(From the Prologue)

      Darkness descended with delicate grace. Puah reclined against soft pillows, thankful for the luxury. At ninety-eight years, her bones ached, especially after the previous night's grueling march across the seabed, which came on the heels of an equally trying journey in blistering
desert heat the day before. Now, cool night air circulated freely past the flaps of her tent,
bringing with it the succulent fragrance of roasting lamb.
      Fears of the previous days lay at the bottom of the Red Sea with Pharaoh and his soldiers. Images flashed through Puah's mind. She shuddered, drawing a blanket closer around her.
      This was a day of rest and celebration. Earlier, she'd sat on a rocky prominence overlooking the vast Sinai Desert to the east. Craggy hills jutted from the tawny desert floor at irregular
intervals. Behind her the setting sun blazed, an orb of fire as it sank slowly below the horizon. Egypt, the country of her birth, lay to the southwest. A bittersweet prayer formed in her heart. Lord, do not let me see that land again.
      Now, as evening settled, Puah watched her people gather around cooking fires outside their tents. Stars appeared as daylight waned. Inside the tent soft light glowed from a single oil lamp, a breeze causing shadow play on the walls.
      Puah picked up her indigo-blue mantle, now covered with powdery, alkaline dust. She folded it with the matching veil and set them aside. Leathery hands, gnarled with age, caught her eye. Darkened and dried by desert sun, it seemed impossible they could be hers. Coarse blood vessels wove splotchy patterns beneath delicate skin that bruised too easily these days. Where had the soft, well-oiled resilience of youth gone?

      Hannah, Puah's great-great granddaughter, gathered her playmates and descended upon Puah's tent.  "Please, if you would, Grandma'ma, tell us the story of how you delivered Father Moses. We'll be quiet and help with the little ones. Please!"
      "Very well. Now, sit back and close your eyes so your mind can see the journey we're about to take. We go back many, many years, before any of you were born, or your mothers or fathers. I am just a young girl, barely fourteen. We are traveling to the village of Itj-tawy where the
palace of Khaneferre Sobekhotep IV stands."
      Puah sighed deeply as her mind drifted back to that day so long ago. Even after these many years the details were vividly bright. She could almost smell the marketplace.
      With eyes closed, the children waited patiently for her to continue. Settling back deeper into the pillows, Puah shut her own eyes and traveled back to the common market outside the gates of Pharaoh's palace. . . .

Reviews for THE MIDWIFE'S SONG:

"Filled with intrigue, romance, and suspense, Puah's story sheds new light on the role of women in the Bible, just as Thom Lemmon's 'Daughters of Faith' series and Francine River's Unveiled do.  A wonderful story for all collections."             --Library Journal

"You will definitely enjoy this suspense filled, spiritually uplifting book.  Ray, once a practicing midwife herself, has done a wonderful job researching ancient Egyptian history, culture and
archeology."          --Dr. Laura Schlessinger   

"An engaging tale surrounding Moses' birth. Reflects solid historical research and written in
a relaxed, easy-to-read style.  Recommended for enjoyable, spiritually uplifting historical
fiction."      --Christian Booksellers Association, CBA Marketplace

"Modern midrash at its finest. Utilizing biblical narrative, folklore, Ancient Near Eastern
history, and her vivid imagination, Ray has created a magical tale."       
--Rabbi Stacia Deutsch, Hebrew Union College

"Ray has woven a very personal and intimate story.  It has reality, tenderness, and poignancy.  The characters come alive, the drama is gripping."         --Peggy Stiegmann, Rowse Reviews

"Ray's portrayal of Puah and other characters is outstanding.  The biblical times come alive with real people struggling in a hostile, alien country.  This book is among the best.  Highly
recommended!"        --The Evangelical Church Library Association

"An easy read, suitable even for a young adult audience."    --Association of Jewish Libraries Newsletter