Publication Date: July 13, 2026
Will she ever see freedom for her babies?
Mississippi, 1848. It’s a bright spring morning when enslaved midwife Zinnie is forced to begin an unimaginable journey: two thousand miles on foot. Her newborn baby is strapped to her back, her two little girls holding her hands, as she walks behind the slavers’ wagons.
Every mile brings blistered feet, aching limbs and the constant terror of what might happen to her children. But Zinnie carries an unbreakable determination to protect them. When they cross state lines, could it be her chance to fight for their freedom?
Texas, present day. Elementary school teacher and single mom Lynette is exhausted, balancing work, motherhood and life-changing decisions about her future. Then, while sorting through her grandmother’s attic, she discovers a sapphire brooch hidden among long-forgotten treasures.
The brooch unlocks an extraordinary family story of courage, sacrifice and a woman who refused to give up. As Lynette uncovers the truth about her ancestors, will it have the power to change her life forever?
This utterly heart-wrenching and unforgettable novel is inspired by the true story of Biddy Mason, an African American woman and midwife who fought for her family’s freedom and saved countless lives. Perfect for fans of emotional historical fiction by Amy Harmon, Olivia Hawker and Marie Benedict.
A voice from the past breathes wisdom to the future in a touching story inspired by an enslaved woman forced to walk across the country.
Author Suzette D. Harrison uses Biddy Mason as inspiration in With Her Baby on Her Back. In the story, a 29-year-old woman named Zinnie must travel from Mississippi when her slave owners decide to build a Mormon community in Salt Lake City.
With a newborn on her chest and her two older daughters in tow, Zinnie sets off in 1848 on foot. It’s a perilous journey not only because of inclement weather but also because of the physical demands of keeping up with chores while being travel-weary.
Her inner voice has plenty of spunk that belies the placid look on her face. Zinnie is a fierce mama who will do whatever it takes to protect her girls.
Meanwhile, in present-day Texas, Lynette discovers a family heirloom, prompting a discussion about Grandma Zinnie. While she faces career challenges that are a far cry from those her relative experienced, Zinnie’s story serves as inspiration.
Out of the ashes of their suffering comes a fierce spirit of determination and survival that will leave readers clamoring for more.
With Her Baby on Her Back pays tribute to motherhood while calling attention to a tragic time in our nation’s history.
Suzette D. Harrison grew up in a home where reading was required, not requested. Turning her love of reading into a rising literary career, Suzette was first published when her poetry appeared in her middle school’s creative journal. While Suzette pays homage to Alex Haley, Gloria Naylor, Alice Walker, Langston Hughes, and Toni Morrison as legends who inspired her creativity, it was Dr. Maya Angelou’s I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings that unleashed her writing. Literally! The award-winning author is a wife and mother who holds a culinary degree in pastry and baking, and is currently cooking up her next novel…in between batches of cupcakes.
