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An Accidental Life: A Novel
In a 1982 New Orleans courtroom the best kept secret in the world is about to unravel, and a young couple's jet set lives are about to change. Senior district attorney Peter Jacobs is facing the trial of a lifetime, a passionate, spiritual battle against an evil with far reaching consequences. His beloved wife Rebecca, a glamorous and driven partner at a major law firm, suddenly finds her life spun out of control and her new faith tested while facing a once in a lifetime choice.
New from lawyer-turned-novelist Pamela binnings Ewen, An Accidental Life is fiction based on the testimony of registered nurse Jill Stanek before a U.S. Congressional Committee confirming that it was routine for doctors in Chicago's Christ Hospital to have nurses take infants born alive during abortions down to a "soiled utility room" and leave them to die.
Stanek's testimony led Congress to enact the Born Alive Infant Protection Act of 2001, a federal-only law that still does not bind state run hospitals or private clinics. The fact remains that what happens to abortion survivors is one of the best kept secrets in the world.
New from lawyer-turned-novelist Pamela binnings Ewen, An Accidental Life is fiction based on the testimony of registered nurse Jill Stanek before a U.S. Congressional Committee confirming that it was routine for doctors in Chicago's Christ Hospital to have nurses take infants born alive during abortions down to a "soiled utility room" and leave them to die.
Stanek's testimony led Congress to enact the Born Alive Infant Protection Act of 2001, a federal-only law that still does not bind state run hospitals or private clinics. The fact remains that what happens to abortion survivors is one of the best kept secrets in the world.
371 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 28, 2013
27 people are currently reading
706 people want to read
About the author
Pamela Binnings Ewen
12 books238 followersAfter practicing law for many in Houston, Texas, Pamela Binnings Ewen turned to writing. She lives in Mandeville, Louisiana near New Orleans. She is the author of The Moon in the Mango Tree, and five other books. Based on a true story, The Moon in the Mango tree was awarded the 2012 Eudora Welty Memorial Award by the National League of American Pen Women.
Pamela's newest novel, The Queen of Paris, will be released April 7, 2020 by Blackstone Publications. This electrifying story, based on the real life of Coco Chanel during WWII as the Nazi's occupied Paris, reveals the underside of the celebrated icon, as has never before been fully told. The Queen of Paris is available for Pre-order now.
Pamela's other novels are Dancing on Glass (a Single Titles Reviewer's Choice award), Chasing the Wind (a Top Pick for RT Reviewers), An Accidental Life, and Secret of the Shroud. She also wrote the non-fiction best-seller Faith on Trial, now in second edition.
Pamela has served on the board of directors of Inprint (Houston, Texas), The Tennessee Williams Festival (New Orleans, Louisiana) and on the advisory board of the Pirate's Alley Faulkner Society (New Orleans). She is President of the Northshore Literary Society located in St. Tammany Paris, Louisiana. In 2009 Pamela received the President’s Arts Award from the Cultural Commission of St. Tammany Parish as Literary Artist of the Year.
Pamela's newest novel, The Queen of Paris, will be released April 7, 2020 by Blackstone Publications. This electrifying story, based on the real life of Coco Chanel during WWII as the Nazi's occupied Paris, reveals the underside of the celebrated icon, as has never before been fully told. The Queen of Paris is available for Pre-order now.
Pamela's other novels are Dancing on Glass (a Single Titles Reviewer's Choice award), Chasing the Wind (a Top Pick for RT Reviewers), An Accidental Life, and Secret of the Shroud. She also wrote the non-fiction best-seller Faith on Trial, now in second edition.
Pamela has served on the board of directors of Inprint (Houston, Texas), The Tennessee Williams Festival (New Orleans, Louisiana) and on the advisory board of the Pirate's Alley Faulkner Society (New Orleans). She is President of the Northshore Literary Society located in St. Tammany Paris, Louisiana. In 2009 Pamela received the President’s Arts Award from the Cultural Commission of St. Tammany Parish as Literary Artist of the Year.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
October 14, 2013
An Accidental Life is a gripping novel with scenes inspired by real life events. One of the most gut wrenching is taken from the testimony Jill Stanek gave that day in 2001. I read about that testimony several years later, but I don’t think the impact of it ever goes away. Other plot details reminded me of the Gosnell case in Philadelphia from earlier this year. The truth is, however inconvenient it may be for some, there are babies born alive during late term abortion. At that point which holds the greater value: the woman’s right to choose or the baby’s right to life?
