Peeking Between the Pages

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The Midwife’s Tale by Sam Thomas & Giveaway (US/Canada)

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Although it is early in the new year The Midwife’s Tale by Sam Thomas will make my list of favorite historical novels of the year. This novel has it all; a great historical setting, a mystery, and characters that you care about. Even better it deals with the practice of midwifery which is something that has always fascinated me. This is a very well written novel that is sure to capture your interest and not let go just as it did mine!

Bridget is a widow twice over and a wealthy and important woman in society, not only because of her exceptional skills as a midwife but also because of her connections as her late husband’s brother is prominent within society and has stayed close to Bridget after the death of her husband. It is unusual for a woman to be as independent as Bridget is in the 1600’s but Bridget really is no ordinary woman. She’s strong, smart, and opinionated. Even more she is respected as such.

When her friend Esther is accused of murdering her husband and sentenced to be burnt alive Bridget knows in her heart she is innocent and determines to find out who the real killer is. It turns out her new servant Martha is skilled in more ways than just that of a cleaning woman and she assists Bridget. The more embroiled they become in the mystery of who the killer is the more trouble they seem to find and in no time at all even their lives are at risk.

While I love historical novels I find that I don’t always make connections with the characters but that is not so with this book. I was drawn into Bridget’s life from the very first pages and I respected her knowledge and the fact that she was such a strong and independent woman for the times. Her servant Martha and nephew Will were another two characters that I really liked.

I’ve read a few books that dealt in the practice of midwives but nothing like Sam’s book. He gave a very good overview of what is involved and also of how births took place back in the 1600’s. It was fascinating! I had no idea that midwives held such power if they were considered very skilled at what they did not to mention that they were privy to quite a few family secrets as well. So aside from a good mystery in this novel I also got to learn something about a subject I’m interested in so that is always a huge plus for me in a book.

While the story woven within the pages of this novel is fictional the character of Bridget is actually based on a real woman which you learn in Sam’s author’s note. That made the novel even better for me. If you’re a lover of historical fiction this is a must read and even if you’re not this novel fits in with a mystery lover as well. The Midwife’s Tale is a must read this year!

The Midwife’s Tale by Sam Thomas is on tour with Historical Fiction Virtual Book Tours so be sure to check out the other tour stops for more reviews and giveaways of this fantastic novel.  You can find Sam on his website as well as Facebook and Twitter.  Your own copy of The Midwife’s Tale can be purchased at Amazon and Amazon Canada.

 

GIVEAWAY DETAILS (US/Canada)

I have one copy of The Midwife’s Tale by Sam Thomas to share with my readers.  To enter…

  • For 1 entry leave me a comment entering the giveaway.
  • For 2 entries follow my blog.  If you already do let me know and I’ll pass the extra entry on to you as well.
  • For 3 entries blog or tweet this giveaway.

This giveaway is open to US and Canadian residents only (no PO boxes) and I will draw for the winner on Saturday, January 26/13.  Good luck!

Source: Review copy provided by Historical Fiction Virtual Book Tours and the Publisher. No compensation was received for this review and all opinions are my own.

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Comments

  3. Enjoyed your post. This book sounds great. I’ve read other HF about a midwife and was fascinated. Thanks for the giveaway.

    GFC follower

  11. I am reviewing this one Thursday, and I loved it! It was such a grand blend of history and mystery, and I totally didn’t see the end coming, which is one of the things that I loved. Great review today, Dar!! Come check out mine in a couple of days!

  12. Hi, Darlene! I’ve been hearing some really great things about this book and as I also find it a very interesting subject, I would love to be able to read it! Crossing my fingers to be selected as a winner!

    Connie Fischer
    conniecape@aol.com

    I am a blog follower and will tweet it.

  13. I’d love to read this book! You make it sound very wonderful. I’m sure I’d learn a lot from this book. I’ll post this great giveaway in my blog’s sidebar. Thanks for hosting, Darlene!

    suko95(at)gmail(dot)com

  15. I really want to read this book–I am a big fan of historical mysteries. Emails is minoubazaar AT gmail dot com.

  18. This sounds like a wonderful book! Thanks for the giveaway.

    I’m an old follower on NB and I also tweeted about the giveaway.

    Kendal

  19. Oh my, this sounds really good! I LOVE historical fiction and have really been enjoying the historical mysteries that have come out over the past few years. This sounds like a great one!

  27. I love HF so much and this sounds amazing. Pretty awesome that you feel certain it will make the top reads list…so that tells me this is a powerful and moving story!!!

  28. Very excited about this! And that you’ve already listed this as a favorite, very impressive!

    I’m a GFC follower (Lara Frame)

    lafra86 at gmail dot com

  31. This is a book that I really would like to read. Thanks for the chance to win. A great review too

  33. I tweeted your giveaway and I am already follow your blog. Thank you for posting such wonderful giveaways.

  34. I follow by email. Don’t know much about this time period and would like to learn more. Thanks for the great giveaway.

  35. Always keen when it’s a historical book. My favorite genre!

    Margaret
    singitm(at)hotmail(dot)com

  40. I love historical novels! Thanks for the great review.

    I follow your blog through email.

    I have tweeted jolenegirl11

  42. Sounds interesting! I’m a huge historical romance fan! Can’t wait to read it.
    lvsgund at gmail.com
    GFC follower

  48. This is the book that has finally given me the impetus to become a follower. Midwives took such risks – one can only have admiration for their efforts. Thank you.

  49. Added to my TBR and WL. My paternal great grandmother was a midwife.

    follow on twitter @maynekitty
    Like on FB
    newsletter subscriber