The Mountain Midwife

by Laurie Alice Eakes

Coming from a long line of mountain midwives, Ashley is torn between her dream of attending medical school and her guilt for abandoning the women who depend on her.

Ashley Tolliver has tended the women of her small Appalachian community for years. As their midwife, she thinks she has seen it all—until a young woman gives birth at Ashley’s home and is abducted when Ashley tries to take the dangerously bleeding mother to the nearest hospital. Now Ashley is on a mission to find the woman and her newborn baby before it’s too late.

Hunter McDermott is on a quest to track down his birth mother. After receiving more media attention than he could ever want for being in the right place at the right time, he receives a mysterious call from a woman claiming to be his mother. Hunter seeks out the aid of the local midwife in the mountain town where the call originated. He believes she is the only person who can help him discover his family background.

Ashley isn’t prepared for Hunter’s entrance into her world or how he affects her heart and her future. He reignites dreams of starting her own family—dreams she cast aside in favor of earning her medical degree and helping her community. But is it commitment to her calling or fear of the unknown that keeps her feet firmly planted in the Appalachian soil? Or is it something else—fear of her growing feelings for Hunter—that makes her hesitant to explore the world beyond the mountains?

Clean, contemporary Christian romanceStand-alone novelIncludes discussion questions for book clubsAlso by Laurie Alice A Stranger’s Secret and A Lady’s Honor

Genres: Christian Fiction, Fiction, Romance, Contemporary, Historical Fiction, Christian, Mystery

346 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 15, 2015

About the author

Laurie Alice Eakes used to lie in bed as a child telling herself stories so she didn’t wake anyone else up. Sometimes she shared her stories withothers; thus, when she decided to be a writer, she surprised no one. Family Guardian, her first book, won the National Readers Choice Award for Best Regency in 2007. In the past three years, she has sold six books to Baker/Revell, five of which are set during the Regency time period, four books to Barbour Publishing, as well as two novellas to Barbour Publishing and one to Baker/Revell. Seven of her books have been picked up by Thorndike Press for large print publication, and Lady in the Mist, her first book with Revell, was chosen for hardcover publication with Crossings Bookclub. She also teaches on-line writing courses and enjoys a speaking ministry that has taken her from the Gulf Coast to the East Coast.
Laurie Alice lives in Texas with her husband, two dogs and two cats, and is learning how to make tamales.

You can learn more about her and her work at http://www.lauriealiceeakes.com

Reviews

[Mandi · Rating 2 out of 5]

As a former OB nurse, I generally adore novels that have midwifery in them. However, this novel felt like a mix of Harlequin romance and Christian fiction and was defiantly not for me. Unrealistic, cheesy at times and the ending was far too tidy for the situation.

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

This was a contemporary story that had enough action to keep me invested. An Appalachian midwife(Ashley) is awakened in the middle of the night and helps a woman give birth. Knowing her patient needs further medical treatment, she makes a plan. But becore she can help, the mother and newborn are whisked away. So a mystery ensues to find the woman. At the same time, a young man(Hunter) discovers that he was adopted and that his birth mother was from Applachia.

So a little bit of mystery, a little bit of romance and a plot that didn't drag were all good reasons to curl up with this book on a Sunday afternoon.

It's a Christian book and so future readers should expect that aside from some kissing, there's a lot of emphasis on saving oneself and doing right by the children you bring into the world.

One thing that I guess makes me uncomfortable is that for the second time this week, I am reading a book where a character finds out they weren't raised by biological mothers and suddenly it's all about how the lie made them suffer even though they're well into adulthood. And it becomes a quest to find a "real connection" and "deal with the lie."

Once again, a very particular slant on the perspective of adoption. I am not saying that the characters feelings aren't genuine. I do know that closed adoptions made people feel very vulnerable and that it upset their worlds. It's just, it's always been hard for me to understand why as a reader, I am now supposed to consider the adoptive parents to be some kind of villian. 🤔


Goodreads review published 17/09/23

[Shantelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars! I really, really enjoyed this book! ^_^ I should probably stop saying that I don't like contemporary fiction, because I keep finding gems in this genre! I've read some of Laurie Alice Eakes's historicals, and was expecting The Mountain Midwife to be one also. As it turns out, it's a sort of contemporary companion novel to one of her historical series about midwives. At first I was disappointed. But that soon changed!