The trial of the abortion doctor is the most important part of this book and fills a considerable number of pages. The author spent 25 years practicing law but, with only minor exceptions, the proceedings are easy to understand. Although this is a Christian novel, BOTH sides of the case are presented in the form of prosecution and defense arguments. There is a lot of discussion regarding Roe v Wade, which was only nine years old at the time An Accidental Life is set. I had no idea which way the verdict would go until the end, which made me want to keep reading.
The parallel story in An Accidental Life is that of Rebecca learning she’s pregnant. She’s a career woman in a man’s world. At the start of the story, she and a female colleague are made the first female partners at the law firm where they work. Traditional attitudes regarding women in the workplace are still around, and Rebecca experiences the chauvinistic attitudes of her male colleagues as her pregnancy progresses. When her doctor tells her to limit her business travel, she wonders if she’ll still have a job after her baby is born. While these attitudes now seem backward and women can no longer be fired for being pregnant, there is no doubt that this was the norm. Given Ewen’s background, I can’t help but wonder if the narrative is based on her experiences in a male-dominated career field.
Thank you to B & H Publishing for my free electronic copy of An Accidental Life, which I downloaded from NetGalley. No review was required.
The trial of the abortion doctor is the most important part of this book and fills a considerable number of pages. The author spent 25 years practicing law but, with only minor exceptions, the proceedings are easy to understand. Although this is a Christian novel, BOTH sides of the case are presented in the form of prosecution and defense arguments. There is a lot of discussion regarding Roe v Wade, which was only nine years old at the time An Accidental Life is set. I had no idea which way the verdict would go until the end, which made me want to keep reading.
The parallel story in An Accidental Life is that of Rebecca learning she’s pregnant. She’s a career woman in a man’s world. At the start of the story, she and a female colleague are made the first female partners at the law firm where they work. Traditional attitudes regarding women in the workplace are still around, and Rebecca experiences the chauvinistic attitudes of her male colleagues as her pregnancy progresses. When her doctor tells her to limit her business travel, she wonders if she’ll still have a job after her baby is born. While these attitudes now seem backward and women can no longer be fired for being pregnant, there is no doubt that this was the norm. Given Ewen’s background, I can’t help but wonder if the narrative is based on her experiences in a male-dominated career field.
Thank you to B & H Publishing for my free electronic copy of An Accidental Life, which I downloaded from NetGalley. No review was required.
February 13, 2019
Very eye-opening regarding the horrors of late term abortions. It is a fictional story but based loosely on testimony from a nurse about babies left to die after late term induction abortions. Hard to put down. I enjoyed some of the legal/lawyers terminology as you can tell the author used to be a lawyer.
September 6, 2013
Rebecca Downer Jacobs is about to be one of the first women admitted into partnership of her prominent New Orleans law firm. She’s happily married with an exciting career, when something happens that’s going to change everything. Meanwhile, Peter, her husband and senior district attorney, is in charge of a complex case with far-reaching legal consequences and moral implications for his Christian faith.
An Accidental Life is billed as the story of a legal case regarding the right to life of a baby accidentally born alive after a late-term abortion (the author calls this America’s best-kept secret). It’s set in 1982, just nine years after the landmark case of Roe vs. Wade legalised abortion, and the tension surrounding the case and the time setting are strengths of the novel.
The weakness is that it takes too long to get going. The prologue and first chapter are, I’m sorry to say, boring. They are little more than five years of backstory, explaining what has happened to Amalise and Rebecca since the conclusion of Chasing the Wind (which was a rare five-star read for me). This backstory is unnecessary, as An Accidental Life works well as a stand-alone story.
The novel might have been stronger if it focused more on the case and less on the challenges Rebecca and Amalise faced as female lawyers in the early 1980’s. It isn’t that I’m unsympathetic to their challenges—I’m fascinated by them, as it’s women like this in real life that paved the way for women like me to combine work and family. I suspect An Accidental Life was trying to do too much. And it’s possible this is more the fault of the publisher than the author—B&H announced earlier this year that they are withdrawing from the fiction market . It could well be that the author didn’t get the editorial support the novel required.
Despite these problems, An Accidental Life is a solid read. The characters are faced with difficult yet realistic choices, the plot is certainly original, and the Christian element, while present, wasn’t overbearing. And although the last third of the novel—the legal case— was outstanding, the excellent premise didn’t quite deliver as a whole novel.
Thanks to B&H Books and NetGalley for providing a free ebook for review.
