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Birthright
To protect her secrets, a woman refuses to acknowledge the child she left behind fifty years ago and a half a world away.
Claire travels halfway across the globe from Southern California to Ireland to find the reasons Norah, her biological mother, gave her up. Norah is equally determined to avoid revisiting the painful time in her life and the devastating decision she was forced to make. Even with a loving husband and family, she still carries the shame of her mistakes.
Claire’s presence fifty years later is the engine for the confrontations to come. Neighbors Norah had known forever recognized Claire’s resemblance to a sister she never knew she had. Norah must face the man who fathered her two daughters, and decide to either hold the secrets that embittered her or release them for the shame that will surely mark her.
An emotional story that delves into the true meaning of family, sisterhood and secrets.
Claire travels halfway across the globe from Southern California to Ireland to find the reasons Norah, her biological mother, gave her up. Norah is equally determined to avoid revisiting the painful time in her life and the devastating decision she was forced to make. Even with a loving husband and family, she still carries the shame of her mistakes.
Claire’s presence fifty years later is the engine for the confrontations to come. Neighbors Norah had known forever recognized Claire’s resemblance to a sister she never knew she had. Norah must face the man who fathered her two daughters, and decide to either hold the secrets that embittered her or release them for the shame that will surely mark her.
An emotional story that delves into the true meaning of family, sisterhood and secrets.
- GenresFiction
256 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 24, 2022
2 people are currently reading
2528 people want to read
About the author
Jeanette Baker
22 books83 followersI love all things Irish, the language, a good cup of tea, soda bread, stew, smoked salmon, banoffee pie, green hills, happy cows, chedder cheese,... and all things Southern, sweet iced tea, southern hospitality, everything written by Anne Rivers Siddons and Johanna Trollope, blazing sunsets, driving through hot desert nights with the windows open, coffee and conversation with good friends, Katherine Hepburn movies, dessert, intimate gatherings and bright breezy days.
I live in Southern California during the winter months where I teach school to remarkably well-behaved 6th graders. During the summer months I live in County Kerry, Ireland where I take long walks, listen to traditional music, sigh over gray skies and write, write, write.
I live in Southern California during the winter months where I teach school to remarkably well-behaved 6th graders. During the summer months I live in County Kerry, Ireland where I take long walks, listen to traditional music, sigh over gray skies and write, write, write.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
August 12, 2022
I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway. Thank you to @ipgbook (Independent Publisher’s Group) for this opportunity.
Claire Williams travels to Ireland in search of her birth mother, and to find out why she was given up for adoption. At first no one will give her information - what secrets are they hiding? We find out later that her birth mother isn’t the only one keeping secrets.
The chapters were written from the perspective of different characters in the story, some in past tense and others in current. I’m not a fan of books written in current tense as they feel like reading a script (like for a play, etc.) but that is just my personal preference.
All in all an interesting story that doesn’t end up tied in a nice neat package, but real life rarely does either.
Claire Williams travels to Ireland in search of her birth mother, and to find out why she was given up for adoption. At first no one will give her information - what secrets are they hiding? We find out later that her birth mother isn’t the only one keeping secrets.
The chapters were written from the perspective of different characters in the story, some in past tense and others in current. I’m not a fan of books written in current tense as they feel like reading a script (like for a play, etc.) but that is just my personal preference.
All in all an interesting story that doesn’t end up tied in a nice neat package, but real life rarely does either.
August 16, 2022
"Birthright" by Jeanette Baker
I have read most of Jeanette Baker's books and all have been very satisfying. Earlier this year, I downloaded her latest book, "Birthright," and could not easily put it down; but, I had a few other responsibilities to attend to.
Baker's story is about two women from two generations, two different countries and two very different backgrounds. The younger woman, Claire Williams, lives in California; the older woman, Norah Malone, lives in Tralee, County Kerry, in Ireland. Baker reveals the secret that connect these two women gently over a small period of time. The story is one that is becoming more and more prominent in the news media and several films have been made on this subject--the secrets held by the Catholic Church as it strove to keep these secrets in the dark, seemingly with no concern about the emotional and spiritual damage done to innocent young women and children. The reader becomes aware of a third person who has the same shameful secret, an Irish Catholic priest, Father Patrick O'Sullivan, who has been posted to Boston, Massachusetts, at a time when a young Norah has emigrated from Ireland. At one point in the book, Norah's baby is about to be delivered to her adoptive American parents as was organized by the rather cold priest. The man who was to be Claire's loving father, is angered by the domineering, un-caring attitude of the priest that he knocks him down, something which I think most readers would identify with happily. I do highly recommend, "Birthright," by Jeanette Baker. It is great!
I have read most of Jeanette Baker's books and all have been very satisfying. Earlier this year, I downloaded her latest book, "Birthright," and could not easily put it down; but, I had a few other responsibilities to attend to.
Baker's story is about two women from two generations, two different countries and two very different backgrounds. The younger woman, Claire Williams, lives in California; the older woman, Norah Malone, lives in Tralee, County Kerry, in Ireland. Baker reveals the secret that connect these two women gently over a small period of time. The story is one that is becoming more and more prominent in the news media and several films have been made on this subject--the secrets held by the Catholic Church as it strove to keep these secrets in the dark, seemingly with no concern about the emotional and spiritual damage done to innocent young women and children. The reader becomes aware of a third person who has the same shameful secret, an Irish Catholic priest, Father Patrick O'Sullivan, who has been posted to Boston, Massachusetts, at a time when a young Norah has emigrated from Ireland. At one point in the book, Norah's baby is about to be delivered to her adoptive American parents as was organized by the rather cold priest. The man who was to be Claire's loving father, is angered by the domineering, un-caring attitude of the priest that he knocks him down, something which I think most readers would identify with happily. I do highly recommend, "Birthright," by Jeanette Baker. It is great!
