My Mother's Soldier

by Mary Elizabeth Bailey

A small girl asked to do the unthinkable and a God who sees her in the midst of it all.

My Mother's Soldier will take you on a horrific and chilling journey of a young girl and the terror that she faced when her mother asked her to do the unthinkable. It allows readers to walk every step of the way and feel the heart-pounding moments leading up to one of the worst days of her life. As you read the disturbing realities of a young life of violence and abuse, you will feel every emotion throughout your mind and your body. While also, you will find inspiration in the ability to overcome a devastating tragedy. From foster care to adulthood what propels her recovery is a very strong and intimate relationship with God.

Genres: Nonfiction, True Story

134 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 13, 2020

Reviews

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is personal to me as I was a 911 dispatcher for many years in the county where this tragic series of events happened. I remember the incident and some of the events that followed. As a dispatcher, we don’t always know the ending of many of the calls that we take or are familiar with. We don’t know the “other side of the story”. I am glad to know that Mary did come to a good ending, even though she had much to overcome. Her story needed told, as does her testimony. This book is raw and paints a painful portrait of a child caught in abuse, violence and a system that may or may not have failed her in many ways.

[Nikole (literarily_occupied) · Rating 3 out of 5]

⭐⭐⭐ / 3 stars

This was the pick for book club at the library this month; chosen due to the events having taken place right here in Upshur County.

This memoir tells the story of how an 11 year old girl came to shoot her stepfather in a case of murder by proxy. It's intriguing and heartbreaking; the abuse and neglect that took place leading up to the murder are horrific and brutal.

I rated this book 3 stars based solely on the events that took place, unfortunately the writing is not well done with structural and grammatical errors throughout, and a storyline that felt rambling and repetitive at times.

This is absolutely a story that needs telling, I just wish that an experienced author had been brought in to help Mary tell her story and do it justice in a literary sense.

[Kristina Benedum · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely Remarkable

A truly remarkable book! Having gone to high school with Mary, I never realized her past. She was always kind to everyone, loved to laugh, and make others laugh. She was a truly remarkable and genuine person. Her outlook on her past makes it a truly engaging, emotional and thoughtful read. You feel her pain, feel her strength, as well as her faith. An inspiration I plan on sharing with others. As a former foster mother and adoptive mother of 4, it was surreal to imagine what all of the angels who came into my home witnessed. A definite read for those considering or providing safe homes. Great a accomplishment Mary!

[Bria Monette · Rating 2 out of 5]

I hate to give this book a bad review because it is very heart-wrenching and vulnerable. However, another reviewer said it best. The grammatical errors, confusing timeline, and repetitive story telling were distracting from the actual memoir. The writing gave off the impression that there was no editor, or perhaps even another thorough read through. As much as I wanted to enjoy the book, and there were some elements that captivated me, overall the bad writing dominated the point of the book. I wish she worked with a credible author because this book did not do justice to her story. I don't recommend this book, but my heart sincerely goes out to the author.

[Christy · Rating 1 out of 5]

A Tragic Tale, Filled with Grammatical Errors

My Mother’s Soldier is a deeply personal memoir of childhood marked with abuse and manipulation.

However, the book's potential is unfortunately hindered by a significant number of grammatical errors. While the emotional impact of the true account is undeniable, the frequent errors in spelling, grammar, punctuation, and verb tense are disruptive to the reading experience.

With proper editing and publishing support, My Mother’s Soldier has the potential to become an impactful memoir. Despite its flaws, the author's courage in sharing her experiences is commendable.

[Audrey Heeren · Rating 5 out of 5]

Overcoming childhood trauma and turning your life into something more, is what this journey was about. Mary had endured horrific child abuse from a very young age and then put in an unthinkable situation by her mother at just 11 years old. What do we know at 11? How do we make difficult decisions, and really be sure of what's right vs wrong? We rely on parents, strong Familial support, trusting adults..but what happens when we have none of those in our corner? A fast read; autobiography.

[Cathy Ames · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's horrifying to think that there are people having and subsequently abusing kids. Poverty is a hardship but it is made bearable with loving-kindness. It truly breaks my heart that any child is mistreated the way the author was. But God. She overcame. So there is a happy ending despite the atrocious beginning.

On an aside-There are a lot of grammatical errors and typos in this book to the point of distraction.

[Tami Morell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this book!! I could not put it down.

This book touched me in so many ways. Being a victim of terrible abuse in my past I can relate in so many ways. Mary you are so brave and an amazing survivor! I would recommend this book to everyone. Those who know horrible abuse and those who have not. This book is full of hope and we ALL need hope. God Bless you Mary !!

[Tamara Cicogna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Child of chaos

This book takes place in the part of West Virginia i lived in. I knew Holly Grade apts. had its ugly side. So many children are foster children because these ugly secrets . Are just ignored. Mary exposes all that we ignore in a way that touches your heart and makes you think how many children like her. Have we driven by.

[Clmorbux · Rating 5 out of 5]

Resilience and Love

A book about overcoming your past, choosing your best life and realizing you are never walking this journey alone, God is always there lovingly waiting for you with open arms and Fatherly love.

[Casey Jo Cottrill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mary deserves 5 stars for even having the strength and courage to write this book. As someone who has/will work with children in the foster care system and a mandated reporter who makes CPS reports all too often, this book provided invaluable insight into the lifelong effects of childhood trauma.

[Barbara Kinney · Rating 5 out of 5]

My Mother’s Soldier

What some people have to go through in their lives! I chose to read this story and am so glad I did and couldn’t put it down, but there was so much sadness Mary went through. Unbelievable!

[Chelsea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sad but beautiful story of hardship, faith, and sheer will to not fall victim to the past.
Some have mentioned the grammatical errors/writing style as a negative but I appreciated the rawness of the writing. A real person with a real, unfiltered story.

[Traysee · Rating 3 out of 5]

I went into this book knowing a little of the story from my dad, who I guess went to school with Mary. It was an okay book about a tragic upbringing. There were grammatical and spelling errors, but nothing too difficult to make sense out of.

[Fre-Leigh Lyons-Hamm · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an amazing book to read. It’s a true story of a child suffering but comes out as a strong adult.

[Shay · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a book

[Laury Kerr · Rating 3 out of 5]

While it was a horrific story, and difficult to read, it wasn't very well written. For that reason it's a 3.

[Angie Lindley · Rating 3 out of 5]

I watched a movie based on this story before reading it so I knew what the premise was. Tragic story.

[Caleb Farley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you Mary for the bravery to tell your story. Thank you for helping me understand the complexity of abuse and the foster system. The world is better because of your honesty and your faith.

[margie soto · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing 😍

This was such a good book, so good I could not put it down! I read it all in one day that's how good it was! Can't wait to see the movie 🎥🍿
Had me in suspense the whole time, Mary Elizabeth you are a survivor.

[Jodell · Rating 5 out of 5]

We all have our stories. The foster care system children deserve for their story's to be heard as well. For they are important. As a former foster care child, I could appreciate the feelings Mary had about feeling she didn't belong anywhere, trying to not be a burden, trying to do more than her share so she could be deserving of love and well Mary, you are more than enough to be deserving of love and belonging on this earth. It took me many years to figure this out. I hope all foster care children will figure this out too. Because we foster children are strong soldier's that survived a war.