The Midwife of Hope River — Patricia Harman

In 1930s Appalachia, midwife Patience Murphy struggles against disease, poverty, and prejudice -- and her own haunting past -- to bring new light, and life, into an otherwise cruel world

As a midwife working in the hard- scrabble conditions of West Virginia during the Depression, Patience Murphy's only solace is her gift: escorting mothers through the challenges of childbirth. Just beginning in her profession, she takes on the jobs no one else wants, caring for those most in need -- and least likely to pay. Patience is willing to do what it takes to fulfill her mentor's wishes, but starting a midwifery practice means gaining trust, and Patience's own secrets are too fragile for her to let anyone in -- especially her neighbor, rugged veterinarian Daniel Hester.

A stirring piece of Americana, The Midwife of Hope River rings with authenticity as Patience faces seemingly insurmountable odds that threaten her at every turn, from the dangerous mines of West Virginia to the terrifying attentions of the Ku Klux Klan. But as her life becomes entwined with those around her, Patience learns to overcome the grief of her past and open herself up to different kinds of love -- discovering a joy she never thought existed.