Mother: A Novel

by Angel Gelique

When her husband abandons them for another woman, Jane Winston is left to raise their teen-aged daughter as a single mother. She loves Emma more than anything in the world and would do anything for her, no matter how high the cost. Emma, on the other hand, hates her mother and goes out of her way to make her life miserable. What will it take to restore the loving relationship they once had and can it be mended before it's too late? This story will take you on a tearful journey as you explore a volatile mother-daughter relationship. Sometimes things aren't better left unsaid...sometimes love doesn't conquer all...and sometimes you don't get a second chance at a happy ending....

Genres: Young Adult, Fiction, Contemporary

246 pages, Paperback

First published July 19, 2012

About the author

Take my hand and let me lead you to the dark side....

I don't want you to curl up and be cozy; I want to take you well out of your comfort zone.
I don't want to send a tingle up your spine; I want to paralyze you with fear.
I don't want you to read about a character's fright; I want you to experience it.
I don't want to take you down a well-traveled path; I want to lead you beyond the shadows into a realm of darkness beyond your wildest imagination.

Because ordinary horror is for ordinary people.

Dare to be extraordinary.

If you ever give my books a try, I would love to receive your comments, suggestions and/or critique. I never, ever grumble about negative reviews. I value honest, constructive criticism and am always happy to answer any questions you may have. Feel free to reach out to me here on Goodreads or via email at: angelgeliquebooks@gmail.com

I can't begin to express my gratitude for all of you awesome readers and the many wonderful friends I've met here on Goodreads. Thank you for your continued support.

Happy reading (and writing)!

Reviews

[Eugenie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story is a poignant reminder to me that I should not neglect those closest to me.

It is a warning that we should be careful not to take for granted our nearest and dearest, that one day something unexpected might happen and we lose the chance to demonstrate just how much we truly love them.

The novel employs a complicated relationship between a single mother and her teenage daughter in order to demonstrate that it is so easy for people to misunderstand each other, leading them to hurt those they should cherish and to repay goodness with evil and/or reckless neglect.

It shows that when there is a breakdown in communication others who we imagine have our best interest at heart may not in fact do so. In the story one of the characters laboured under such a delusion to the detriment of her relationship with those that truly loved and cared for her, only to receive a rude awakening - a short sharp slap in the face when she realised that in truth they could care less and that when push came to shove they were simply concerned about themselves.

This novel dealt with some very deep subject matters and as I read it, I experienced a wide range of emotions - anger, frustration, exasperation, concern, joy, love and finally contentment, for in the end I felt that my literary appetite had been fully satisfied. The bitter sweet ending was just perfect.

Although this story is not a religious one, I think it appropriate to quote a bible verse here because it sums up perfectly what love is and what it is not:

"Love is patient - love is kind - it does not envy - it does not boast - it is not proud - it does not dishonour others - it is not self-seeking - it is not easily angered - it keeps no record of wrongs - love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth - it always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres."

The novel "Mother" delves deep into the maternal heart and finds buried there a treasure which is pure gold.

Angel Gelique is an exquisite writer who wields the pen with profound wisdom and intellect.

[Angel Gelique · Rating 5 out of 5]

As I am the author, I cannot offer an unbiased review! This was my very first novel...a book I'd been wanting to write for years. If you give it a try, I would love to hear your opinion.

[JaHy☝Hold the Fairy Dust · Rating 4 out of 5]

** ** 3.5 "CHILD PLEASE" Stars****

First I would like to say, I'm a huge fan of Angel Gelique . I struggled with my rating as the story was well written and emotionally exhausting. Which is what readers want, right?.. Unfortunately ANGER( we're talking Hulk rage here) was at the top of my feels... with frustration and annoyance following steadily behind. Let me show you a glimpse of what you can expect if you choose to give Mother a try..

"I told you, Jane, I don't want any cookies. That‟s your solution to everything. Have a cookie, have a piece of pie, have half a cake. Maybe if you‟d stop shoveling food into your mouth you wouldn't be 600 pounds!”

"THAT FAT BITCH IS NOT MY MOTHER!"

"How the hell did you screw things up? What did you do?"

Yup, and it gets much, much, MUCH worse.

Mother is a story of a tumultuous Mother /Daughter relationship that shall forever be embedded in my brain. After 15+ years of marriage, Jane's husband Gregory wants a divorce. You see, Gregory has a mistress....whom is pregnant....with his child. This selfish mofo packs his shit and waltzes out the door without so much as a goodbye. Jane is left explaining everything to Emma, EXCEPT Jane doesn't tell Emma the truth. Jane makes excuses for Gregory---> WHAT??

Emma assumes her father left THEM because he was repulsed by his once Fashion Model wife's now sloppy, obese appearance. Emma starts resenting her mother (or as she refers to her,Jane) more and more by the minute. A build up in anger causes Emma to become EXTREMELY abusive, both verbally & physically --> WHAT. THE. FUCK???.. God O'Mighty, Emma pissed me off, but what infuriated me even more so, was Jane's enabling behavior. She didn't punish her daughter, shit she hardly corrected Emma's atrocious behavior. Instead of disciplining Emma, Jane decides to throw her a surprised birthday bash (that cost a measly $13,000) to win her daughters affection ----> WHAT THE FUCKITY FUCK?? ...


I could not for the life of me understand why Jane handled numerous situations the way that she did. Maybe it has something to do with my up bringing, as my mother was the disciplinarian of our household. I feared my mother growing up.... shit, I fear her now...


The denial doesn't just stop at Emma's behavioral issues. Emma and Jane both have obvious health issues which are ignored as well. ---> WHAT THE UN-FUCKING-BELIEVABLE FUCK?...


And just when I swore I was through feeling anything for these characters, Angel Gelique does the unthinkable...SHE FUCKING GUTS ME! ..Yup, I was boo-hooing like a hungry child.

Friends, this is not something I would typically read. PLEASE don't let me scare you away from the book. As I stated earlier, I'm a huge fan of Angel Gelique so I gave this Mother of all angst story a try and you should as well. Now, I must go and call my mother so I can tell her how much I love her.

....JUST KIDDING!

For more reviews, Free E-books and Giveaways

[Angie **loves angst** · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Her daughter hated her."

Mother is an unflinching, up close look into the break down of a mother daughter relationship.
While reading this I just kept thinking: Hurt people hurt people.

Meet Emma and Jane, a mother daughter duo...



Jane is an an ex model who now works for an insurance company. She becomes a single parent after she finds her husband, Gregory, in bed with another woman. Jane refuses Gregory's apology, and his attempts at reconciliation, and eventually he moves out leaving her to raise their teenage daughter on her own. Jane's relationship with Emma goes downhill from there. Emma blames Jane for her father leaving them, and is unaware of her father's infidelity. Emma's rude, disrespectful, petulant behavior escalates as the years go by, and Jane no longer recognizes her daughter. The walls Emma have built up are impenetrable, and Jane has no idea how to reconnect with her daughter. This books takes us on the journey as Jane does everything in her power to once again win her daughter's love.

"Jane hoped and prayed that things would get better, that somehow Emma would talk to her again, befriend her again... be her daughter again... love her again."

In addition to losing her daughter day by day, Jane battles issues with her weight. Gone are the days of her model physique, she has gained many pounds, and no longer feels attractive. Not helping matters is the fact that her husband cheated on her with someone younger and skinnier. Emma constantly calls her "fat" is ashamed of her weight gain.

"She may not be mother to Emma, but Emma would always be daughter to her."

I am not a mom, but this book caused me to pause and evaluate my own relationship with my mother and face some personal demons I have been running from. I cried and cried some more as I witnessed Jane's unwavering love and care for her daughter, irregardless of how terrible Emma treated her. Now only was Emma verbally abusive to her mom, but physically abusive both in public and private.



Sadly some of us have to experience the lowest lows before our eyes are opened. If we're lucky its not too late and we can salvage what remains in the aftermath of the catastrophe we have caused. If we're not lucky, we are then left with regrets, questions and unbelievable sadness. When a catastrophe struck, I was on pins and needles wondering if this fragile, already damaged relationship between Emma and Jane would weather the storm.

What a beautiful, moving story about the power of love!



Rating: 5 For All The Moms Out There Stars

[Ali Marsman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hold it now ... wait a minute ...

So I cried all throughout chapters 20, 21, 22, & most of 23, but Jane ...? and Emma was just ...?

What a roller coaster of a ride this story took me on, but I guess that's because it resonates truth, and I felt a connection to each of the characters, especially with Emma in the end. She really was just a child who was sheltered to the point that it was detrimental to her health and well-being.

