Louise Shivers (1929–2014)

A quick read about the consequences of youthful infatuation, a mother's sacrifice, and second chances. As a young girl, Georgie Weeks is smitten by the handsome son of her mother's employer, John Fleeting. He pays her just enough notice to keep her avid for his attention, until finally he takes takes ultimate advantage of her obsession before turning his back on her completely. Too immature to evaluate his morals or his motivation, Georgie revels in his favors, even celebrating the creation of the child he would never know existed. "A baby! Me and Mr. John Fleeting made a baby out of ourselves!" Georgie thinks to herself. But she refuses to tell her mother who is responsible for her condition. To save Georgie's reputation, her widowed mother Chaney Weeks hides her away, pretends to be pregnant herself, and raises the child as her own, sacrificing her standing in the church which has sustained her for years. It is not until Georgie is happily married with a large family, and her mother is on her death bed, that Chaney explains what led her to go to such lengths to protect her only daughter from disgrace. The reveal won't come as much of a shock to most readers, but this story, told in Georgie's voice, unfolds with just the right amount of tension and suspense.… (mehr)