Monday, January 20, 2014

Reflections of Mamie - Teaser Tuesday

17951219
Today's Teaser Tuesday post features a memoir: Reflections of Mamie.  Written in a casual conversational style, as if talking with a friend, Rosemary "Mamie" Adkins relates her story of physical and emotional abuse at the hands of her mother. Though much of the book is hard to read, it offers hope for those who have experienced this same mistreatment.

My Teaser:
It became blatantly clear to me that escaping was the only answer; otherwise, I would never live to see my next birthday. Now, more than ever, I knew that it was time to make some viable, elaborate plans.
(Page 114)

Genre: Memoir / Nonfiction
Number of Pages: 298
Amazon Link: REFLECTIONS OF MAMIE
Mamie's Website: Link Here

NOTE:
REFLECTIONS OF MAMIE was named Book of the Month for January by Goodread's "Modern Good Reads" group. Congratulations, Mamie!

Synopsis from Amazon:
The story begins in the early 1950's suburbs of Houston, Texas. Mamie is a young child of four who was unwanted, afraid, abused and with nowhere to turn, learned that she had to stand alone. Her only friends were her older brother, an abused child himself, and her nanny, who begged their mother to stop beating them. The father, though he loved his children, remained passive to the end. A victim himself, the only protection he offered was a warning to stay out of their mother's reach. 

This story shares Mamie's heroic battle to keep her dreams alive and hold on to her spirit. How she finds her way out of fifty-four years of abuse is yours to discover in her fascinating memoirs. 

Mamie reminds you throughout every step of her journey that she is a survivor. Indeed, it was her consummate ability to hope, plan and dream that kept her going from four to fifty-four when the abuse finally ended. The saying that, ‘you can beat the tar out of the girl but you will never break her spirit without her permission’ explains her secret to survival. But did her story end there? What other surprises does Mamie have in store for you? Does her journey end with another dream?

Mamie has a special love of animals so she has elected to support two charities with donations from the sales of her book: Dreamcatchers for Abused Children (Link Here) and Kitsap Rescue Humane Society (Link Here).

Mamie and her book carry the same message-NEVER GIVE UP!

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:
  • Grab your current read
  • Open to a random page
  • Share two (2) "teaser" sentences from somewhere on that page
  • BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn't give too much away -- you don't want to ruin the book for others)
  • Share the title and author too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR lists if they like your teasers
  • Leave a comment on MizB's Teaser Tuesday post (HERE) and include your link so everyone can find your post.

53 comments:

  1. This might be a hard on for me... although I always appreciate great writing, even if the topic is uncomfortable. Maybe it's good to be uncomfortable once in a while. Good teaser....

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Good Morning Jacquie,

      I just joined in this morning and of course saw your comment right off.

      I do understand what you mean about "hard on for me" statement. Many years ago I watch a movie titled "Mommie Dearest" and sat in my chair frozen in time weeping hysterically and unable to change the channel. My husband, though not understanding sat and tried to console me but the fact is, I had just begun to write my book and it hit home. I had never spoken about this abuse not even to him.

      I was watching my own life unfold just feet in front of me. I do hope you would never feel so bad when reading my book but it is my journey through years of abuse that took decades to overcome.

      In many ways, the weeping helped me on my journey to recovery though I did not know it at the time. My goal is for those that read this book perhaps will be able to identify with this young child as themselves or someone they know and they too can begin to heal.

      It was my way to reach out and hopefully help bring this issue to the surface so it would end for countless millions of children and adults everywhere.

      Thank you for your comment. I welcome you to visit my web site any time and I am happy to reply.

      Mamie

      Delete
  2. Good evening,

    Abuse is an ugly word that many abused people don't like thinking about. They have problems expressing themselves and tend to hide somewhere behind a wall where they think no one can reach them and hurt them again. Reflections of Mamie is therefore, in my opinion, an answer to many of those who have suffered from abuse.

    Rosemary does an excellent job of not only talking about the pain, but also of talking about how she found solutions that release the pain and started her to living a fulfilled life.

    A great book ,and I am so glad to see it featured here.

    Shalom,
    Patricia

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you for stopping by and leaving a comment. I admire Mamie Adkins for her bravery in writing about her painful experiences. I'm sure this book will help many people.

      Delete
    2. Hello Sandra and Patricia. First I want to thank you Sandy for having me this morning. It is indeed an honor to be here with you and your friends. It was from so many dear connections that getting my word out has been possible. I am also grateful to be here with you on this program hosted by MizB whom has done such an awesome job.

