Don't Call Me Mum

by Mary T. Bradford

Raised by a cold stepmother, Lacey Taylor’s life was turned upside down by the stroke of a pen, putting her on a path to find her birth mother, Cora Maguire. But Cora is not the maternal type. For her, her career is paramount to everything else, including her only child, Lacey. Their relationship is, at best, strained. Lacey struggles for Cora’s affection, but when her life-path takes an unplanned twist, Cora becomes furious. Lacey’s half-siblings, the Taylors, want to help, but they have their own demons that threaten to rip the family apart.
How often can Lacey deal with life’s struggles without finally succumbing to them?

283 pages, ebook

Published March 7, 2018

About the author

Mary Bradford is an Irish author living in her native County Cork.
Her latest novel: To Live with a Stranger.
Her trilogy: My Husband’s Sin #Book1 introduces, The Lacey Taylor Story. Don’t Call Me Mum #Book2, with, No More Secrets #Book3 bringing it all to an end.
Novellas in Western genre: The Runaway, and Destiny.
Novellas in Adult Romance/Erotic: One Night in Barcelona, and Once Upon A Weekend
Her stories have been nominated and finalists in competitions Fish, RTE/Penguin, WAWA, From the Well, WOW, and many others.
Mary's stories are featured in anthologies in the US, India, Germany, and Ireland.

Reviews

[InD'tale Magazine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ms. Bradford has created a complex family saga, with Lacey Taylor at the heart of it all. Five gold stars for deep characters with authentic voices, excellent conflict, and unique premise.

Read full review in the 2019 December issue of InD'tale Magazine.

[Sue Wallace · Rating 5 out of 5]

don't call me mum by Mary T Bradford.
Lacey Taylor life turned upside down when she found out Lillian Taylor wasn't her birth mother. she finds out Cora Maguire is her birth mum. she wants to find her. but will Cora be what Lacey thought?
what about her siblings?
wow. what a read absolutely fantastic read. I loved the story. even had me in tears. I really didn't like Cora at some parts of this book. such a powerful read. well deserved 5*. would give more if I could. Highly recommended.

[Gail Atkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow!! The power of the words written in this book went right through me. What had Lacey done to deserve a heartless mum after having to live with her evil step-mum.
Through the pages we read how Lacey is determined to get on with life despite the constant barriers that come in her way.
A book that holds you from start to finish and I can't recommend it enough.

[Kel · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a truly brilliant follow up to My Husband's Sin, I loved the characters in this story and once I had read the first couple of chapters I was drawn in and had to keep reading.

This was a brilliantly emotive story that just kept getting better and better. Lacey was a complex character with lots going on around her and I loved how all of the characters in the book grew and we got to see a different side to everyone during this story.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and loved how surprises were injected into the book throughout so you never really knew what was going to come next in the story of Lacey and her siblings. I found this a really emotive read that had you hooked right up until the last page, a massive 5* for this brilliant story that made you feel all of the emotions of the characters and left me wanting to know more and what would come next for the Taylor family.

[Jo · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second book in a series and the follow on to My Husbands Sin published in 2014. Took me a little while to pick up the characters again but was soon up to speed. I do enjoy a good book set in Ireland and this one didn't disappoint although the ending was a surprise - I knew something was up but nothing as bad as that. I am hoping there might be a 3rd book. Thank you to TBC and to the author for the chance to read this title in exchange for a honest review.

[Domhnall O'Donoghue · Rating 5 out of 5]

Don't Call Me Mum is the second book detailing the story of Lacey Taylor. When I started this, I hadn't read the first instalment and while I'm sure it would have been helpful, it wasn't necessary as the author has cleverly peppered the opening sections with references documenting what has happened to these characters in the past.

Beautifully written, Bradford creates characters and situations that are real, nuanced and interesting. While the focus is on Lacey, her pregnancy, and her struggles to convince her birth mother to view her as a daughter rather than an employee, Don't Call Me Mum features a myriad of personalities, all of whom must go on their own personal journeys - notably her sister, Sally ('sister' being the operative word!). The conclusion is devasting and will linger in the reader's mind long after the book is finished.

Bradford's writing is intelligent, delicate and commercial. I look forward to following her career.

[Natasha du Plessis · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was the sequel to My Husband's Sin. My heart went out to Lacey in this story, more so than in My Husband's Sin. It was bad enough that she was referred to by Lillian as "my husband's sin" when Lillian did not even think about her own addiction. If it was not for her husband's sin she would not have been able to feed her own gambling problem. The title of this book makes it very clear what this book is all about. I enjoyed the writing style, the ending was just a bit unexpected. Lots of coldhearted people in this book though I loved Sally and Jaymee who were always there for Lacey. I would recommend you read My Husband's Sin before picking up Don't Call me Mum.

[Karen Farrow · Rating 4 out of 5]

The follow on book from Her Husband’s Sin is every bit as good as the first. The story centres around the Taylor Family and what happens to them all after the death of their mother. The main character is Lacey who strives to build and develop a relationship with her birth mother and the trials that go along with that. The story also concentrates on her brother Robert and sister Sally. When Lacey’s life encounters another blow it’s delves into the relationship between all the siblings. I think there is obviously, judging by the ending, potential for a third book and will definitely look out for it.

[Maja · Rating 4 out of 5]

Don't call me Mum follows Lacey's story after she discovers her birth mother. In this book Bradford builds the tension between Lacy and Cora, and demonstrates how differently each perceives priorities. Bradford's message is clear -- family is important, don't miss the littler things, the future comes up on you suddenly.

The Taylors' easy camaraderie contrasts with Cora's aloofness so starkly that I did feel Lacey was better off with supportive siblings, even if her mothers were rejecting. I was surprised by the ending but sense that it paves the way for an interesting sequel. I look forward to the next book.

[Sue Ross · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a sequel to My Husband’s Sin! This story finds Lacey and the others three years from the previous story’s ending. There are real challenges to be met for the Taylor Family as they struggle to move on in their lives. I was a blubbering wreck at times as emotions ran high. When you read the plot yourself, you will understand why!
N.B. This book can be read as a standalone, but I would recommend reading The Husband’s Sin first if you can. It will really add more to the depth of feeling towards the characters.

[Priya · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an emotional read from start to finish.
I loved Lacey for her positivity and her ability to always look for the silver lining and look at every situation from the other person's POV.
Cora, though her introduction hinted at it, was far more difficult to like than I thought.
This story emphasized the value of family and the need to value life and the little things that make us happy more than ever.

[Mattie · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Don’t Call Me Mum,” by Mary T. Bradford is a true page turner.
Lacey faced many obstacles from her stepmom and mom. Thankfully, she had both Jaymee and Sally that always had her back.
The writing is fresh and easy to read. This is a sequel to, “My Husband’s Sin, “ but can be read as a stand alone novel.
I highly recommend reading it. You won’t be disappointed.

[Andrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved part two of this family saga nearly as much as the first one. 4 stars because I wished for a different ending. Other than that, again a great storyline following up with the characters already known and loved/ hated:-) If you have read My Husband's Sin, you have to read Don't call me Mum!!!

[Joanna Gibson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful character in Lacey and reading her turbulent time getting to grips with her mother whilst overcoming the ups and downs in front of her made for am emotive read. Enjoyable

[Mel Burns · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really did feel for Lacey. The whole family thrown into turmoil after the deaths of her family. A must read. The writing just draws you in to the characters which made me feel for them more and be happy when something good happened. Loved it.