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Giving Medics an Authentic Voice
Prescription for a Frozen Heart follows a brilliant but emotionally guarded sports doctor who avoids children at all costs and meets an emotionally unavailable single father that she did not expect to fall for. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
This book draws heavily from my own life. I wanted to give medics a voice for the true challenges we face that usually are glossed over when a medical romance is written by a lay person. I have given Charlie my day job, yet she is not me. My niece was 11 at the time I was writing. I wanted a brooding man who was flawed but redeemable and I intentionally created a character arc for him to show this.
What was your writing process to ensure you captured the essence of the characters?
I defined my characters before I started writing. Their flaws, their habits, their go to tics, and their appearances. I thought about how they would react differently given the same situation. In my head they are real people.
Was there a reason why you chose this location as the backdrop for your story?
It’s set in the small rural town I work in, since Charlie got my job.
What next book are you working on, and when will it be available?
I’m creating a sweet time-travel romance. Imagine: Pride & Prejudice meets Jurassic Park. It’s too early to give a date yet. I am having a ball writing it 😊
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“How could one little six-character word hurt so much?
Like a knife had been skewered into her heart and twisted for good measure, the tip snapping off, imbedded, left there to rust, instead of being quickly withdrawn to bleed to death and end the pain. And then a magnet in the form of cheery Em would waltz by and tug on that vicious tip, making her bleed all over again.”
Prescription for a Frozen Heart
Jo-Anne Duffett’s Prescription for a Frozen Heart is an emotionally charged, slow-burn romance wrapped in medical drama, set against the backdrop of South Africa. It follows Dr. Charlotte “Charlie” Kriel, a brilliant but emotionally guarded sports doctor who avoids children at all costs, and Dr. Thomás Ribeiro, a single father with a past that’s left him emotionally unavailable. Their paths collide when Charlie meets Thomás’s inquisitive daughter, Emilía, whose presence cracks the icy barriers both doctors have built around their hearts. The book takes readers on a journey of healing, self-discovery, and the undeniable pull of love even when one fights against it.
Right off the bat, I was hooked by Charlie’s complexity. She’s strong and capable, yet vulnerable in a way that makes her feel real. The opening scene, where she panics over a child job-shadowing her, had me both sympathizing with her fears and chuckling at her avoidance tactics. The author does an excellent job of balancing her trauma with her competence, making her struggles with children feel deeply personal rather than overdone. When Emilía enters the picture, she is smart-mouthed and full of life, and you can feel Charlie’s carefully controlled world shift. The way she instinctively rubs her chest to stave off old wounds whenever faced with children? That small detail speaks volumes.
Thomás, on the other hand, is the perfect counterweight to Charlie. He’s intense, brooding, and smoking hot. But beneath his Arctic Ice exterior, as Charlie calls it, is a devoted father who would do anything for Emilía. The tension between him and Charlie is electric, not just because of their attraction but because of the fundamental differences in how they process their pain. His initial judgmental nature (calling Charlie unfit when she faints) made me want to throw something at him, but his protective instincts and slow unraveling into someone who actually listens made me forgive him.
The banter between Charlie and Thomás crackles with chemistry, and Emilía’s sharp wit keeps things from getting too heavy. The writing flows effortlessly, blending medical authenticity with deeply personal stakes. Some moments genuinely made me tear up, especially when Charlie wrestles with her longing for a child of her own while pretending she doesn’t care. Duffett weaves in medical details seamlessly, grounding the story in realism without bogging it down with jargon. It’s clear she knows the medical world well, and that authenticity makes the characters’ struggles feel even more tangible.
By the time the story reaches its climax, the emotional stakes are sky-high. Secrets are revealed, walls come down, and the push-and-pull between Charlie and Thomás reaches a breaking point that had me flipping pages like my life depended on it. And the ending? Satisfying as hell.
If you love slow-burn romance with depth, emotionally wounded yet resilient protagonists, and stories about found families, Prescription for a Frozen Heart will melt you. Fans of medical dramas like Grey’s Anatomy or heartfelt contemporary romances will eat this up. I’d especially recommend it to those who enjoy single-dad romances with a heroine who isn’t afraid to challenge her own fears.
Pages: 293 | ASIN : B0DSWHL48Y
A Soulmate Who Accepts You
In Surf n Turf, a woman is left reeling following an unexpected marriage proposal, and her search for clarity leads her down a difficult path and into the arms of a man who may have all the answers. Where did the idea for this story come from?
I first came up with the idea of Luan, after reading an article on a man they refer to as the “salty shepherd,” a sheep farmer who does big wave surfing. My family lives in the Klein-Karoo (small Karoo), and my husband was a surfer in his youth. So I decided to make the story between Cape Town – Surf and the Karoo – Turf. Sarah was learning to surf, and she wants to open a bakery – I was playing on the classic Surf n Turf meal as well. Then I ran into a street sign…and concussed myself, giving me the idea for the amnesia.
What was the inspiration for Sarah’s traits and dialogue?
A young colleague.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
The desire to understand one’s past in order to make sense of unexplained emotive reactions. The need to connect with family. The need to close one chapter in order to move on in life. The need for a soulmate who accepts you as you are.
Can fans expect to see more from you soon? What are you currently working on?
A medical romance Fire & Ice. A workaholic sports physician clashes with a misogynist anesthetist and metaphorical claws fly. This hot single dad’s engaging daughter keeps drawing them back together, until what they want (each other) clashes with their mutual mistrust of the opposite gender, and they need to redefine their beliefs and trust in the existence and healing power of forgiveness, love, and honesty.
And then there’s a time travel romance under construction.
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On the way, disaster strikes leaving her lost and confused in an arid landscape. Rescued by a handsome sheep farmer, she has just a locket; a phrase: “touch the stars” and a faded map, to navigate her way forward.
As for Luan, one minute he is warm and friendly, the next haunted by pain and so distant.
What has hurt him so deeply? What will it take to melt the ice around his heart? Can Luan help Sarah find what she is looking for?
Surf n’ Turf
Surf ‘n Turf, by Jo-Anne Duffett, presents the intricate journey of Sarah, a character grappling with the complexities of self-discovery and emotional exploration. Following an unexpected proposal, Sarah embarks on a voyage from Cape Town, using a worn map and a locket to trace her heritage. Her journey, both physical and metaphorical, is laden with challenges, leading her to cross paths with Luan, a sheep farmer burdened by his own enigmatic past.
Duffett’s narrative is a blend of personal growth and subtle romance, crafted through a compelling writing style. The novel escorts readers through varied landscapes, from the bustling streets of Cape Town to the serene expanses of the Karoo. Duffett’s vivid descriptions of these settings are a testament to her meticulous attention to detail and deep appreciation of nature. These richly painted backdrops serve as a constant amidst the evolving narrative.
The story itself is a tapestry of emotional depth and complexity. Sarah’s unwavering pursuit of her heritage, underscored by her resilience against adversity, is not only commendable but deeply inspiring. The character of Luan, with his kindness and hidden sorrows, adds a layer of intrigue to the story. Their relationship, evolving amidst the central quest, is portrayed with a delicate balance of tenderness and realism. Duffett’s skill in weaving emotional elements into the narrative fabric is notable. The symbolic significance of the map, locket, and phrases that Sarah cherishes adds depth to her character and her journey.
Surf ‘n Turf is a narrative that celebrates the human spirit’s capacity for growth, resilience, and connection. I recommend Jo-Anne Duffett’s novel to any reader looking for a romance tale that moves far beyond the surface and explores the characters’ emotions in a touching and realistic fashion.
Pages: 217: ASIN : B0CPT7XPC9
LITERARY TITAN 