I think this is an important story for, not only teenagers to read, but anyone who has a strained relationship with someone close to them. The saying, 'A day late and a dollar short' affects so many families & friendships, when all it takes is for someone to stand up and say, 'I am sorry' or, 'I need you' and most of all, 'I LOVE YOU' ... what's wrong with us these days people? Why are we so disconnected from ourselves and our family and friends? I too am guilty of this, but only because it keep me from becoming a 'Jane' or an 'Emma' and keeps me safe from further pain ... but forgiveness is a powerful thing to allow ourselves, regardless if one decides to continue with a 'lost' relationship, or not. Forgive yourself and others and continue to spread love.

Thank you, Angel, I am looking forward to reading more of your work, and although the rest of your books are much different from the message here, you write in such a way that kept me interested, on the edge of my seat and with hopefulness that everything would work out in a warm and wonderful way. Thanks again!

:)

[Kay Oliver · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story may not have the big thrills like murder or monsters, but it will keep you reading as if it did. Angel's writing is superb and she keeps the tension tight throughout. Though you want to scream at the characters and bash them over the head with their own book you feel right along with them on this emotional roller coaster. And then just when you think things might come to a close, Angel pulls the rug out from under you and amps up the story ten fold. An excellent writer and a gripping novel we can all relate to.

[Reeda Booke · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book had one of the most despicable, vain, petty, manipulative characters I have ever (read) met. The book was predictable, but it was like a car crash; you have to slow down and take a look even though you know in your heart that it is morbid. So it was with me...I couldn't stop reading. I was screaming at this book and couldn't help thinking it might have all been avoided if the parents had just sat the kid down and explained it to her.

[Coralie · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story is not an uncommon one. A broken marriage, a woman left suffering from low self esteem and a daughter with unresolved abandonment issues who is looking for someone to bear the blunt of the blame for her father leaving. The Mother, Jane has doted on her daughter Emma since the day she was born, even to the point of being more interested in her child than in her husband, Gregory. When Emma starts school, Jane is left at home alone without her child's company and depression sets in which leads to comfort eating and Jane no longer even cares about her appearance. Having always been a slim and attractive woman, her weight naturally increases at an alarming rate. Emma, now a teenager, places the blame for her father leaving on her Mother's increased weight and her poor eating habits. Her mother disgusts her, and she is determined no to end up a 'fat pig' like Jane. Emma becomes increasingly disrespectful, spiteful, aggressive and cruel to her mother, calling her Jane and refusing to call her Mom any more.
In the beginning of the story I felt sorry for Jane and just wanted to hug her and make her feel better about herself...As for Emma, I wanted to slap her good and hard, disrespectful little wench who just becomes more and more out of control and even alienates her own friends. Obviously the girl has a huge problem...is it drugs?... By now I am getting a bit fed up with Jane, and wishing she would stand up to the unruly teenager, but although she makes a couple of feeble attempts through the book, she always gives in..or resorts to dissolving into tears..which only pleases Emma all the more. I'm beginning to give up on them both, thinking they both need a swift kick in the pants, until of course...we should have realized Emma is suffering from Anorexia.. Once Jane realizes that her daughter has an eating disorder she attempts to get help for her...but Jane has been ignoring her own growing health problems, brought on mainly by stress and probably by being overweight.
All through the story we are standing right alongside of Jane and Emma, through each and every conflict as they both spiral into a hell of (really) their own making.
Can the story possibly end well? (No spoilers from me) That is for you to find out, dear reader, but I can say it reaches a most satisfactory conclusion in a most unexpected manner, when a cruel but beneficial twist in the story brings us closure. It is well written, emotionally draining, and very true to life. The characters are very real and believable, but I could not find them at all endearing...more frustrating... until the ending.
It was a long and emotional journey with Jane and Emma, but very compelling and I just HAD to find out what was going to happen next, all the time hoping for that happy ending, that we all hope for in life.
The Author certainly did not disappoint and I enjoyed the book very much, though I must confess I feel the need for a cuppa and a rest now I have finished it and breathed a sigh of relief...it was very real. I am very much looking forward to reading more of Angel Gelique's work.

[Sea Caummisar · Rating 4 out of 5]

For the record, this is a YA read... Something I didn't realize until I was well into the story. This is a brutal story. Not in a physical, maiming, torture, sense. More of an emotional wreckage kind of story. I don't know what bones most people have in their bodies that make them feel stuff for book characters, but I don't think I have that bone. Nonetheless , this story is a rough read. But in a good way.
This story is about a Mother/ Daughter relationship. The daughter hates the mom for getting fat... She thinks that's the reason Dad left.
I pitied the mom the whole book. I couldn't empathize or even sympathize for her, but I did pity her. She had weak parenting abilities that were blinded by her love for her daughter.
Just when I thought the story sorted itself out, the author threw me for a loop.
I can't say too much without spoiling the story. But I will say these characters grew on me before the story ended.
4 solid stars for a YA

[Gina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this book! Definitely could not put this book down. A must read for all moms and pre-teens alike. A real life lesson. Highly recommended.

[Adrian Pocock · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great find. Very well written!!

It's hard to write a review without giving away any spoilers, so I'll keep it short & sweet. Great book, very well written. I found it hard to put down & was always just reading one more page before going to sleep, which meant I'd read it in about 3 days (which is quick for me!)

About to read her other book which sounds a lot darker. Really looking forward to it.

Adey (UK)

[Robyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

After I read the first chapter I didn't know if it was my kind of thing, once I carried on reading it I couldn't put it down and read it within the day, brilliant author can't wait to read her next book.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a mother of a teen daughter this is a must read for both mothers and daughters! Brilliantly written and relatable, once I picked it up I couldn't put it down.

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love and hate this novel.
Love it for how well it was written, for the story in itself and the emotional turmoil it brought out in me.
Hate it for the latter part mentioned above.
Jane and Emma are the most dysfunctional mother daughter pair I've ever met. The rage and despair these too shared had me on an emotional rollercoster. Both very unlikable characters. You will despise them both, but will find yourself hoping for the best.
There's a reason they say a Mother's love is unconditional...this book will test that theory.
Fantastic job Angel :)

[Shadow Girl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing story, but it aggrivated my damn allergies ::sniffle::
Full RTC :)

[Lisa Ann · Rating 2 out of 5]

**ATTENTION, SPOILER ALERT**

I wanted to like this book, I really did, but I had a lot of trouble liking and developing a connection to the characters and some of the story points, although I do appreciate what the author was trying to do here. Mother is the story of an adult parent, Jane, and her soon to be 16 year-old daughter Emma. After the break-up of Jane's marriage due to infidelity on the part of the now absent Gregory, her self-esteem takes a beating and her relationship with her daughter becomes at first contentious, and then outright combative on the part of Emma. As the relationship between the two fractures further, we see both Jane and Emma fall apart in their own respects, and the wear and tear of the emotional climate takes it's toll on both.

First, let's look at Jane, the around-forty-ish mother of Emma, an only child. Sometime during the marriage, Jane discovers her husband in bed with another woman, in her own bed no less. For some reason, Jane decides immediately that her marriage is over, and while agreeing to co-habitate with Gregory for the sake of their daughter, does not pursue any counselling (for herself or as a couple), and does not pursue a divorce, nor do they share any of their difficulties with their daughter. When Gregory eventually leaves, no explanation is forthcoming from him as to his reasons for leaving, and Emma is not given any information by her mother. This is my first real issue with the story. A child of 14 is old enough to understand divorce and separation without having to hear explicit details about infidelity. In any case, Jane doesn't offer any explanations, and in the void, Emma comes to the belief that it is her mother's weight problem that has driven her father from the home. Despite several allusions to this belief, Jane makes no attempt to clear up the misconception, and receives a great deal of verbal abuse from her daughter alluding to her being 'fat' and 'gross'.

This is where my biggest issue with the character of Jane. She is an adult, and while we all suffer from low self esteem, the way Jane deals with this is entirely puzzling. She accepts the abuse in increasing frequency, from her daughter, and there is no rational thinking at any point. She cries, she feels bad, she still caters to her daughters every whim, she never indicates that she does not wish to be spoken to in this manner, and she becomes a victim. I found her whole person to be oriented to very little introspection, and entirely in the mode of rationalization of her behaviour and her daughter's. She really seemed to be another teenager in a relationship with her own teenage daughter. She sets no boundaries, no restrictions, and no consequences. We also are given frequent allusions to Jane's health status, her fainting and feeling frequent pain, yet she at no time seeks medical attention for herself. Lack of self-care is common in 'battered-woman's syndrome', so on one level, I can see this as a possibility. However, as the sole caretaker for her daughter, financially and physically, I would have thought her health was of more importance than to be rationalized away as indigestion over and over and over despite failure to respond to antacids.

