The Real Mother

By Judith Michael

    Sara Elliott is a twenty-seven and single. Although she has never married and has no children of her own, Sara is responsible for her three half-siblings, fifteen-year-old Abby, thirteen-year-old Carrie, and ten-year-old, Doug. Sara and the children have the same mother, Tess, who is in a nursing home after suffering a stroke that left her incapacitated. Sara's father died when she was three years old and the children's father abandoned Tess and them years ago. When Tess had her stroke, Sara left medical school in order to return home and care for the children. At the beginning of The Real Mother, Sara is at "home" in Chicago where she is solely responsible for the children's care and support. Sara works full-time for the city of Chicago where she assists newcomers who have moved to Chicago and need assistance with finding a home and settling into the city.

    Sara does not love her job but it supports her family and she knows that she cannot go back to medical school in the near future. Sara has a fourth half-sibling named Mack, who is the oldest of the four children. Mack left home when he was seventeen and no one has heard from him until he unexpectedly arrives "home" one evening while Sara and the children are having dinner. While the children are elated to have Mack back in the lives, Sara has mixed feelings about Mack's appearance. Mack had previously agreed to help Sara with the kids, in order for Sara to be able to attend medical school. Sara's dreams were dashed when Mack disappeared and he is full of tall tales and adventures upon his return. However, it is clear that the children are elated to see him and Sara cannot squelch their aching desire for a normal, cohesive family. As such, Mack moves in and makes himself at home.

    Meanwhile, Sara meets a man named Reuben, a newcomer and a real estate developer. Reuben and Sara begin dating and they take things slowly as each have their own reasons to be cautious about entering into a relationship. Therefore, Sara has two men in her life now - Mack and Reuben. Each man has a past laden with mysteries although Reuben seems like a good, solid man while Mack seems odd if not scary, at times.

    As Sara and the children adapt to both of these men in their lives, Sara knows that she has a responsibility to herself and the children to shape her life and their lives. Such a discovery leads Sara to learn the true meaning of family and the depth of love that one will go to in order to cherish and protect loved ones. The Real Mother has a wonderful blend of emotion and suspense that is complete with plot twists, love, hate, betrayal and intrigue. I recommend The Real Mother to fans of contemporary fiction and women's fiction.