Enjoy fast, free delivery, exclusive deals, and award-winning movies & TV shows with Prime
Try Prime and start saving today with fast, free delivery

Paperback
$13.99

$13.99

Get Fast, Free Shipping with Amazon Prime FREE Returns

FREE delivery Saturday, May 11 on orders shipped by Amazon over $35

Or fastest delivery Thursday, May 9. Order within 16 hrs 8 mins

Select delivery location

In Stock

$$13.99 () Includes selected options. Includes initial monthly payment and selected options. Details

Ships from

Amazon.com

Ships from

Amazon.com

Sold by

Amazon.com

Sold by

Amazon.com

Returns

Eligible for Return, Refund or Replacement within 30 days of receipt

Returns

Eligible for Return, Refund or Replacement within 30 days of receipt

This item can be returned in its original condition for a full refund or replacement within 30 days of receipt.

Read full return policy

Payment

Secure transaction

Payment

Secure transaction

We work hard to protect your security and privacy. Our payment security system encrypts your information during transmission. We don’t share your credit card details with third-party sellers, and we don’t sell your information to others. Learn more

Details

Add a gift receipt for easy returns

Other sellers on Amazon

New (2) from $13.99 FREE Shipping on orders over $35.00 shipped by Amazon.

Follow the author

NONNIE JULES

Follow

Daydream's Daughter, Nightmare's Friend: One Woman's Journey Through Two Hells Paperback – December 8, 2013

by Nonnie Jules (Author)

4.4 100 ratings

See all formats and editions

{"desktop_buybox_group_1":[{"displayPrice":"$13.99","priceAmount":13.99,"currencySymbol":"$","integerValue":"13","decimalSeparator":".","fractionalValue":"99","symbolPosition":"left","hasSpace":false,"showFractionalPartIfEmpty":true,"offerListingId":"DnrVBtYgvz8zwsYYMIOROQJaM5V7JpxJ%2FYa1UlQx1UZYoIsWAb%2FTo8gqFegpFdYfPE9ZBHDn%2B5BVKSr5PYSL%2BJA7hEI%2Bfd5VtIFZeyOKdTwKfM99TRrDXPWl9WhZo9efdhXtT3SE71sCR1hDDU2www%3D%3D","locale":"en-US","buyingOptionType":"NEW","aapiBuyingOptionIndex":0}]}

Purchase options and add-ons

*THIS BOOK IS FOR AUDIENCES 18 YEARS AND OLDER. NOT SUITABLE FOR CHILDREN* "She was one horrible mess. Always looking over her shoulder and avoiding becoming too friendly with the neighbors. That anxiety stemmed from a horrible place. Always fearing that someone would recognize her face, she kept to herself and didn't go out much. When she did, no matter the season, she wore some kind of hat or covering on her head, enough to shield her face. Walter never understood why she was such a loner, avoiding people at all cost and just being very anti-social outside of the house. Houston was originally her home, not his, yet she didn't even want her own family and friends to know that she had returned. The only person she found herself being able to really open up with was Walter. And although she tried to make him feel otherwise, he knew that there was still a huge wall up that even he would never be able to see over or climb." Marisa had a secret and if it was ever revealed, it could cost her her life and her freedom.

Print length

370 pages
Language

English
Publication date

December 8, 2013
Dimensions

5.24 x 0.83 x 7.99 inches
ISBN-10

1491254440
ISBN-13

978-1491254448
See all details

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Nonnie Jules resides in Louisiana with her husband, daughters and a band of four-legged family members. She loves to write from many different genres including how-to guides, parenting guides, fiction and non, and her first love of Poetry.

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform (December 8, 2013)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 370 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1491254440
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1491254448
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 14.9 ounces
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.24 x 0.83 x 7.99 inches

Customer Reviews:
4.4 100 ratings

Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.

Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

Videos

Help others learn more about this product by uploading a video!

Upload your video

About the author

Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.

NONNIE JULES

Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.

Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

When Nonnie Jules was 3 yrs old her family relocated to Shreveport, LA where "red dirt roads and pick up trucks go hand in hand," she says. She still lives in Shreveport today with her husband, two daughters and their many animals. She loves to write from all genres: poetry, short stories, fiction and non, as well as How-To guides. Her first book "THE GOOD MOMMIES' GUIDE TO RAISING (ALMOST) PERFECT DAUGHTERS," made her an author, but her subsequent books solidified that she deserved the title.

Nonnie invites you to follow her blog, NonnieWrites.wordpress.com, where she writes about all things writing, as well as all things "life." Nonnie's blog was voted 2021 BLOG OF THE YEAR by the RAVE REVIEWS BOOK CLUB. You may also follow her on Twitter @NonnieJules or to get all of her social media contacts, etc., pls visit her at BooksByNonnie.wordpress.com. She responds to all email from her readers.

Nonnie promises to keep writing as long as her readers continue reading and enjoying her work!

Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5

100 global ratings

How customer reviews and ratings work

Sort reviews by

Top reviews from the United States

There was a problem filtering reviews right now. Please try again later.

Jo Robinson

Raw, Real, Gripping to the End.

Reviewed in the United States on January 25, 2014

Verified Purchase

There’s a paragraph written by Nonnie Jules in the front of this book, before the first chapter, before the title page, that made me think that it should be printed out, and handed to every parent on the day that they first hold their child. Maiya’s story drew me in immediately. At so many points I personally wanted to hurt those who hurt her so badly. Her mother most of all. I don’t want to include any spoilers, because at no point in Maiya’s journey do you know what will happen next. This book is written in a compellingly visual style that made me feel as if I was right there all the time, and the characters are all so real that I really hated some, and built up a great affection for many others.
This book shows what it’s like to start off your life with everything stacked against you. The story of a child unloved, and put in the way of the worst kind of harm by those who should be keeping harm away. It also shows that the law isn’t always just, and that love and protection can come from those who society have thrown away. I loved that Maiya never gave up no matter how terrifying or painful her life got, and that she remained “real” and relatable, right the way through to the nail-biting, beautiful finish. Now I find myself wanting to know if Marisa will stay, or Maiya return instead, and what will happen next.
I’m sure it’s not normal to add a book’s acknowledgements in a review, but I must add that the time this author took to thank so many people, and the warmth and affection that flow from her words are something I’ve never seen before. Her thanking of the real “Dea” really brought a smile. This book had me on the edge of my seat all the way, and I thoroughly recommend it

6 people found this helpful

Helpful

wise owl

Comtemporary Realism

Reviewed in the United States on January 26, 2014

Verified Purchase

I found the abuse in this story quite believable, accurate and heartbreaking. This book is a peek into a world that unfortunately many children grow up in today. It is not common that a mother would have no love or affection for one of her offspring, but in cases involving substance abuse it is possible.
The title character is Maiya who is sexually abused repeatedly and because of her fear never reports her abuse. She has a support system in place but never uses it until she needs money. She turns to her godmother who helps her very lovingly and trustfully but even when asked, Maiya still does not reveal the truth.
Unfortunately for Maiya, keeping quiet is the worst thing she can do. It is also not plausible because it is clear her mother does not love her and she does not love her mother, so she has nothing to lose by revealing her abuser. She has two separate refuges available to her and fails to make the move that would allow her to go to either one of them.
Finally the truth comes out and it is the best thing to ever happen. Maiya is a good girl so we expect her to pull herself together and make the most of her new, happy and loving home. Instead, Maiya then makes decisions and irrevocable mistakes that systematically destroy the only people in the world who truly love her.
This book is so true to life it and so familiar to me that I am never surprised by Maiya’s poor choices. Maiya knows how to “act” nice but continues to disappoint with her lack of character. It is heartbreakingly disappointing because of her seemingly high potential in the beginning.
Maiya is one very fortunate young lady, she gets more breaks than one could ever expect in real life. She is so damaged by the abuse she suffered that she is never truly grateful to those who really cared for her. She abuses her caregivers by not doing what she should, abusing drugs, lying and more.
This is a realistic story of contemporary family dynamics and issues. Nonnie Jules takes the very real problem of child sexual abuse and shows how even those who have strong support systems in place need more than love, shelter and material needs to recover. The author grasps and relays the psychological hopelessness that comes with physical recovery. Though she is able to feel guilt, Maiya never gets that psychological recovery and has clear symptoms of post-traumatic stress. The ending of the story is ambiguous which is an artful move by the author. As much as we want a happy ending, there is no way to make it so without losing credibility.

