Customer Reviews

Lifelines (Angels of Mercy)

5 star:		(18)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I saw this book at a half priced book store and thought- Finally! I love Grey's Anatomy and wondered why there weren't books along those lines. This is not Grey's Anatomy but a book full of suspense and well-balanced. It has action in the ER but also a mystery, action in ambulances/field, and realistic personal drama. I did NOT want this to end! This is surely the beginning to a series. I can't say enough good things! Are there more like this? If so, how do I find them? I don't want the super-technical medical thrillers, and while I like Tess Gerittsen(sp?) books, I love the base being in the hospital with varying levels of interns and residents. Enjoy!!

Dr. Lydia Fiore left Los Angeles to work as an emergency physician at Pittsburgh's Angels of Mercy Hospital. Her first night on her new job is the infamous Transition Day, the deadliest day of the year in the American health system as July 1 is when the graduated newbies begin their internship. Her first patient is a fourteen year old male in arrest in which she defies protocol and her team (fourth year medical student Amanda Mason, third year emergency medical resident Gina Freeman and charge nurse Nora Halloran), and saves his life.

The second emergency is Jonah Weiss, the son of the chief of surgery, who was hit by a car, but he dies. One day on the job and she is suspended pending a review of Jonah's death. However, when the autopsy implies a homicide occurs, Lydia decides to investigate after consulting with her team, who agrees with her assessment. More deaths follow as Lydia continues her unofficial inquiries.

LIFELINES is an exciting medical thriller that provides readers with an insightful look at standard operating procedures and protocol in an inner city emergency room. The whodunit is fun to follow and a side of medical romance between Lydia and medic Trey Garrison enhance the trauma of working ER graveyard shift. Except for those with an aversion to blood, readers will appreciate this entreating tale, but those considering the medical field as a vocation will reconsider.

Harriet Klausner

This is my first time ever reading anything by CJ Lyons or anything related to the 'thriller'or 'suspense' type genre. I mostly read romance or African American Contempary Fiction,(i.e Terry Mcmillian, Daamiah S. Poole, Farrah Rachon) but when I saw this book I thought it was very interesting. I just finished it today and it was great. Lydia is no-nonsense yet a bit fragile at the same time. Jim was a complete butt head and trey is charming. Nora, Amanda, and Gina are are sweet. There was smoke, fire, romance, fear....a little bit of everything. I also bought the sequel 'WARNING SIGNS' which I will start either tonight or this weekend. Even though I usually don't read this type of genre Ms. Lyons made it interesting and easy to follow. Good Job Ms. Lyons I hear there is a third installment of the series coming in november....can't wait.

Lifelines is the debut novel of author and doctor CJ Lyons. It's an entertaining read and, as others have noted, feels like a continuation of ER. And like ER, the primary characters are rife with personal problems. So much so that I found it detracting from the primary plotline and simply not quite believable. As a psychologist, I wanted to get all these women into therapy as soon as possible. As a reader, I gradually lost a lot of my sympathy with Dr. Fiore and her cohorts.

Dr. Lyons brings an air of authenticity to her story, drawing on her own knowledge of emergency rooms. As she admits, some of the protocols were truncated in the interest of keeping the pace up. I don't see this as a real problem. The pace of this novel is rapid and the basic plot entertaining. If you're looking for a quick read with a lot of blood, ambulance chases and explosions, this is the book for you. If you're looking to gain a better understanding of the pressures and stresses on medical personnel in an inner city ER, you'll be disappointed. If you're looking for all subplots to be tied up, you'll be disappointed.

Still, this is a debut novel. Given the strong points of this novel - the clean, clear use of language, the pacing, the settings - I'm looking forward to her next novel. I expect Lyons to get better and better.

Books.


The book was excellent. A
relative new writer who should go far. The only criticism is that of the publisher. The type is way too small. If I had seen the print in the book before purchase, I would have not bought it and therefore missed a good author's story.

The pace and plot of this book is excellent. I felt like I was in the middle of an ER episode without all of the time constraints. The character development is top-notch as well. I can't wait for this author's next novel.

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 was my introduction to Dr. Lyons' novels. I will be reading more! I loved the medical details and the fast paced action. Dr. Lyons' use of her medical/ER background makes this a believable and engaging story.

I just finished Lifelines (Angels of Mercy). This was a great book. The book had most of my favorite characters and several things going on at the same time. CJ was able to tie everything up including a happy ending. Dr. Lyons has created another masterpiece!

I admit it, I am addicted. CJ has such a unique style of writing. Very gripping - I can't put them down. I have read all of the ANgels of Mercy series and loved each one more than the last. she always leaves you wanting more.