I thoroughly enjoyed Delia Parr’s 1st book in this series, The Midwife’s Tale, and I liked this one even more! Although you definitely want to read the other book, this one can be read as a standalone. Where the first book was exciting this one really steps up the suspense and mystery!
I really like Martha Cade, the main character, a widowed midwife in the mid-1800. She has poured her heart and soul into to profession for many years. At age 42, she is not like most heroines, young and just staring out in life. This makes her even more interesting to me. She is a tough independent woman that has weathered many storms.
Her only daughter who has run away from home in the previous book returns but her homecoming does not have the outcome Martha envisioned. She is living with to elderly sisters over their bakery business. They are very sweet and loving ladies and have taken Martha as part of their family, but the hide a very dark secret. Thomas, an old flame of Martha’s who is also widow continues his pursuit of her which causes her to question her past and future.
Her job as a midwife and making her own way has molded Martha into quite a formidable lady. She has a take charge, decisive, “my way or the highway” attitude. While these are wonderful qualities for bringing new life into the world, and caring for new mothers, they are not so great in personal relationships.
We forget that other era’s had many of the same social problems we do, but did not have all the resources we have to deal with them. Solutions relied on the love and commitment of the community. Martha reaches out to help a young woman caught up in domestic abuse, a disabled elderly man, and an orphan. I love the way she has a personal ministry with such love and compassion for others. Her unwavering faith in God and her strong relationship with Him are the foundation that brings her through so much. Sometimes though she tries to use that strength to fight against God’s plan, but she always surrenders and sees the error of her way. As always I enjoy learning more about the practice of midwifery during that time.
This book received this book at no charge from Bethany House Publishers in exchange for an honest review. The opinions I have stated are my own.