The story centers on Ashley Tolliver, a midwife in the Appalachian mountains. Her family has lived there for nearly 200 years ... The women in her family, and their mothers before them, had been practicing midwifery just as long. Ashley wants to go to medical school, to be able to help more, to get more respect. But for the time being, the women in her small community need her. Especially the one who was kidnapped soon after giving birth in Ashley's care ...

This is not your average boring contemporary! *grins* Kidnappings. Mountain life. Handsome heroes searching out a birth mother. It was exciting, charming, sobering, and beautiful all at once. And besides that, I really enjoy reading about midwives. A baby's birth is miraculous. And midwifery intrigues me. I love watching Ashley, as a young woman, helping out other women as they enter into the exciting, but sometimes frightening, time of of bearing children. Some women, she's delivered all their babies. Some women, her mother or grandmother were the ones to "catch the baby". All in all, there's something personal and comforting about a community midwife.

And the mountain life is just quite interesting as a whole. They have this mountain accent. They've lived there all their lives. And their ancestors for almost 200 years! It's pretty crazy to think about. And just really neat. Imagine that kind of history! Very enchanting feel at times. Though there is the downside too. Instead of moonshine like the old days, illegal drugs are ruining the lives of many a person around Ashley's home. There are also the more poverty-stricken people, whose rather messy and "behind-times" lifestyle cause the general prejudices of the city folk against the mountain folk. There are some pregnant, single women who live in smoke-saturated areas and work far harder than they should at small diners with very little pay.
And Ashley, with her loving heart and family ties, strives to help them all.

So yes, The Mountain Midwife kept my attention! I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Also, the romance was very, very sweet! ^_^ I quite enjoyed it, and how everything tied together and worked out. So cute. So gentle. Such endearing moments. Poignant moments. Ashley and her man are the sweetest couple; and I loved every bit of their journey! Eep! <3 I'm just so happy for dear Ashley! ^_^ (hehe) But truly. It was one of the loveliest contemporary romances I've read.

There was one case of adultery shown in this story ... and it was pretty gut-wrenching! :/ Really, really horrible situation. Infidelity is spoken of time and again, as a lot of Ashley's patients are single mothers. While Ashley doesn't agree with their lifestyles, she says her job is to take care of mothers and babies - not speak condemning words to the women who come to her for help. So yes, there's some more adult content and situations. But I thought it was all handled in a tasteful way. And Ashley's faith and morals come in too. There's two or three kisses and a sweet story of falling in love too. All sweet! ^_^ At this time, I can't remember how in depth the faith aspect of The Mountain Midwife was ... but I seem to recall some profound moments - some deep faith themes.

My final verdict ... it was great! So enjoyable! A contemporary tale set in the history-filled Appalachian mountains about one midwife's journey of discovery and love. Don't miss The Mountain Midwife!

[Carrie Schmidt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Laurie Alice Eakes quite simply has a way with words… and with characters. I was delighted to see these strengths just as evident in The Mountain Midwife, her first contemporary novel, as in her historicals. The fact that characters in The Mountain Midwife descended from characters in two of her historical series made it just all the more thrilling for a book adorer like me.

When I read novels like this, books that wink at the author’s other works, I feel a little like Anne Shirley – caught up in the felicity of the illusion that the author and I are having a moment. Laurie Alice knows she nodded at Choices of the Heart. I know she nodded at Choices of the Heart. Voila! We’ve bonded across the pages and are now kindred spirits.

Hunter and Ashley grabbed my heart almost at once – separately and together. Their instant attraction was adorable. The natural progression of their relationship made me feel like I was being wrapped up in a warm quilt, and every time they shared a page I found that I couldn’t stop smiling. Both struggle with pride in their own way, and their journeys toward overcoming it are beautifully penned.

