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Progeny
Sitting beside her mother's deathbed, twenty-year-old Selene Mannon learns that the woman she's about to lose isn't her biological parent. Grieving and confused, Selene sets out to discover the identity of her real mother. Little does she know, the question isn't as simple as it seems. Curiously missing medical files kick off a mystery layered in deceit. Selene soon crosses paths with pediatrician Deandra Robbins, who is seeking the same files -- which may hold the key to diagnosing three of her young patients' puzzling symptoms. Aided by private investigator Max Field, they work together to unearth a past that others are determined to keep buried at all costs. But just when Selene believes she's finally gotten to the bottom of things, the biggest shock still awaits. While all this is happening, a mysterious born-again nurse, Merle Addison, is blackmailing a doctor she once worked for to ultimately fund a deadly plot that will intersect with Selene. Can Selene forgive the mother who raised and deceived her? Will she ever find her real mother? How far will people go to find -- or hide -- the truth? Join Selene and her friends as they struggle against the odds in search of answers that may be harder to cope with than a lifetime of lies.
244 pages, Paperback
First published March 13, 2014
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
April 14, 2014
Thank You to the author, Anita Bihovsky, and her publishers via Net Galley for granting me a copy to read and review in exchange for a fair and honest review.
This is quite a difficult subject to read about due to it's content. I cannot really say why though without revealing a major storyline!
I did however, really enjoy "Progeny". It's a novel idea, which is very scary as it's something that could easily occur in reality, though I sincerely hope not....
This was a riveting read and I have recommended it to friends that enjoy the same books as Myself.
I look forward to reading many more books by Anita Bihovsky.
This is quite a difficult subject to read about due to it's content. I cannot really say why though without revealing a major storyline!
I did however, really enjoy "Progeny". It's a novel idea, which is very scary as it's something that could easily occur in reality, though I sincerely hope not....
This was a riveting read and I have recommended it to friends that enjoy the same books as Myself.
I look forward to reading many more books by Anita Bihovsky.
April 3, 2014
Progeny
by Anita Bihovsky
Released March 18, 2014
Provided free through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
Rating: 4 bones
Finish Time: 3 nights. Talk about a page-turner. I was up late 3 nights to finish this book! It tackles a very current topic – In-vitro Fertilization (IVF), and even takes it a step further. It makes you think – what if you found out you weren’t who you’ve always thought (been told) you were? Would it matter? Does it change anything? Would you seek out your genetic connection?
Selene Mannon has to answer all of those questions. I go back and forth on whether I agree with her choices, but either way it is all explained and she is a great main character. The book begins with her mother on her death-bed admitting that Selene was conceived through IVF with a donor egg. Now with both her mother and father gone, she moves to New York City with her aunt and uncle and begins the search to find her genetic mother.
With the help of her aunt Lila, a pediatrician Deandra, and a private investigator, Max, Selene begins to not only investigate her background, but a string of children with missing records, common ailments, and one doctor in common. The book explores many different relationships, many people who were forced to conceal the truth, or chose to for various reasons. And a really unbelievable scheme in the end. I’ll say it again, un-be-lieve-able as I struggle with wrapping my head around it, or even doing a Google search about it. It’s a bit disturbing too but the build up is so good, thus my good rating.
It’s a fictional book, obviously based on something that could happen (at least the beginning part of it), so we’ll leave it at that. As I mentioned before, a page-turner of the true definition. A fast read with vibrant characters, glad I had the chance to preview! Let me know if you want to discuss if you read it!
http://mydogearedpurpose.com/2014/04/...
by Anita Bihovsky
Released March 18, 2014
Provided free through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
Rating: 4 bones
Finish Time: 3 nights. Talk about a page-turner. I was up late 3 nights to finish this book! It tackles a very current topic – In-vitro Fertilization (IVF), and even takes it a step further. It makes you think – what if you found out you weren’t who you’ve always thought (been told) you were? Would it matter? Does it change anything? Would you seek out your genetic connection?
Selene Mannon has to answer all of those questions. I go back and forth on whether I agree with her choices, but either way it is all explained and she is a great main character. The book begins with her mother on her death-bed admitting that Selene was conceived through IVF with a donor egg. Now with both her mother and father gone, she moves to New York City with her aunt and uncle and begins the search to find her genetic mother.
With the help of her aunt Lila, a pediatrician Deandra, and a private investigator, Max, Selene begins to not only investigate her background, but a string of children with missing records, common ailments, and one doctor in common. The book explores many different relationships, many people who were forced to conceal the truth, or chose to for various reasons. And a really unbelievable scheme in the end. I’ll say it again, un-be-lieve-able as I struggle with wrapping my head around it, or even doing a Google search about it. It’s a bit disturbing too but the build up is so good, thus my good rating.
It’s a fictional book, obviously based on something that could happen (at least the beginning part of it), so we’ll leave it at that. As I mentioned before, a page-turner of the true definition. A fast read with vibrant characters, glad I had the chance to preview! Let me know if you want to discuss if you read it!
http://mydogearedpurpose.com/2014/04/...
