Every Mother's Fear

Every Parent's Fear #1

by Joanna Warrington

Shocking story about motherhood in the 1950s

Based on true events this is a harrowing yet heartwarming saga set in the 1950s. PERFECT FOR FANS OF 'CALL THE MIDWIFE', Jodi Picoult, Katie Flynn, Nadine Dorries & Rosie Goodwin it's about TWO WOMEN CAUGHT UP IN A PHARMACEUTICAL DISASTER . .

Sandy an aspiring model has a one-night stand with a journalist that results in pregnancy. Shunned by her family, she quietly checks herself into a maternity home to wait out her pregnancy and prepare to have the baby adopted.

Rona and her husband have been trying for a baby for years, but Rona is unable to conceive. When Sandy delivers a child disabled by thalidomide, Rona commits a terrible crime and makes a life-changing decision that will have dramatic consequences.

Meanwhile, Sandy’s journalist lover stumbles upon the scoop of a century. As he investigates corruption entrenched in the company that developed thalidomide, he is surprised to reconnect with Sandy. He and Sandy feel drawn to each other, but both will have to confront old wounds if they want to be together.

An interesting slice of social history which will stir every emotion within you.

Genres: Historical Fiction

316 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 20, 2017

About the author

Joanna Warrington is a divorced mother to three children. Two have flown the nest. She has written seven books and writing is now firmly in her blood. She began writing as a cathartic exercise when her first child died and it snowballed from there.

She lives in West Sussex England and is a frequent visitor to various local cafes where she enjoys reading and eating cake.

Reviews

[Elaine and Tess the Springer. I won’t be on GR for a bit. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chilling.

A very well-written, fast-paced and gripping story. At times jaw-dropping and emotional. Sickening to read how people react to these innocent babies.
I can't describe how sad this book made me feel.

[Ali Bookworm · Rating 2 out of 5]

I am going to give a totally honest critique about this book. The cover is good and appealling. However the writing style and grammar for want of a better word is appalling, along with many errors. It goes against everything I was ever taught about literature and creative writing. It is written in real time which I personally hate. The subject matter and plot whilst interesting was in parts so similar to recent Call the Midwife episodes. I felt the story could have taken some better turns with different outcomes as it was far fetched in parts and unrealistic. As a would be writer myself I am all for self publishing but you really need to understand what makes a story flow better, leave your readers wanting more, chapter endings. This is in no way meant to offend or upset the author but merely pointing things out. If there were to be a follow up or any more books my main suggestion would be get an editor or ghost writer at the very least.

[Karen Braysher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Myself, the sister of a Thalidomide survivor, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lorrain..., was very pleased to read "Every Mothers Fear" with great interest. I found the introduction set the scene well for the fictional story. The era and circumstances felt right for the period, along with the gripping storyline which held me until the end.
The book is about a serious issue faced in the early 1960s, and is dealt out in an entertaining way which brings this important piece of social history to a wider audience.
Well done to the writer.

[Booklover BEV · Rating 5 out of 5]

Moving read

The 1950s thousands of women took the drug thalidomide for morning sickness. The story of Sandy in London and rona in Blackpool.sandy has big dreams for traveling,but then meets jasper. Rona is a midwife, married and childless. I was engrossed in this book from the start. Found it very emotional to read in parts, but that made me more determine to carry on reading. Loved it

[Fiona Turnbull · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really great book all about the scandal of thalidomide babies. Easy to read and not too scientific to understand. Really goodread.

[Jill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting book

I found this to be an intriguing, multi-themed book. The author explores the stigma of pregnancy out of wedlock/unwed mothers in mid-twentieth century, difficult family dynamics including mother/daughter and sibling relationships, the effects of drugs on unborn babies and the unfair attitudes and unethical treatment of disabled children. Parts of the book were a bit difficult to read as attitudes, custom and accepted norms have changed so much from the era in which this story is set. However, it was very interesting to read about the determination of the parents of these disabled children as well as the beginnings of the fight against Big Pharma to be held responsible for drug side effects. A very interesting read! I would enjoy reading more of this story to see what happened in the lives of the characters....does Bill develop a loving relationship with son Toby? Do Bill and Rona work out their marital differences? Does Sheila find a new vocation and help for Jim to overcome his difficulties? Does Jasper succeed in his fight against the pharmaceutical company? Does Sandy have any more children? Looking forward to reading the next book in the series!