      Patricia it must be very late where you are. Thank you for your insight here. Abuse is an ugly word that no one wants to think about-the abuser, abused or bystander -everyone just wants to bury it though it never happens.

      Both you and Sandy have expressed words I am happy to hear and give me the support and knowledge writing this book was the right thing to do.

      I admit, writing a book for the world to see and learn your deepest held secrets was frightening as I wondered how many would judge me. I am pleased to say there have only been a few that criticized me for writing so much about my life that they felt no one should ever be told but also tell you I have had many call me and talk for hours about their own experiences.

      Sharing is another way to heal.

      Thank you both again for the kind support.

      Mamie

      Delete
  3. This is my kind of read! I know many find it hard to read, but finding out how a victim survives is always inspirational to me. Here's MY TUESDAY POST

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Exactly! Mamie's book shows that abuse can be overcome. Thank you for your comments.

      Delete
    2. Hello Laurel, It looks as though I maybe ought to leave shorter replies or this page could get so long but I thank you too for your comment. I am available at any time to take questions here or through my web site.

      Mamie

      Delete
  4. Sounds heart-wrenching. This will be a hard read for me at the moment.
    Love the cover for Bluebonnets Lilly, though!

    Maya @ Love Bites and Silk

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. REFLECTIONS OF MAMIE is a good story and even has moments of humor! But yes, some parts of it are hard to read.

      Delete
    2. Thank you for your comments. I always feel bad when I hear its hard to read for anyone as it makes me worry they have known pain in their lives for themselves or someone close. If it helps, please know I tried to be very careful to always include hope and my solutions for finding a better life. And I believe you will love the end.

      Humor can still be found amongst the pages of great sadness.
      I always carried and still do, the attitude to NEVER GIVE UP.

      Thanks Again,
      Mamie

      Delete
  5. Sounds very emotional but triumphant!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hello Nise'
      Thank you for stopping by. My story did end with triumphant and was an emotional journey to relive but if I can reach that one person that needs help, it will have been worth every tear.

      Mamie

      Delete
  6. That's a great teaser. I don't usually read memoirs but this sounds very interesting!

    Thanks for stopping by!
    http://disappearintoreading.wordpress.com/

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Mamie's triumph over abuse makes for good reading. She's an amazing woman.

      Delete
  7. I like that Teaser! I'm intrigued! Thanks for stopping by my Teaser! :)

    ReplyDelete
  8. Sounds like a tough read. Not sure I could handle it! ~Deanna

    ReplyDelete
  9. This book sounds so emotional! I don't know if I could read it!!! Thanks for stopping by mine.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Thank you everyone for taking time on your busy days to leave a comment on Sandra's extraordinary pages. Her work is admirable and her books amongst the best.

    I'll stop by later if anyone has any questions.

    Mamie

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Mamie, for adding your comments and answers to this post. It's always a thrill when an author agrees to participate in Teaser Tuesday.

      Delete
  11. Good teaser, really draws you in. Thanks for stopping by my site.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Wow, this definitely sounds like my kinda book! I think I'll have to check this one out! I hope you enjoy it, and thanks for stopping by my TT @ Addicted Readers! :)

    ReplyDelete
  13. Sounds very intense. Thanks for visiting.

    ReplyDelete
  14. This sounds like an great read. I know I will probably cry. I'll have to add it to my TBR List. Happy Reading and thanks for stopping by. :)

    Jess Time To Read

    ReplyDelete
  15. Sounds like an emotional read. Thanks for visiting!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Both the teaser and the actual story seem very interesting, Sandy. If I decide to read a non-fiction book this year, I think Reflections of Mamie will be it :)

    Thanks for stopping by earlier.

    Lexxie @ (un)Conventional Bookviews

    ReplyDelete
  17. TY for visiting me at FHC -
    a compelling teaser you offer along with the synopsis of a fascinating topic
    Enjoy your reading!

    ReplyDelete
  18. Wow this is intense. Great teaser!! Thanks for reading mine also.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Ohhh - good one too!! Although songs like an intense book. Thanks for stopping by to see me today! I look forward to more Tuesdays!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I look forward to Teaser Tuesdays too, even though they're expensive. I find so many wonderful books, and it's just too easy to go to Amazon and click on "buy now with 1 click."

      Delete
  20. This group sounds so interesting and I thank everyone for your comments -Can anyone go visit all the teasers posted in here?

