Harem Midwife - by Roberta Rich (Paperback)

About the Book

"Hannah and Isaac return in this opulent, riveting, and suspenseful tale--a continuation of Roberta Rich's thrilling debut The Midwife of Venice. The Imperial Harem, Constantinople, 1579: Hannah and Isaac Levi, Venetians in exile, have set up a new life for themselves in Constantinople. Isaac runs a newly established business in the growing silk trade, while Hannah, the best midwife in all of Constantinople, plies her trade within the opulent palace of Sultan Murat III, tending to the thousand women of his lively and infamous harem. But one night, when Hannah is unexpectedly summoned to the palace, she's confronted with Zofia, a poor Jewish peasant girl who has been abducted and sold into the sultan's harem. The sultan favors her as his next conquest and wants her to produce his heir, but the girl just wants to return to her home and the only life she has ever known. Will Hannah risk her life and livelihood to protect this young girl, or will she prioritize her high esteem in the eye of the sultan? An adventurous, opulent and deliciously exciting read, peopled with fascinating, unforgettable characters (a court eunuch; the calculating sultan's mother-in-law; the beguiling harem ladies; and a very mysterious young beauty from Venice who shows up on Hannah's doorstep, causing much havoc), this novel is sure to please fans of The Midwife of Venice and extend Roberta's reputation as a beloved historical fiction author"--

Book Synopsis

A sweeping work of historical fiction set in 16th-century Constantinople, The Harem Midwife is a richly detailed novel of Jewish exile, palace intrigue, and dangerous secrets inside the Ottoman Empire.

In 1578, Hannah and Isaac Levi--Venetian Jews forced from their homeland--have rebuilt their lives in the glittering yet volatile world of Sultan Murat III's court. Isaac prospers in the thriving silk trade, while Hannah has become one of the most sought-after midwives in Constantinople, attending the women of the imperial harem.

When Hannah is summoned to the palace, she encounters Leah, a young Jewish girl abducted and delivered into the sultan's harem. Chosen as a potential mother of an heir, Leah faces a brutal test that could seal her fate. Moved by the girl's courage and desperate vulnerability, Hannah risks her hard-won security to protect her.

But as court politics tighten and a mysterious stranger from Venice threatens Hannah's fragile peace, long-buried secrets begin to surface. In a world ruled by power, faith, and survival, one misstep could destroy everything she and Isaac have built.

Lush with historical detail, religious tension, and emotional depth, The Harem Midwife is an immersive tale of resilience, forbidden love, female solidarity, and survival in the shadow of empire.

Review Quotes

"Rich's fascinating historical details and her warm empathy for her protagonists will capture historical fiction fans and readers who enjoyed Anita Diamant's The Red Tent."--Library Journal on The Midwife of Venice

"Riveting and compulsively readable, The Midwife of Venice combines fast- paced adventure with richly evocative historical writing."--FreshFiction.com on The Midwife of Venice

"Successfully captures the seedy side of 16-century Venice."--Publishers Weekly on The Midwife of Venice

"A cliffhanger-strewn debut ... breathless historical adventure."--Kirkus Reviews on The Midwife of Venice

"Rich skillfully incorporates a wealth of historical detail into her riveting tale of a heroine who won't give up on her marriage."--Chicago Tribune on The Midwife of Venice

About the Author

Roberta Rich is the #1 bestselling author of The Midwife of Venice, which was published in thirteen countries, The Harem Midwife, and A Trial in Venice. She divides her time between Vancouver, British Columbia, and Colima, Mexico. Visit her at RobertaRich.com.