You Cannot Find Peace Until You Find All the Pieces
Marie Maiden, 2012
Lulu
64 pp.
ISBN-13: 9781105661266
Summary
You Cannot Find Peace Until You Find All The Pieces chronicles a search for my father, a man I desired to meet face-to-face. The searched lasted eighteen years. It led me to discover my ancestry, which provided the documentation that I needed to finally locate my father. I was able to find the plantation where my dead ancestors lived as slaves, brothers and a sister whom I didn't know existed before I found my living father.
This work also chronicles the role of God in my life and how my belief in Jesus Christ has transformed me and given me the strength to overcome a less than desirable childhood. The most consequential of these was a teenage pregnancy and my life as a teen mother. (From the publisher.)
Author Bio
• Birth—May 24, 1964
• Where—Washington, D.C., USA
• Education—B.A., University of Maryland
• Currently—lives in Upper Marlboro, Maryland
Marie Maiden is the author of You Cannot Find Peace Until You Find All The Pieces (2012). The reviews for this great new book appear on many websites and blog sites. She has taught English comprehension at Princes George’s Community College in Largo, Maryland, and currently works as an Accountant with the Federal Government.
Ms. Marie Maiden is the youngest of five children. She was born in Washington, D.C., on May 24, 1964, and her parents separated when she was very young. She was raised by her mother and grandmother. During her teenage years, certain decisions were made for her life that created problems she never imagined or intended. Her memoir You Cannot Find Peace Until You Find All The Pieces is the story of what Marie did to save her life from complete ruin. (From the author.)
Book Reviews
This is a very amazing book I have just read. I am able to see crystal clear as to how the author was transformed despite having so many unpleasant and undesirable memories. This inspirational personal real story, filled with invaluable lessons, experience and insights really move me from the beginning till the end. I was very fascinated with how the author was being transformed and given the strength to overcome all the obstacles to become a joyful, fulfilled and wise person. This uplifting story also has a strong grounding on faith in God. I must say that this book is a wonderful story about hope, love and forgiveness. Her writing talents together with her well crafted skills brilliantly and creatively combined, really kept me turning the pages. Her braveness in sharing her ugly and shameful story is worthy of praises. I am deeply delighted to see how she can move so freely to convey Life’s message in such a powerful and insightful manner. Her story is full of expressions and emotion throughout her life - a real great insight as what truly make her better, stronger and wiser. That really drives her to beat herself to achieve greatness. Amazingly well done, I must say. This is a quick and easy read for anyone who loves light reading. Fortunately, Marie Maiden is not like many of us who have our own gifts and experience but never use them to share with others. She believes in simplicity and was focus through her writing. If the reviews she’s received thus-far are any indication, the world needed it. She uses her talents to reach and teach others.I received a review copy of the book for the purpose of writing a fair and honest review and no other compensation.
You Cannot Find Peace Until You Find All the Pieces though is a book which provides us with more than one dimension. It can help us view things not only in the physical sense, but also its related God wisdom. And more importantly, how we can apply God's wisdom and live with it. It serves wide and diverse needs especially for those who want to be exposed and learn the highest, positive and broader perspective on life. Don’t take my word for it, check it out yourself. This book also makes you gain more exposure in Christian values. It may give you a valid solid, profound and sound understanding of life given by the mighty Loving God. What I enjoyed most about this book is its fascinating way of conveying Christian values. It reflects the beauty of spreading the amazing little seed in readers' hearts, which is often underestimated. That’s what makes this book truly worth reading. As you read through the book, you’ll be able to visualise the hardship the author had to go through. This book is not meant to persuade or dissuade you – it’s meant to inform, ingrain and teach the readers in gaining the appropriate perspectives in our daily life. This book is highly recommended for reading. It is also suitable as a Christmas' and festive gifts. I thought the Title of the book is long, yet Simple, Precise and sum up the whole story. You Cannot Find Peace Until You find All the Pieces is definitely a noble goal, because it spreads the value of Christianity and prospers them to see things from the positive, profound and appropriate perspective, from God’s perspective through our daily Life. I must say that the reward of its wisdom is far more than your time, energy and money spent. Marvelous! In short, you will be empowered by its wisdom. Through consistent and persistent application by living it in your life is the surest way to ensure that you shine through your life. This book is also ideal for anyone who feels you had been living life without much meaning and is looking for inspiration to go off on your own, and dislike heavy reading. Last, but not least, this book would make a lovely valuable and meaningful Christmas present. All I can say is thank you!