An Accidental Life is billed as the story of a legal case regarding the right to life of a baby accidentally born alive after a late-term abortion (the author calls this America’s best-kept secret). It’s set in 1982, just nine years after the landmark case of Roe vs. Wade legalised abortion, and the tension surrounding the case and the time setting are strengths of the novel.
The weakness is that it takes too long to get going. The prologue and first chapter are, I’m sorry to say, boring. They are little more than five years of backstory, explaining what has happened to Amalise and Rebecca since the conclusion of Chasing the Wind (which was a rare five-star read for me). This backstory is unnecessary, as An Accidental Life works well as a stand-alone story.
The novel might have been stronger if it focused more on the case and less on the challenges Rebecca and Amalise faced as female lawyers in the early 1980’s. It isn’t that I’m unsympathetic to their challenges—I’m fascinated by them, as it’s women like this in real life that paved the way for women like me to combine work and family. I suspect An Accidental Life was trying to do too much. And it’s possible this is more the fault of the publisher than the author—B&H announced earlier this year that they are withdrawing from the fiction market . It could well be that the author didn’t get the editorial support the novel required.
Despite these problems, An Accidental Life is a solid read. The characters are faced with difficult yet realistic choices, the plot is certainly original, and the Christian element, while present, wasn’t overbearing. And although the last third of the novel—the legal case— was outstanding, the excellent premise didn’t quite deliver as a whole novel.
Thanks to B&H Books and NetGalley for providing a free ebook for review.
July 23, 2016
This book had a very good story. I think its sort of loosely based around something that happened that hit the news, I am not saying the author says this, but I remember the case. It was a very complicated case where a baby was born even after an 'abortion'
Or should I say "accidentally" born.
Its one of those emotive books its also based around a Christian belief.
The couple both have good standing and good jobs.
We need to remember that this is written in the years 1980 so things were a little different back then.
I would have liked to see more of the legal issues and dilemmas written in the book more than the the challenges that crossed Rebecca and Amalise path.
Its very slow to take off, but without giving spoilers, its a well written book.
I would like to thank B&H Books, B&H Fiction, B&H Kids via Net Galley for my copy
July 20, 2020
3.5 stars--Well written, but the story meandered quite a bit before getting to the real point.
Although a bit meandering, Ewen's novel is eye-opening and makes one think. Readers might be served better if they read the author's note at the end before diving in; it adds perspective and meaning to the story.
District Attorney Peter Jacobs has been handed a make-or-break case. After an abortion, a mother heard her infant cry. Peter and his fellow police officers do some research and discover that it is fairly common for infants born alive during an abortion to be left in a utility room to die. They want the physician to be held accountable, and must break through a code of silence to bring this practice to light.
Although a bit meandering, Ewen's novel is eye-opening and makes one think. Readers might be served better if they read the author's note at the end before diving in; it adds perspective and meaning to the story.
District Attorney Peter Jacobs has been handed a make-or-break case. After an abortion, a mother heard her infant cry. Peter and his fellow police officers do some research and discover that it is fairly common for infants born alive during an abortion to be left in a utility room to die. They want the physician to be held accountable, and must break through a code of silence to bring this practice to light.
September 4, 2013
Rebecca and Peter Jacobs have persevered in climbing their respective corporate ladders to achieve their highest goals. Rebecca has attained the status of partner in a prestigious law firm, and Peter is a Senior Assistant District Attorney. Deeply in love and living a life of affluence the couple is suddenly faced with life-changing events, and Peter is facing the most challenging and heart wrenching case in his career. "An Accidental Life" reveals one of the country's most despicable secrets, late-term abortion by induction, producing live-born fetuses. This story is based on factual testimony in a case before a US Congressional Committee regarding live-born fetuses who are placed in soiled utility rooms to die.
The author has broached the topic of abortion in a very sensitive and compassionate manner, with candor, truth and honesty. A cast of distinctive characters are presented in a credible style and their lives are interwoven throughout this unfolding drama. The investigation and courtroom scenes are authentic, compelling and pragmatic! I am impressed with the author's capacity to present factual events in a fictional manner creating an emotional roller coaster for the reader. This book is powerful and influential!
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from Wynn-Wynn Media in exchange for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own, and no monetary compensation was received for this review.
The author has broached the topic of abortion in a very sensitive and compassionate manner, with candor, truth and honesty. A cast of distinctive characters are presented in a credible style and their lives are interwoven throughout this unfolding drama. The investigation and courtroom scenes are authentic, compelling and pragmatic! I am impressed with the author's capacity to present factual events in a fictional manner creating an emotional roller coaster for the reader. This book is powerful and influential!
