For the Rest of My Life (Claire McCall Series #2) [Paperback]

Harry Kraus (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 16, 2003

The riveting, emotional sequel to the best-selling Could I Have This Dance? Claire McCall, M.D., is haunted by the question: Does she have the gene for Huntington's Disease, the disease that disabled her father? This exciting sequel picks up with Claire moving back to Stoney Creek to work as a family physician and help her mother care for her disabled father. She rekindles her relationship with John Serelli and---just before she's going to find out if she carries the HD gene---discovers an engagement ring hidden in his car. When John fails to 'pop the question' before learning the results of the test, Claire believes he is only interested in marrying her if she does not have the HD gene. She runs away from him without learning the results of the test, or the strength of his love. Claire copes with her romantic disappointment by plunging into her work. But a brutal rapist attacks three of Claire's patients, just as each young woman is recovering from a recent accident or surgery. When Claire has surgery for appendicitis, she herself is attacked. Only her trust in God can keep Claire safe.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In Could I Have This Dance?, board-certified general surgeon Kraus spun the inspirational tale of a physician who uncovered an undiagnosed pocket of Huntington's disease ("HD," or "the dance") in her hometown and in her own family. Here, Kraus picks up the story of Claire McCall, M.D., as she awaits the outcome of her own genetic testing for HD. As Claire and her mother care for her father, who is in the advanced and desperately debilitating stages of the disease, she decides to postpone knowing whether she has it. Claire is in love with John Cerelli and afraid of what the results of the test might mean for their future. Her concern about the strength of John's love for her takes a sudden turn, however, when a serial rapist begins victimizing her patients, and John falls under suspicion. Does she know him as well as she thought? And where is God in all of this? The reader will have to suspend disbelief in places to enjoy the story, including a scene where John throws away an expensive diamond ring and it finds its way to a new owner in an unlikely manner. The author's practical experience as a doctor lends authenticity to the plot and results in some detailed descriptions of medical conditions and of the postrape examination of victims (which may be a bit graphic for the novel's intended Christian audience). Brisk pacing keeps the pages turning, and fans of the first novel will enjoy discovering how the romance between Claire and John reaches a surprising conclusion.
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

In Could I Have This Dance? , board-certified general surgeon Kraus spun the inspirational tale of a physician who uncovered an undiagnosed pocket of Huntington's disease ('HD,' or 'the dance') in her hometown and in her own family. Here, Kraus picks up the story of Claire McCall, M.D., as she awaits the outcome of her own genetic testing for HD. As Claire and her mother care for her father, who is in the advanced and desperately debilitating stages of the disease, she decides to postpone knowing whether she has it. Claire is in love with John Cerelli and afraid of what the results of the test might mean for their future. Her concern about the strength of John's love for her takes a sudden turn, however, when a serial rapist begins victimizing her patients, and John falls under suspicion. Does she know him as well as she thought? And where is God in all of this? The reader will have to suspend disbelief in places to enjoy the story, including a scene where John throws away an expensive diamond ring and it finds its way to a new owner in an unlikely manner. The author's practical experience as a doctor lends authenticity to the plot and results in some detailed descriptions of medical conditions and of the postrape examination of victims (which may be a bit graphic for the novel's intended Christian audience). Brisk pacing keeps the pages turning, and fans of the first novel will enjoy discovering how the romance between Claire and John reaches a surprising conclusion. (Jan.) -- Publisher's Weekly

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 18 and up
  
• Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Zondervan; 1ST edition (December 16, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0310249783
• ISBN-13: 978-0310249788
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.5 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #887,947 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Wonderful Sequel, May 27, 2004

By 

Carmen Leal (Kailua, HI USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: For the Rest of My Life (Claire McCall Series #2) (Paperback)

Sometimes sequels don't live up to the first book, but this time Harry Kraus did a wonderful job of picking up where he left off. For The Rest of My Life continues the story of Dr. Claire McCall as she moves through her journey of self discovery. In the first book, Could I Have This Dance?, Claire learned that she is at-risk for Huntington's Disease. Claire wrestles with finding out her results and what it will do to her relationship with the man she wants to marry, but also with her career. I found her response to the disease, the testing, her father who has HD, and other conflicts true to life.

As the author of two non fiction books about Huntington's Disease and as a frequent speaker at HD conferences, I found the portrayal of the disease authentic. I like that the book focuses not only on the romance but on real- life issues and conflicts.

The Pacing was excellent and Dr. Kraus did an solid job of weaving the various story lines together to make for an engaging read. I found the characters realistic for the most part, and while I did manage to solve the mystery in one of the stories before it was revealed, I still enjoyed the way it played out.

Dr. Kraus once again did a great job at weaving faith into the novel without being heavy handed. The issues that Claire and others went through ate the same as what people are dealing with every day. This is a book I will recommend to the members of the Huntington's Disease community and others.

Carmen Leal, Author of Faces of Huntington's and Portraits of Huntington's, Choosing Joy Through Life Lessons

5.0 out of 5 stars For the rest of my life, February 21, 2012

By 

Lou Jean Morris - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: For the Rest of My Life (Claire McCall Series #2) (Paperback)

Very interesting book. I have enjoyed the series and looking for future
books to come out.
This book has been donated to our church library as well as the rest of the
collection as it becomes available.

5.0 out of 5 stars Medical Drama!, November 3, 2011

By 

Trinity Rose "book lover" (Ohio) - See all my reviews

This review is from: For the Rest of My Life (Claire McCall Series #2) (Paperback)

For the Rest of my Life is the sequel to the bestselling novel Could I Have This Dance by Harry Lee Kraus, MD is a fantastic read. It didn't disappoint me and often second books do.
I really wanted to find out if Claire had the gene for the Huntington's Disease that was passed down from generation to generation and got to find that out.
Also I loved all of the new cases Claire had in her doctors office that she is now working as a LMD-local medical doctor. This book has the same major characters, but has many new and interesting characters.
We see in this book how Claire grows closer to the Lord and how she and John get reacquainted again. Claire has many problems and they just seem to grow and grow.
The author really did a good job with hiding the rapist from everyone. He had me believing two others could fit in the category to be the likely person, but I actually did choose the right one.
I love how this story was put together and really look forward to the next book. Harry Kraus, MD is an excellent author and one of my new favorites.

Thank you to Zondervan for providing this book for review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255