Thank thee, Dru, for inviting me here today. My author will happily send a signed copy of Charity’s Burden, her newest mystery about me, to one commenter here today.
Does thee know I have an aunt Drusilla? She is a cheerful lady who enjoys the needle arts. She creates quilts in vibrant colors and is always working on a piece of cross-stitching or embroidery, when she isn’t lost in a book, that is. My aunt is the most voracious reader I know.
As a midwife, I don’t spend as much time sitting as Auntie Dru, what with my perambulations about Amesbury. This winter I am truly fortunate to have the use of a buggy loaned to me by my darling betrothed, David. It makes attending to my birthing women far more convenient than trudging through the snow on foot or trying to navigate my bicycle on icy paving stones. The use of a conveyance has also been a boon as I attempted to unravel the facts surrounding dear Charity’s death. She was a client of mine whose death from hemorrhage was not what it seemed.
Midwifery is not solely about assessing women’s pregnancies and helping their babies into the world. A few days ago I was even called upon to assist a mare in labor. Can thee imagine? Of course, I was raised on a farm. I suppose witnessing and even helping various animals give birth is where my calling of midwifery began. At any rate, a young first-time mother-to-be and her husband had a pregnant horse whose labor was prolonged and their veterinarian was away. Between my assistance and letting the mare find her own way through her travails, she birthed a healthy foal.
As a midwife, I’m sometimes also asked help women avoid becoming with child. One might not expect such a request, but it’s true. For example, when a client has three children already and wishes to space out future babies at longer intervals than every year, she will ask me for assistance. We have certain herbs at our disposal, and French letters, too.
My niece Faith came to me just the other evening with the same request. Happily, she and her dear Zebulon will wed soon, but they want to enjoy the married state for a period of time before starting a family. I had to tell her nothing is a sure solution. I certainly understand their wish, though, and provided her with several choices.
I admit to a twinge of regret that she is able to marry so easily. Unlike the predicament David and I are in, Faith and Friend Zeb have no obstacles in their path. Between David’s mother being unhappy with his choosing me, and my Meeting resisting my wishing to wed a man not of our faith, our betrothal has become a prolonged one. Ah, well. I, too, shall become a wife as Way opens.
You can read more about Rose in Charity’s Burden, the fourth book in the “Quaker Midwife” mystery series, released April 8, 2019.
Quaker midwife Rose Carroll seeks the true cause of a young mother’s death in turn-of-the-century Massachusetts.
The winter of 1889 is harsh in Amesbury, Massachusetts, but it doesn’t stop Quaker midwife Rose Carroll from making the rounds to her pregnant and postpartum mothers. When Charity Skells dies from an apparent early miscarriage, Rose wonders about the symptoms that don’t match the stated cause of death. She learns that Charity’s husband may be up to no good with a young woman whose mother appears to offer prohibited medical procedures. A disgraced physician in town does the same, while Charity’s cousin seems to have a nefarious agenda of his own. With several suspects emerging, each with their own possible motives, Rose and police detective Kevin Donovan race against time to solve the case before another innocent life is lost.
Purchase Link
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About the author
Edith Maxwell writes the Quaker Midwife Mysteries, the Local Foods Mysteries, and award-winning short crime fiction. As Maddie Day she writes the Country Store Mysteries and the Cozy Capers Book Group Mysteries. Maxwell, with seventeen novels in print and four more completed, has been nominated for an Agatha Award six times. She lives north of Boston with her beau and two elderly cats, and gardens and cooks when she isn’t killing people on the page or wasting time on Facebook. Please find her at edithmaxwell.com, on Instagram, and at the Wicked Authors blog.
All comments are welcomed.
Readers: Did thee experience an obstacle in the way of something important in thy life? How did thee resolve it? My author says she is happy to answer questions, too, and she will give away a signed copy of Charity’s Burden to one lucky reader. U.S. only and giveaway ends April 22, 2019. The winner will be notified by email (so check your spam folder). Good luck everyone!
My biggest obstacle was needing a kidney transplant, & I was fortunate that a friend’s son donated one to me….
Can’t wait to read “Charity’s Burden”! Always enjoy Edith Maxwell’s books. Her attention to detail and authenticity is superior making the reading experience having you feel you are right there.
Really enjoyed hearing from Rose Carroll and learning a bit about this story. It would be exciting walk alongside Rose to explore the Charity’s death.
