LITTLE EARTHQUAKES

Three young pregnant women, Becky, Kelly, and Ayinde, meet and become friends, going through their deliveries and new motherhood together. More than friends, the women become sounding boards for one another. A tragedy has ripped apart the life of a fourth woman, Lia, who gradually becomes part of the group. Johanna Parker has a light, lovely voice for narration. She gives an enthusiastic performance as each of the new moms, their helpful and not-so-helpful husbands, an assortment of crazed mothers, and one very crazy mother-in-law. She even makes a credible baby. While she can’t keep the ending from sounding too neat to be believed, Parker’s lively narration does make this bestselling novelist’s honest storytelling and believable dialogue even more enjoyable. S.J.H. © AudioFile 2005, Portland, Maine [Published: AUG/SEP 05]