 | Marvel at true but forgotten history when patients check into Linda Hazzard’s Washington state spa in 1912 and soon become victim of her twisted greed. Book 10 in the True Colors series—Fiction Based on Strange-But True History Heiress Stella Burke is plagued by insincere suitors and nonstop headaches. Exhausting all other medical aides for her migraines, Stella reads Fasting for the Cure of Disease by Linda Hazzard and determines to go to the spa the author runs. Stella’s chauffer and long-time friend, Henry Clayton, is reluctant to leave her at the spa. Something doesn’t feel right to him, still Stella submits herself into Linda Hazzard’s care. Stella soon learns the spa has a dark side and Linda a mean streak. But when Stella has had enough, all ways to leave are suddenly blocked. Will Stella become a walking skeleton like many of the other patients or succumb to a worse fate? |
Genre: Christian Historical Suspense
Release date: March, 2021
Release date: March, 2021
Click here to get your copy!
My Review
She's desperate to find health, can he save her?
It's hard to believe that we are already to the tenth book in the True Colors series! I have eagerly anticipated each new release since reading the first book. And I've never been disappointed. The Purple Nightgown was one that I looked forward to as I was already at least somewhat familiar with the historical true crime events and I was totally curious as to what direction A.D. Lawrence might take her characters, real and fictional.
I had such mixed feelings about the characters! One the one hand I thought Stella was spoiled, gullible, and deliberately foolish, but, on the other hand I still liked her and wanted so much for her to have a happy ending. I genuinely liked Henry but sometimes I wanted to just shake some sense into him and yell at him to stop letting class get in the way. Can you tell that I was emotionally involved? Just a little bit?
I will say this. Whether you are interested in alternative medicine or not, this villain sure is one crazy woman, Linda Buzzard...err...Hazzard sure gave/gives it a bad name. I'm not sure I'll ever see orange juice in quite the same way again...
While I have liked some of the previous True Colors books a little better I thought that The Purple Nightgown was a sold addition to the series. It was interesting, it was entertaining, and A.D. Lawrence did a really great job surprising me with the showdown with some of the bad guys. I just did not see that particular scene coming. Now I just can't wait to read the next book...
Tell Tale Book Reviews gives The Purple Nightgown by A.D. Lawrence a 4 Bark rating.
It's hard to believe that we are already to the tenth book in the True Colors series! I have eagerly anticipated each new release since reading the first book. And I've never been disappointed. The Purple Nightgown was one that I looked forward to as I was already at least somewhat familiar with the historical true crime events and I was totally curious as to what direction A.D. Lawrence might take her characters, real and fictional.
I had such mixed feelings about the characters! One the one hand I thought Stella was spoiled, gullible, and deliberately foolish, but, on the other hand I still liked her and wanted so much for her to have a happy ending. I genuinely liked Henry but sometimes I wanted to just shake some sense into him and yell at him to stop letting class get in the way. Can you tell that I was emotionally involved? Just a little bit?
I will say this. Whether you are interested in alternative medicine or not, this villain sure is one crazy woman, Linda Buzzard...err...Hazzard sure gave/gives it a bad name. I'm not sure I'll ever see orange juice in quite the same way again...
While I have liked some of the previous True Colors books a little better I thought that The Purple Nightgown was a sold addition to the series. It was interesting, it was entertaining, and A.D. Lawrence did a really great job surprising me with the showdown with some of the bad guys. I just did not see that particular scene coming. Now I just can't wait to read the next book...
Tell Tale Book Reviews gives The Purple Nightgown by A.D. Lawrence a 4 Bark rating.
(I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are entirely my own.)
