The Birth Caul

Now in paperback, New York Times bestselling author Morgan Jerkins's fiction debut, an electrifying novel for fans of Ta-Nehisi Coates and Jacqueline Woodson, that brings to life one powerful and enigmatic family in a tale rife with secrets, betrayal, intrigue, and magic. Laila desperately wants to become a mother, but each of her previous pregnancies has ended in heartbreak. This time has to be different, so she turns to the Melancons, an old and powerful Harlem family known for their caul, a precious layer of skin that is the secret source of their healing power. When a deal for Laila to acquire a piece of caul falls through, she is heartbroken, but when the child is stillborn, she is overcome with grief and rage. What she doesn’t know is that a baby will soon be delivered in her family—by her niece, Amara, an ambitious college student—and delivered to the Melancons to raise as one of their own. Hallow is special: she’s born with a caul, and their matriarch, Maman, predicts the girl will restore the family’s prosperity. Growing up, Hallow feels that something in her life is not right. Did Josephine, the woman she calls mother, really bring her into the world? Why does her cousin Helena get to go to school and roam the streets of New York freely while she’s confined to the family’s decrepit brownstone? As the Melancons’ thirst to maintain their status grows, Amara, now a successful lawyer running for district attorney, looks for a way to avenge her longstanding grudge against the family. When mother and daughter cross paths, Hallow will be forced to decide where she truly belongs. Engrossing, unique, and page-turning, Caul Baby illuminates the search for familial connection, the enduring power of tradition, and the dark corners of the human heart.

..................................A PARANORMAL SPIRITUAL SUSPENSE (Based on a real-life phenomenon).......................................................... After centuries shrouded in mystery and myth, the time of revelation has finally arrived for those rare persons born with the veil - also referred to as the birth caul; a translucent tissue covering the faces of infants at birth. But, exactly what is the veil? Is it just an innocent accident of birth, or is there some prophetic ... maybe even divine connection? Does it mark one as saintly or satanic. At last the world is poised to uncover the centuries old secrets of the veil; and finally discover its purpose and impact, not just on Caulbearers, but on the entire world. ..........................................It all begins for Alexis Ashley when she decides to relocate from Chicago to Boston. On the drive to Boston things go completely awry as she finds herself challenged by multiple frightening and life-threatening incidents; dangerous bridge washouts; a chase by a rabid dog; getting stuck in an unseasonable April blizzard; and a near collision with another car. Tempted to return to Chicago, she forges ahead and arrives safely at her Boston destination. Believing she has weathered the storm, she happily begins her new life................................................................................................................................... Then, more terrifying incidents begin: Satanists with mysterious designs on her life; demons hiding behind the lives of people they've possessed; & visions peopled with those long dead. Outwardly, Alexis' life appears almost boringly normal when in reality it is punctuated by unspeakable horrors that threaten her sanity, and her life. The belief that she can outrun these events by fleeing Boston & relocating to Atlanta ends when she is drawn to a new location ... in the Caribbean................ .................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... At this point, Alexis acknowledges she is powerless against a mysterious force that whisks her back and forth in time; allows her to see the putrefied faces of demons; and endure conflicts with Satan worshipers. Although she draws closer to the Father and her bible, Alexis feels that time is running out and desperately seeks to unravel the puzzle of her life. She must discover how all of this relates to the veil that marked her birth designating her as a Caulbearer before it is too late............ ..............................................THE SPIRIT OF THE VEIL: PROPHECY OF THE 7 (Coming Jan/Feb 2019)...................................................

The Birth House is the story of Dora Rare, the first daughter to be born in five generations of Rares. As a child in an isolated village in Nova Scotia, she is drawn to Miss Babineau, an outspoken Acadian midwife with a gift for healing. Dora becomes Miss B.’s apprentice, and together they help the women of Scots Bay through infertility, difficult labours, breech births, unwanted pregnancies and even unfulfilling sex lives. Filled with details as compelling as they are surprising, The Birth House is an unforgettable tale of the struggles women have faced to have control of their own bodies and to keep the best parts of tradition alive in the world of modern medicine.

He was born with The Caul, invulnerable to Danger, Destined for Adventure. According to legend, those born with the Caul, a protective membrane covering an infant's body, are special beyond measure, resistant to physical harm until a fabulous destiny has been fulfilled. On a cold March night in 1931, the extraordinary James Markham emerges into the world, enveloped by the Caul, which stands as a prophecy to the wonders and tribulations he will encounter in his life. Born with a Mission is the first installment in the epic trilogy, The Caul, establishing the early adventures of the young Jim Markham. Taught early by his French-Canadian Grandmaman in Montreal to face challenges instead of retreating from them, Markham learns that he is indeed different, and assumes a responsibility of defending the weak and powerless that travels both the years of his life and the lands of this earth. This is a story of self-sacrifice and justice. From taking a beating for a victimized schoolmate in boarding school, to defending the honor of a black friend hounded by a racist punk in New York, to preventing a mad Frenchman from killing his wife in a bar; it's evident that James Markham may very well be a foundation of hope and fortitude for dark, dark times ahead. Prepare yourself for an expedition across this wondrous and terrible world through the eyes of a courageous young man secured by his faith and powers beyond comprehension, trained by the United States Air Force and Office of Special Investigations to confront, and obliterate, evil.

Alan Moore: Portrait of an Extraordinary Gentleman contains comic strips, illustrations, essays, articles, anecdotes and other pieces contributed by top American, English, and international comics creators paying tribute to the master of comic book writing, Alan Moore (creator of Watchmen and From Hell), as he celebrates his 50th year. Over a hundred contributors include Neil Gaiman, Will Eisner, Bill Sienkiewicz, Dave Gibbons, Denis Kitchen, David Lloyd, Jim Valentino, Sergio Toppi, Bryan Talbot, Steve Parkhouse, Mark Millar, Howard Cruse, James Kochalka, José Villarrubia, Sam Kieth, Dave Sim, Oscar Zarate, DJ Paul Gambaccini, and novelist Darren Shan, to name just a few. The book jacket will feature a new photgraph by Piet Corr and other features will include interviews, biographies, and new and rare photographs.

This essential collection on maternal and child health focuses on the rites of giving birth from a cross-cultural perspective. The distinguished list of contributors describe the many customs surrounding birth through infancy, such as attitudes and techniques in childbirth, the influence of societal factors that differentiate Western from non-Western maternal birthing positions, the art of midwifery, customs and beliefs regarding breastfeeding, weaning, swaddling. This book will be valuable for courses in medical sociology and anthropology, public health or behavioral sciences, psychology and psychiatry, and for pre-med students.