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Model Marine: A Novel
Gold Medal Winner in the Fiction - Literary category of the 2018 Readers' Favorite Book Award Contest! Award-Winner in the Military category of the 2018 American Fiction Awards! Delivered through flashes and snapshots like those from the lens of a camera, Model Marine is a fast-paced novel centered on Combat Camera Marine, Molly Monroe, a beautiful teenage model who abruptly abandons the small-town pageant life and traditional family plans to join the Marine Corps. Far from her sheltered and protected life at home, and driven to “carry her own weight,” Molly finds herself, and her camera, right in the middle of the gruesome realities of war. After she is wounded during a combat deployment, her memories become a kaleidoscope of scattered and chaotic scenes; a collision of her past and present, of love—lost and found. As the negatives and the positives develop and pieces of Molly’s life come into focus, we’re left with an engaging coming-of-age story of self-discovery, and an image of what it means to be a woman in the Marines.
- GenresFiction
286 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 13, 2018
71 people are currently reading
64 people want to read
About the author
Sondra Sykes Meek
1 book8 followersSondra Sykes Meek is originally from Florida, but has lived in several locations in the United States and abroad. She is a wife and mother of two, a retired Marine Corps master sergeant, and a Project Manager in the Defense Industry. She has a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing, and has several stories in various stages of progress. She hopes to write full-time one day, but for now, she writes in the spare, quiet moments of her life.
Sondra wrote and published Model Marine to reveal the courage and sacrifices of Marines and their families. She wanted to offer people another kind of hero: someone who is not supernatural, immortal, or from the future. Although the events of this story are fiction, the setting and characters are influenced by Sondra’s experiences as a Marine. The narrative is as authentic as it can be without excluding civilian readers. The book spotlights the sacrifices all Marines and their families make in service to our country. However, the protagonist is a female Marine named Molly Monroe, named after a Marine Corps icon, “Molly Marine.” This is especially relevant now, as 2018 marks 100 years since the first woman joined the United States Marine Corps.
Sondra hopes all readers will enjoy this emotional journey of love, loss, and sacrifice. There are real heroes hidden in these pages. Sondra invites you to meet them, love them, and remember them.
Sondra wrote and published Model Marine to reveal the courage and sacrifices of Marines and their families. She wanted to offer people another kind of hero: someone who is not supernatural, immortal, or from the future. Although the events of this story are fiction, the setting and characters are influenced by Sondra’s experiences as a Marine. The narrative is as authentic as it can be without excluding civilian readers. The book spotlights the sacrifices all Marines and their families make in service to our country. However, the protagonist is a female Marine named Molly Monroe, named after a Marine Corps icon, “Molly Marine.” This is especially relevant now, as 2018 marks 100 years since the first woman joined the United States Marine Corps.
Sondra hopes all readers will enjoy this emotional journey of love, loss, and sacrifice. There are real heroes hidden in these pages. Sondra invites you to meet them, love them, and remember them.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
September 20, 2018
So true
This story is so right and true.while reading this book I cried.The true test of a good story. My heart felt for John and Molly.
This story is so right and true.while reading this book I cried.The true test of a good story. My heart felt for John and Molly.
November 14, 2018
Semper Fi!
Great story wonderfully told. The author did a wonderful job describing the Marine way of life and combining the civilian side as well.
Great story wonderfully told. The author did a wonderful job describing the Marine way of life and combining the civilian side as well.
April 17, 2018
“Oh no. You were quite composed and dignified. All except for your ribbons…you had two then, and they were on backward!”
South Carolina Author Sondra Sykes Meek earned her Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing and combines that training with her career as a retired Marine Corps Master Sergeant, and a Project Manager in the Defense Industry. In addition to her book’s salute to the USMC Sondra’s goal in writing MODEL MARINE is to reveal the courage and sacrifices and the emotional journey of love, loss, and sacrifice of Marines and their families. Reading her book I is evident that she reminds us of another kind of hero - someone who is not supernatural, immortal, or from the future. As she states, ‘The protagonist is named after a Marine Corps icon, “Molly Marine” – a timely reminder that 2018 marks 100 years since the first woman joined the United States Marine Corps.’
Sondra’s choice of creating the main character Molly Monroe as a Combat Camera Marine is a very fine and wise choice for telling her story. Not only does she give photographic images of the conditions and events she relates, but she also manages to tell her story as related to photographs held by fellow Marines that push the story along and even provide the back story as she presents in her Prologue – ‘He had introduced himself as Brian Price. He said, “I brought you some pictures to help you remember what good friends we are.”… He picked up a picture of three female Marines in desert uniforms, rifles slung over their right shoulders, walking past rows of tan tents. “This is one of my better candid shots from Camp Leatherneck, I think,” he said.
Two of the Marines were engaged in an animated conversation. He pointed to a pretty Latina with expressive brown eyes. She appeared to be speaking with her hands out in front of her, fingers spread wide, in a gesture that indicated something big. “This is Lance Corporal Ramirez. You two have been besties since boot camp,” he said. Then he pointed to the Marine walking next to Ramirez, with skin as dark as a starless night, her right hand held firmly to her rifle strap, left hand over her heart, and her face in the throes of laughter. “This is Corporal Baptiste. You met her in Afghanistan, and we all became friends pretty quickly. You loved her lyrical voice, whether she was telling bayou ghost stories or singing her favorite gospel hymns.” Then he pointed to Molly herself: the Marine with blond French-braided hair and blue eyes, walking slightly to the left, a couple of steps behind Corporal Baptiste—the only one of the three who seemed to have noticed the photographer. Her expression was grim, angry even. “Yeah, as you can see, you weren’t too happy with me that day,” he said. Molly looked at Brian, trying to read his expression. “Why was I mad at you?” “You wanted to go on a mission with the Alpha Company Marines, and I had given the mission to one of the other troops instead.” The thought didn’t stir any anger in her now, and Molly wasn’t sure what to think about that, so she let it go.’
As the synopsis outlines the plot, ‘Molly Monroe was a teenage beauty queen who had her future planned out for her. When she makes an impulsive decision to join the Marine Corps the summer after high school graduation, her boyfriend breaks up with her, her brother bears the burden of guilt, and her mother feels betrayed. The people in Molly’s life have always tried to protect her. But she wants to protect herself. As a Combat Camera Marine, Molly observes and records her environment from behind the lens, where image shapes day-to-day life. After she is wounded during a combat deployment, her dreams are frightening, and her memories are a kaleidoscope of scattered and chaotic scenes; a collision of past and present, real and unreal. Snapshots in time. Glimpses of war. Fragments of love: lost and found. The story unfolds through multiple perspectives, and as the negatives and positives develop, an image of the Model Marine is sharpened into focus.’
Very fine writing about a subject we all need to understand and respect and admire – the important role of women in the USMC. Highly recommended.
South Carolina Author Sondra Sykes Meek earned her Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing and combines that training with her career as a retired Marine Corps Master Sergeant, and a Project Manager in the Defense Industry. In addition to her book’s salute to the USMC Sondra’s goal in writing MODEL MARINE is to reveal the courage and sacrifices and the emotional journey of love, loss, and sacrifice of Marines and their families. Reading her book I is evident that she reminds us of another kind of hero - someone who is not supernatural, immortal, or from the future. As she states, ‘The protagonist is named after a Marine Corps icon, “Molly Marine” – a timely reminder that 2018 marks 100 years since the first woman joined the United States Marine Corps.’
Sondra’s choice of creating the main character Molly Monroe as a Combat Camera Marine is a very fine and wise choice for telling her story. Not only does she give photographic images of the conditions and events she relates, but she also manages to tell her story as related to photographs held by fellow Marines that push the story along and even provide the back story as she presents in her Prologue – ‘He had introduced himself as Brian Price. He said, “I brought you some pictures to help you remember what good friends we are.”… He picked up a picture of three female Marines in desert uniforms, rifles slung over their right shoulders, walking past rows of tan tents. “This is one of my better candid shots from Camp Leatherneck, I think,” he said.
Two of the Marines were engaged in an animated conversation. He pointed to a pretty Latina with expressive brown eyes. She appeared to be speaking with her hands out in front of her, fingers spread wide, in a gesture that indicated something big. “This is Lance Corporal Ramirez. You two have been besties since boot camp,” he said. Then he pointed to the Marine walking next to Ramirez, with skin as dark as a starless night, her right hand held firmly to her rifle strap, left hand over her heart, and her face in the throes of laughter. “This is Corporal Baptiste. You met her in Afghanistan, and we all became friends pretty quickly. You loved her lyrical voice, whether she was telling bayou ghost stories or singing her favorite gospel hymns.” Then he pointed to Molly herself: the Marine with blond French-braided hair and blue eyes, walking slightly to the left, a couple of steps behind Corporal Baptiste—the only one of the three who seemed to have noticed the photographer. Her expression was grim, angry even. “Yeah, as you can see, you weren’t too happy with me that day,” he said. Molly looked at Brian, trying to read his expression. “Why was I mad at you?” “You wanted to go on a mission with the Alpha Company Marines, and I had given the mission to one of the other troops instead.” The thought didn’t stir any anger in her now, and Molly wasn’t sure what to think about that, so she let it go.’