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from Wynn-Wynn Media in exchange for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own, and no monetary compensation was received for this review.
August 1, 2013
My thoughts:
Wow. This book has it all: romance, suspense, tension, character development, and tons of emotion. Abortion is a hot topic to this day, no matter which side of the fence you’re on. An Accidental Life is based on the testimony of Jill Stanek, who testified before a US Congressional Committee about botched-abortion infants born alive being left to die in a soiled utility room.
The main characters in this book, Peter and Rebecca Jacobs, have such incredible love for each other that just continues to grow throughout the book. Rebecca, a lawyer for a large firm, and Peter, an Assistant District Attorney, face a life-changing experience, all while Peter faces down a trial that could only be described as volatile. Ms. Ewen writes about this topic with such sensitivity and tenderness that one cannot help but feel every emotion faced by each character.
This book is worth the read. It will entertain you, but even more so, will get you thinking. Ms. Ewen did a beautiful job. She is definitely a writer I will continue to read.
*I was given this book for free from B&H Publishing Group through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The thoughts expressed in this review are completely my own.
Wow. This book has it all: romance, suspense, tension, character development, and tons of emotion. Abortion is a hot topic to this day, no matter which side of the fence you’re on. An Accidental Life is based on the testimony of Jill Stanek, who testified before a US Congressional Committee about botched-abortion infants born alive being left to die in a soiled utility room.
The main characters in this book, Peter and Rebecca Jacobs, have such incredible love for each other that just continues to grow throughout the book. Rebecca, a lawyer for a large firm, and Peter, an Assistant District Attorney, face a life-changing experience, all while Peter faces down a trial that could only be described as volatile. Ms. Ewen writes about this topic with such sensitivity and tenderness that one cannot help but feel every emotion faced by each character.
This book is worth the read. It will entertain you, but even more so, will get you thinking. Ms. Ewen did a beautiful job. She is definitely a writer I will continue to read.
*I was given this book for free from B&H Publishing Group through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The thoughts expressed in this review are completely my own.
August 19, 2013
Pamela has written several books, but this is the first one I have read. Her presentation on the explosive nature of her latest book, An Accidental Life,(fiction based on fact) peaked my interest and I bought the book. An Accidental Life explores the issue of a live birth resulting from an abortion, an ensuing murder trial, and the personal life of the attorneys involved in the case when they are faced with their own unplanned pregnancy. The characters are real, the suspense good, and since Pam practiced law for 25 years, her courtroom scenes are every bit as good as what you see on CSI and Law and Order. There are subplots also,but the book is not a jumble of characters making it impossible to read and follow the story lines. I found the book easy to read, but difficult to set aside. I wished I could read faster as I wanted to know the conclusion about 60 pages from the end, but I did not cheat, I read all of it. A very good read.
June 13, 2024
So well written, very sad, interesting and balanced writing. Very good read and will shock readers with its content. Fabulous book.
February 20, 2020
This was not an easy book to read. The story is based on real-life accounts of aborted babies who were born alive. In this case, the doctor is put on trial for murder. In the U.S., where it is estimated that well over a million abortions are performed every year, I wonder what percent of them result in live births where the baby is then discarded on a shelf somewhere while struggling to breath! Appalling! I would have given the book a five-star rating except that some of the story surrounding the actual abortion information and trial scenes seemed too contrived. For instance, in 1982, a lady wearing a half-veiled hat and white gloves on the witness stand?! Maybe in the 1960’s, but not then! A woman going into labor, in the courtroom, at the very end of the trial?!
September 2, 2017
Eye-opening
While this is a work of fiction, the story line addresses an issue that has troubled many people, live birth abortions. The author weaves the story of a failed abortion in which the child was alive the subsequent court case, and the resolution. I experienced many emotions while reading, the storyline was realistic and believable. The characters were well-defined and relatable. While it was not a pleasant story, it was a story that needed to be told. Woven throughout were elements of faith which were comforting, but did not add depth. This was somewhat disappointing. Overall it was a very good read.
While this is a work of fiction, the story line addresses an issue that has troubled many people, live birth abortions. The author weaves the story of a failed abortion in which the child was alive the subsequent court case, and the resolution. I experienced many emotions while reading, the storyline was realistic and believable. The characters were well-defined and relatable. While it was not a pleasant story, it was a story that needed to be told. Woven throughout were elements of faith which were comforting, but did not add depth. This was somewhat disappointing. Overall it was a very good read.
