Dear Reader,
When I first set foot in Marburg, Germany, decades ago, I had no idea that the town would follow me through the years, shaping both my life and my writing. Its cobblestone streets, fairy-tale half-timbered houses, and the sense of history lingering in every corner became a part of me. Years later, when I began writing The Birthing House, I knew Marburg would not just be a setting—it would become a character in its own right.
Today, I’m thrilled to share that The Birthing House is now published and available on Amazon. This book is deeply personal to me, not only because of its story but also because of the journey I took while writing it. And I’d love to invite you inside.
At its heart, The Birthing House is about Clare Muller, a woman whose life is marked by two profound losses: a miscarriage in the 1980s and, twenty years later, the death of her father. When Clare returns to Marburg with her husband, she carries not just suitcases but the weight of grief and unanswered questions.
Yet, as she moves into a stranger’s house—the “Birthing House”—she begins to feel something stirring. The house seems to speak to her. Its rooms, its history, and even its silences encourage Clare to reflect on her own life, her family, and the ways in which we all learn to adapt to loss.
Through two interwoven timelines, the novel explores how we carry the past into the present, and how resilience is born not from forgetting our pain but from walking with it. Along the way, Clare meets characters whose stories of migration, survival, and belonging mirror her own search for healing.
This is not just Clare’s journey—it’s a story for anyone who has faced loss, who has wondered how to start again, or who has searched for meaning in places that feel both familiar and foreign.
Why I Wrote The Birthing House
Writing has always been my way of making sense of the world. Years ago, I found myself reflecting on how grief can reshape us—sometimes in ways we resist, sometimes in ways we only appreciate much later. I also wanted to honor Marburg, a place that had left such an imprint on my life.
The house in the novel grew out of a question I often asked myself: What if the spaces we inhabit could hold our stories, whisper them back to us, and help us heal? That question guided me as I wrote.
For me, The Birthing House is more than fiction. It’s a meditation on how we write and rewrite our own stories in order to survive, to grow, and to love again.
Praise from Early Readers
The response from readers has been humbling:
“The Birthing House pulled me into its quicksand of moving, overlapping stories. Its unusual structure spins a fresh narrative from the confusion of deep grief and numb ache.” – Adrienne Hoskins
“A treasure trove of thought-provoking ideas and heartfelt storytelling. Kathy Taylor’s writing is captivating, drawing readers into immersive worlds where they can truly connect with the characters.” – Bookworm’s Haven
“The two timelines deal with profound losses. While Clare wrestles with the challenges of her new life, she learns about the hardships of others. Kathy Taylor’s writing moves her readers, making them reflect on their own adaptability and losses.” – Majka Jankowiak
As an author, I couldn’t ask for more: readers connecting, reflecting, and carrying the story with them.
Behind the Scenes of Writing the Book
Writing The Birthing House was a magical experience, where scenes, characters and encounters appeared as I walked the streets of Marburg in my memory and imagination. I did lots of reading and research, writing notes and ideas in a journal, always in pencil, as Clare does. Writing in pencil is a beginning; a brave excursion into the possible, unfettered by judgement, and still wide open to revisions, erasures and new discoveries.
One of the greatest surprises was how much the house itself—fictional yet rooted in reality—took on a personality of its own. Readers have told me they feel as though Das Haus (the house) is alive, a quiet guide for Clare as she navigates her grief. I can’t help but agree.
Why You’ll Love The Birthing House
If you enjoy stories that explore the depths of human struggles while still offering hope, this book is for you. Here’s what makes it special:
- Dual timelines – The novel moves between the 1980s and the 2000s, showing how past and present mirror each other.
- Universal themes – Love, loss, friendship, migration, resilience—these aren’t just Clare’s struggles, but experiences of others in the novel and that many of us share.
- A strong sense of place – Marburg isn’t just a backdrop; it’s part of the story. Readers have told me they feel transported.
- Emotional honesty – I wanted to write with authenticity about grief, language and identity, difficult choices and consequences, without rushing to easy answers.
Think of it as both a story and an invitation: to reflect on your own journey, to honor your losses, and to embrace the possibility of new life.
A Note to Fellow Dreamers
One of my favorite lines in the book comes from Clare’s reflection: “Are dreams real?” she asks. For me, fiction and dreams are deeply connected. Both allow us to step outside of ourselves, to imagine, to feel, to ask questions we might not dare otherwise.
If you are someone who dreams vividly, or who treasures the stories that keep you company at night, I hope this novel feels like a companion.
How to Get Your Copy
The Birthing House is now available on Amazon in paperback, hardcover and Kindle editions worldwide, as well as an audiobook narrated by talented actors. You can find them here:
👉 Get The Birthing House on Amazon
If you do read it, I’d love to hear your thoughts. Reviews on Amazon make a world of difference for authors like me—they help other readers discover the story and keep books alive in conversations.
Looking Ahead
Writing this novel has been a birthing process of its own—difficult, mysterious, and ultimately transformative. I’m grateful to every reader who joins Clare on her journey and who lets Marburg become part of their imagination.
As I move on to new projects, The Birthing House will always have a special place in my heart. I hope it finds a place in yours, too.
With gratitude,
Kathy Taylor
Author of The Birthing House
P.S. If you enjoy the book, please share it with friends, book clubs, or anyone who loves stories that touch both heart and mind. Word of mouth is the greatest gift you can give an author.
