The Midwife by Jolina Petersheim (Review)

• Paperback: 400 pages
• Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. (May 16, 2014)
• ISBN-13: 978-1414379357

The story about a mother who risks everything to save a child not genetically hers . . .

The Past -- Graduate student Beth Winslow was sure she was ready to navigate the challenges of becoming a surrogate. But when early tests indicate possible abnormalities with the baby, Beth is unprepared for the parents' decision to end the pregnancy -- and for the fierce love she feels for this unborn child. Desperate, she flees the city and seeks refuge at Hopen Haus, a home for unwed mothers deep in a Tennessee Mennonite community.

The Present -- As head midwife of Hopen Haus, Rhoda Mummau delivers babies with a confident though stoic ease. Except in rare moments, not even those who work alongside her would guess that each newborn cry, each starry-eyed glance from mother to child, nearly renders a fault through Rhoda's heart, reminding her of a past she has carefully concealed.

Past and present collide when a young woman named Amelia arrives in the sweeping countryside bearing secrets of her own. As Amelia's due date draws near, Rhoda must face her regrets and those she left behind in order for the healing power of love and forgiveness to set them all free.


 My Review:

This was an interesting book. It is fiction told mostly through first person. I was a little confused, in the beginning especially. The plot felt choppy. Beth and Rhoda are the same person and Amelia is the daughter she had to give back. In her past Beth was a graduate student when she agrees to be a surrogate for one of her professors. When they want to get rid of the baby because a doctor tells them it might be defection Beth runs and ends up at Hopen Haus. She gives birth and names the baby Hope. The couple finds her and takes back the baby. Fast forward to present day and Rhoda/Beth runs Hopen House. Amelia shows up pregnant needing a place to stay. The last part of the book is the best. The ending is explosive. There is a subplot involving one of the other girls in the house too. Overall this was an okay book.




Jolina Petersheim is the bestselling author of The Midwife and The Outcast, which Library Journal called "outstanding . . . fresh and inspirational" in a starred review and named one of the best books of 2013. She holds degrees in English and communication arts from the University of the Cumberlands, and her writing has been featured in venues as varied as radio programs, nonfiction books, and numerous online and print publications. Her blog is syndicated with The Tennessean's "On Nashville" blog roll, and she also blogs weekly with nine other bestselling authors at Southern Belle View. Jolina and her husband share the same unique Amish and Mennonite heritage that originated in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, but now live in the mountains of Tennessee with their young daughter. Follow Jolina and her blog at jolinapetersheim.com

The Outcast by Jolina Petersheim (Review)

Paperback: 400 pages

Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers (June 21, 2013)

ISBN-13: 978-1414379340

Raised in an Old Order Mennonite community, Rachel Stoltzfus is a strong-willed single woman, content living apart from mainstream society until whispers stir the moment her belly swells with new life. Refusing to repent and name the partner in her sin, Rachel feels the wrath of the religious sect as she is shunned by those she loves most. She is eventually coerced into leaving by her brother-in-law, the bishop.

But secrets run deep in this cloistered community, and the bishop is hiding some of his own, threatening his conscience and his very soul. When the life of Rachel’s baby is at stake, however, choices must be made that will bring the darkness to light, forever changing the lives of those who call Copper Creek home.


My Review:

I loved this book. It was not an exact match for the Scarlett Letter but had similarities. The author drew me in from the first page and I could not read fast enough. The author drew pictures with her words and the prose was beautiful. It was hard to believe this was her debut novel.The story was told from two main point of views. The first is Rachel the single Mennonite woman who got pregnant out of wedlock. The other is her sister's father in law who is the bishop and passes away early in the book. Rachel moved in with her sister because her sister had a difficult pregnancy. Rachel and her sister are identical twins. There are several interesting secondary characters like the woman who took Rachel in when the community shunned her. The plot and characters are well developed and interesting. Highly Recommended.






Jolina Petersheim holds degrees in English and Communication Arts from the University of the Cumberlands. Though The Outcast is her first novel, her writing has been featured in venues as varied as radio programs, nonfiction books, and numerous online and print publications. Her blog is syndicated with The Tennessean's "On Nashville" blog roll, as well as featured on other creative writing sites. Jolina and her husband share the same unique Amish and Mennonite heritage that originated in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, but now live in the mountains of Tennessee with their young daughter. Follow Jolina and her blog at http://www.jolinapetersheim.com/.