August 8, 2022
Birthright is an Emotional, Fast Paced Page Turner. I loved the author's writing style as she moved between her characters to tell their stories, connect the pieces of the past and bring the present to some resolution. The author does a beautiful job transporting readers to Ireland, exploring culture, family, religion, and life--and bringing both Norah's and Claire's stories to life in easy-to-read, easy-to-follow passages. I was pulled into the novel within a few pages and couldn't put it down until I finished.
Happy Ending? While Birthright may not have the cliche happy ending that readers may want for Claire and Norah--it does end as it seems it should. As secrets unfold--even later into the story--there are some revelations and realizations for the characters that create a very realistic and satisfying ending to the story.
Would I Recommend Birthright by Jeanette Baker? Birthright was the first novel I have read from this author, but it will certainly not be the last. I recommend it to fans of family dramas and women's fiction--even to fans of historical romance and memoir-style novels. I loved the storytelling style, the setting, and the characters. If you enjoy an emotional journey with a more realistic flow and outcome, Claire's adoption story offers that to readers from beginning to end.
I received a copy of this book from the author or publisher for use in a blog review. All opinions are my own.
Happy Ending? While Birthright may not have the cliche happy ending that readers may want for Claire and Norah--it does end as it seems it should. As secrets unfold--even later into the story--there are some revelations and realizations for the characters that create a very realistic and satisfying ending to the story.
Would I Recommend Birthright by Jeanette Baker? Birthright was the first novel I have read from this author, but it will certainly not be the last. I recommend it to fans of family dramas and women's fiction--even to fans of historical romance and memoir-style novels. I loved the storytelling style, the setting, and the characters. If you enjoy an emotional journey with a more realistic flow and outcome, Claire's adoption story offers that to readers from beginning to end.
I received a copy of this book from the author or publisher for use in a blog review. All opinions are my own.
July 10, 2022
Thank you Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this.
Claire, who has always known that she was adopted, travels to Ireland to find her birth mother and to discover why she was given up for adoption.
Aside from following Claire's story, we also follow Norah's (the birth mother) journey, and what ultimately led to the events that played out, play out.
If you're expecting a happy mother/daughter reunion, especially as Claire has a full sister from Norah, Brigid, then you will be disappointed. We are shown Claire would rather keep her secrets and protect the girl's birth father than confront the truth and face scorn from everyone else.
While not everything is completely resolved, I enjoyed how this story ended, and it also shows that those who are on similar journeys to Claire, don't always get the information they want.
Claire, who has always known that she was adopted, travels to Ireland to find her birth mother and to discover why she was given up for adoption.
Aside from following Claire's story, we also follow Norah's (the birth mother) journey, and what ultimately led to the events that played out, play out.
If you're expecting a happy mother/daughter reunion, especially as Claire has a full sister from Norah, Brigid, then you will be disappointed. We are shown Claire would rather keep her secrets and protect the girl's birth father than confront the truth and face scorn from everyone else.
While not everything is completely resolved, I enjoyed how this story ended, and it also shows that those who are on similar journeys to Claire, don't always get the information they want.
July 12, 2022
Though she had a wonderful upbringing and was surrounded by love, Claire has always wondered about "the rest" of her story - who are her birth parents and why was she given up? Does she resemble her birth mother? She feels incomplete without this information, in spite of her otherwise happy life and successful career.
The journey to find her birthright takes many unexpected turns but leaves Claire and the reader with the satisfaction of knowing that our journeys put us exactly where we are meant to be. It also reminds us of the uncompromising love of a mother for her child, even when there can't be a fairy tale ending.
The journey to find her birthright takes many unexpected turns but leaves Claire and the reader with the satisfaction of knowing that our journeys put us exactly where we are meant to be. It also reminds us of the uncompromising love of a mother for her child, even when there can't be a fairy tale ending.
July 8, 2022
Jeanette Baker has a gift for storytelling. ‘Birthright’ wove a tale from California, to Ireland, to Boston, and back to Ireland again. The author brings the detail of Ireland and the Irish ways to life. Claire, searching for her birth parents, is surrounded by various people that give richness and depth to the story. The author tells a believable and compelling story of the consequences of a difficult choice made years before.
I would highly recommend this book.
Enjoy the Moments☘️
I would highly recommend this book.
Enjoy the Moments☘️
June 25, 2022
Norah has been hiding a terrible secret from her family for decades, until Claire comes to Ireland to find her birth mother and discover why she was given up for adoption. There is no happy mother/daughter reunion but there is no mistaking that Claire is a full sister to Norah’s daughter Brigid. Eventually, Claire discovers that the family that chooses you is the family you were meant to have.
August 18, 2022
Thank you to Independent Publishers Group for sending me this book. It was well written, and I enjoyed it. It left me a bit empty though...something was missing. I can't put my finger on it. I plan to share this with a member of my book club, so maybe she can help me find the words.
November 6, 2022
Jeanette Baker is a masterful storyteller and her writing is always engaging and thoughtful. I loved the characters in this sometimes uncomfortable story, but at the end I felt resolved.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews