SOLVED. YA novel about a young healer/ witch who is training to be a midwife, the preacher's daughter is pregnant, baby named Amos. [s]

[Alissa]

I read this book in approximately 2010-2012. The cover is illustrated (but realisitc art), black background with an image of a blonde girl, facing towards the reader's left, her eyes are turned toward the reader, as if looking into the camera. Her blond hair is in large ringlets. I believe she is wearing black. I believe there is red somewhere in the cover. I believe the book was called "The Preacher's Daughter" but I cannot find it anywhere when I search for it online. I do not remember the author's name or gender. The main character is a young healer/witch. SPOILERS: One of the first scene's in the book, the young healer is training to be a midwife, and she is assisting a woman giving birth. The older witch/healer is teaching her and at one point, greases up the young healer from her hand to elbow so she can feel for the baby's head in the woman in labor. I believe the baby dies at one point later in the book. The book has POV from other characters, including both of the preacher's daughter's. The eldest daughter gets pregnant. The youngest daughter believes the baby is going to be born a demon. The young healer casts a spell to protect the baby by throwing a dead frog on the pregnant girl's stomach. I dont' remember much of the middle of the plot, but there are mythical creatures (elves?) involved I think. Eventually the daughter gives birth. The younger daughter believes she sees the baby with hooves, but the baby is normal. Someone throws the baby out into the street. The baby is rescued and adopted by the woman who lost her baby. Either the baby who died, or the adopted baby, is named Amos.

[Capn]

The Minister's Daughter..?

also published as "The Merrybegot"

(I also found a The Parson's Daughter, The Preacher's Daughter, The Pastor's Daughter, and The Vicar's Daughter!)

If not, do you know where the book was meant to be set? Should we look into Church of England clergy titles, or American? Or is it a fantasy world of sorts?

[Alissa]

Capn wrote: "The Minister's Daughter..?

also published as "The Merrybegot"

(I also found a The Parson's Daughter, [book:The Preacher's Daughter|10..."

Yes! The Minister's Daughter, that's the cover I remember. Thank you so much!

[Capn]

You're welcome! You did all the hard work already!