Mrs. McKeiver's Secrets by Margaret Morgan

Mrs. McKeiver is a midwife.  She uses herbs for her doctoring, listens to the women's troubles and helps where she can.  She also helps the Parish Poor Relief.  Times are not good in England in 1799.

The Publishing Push team sent me a copy of this book to read for review (thank you).  Check with your local bookstore for a copy.

This is a very detailed look at life in England during the late 1700's.  The cross-slice Ms. Morgan shows you is authentic and not all pleasant.  With their land being taken away from them and the new landlords only bettering themselves, it's tough.  Women had no voice.  Men took what they wanted and walked away if someone got pregnant.  Mrs. McKeiver is in the middle trying to help the women and their new babies.

To add to the problems of life, Mrs. McKeiver has a son who has lost use of his body from the waist down.  She's having problems lifting him and worries about caring for him in the future.  The Reverend has a wife who is disabled.  He loves her tremendously but that doesn't make her well.

This author is very open about bodily processes.  If someone pisses themself, she tells you.  A newly wed wonders if she's too wanton because she desires her husband so much.  A man murders the baby a girl has because he doesn't want it.  She pulls no punches.

It was an engrossing, interesting look at life in this time period.  I would have kept reading because I wanted to know how things worked out, but I'll have to wait until the next book comes out.

If you're interested in history and politics of this time period you'll really enjoy reading this book.  I know I did.