Her Daughter's Mother

April 15, 2019
New York art curator Lana Stone, the 39-year-old heroine of Petrova’s impressive debut, faces her last chance at carrying a baby to full term with the help of an egg donor after battling with infertility for years. Three days before the scheduled transfer, Tyler, Lana’s partner, abandons her. Heartbroken, Lana proceeds with the transfer and becomes pregnant without Tyler’s knowledge. A week later, while riding the subway, Lana recognizes her baby’s anonymous egg donor, vivacious 21-year-old Ivy League graduate Katya Dimitrova, from the photo in Katya’s egg donor profile. Lana approaches Katya, with whom she shares a Bulgarian heritage, and the two develop a close, if risky, friendship. When Katya suddenly goes missing, Lana realizes that she was probably the last person to see her. Some will piece together the mystery faster than Lana can, but there are still burning questions that will keep readers at the edge of their seats. Fascinating details about Bulgarian culture leaven this gripping tale of the consequences of obsession. Petrova is off to a promising start. Agent: Lisa Grubka, Fletcher & Company.

After a series of unsuccessful in vitro fertilization attempts, Lana and Tyler decide to use an egg donor. Petrova's completely original mystery gets amazing performances from Tavia Gilbert as Lana, Dan Bittner as Tyler, and Carlotta Brentan as Katya, the egg donor. The couple select an anonymous donor from numerous profiles and photographs. However, Tyler leaves Lana just before she gets the news that a donor egg has been fertilized. She decides to go ahead with the implantation without telling Tyler. The narrators maintain high emotions as stalking, paranoia, secrets, and betrayal keep things intense. Perfect for audio, each section is its own mini-monologue of "then" and "now," told by either Lana, Katya, or Tyler. The insightful performances and psychological twists will keep listeners guessing. S.J.H. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award � AudioFile 2019, Portland, Maine