Dr Lydia Fiore has just started work as the new attending ED physician at Angels of Mercy Hospital. But her first day goes terribly wrong when a patient dies despite all her best efforts. The fact that he is the son of the head of surgery makes things doubly difficult for Dr Fiore.

Lyons has written a hospital soap opera that trots out every stereotypical character of that genre (e.g. inept but arrogant intern from a rich family; hard-bitten but tender-hearted cop; tough-as-nails head nurse; etc), and hackneyed plot device (deranged psycho killer, baby delivery during a major disaster, etc). Lyons’ writing is full of trite phrases – how often do people really “bounce on their toes” (at least five times in this book).

The mystery might have been interesting, but the writing just made me roll my eyes. On the plus side, I finished the 404-page ARC in one day.

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I have to admit that I was biased in favor of this book before I even read it. I was at a writers' conference this past weekend and had the chance to talk with the author, CJ Lyons, several times. She is a very sweet and very smart lady. I knew I needed to buy a book and have it signed by her.

Lifelines is the first of a series of fast-paced medical fiction books. The focus is on several young women at Pittsburgh's Angels of Mercy hospital - new interns, nurses, and a new doctor who just killed the Chief of Surgery's son. Oops. The story starts on July 1st "the most dangerous day of the year" because that when new interns begin. It wraps up on July 4th. In the meantime, there is a lot of killing and suspicious activity afoot. And you know what? This book is FUN. It really does catch the vibe of early ER with those clashing personalities, drama, and a smidgen of sex. I haven't read any medical fiction before, but I enjoyed this immensely and couldn't put it down. I'll definitely be picking up other books in this series as they are released. ( )

In Lifelines we meet four strong ladies who work at Angels of Mercy Medical Center in Pittsburgh. Lydia Fiore, the ER attending physician whose first day on the job may be here last when she fails to save the life of the Chief of Surgery's son who was struck by a car. Nora Halloran, the charge nurse whose relationship with her boyfriend is falling apart but Nora seems oblivious to that fact. Amanda Mason, the med student with aspirations of being a pediatrician who refuses to accept the fact that she's showing symptoms of a major illness. And perfectionist Gina Freeman, the resident who comes from a wealthy family but works to give something back.

Initially turned off by Dr. Fiore's tough exterior Nora, Amanda and Gina befriend Lydia when they realize what an excellent doctor she is. When Gina and Lydia are attacked outside of a restaurant Lydia realizes the death of the Chief of Surgery's son was no accident and Gina calls in her boyfriend, Detective Boyle, to begin investigating the murder and clear Lydia's name.

The plot is definitely planned as the first of the series. Lifelines is really the story of Dr. Fiore. The storylines of the three other women are set up but not wrapped up so you're left with major cliffhangers in regards to their stories.

I really enjoyed this one as it was fast-paced and action packed throughout the whole book. Having read this right after two books which both have medical aspects to them (the slower paced Irreplaceable and the outrageous, but still awesome, Beat the Reaper: A Novel) this one was more up my alley as it was a suspense story just a little romance thrown in. To quote other reviewers, reading this is like watching your favorite episode of ER or Grey's Anatomy. I will definitely be reading book two, Warning Signs and I recommend this one for all medical thriller/romantic suspense lovers. ( )

This book pulled me in right from the beginning. Lydia, the new ER attending physician to Angels of Mercy hospital starts this new job on Transition Day, the most dangerous day of the year. She is immediatly thrown into work and ruffles the feathers of other interns and residents. However, she loses a patient on that first day that happens to be the chief of surgery's son. Lydia is determined to find out what killed the young boy, but in doing so she puts herself and others in danger.

Overall, I really liked the book and found it to be a bit like a roller coaster, in that it would move really fast for a bit, then slow down a little only to twist and speed up again. It kept the story moving along nicely. The ending was a bit predictable but left a few unanswered questions. ( )

Dr. Lydia Fiore's first day as an attending might be her last. She saves her first several patients, impressing various hospital workers. But one of her patients dies - and Jonah Weiss happened to be the Chief of Surgery's son. Lydia knows she did everything she could, but the death is her responsibility. Jonah, she learns, is a prominent gay rights activist in Pittsburg, the leader of a group known as Gays Organized Against Discrimination (GOAD). The Sons of Adam, a militant cult, had reason to want him dead. So did Isaiah Steward - Jonah's ex-lover and the medical examiner who performed his autopsy. As Lydia investigates, men start to threaten both her and those she cares about. She won't stop though, because the murderer's body count is rising.

The b-plots are as engrossing as the main ones. Amanda is an "extern" who is desperate to ignore that something is seriously wrong - no matter what attractive Dr. Stone tells her. Nurse Nora thinks her boyfriend Seth, the only person she trusts to talk about her past with, is growing distant. (Her friends think he's going to propose.) Gina, in emergency medicine, needs to prove to herself that she can be strong in a messy situation. Many other distinct characters populate the novel, including the too-realistic jerk Jim Lazarov.

Many first-time authors struggle with large casts. Lyons manages to keep control of all her characters and the many plots. The novel builds to an explosive climax and satisfying conclusion, but leaves many threads open for subsequent novels. She also manages to include varied relationships: beginning, settled, and ending. Lydia and Trey have terrific chemistry, and who doesn't want a man who can ballroom dance? (Note to younger readers: There is sexual content, tastefully done but still steamy.)

I enjoyed LIFELINES very much, and I have already passed it on to a friend. (Maybe I can get her to write a bit about the novel once she finishes . . . )

An interview with CJ Lyons is available on my website. ( )