Heedless. Stubborn. Disgraced. Small town Illinois, 1870: “My stepfather was not particularly fond of me to begin with, and now that he’d found out about the baby, he was foaming at the mouth”Desperate to avoid marriage, Nell Lillington refuses to divulge the name of her child’s father and accepts her stepfather’s decision that the baby be born at a Poor Farm and discreetly adopted.Until an … and discreetly adopted.
Until an unused padded cell is opened and two small bodies fall out.
Nell is the only resident of the Poor Farm who is convinced the unwed mother and her baby were murdered, and rethinks her decision to abandon her own child to fate. But even if she manages to escape the Poor Farm with her baby she may have no safe place to run to.
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I liked the story but just as it was getting good it ended. Young age to read the next one to see how the story ends.
A good read with an unsatisfactory, dangling end.
First time reading this author. Great writer. Excited to read next book.
Good book
This was very well written to the point that I wanted to keep going until the end. The characters were well developed. The subject matter was intriguing.
Believable description of the challenges faced by disabled women, unwed mothers, abandoned children. Strong characters.
This is one of those books that you NEVER forget. The story line, the characters!! A true treasure.
I really enjoyed this book and every book of the series. The story was captivating. There was very little – if any – bog in the story-line throughout the series.
I’m sad that the series is over! I loved all three books. The stories were engaging and the historical aspect was well peppered in each book.
The characters were well developed and the writing style was enticing! A+
Hard to find words to describe this book. Set in the 1800’s when women didn’t have many rights. The main character finds herself pregnant without a husband. Many twists and turns some of which are believable while others aren’t.
I really like this book and the suspense. It did get slower at the end and is a series. It can read as a stand alone. It didn’t have as much closure as I like from a stand alone novel.
The storyline was intriguing. Had some good surprises. Couldn’t wait to finish it.
Good story though i was a bit let down by the ending. Characters are pretty well developed and sympathetic.
I absolutely loved this book!!
I enjoyed this ride. The premise is new and interesting, the characters well-fleshed and relatable, and the story fresh. While this isn’t what I would call a traditional action or romance, it has elements of both. Regardless, it’s a well-written novel/murder mystery.
This is a great book – well written and a great story line.
Very good story line.
I was sad when it ended and immediately went on line to see if Nell’s story was continued. Yay! There are 2 more! I can’t wait to read the next one!
I loved the book and couldn’t put it down but it leaves you hanging at the end. I didn’t realize it was part of a series. I wish authors didn’t do that with their series books but I guess that’s how they make money. They get you wrapped up in the characters so that you want to read more since the ending to each book is unfinished.
I only had the first book. I purchased the last two in the middle of the night.
Thankfully I have a Nook and I could continue reading.
What I liked most about this historical fiction was that the plot was not centered around a love story, as many ate. The protagonist was very clearly developed and, while not a “woman’s libber, was certainly enlightened for that time period. The information about the Poor Farm was insightful. Ms.Jane Smith wrote a very interesting book that most will certainly enjoy!