Customer Reviews

Mom's The Word (Cafe)

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Author Marilyn Griffith has penned a novel that captures whatt all mothers have felt at some point in their lives raising their children. If only the children did not say "Mom" for just a little while, mothers will not have to worry about who does not have something, need something, want something or all three. In addition to the children, motherhood is sometimes hard to balance with marriage and all the other things that come with running a household.

Karol and Rob Simons had to adjust to the fact that their next-door neighbors and best friends moved away, not to mention, the new couple who bought their home was destroying long held memories and fellowship built between the two families. Karol's safety net and support of her friends was gone, and doubt as to whether she could handle motherhood alone was put to the test. It seemed her three children were calling her more often, and the break she was used to receiving when the children would go next door was gone. How would she ever pull it together?

Once the new neighbors moved in, being neighborly would become another challenge for the Simon family, but God had a way of smoothing the waters, opening doors and making ways that neither family could have possibly imagined. They would soon come to learn that God had His hand in their lives and the lives of other family and friends all along, even through Karol's three-week hiatus from motherhood.

I really enjoyed the poetry throughout the book that allowed readers to feel what Karol was feeling as she grew and was strengthened through her trials and victories. I recommend this book to all others who have felt the need to take a break, if only for a little while, from the word "mom." At the end of the day, we learn to appreciate the blessings we have received (our children), and pray that we nurture the gifts that God has placed in each of them.


Review by Sharel E. Gordon-Love
APOOO BookClub

Karol Simmons, a stay at home mother, is at her wit's end! She has three rambunctious children who demand majority of her time, so finding moments of peace or precious time for herself to pursue her dreams are becoming a distant memory. When her next door neighbor and close friend Hope moves away, that adds to Karol's distress. It doesn't help matters any that the new neighbor is nothing like Hope.
Dyanne, Karol's new neighbor, is a career woman with a plan for her life and she intends to follow it to the letter, and no situation, person or circumstance will stop her. The friendship between Karol and Dyanne gets off to a rocky start. But thanks to Karol's children, eventually a stronger bond is formed; a bond that opens their eyes to the realization that they both must step out of the way and allow God's plans to unfold in their lives.
Even though Marilynn Griffith has several published novels under her literary belt, Mom's the Word was my first read by her. The story started slow for me, and I really didn't care for the poetry interspersed throughout. However, after the first few chapters, I became totally immersed in this novel. Griffith manages to capture the life and times of any mother who has felt unloved, unappreciated and just downright overwhelmed. She then takes those emotions and turns them into a testament of what can be achieved when God is allowed to show up and show out in our lives.

~~Renee Williams, a freelance reviewer at All the Buzz, is the CEO of Literary Signature Services, an event planning business specializing in literary gifts and events for authors, as well as the promotional assistant for TheGRITS.com

Mom's The Word


Mom's the Word takes us inside the life of Karol Simmons and her family. The characters are three dimensional, jumping off the page into your heart. This is the story of a mature love between a man and woman with some very interesting children. We see the impact of intense friendships and the necessity of moving on to the unknown. New neighbors create new challenges, but provide a chance to see God working in everyone to bring about His plan for their purpose. The book is hard to put down as Marilynn gives us a glimpse into the world of writing and publishing. The twists and turns she delivers keep this from being just another quick read. Marilynn forces us to take a look at ourselves while we meet some new folks from her amazing creative mind. Through poetry and a strong story we get a glimpse of Marilynn's heart, which is not unlike our own.

Karol Simon discovers she needs to find herself when her neighbor and best friend move hundreds of miles away. As the life she believes she is supposed to live unravels, she discovers her best intentions may not have worked because it isn't the life God wants for her. Her mother's surprise visit and a slip of the tongue by her husband send her into no-moms land.

Rob Simon and his best friend make a decision that changes the landscape and scope of their lives. He's watched the fabric of his relationship with his wife and her dependence on people change and not for the better. Meeting the new neighbors and taking on his wife's responsibilities, as she finds her new place in a world without their friends, may be the best or worst decision he ever made for their lives.

Dyanne Thornton has it all mapped out. Successful career...check. Wonderful husband...check. Next baby and motherhood...check? If only she could escape irresistibly adorable children from her odd new neighbors, she could keep her life on course.

