Mother's Day Babies

My latest release, MOTHER’S DAY BABIES, is coming very appropriately at a time when we celebrate Mother’s Day.

Available for 99 cents at Amazon.com,  http://tinyurl.com/cz3v5a8

This book is dedicated to the mothers we celebrate and those we remember with love on Mother's Day.

Widowed for seven years, Barbara Ramsay lives and breathes for her five grownup daughters and their babies. She's also used to chatting over the phone with her good friend, Lou. But why has he invited her to come to Paris with his TV Network crew?

Powerful News Director, Lou Roland is certainly not marriage material, yet he has suddenly decided he wants Barbara in his arms. Not an easy task when his pretty confidante from Kentucky proves so difficult to date--unless he follows her rules. Can the over-fifty confirmed bachelor and the widow loyal to her husband's memory find true love and share a future?

Mother’s Day Babies also delves into the controversial subject of surrogate mother.

Although many TV series—the most famous being Friends—played on that theme, I never met a surrogate mother. Have you?

But the theme interested me. I used it in this book and analyzed the feelings of the young surrogate mother, those of her parents, and those of the couple hiring her.

Let the hero, Lou Roland, the surrogate mother’s dad, tells you his feelings.

Excerpt:

Like a drunken zombie, Lou followed the gurney to the big door marked DELIVERY. He’d never attended a delivery and didn’t know what to do, where to go.

“You can’t continue, sir. Only the husband is allowed in there. Parents should go to the waiting room. We’ll inform you when we have news.” The big door closed behind his daughter and future grandsons.

There was no loving husband. Only a sleazeball who’d taken advantage of his daughter’s stupidity. Rooted in place, he fisted his hands against his sides and stared at the word, DELIVERY.

His heart had somersaulted when he’d heard she was expecting twins. Two little boys. He’d always wished he could have a son. An unexpected joy had trumpeted inside him. He’d taken a step forward, ready to forgive and help for the sake of two innocent babies. And then his new hopes pummeled and crushed at Monica’s next words. A surrogate mother.

“Lou,” Barbara grabbed his arm and tugged him away.

“Let’s go.” Deep in his thoughts and dejection, he let her draw him to the waiting room.

“A surrogate mother,” he repeated as he slumped onto a chair. “What does it mean, Barbara? Why has she sold her body to carry other people’s children? Why has she done such a crazy thing? Why waste her figure and risk her health for strangers?” He torpedoed every question without waiting for answers.

Sitting on the sofa close by, Barbara held his hand and squeezed it. “Don’t torture yourself. Maybe she had her reasons at the time. Maybe she needed the money. She’ll have to explain.”

“I’ve never denied her money. Why?” He raked and pulled at his hair with nervous fingers. If he kept at it, he’d soon be bald.

“I don’t know. We can’t judge her without listening to her.”

“What am I supposed to do now? Surrogate!” he muttered under his breath. “You’re a woman. Tell me. What does this word entail?” Unable to remain confined in his chair, he sprang up and paced the room.

“I’m not sure myself. I read an article about it in a woman’s magazine. With artificial insemination, the male’s sperm is used to impregnate the surrogate mother by direct deposit into the female’s reproductive tract.” Her calm tone contrasted with the worried frown knitting her forehead.

Lou stopped in his tracks next to the side table and banged on it. “I hope she didn’t.” His mind revolted at the mention of the clinical words. Revulsion stirred his last meal in his stomach. “For heaven’s sake, shouldn’t a child’s creation be the product of marriage, or at least of a man and a woman’s love or attraction for each other?”

“Of course, I agree with you. I’m just telling you what I remember from the article on surrogacy. The other type is when the egg resulting from a couple’s sperm and ovule is implanted in the surrogate mother—”

“So my daughter is just a paid container? Is that what you’re saying?” Raw pain contorted his insides. “In that case, she can’t be my daughter. No daughter could ever do that to her father.”

Barbara stood and wrapped her arms around him. “You’re hurting, Lou. I hate to see you suffering so much, but let’s not judge her. She looked so pretty and vulnerable in that bed.”

“Her mother was pretty too and knew how to use her beauty to manipulate everyone. If only she’d had a tenth of your integrity and compassion,” he growled, cursing the events that had interrupted the beginning of his new relationship with Barbara.

How on Earth had sperm and insemination replaced kiss and feelings in their conversation? To think Barbara had melted in his arms the night before, and now they were discussing the subject most apt to smother any passion they felt.

For a chance to win a copy of MOTHER’S DAY BABIES, let me know your opinion about surrogacy.

About the Author: From chemistry in the lab to chemistry between people.
As a director of chemistry, Mona Risk traveled to more than sixty countries on business or vacation. To relax from her hectic schedule, she avidly read romance novels and mentally plotted her own books. Eventually she left a scientific career to share with readers the many stories brewing in her head. Mona likes to set her stories in the fascinating places she visits.
Mona Risk’s books won Best Romance Novel of the Year at Preditors & Editors; Best Contemporary Romances at Readers Favorite; Epic Award Finalists; and many stellar reviews.

 Other books in The Holiday Babies Series:

VALENTINE BABIES    http://tinyurl.com/avb2kbu

CHRISTMAS BABIES  http://tinyurl.com/burgd9j

BABIES IN THE BARGAIN   http://tinyurl.com/6mcd6e3

 Links: www.monarisk.com

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Mona Risk Amazon Page of books http://tinyurl.com/7mlcjtx