Mothers & Other Liars by Amy Bourret

I always have a soft spot for stories about mothers and their love for a child/children and this one won a place in my heart from the first turn of its page. I was able to connect with Ruby from the start.

At 19, Ruby Oleander finds a baby in a trash can while at a rest stop. Believing that the child was abandoned she grabs that baby and heads off out west in search of a new life and the ocean. Nine years later, she and her daughter Lark, have made a nice life for themselves. Lark is a sweet girl and you can instantly tell that she is being raised in a loving and doting home surrounded by wonderful friends. But all that is about to change when Ruby finds a picture of an infant in the newspaper whose parents have been searching for over the past nine years.

What an interesting premise! I cannot say how many times I questioned myself and what my instinct would have been had I been the one in a situation like this. This is Ruby's story and what cost she'll have to pay in order to do the right thing.

Although some parts were a stretch of the imagination, I really enjoyed the honest feel of the emotions that were written plainly on every page. I felt the tension throughout the courtroom drama scenes and the relief at the support of various friends and community members.

As a mother you can't help but relate to Ruby. I had this churning feeling in my stomach at times while reading because of the heart-wrenching, unthinkable decisions she has to make and their related consequences. There were moments that had me unexpectedly tightening my throat or that caused the watering of my eyes.

This is the story of a mother and a daughter whose lives are turned upside down when a dark secret comes to light. Your emotions will be all over the place - you won't know whose side you're on since there isn't a villain - these are just people following their hearts and doing the best they can to live their lives. An amazing story of love, hope and forgiveness. A must read.

This book was provided for review by St. Martin's Griffin.