September 14, 2018
A very well written book about a highly controversial topic: abortion. It focuses on an aspect that many people don't know about, including myself. I was drawn in the characters' dilemma about the meaning of life and the legal perspective. It brought up questions and opened up a dialogue between my mother and I (she also read this book). Definitely a thought-provoking book that tugs at your emotions!
October 30, 2018
The character development was okay, but I never really was cheering for anyone of the characters. What makes this book a definite read, is the abortion issue. I didn't know that so many aborted babies were born alive. This book sheds a whole knew light on abortion for me. The issue is very complicated and intriguing. This is my Bookclub read this month and will provide a very interesting discussion.
June 22, 2019
I liked the plot but there was so much happening in this book that it was confusing and somewhat boring to read. Alice kept having a perspective and how she wanted to travel but it really didn’t have any relevance with the plot. The conflict with the trial and an unexpected baby with the Jacobs’ was well though out and I liked how Rebecca learned to change her focus and be a mother with a newfound love of God.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 27, 2016
This story is fast paced and gripping dealing as it does with the emotive subject of abortion, and more specifically babies born alive during the procedure and left to die in utility rooms. The story is based on a real life court case in the 1980s, I believe. It is worth a read, the only thing that tripped me up is the excessive description of people and places at times.
August 24, 2019
I have honestly never knew about an “accidental life”. I guess I never gave it much thought because the issue has never touched my life. I don’t believe in abortions....and now....wow!
I have this book a 3 not because of the impact of this issue of abortion but because the story was so slow. Too much description on irrelevant topics.
I have this book a 3 not because of the impact of this issue of abortion but because the story was so slow. Too much description on irrelevant topics.
May 20, 2017
Story of a husband, da, and a high powered female partner in a law firm who is his wife. She is pregnant and comes to Christ while he prosecutes an abortion doctor.
July 21, 2018
A heartbreaking fictional story about a real life issue--late term abortions, and infants who were accidentally born alive.
March 28, 2020
A quick read that I couldn’t put down. The author really laid it out there about the arrogance of the doctors doing these murders.
February 19, 2021
Easy read for book club. Heavy-handed and sappy. Too much of Christian fiction is just not good writing.
March 4, 2021
Read this one for book club. Definitely outside of my genre. Didn’t care for it at all. Poorly developed characters and descriptions of an abortion. Could be triggers for some.
April 2, 2022
Such a good book! Very well written!!
November 11, 2025
This was an absolutely riveting book about something I had no idea existed - live abortions - and the horrific reality of what was being done to them. Shocking
November 24, 2015
Heart-rending. Slightly shocking even though I've heard of these things (and worse) before. Some joy and triumphs, but still left my heart a little bit breaking, especially because of all the horrible stuff going on today connected with abortions (Planned Parenthood stuff). And just the fact that abortions are so common and accepted in our day and age, :'(
An Accidental Life by Pamela Binnings Ewen is more of a slow-paced tale, and largely focused on a court case having to do with live victims of induced-labor, late-term abortions.
Though there isn’t any gory details, the scenes having to do with abortions and babies “accidently” born alive were written so clearly and real that it tears at your heart … And it even shocked me a little. –The coldness with which a doctor orders a tiny baby struggling to breathe to be left in a dirty utility room to slowly die. *tears* Utterly heart-rending and horrifying.
This book stirred up anger in me. I hated the way numerous characters said “the fetus was alive for a little while” or something stupid like that. I don’t know how anyone could be so blinded to call a baby born too early a “fetus” just because he/she was born as a result of an abortion. The abortion didn’t work properly, so the baby breathes, cries, moves … and yet it’s still just a blob of tissue, unable to live because his/her mom doesn’t want a baby. A baby the same age who the parents’ want, is called a “baby”, and the doctors desperately try to save him/her. Doesn’t make any sense. Anyway, yes. It’s very real.
I was a little bothered, because this wasn’t an argument against abortions, but rather an argument that if an abortion fails, and the baby is born alive, then the mother no longer has the right to choose if the child lives or dies. But, in the case of this story, abortion had just been legalized nine years earlier … and the main characters were just fighting one battle at a time. In order to have a chance at winning this court case and get protection for “accidental” lives, they couldn’t really say anything against abortions, because they were legal. I think it’s made pretty clear that our main characters believe abortions are wrong, but that just wasn’t exactly the particular battle they were fighting at the moment.
