Caught in the Undertow
When the one man she can’t stand is the only one she has left.
Dr Poppy Mason is a year older, and getting used to her slightly more senior role as a Resident Medical Officer. But a worldwide pandemic hits and life starts spinning out of control. The Respiratory team is on the front line and continuous changes, limited support, and unrelenting pressure take its toll on Poppy, threatening to bring her undone.
COVID restrictions leave her boyfriend, Will, stuck on a country term and physical distance isn’t the only threat to their relationship. When her Consultant goes AWOL, and her Registrar flakes, Poppy is stuck working with sexy but oh so annoying, Joshua Hunter, who did his best to make the last year difficult for her. Only, now he’s actually helpful, and soon he becomes her closest ally in the hospital. Will her mind and body stand up to the challenge of working with him, day in and day out? And how will Dr Anderson, a powerful figure in The Bennelong Hospital, respond to Poppy’s plea for help? Join Poppy and her friends, Gemma and Lucas, on this next adventure.
Releasing 10th March
Pre-orders now available- click on the universal link
Launch party:
Join me for the launch party on 15th March
5-7:30 pm, The Blue Gum Hotel
Tickets $25pp
Book 2 in The Poppy Mason series
Praise for, Caught in the Undertow
From Pretoria B.:
Caught in the Undertow is a love note to the frontline clinical staff who handled the emerging threat of COVID-19 and the worldwide pandemic with stoicism and compassion.
Poppy is thrust into the unfolding emergency of COVID-19. She is abandoned by many of her senior colleagues, and must turn to Joshua Hunter for support.
Set against the backdrop of usual hospital politics, including separation for country rotation terms, peer and family isolation due to busy medical terms, and grandstanding by senior doctors, the COVID-19 epidemic adds further layers of complexity to the already fragile public health system. C E de Gzell , a doctor who worked during the pandemic, brings to life the stepwise challenges of dealing with COVID-19.
Caught in the Undertow is a must read for those wanting a honest portrayal of how clinical staff in Australian hospitals dealt with the Covid-19 pandemic.
It’s even better than the first book!
The Swell
Excited to be a signing author at:
A Romantic Rendezvous
Sydney, 2026
For more details:
Dr de Gzell is a successful Radiation Oncologist whose debut novel, The Swell, published on 10th June, 2025. It follows Dr Poppy Mason’s journey as she makes the leap from medical student to doctor in a busy Sydney hospital. Poppy and her friends struggle with the pressure and intensity of internship and Poppy’s love life throws a few curve balls too.
‘Head up, young person’
Available at all Amazon stores- tap on the link
Praise for ‘The Swell’
From Carrie Clarke, author:
“Fans of medical dramas will love this book! A great read choc full of the challenges of navigating life, love and career. If you love a good medical drama, this book is for you.”
From Caileen Cacchia, author:
“In C. E. de Gzell’s debut novel, The Swell, we follow Poppy Mason through her first term as an intern in a large Sydney hospital. From medical drama to romantic intrigue and workplace politics, we ride the ups and downs alongside Poppy in this coming of age page-turner.”
From Nicole G.:
“I couldn’t put it down. Dive into Poppy’s world of medicine, romance, and camaraderie as she navigates her first term as a doctor. It’s the perfect escape!”
From Kobo reader:
“Refreshing and very readable 5*
I loved this book! As a jaded older reader I usually avoid medical novels as with a medical background, I get so annoyed when medical diseases and treatments don’t ring true. It’s refreshing that this book is written by someone who has been there and done all these things. It’s a long time since I’ve looked forward to picking up the book again. Many times I sat down to read one paragraph and found myself still enthralled an hour later. Poppy’s character has a good balance between work, personal, and romantic lives and gives weight to the believability of her portrayal. It’s hard to believe that this is a book by a first time author. I’m really looking forward to the next instalment of Poppy’s life.”
From Joey H.:
"An unflinching debut by C. E. de Gzell offering an intimate window into the adrenaline-fuelled world of the ED capturing the raw emotion, mental strain, and fierce resilience of a young doctor coming of age in medicine and in life. Loved it!”
From Lisa B.:
“A perfect holiday read- Poppy is an intern and her adventures in the ER and with her friends = a book I couldn’t put down! I absolutely loved this- it’s like watching ER but way more spicy!”
From Angie B.:
“I'm at an age when I won't continue to read a book unless I am really enjoying it - and I can assure you The Swell will keep you engaged from beginning to end. Ceclia has an amazing way of pulling you into the world she created and I felt like I was hanging out with friends, desperate to know what was going to happen to them next! If you are looking for a fun, emotional and engaging read then The Swell should be next on your list.”
From Goodreads:
“Excellent! Devoured the book in 48 hours (apologies to the author who would have spent years perfecting the storyline). The hero was a young woman just starting out in the male dominated medical profession. She was intelligent, competent, and sexually able. A modern, humanistic and feminine version of House of God! Can’t wait for the next book in the series.”
From Lisa J Page, author:
“Loved the story of Poppy and her friends and her time as an intern at Bennelong Hospital in the Emergency Department. As we read and get to know her life and what makes her tick. Fantastic job, C. E. de Gzell, you’ve got me hooked to read more in this series.”