By and large, Amanda Keane makes pretty good decisions. Okay, she might not have the best taste in men, but she’s got great friends, a good job, and an independent spirit. That is, until her 30th birthday ushers in a whirlwind romance with a sexy Irish musician who leaves her, not at the altar as she imagined, but accidentally pregnant. And when he disappears, she’s downsized out of a job, her apartment is robbed, and lapsed health insurance coverage leaves her with a C-section to pay for, Amanda is launched headfirst into the life of a broke single mom. But her friend and uber successful ob-gyn, Joy, clues her in to an unlikely temp position with one of Chicago’s celebrity elite that just may be the answer to all her woes. Or could it be just the beginning?
It’s with serious trepidation that Amanda embarks on her surprisingly lucrative new career: underground wet nurse to the offspring of Chi-town’s rich and famous. Amanda must quickly understand how to live at the whims and mercy of the one percent as she deals with the irony of nursing – and loving – someone else’s child, while still making ends meet for her own daughter. And then there’s Cute Daycare Dad (aka Dan), who’s obviously interested in her. But can she afford to tell him what she really does for a living? Is her new job (something she thought went out with the 19th century) a shameful thing? Just another way of selling her body? Or does it have something to teach her after all?
A novel of motherhood, its many demands, and all the little triumphs along the way, MILKED is a warm and witty debut about making tough choices and traveling the roundabout road to happiness.
A single mother embarks on an unconventional business venture in Doyle’s debut novel.
Amanda Keane loves her life in Chicago and her career as an editor at Fixtures magazine. For her 30th birthday, her friends treat her to an evening at Daly’s, a local bar and restaurant, with a blind date. However, the sparks truly fly when she meets Eamonn, the restaurant owner’s nephew. He’s an aspiring musician from Ireland who’s spending several months in the Windy City. But when Amanda discovers she’s pregnant with Eamonn’s child, he disappears from her life. Shortly after the birth of their daughter, Maddie, she loses her job at the magazine. When her friend Joy, a gynecologist, suggests that she try working as a wet nurse for wealthy mothers, she’s initially skeptical. However, with a baby to support and bills to pay, she does so, working on a contract basis for some of the most powerful women in town. Because of the sensitive nature of her services, Amanda keeps the true nature of her job a secret from her new boyfriend, Dan, a handsome single father she met at Maddie’s day care. Amanda’s attempts to balance her work and her blossoming romance are soon complicated by the demands of her job and the reappearance of a person from her past. Doyle brings a quirky premise to life with colorful characters and a brisk pace. The bright Amanda is the strongest player here; although she’s occasionally naïve when it comes to romance, her resourcefulness enables her to navigate the secret lives of Chicago’s elite. Doyle also establishes a nice contrast between the men in Amanda’s life: Eamonn is a charming louse who appeals to Amanda’s fantasy of dating a sensitive musician, while Dan and his son, Lucas, provide a strong sense of stability. Amanda’s employers all come from diverse backgrounds, but each harbors intriguing secrets. As Amanda’s journey takes her from the world of magazine journalism to the world of wealth, Doyle’s pacing never misses a beat.
A fun, frothy read bolstered by a likable heroine and a snappy, fast-paced narrative.
Milked: A Modern Mommy Tale with a Retro Twist Is A New Contemporary Women’s Fiction Novel From Simon and Fig
Publisher Simon and Fig and author Lisa Doyle are pleased to announce the promotion of the new contemporary women’s fiction novel, Milked: A Modern Mommy Tale with a Retro Twist. Kirkus Review calls the novel, “A fun, frothy read bolstered by a likable heroine and a snappy, fast-paced narrative.”
By and large, Amanda Keane makes pretty good decisions. Okay, she might not have the best taste in men, but she’s got great friends, a good job, and an independent spirit. That is, until her 30th birthday ushers in a whirlwind romance with a sexy Irish musician who leaves her, not at the altar as she imagined, but accidentally pregnant. And when he disappears, she’s downsized out of a job, her apartment is robbed, and lapsed health insurance coverage leaves her with a C-section to pay for, Amanda is launched headfirst into the life of a broke single mom. But her friend and uber successful ob-gyn, Joy, clues her in to an unlikely temp position with one of Chicago’s celebrity elite that just may be the answer to all her woes. Or could it be just the beginning?
It’s with serious trepidation that Amanda embarks on her surprisingly lucrative new career: underground wet nurse to the offspring of Chi-town’s rich and famous. Amanda must quickly understand how to live at the whims and mercy of the one percent as she deals with the irony of nursing – and loving – someone else’s child, while still making ends meet for her own daughter. And then there’s Cute Daycare Dad (aka Dan), who’s obviously interested in her. But can she afford to tell him what she really does for a living? Is her new job (something she thought went out with the 19th century) a shameful thing? Just another way of selling her body? Or does it have something to teach her after all?
A novel of motherhood, its many demands, and all the little triumphs along the way, MILKED is a warm and witty debut about making tough choices and traveling the roundabout road to happiness.
Milked: A Modern Mommy Tale with a Retro Twist is available in print and ebook formats.
Book Details:
Milked
A Modern Mommy Tale with a Retro Twist
By Lisa Doyle
Publisher: Simon and Fig
Published: November 2014
ISBN: 978-0985352080
ASIN: B00OGNOWY2
Pages: 306
Genre: Contemporary Women's Fiction
About The Author:
Lisa Doyle is a communications manager and freelance writer based in the Chicago area. A native of Hinsdale, Illinois and a graduate of Miami University, she spent several years editing business-to-business publications for the personal care industry before moving to the nonprofit sector, and currently works in advocacy for homeless families at Bridge Communities in Glen Ellyn, Illinois. She has written for major beauty trade publications (Global Cosmetic Industry, Skin Inc, Salon Today, Modern Salon, Renew, Suburban Life) and is a contributor to WOMEN REINVENTED: TRUE STORIES OF EMPOWERMENT AND CHANGE (LaChance Publishing, 2010). Doyle is represented by Claire Anderson-Wheeler of Regal Literary, Inc., a full-service agency based in New York.
For review copies, author interviews, or more information please contact:
Stacey Holderbach
Simon and Fig
Email: Info (at) simonandfig.com
Website: http://www.simonandfig.com/milked/
Author Website: http://www.bylisadoyle.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bylisadoyle
Twitter: https://twitter.com/bylisadoyle
