Presented by Penguin.

Gritty and page-turning traditional saga set in Northern Britain in the late 1800s, for fans of Dilly Court and Rosie Goodwin.

Minnie Maddox cares deeply for mothers and their babies – she makes a living by taking in undesired kids and finding them good adoptive homes – and is delighted on her behalf neighbour when she finally becomes a mom after years of trying. But when the infant dies of organic causes while under her roofing, and understanding her neighbour will end up being about A Mother’s Dilemma devastated, Minnie swaps it with one of the babies in her caution.

Now seventeen, Jewel Nightingale knows absolutely nothing of her true origins. But assaulted by her hateful cousin and making the dreadful discovery that she actually is pregnant, she encounters a desperate dilemma. Fleeing her work as a home maid, she comes after an advert to a house in Bolton’s dark slums, where a woman promises to help her when the child is born. Small does Jewel understand that there’s a terrible price to pay .

Can she keep herself – and her baby – safe and sound? And exactly what will happen when Jewel discovers the truth about where she originated from?