One person found this helpful

Helpful

Carol Marrs Phipps

No Your Average Coming of Age Story

Reviewed in the United States on October 30, 2014

Verified Purchase

Daydreams's Daughter, Nightmare's Friend, by Nonnie Jules, is definitely not your average coming of age tale. Most teenage girls have not murdered their stepfather in cold blood, been tried as an adult and sent off to prison by the time they are seventeen years of age. But, most teenage girls are not Maiya James, a girl who has been physically abused all of her life by an alcoholic mother and sexually abused for years by her stepfather.

Ms Jules' book is extremely well-written and realistic. Right from page one the reader is drawn into the story and held captive to the very end. This is not a tale written for mere casual enjoyment, the subject matter is dead serious. Once you begin reading there is no going back, you simply must know what will happen next and how the story ends. Personally, if I'd had the time, I would have read it entirely in one sitting. This book that is that hard to put down.

Daydream's Daughter, Nightmare's Friend has completely believable characters, and is so realistic that it is easy to forget that it is a work of fiction. I highly recommend this excellent piece of literary writing!

Carol Marrs Phipps, Author of Elf Killers and The Heart of the Staff Series

2 people found this helpful

Helpful

Top reviews from other countries

Stephen W. Douglass

A MUST READ

Reviewed in Canada on November 30, 2014

Verified Purchase

A terrific story, one that should be read by anyone even remotely concerned with sexual abuse. The story chronicles the struggles and ultimate triumph of Maiya, a female teenager living with siblings, a drunken hateful and negligent mother, and a sexually abusive step-father. I congratulate the author for her narrative, and having the courage to declare that this gripping story is based upon personal experiences.

Linda

Brilliant Fantastic

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 23, 2013

Verified Purchase

I was waiting for another Author's book, when I came across this book, so while waiting I decided to buy and read while waiting, I had received the book I was wating for and was going to put this book aside to read the other book, but I couldn't put it down, this book was so brilliant written i had to carry on readimg and the story about Marisa ( Maiya) I got so deep into the story I could almost see it all happening, it was so heartbreaking and made me cry,this story was so detailed l at one time nearly believed it was a true story,but ofcause l know it wasn't. I also didn't know that Marisa was black till her husband took her to see his mother, Walter hadn't told his mother.(and l hadn't seen the cover of this book which l glanced at later) it made me cry the abuse she took from Duran Lee her nasty stepfather and the denial from her mother.And the love she had from her grandparents on her mother's side and the love she has for them, helped her in her life.And when she went to prison she made a good friend in Sadie who tried to look after and cover her back, she did it because Maiya reminded of her own grandaughter who she has lost to drugs. Well l am not going to give any more away you must buy its worth every penny. Well done Nonnie keepit up. R M Steiger

One person found this helpful

Leisl Kaberry

An Emotional Journey

Reviewed in Canada on February 9, 2014

Verified Purchase

Daydreams Daughter/Nightmares Friend had me intrigued from the get go. Not knowing quite what to expect from this writer I was pleasantly surprised as young Maiya’s story unfolded and I became more and more involved in the life of this poor young girl.
Beginning with her committing what seems like cold blooded murder, the reader is taken into Maiya’s world where revelations of the hell she had been through play out in intimate detail.
I found myself involved in this young girls life, on her side and wanting something good to come from all the bad she had experienced, it really was an emotional journey to watch her go through all her suffering.
As author Nonnie Jules first fiction novel, it is written in such a way that is shocking yet believable. With short chapters it is easy to cover many without noticing. This book will have you hooked from beginning to end as she takes you on a rollercoaster ride of events. I thoroughly enjoyed the read and look forward to seeing more from this up and coming author.