    Thanks Again!
    Mamie

    ReplyDelete
  21. This sounds really interesting but I don't think I could read it.... somehow mothers being cruel seems so much more of a betrayal of the child. Thanks for sharing :-)

    ReplyDelete
  22. I don't usually read non-fiction, other than work-related, but this is a nice teaser. Hope you enjoy the book :)

    ReplyDelete
  23. Non-fiction is normally not my thing, but this book sounds really intresting. I hope you enjoy your book and thanks for stopping by earlier.

    El @ So Bookalicious

    ReplyDelete
  24. Wow. I don't think I could read this, it's just too depressing. But in a good, thought-provoking way. Not "it's depressing because it's so stupid" or something like that.
    And you already read my TT, but if anyone else wants to the link is http://ireadtilldawn.blogspot.com/2014/01/teaser-tuesdays-january-21st.html?showComment=1390326470869#c5500499028497615860. :)

    ReplyDelete
  25. I'll bet parts are hard to read. I bet some of it'll make you cry too.

    ReplyDelete
  26. Hi everyone - just like both Sandy and Rosemary said, this book has a good deal of humor in it and despite some descriptive events, it is Mamie's incessant sense of humor and 'never give up' attitude that always prevailed. Rarely have I ever seen a memoirs that offered so much hope and love as this one did. Believe me, it is a great tribute when people cry at a movie or when reading a passage from a book. It means that the author reached out with a very human touch! I hope that sadness is not a deterrent from reading this wonderful story that offer so much hope to those who grew up in similar situations.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you for stopping by, Linda. I hope this book reaches people who are coping with the results of abuse. They'll find comfort in Mamie's story.

      Delete
  27. This sounds like a very emotional book.

    ReplyDelete
  28. I'm afraid this would be too intense for me, although your "teaser" has made me very curious about the book. A subject that needs to be addressed and faced up to, but very hard to read about.

    ReplyDelete
  29. While the book doesn't sound like my cup of tea, the teaser certainly grabs you. Thanks for stopping by and reading my teaser.

    ReplyDelete
  30. What a scary thing for a child to think about.

    ReplyDelete
  31. Oh boy, sounds like an emotional and intense read. That's really unfortunate that some kids have to even consider that. Thanks for sharing & stopping by Bookmunchies.

    ReplyDelete
  32. I don't think I could read this book. I'm way too emotional about abuse, especially with children. Thanks for sharing though.

    Here's my tease:
    http://fuonlyknew.com/2014/01/21/teaser-tuesdays-54-living-dead-girl/

    ReplyDelete
  33. I always find books like this really hard to read, but every so often I find them to be helpful at work (and I may suggest something like it to a client). It's a great teaser, and really emphasizes how the author was trying to take control of her situation!

    ReplyDelete
  34. I like that she realizes things have to change.

    ReplyDelete
  35. Again there are so many thoughtful comments and Shelley yes, I have known it had to change for years but did not know how. I tried but failed until the last many years when my life turned around for myself. When my abuser passed on, the pieces of my life were gathered back into a wonderfully happy life.

    SPECIAL THANK YOU AND OFFER:

    Thank you for your comments today and giving me the opportunity to be here with you. I hope you will give my book the opportunity to spread the message about abuse while reading it-this book while it shares the abuse is full of hope and sprinkled with humor.

    As a special thank you to Sandra Nachlinger for featuring my book and thanks to you for allowing me to join in, I would like to offer my book to you for $15 to include shipping- an $8 plus savings. If interested and have a PayPal account, please write to me through the web site or e-mail me direct. Please when writing you remind me where you saw this special offer.

    http://www.Reflections-of-Mamie.com
    or
    Mamie@Reflections-of-Mamie.com

    Many Thanks,

    Mamie
    This offer ends February 1, 2014

    ReplyDelete
  36. Good Night Everyone.
    One last time I want to thank you for welcoming me to your group. It feels like a place I would love to become part of in the vey near future.

    If visiting my web site, you can find a section that list all the stores that carry my book on the shelves and many are still to add. It is also available to order at any book store world wide.

    Happy New Year Everyone!

    Mamie

    ReplyDelete
  37. Very intriguing teaser. I hope you're enjoying this!

    ReplyDelete
  38. She sounds brave! Thanks for stopping by my teaser :)

    ReplyDelete
  39. Wow that is a very intense teaser.

    Thank you for stopping by Fire & Ice

    ReplyDelete
  40. This book sounds a bit painful. It's just really hard for me to read books like these. My sister has brought a few but I just can't read them.

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for visiting "Writing With a Texas Twang." All comments are sincerely appreciated. Tell me what you think!