[audrey page · Rating 5 out of 5]

This could have been me!!!!!

Found this book to be very infomitive as my mam was offered this drug in 1958 when she was pregnant with me as she suffered really bad sickness with me and dr.gave
her the pills to take thankfully she didnt take them as she didnt like takimg.meds so reading this book
was a real eye opener as to how this drug really affected everyone thank you now onto your next book

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best book I've read in a long time.

[Beverley Harrison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting read

Very interesting to read and how thalidomide came to be and the adverse reactions mothers with these children received from even friends and family

[Wendy Wallace · Rating 5 out of 5]

I chose this book series as my youngest sister is a thalidomide baby but was one of the lucky ones that had little to no side effects however my Mom didn’t take that many. It’s been a topic that has been hushed and I thought this series would teach me more about it. The 2 main characters; one that took the drug an f her son was born with flippers for ones and was told her son would die so she never even saw him. She was a selfish model that hadn’t want to get pregnant or be a mother I the first place. The Other mai character is a midwife and delivers this “monster” of a baby boy and is told to put in him a cold room to die. Her kindness and knowing right from wrong she steals this baby and saves its life and raises him as her own. It is just getting where people are looking for someone to pick up the blame, possibly provide compensation to women unknowingly taken a drug not fully tested and looking at going to court when this book leaves off. Looking for ward ti see how the story goes further in Bk 2

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

#6 READ A BOOK DEALING WITH A CONTROVERSIAL MEDICATION: Every Mother’s Fear: Powerful Family Saga; Book 1/5: This summary was taken from an Amazon reader and I couldn’t have summed it up any better: “A fan of well researched historical fiction, I was drawn into this story right away, horrified by the pharmaceutic disaster of 50-60's that I vaguely heard about before. This story is heart-wrenching, wonderfully fast-paced, thought-provoking, forcing the reader to feel and not only think of terrible dilemmas both protagonists are facing. A mother in me was cringing all the way, a reader in me simply couldn't put this story down” and the nursing background in me was just plain furious. For my Goodreads: I try to read 20 different authors in a year and then can pick repeat authors as time allows….but this time….I’m moving onto book#2: Every Father’s Fear: Powerful Family Saga; (Book 1/5) KU

[Helen Christmas · Rating 5 out of 5]

A courageous novel from Joanna Warrington and something quite different from her other books. This is a harrowing tale surrounding the drug Thalidomide, developed by the nazis and launched onto the pharmaceutical market in the 50s. Despite a lack of testing, doctors convinced expecting mothers this was a wonder drug and perfectly safe to use, when the effects of taking it were devastating.

This story follows the lives of two women, Sandy and Rona but at the heart of the story is a baby born without arms. One of the reasons I wanted to read this is because I know a man in real life who was born with the same condition, but refused to let his disability hinder him. This book explores the obstacles women and their babies endured, from being left in cold rooms to die, to cruel and heartbreaking prejudice. I found it shocking but enlightening.

[Lucinda Clarke · Rating 5 out of 5]

GREAT STORY
Having a relative who gave birth to a child after taking Thalidomide, I was drawn to this story. It recounts the lives of two women affected in quite different ways to the effects of this insufficiently tested drug. I had already decided in my mind what path the story was going to follow, but was so wrong. It is well written, fast paced and you cared about the characters Rona and Sandra and cared for them, they are excellently portrayed. I admit to being a fan of this author and will buy and read anything she writes. Highly recommended, especially if you remember living during the 1960’s, there were so many references to life at that time it brought back many memories.