Speaking of “beautifully penned”, I just love the way Eakes’ writing voice lilts and dips, giving breath to both the characters and the Appalachian setting. Spiritual truths are woven organically into the story – with poignant grace – never straying into “preachy” or “trite” territory. The hints of mystery and suspense iced an already delicious cake, and the romance made my heart (and my face) grin.

Somebody please tell me this is the first book in a series because I’m not ready to say goodbye to the people of Brooks Ridge. There are many stories I need to hear. Like Heather’s. And Mary Kate’s. And still even Ashley’s. I loved the ending but it only made me want more!

Bottom Line: Laurie Alice Eakes delivers a contemporary story of faith, hope, and love with the same exquisite style that make her historical novels so popular. You will be drawn in by the first paragraph, captured by the story, and swept up in the smooth cadence of Eakes’ voice. If you are a fan of her Midwives series, you absolutely need to read The Mountain Midwife.

(I received a copy of this book in exchange for only my honest review.)

[Beth · Rating 3 out of 5]

More like 3.5!

The Mountain Midwife opens with an engaging scene that pulled me immediately into Ashley Toliver’s world – that of a midwife for the women of a small Appalachian community. Awakened in the night, the last thing that Ashley expects is an abduction of her patient right after the birth. This light mystery takes off from there, pulling in another mystery of Hunter McDermott’s birth mother. Both of these threads intertwine nicely as the story progresses, as well as the growing friendship between Ashley and Hunter.

There is a nice atmosphere found in this story – the feel of the small community is fully realized, and I loved the strong sense of heritage that Ashley has for her home. I enjoy when an author gives a character an authentic history that feels real to me, as this one did. The plot also flows nicely. The mystery thread is light and more my speed, since I don’t like super scary, crime-based stories.

I felt like some of the ending scenes came across as a little bit anticlimactic. There are also some loose ends that I felt like weren’t tied up – perhaps to leave room for a sequel? I definitely felt like there are secondary characters in this story that could have their own and would be interested in reading those. I was also bummed at how easily things wrapped up for Ashley – I thought there would be more of a compromise regarding one big issue in her life. It seemed a bit glossed over, but that’s just my opinion. Other readers may not feel that way at all.

The details about midwifery really grabbed my attention; Ashely had such deep roots, and the details about her job held my interest – and for anyone worried about there being too much detail, don’t be – I thought it was enough details to understand the situation and even learn from it, but not more information than was needed. I also thought it was neat how the author made Ashley and her friend Heather a descendant of characters in her historical series about midwives – I’ve read this first book, and this story actually makes me want to read the other two.

Overall, this is an engaging story, with a lot of compelling elements, and a light mystery at its core - and I hope it's the beginning of a series. These characters have more stories to tell, I'm sure of it.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. I was not required to do a review, and the views expressed here are my own.

[Patricia Kitto · Rating 2 out of 5]

The basic storyline was somewhat compelling but the writing was subpar (many of the similes were downright cringeworthy) and the love story predictable, corny, and a bit too city mouse/country mouse for my tastes. It partially redeemed itself in the way it set out to dispel stereotypes of Appalachia and elevate the importance of midwives, albeit with limited success. 1 1/2 stars (rounded up).

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ever since watching Call the Midwife on Netflix, I've found midwifery fascinating, especially in unusual circumstances. Serving folks in the Appalachian Mountains, some of whom are desperately ignorant and poor, certainly qualifies. So, THE MOUNTAIN MIDWIFE appealed to me in both setting and subject matter. The characters are likable, although Ashley's a bit holier-than-thou and Hunter could have used a little more personality. Still, I enjoyed them, their adventures, and their slow-burning romance. There's a lot of action in the novel, not all of it regarding childbirth (my kids are totally grossed out by Call the Midwife, incidentally). This keeps the story exciting. I didn't realize Eakes was a Christian fiction writer until I checked out her website. The novel does have some God talk, but not a ton and it isn't overly preachy. All in all, then, I quite liked this clean, interesting, and moving novel. I'll be checking out more from Eakes for sure.