April 2, 2014
Just before Selene’s mother dies she tells her she was conceived via an egg donor. Grieving for her mother and angry at a lifetime of lies, Selene decides to try to find her biological mother.
Assisted by her aunt Selene hits a roadblock when she discovers that her records (along with others) are missing and that Dr Tillman, the fertility specialist who assisted her parents, died years before.
Fortunately Selene’s not alone in her quest for answers as pediatrician Deandra Robbins attempts to understand symptoms she sees in a number of children conceived with the assistance of Dr Tillman. After discovering the missing records she enlists the help of a private detective to get to the bottom of the mystery.
Selene and Deandra find themselves pitted against a defensive and secretive OBGYN and pro-life campaigners as they search for answers and soon discover that the mystery behind Selene's conception is more sinister than they imagined.
There was a lot I enjoyed about this book. I have no idea if what is proposed to have happened in this book is actually medically feasible, but that’s really beside the point as the plot was quite interesting.
The characters of Selene and Deandra were both likeable and the mix of ‘mystery’ and romance was well-balanced.
However, the writing (in places) was a bit clunky and could have done with some more editing. In addition, the last few chapters seemed to be paced very differently to the rest of the book – as if time had run out and they were just ‘recaps’ rather than progression of the plot.
As a complete aside, the use of the word ‘yous’ in a couple of places by one character also did my head in… but that’s more about me than the author!
Assisted by her aunt Selene hits a roadblock when she discovers that her records (along with others) are missing and that Dr Tillman, the fertility specialist who assisted her parents, died years before.
Fortunately Selene’s not alone in her quest for answers as pediatrician Deandra Robbins attempts to understand symptoms she sees in a number of children conceived with the assistance of Dr Tillman. After discovering the missing records she enlists the help of a private detective to get to the bottom of the mystery.
Selene and Deandra find themselves pitted against a defensive and secretive OBGYN and pro-life campaigners as they search for answers and soon discover that the mystery behind Selene's conception is more sinister than they imagined.
There was a lot I enjoyed about this book. I have no idea if what is proposed to have happened in this book is actually medically feasible, but that’s really beside the point as the plot was quite interesting.
The characters of Selene and Deandra were both likeable and the mix of ‘mystery’ and romance was well-balanced.
However, the writing (in places) was a bit clunky and could have done with some more editing. In addition, the last few chapters seemed to be paced very differently to the rest of the book – as if time had run out and they were just ‘recaps’ rather than progression of the plot.
As a complete aside, the use of the word ‘yous’ in a couple of places by one character also did my head in… but that’s more about me than the author!
April 20, 2014
Fascinating concept, intriguing medical mystery with some unexpected plot twists. I enjoyed the story and the concept behind it although I was not totally thrilled with the writing itself. However, as the author's first full-length novel, it is quite good. In this book, Selene's dying mother confesses that she is not Selene's biological mother, having had an IVF procedure done. Selene then goes on a search to find out who her biological mother/egg donor is and discovers a shocking mystery which has far more repercussions than just Selene's parentage. Assisted by Deandra, a pediatrician who is looking for files from the same doctor who performed her IVF and Max, a handsome PI hired by Deandra, there is romance, mystery, scandal and more in this fast paced novel. I received this book free to review from Netgalley.
April 21, 2014
REVIEW OF PROGENY BY ANITA BIHOVSKY
I read this book whilst convalescing after an accident and it proved to be a real tonic. It is Anita's first novel and I hope it won't be the last.
It has just about everything in it, mystery, suspense, murder, intrigue and it's a cracking good story.
The day before her mother dies, Selene discovers that she is the product of a donated egg and IVF and becomes desperate to find her biological mother. Nothing new in that you might think, but it is the start of an intricate web that holds your attention and to use a hackneyed phrase, I couldn't put it down.
I read this book whilst convalescing after an accident and it proved to be a real tonic. It is Anita's first novel and I hope it won't be the last.
It has just about everything in it, mystery, suspense, murder, intrigue and it's a cracking good story.
The day before her mother dies, Selene discovers that she is the product of a donated egg and IVF and becomes desperate to find her biological mother. Nothing new in that you might think, but it is the start of an intricate web that holds your attention and to use a hackneyed phrase, I couldn't put it down.
May 22, 2014
I do not believe I have ever read a book about in vetro fertilization. This was an ok book. I think the story line was good but it also jumped. It did not flow as smoothly. Love the characters Deandra, Max and Selene. There are parts where in the story line where it seems like the paragraphs they just ended abruptly.
March 27, 2014
21 Stars to this novel, tremendously riveting from first page to left, utterly unstoppable with tension, mystery, suspense, passion, friendship, and romance; plus fanaticism and emotional pain, fear and hatred, and self-righteousness to the max. Unforgettable.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews