A touching novel about surrogacy, The Sisterhood of Motherhood by Darla Nagel is a sensitively penned and moving work of contemporary fiction. When Ivy Jean finds out that she won’t be able to have any more children due to the onset of aggressive cervical cancer, her sister-in-law Bethany offers to act as a surrogate mother, leading to a complicated new level in their relationship. Legal and medical technicalities, family tensions, and emotional turmoil are all covered with grace and subtlety, in a novel that is at once informative about the process of surrogacy and intimate in its poignant portrayal of Bethany Harding’s selfless act of compassion. ★★★★ —Self-Publishing Review The Sisterhood of Motherhood is a heartfelt slice-of-life story that follows a young woman's journey of self-discovery. Darla Nagel tells a moving, character-driven tale of sisterhood and friendship that demonstrates the resilience of the human spirit amid adversity. The author doesn't waste a single word, weaving a concise and absorbing plot that has your attention from the first page to the last. Bethany is someone who always felt overshadowed by her older brother. She wants to feel helpful and be loved but shies away from asking others for help. The family dynamics are the book's highlight for me, especially Bethany's relationships with Ivy Jean, Brandon, and her parents. I really appreciated the ending. I found it both realistic and hopeful. This is the perfect book for readers who love short, well-written, and intimate dramas. —Pikasho Deka for Readers’ Favorite (5 Stars) A detailed and thorough account of a surrogate pregnancy. Bethany, a single young woman, becomes a gestational surrogate for her brother and sister-in-law. Her sister-in-law has one child, but due to a cancer diagnosis must undergo a hysterectomy and is unable to conceive again. It isn’t a snap decision on Bethany’s part, but certainly a heartfelt one. She soon finds out there’s more to being a surrogate than she ever realized. This is a realistic, and no doubt, accurate depiction of the emotional and physical toll following such an act of selfless love. Bethany is not doing this for monetary reward. Characters are well-developed and the dialogue is credible. Bethany’s relationship with her older brother is an interesting one. At certain points, I did find myself skimming some of the more factual information. However, it is very clearly written and will be found helpful for those in need of the particulars. I should think the best audience for this book will include those interested in becoming a surrogate, or those who have a family member or friend considering becoming one. The Sisterhood of Motherhood will go a long way in helping women understand the high stakes of what is involved with surrogacy. —Susan E. Sage (5 Stars) Darla Nagel is a biomedical copy editor who has an invisible chronic illness. She wants to educate healthcare professionals and encourage patients. Her newest book is available from online booksellers. If you want to receive quarterly updates from her, email darla.nagel{a}gmail.com.
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What inspired this book? I asked myself, "What might have happened if my sister-in-law and brother had accepted my offer to be a surrogate for them?" So yes, this narrative is personal to me and is inspired by, though not based on, a real couple’s experience with infertility and cancer. Second, I think it's ridiculous that surrogacy is illegal in Michigan and want to support its legalization. Third, I have been curious about pregnancy and the first stages of life from a young age, and "giving birth to" a book rather than a baby is within my abilities and comfort zone. The Sisterhood of Motherhood is for women who are interested in surrogacy and for people who believe love can overcome family problems and believe that infertility isn’t the end but rather the beginning. Darla Nagel is a biomedical copy editor who has an invisible chronic illness. She wants to educate healthcare professionals and encourage patients. If you want to receive quarterly updates from her, email darla.nagel{a}gmail.com.
I explore the emotions of surrogacy and family building in my novella, The Sisterhood of Motherhood, now available in ebook format from online booksellers. As the protagonist, Bethany, steps up to be a gestational surrogate for her sister-in-law amid infertility and cancer, she steps beyond her comfort zone. Navigating medical and legal challenges, shifting family dynamics, and doubts about her motives, Bethany’s surrogacy becomes an exercise in resilience, sacrifice, and the unbreakable bonds of sisterhood. The Sisterhood of Motherhood reminds readers of the strength that grows from women supporting women. What made me write this book? I wanted to show that surrogacy is a solution for infertility but not the perfect solution for every family. Be the first to hold this baby, I mean, book. Darla Nagel is a biomedical copy editor who has an invisible chronic illness. She wants to educate healthcare professionals and encourage patients. If you want to receive quarterly updates from her, email darla.nagel{a}gmail.com.
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As Bethany, the baby sister of the family, steps up to support her sister-in-law and brother through their infertility and cancer diagnosis, she steps into the role of a gestational surrogate. Determined to push herself beyond her comfort zone, Bethany faces a year of medical and legal challenges. She thinks she's prepared for the emotional, physical, and family changes that come with her decision but is soon surprised by shifting family dynamics and even questions her own motivations for surrogacy. Is she building up her family, or is she building up herself? |
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