[Angie Fehl · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ashley Tolliver has been carrying on the tradition of Appalachian midwifery that's run through her family for centuries. Lately though, she's felt compelled to temporarily leave her community to pursue a medical degree, so that she might serve her community that much better. Her hesitation lies in the possibility of offending family or community members with her decision. Mountain midwives get plenty of flack from "city doctors" for their lack of training, it might seem to some that Ashley's moving over to the dark side.

Hunter McDermott is on a business trip in Lisbon where he ends up saving the life of a little girl who wanders into traffic. As the little girl's family rushes out to grab her from Hunter, a car bomb goes off behind them, making it appear as if Hunter saved the entire family. The story hits international news stations and Hunter is made into an overnight hero figure. When he gets back home, he is immediately bombarded with phone calls, mostly from media, but one call is from a mystery woman claiming to be his birth mother. Confused and stunned by the news, that one call sets Hunter on a journey to seek out the truth about his family roots, a journey that leads him right to Ashley Tolliver.

This novel had some intensity right out of the gate -- right in the very first chapter there's already a difficult birthing scene and a kidnapping introduced! It set me up for high hopes for the rest of the story, but alas, the action fizzled out for me pretty quick. Then I started running into issues with the plot and the writing itself. The biggest issue for me was the portrayal of the Appalachian people here. I live in Appalachian territory myself, my husband was raised here. In my experience, Appalachian folk can be some of the most humble, lovely souls you could find anywhere. Sure, there are bad seeds but that's true for anywhere in the world. It bothered me that so much of the plot here focused so much on negative stereotypes, stereotypes that the characters verbally try to fight against, but their actions end up perpetuating the image. This story, to me, just didn't have an authentic voice that would have done the culture justice.

Another concern I had was with plot holes or plot points feeling like they were just falling to the wayside. Hunter's whole story is him on a mission to discover the truth about his birth mother, but for much of the book all that seems to take a backseat to him swooning all over Ashley. And why? I didn't quite get why they were supposed to be such a perfect fit. Hunter talks about how smitten he is with her but what does he have to go on? He mentions finding her incredibly physically attractive, he respects her work ethic and can't deny that she's educated, but aside from that they don't seem to have much common ground for long term success. Not to mention he's frequently making derogatory remarks about Appalachian culture (since he grew up with money, he tends to knock the poor mountain folk pretty easily). Some of his comments even border on slightly misogynistic. Likewise, Ashley likes Hunter's good looks but often gets annoyed with his ignorant, egotistical behavior / comments. Didn't leave me much to swoon over or root for.

A couple issues with the writing itself --- I found the dialogue to often be a little too stiff for my liking. It didn't flow like natural conversation, but more like a bad tv movie script. Almost like "I am saying this, because I think this is what someone like me would be expected to say in this generic situation". Zero personality. I was also aggravated with the ending. To me it seemed somewhat contradictory to the rest of the plot.

In the end, I found myself annoyed with this one, feeling like I got stuck with a bland romance disguised as a cultural fiction / medical drama piece.


Note To Readers: Author Laurie Eakes mentions in the beginning of this novel that some of the surnames used in this story do tie in with family names from some of her previous novels. Having never read this author before, I feel I can safely say this novel is easily readable as a stand-alone work.

FTC Disclaimer: TNZ Fiction Guild kindly provided me with a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. The opinions above are entirely my own.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to Zondervan Fiction & Netgalley for the ARC. I'm giving 'The Mountain Midwife 3 1/3 to 4 stars, and the reason is this. While Laurie Alice Eakes books are some of my most enjoyable reads, and yes this was very different from the English based books of hers I've read, this story ended in a way that didn't seem to come together as you've been led along to believe throughout the story.. Without spoilers, which I don't like to write in a review, Ashley Tolliver who is a midwife in this mountain area, has had midwifery amongst the past generations of her family for over 100 yrs. Its a career she takes seriously, and truly cares about her practice and her patients, who are her friends also. However you get the impression that she hasn't really been able to make choices for herself, since going to college, whereas her family have all done what they wanted. Her father is advising her to let God decide what she do, though they took off and left the responsibility on her and went to do what they want also. She knows what she wants, and spends the entire book trying to make it a reality, and even with the complexities of her new found friendship/love interest Hunter McDermott, it seems the answer is to go after what she wants, he is from DC after all,and she gets accepted to a DC school! She manages to successfully figure out what to do with the practice, a cause of angst throughout the pages. Yet right at the last page she suddenly abandons it all. It just makes no sense, and left me thinking, why? Why bother to make so much seem in her grasp, after all her intentions were honorable and she still had the community in mind. Why does everyone else get what they want? I think this is the biggest reason I'm hovering between giving this a solid 4 stars.