MOM'S THE WORD is an excellent read that questions and confirms everything we think we know about motherhood. Instead of the run of the mill formula novel about how to be a cookie cutter Christian wife and mother, you read about flawed and redeemed people finding their way back to Christ, themselves and each other. A tear and knee jerker this page-turner will keep you engaged, engrossed and leave you introspective. Griffith pens a great story that deserves no less than five stars.

Reviewed by Shawneda Marks
For The RAWSISTAZ(tm) Reviewers

"People always try to make it seem like becoming a Christian is going to fix everything. In the spirit, it does. You are hooked up for eternity. In the real world, however, you're in a war, only no you're on the other side." (p. 233)

Karol Simon is at war within her own heart - struggling to find her true self and not become lost in the needs of three young children and a husband. Her closest friend and next door neighbor has moved away, and Karol must find her own way....somehow. Dyanne is moving in to the newly vacated house next door, and she brings with her a high-powered publicist's job and an even stronger desire to start her own family. Her battle is also one that rages within her heart, and she too must find out where her heart focus must be. Getting to that knowledge proves very difficult for both of these ladies.

In addition to the two leading ladies in this story, there are a host of other characters that play very powerful roles. Neal and Rob, Hope and Singh, Fallon and Faith...each of Marilyn Griffith's characters are strong and well-defined and play a vital role in the makeup of the story. And how can I describe this story? On the surface, it is about finding one's true identity in Christ amid the pressures and struggles of everyday life. But underneath there is so much more. There are glimpses of grace, forgiveness, human weakness, misplaced desires, fear of following our dreams - so many life truths and spiritual insights woven into a powerful and entertaining story! Marilyn Griffith's stories are so very rich, and I have never yet read one of her books that hasn't impacted my heart very profoundly!

Mom's The Word - you need to buy a copy for all the mom's in your life, all your friends who want to be a mom or can't be a mom or don't know if they even want to be a mom! There is something for everyone in this book, and I can't recommend it highly enough! Mom's The Word!!

Mom's the Word by Marilynn Griffith is fun mom-lit with a faithful twist. Karol Simon's life has shrunk from being a successful business woman with dreams of being a writer to being a frazzled wife and mother. When her best friend Hope moves from next door, and the new neighbor is a skinny, type-A career woman named Dyanne, Karol is angry at not only the loss of Hope, but at her husband's betrayal in sending her away. To make up for it, her hubby gives her 21 days of vacation from motherhood: no chores, worrying about the kids, and no one to call her Mom! Karol needs to decide if she has the courage to try to dream again. Griffith is a fantastic writer, and this book is evidence of her ability to juggle multiple plots with ease. Between Karol, Dyanne, and several intriguing subplots, the story flies! Karol is a mom so many can relate to: she loves her husband and kids, but she wants to be something more than just a mom and to use the gifts that God gave her. Learning to juggle motherhood with individuality is a struggle most moms face, and Griffith depicts Karol's yearning to be a writer with depth, heart, and humor.

The book "Mom's the Word" is one of the best pieces of literature I have read in a long time. It shows how important it is to have God first in your marriage and your family. The storyline was excellent and it kept me intrigued on every single page! The author Marilyn Griffith is an outstanding writer and reading this book has really inspired me to help improve my marriage and the important role that God plays in it.

"Mom's The Word" covers so many aspects of everyday life so it begs the question how does Ms Griffith do it? She helps us to see how God works in us especially when we say yes. Karol and Dyanne had a journey to travel but it was so worth it even with mangoes and ferris wheels are thrown in. Loads of laughter, tears, romance and "no,they didn't" flesh out all parties involved!!! I recommend it highly to vets of her books or newbies... My favorite character was Ryan. He qualifies as an Old Soul or a Guardian Angel who deals with adults quite well. Please continue Ms Marilynn and thanks again... God is blessing you!!!

The prevalent theme that runs through Mom's The Word is that "God knows." The characters are excellent, you can relate to most of them first hand, or you at least know people like them; the kids are especially likable, they start out appearing as brats, but there are times when it seems like they are the only ones who have a clue about what is going on.

There is much more that I can say, but I don't want to give away any of the details, let's just say there are enough twists in the story to keep the reader guessing, for that matter even the characters from the book are thrown for loops and left guessing as to what comes next.

Moms the word is a story about life's ups and downs, change, friendships, broken relationships, and trusting God to work things out in the midst of doubt and adversity; it is great to watch Him weave the lives of all of the characters together and bring blessings, healing, and growth to everyone in the book, because He does "know".

Don't let the cute little description on the back of the book fool you there is much more to it, read it for yourself.