“I love this second book even more than the first, which I adored! Jane is evolving splendidly as she begins to change the channel of her inner voice from that of her critical and abusive mother to that of her supportive and kind mentor. Absolutely brilliant!”
—Charlotte Belisle, MSN, RN

“I couldn’t put this book down. It was like being on a roller coaster, and you were right there for all the twists and turns and ups and downs. I was rooting for our heroine the whole way. I can’t wait to find out what happens next!” 
—Joni D. Mahler, MEd, ET/P, learning specialist and educational therapist

“A compelling, thought-provoking story about a young woman’s desperate struggle to find her self-worth and self-esteem in the most difficult circumstances. Disturbing at times, it opens your mind to what can be a very fragile relationship between mothers and daughters.”
—Kathy Papola, real estate broker associate

“The story is a fascinating look back into the history of women finding their place in a male-centered society. The heroine, Jane, is trying to change her family trajectory and escape a dead-end childhood. Forced to strike out on her own, she makes costly mistakes. She is not always admirable. But her resilience, perseverance, and determination to build a better life sustain her. You will be reminded that new beginnings and redemption are always possible.”           
—Debbie Wagner, retired Director of Business Development, Dignity Health

“Jane shows us what is possible when one is willing to take charge of one’s life instead of blaming life on the circumstances. Somehow, Jane is always able to get back up after being thrown repeatedly to the mat. The Jane Bertram who speaks at the conclusion of My Mother’s Daughter is not recognizable as the woman I met when I opened the book. Her harrowing experiences helped her become her own person.”
—Linda Krause, retired educator

“Jane starts her new life in Chicago, determined to make her way in the world. But although she leaves her mother behind in Iowa, she can’t leave her mother’s voice in Iowa—it is lodged in her head. Jane watches in horror as she repeats the mistakes her mother made. I’m hoping she becomes the person she wants to be in the next book, which I’m looking forward to reading.”
—Dr. Linda Pitcher, former Assistant Superintendent, Northville Public Schools

“In My Mother’s Daughter, Jane must confront her past to begin building a future. She is a hostage to forces she does not understand as her life and mistakes eerily echo those of her mother, despite her best efforts to the contrary.”
—Elisa Parker, Manager, Equal Voice | Equal Future, Fund for Women’s Equality

“Now an adult, Jane is learning to live in the world without her mother’s direct influence. However, with each struggle, she fights the negative thoughts of self that her mother instilled. It is a fascinating tale of working against the defeatist view she learned while fighting to become her own woman.”
—Julie Marlay, retired Industrial Engineer, John Deere

“Jane is caught in a strange dynamic of both arguing with Gladys, her abusive mother, and becoming a version of her mother. Jane is successful in her career, but she needs help if she is to become more than a superpower success. She must dive deep and wrestle through the hot messes she all too often makes.”
—Leslie Hankins, Professor and Chair, Department of English and Creative Writing, Cornell College

“Jane Bertram continues grappling with the emotional scars her horrific childhood experiences created. She struggles mightily to perceive the differences between loving, being loved, and making love. She is unwilling to be a victim and won’t give in to the many challenges she encounters. You go girl!”
—Ernie Norris, retired businessman

“My Mother’s Daughter opens with Jane in Chicago, ready to leave her past behind. But her mother’s voice keeps haunting her. I thought this was an interesting way to tie her past and her present together. One passage that struck a chord for me was when Jane had to tie her own knots for ziplining, emphasizing the point that our lives are in our own hands—food for thought!”
—Karen Uglem, wife, mother, and retired schoolteacher

“I was eager to find out how Jane Bertram would make it through the storms of adult life. Or if she would survive them! Would she cave in or become stronger? I don't want to spoil anything by writing about the ending. All I will say is that I’m looking forward to the next book.”
—Nancy McWherter, retired administrator

“Jane struggles to overcome her abusive past and avoid becoming like her mother. She begins to understand herself and her mother when she is forced to confront the messes she makes resulting from her poor life decisions. Jane is not yet the person she wants to become—whole and healthy. I am rooting for her and look forward to the next book.”
—Annette Domgaard, retired insurance secretary

“I only had to read the first hundred pages before I knew I would enjoy this book as much as I enjoyed Blackbird. It’s hard to put the book down. Jane is not perfect. She makes mistakes. However hard she falls, she picks herself up and keeps going.”           
—Heather Bathen, district nutrition program manager