As the synopsis outlines the plot, ‘Molly Monroe was a teenage beauty queen who had her future planned out for her. When she makes an impulsive decision to join the Marine Corps the summer after high school graduation, her boyfriend breaks up with her, her brother bears the burden of guilt, and her mother feels betrayed. The people in Molly’s life have always tried to protect her. But she wants to protect herself. As a Combat Camera Marine, Molly observes and records her environment from behind the lens, where image shapes day-to-day life. After she is wounded during a combat deployment, her dreams are frightening, and her memories are a kaleidoscope of scattered and chaotic scenes; a collision of past and present, real and unreal. Snapshots in time. Glimpses of war. Fragments of love: lost and found. The story unfolds through multiple perspectives, and as the negatives and positives develop, an image of the Model Marine is sharpened into focus.’
Very fine writing about a subject we all need to understand and respect and admire – the important role of women in the USMC. Highly recommended.
April 28, 2018
The book is well-written, and can be readily presented as a fine example of feminism in literature without remotely being preachy.
Like most military stories I’ve read written by actual ex-soldiers (or in this case, an ex-marine), the focus is not on battles so much as the human elements and interactions, the life and the environment.
As a (British) ex-Para myself, my experience is very difficult to that of the American military; our military culture is very different in so many ways. To that end, it was captivating for me to read an account clearly born of experience, rather than the usual Hollywood make-believe. I have friends in the American military, of course, but none of them have written books about it, so that made this of great value to me.
In terms of literary quality, as I say: the book is well-written. That statement itself may be a touch laconic, but is somewhat high praise from me as I’m difficult to please in that regard. I’d especially note (as some others have) that the narrative is well-woven, and (as I haven’t seen mentioned by others) the the dialogue flows well in all instances; something with which a lot of authors struggle, but that Meek does very credibly here.
All in all, a very good book that I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend.
Like most military stories I’ve read written by actual ex-soldiers (or in this case, an ex-marine), the focus is not on battles so much as the human elements and interactions, the life and the environment.
As a (British) ex-Para myself, my experience is very difficult to that of the American military; our military culture is very different in so many ways. To that end, it was captivating for me to read an account clearly born of experience, rather than the usual Hollywood make-believe. I have friends in the American military, of course, but none of them have written books about it, so that made this of great value to me.
In terms of literary quality, as I say: the book is well-written. That statement itself may be a touch laconic, but is somewhat high praise from me as I’m difficult to please in that regard. I’d especially note (as some others have) that the narrative is well-woven, and (as I haven’t seen mentioned by others) the the dialogue flows well in all instances; something with which a lot of authors struggle, but that Meek does very credibly here.
All in all, a very good book that I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend.
March 3, 2018
I was hesitant about reading this book at first because I am not military and have no military ties, so I didn't think I could relate. The author proved me wrong! Such an amazing story about how certain events in life can change our decisions, our goals, our relationships and how we grow from those events and experiences. Also an eye-opener to a woman's perspective about being in the military. I admired the main character and related to her in many ways. The writing style is from multiple character perspectives and is also VERY descriptive. A mini-movie played in my mind the entire time I was reading it. I think everyone can appreciate and relate to this novel. Hands down 5 stars, highly recommend this one!
July 18, 2018
I would like to thank the netgalley site and the CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform editions for this partnership.
I was immediately attracted by the cover we see the beautiful Molly Monroe on the right in the foreground and in the background a woman with a camera a journalist perhaps.
We find Molly Monroe who had a future until the day she decided to join the Marine Corps. Except that her boyfriend drops her, her brother feels guilty, as for his mother, she feels betrayed. The people around her want to protect her at all costs when she knows how to do it alone. In the navy she is a kind of journalist until the day she is wounded.
A beautiful, captivating and moving story that recounts the life of Molly who wanted only one thing to join the Marine Corps. The author tells us this brilliantly.
I was immediately attracted by the cover we see the beautiful Molly Monroe on the right in the foreground and in the background a woman with a camera a journalist perhaps.
We find Molly Monroe who had a future until the day she decided to join the Marine Corps. Except that her boyfriend drops her, her brother feels guilty, as for his mother, she feels betrayed. The people around her want to protect her at all costs when she knows how to do it alone. In the navy she is a kind of journalist until the day she is wounded.
A beautiful, captivating and moving story that recounts the life of Molly who wanted only one thing to join the Marine Corps. The author tells us this brilliantly.
July 29, 2018
The writing was superb and the attention to detail was part of the reason everything seemed so real. Kudo's to Sondra Sykes for weaving a brilliant tale in which she uses vivid descriptions to capture the reader and bring them into her characters lives.