Jan Hawke

Worthy nightmare

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 6, 2014

Verified Purchase

When you're reviewing an independently published book that has attracted this many good reviews (on Amazon.com) it's inevitable that you have to have a look at some of them. And I did. I also looked at the 'worst' one since it's also billed as the most helpful critical review - and that's exactly what it is, despite some of the testy comments it's attracted. Said review has been downgraded from 3 stars to 1 now, which is probably too harsh an overall assessment given the difficulty of the subject matter, but the comments stand as objective and just.

Although I'm going with the middle route and giving this a 4 star rating, the reasons why I'm not giving Daydream's Daughter 5 stars are much the same as Ms. Foley's. For this I've taken into account the difficulty of the subject in itself, because writing about this level of physical and emotional abuse and its effects is very hard to handle, even if you're writing from experience or a position of knowledge on the subject matter.

The 'shock' value of the content means that readers will inevitably have strong reactions towards the central character and the antagonists alike, so comments like 'gripping', 'compelling' and 'heart-breaking' are not surprising even when the characterisation is patchy or skims the surface of the scene without providing much depth to the underlying motivation, or adding to the context of humiliation or pain. There's only so many ways to say 'Maiya was raped' in physical terms without going into overly graphic detail. What you can do and which, in most instances did not happen throughout the story, is to describe reactions, sensations and repercussions in a personal, invested way. So yes, I also thought that most of the characters, even Daydream, despite her foul temper and mouth, were mostly two dimensional. This nearly happened with Maiya/Marisa too: the constant litany of how sad and down-trodden she is at times blurred focus and lost resonance with this reader, but there are moments when we see the awful price she's paid in her high school rebellion, teenage promiscuity, in the harrowing prison assault and when she almost casually jeopardises her 'perfect' capsule family with a seemingly idle sexual encounter. These are all very real and heart-rending consequences of years of systematic abuse that result in self-destructive and degrading behaviour, but the full emotional tone of those notable instances and indeed all the substantive background never really hit home too much.

If the book was a TV programme it would be at best a docu-drama, as the writing never seems to explore the range of thought and feelings that could be evoked for all the characters, good or bad beyond the obvious ones of anger, revulsion, sorrow and fear. It's like reading a news report at times, with all the facts laid out but none of the real 'heart' or heat apparent. This is a terribly important subject to be presented as fiction and so in some respects, although Ms. Jules has given a full and authentic exposition of real-life domestic horror, there's too much hand wringing and sobbing and not enough fury or blind fear and pain to portray the warped passion and travesty that victim, perpetrator and their loved ones go through when these crimes are laid bare for all to see. It's too much theory and not enough screaming, or glimpses of the demons for Maiya, or Lee, or Daydream. In fact that's what the narrative felt like mostly - a rather disturbing daydream, rather than a full on sweaty sheets, gibbering nightmare.

I did like the book - honestly, and I applaud its undertaking because I have had experience of the aftermath of real life cases in my work in the courts as a para-legal, so I know that these things can and do happen this way. I just wish I hadn't felt the characters were so remote and muted most of the time, when the context could have been orchestrated so much more viscerally so we could immerse more fully in a nightmare that nobody should be ignorant of.

Lorraine Pestell

A harrowing true-life story told with compassion and a smile

Reviewed in Australia on January 27, 2014

Verified Purchase

This is one of those stories that demands to be told, in the hope that one day we don't need to tell them. Nonnie Jules writes in a conversational style, as if she is opening her soul to a friend she hasn't seen for thirty years! Her ability to see the funny side of life is amazing, given how horrific such a childhood would be and the lengths abuse sufferers need to go to in order to rid themselves of the shackles that are forced on them through no fault of their own.

Her descriptions of Maiya's attackers and the few family members she can trust with her secret are painted with a palette of bright and dark, reminding us that the symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder never go away, no matter how 'normal' our daily lives might look from the outside.

See more reviews

Return this item for free

Image Unavailable

Follow the author