Laurie write's well, very descriptive, and this story of suspense and duty, whilst searching for a long lost family for Hunter, as he at the age of 32 has just discovered he is adopted, brings an interesting combination to this story. It is not heavy on the romance, sometimes that felt like it was a side section of the story. I did not like the abrupt ending, an epilogue would have been really lovely to see if Ashley actually got what she most longs for, after delivering hundreds of babies herself, and being alone most that time, to see whether she got to experience pregnancy or family for herself. Maybe there is a sequel planned? But it ended a bit like a novella would, and that's a bit unsatisfying. Shame after for the most part this is a good read, different, but well written descriptive story, that the ending let me down sufficient to feel frustrated.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

Set against the lush backdrop of the Appalachia mountains in southern Virginia, "The Mountain Midwife" traces a lineage of midwives straight to Ashley Tolliver, a young woman who is determined to pursue medical school in order to advance her skills beyond those of a trained midwife. One troubling night changes everything; a young pregnant teen delivers a baby at Ashley's in-home clinic, bleeding terribly and then mysteriously disappearing with the man who accompanied her, chased down by a speeding truck into the darkness. Who was the young woman and did she and her baby survive? Ashley is left stunned, with a myriad of unanswered questions running through her mind.

Hunter McDermott is receiving unsolicited national attention after heroically rescuing a young girl overseas. After his name and picture are splashed across national news organizations, his solitary life is bombarded with reporters, his phone ringing incessantly. Curiously, one woman calls several times claiming to be his mother; she needs his help in order to save his sister. Quizzing his affluent DC parents only adds to Hunter's confusion when he is informed that his heritage is not at all what he has previously been led to believe. Heading to southern Virginia with only a name and the fact that he was delivered by a mid-wife, Hunter and Ashley begin their travel onto intersecting paths.

There are two mysteries to solve in this engaging story, filled with mountain lore and glimpses into a culture, which in some instances remains untouched by modern conveniences and communication. Hunter and Ashley have their comfortable lives nearly planned out until they meet each other, uncovering secrets from both their pasts that will put them in the unique position to clear away the fog from their futures, if only they can muster enough courage to follow their hearts.

[Teri Voskuil · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book had a captivating storyline that kept me wondering all the way from the beginning to the ending. It was mostly well written. The romance was engaging and clean. Some parts were cheesy though, 😖🧀 …especially the way the narrator portrayed various characters and dialogue throughout. She had the Appalachian accent down perfectly but sometimes the inflection and tone got a little predictable and annoying. 🙄The main character was a control freak in her thinking to an extreme, which I had trouble relating to. The way the homebirthing experience was described was decently accurate, except the midwife didn’t wait for the umbilical cords to stop pulsating before cutting them. 🤔 Personally, I like this author’s regency era novels much better.

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

My first Fiction Guild book!!! I received this book in exchange for an honest review. I have to be honest when I first received this book, just looking at the cover made me think "Man this book just isn't going to be for me." I let it sit on my shelf for about a month. I just couldn't get the will power to let myself pick it up. I feel so bad about judging this book by it's cover and what I thought it could possibly be about. I thought it was going to be historical fiction, in this isolated mountain, with midwives. I didn't even read the synopsis on the back, so those were just my random initial thoughts. It scared me into not really wanting to read it.

Finally this month I knew I needed to do this and at least give it a fair chance. I'm so glad I finally decided to do that. This book took me by such surprise. I really enjoyed it. If you know anything about my previous reading habits, you know how much I am obsessed with Diane Chamberlain's books. This book had the vibe and the reasons why I love Diane Chamberlain's books. It had the little bit of romance (not completely overwhelming/in your face), a mystery/thriller vibe with it, and twists every step of the way.