Meek manages to take the reader through a barrage of other emotions besides the typical and they will find themselves submerged in the world and feeling every single things that happens to these characters.
The author is able to unfold the plot believably while stringing readers along. The characters are well developed and easy to invest in.
Meek manages to take the reader through a barrage of other emotions besides the typical and they will find themselves submerged in the world and feeling every single things that happens to these characters.
The author is able to unfold the plot believably while stringing readers along. The characters are well developed and easy to invest in.
July 16, 2018
Sondra Sykes Meek has done an amazing job of developing multi dimensional characters that the reader will feel invested in from the start. I love being about to picture everything about my characters and what they are doing.
While you have the main character, Molly, Meek also explores deeper into other characters lives as well giving another layer to the story. We have wonderful secondary characters.
I loved how smooth and quick of a read it was. It deals with War and a bit deeper/darker topics, but that didn't takeaway from the pace at which I devoured the novel.
While you have the main character, Molly, Meek also explores deeper into other characters lives as well giving another layer to the story. We have wonderful secondary characters.
I loved how smooth and quick of a read it was. It deals with War and a bit deeper/darker topics, but that didn't takeaway from the pace at which I devoured the novel.
February 20, 2018
Picture perfect
Thoroughly enjoyed this book. I couldn't it it down. Would love to read either an extended epilogue or a follow up book.
Thoroughly enjoyed this book. I couldn't it it down. Would love to read either an extended epilogue or a follow up book.
April 7, 2018
Keep tissues nearby
I like reading military love stories but I was getting tired of the handsome seal saving the beautiful woman. I didn't know what to expect from this book so I took a chance.
OMG this book had me sitting on the edge of my seat! Ms. Meeks had me at Paris Island, Camp Lejeune and at Camp Leatherneck. Her writing made me want to jump in and do something. The reader knew that real experiences were the base of this novel.
Ms. Meeks, thank you for your service and giving me a peak into the world of sickness and war.
I like reading military love stories but I was getting tired of the handsome seal saving the beautiful woman. I didn't know what to expect from this book so I took a chance.
OMG this book had me sitting on the edge of my seat! Ms. Meeks had me at Paris Island, Camp Lejeune and at Camp Leatherneck. Her writing made me want to jump in and do something. The reader knew that real experiences were the base of this novel.
Ms. Meeks, thank you for your service and giving me a peak into the world of sickness and war.
September 5, 2018
I really enjoyed this book it was recommended to me and I was a little unsure, to begin with, and it took me a while to pick it up I cannot believe I waited this was a such a super read I really liked Molly and enjoyed getting to know her this book will take you through a lot of different emotions and you may need the tissue at some point. It really is good give it a read you won't be disappointed.
April 10, 2018
Empathic and well-paced. Vivid language. Impactive scenes and storytelling. Realistic dialogue. Emotive all the way through. This is a memorable book, and if adapted, would make a thrilling movie or TV series.
April 15, 2018
Don’t you love when an establish formula is shaken and it turns out to be one of the best things I have ever read?
This is seriously not what I was expecting, I was caught off guard and it was the best surprise to find this book, a beauty queen standing on her own to make her path the way she wanted, everyone expect her to be the perfect and average pretty face and nothing more, well she has different plans now and what a way to make her path like she wants.
Of course, what she probably didn’t think too well was what she is going to face once there, but the way the author portrayed everything, based on real experience and feedback is sublime, I learn a lot from this book, especially some military aspects that I didn’t have a clue about, the writing and development feels fresh and engaging, you surely don’t want to miss this book, I highly recommend it to everyone.
This is seriously not what I was expecting, I was caught off guard and it was the best surprise to find this book, a beauty queen standing on her own to make her path the way she wanted, everyone expect her to be the perfect and average pretty face and nothing more, well she has different plans now and what a way to make her path like she wants.
Of course, what she probably didn’t think too well was what she is going to face once there, but the way the author portrayed everything, based on real experience and feedback is sublime, I learn a lot from this book, especially some military aspects that I didn’t have a clue about, the writing and development feels fresh and engaging, you surely don’t want to miss this book, I highly recommend it to everyone.
November 26, 2018
The qualities that make a person a good soldier transcend things like outer appearance... and gender. When Mollie joins the Marines, it's a toss-up as to whether it's more a matter of her running to something or running away, but regardless of her motivation, this former beauty queen proves she has what it takes to assume the mantle of responsibility and to dedicate herself to service, both to her country and to her fellow soldiers.