Thank you for the wonderful opportunity to win a copy!
Sorry forgot to add my answer to the question. 🙂
I have had many obstacles both medically and in marrying the wonderful man by my side now. I think on both accounts it was a matter of determination, love and one step at a time. The health issues continue, but thankfully the marriage has been the best decision that I made and proved that swimming up stream is worth the trouble and the end rewards making the journey well worth it. 🙂
Being a mother and wife can be full of obstacles for sure 😊! I’ve endured heartache, with a lot of blessings. I consider myself very very blessed!
Have a great day everyone!😊
Good morning, Rose. Thanks for sharing A Day in The Life with Dru Ann and with us. The biggest obstacle I have faced is having Stage 3 breast cancer and going through chemotherapy and radiation. Thankfully, I had a wonderful oncology team and the full support and encouragement of family and friends that helped me make it through 6 months of treatment and subsequent surgeries.
I had my strength when there were obstacles in my life and there were plenty to deal with. I needed to rely on myself and continue to believe that everything would improve and life would be brighter. When my husband died I realized that the future held promise and I knew that I would be fine.
Life has been filled with trials and tribulations which I have overcome. Serious health problems that were life threatening as well as ongoing chronic issues. I think of how my parents raised me and their difficulties in life, yet they managed to thrive so I will too with perseverance.
Would love to try a different series by Edith Maxwell.
I had 3 miscarriages before I had children. I didn’t give up and had one last chance.
Thanks everybody! Sorry, have been out and busy all day. So many obstacles, and look at all of you fabulous people who have overcome them. Let’s hear it for perseverance!
Not too many obstacles in my life. I guess when they appear I work to overcome what I can and accept what I cannot overcome. Love this series, looking forward to this installment. Thanks for a chance to win.
I have encountered many obstacles in life and with through prayer I was able to find my inner strength and it made me a better person in the end.
Raising 3 children by myself, it seemed like there were always obstacles popping up. I just trudged on and now I am a grandmother of 9 beautiful gifts from God
My biggest obstacle has been MS—I couldn’t work as an RN anymore as I got worse, and it was very hard financially as my marriage fell apart. I’ve come out on the other side of the depression and it hasn’t been a rapid decline physically or mentally so far. I received disability, but the pain and extreme fatigue from the MS, fibromyalgia and psoriatic arthritis now are a challenge daily. Faith has helped, as have family and friends. I’m able to babysit my grandsons almost full-time, with lots of rest, and that’s very rewarding. This book especially interests me since I primarily worked in obstetrics.
Legallyblonde1961 At yahoo dot com
I enjoyed the interview, and am a great fan of the Quaker Midwife Mysteries- such a wonderful series.
I am still learning to adjust to the biggest obstacle in my life. My husband and best friend of 35+ years, died on Thanksgiving morning, 2016. I miss him daily, and while the overwhelming grief has lessened I still deal daily with a sense of loss and sadness. Thank God that I’m an avid reader- books like yours definitely help me.📚
My dear Edith, I would truly love to win this book from thee.
In addition, I must say that my biggest obstacle, silly as it sounds, is not having enough dollars to purchase all the books I want to read.
I’m looking forward to purchasing this book and getting it read soon. I’ve loved everything I’ve read by Edith/Maddie and know how good this book will be.
I love historical mysteries. Haven’t tried any of these.
The hardest thing for me to get thru was when my husband was diagnosed with Stage 4 Kidney Cancer almost 4 years ago. When we found out the doctor sent us right away to U of I in Indianapolis, a few days later he had surgery & then for over 1 & a half years he had Chemo, but it wasn’t a cure it just stopped it from spreading. I was his caregiver and was there for him for whatever he needed, sadly he passed away over two years ago and my life has gone thru a big change. I moved from Indiana back to my hometown of Chicago to be near my son. I now live in an apartment in Chicago, I love being back here but I miss my husband terribly but I know he would want me to live my life. This book sounds amazing & I would love a chance to win it. Thanks for your great generosity.
Yes I feel there are obstacles with everything in my life
Thanks for sharing your book with us 😍
Thanks for the chance to win 😃💖😍💗
Shared on Twitter 😍❤😍
https://twitter.com/LindaMoffitt02/status/1120000415871979522
**** WINNER ****
Charity’s Burden is Kay Garrett
Congratulations!