The Midwife's Tale

Delia Parr first took me by storm with EVERGREEN. I've followed her book by book, and never been disappointed. Thought-provoking and more indepth than many romances, her work has always been rich and full. Her venture into TRINITY is a different kind of work for this writer, but every bit as provoking and rich and of the caliber I've come to expect out of a top-notch novelist. TRINITY is a book of hope. Maybe I appreciate it a little more than I would have before 9/11 because collectively we need a lot more healing now than we did then. But then or now, I appreciate the value and worth of healing and hope to readers. Thank you, Ms. Parr--and please, write more--fast!

For three generations, fiftyish Martha Cade's family has served as the midwives for the people living in and around Trinity, Pennsylvania. However, Martha struggles with the realities of the modern world. Her daughter Victoria has fled home joining a traveling acting troupe rather than take on her "natural" role as the heir apparent midwife. Also that newfangled professional, a doctor, has come to her small town, leaving Martha to wonder how many of her clients will continue to use her services. In spite of her feelings of failure and inadequacy, Martha continues to make rounds caring for the physical and emotional needs of her patients and a few other individuals. Martha finds her faith helps her through this confidence crisis. However, her inner turmoil is on hold when she becomes embroiled with the shenanigans of the chaplain of Hampton Academy whose courses would leave 1830s educators shocked and dismayed if known. How to prove the chaplain is grooming a bunch of future thieves without getting killed is Martha's dilemma, but her belief in God will help her carry her burden. A PLACE CALLED TRINITY is a sweet engaging Americana novel starring a kind compassionate individual who turns to faith when her comfortable world seems near collapse. Perhaps a bit too Mother Teresa in outlook, Martha's abilities to surmount her doubts serve as a lesson for anyone struggling with apparently impossible trials and tribulations. Few writers are on a par with Delia Parr, whose latest homespun tale will delight those in the audience relishing an uplifting historical story and will desire more inspirational yarns starring Martha and the townsfolk.Harriet Klausner