. She touches on the importance of sacred silence and the ministry of presence. All in all a book well worth the read!
I received a copy of this book through The Book Club Network in exchange for my honest review. show less

Taylor Cabot an ER nurse, has recently lost her husband in a tragic accident. She feels guilt because they argued the night of the accident. As the third anniversary of his death is coming up, she decides that it is time to move on, to live again and perhaps let a man back into her life. Has she truly let go? Has she been through all the steps of grieving?

Seth Donovan is a crisis chaplain and was friends with Taylor at one time. He worries that she is not moving on and wants to help her out. They find themselves working together when a terrible accident occurs at a kite festival. A plane is out of control and is barreling down on the crowd. Taylor rushes down to help and together with Seth they begin to help the people. Seth is very show more dedicated to his faith and the author writes his character as a caring person who is not preachy but does share his faith with gentle and kinds words .

Later at the hospital, they have to deliver hard news to someone who just lost their loved one. Taylor and Seth work very well together on the crisis team. They both have a comforting tone and are able to speak to the victim's family and assure them they are there to help with whatever is needed. It must be a very emotionally draining job to deliver heartbreaking news.

The characters are well versed in medical language and helps the story flow with precision. The author delivers a fast past action packed story with details that are precise and believable as they race to save patients. Her attention to detail is always seen in each of her books, and brings the medical field to the forefront with her gifted knowledge of a hospital. It ls like watching a scene from the show "ER" where orders are being given, nurses are rushing around and the action is swift and fast
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When a car accident occurs several members of the hospital staff are involved. As the investigation begins, the question arises that it could have been a deliberate act. Who was out to hurt someone that day? This is where the real mystery begins. Several characters lives will be forever changed as the investigation takes a suspicious turn toward someone on staff?

I especially liked Sloane. She was a complicated woman with a secret that could hurt several people. She had a guilty conscious about something and her character was very well developed with an attitude of hardness and hate toward others. The author showed her vulnerable side and gave us insight to the pain that stays with guilt overtakes your life. The story is about a crisis team that works together to comfort others and along the way help each other. It is not easy to let go of a loved one and the book draws on that with compassion and a beautifully written story. Once again the author has delivered a superb story with mystery, hurting people and a touch of romance. Not everything is easy to overcome . Sometimes all you can do is go STEP BY STEP.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Tyndale Blog Network for an honest review. show less

Author Candace Calvert's contemporary medical romances are given great insights by her own experiences as an ER Nurse. "Step by Step" is Book 2 in her "Crisis Team Series". In Book 1, "By Your Side", readers were introduced to Taylor Cabot and Seth Donovan, and now they are given their own story. Several years after the accidental death of her husband, ER Nurse Taylor Cabot is striving to resume a full and meaningful life, seeking resolutions to unanswered questions, and checking off items on her Survival List. When she is reunited with Crisis Chaplain Seth Donovan, her decision to move away from the crisis team and their friendship is questioned by Seth, who discovers his own deeper feelings for Taylor. Since Taylor is involved with a show more local doctor, Seth keeps his personal issues to himself, and he continues to hope that Taylor will change her mind about the crisis team. Working together when several emergencies arise in the community keeps Taylor and Seth in close contact, and Taylor discovers a new depth to her fondness for Seth. However, unexpected and long withheld secrets will shed a new light on everything Taylor thought she knew--will there still be a chance for a new and lasting love to grow from old memories?

Book Copy Gratis via Tyndale Blog Network show less

Step by Step tells the story of ER nurse Taylor Cabot. She was widowed after a bad accident and has to work hard to continue living and move on. She finally starts to move on and even has started a relationship with a doctor. Old memories start to come back thought when Seth Donovan comes to San Diego to train community volunteers. A community crisis soon makes her reevaluate everything and she just hopes to get through it all.

I like how the books have the medical background of the author interwoven throughout the book. It makes it more realistic without making you need to look up everything. It was a great book that kept you wanting to know what would happen next and what choices that Taylor would make and what would motivate her show more choices. This would make a great read for anyone who likes suspense as well as romance.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher free to review. show less

You can read the synopsis on the book elsewhere. This is my review. The book is the second in the series. It is a slower start than the first book. A few of the characters in the first book make up the main characters in this book. They are well developed and interesting. As stated previously, the story starts out a little slow, but it builds steadily throughout to it's ultimate climax. There is both hope and distress in this book. It shows God's love and that He never leaves us without being preachy. This is well written and I hope to read the next in the series. I recommend this book. This book was given to me in exchange for my honest reveiw.