I enjoy journeying along with Peter and Rebecca. We don’t have as much as time with Rebecca, because like I mentioned above, it’s mostly focused on the court case and stuff having to do with that. Since Peter is the lawyer for that, he gets a lot of “screen time”.
Overall, this isn’t much of a novel-like book. It’s a profound, heart-breaking, raw, real story that’s trying to get a point across. To tell a dirty secret. To fight a wrong that still needs fighting against to this day. I found it illuminating, and I think it’s a very good read for pro-lifers!
An Accidental Life by Pamela Binnings Ewen is more of a slow-paced tale, and largely focused on a court case having to do with live victims of induced-labor, late-term abortions.
Though there isn’t any gory details, the scenes having to do with abortions and babies “accidently” born alive were written so clearly and real that it tears at your heart … And it even shocked me a little. –The coldness with which a doctor orders a tiny baby struggling to breathe to be left in a dirty utility room to slowly die. *tears* Utterly heart-rending and horrifying.
This book stirred up anger in me. I hated the way numerous characters said “the fetus was alive for a little while” or something stupid like that. I don’t know how anyone could be so blinded to call a baby born too early a “fetus” just because he/she was born as a result of an abortion. The abortion didn’t work properly, so the baby breathes, cries, moves … and yet it’s still just a blob of tissue, unable to live because his/her mom doesn’t want a baby. A baby the same age who the parents’ want, is called a “baby”, and the doctors desperately try to save him/her. Doesn’t make any sense. Anyway, yes. It’s very real.
I was a little bothered, because this wasn’t an argument against abortions, but rather an argument that if an abortion fails, and the baby is born alive, then the mother no longer has the right to choose if the child lives or dies. But, in the case of this story, abortion had just been legalized nine years earlier … and the main characters were just fighting one battle at a time. In order to have a chance at winning this court case and get protection for “accidental” lives, they couldn’t really say anything against abortions, because they were legal. I think it’s made pretty clear that our main characters believe abortions are wrong, but that just wasn’t exactly the particular battle they were fighting at the moment.
I enjoy journeying along with Peter and Rebecca. We don’t have as much as time with Rebecca, because like I mentioned above, it’s mostly focused on the court case and stuff having to do with that. Since Peter is the lawyer for that, he gets a lot of “screen time”.
Overall, this isn’t much of a novel-like book. It’s a profound, heart-breaking, raw, real story that’s trying to get a point across. To tell a dirty secret. To fight a wrong that still needs fighting against to this day. I found it illuminating, and I think it’s a very good read for pro-lifers!
May 25, 2016
An Accidental Life follows attorneys Peter and Rebecca Jacobs, a young couple focused on their careers in 1980s New Orleans. They’re going about life as usual but new beginnings and challenges bring a change to their lives. Rebecca has just been promoted to partner at her firm. Peter has just been assigned a controversial case in which a fetus survives an abortion but later dies. As if their world hasn’t been shaken enough, suddenly Rebecca finds out that she is pregnant despite her and Peter’s previous desires to not have children. Together, Rebecca and Peter rely on faith and guidance to overcome obstacles in the personal and professional lives.
This book was a suggestion from a member of the Literary Goddesses book club. I didn’t know what to expect from it considering I’d never heard of the book or the author but I bought it for my Amazon Kindle for $0.99 cents. (The book is now about $8. I’m not sure what changed for the price to go up but I’m glad it got it cheap.) I’m starting to see that the club member who suggested it leans towards books with religious undertones.
That being said, I’m not really sure if I agree with the category placement. Is it really “Christian Fiction”? Rebecca begins the book as an agnostic who starts to have faith in God when she learns she is expecting. To say religion can be such powerful, moving, and emotional relationship, Ewen keeps Rebecca’s journey pretty vague. She casually mentions Rebecca reading the Bible and throws out a scripture here and there but doesn’t say much more. I thought that the author should have gone into more detail about Rebecca’s feelings and how she took steps to get closer to Him in her walk of faith.
Another aspect that Ewen doesn’t give enough detail about is how Peter’s case affects his feelings about Rebecca’s pregnancy. Ewen also says that the case “bothers” Peter. But how? For a couple that was so anti-children for the first 30 pages of the book, he seems to adjust rather quickly. Is this because of the feelings he has towards his case?
I did enjoy the book being placed in New Orleans. It is my hometown and although some of the locations are pretty old school or long gone via Hurricane Katrina, the familiarity felt good.