[June V. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was a child when this drug affected births of many women. But I do remember children who were affected by Thalidomide and this historical tale is well-researched. The author's character's definitely presented a time of fear and rejection in this tale. I enjoy fiction that has an element of truth and facts and the author has blended the two successfully. Not an entertaining subject but in the end a great read with well-defined characters and storyline. This is the second book I've read of this Author and I am definitely a fan and reader. Kudos.

[Estelle Scott · Rating 2 out of 5]

I found the story very interesting. Myself & younger brother born around that time in late 50’s & my mother told me as a young girl she had suffered with morning sickness & had declined offers of anti sickness medication with both of us. It was an important lesson to learn as with all my own pregnancies (5) I did not take any drugs.
I was captured until Toby was born when the story seemed to become quite predictable.

[Ruth Graham · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very entertaining

Not my normal subject matter (prefer crime fiction) but gave this a read and found it very engrossing,. It mixes historical fact about the thalidomide scandal and cleverly weaves it around the lives of the central characters. It kept me engaged the whole way through and all the subplots resolved nicely. A very good read that I'd recommend to anyone.

[Andrée Roby · Rating 4 out of 5]

I connected with this book on a personal level as I identified with the feelings of devastation at infertility and the intense yearning for a child. These feelings are very well described in the story and treated with sensitivity. This book also informed me in more details about the thalidomide scandal which I rememberd but I did not know as much details about the ins and outs. I have learnt a lot about it in the book. Very keen to read the sequel and see what happened to the poor boy.

[Sally Hewitt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully written

Such a beautiful book it was one of those things I heard about growing up ,but didn't have any idea what it was about ,this was a extremely heartbreaking book but also inspiring how these families had to go through so much predagise and they fort for there children till the end absolutely amazing thank you for a very educational read

[Marsha Wright · Rating 3 out of 5]

Disappointing

A really disappointing read, I was really interested in the topic, it's not something that is written about very often. However, the storyline was very unrealistic, the characters had no depth and the book was poorly written.

[Sarah1983 · Rating 2 out of 5]

Really enjoying the story but not the style of writing. And it feels like huge chunks of time and story are skipped over towards the end. Will be reading the sequel as the story itself I'm finding pretty gripping but the writing style really isn't for me.

[Mrs Maureen Shah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Powerful

Wonderful story that is both heartbreaking and beautiful, thankfully lessons were learnt from the devastation of this drug. Thank you I really enjoyed it and have started the sequel

[hayley · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book ended abruptly. It didn't really wind up it just stopped.

I was enjoying this story. Until it stopped. It was like the author had a deadline and sent in what she had written. No closure

[Julia Povall · Rating 4 out of 5]

A haunting tale of the Thalidomide scandal of the 1950s -1960s. A child born to an unmarried mother is left to die in a nursing home and is snatched by a childless midwife who cannot bear to see hims cast aside unwanted.

[April Ische · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting story, but desperately needs better editing. Time line jumps around erratically, names change, Sandy knows Toby’s name at one point but how would she as she doesn’t even know he’s alive….i will read the sequel but I’m hoping this stuff will be fixed

[Julia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eye opening !

Such a heart rending story ! Well written, well researched ! Will touch your heart with sadness and admiration of the children who learnt to adapt to their disabilities! Should never have happened ! Had me gripped.

[Jesse Freedom · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm about a third of the way through. Rona's mother and sister's are unbelievably awful, and so is Sandy's mother. Rona and Bill are the only characters I like, and Rona seems like a Mary Sue. The characters don't have much to them, and this book is kind of poorly written.

[Liz · Rating 5 out of 5]

5stars

A very moving story. Off to read the next one now. Every father's fear. Hope it's as good as this

[christine martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read

Wow What a brilliant read
Sad heart breaking story needless suffering of babies born with terrible birth defects
And greedy people who made the tablets thalidomide

[Joy Law · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting book

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely a fantastic read. Can't wait to get started on her next book. I was hooked right from the beginning.