Mothers Of Promise

A poignant and breathtaking novel from the author of The Things We Keep and The Secrets of Midwives. All their lives, Alice Stanhope and her daughter, Zoe, have been a family of two, living quietly in Northern California. Zoe has always struggled with crippling social anxiety and her mother has been her constant and fierce protector. With no family to speak of, and the identity of Zoe’s father shrouded in mystery, their team of two works—until it doesn’t. Until Alice gets sick and needs to fight for her life. Desperate to find stability for Zoe, Alice reaches out to two women who are practically strangers but who are her only hope: Kate, a nurse, and Sonja, a social worker. As the four of them come together, a chain of events is set into motion and all four of them must confront their sharpest fears and secrets—secrets about abandonment, abuse, estrangement, and the deepest longing for family. Imbued with heart and humor in even the most dismal moments, The Mother’s Promise is an unforgettable novel about the unbreakable bonds between mothers and daughters and the new ways in which families are forged. Sally Hepworth novels are "sure to appeal to fans of Jojo Moyes, Jodi Picoult, and Lisa Genova; book clubs will be lining up." —Library Journal (starred review)

A prominent scholar of the Hebrew Bible offers a close reading of the women in Genesis to discover their roles in shaping ancient Israel.

Based on the true story behind a landmark U.S. Supreme Court Decision, K.D. Alden's debut is a rich and moving story of one woman's courage and determination to get her child back when all odds are stacked against her. Virginia, 1927: All Ruth Ann Riley wants is a chance to have a family. But because she was poor and unwed when she became pregnant, she was sent to an institution and her child was given to another woman. Ruth Ann can't stand the thought of never seeing little Annabel's face again, never snuggling up to her warmth or watching her blue eyes crinkle with laughter. And now they want to take away her right to have any other babies? She is not going to let that happen. All the rich and fancy folks may call her feebleminded, but Ruth Ann is smarter than any of them have bargained for. Because no matter how high the odds are stacked against her, she is going to overcome the scandals in her past and get her child back. She just never expects her battle will go to the U.S. Supreme Court, or that she'd find unexpected friendships . . . and even the possibility of love along the way.

It should've been the happiest time of Lee Barnett's life. She was married to a man she loved and trusted, Harris Todd, and she was pregnant with her first child. But things quickly turned from dream to nightmare when Harris walked out on her. Well-connected and prominent in their hometown of Charleston, USA, Harris attacked Lee's reputation and mental health status, leaving her emotionally and financially devastated. And then came the final blow: she lost custody of her beautiful daughter Savanna, who was only nine months old. With all legal avenues closed to her after Harris had thoroughly destroyed her reputation in Charleston, and fearing Savanna's future was to follow the same path under the care of Harris, Lee made the unthinkable decision to go on the run with her child. Lee and Savanna fled the USA, cutting all ties to their past. They travelled the world under aliases before finally settling in Queensland and living a happy and fulfilling life. Then one morning in 2013, almost twenty years after they first disappeared and on the other side of the world, the FBI knocked on Lee's door. Powerful, compelling and affecting, this is an unforgettable true story of a mother's love and willingness to sacrifice everything to keep her promise: to always protect her daughter.

Protecting the Promise is the first book in the Culturally Sustaining Pedagogies Series edited by Django Paris. It features a collection of short stories told in collaboration with five Native families that speak to the everyday aspects of Indigenous educational resurgence rooted in the intergenerational learning that occurs between mothers and their children. The author defines “resurgence” as the ongoing actions that recenter Indigenous realities and knowledges, while simultaneously denouncing and healing from the damaging effects of settler colonial systems. By illuminating the potential of such educational resurgence, the book counters deficit paradigms too often placed on Indigenous communities. It also demonstrates the need to include Indigenous Knowledges within the curriculum for both in-school and out-of-school settings. These engaging narratives reframe Indigenous parents as critical and compassionate educators, cultural brokers, and storytellers who are central partners in the education of their children. Book Features: A window into how and why Indigenous resurgence through (and sometimes in resistance to) education can happen.A narrative style of writing that builds accessible stories that are both relatable and connected to larger social issues.An interdisciplinary approach that has implications for pre- and in-service teachers and school administrators, as well as for the communities from which these stories originated.A teacher-friendly Afterword that offers lesson ideas for the classroom and companion questions to the short stories.

When Hetty Huggins made a promise to her dying mother that she would look after her younger sister and brothers, little did she know how difficult this would be. But despite the threat of being turned out onto the streets by the unscrupulous tallyman and the never-ending struggle just to exist, Hetty is determined her family will never starve or want for a roof over their heads. Longing for something better out of life than the daily grind of making matchboxes for a pittance, she dreams of setting up her own business. With the help of friends she sells hot potatoes on the streets and things begin to look up for them all. But when the tallyman comes calling, they are faced once more with a future full of hardship and despair ...

Millions of single mothers find themselves in the difficult position of raising boys alone. Many of those boys are at risk of falling behind in school or repeating the patterns of their own absent or neglectful fathers. Single mothers, who are often the only parental influence on their sons, are critical to reversing this troubling trend. But how? You might be wounded by the broken promises of your child's father. But God offers a greater promise to you and your family. Roland Warren, himself the child of a single mother, invites single moms on a journey not only to heal their hearts but also to parent their boys to become healthy men, good husbands, and strong fathers. He offers guidance and wisdom to moms who want to raise sons who will make and keep their commitments. Drawing from the Genesis story of Hagar and Ishmael, Warren shares insights and stories of how mothers can find healing and hope for their sons to become better men of character and action.

A mother promises her unborn child the ways in which they will celebrate their relationship and love, honor, and respect the world around them.