Now available from Reginald vanFenwick Press, My Body, Their Baby by Laurie Miller, is the true story of a woman who offered to act as surrogate for her friend and discovered she had to give up more than a baby.
Can anything compare to the friendship between teenage girls? When Laurie and Meg met at camp in the summer of 1974, an immediate bond was formed. They giggled late into the night, had crushes on boys, and almost got caught smoking. As years went by, Laurie got married and had two children. Meg, dealing with a lifelong illness, married too, but was unable to conceive. Laurie's idea to carry Meg's child for her led them down an amazing and magical path together, but triumph turned to tragedy in this powerful, engrossing account of friendship pushed to the limit.
“My Body, Their Baby is the candid, bittersweet story of two women who pulled off a miracle, then had to face the consequences. With raw emotion, Miller describes the heartbreak of discovering that her long-time friend is a complete stranger. A poignant, compelling book whose ending will leave readers pulling tissues out of the dispenser two at a time.”
~ Boston Literary Magazine
“With unflinching honesty, Miller shares the emotional tale of her two-year journey from first thoughts of becoming a surrogate to the birth of her friend's baby, weaving the illness and death of her beloved brother Rob throughout the narrative. My Body, Their Baby is a moving tale that will bring tears as one realizes how fragile are the relationships that mean the most.”
~ Ruth Douillette is Associate Editor of the Internet Review of Books, and has contributed essays to The Christian Science Monitor, the Chicken Soup for the Soul series, and Under our Skin, an anthology of essays about breast cancer.
“Unexpected problems and painful misunderstandings arise when one woman becomes a surrogate mother for her best friend. Honest and revealing.”
~ Dr. Judith Blake, author of Though the Winds Blow
“In this era of women delaying pregnancy, My Body, Their Baby is most timely. The book is witty and compelling... a perfect case study for discussion in my medical ethics class. Bravo.”
~ Robin S. Schroeder, MD, Assistant Professor of Family Medicine,
UMDNJ-New Jersey Medical School
"I just finished part one and had to stop to blow my nose and wipe my eyes. What does that tell you?"
~ L.P., Randolph, Ma
"I read the book in 2 days - I could hardly put it down."
~ P.S., Providence, RI
"You are a gifted writer.... Thanks for a journey I will not forget."
~ Margie Sanford
"The tears poured out this morning as I finished MBTB! An amazing journey with such a sad ending."
~ S.S., West Bridgewater, MA
"When I first heard about the book I wondered how accurate it would be...as someone who was there I can attest..that it is pretty much entirely factual...as hard as that was to read sometimes."
~ A.B., Toronto, Canada
"You told your beautiful story beautifully. It is laced with joy, sorrow, courage and fear."
~ A.S., Marlboro, NJ
"I could not put the book down, I needed to know what happened next! The author shares a very personal story of friendship, love and heartbreak."
~ D.C., Upper Montclair, NJ
"My Body, Their Baby touched the core of female adult friendships. A very smart woman once asked, "Do you pick your friends or do they pick you?" This question comes to mind after reading Ms. Miller's compelling story. Did Meg pick Laurie to be her friend because she needed Ms. Miller's giving nature and unconditional friendship because of her illness; or did Laurie pick Meg to be her friend? What happens when one friend cannot meet the needs of the other friend? What happens when those needs step outside the boundaries and more to the point what are those boundaries? This book is a rare treasure that leaves a woman to ponder. I think Ms. Miller gave up more than a baby but gained more than what she lost."
~ K.J., North Falmouth, MA
"I'm not sure I can put into words how incredibly moved I was by your book.
I finished it last night and polished off a box of tissues in the
process. What an amazing story. . . . definitely the makings of a movie."
~ D.A., Stoughton, MA.
"I found the book to be warm and honest... You did a great job telling your story!!"
~ B.M., Plymouth, MA
"I am in awe of what a selfless act this was. What a gift you gave to your friend, based on nothing but love and a desire to make her a mom. I am saddened that she chose not to see it that way."
~ C.F., Bridgewater, MA
"I loved the book...I went through a range of emotions...you brought Rob to life so well—his journey so saddened me."
~ B.O. Boston, MA
"Oh my god! I just finished the book, read the last pages in my car this morning in the parking lot at my office. I have been late every day this week because when I read at night I fall asleep, so I’ve been reading in the morning instead of getting ready - but it was so worth it! Your writing flows easily, conversationally...I enjoyed the book very much – even though I cried many times and I think I’m going to be choked up all day."
~ P.L., Bridgewater, MA
"The book is definitely a page turner- and leaves one “wanting more..” To me thats a good barometer for knowing something’s a good book."
~ L.F., Boston, MA
"I read My Body, Their Baby in one day and was very moved by your generous spirit."
~ C.G., Sharon, MA
"My Body, Their Baby was such a beautiful and emotional tribute to your brother, and such a heart wrenching journey for you to share."
~ M.S., Middletown, CT
"I just wanted to let you know how powerful I thought the book was. I think it¢s such an amazing thing you did."
~ K.L., Providence, RI
"I just finished reading your book and must tell you I found it totally engaging and beautifully written. It's hard for me to believe what you went through from beginning to the tragic end. Sometimes we just never know what life has to offer."
~ LFT, Roseland, NJ
"I started reading and had to force myself to put it down to get other things done. Not only are you an amazing person with an incredible story, you are a great author."
~ A.M., Middleboro, MA
"Just finished your book last night. Wow! What a story. My hat is off to you for bringing a baby into the world and for sharing so honestly."
~ S.K.H., Stoughton, MA
"Your heartfelt tale, descriptions of your physical and mental ordeal and tributes to Robert are a gift to everyone. Thank you for sharing in such a beautiful way."
~ R.E., Toronto Canada
"WOW!!! What a story! The book is amazing!...it was a great experience for me to read your book. Your openness during the experience and in writing the book was unbelievable! You did a wonderful job portraying your brother. I'm sure all your readers will fall in love with him. I'm sorry you lost him."
~ P.L., Bridgewater, MA
"Warmest thanks for sharing your powerful story with me. It is a compelling voyage that will mean alot to those who have the opportunity to read your book and hear your CD."
~ CSW, Muhlenberg College, Allentown, PA
"LOVED your book. I have seldom read something where the dialogue flows so well. Also you get the emotions across beautifully.
Great Job!"
~ J.E., Middleboro, MA
"I wanted to reach out to tell you that I think you're an amazing person and what you did was truly the most selfless act a human being can do. I feel like I got to know you through your book and have a sense that if we lived near one another, we'd be friends too.
Thank you for sharing your experience."
~ R.W., Maryland.
"LOVED your book!!!!!! I couldn't put it down. I found your
story simply incredible! So many emotions in so many scenarios that I could
not begin to imagine the depth of your strength as you dealt with each one.
Your experience was inspiring to read....to say the least!
Thank you for sharing your experiences with us!"
~ C.J., Bridgewater, MA
"I read your book and I think you need to be on Oprah. It is moving and an amazing story of friendship. As soon as it arrived I jumped into it and couldn't put it down. I passed it on to my mother and am hoping she reads it soon. You are a great writer and a great friend. What a blessing you are and what a gift you gave."
~ C.S., New Jersey
Chapbook Series 
