The Baby Stakes - by Trish Morey

“You don’t know me, but I’m having your baby.”

Discovering that you are to have a child - is there any moment in our lives more emotionally charged and powerful? Is there any moment - maybe other than when that child is born, that is more precious?

Even for most couples, when nature and desire join forces without too much trouble, this is such a special time. But for those who have to endure the trials of IVF, those couples who have already been put through the emotional mill and beyond, learning their treatment has been successful and that a pregnancy has resulted, is even more precious, more joyously received.

So what happens then, after being through all that IVF involves, after the struggle and the injections and the pain and the resultant celebration when it proves successful, only to discover the baby you are carrying is not your own, and when your husband refuses to support your decision to hand the child over to its rightful parents?

And what happens, when a man across town learns that embryos frozen and long forgotten have been implanted in the wrong woman and resulted in a pregnancy?

I have to admit, a few years ago I would never have believed a story such as this could possibly happen. I always imagined places such as IVF clinics to be faultless in their operation - how could they not be, given the emotional dynamite they played with on a daily basis?

But of course, events of the last few years have shown that mistakes and mix ups can happen anywhere.

The Heir from Nowhere was conceived in this world.

Angie Cameron is determined to give this baby to its rightful parents. Her husband has walked out on her because of her choice, but it is the right thing to do. It’s not her child.

But when billionaire widower, Dominic Pirelli learns of the mistake and meets the sickly woman supposed nurturing his child, his own protective instincts kick in. There is no way he can leave her to live by herself in an unsavoury neighbourhood when she could be looked after in his own home.

A deal is made, Angelina will stay until the baby is born. The cold, business-like deal suits them both.

Except the longer she stays, and the more the baby inside her grows, the harder Angelina finds it to think of this baby as something she can give away. Despite her determination to stay detached, she begins to bond with her unborn child. And the longer she stays, the harder Dominic is finding it to think of her leaving...

Probably the most emotional story I have written to date, readers on millsandboon.co.uk have also had their say -

“The best M&B that I have read in a long time.”

“Another superb Modern Romance from Trish Morey. A must for all those who believe in the adage that beauty is only skin deep.”

“Once I started I couldn’t put it down.”

And from RTbookreviews, a four star review that concludes with, “A great read.”

I hope you enjoy it too!