The Swallow's Nest. Emilie Richards

      Three women fight for the chance to raise the child they’ve all come to love

      When Lilia Swallow’s husband, Graham, goes into remission after a challenging year of treatment for lymphoma, the home and lifestyle blogger throws a party. Their best friends and colleagues attend to celebrate his recovery, but just as the party is in full swing, a new guest arrives. She presents Lilia with a beautiful baby boy, and vanishes.

      Toby is Graham’s darkest secret—his son, conceived in a moment of despair. Lilia is utterly unprepared for the betrayal the baby represents, and perhaps more so for the love she begins to feel once her shock subsides. Now this unasked-for precious gift becomes a life changer for three women: Lilia, who takes him into her home and heart; Marina, who bore and abandoned him until circumstance and grief changed her mind; and Ellen, who sees in him a chance to correct the mistakes she made with her own son, Toby’s father.

      A custody battle begins, and each would-be mother must examine her heart, confront her choices and weigh her dreams against the fate of one vulnerable little boy. Each woman will redefine family, belonging and love—and the results will alter the course of not only their lives, but also the lives of everyone they care for.

      Praise for the novels of Emilie Richards

      “I emerged at the last page as a better and more thoughtful person.”

      —Catherine Anderson, New York Times bestselling author, on When We Were Sisters

      “Straightforward, honest, and uplifting.”

      —New York Journal of Books on When We Were Sisters

      “Emilie Richards is at the top of her game in this richly rewarding tale of love and family and the ties that bind us all. One Mountain Away is everything I want in a novel and more. A must-buy!”

      —Barbara Bretton, New York Times bestselling author

      “Richards creates a heart-wrenching atmosphere that slowly builds to the final pages, and continues to echo after the book is finished.”

      —Publishers Weekly on One Mountain Away

      “This is emotional, suspenseful drama filled with hope and love.”

      —Library Journal on No River Too Wide

      “Portraying the uncomfortable subject of domestic abuse with unflinching thoroughness and tender understanding...offers important insights into a far too prevalent social problem.”

      —Booklist on No River Too Wide

      “A juicy, sprawling beach read with a suspenseful twist.”

      —Publishers Weekly on Fortunate Harbor

      “A multi-layered plot, vivid descriptions and a keen sense of place and time.”

      —Library Journal on Rising Tides

      “Richards’s ability to portray compelling characters who grapple with challenging family issues is laudable, and this well-crafted tale should score well with fans of Luanne Rice and Kristin Hannah.”

      —Publishers Weekly on Fox River, starred review

      The Swallow’s Nest

      Emilie Richards

      To Jessie, my daughter, who has been and always will be a great joy in my life. Thanks for insisting I watch Maleficent.

      Contents

       Cover

       Back Cover Text

       Praise

       Title Page

       Dedication

       PART I

       Chapter 1

       Chapter 2

       Chapter 3

       Chapter 4

       Chapter 5

       Chapter 6

       Chapter 7

       Chapter 8

       Chapter 9

       Chapter 10

       Chapter 11

       PART II

       Chapter 12

       Chapter 13

       Chapter 14

       Chapter 15

       Chapter 16

       PART III

       Chapter 17

       Chapter 18

       Chapter 19

       PART IV

       Chapter 20

       Chapter 21

       Chapter 22

       Chapter 23

       Chapter 24

       Chapter 25

       Chapter 26

       PART