Overview

A 'Romeo and Juliet' story of student romance, featuring a conflict of family cultures and a medical mystery, Baby, Baby, the first in the Mullins Family Sagas, can also be read as a stand-alone novel. When Jenny, daughter of flamboyant fertility specialist Dr John Guthrie, re-meets old flame Max Mullins in the maternity unit where her step sister Daze just gave birth, the pair set out to discover the truth about the strange baby. And hearts are entwined again. But when Max takes Jenny home to meet the family, she discovers cultural differences which could perilize any hope of a forever relationship. A beautiful, warm, and quietly humorous look at overcoming learned prejudices, accepting diversity, and supporting each other in growing and becoming the next generation.The novel open-mindedly explores the world of genetic and fertility research and of belief, both secular and spiritual, based on the author's studies of contemporary sociology and of faith groups. 'A highly original and easy to read novel . . . includes surprises and twists that I didn't see coming, and in the second half in particular it reads almost like a thriller'

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9780956476968

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Reviews

Jenny and Max, are well-drawn and likable, their totally different background providing a tension in their relationship at times painful, at times amusing. The plot is well-structured and brave in tackling the ethical dilemmas posed by the huge advances in prenatal screening that took place in the 1980s. (Griselda Heppel, author of Ante's Inferno, winner of the People's Book Prize (children's section) 2013) I loved it. You write superbly combining such detailed accuracy with a surprising light touch ...your characters were so delicately drawn that they grew in substance the more you got to know them....So many lovely tiny touches ... just the right amount of information ... setting a scene. (personal letter from Bridget Plass, writer & speaker, author of The Apple of his Eye and other books, some with husband Adrian Plass) A compelling story exploring the potential conflicts and clashes between religious faith and the pursuit of science ......a real page-turner that I didn't want to put down. The ending was intelligent, satisfying and rewarding. (Debbie Young, author and book bllogger at 'Debbie Young's Reading Life' As an atheist I found your book an exciting read, and I could appreciate all the characters even when I didn't agree with them. (Rachel Lawston, book designer, private communication)

Author Information

Mari Howard writes warm, thoughtful, thought-provoking novels at her home in Oxford, where she lives with her husband, and two cats as creative, funny, and tiresome as her three now-grown children. As a teenager she wrote and performed protest poems, and became interested in the rapid societal change around her. Her ambition was to study art, but at Newcastle University, Mari hung out with art and medical student friends while studying religion, the basis of traditional societies. She later studied social and political science at Oxford's Department for Continuing Education, developing interests in women's social issues, the impact of the contraceptive pill, IVF, and equality. Her first published pieces were non-fiction for the 'liberal' faith-based social commentary magazine Third Way, and some short stories. Baby, Baby, her debut published novel, draws on continuing interest in genetic research, cultural differences, acceptance, and inclusion. Mari has appeared at Hawkesbury Upton Literature Festival (2015, 2016), and twice on Oxfordshire Live reading from her work and discussing writing along with author Debbie Young. She has exhibited paintings at Oxford Art Weeks. Find out more at: www.hodgepublishing.com Rachel Lawston is a young, widely experienced, book designer, who graduated from the University of the Creative Arts and has worked since in many genres and with a diversity of authors including fiction, non-fiction, and children's books. Rachel includes developing branding and marketing materials in addition to interior and cover design for her clients' books.

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