Unfortunately, in some instances when Ewen described the setting, she wasted pages. Ewen rambles on and on about the valleys and the hills and the paintings on the wall and I simply didn’t care about it. The space would have been better used developing characters.
We’ll see what future book club readings hold. Until then...
Happy Reading!
Teri
This book was a suggestion from a member of the Literary Goddesses book club. I didn’t know what to expect from it considering I’d never heard of the book or the author but I bought it for my Amazon Kindle for $0.99 cents. (The book is now about $8. I’m not sure what changed for the price to go up but I’m glad it got it cheap.) I’m starting to see that the club member who suggested it leans towards books with religious undertones.
That being said, I’m not really sure if I agree with the category placement. Is it really “Christian Fiction”? Rebecca begins the book as an agnostic who starts to have faith in God when she learns she is expecting. To say religion can be such powerful, moving, and emotional relationship, Ewen keeps Rebecca’s journey pretty vague. She casually mentions Rebecca reading the Bible and throws out a scripture here and there but doesn’t say much more. I thought that the author should have gone into more detail about Rebecca’s feelings and how she took steps to get closer to Him in her walk of faith.
Another aspect that Ewen doesn’t give enough detail about is how Peter’s case affects his feelings about Rebecca’s pregnancy. Ewen also says that the case “bothers” Peter. But how? For a couple that was so anti-children for the first 30 pages of the book, he seems to adjust rather quickly. Is this because of the feelings he has towards his case?
I did enjoy the book being placed in New Orleans. It is my hometown and although some of the locations are pretty old school or long gone via Hurricane Katrina, the familiarity felt good.
Unfortunately, in some instances when Ewen described the setting, she wasted pages. Ewen rambles on and on about the valleys and the hills and the paintings on the wall and I simply didn’t care about it. The space would have been better used developing characters.
We’ll see what future book club readings hold. Until then...
Happy Reading!
Teri
August 13, 2013
After making it as one of the first female partners in a 1982 New Orleans law firm, Rebecca Jacobs feels like she has it all. A loving husband and a job that she adores. When she discovers they are expecting their first child, things turn upside down as she figures out how to make it as a career woman and a mother.
While Rebecca struggles to figure out how to mesh two worlds, her husband is fighting a battle in the courtrooms to expose what happens in the case of live birth abortions, with the hope that he can help those who are born alive after an attempt to be aborted.
I thought this book was amazingly well writing and incredibly informative about something that should be better broadcasted. Who thought to ask what happens when a baby is born alive after the mother has made the choice to terminate it's life? I figured it was a no brainer, no matter what side of the issue of abortion you stand on. When a baby is born alive, it should be given every chance to survive, not left to die in a utility room. It's tragic and really goes to show how we, as a society, fail to value human life. It's sad that there we have the Born Alive Infant Protection Act of 2001 that was set up to come to the infants aid, and yet it is only a federal based law and is not binding for state run hospitals and private clinics. The matter of live birth abortions is still very much an issue today as it was in 1982, or 2001.
I received this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
While Rebecca struggles to figure out how to mesh two worlds, her husband is fighting a battle in the courtrooms to expose what happens in the case of live birth abortions, with the hope that he can help those who are born alive after an attempt to be aborted.
I thought this book was amazingly well writing and incredibly informative about something that should be better broadcasted. Who thought to ask what happens when a baby is born alive after the mother has made the choice to terminate it's life? I figured it was a no brainer, no matter what side of the issue of abortion you stand on. When a baby is born alive, it should be given every chance to survive, not left to die in a utility room. It's tragic and really goes to show how we, as a society, fail to value human life. It's sad that there we have the Born Alive Infant Protection Act of 2001 that was set up to come to the infants aid, and yet it is only a federal based law and is not binding for state run hospitals and private clinics. The matter of live birth abortions is still very much an issue today as it was in 1982, or 2001.
I received this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
August 1, 2013
*Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book on Netgalley from the publisher in return for an honest review*
Author
After practicing law for many in Houston, Texas, Pamela Binnings Ewen turned to writing. She lives in Mandeville, Louisiana near New Orleans.
Review
I had some trouble with this book and I will start with those so I can leave you with the good. I did not really like Rebecca's part of the book. I felt she gave in to certain circumstances to easy when just a few pages before she was having a more tough attitude. Though I am in no position to judge what emotions like that do to you I would have expected a bit more of a struggle from a woman who had to fight for her position as she did.