The disjointed way the author tells the story is a bit disconcerting. It jumps willy-nilly from one character to another, and bounces around from one time period to another. Even so, this book offers a fascinating peek at the experiences of one female Marine. Heartbreaking at times, but always interesting.
Three and a half stars, rounded up to four.
The disjointed way the author tells the story is a bit disconcerting. It jumps willy-nilly from one character to another, and bounces around from one time period to another. Even so, this book offers a fascinating peek at the experiences of one female Marine. Heartbreaking at times, but always interesting.
Three and a half stars, rounded up to four.
December 1, 2018
To help and back
This book is about a reluctant beauty queen who was so much more. Molly is innocent until a horrible event took away her feeling of safety. To get control back, she joins the marines where she excels. Injured in Afghanistan, she comes home to new realities for herself and those she loves. I was doing well until I came upon the description of a military recognition of their fallen comrades. Then I lost it, having a good cry for the wounded and departed described there and throughout the book. This is a book worth adding to your reading list. It slowly grabs on so tight, it still manages to be remembered long after it ends. I will look for more books by Sondra Sykes Meek.
This book is about a reluctant beauty queen who was so much more. Molly is innocent until a horrible event took away her feeling of safety. To get control back, she joins the marines where she excels. Injured in Afghanistan, she comes home to new realities for herself and those she loves. I was doing well until I came upon the description of a military recognition of their fallen comrades. Then I lost it, having a good cry for the wounded and departed described there and throughout the book. This is a book worth adding to your reading list. It slowly grabs on so tight, it still manages to be remembered long after it ends. I will look for more books by Sondra Sykes Meek.
April 23, 2018
Emotional- Educational!
An engaging and interesting story on marine’s life. The book is the journey of Molly Monroe from beauty queen to a combat camera marine. She faces many challenges, hardships, resistance from her family and also get wounded in war but what she faces, sees and realizes has a long time impact on her dreams. The book highlights many aspects of marine’s life, especially women and educates readers. The characters are well developed, descriptions are clear and an emotional read.
An engaging and interesting story on marine’s life. The book is the journey of Molly Monroe from beauty queen to a combat camera marine. She faces many challenges, hardships, resistance from her family and also get wounded in war but what she faces, sees and realizes has a long time impact on her dreams. The book highlights many aspects of marine’s life, especially women and educates readers. The characters are well developed, descriptions are clear and an emotional read.
July 11, 2019
Molly...A Model Marine
This effort by the author was extraordinary. She was current in t a retiredhe mores and conventions of the Marine Corps. Well written. Do not mistake this novel for the "run of the mill" romance. It is much deeper.
One bone to pick... As a retired, male, U.S. Army paratrooper, and rapelling instructor, the "break" hand is actually the "brake" hand.
This effort by the author was extraordinary. She was current in t a retiredhe mores and conventions of the Marine Corps. Well written. Do not mistake this novel for the "run of the mill" romance. It is much deeper.
One bone to pick... As a retired, male, U.S. Army paratrooper, and rapelling instructor, the "break" hand is actually the "brake" hand.
June 11, 2018
Spunky N Sassy Rating: 4.0
~~~~~~~~~~Lindsey's ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Review~~~~~~~~~~
I love military romance! This one was so swoon worthy it wasn't even funny. For readers who love military romance like I do, they should definitely read this book.
~~~~~~~~~~Lindsey's ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Review~~~~~~~~~~
I love military romance! This one was so swoon worthy it wasn't even funny. For readers who love military romance like I do, they should definitely read this book.
November 24, 2018
Great Insight into the Marine Lifestyle
I'm the proud mom of a Marine who enlisted a year ago, graduated in February 2018 and now at his PDS. We have yet to experience the big D, but I stand behind him and his Marine brothers and sisters, and their parents all the way.
I'm the proud mom of a Marine who enlisted a year ago, graduated in February 2018 and now at his PDS. We have yet to experience the big D, but I stand behind him and his Marine brothers and sisters, and their parents all the way.
December 31, 2018
A moving book
A moving and riveting book, that kept you going to the very end. You sympathized with the characters because of the sacrifice of lives in the story. A gripping book that sometimes was mixed up, but was resolved in the end.
A moving and riveting book, that kept you going to the very end. You sympathized with the characters because of the sacrifice of lives in the story. A gripping book that sometimes was mixed up, but was resolved in the end.
January 30, 2022
An easy weekend read and definitely eye opening to those who are not familiar with the military community, especially women as Marines. Highly recommended! Sondra is not only a Veteran, but an incredibly talented author.
July 17, 2020
Loved the book and enjoyed reading about the marine's life. Very enjoyable. Plus I've know the author since her childhood.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews