Mama May I

Mama May I is the fifth book in author Charlotte Johnson's series of motivational texts. After twenty-two years of battling addiction and multiple incarcerations, the family appears to have reached a state of calm. This is merely the calm prior to the greatest storm this family has ever faced. Just as the family begins to deal with the effects of years of institutionalization and the residual effects of chronic drug use, a surprise visitor arrives in town throwing the family into chaos. After a family secret and conspiracy is revealed, the reader along with Ms. Johnson is forced to reevaluate everything they have previously known about the family. As the plot progresses, the layers of the conspiracy are subtly exposed revealing a depth of sin and deceit reminiscent of Nathaniel Hawthorne's The Scarlet Letter. Will the family be able to weather this storm?
This book reveals a level of honesty infrequently seen in authorized biographies and memoirs. Ms. Johnson is able to bring to life the effects of substance abuse on the user and the entire family system. She is able to acknowledge her co-dependent behavior and its effect on her children. Although hopeful that the family will be able to overcome its past now that Mr. Johnson in clean and sober, they soon realize that every action has a consequence. Can a man take fire into his bosom and not be burned?
Ms. Johnson explores how negative behavioral patterns can be learned and transmitted over multiple family generations and within a community. This is an excellent book for those living in or working with substance and alcohol abusing families, co-dependents, counselors, or those experiencing divorce, married or preparing for marriage, a member of an extended family, anyone recovering from betrayal, forced to reevaluate their life goals or in need of a great book.
The surprise ending will leave the reader questioning along with Ms. Johnson; "Can you ever really know someone?" One thing is very clear after reading this book. "All that glitters is not gold and every good-bye ain't gone." Once again, Ms. Johnson invites her readers to view her life as an open book and experience God's Grace and unmerited favor.