The trial on the other hand was really really well done and I loved reading those chapters even though the subject was not so pretty. I never considered the circumstances described in this book and I do feel that it helps bringing something under attention. It was not always easy to read due to the circumstances but it did keep me reading because I really wanted to know the outcome of the trial.
I do have to give a warning that this book is not really for people with a strong feelings about abortion. This book gives you details you might not want to be aware of on the procedure.
Author
After practicing law for many in Houston, Texas, Pamela Binnings Ewen turned to writing. She lives in Mandeville, Louisiana near New Orleans.
Review
I had some trouble with this book and I will start with those so I can leave you with the good. I did not really like Rebecca's part of the book. I felt she gave in to certain circumstances to easy when just a few pages before she was having a more tough attitude. Though I am in no position to judge what emotions like that do to you I would have expected a bit more of a struggle from a woman who had to fight for her position as she did.
The trial on the other hand was really really well done and I loved reading those chapters even though the subject was not so pretty. I never considered the circumstances described in this book and I do feel that it helps bringing something under attention. It was not always easy to read due to the circumstances but it did keep me reading because I really wanted to know the outcome of the trial.
I do have to give a warning that this book is not really for people with a strong feelings about abortion. This book gives you details you might not want to be aware of on the procedure.
September 18, 2013
In 1982, Roe v. Wade has been around nine years. Women are breaking into all kinds of careers. Pregnancies no longer have to curtail a woman's plans for the future.
Ewen has done a fine job of juxtaposing The pregnancies of two women. One has just made partner is a prestigious law firm when she finds she is pregnant. Her husband is happy but she wonders what it will mean to her career. The other is a teen whose boyfriends has left her - pregnant. She goes to have an abortion but it all goes wrong with a live birth.
In her Author Note, Ewen reminds us that life birth abortions are still a very serious issue. As in this novel, there is an issue in many states as to how the live baby is handled.
the first half of the novel was slow but the second half is a page turner. See my full review at http://bit.ly/1f0xZ2Q.
Ewen has done a fine job of juxtaposing The pregnancies of two women. One has just made partner is a prestigious law firm when she finds she is pregnant. Her husband is happy but she wonders what it will mean to her career. The other is a teen whose boyfriends has left her - pregnant. She goes to have an abortion but it all goes wrong with a live birth.
In her Author Note, Ewen reminds us that life birth abortions are still a very serious issue. As in this novel, there is an issue in many states as to how the live baby is handled.
the first half of the novel was slow but the second half is a page turner. See my full review at http://bit.ly/1f0xZ2Q.
January 3, 2014
I received this book via First Reads and am therefore providing an honest review.
To say that this book is powerful and gripping would be an understatement. It is thought provoking, and stays with you long after you've read it. As a matter of fact, I can't imagine putting it down without having read the entire thing quickly just to learn the story and what happens within.
Before reading this story, I was completely naïve that this type of thing could occur at all. I am simply blown away. Hats off to Ms. Ewen for having the courage and gumption to write this book because it is something we all need to be aware of.
I encourage you, no matter what your stance on abortion is, to read this book. It is amazing. You won't be sorry!
To say that this book is powerful and gripping would be an understatement. It is thought provoking, and stays with you long after you've read it. As a matter of fact, I can't imagine putting it down without having read the entire thing quickly just to learn the story and what happens within.
Before reading this story, I was completely naïve that this type of thing could occur at all. I am simply blown away. Hats off to Ms. Ewen for having the courage and gumption to write this book because it is something we all need to be aware of.
I encourage you, no matter what your stance on abortion is, to read this book. It is amazing. You won't be sorry!
May 26, 2016
I found this book riveting and gripping!
However, I did find some pro's and con's to this book. I know this book was an advanced copy, but there were a lot of mistakes, misplaced names, words, grammar, etc. Something I would've seen in an indie author. I've read plenty of advanced readers, I never seen the magnitude of errors as I've seen in this book. The other con I felt was all the fillers, the excessive descriptions of what they ate, what they wore, accessories, etc.
The best part of the story was the actual telling of the story, the trial. Yes, I gave this book a high rating because it was that good!
However, I did find some pro's and con's to this book. I know this book was an advanced copy, but there were a lot of mistakes, misplaced names, words, grammar, etc. Something I would've seen in an indie author. I've read plenty of advanced readers, I never seen the magnitude of errors as I've seen in this book. The other con I felt was all the fillers, the excessive descriptions of what they ate, what they wore, accessories, etc.
The best part of the story was the actual telling of the story, the trial. Yes, I gave this book a high rating because it was that good!
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