New Release- "More Precious Than Gold" by Renee Yancy

 

ABOUT THE BOOK

Historical Fiction/Romance

When artistic, middle-class Kitty Winthrop discovers the grandmother she always believed dead is actually the uber-wealthy leader of New York City high society, Kitty jumps at the chance to make her debut into that world despite her mother’s disapproval. After dancing lessons and etiquette classes, she enters the high society life as the granddaughter of a New York City blueblood, wearing the gorgeous Worth ball gowns she used to design for her portfolio. But she soon discovers all that glitters isn’t gold, and ball gowns, jewels, and fancy parties don’t feed the soul.

As America enters World War I, Kitty makes the choice to forego the life of wealth and luxury promised by her grandmother and pursue a nursing career at Bellevue Hospital. She catches the eye of Dr. Samuel Hayden, a young physician in charge of the medical wards who falls hard for her.

As Kitty and Samuel fall in love, the Pandemic Flu of 1918 strikes New York City and the world. Soon the student nurses are working sixteen-hour shifts, people in the prime of life are dying, and the city morgues are overflowing with the dead. Through this incredibly stressful time, Kitty realizes she want to pursue medicine, but Samuel won’t hear of it. As the flu epidemic reaches its lethal peak, hearts are tested, lives are lost, and no one knows who will survive to see if love can overcome all obstacles.

MY REVIEW

Kitty Winthrop decides to become a nurse as the world enters the war and an influenza outbreak of 1918 strikes the U.S. The storyline is one of heartbreak, uncertainty, and forgiveness. The character of Kitty shows strength and resilience beyond her years. A dedicated nurse, compassionate and giving when most would have given up. Her mother, giving of herself helping place orphans, feels alone when her husband joins the war effort as a chaplain.

The characters circumstances pulled me into the story and touched my heart. They were very well-developed with deep convictions. The story made me laugh, cry, and feel full of admiration for the selfless efforts of the doctor and nurses. The historical aspects of the story seemed well-researched.

More Precious Than Gold is a story that because of the recent outbreak of COVID, appeared more personal. A great but intense and emotional read.

I received a complimentary copy from the author and voluntarily choose to review it.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

More Precious Than Gold, the sequel to The Test of Gold, is here! It's set against the backdrop of WWI and the Pandemic Flu of 1918. I finished the manuscript for More Precious Than Gold in 2017, two years before COVID hit. Never in a million years did I ever think I would live through a pandemic in my own lifetime!

Everyone knows someone who has had COVID or has had it themself. I know several nurses that have had it twice.

Today, though, we have antibiotics and antivirals. We have oxygen and ventilators, breathing treatments, and monoclonal antibodies. We have access to clean water and health care. In 1918, all they had was aspirin powder and morphine. But, unlike COVID, this pandemic flu of 1918 primarily affected people in the 20 to 40 age group---people in the prime of their life. In New York City alone, over 100,000 children were left orphans.

My interest in archaeology and history began when my father brought home a full color book on Tutankhamun sometime in the 60's. I was hooked!

I was a voracious reader from an early age, often bringing home 10 or 12 books a week to read during summer vacation. I particularly love historical fiction that immerses you in a new culture. Time travel in a book! To this day, one of my all-time favorite reads is Shogun, by James Clavell.

When I'm not writing, I'm traveling to see the places I write about, antiquing, and collecting pottery.

Visit my website and blog at https://www.reneeyancy.com.