Deborah M. Piccurelli

I won this book through the wonderful first-reads program.

I wasn't entirely certain what to expect when I began this book. It was marketed as a mystery-thriller, but had no qualms about making its Christian slant known. The author made the bold choice of placing the bulk of the drama within an abortion clinic that had questionable practices, and also made the protagonist a little person. It was truly an interesting mix.

The book was fast-paced, and the author did a rather good job of portraying the difficulties that a little person has with adjusting to an average sized world. The author also did a rather good job of depicting the abortion clinic more fairly than I would have expected, and made the characters who worked there human and relatable. I did find the book a bit too on the preachy side towards the last third, but considering the audience that it was written for I thought it was surprisingly fair.

The only downside of the book, aside from what I spoke of earlier, was the relationship between Amber and Evan. I didn't feel an appropriate amount of tension between the two characters, and found it difficult to see the positive side of both Amber and Evan. The book does allow that both of them have their faults, but I simply couldn't imagine their relationship ever working out based upon the poor level of communication that existed between the two of them. Again, this was a minor point of the book, and overall didn't take away from the suspense and intrigue of the mystery that existed.

So, all in all, I thought this was a fair book considering that I wasn't the intended audience for it. Having not read any other Christian fiction (with the exception of the Narnia books) I can say that this was a fast-paced engaging read that made me want to finish it quickly. The writing was crisp, and certainly shows promise for the author. I think most people who pick this book up will find themselves enjoying it.… (plus d'informations)

Hush Little Baby by Deborah Piccurelli opens with investigator, Amanda Blake starting her first day undercover at an abortion clinic. She has taken an administrative assistant position to hopefully discover illegal practises done there by the physician. This doctor performed an abortion on her sister years ago and she died from it. Amanda wants to expose him and keep him from continuing to abort babies. She is a Christian and is pro-life so this assignment has multiple negative parts to it. She cannot let her guard down though. She is currently separated from her husband. Amanda must decide whether it is time to file for divorce while having to work with her husband, also on the investigation. They are both little people. I thought that the author incorporated the life of a little person very well giving the reader a look into the complications but also to show how very much they are so like us. Several other societal issues are covered in this intriguing book; single parenting, divorce, to have children or not, abortion and selling of body tissues.
I found myself hurrying through my day to get back to the book.

I recommend this Hush Little Baby. I was given an copy by The Book Club Network for my hones review.… (plus d'informations)

Rarely does a book come around that makes you gasp as you read it, because you can't think the horrors it brings you to confront face to face will get any worse. In Hush, Little Baby by Deborah M. Piccurelli does just that and more as the story grows.

Amber Blake is a journalist who has been sent to work undercover at the Cedarview Women's Center in South Jersey, under the watchful eye of Dr. Albert Hines. Hardly believing she landed the job, she is sent on a mission to bring to justice the killer of her sister, Ashley who died during complications she received when she got an abortion.

Given inside information that there may be more going on at the clinic that what appears by a co-worker named Maggie, who tells her that fetal harvesting is taking place as well. When patients show up for their procedure they are asked to give up the rights of their fetus to science, which many are more than willing to do as a way to feel better about what they are doing.

Now all Amber has to do is bring back enough evidence on the clinic to have it shut down and Dr. Hines arrested, but at just 4-foot-tall, that appears to be a larger order than she planned. Especially when the good Doctor is more than attracted to her. What she doesn't tell anyone is that she is married, but separated from Evan, her husband, who is working on the undercover article. Evan wants to work with Amber at reconciling their marriage but when he doesn't want to have children because of the ridicule it may cause their children if they are drawfs, Amber is forced to look at divorcing him. What would he think if he knew she had a daughter with him that he doesn't know anything about?

I received Hush, Little Baby compliments of Christian Fiction Book Reviews and Deborah M. Piccurelli for my honest review. Being a huge pro-life, Christian, I had to see where this book was going and how it would end. It does make the reader wonder just what really goes on behind the back doors in those women's clinics even today and sees just how real and true this story could be. I applaud Deborah's efforts to bring a breathable, likeable character to life, in Amber, who is struggling with her own personal convictions of working at a clinic being a believer in God. She tries to make sure that women who arrive are given all opportunities to keep their child, but when the Doctor informs her she's going against policy and is subject to being fired, she finds she is up against a rope that only God can help her out of. I rate this one a 4.5 out of 5 stars and remind the reader that the subject matter may be a bit intense but overall provides a great story to engage the reader with its suspense.… (plus d'informations)