More from A.D. Lawrence
Times have changed. And like so many things, health retreats have experienced their own metamorphosis. Sure, they’ve always catered to people with both spare money and time, but aside from similar clientele, the face of the health spa is nothing like its early 20th century sister.
 | If you could afford a getaway to a modern-day health spa like The Golden Door, you’d be treated to the luxury of rest. Yoga on the beach. Deep tissue massages. A much-needed break from technology and life’s constant pressures. Mental well-being is valued almost as highly as physical health, and the two are thought to be connected. After days or weeks of pampering, you would return home relaxed, recharged, and ready to dip back into the hustle of the real world. |
In 1911, during the time of The Purple Nightgown, the medical community took a diametrically different approach to health. Weight equaled health.The prevailing assumption was that any ailments were directly connected to weight. Thus, ‘fat camps’ grew in popularity. Men and women checked into sanatoriums where the aides put them through grueling exercise regimes and provided them with just enough food to sustain life. No coddling. Not many of us would subject ourselves to the treatments early health spas required.
| In this era of already extreme health measures, Linda Hazzard made her mark in Washington State. Obsessed with fasting, she ran her patients through an unfathomable course of ‘diet and exercise’ that proved the undoing of many. She did give massages though, which you’ll learn more about when you read The Purple Nightgown. |  |
In this era of already extreme health measures, Linda Hazzard made her mark in Washington State. Obsessed with fasting, she ran her patients through an unfathomable course of ‘diet and exercise’ that proved the undoing of many. She did give massages though, which you’ll learn more about when you read The Purple Nightgown.
Although it’s fun to long for a simpler time while reading historical books and watching shows like Little House on the Prairie, there are some modern ways of thinking and advances in human comfort I’d rather not give up. One of those is the vastly superior spa experience we have today. Somehow, a facial with soothing background music sounds much more appealing than running mile after mile every day with nothing to look forward to but a glass of orange juice or a bowl of canned tomato broth.
Although it’s fun to long for a simpler time while reading historical books and watching shows like Little House on the Prairie, there are some modern ways of thinking and advances in human comfort I’d rather not give up. One of those is the vastly superior spa experience we have today. Somehow, a facial with soothing background music sounds much more appealing than running mile after mile every day with nothing to look forward to but a glass of orange juice or a bowl of canned tomato broth.
Hot stone massage anyone?
 A.D. Lawrence | A.D. Lawrence makes her home in Northeastern Nebraska. She has been passionate about writing and true crime for years, and her two obsessions melded into the goal of authorship. She is an active member of the ACFW, writes a true crime blog, won the 2019 Crown Award and was a 2019 First Impressions finalist. |
It's Time For A Giveaway!
To celebrate her tour, A.D. is giving away the grand prize package
of a $25 Amazon gift card and a copy of the book!!
of a $25 Amazon gift card and a copy of the book!!
Click below to enter. Be sure to comment on this post before you enter to claim 9 extra entries!
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Spoken from the Heart, April 4
Splashes of Joy, April 5
Artistic Nobody, April 5 (Guest Review from Joni Truex)
Southern Gal Loves to Read, April 5
lakesidelivingsite, March 23
The Meanderings of a Bookworm, March 23
For Him and My Family, March 24
Book Bites, Bee Stings, & Butterfly Kisses, March 24
Godly Book Reviews, March 24
Through the Fire Blogs, March 25
Musings of a Sassy Bookish Mama, March 25
For the Love of Literature, March 26
A Modern Day Fairy Tale, March 26
Mary Hake, March 26
Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, March 27
deb’s Book Review, March 27
Pause for Tales, March 28
Remembrancy, March 28
Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, March 28
Connie’s History Classroom, March 29
Genesis 5020, March 29
Melissa Wardwell’s Back Porch Reads, March 29
Babbling Becky L’sBook Impressions, March 30
Texas Book-aholic, March 30
Inklings and notions, March 31
Gina Holder, Author and Blogger, March 31 (Author Interview)
Cathe Swanson, March 31
Older & Smarter?, April 1
Betti Mace, April 1
Rebecca Tews, April 1
Tell Tale Book Reviews, April 2
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, April 2
Vicky Sluiter, April 2
Locks, Hooks and Books, April 3
Amanda Tero, blog, April 3
Blossoms and Blessings, April 3
Christian Bookaholic, April 4
Blogging With Carol, April 4
Spoken from the Heart, April 4
Splashes of Joy, April 5
Artistic Nobody, April 5 (Guest Review from Joni Truex)
Southern Gal Loves to Read, April 5