While we watch Jane flounder about, reeling from her daughter's abuse, we also find Emma in her own turmoil. She is one angry girl, and she is clearly suffering from a body-dismorphic disorder, particularly anorexia. She internalizes the belief that her father has abandoned the family as a result of her 'fat gross mother', and has adopted a pattern of starving herself in an attempt to prevent herself from getting fat. She takes out her anger on her mother, physically, and by destroying her mother's property, and by heaping verbal abuse on her mother in full view of others. She is never disciplined for this, never meant to face any consequences. Rather Jane seems to think she is a good mother by simply patiently awaiting her daughter's outgrowing of this stage, and stands by ready to cater to her daughter's needs - be it chauffeuring her about, making meals for her, buying her special gifts, planning elaborate surprise parties, etc. - this desire on Jane's part to be a "Good Mother" seems to miss the point entirely. She notices her daughter is getting dangerously thin, yet never actually addresses the issue with Emma, or even speaks to a doctor until it may be too late.

I hate to say that the most mature character in the entire novel, the only one who seems to see the problem, is on of Emma's teenage friends, Sarah. She is the only character who has any grasp on reality, on a normal mother-daughter relationship, and that her friend is in trouble. By the time I reached the point of the novel where I could no longer tolerate the unreal relationship between Jane and Emma, and on the sidelines, Emma's father Gregory, I decided to just push through to the end to see if there was any redemption coming for any of the adults, or anyone clued in enough to reach Emma before it was too late. I just found myself rolling my eyes again and again, I was so glad to be done with the story.

I am not a mother, but I am a 40 year-old woman who has a mother who is far from perfect but has always loved me. My parents were separated when I was 16 years old, and though I was angry at both of them at various times, I did not get a free pass to treat them badly. I still had rules to follow, I still had a curfew, and I still respected my parents enough to call them, even when I was breaking the rules, just to let them know where I was, and that I was safe. I find the relationship dynamics between the mother-daughter pair to be absolutely broken, that does not happen overnight, somewhere along the line Emma was given the impression that her vote was equal in the running of her life, and that she drove the boat, so to speak. While parents going through divorce are almost certain to make mistakes, to err on the side of wanting to be liked, of reducing conflict with their children, they do not take leave of their senses. If we are to believe that Jane was a college educated woman who works and supports herself and her daughter, there is no explanation for this altogether juvenile view of the parenting role, unless there is some back-story that might indicate that.

As a nurse, I can say that at best, this novel works wonderfully as a psychological case study for a dysfunctional family dynamic, but that is about all I can say to it's credit. I hate to provide any negative reviews, particularly to a first novel, but I really found that there was so much more that could have been done with this story. Most of the writing is solid, it is just the character flaws that are hard to get around as believable in any way. There were a few editing issues, mispelled words and such, that were missed, this is a pet-peeve of mine, but perhaps my novel was a preview copy and that can be remedied.

Bottom Line: I cannot in good faith recommend this novel, based on a thorough reading, for the reasons stated above.

** Note: This novel was provided as a review copy through a Goodreads First Reads giveaway. The opinions expressed are my own, and have been in no way influenced by Goodreads, the publisher of the novel, or it's author. **

[Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mother ~ A Novel is a sad story of the relationship of a mother and daughter after the father left the family. The author did an excellent job showing a dysfunctional family with no communication skills and the results was the constant and inappropriate conduct and disrespect of Emma the daughter toward Jane the mother. As an educator that depends on families to support their children this story made me sad because I have seen it too often in the children that pass through my classrooms. It is a sad state of a family when a divorces causes damage to the children and this story tells it like it is for too many of them in our society today.

The novel was had only a couple of minor errors and the writing was solid but the story was depressing for me because I see it in reality too often; I personally did not enjoy reading it. It would make a good case study for students learning to counsel families or us teachers that often find our job now includes counseling the adults of the family.

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Like the two Hillary books I've read from this author Angel Gelique, I enjoyed this one as well. Mother tells the story of Jane and Emma Winston, who for the entire duration of this have a stormy relationship. I actually liked these characters, enough so I kept reading to see what would happen next. Just as I started feeling disappointed with the way the ending looked like it was going, it turned out okay.

[Jo · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a Mother I found the story of Emma and her daughter, Jane to be a very sad story of the relationship of a mother and daughter after the father abandoned the family. What a dysfunctional family this story portrayed and I think that so many young people (I'm 94, so everyone seems young to me)find themselves in this kind of situation. It is so sad what families face today and couples do not remain faithful to each other; it seems like the children always get the worst of the deal.

[Katie Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ok... I had extra fun reading this book because a good friend of mine wrote it!! So thrilled that you are writing, Angelique!!!!!

[Carla ☺Did I Say That☺]

Review To Come

[Josie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ouch! Angel Gelique does not write for the squeamish!