Part of the reason why I was nervous to read this was because I thought it was going to be some weird historical fiction piece. I was expecting a hard to understand writing style. Again, I was completely wrong. The flow of this book is super easy to understand. My one problem with it, is that the main character Ashely is so involved in her town that there are a lot of characters to keep track of. I loved getting to know them, but by the end I just wanted the story wrapped up and done. Finding out how each of those side characters stories wrapped up at the end took a long time. Most of the side characters have their own issues that they are dealing with in addition to the issues that the main characters are involved with. It was nice to see how they turned out so we weren't left hanging, but it just took a while to get through them all.

I love how even though there is romance in this book, it really takes a back seat and lets the real message shine through. Overall I really enjoyed this book. I was really surprised and would love to recommend this to other people!

[Daphne Self · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've always find myself enjoying any historical novel by Laurie Alice Eakes. Historical novels have always been synonymous with her name. It was Lady in the Mist that first introduced me to her midwife series. From the start, I read each one and proceeded to other novels written by her. With The Mountain Midwife, Laurie Alice Eakes reintroduces her midwife line and life in the Appalachians, but this time it is a foray into a contemporary setting.


And I have to say, Laurie Alice did a very good job. This book is more than a typical romance; it delves into a bit of mystery and suspense without overshadowing the budding romance between the two characters.


As usual, this author can make the reader pause and view a situation in a new light. What would I have done in this situation? What would I have felt if I found that out? How would I have reacted when faced with indecision or fear?


At first I didn't know what to think about Ashley and the decisions she would make or the way she would behave, but as I read more and more I came to understand the why because I could relate to the character. There's always a little bit in us that needs confirmation from others and sometimes that little bit grows into a want that is larger than we realize and it affects our actions.


Even the character Hunter will make the reader pause and consider "who do we see the world and the people in it".


Laurie Alice Eakes also has a way to bring the sounds and sights of the Appalachians to life. This is one book that I found enjoyable and another book of Laurie Alice's that I truly am glad to own.

[Maureen Timerman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ashley and Hunter paths cross in unexpected ways, and their lives and all that they have ever believed have then shaken to the core.
Ashley has put her life wish of becoming a doctor on hold as she gave up her studies and came home to help her Grandmother and in the end take over her practice. She is still saving and planning to eventually go back to school and fulfill her dream.
Hunter is and engineer and has lived a very affluent life in the Washington, D.C. area. He is the odd one in the family as the rest are all lawyers. He is on the news and seems everyone is recognizing him, and that is the catalyst to the phone call from someone claiming to be his mother. No way, he loves his mother, and doesn’t have another!
The story is set in the rural Appliatian Mountains of Virginia, and we travel the back roads here, and meet a lot of the people. This place really requires a truck or four-wheel drive, and someone is trying to kill them on these dangerous gravel roads.
Why is there danger, and what is pulling these two together? A really fast pace read that will keep you page turning and wanting the answers. In the end will there be answers but will they survive? There are several sub stories and some are unanswered but most have conclusions and we have to be satisfied with the answers whether we agree or wanted what happens.
I received this book through Net Galley and Zondervan Fiction and was not required to give a positive review.

[Hallie (Hallie Reads) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This review is also posted on Book by Book.

Laurie Alice Eakes’s The Mountain Midwife ventures into small-town Appalachia with mystery, intrigue, and danger. Ashley Tolliver, a midwife with strong ties to her family history, loves serving her tight-knit community, yet longs to attend medical school and become a doctor. When Hunter McDermott crosses paths with Ashley in search of a connection to his past, both Ashley and Hunter find the secrets of the past changing their perspective of the future. A highly enjoyable read, full of well-paced action and suspense, The Mountain Midwife offers fans of contemporary fiction a perfect choice for their next book. I recommend it.

