About the Book
Book: The Mechanic & the MD
Author: Linda Shenton Matchett
Genre: Christian Historical Romance
Release date: May 15, 2020
All’s fair in love and war. Or so they say.
High school and college were a nightmare for Doris Strealer and being an adult isn’t much better. Men won’t date a woman of her height, and they don’t understand her desire to repair car engines rather than work as a nurse or a teacher. When her father’s garage closes, and no one will hire a female mechanic, she joins the Red Cross Motor Corps, finally feeling at home. Until she comes face to face with her past in the form of Ronald McCann, the most popular boy in school.
On the brink of a successful career as a surgeon, Ron’s plans crumble when he’s drafted and assigned to an evacuation hospital in England, the last place he expects to run into a former schoolmate. The gangly tomboy who was four years behind him in high school has transformed into a statuesque beauty, but a broken engagement in college leaves him with no desire to risk his heart ever again.
Will the hazards of war make or break a romance between this unlikely couple?
Click here to get your copy!
About the Author
Linda Shenton Matchett writes about ordinary people who did extraordinary things in days gone by. A volunteer docent and archivist for the Wright Museum of WWII, Linda is a former trustee for her local public library. She is a native of Baltimore, Maryland and was born a stone’s throw from Fort McHenry. Linda has lived in historic places all her life, and is now located in central New Hampshire where her favorite activities include exploring historic sites and immersing herself in the imaginary worlds created by other authors.
More from Linda
As a former human resources professional I am fascinated by the history of women in the workplace. The WWII is especially intriguing because not only did women enter the workforce, but they took jobs previously only held by men. And they proved themselves up to the task.
Because of my background, one of the first things I do when devising a story is to determine the protagonist’s job, and I love putting her into an unusual situation. My heroines have been mercantile owners, gold prospectors, spies, war correspondents, photographers, and pilots. In The Mechanic & The MD, Doris Strealer is…you guessed it…a mechanic.
I learned early on that I am NOT mechanically inclined. Newly married with not a lot of extra cash, my husband and I decided we would perform our own car maintenance. My husband grew up helping his dad, so he had lots of experience. How hard could it be?
For me, apparently very difficult. My first (and only) attempt to change the oil ended with my face and hands covered in black muck and a hole in the filter (don’t ask!). I determined I’m better at holding the flashlight or performing other assistant-type duties.
As it turns out, that wasn’t the case for Britain’s future Queen Elizabeth who became the first female member of the British royal family to become an active duty member of the Armed Forces when she joined the Auxiliary Territory Service. She underwent a six-week auto mechanic training course and learned how to deconstruct, repair, and rebuild engines, change tires, and drive every type of vehicle she worked on including jeeps, trucks, and ambulances.
When I learned of her service, I was intrigued, and the idea for The Mechanic & The MD was born.
I hope you enjoy Doris’s story, my effort to honor the men and women who served during this difficult period in history.
Blog Stops
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, March 10
Inklings and notions, March 11
For Him and My Family, March 12
Texas Book-aholic, March 13
deb’s Book Review, March 14
Locks, Hooks and Books, March 15
Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, March 16
Connie’s History Classroom, March 17
Blossoms and Blessings, March 18 (Author Interview)
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, March 19
For the Love of Literature, March 20 (Author Interview)
Christina’s Corner, March 20
CarpeDiem, March 21
Jodie Wolfe – Stories Where Hope and Quirky Meet, March 22 (Author Interview)
Miriam Jacob, March 22
Happily Managing a Household of Boys, March 23
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Giveaway
To celebrate her tour, Linda is giving away the grand prize package of a $25 Visa Gift Card and signed copy of the book!!
Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.
My Review:
The Mechanic & the MD is set against World War II in the United States for a bit and England for most of the book. My husband and son are both World War II experts, but neither of them had heard of female mechanics or transport (at least as much as implied in this book). So, off I went to do some research and found out that yes, the author knew what she was writing about—fascinating and I love learning new information!
I have to admit that I didn’t appreciate the hot and cold reactions of the hero and heroine. They also overreacted in some situations that just didn’t make sense to me.
I laughed at the other women and their man-hungry ways during a war.
The horror of war attacked me in a novel way, considering the people living with bombing raids even in the countryside. Somehow, this country girl assumed the cities were the main targets and those who harbored children and refugees a la Narnia, were safe. Nowhere was safe.
I was given a copy of this book for free. I was not required to give a favorable review nor was any money received for this review. All comments and opinions are my own.
I would recommend this book to a friend; it was eye-opening.
Below, please comment your favorite genre--historical, contemporary, etc. I can't believe I haven't asked before!!