Thanks to BookLook Bloggers, I received a copy of The Mountain Midwife and the opportunity to honestly review it. I was not required to write a positive review, and all the opinions I have expressed are my own. (I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”)

[Savanna Kaiser · Rating 3 out of 5]

Between the beautiful covers of this book, you'll find a fresh story that ties the history with the present in a unique way. Even though it's a contemporary tale, there's much of family heritage and the past that connects the plot and characters together. Well-written and unique, the book is full of suspense and twists as curvy as the mountain roads of the Appalachian community.

There were, however, still a few things I had difficulty connecting to. I liked both Ashley and Hunter, but I didn't connect with them as much as I hoped to. Their romance seemed small and at times a bit forced amidst the bigger themes of the plot. There was good suspense and surprises along the way, but again I wasn't as hooked in as I expected to be.

Even with a few things missing for me, I still appreciated how the characters grew and matured and sacrificed for others. I enjoyed the setting and liked following Ashley along in her unique role as a midwife. Real life is a huge part of this book. It deals with family trust issues, forgiveness, and friendship. Read it and see what you think. :)

This review is my honest opinion. Thanks to Thomas Nelson & Zondervan’s Fiction Guild for my copy.

[Rachael · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my first read by this author, and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

It follows a lady who came from a long line of midwives. She wished to become a doctor so she could better help the people in the Appalachian mountains. However, to do this she must leave her current patients. Is she really ready to do this? Are her patients really the motive?

This story was enjoyable. Hunter has a mystery to solve about his birth. He needs to track down information from a midwife to figure out his roots and family.

This book held my attention and was very entertaining. I stayed up long past my bed time to follow the mystery to the end. I truly enjoyed this author, and I hope to read more.

I received this book from the publisher for my honest opinion which I have given.

[Stacey · Rating 1 out of 5]

While the opening chapters pulled me in, it went downhill from there. Could not finish when I got to the part where after defending the highly educated background and training that she and her friend had completed, the main character helps her friend feel better by encouraging her to freshen up her makeup. Not for me.

[Aspen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Too cheesy and predictable for me. I actually rolled my eyes at the end!

[Kami S · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well, I didn't realize that this one was a modern story...but it pulled me right in in the first chapter, so I decided to finish it. I was kept interested more or less throughout, but like I said.. very modern, ex., cell phones, jeans and t-shirts, trucks, drugs, etc.. you know, everything not old like dresses, horses, top hats, carriages, snuff, haha... etc. The hero was still every bit a gentleman, but I guess I do prefer the chivalry and problems of old over the kind-of-a gentleman and the terrible problems of new.

[Aj Yogi · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 🌟

This book is one I inherited from my dear grandma after she passed away. She was a big reader like me and I was excited to share this book with her. This was a very fast paced engaging story about a Midwife and a man who enlists her help finding his birth mother. Great characters with an intriguing story and some cheesy romance thrown in for good measure. Thanks for the book GGK, I love you!!! ❤

[Lydia · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a delight to read a modern Tolliver (for those who have enjoyed Laurie's other historical midwife stories). What truly made this contemporary novel match her historical, was the depth of her characters. They are real, raw and flawed and you get the privilege of watching them become something great.

[Lydia Cherry · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

initially i was loving this book but then it got too unrealistic and cheesy.

also the fact that she never went to med school felt like she was still just giving up her dream and not following her passion. like this dude she knew for a few weeks talked her out of her lifelong dream? nah didn’t love it

[Sheri · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book, my first Eakes, was a perfect fit for me. The writing was great. I loved the nurse protagonist, the patients, and the caring and emotion the author portrayed. There was a bit of suspense and several interesting story lines. A great read I recommend.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. I found this author on accident and loved the Christian themes even though it isn’t an expressly Christian novel.

[Shannon McGarvey · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a sweet sweet story. Christian characters/themes, selflessness, redemption, love, and babies.

[Katherine Coble · Rating 1 out of 5]

Judgy and weird.

[Judith Nassmacher · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked the realism of the story. It was engaging and interesting.

[Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice, easy story to escape into. Made the time pass quickly while waiting in the hospital

[Sheila · Rating 3 out of 5]

Light romance with decent storyline.