James Oh - MaverickThinkerblogspot.com
I enjoyed Marie’s book on several levels. First was the historical level of her ancestry. I find that to be important in everyone’s life. The history of slavery is an abhorrent part of her history and our US history. Second is the importance of a father to a child’s life. When a father leaves and has no further input to a child’s life, it brings up many emotional issues for a child. I thought it was great that the author saw that importance and pursued finding her father, though the outcome was different from she anticipated. The third being the most important issue–a changed life in the hands of Father God through Jesus Christ. The author’s memoir chronicles her life before and after Christ. The differences are astonishing. Fourthly, I enjoyed the fact that Marie is dedicated to the transformation of her mind–a daily practice till the day we die. In addition, she recognizes obedience as a necessary part to growing spiritually. And finally, how important choices are and how they affect our lives. Some of Marie’s early choices caused problems she was not ready to deal with, but was helped tremendously by her grandmother and mother. I would like to have learned how her child dealt with her decision as he became an adult. For an uplifting story of a lost little girl to a woman of faith, this is a book to encourage you if you struggle with the emptiness of a missing father and the need for a heavenly Father. This book was provided by Marie Maiden in exchange for my honest review. No monetary compensation was exchanged I enjoyed Marie’s book on several levels. First was the historical level of her ancestry. I find that to be important in everyone’s life. The history of slavery is an abhorrent part of her history and our US history. Second is the importance of a father to a child’s life. When a father leaves and has no further input to a child’s life, it brings up many emotional issues for a child. I thought it was great that the author saw that importance and pursued finding her father, though the outcome was different from she anticipated.The third being the most important issue–a changed life in the hands of Father God through Jesus Christ. The author’s memoir chronicles her life before and after Christ. The differences are astonishing. Fourthly, I enjoyed the fact that Marie is dedicated to the transformation of her mind–a daily practice till the day we die. In addition, she recognizes obedience as a necessary part to growing spiritually. And finally, how important choices are and how they affect our lives. Some of Marie’s early choices caused problems she was not ready to deal with, but was helped tremendously by her grandmother and mother. I would like to have learned how her child dealt with her decision as he became an adult.For an uplifting story of a lost little girl to a woman of faith, this is a book to encourage you if you struggle with the emptiness of a missing father and the need for a heavenly Father.This book was provided by Marie Maiden in exchange for my honest review. No monetary compensation was exchanged.
Linda (4 of 5 stars)
This is a look at the author's life as she is looking for her father. I had a lot of apathy for her, and the people who entered her life. She searches on and off for over 18 years. She hit a lot of dead ends, and some were right, but led the wrong way. I did love the fact that she found her way to Christ, and then she found some success in finding her Dad, and some of her other family. Some parts are so very sad, but she has a sense of humor, and I found myself chuckling at some of the things she said and did! This is a quick read and the book is not very long...51 pages. Enjoy traveling with Marie in her journey.
Maureen Timerman (3 of 5 stars)
Terrific story of the struggles of a woman destined to be a mom although faced with many obstacles along the way. The story is well written and characters are well developed. Makes you care about them from the start...even those who think they are doing the right things because they are for the "right" reasons. I know there are more great novels in her future...I'm definitely a fan.
MaryAnn Koopmann (5 of 5 stars)
What a wonderful book!! Left me with goose bumps at the end. A wonderful story, fast read, you will not regret. I read this entire book in one setting, it really kept my attention. I enjoyed hearing about the authors family history. And if you are interested in your families genealogy or you are searching for a family member you need to read this book.
Melanie Lewis (4 of 5 stars)
This book is really one that has it all – history, autobiography, tale of redemption, and more and all in a very short, quick but fascinating read. I read it all in about one hour and it’s one hour that was well spent, some of Marie’s story was just overwhelming sad while others parts were filled with joy, such as finding her life in the Lord. This book will make it’s reader run the gamut of feelings and emotions. Since it’s short, I can’t give a long review of it, just know that it’s definitely worth your time if you chose to read Marie’s story. This book is really one that has it all – history, autobiography, tale of redemption, and more and all in a very short, quick but fascinating read. I read it all in about one hour and it’s one hour that was well spent, some of Marie’s story was just overwhelming sad while others parts were filled with joy, such as finding her life in the Lord. This book will make it’s reader run the gamut of feelings and emotions. Since it’s short, I can’t give a long review of it, just know that it’s definitely worth your time if you chose to read Marie’s story.
Sarah (5 of 5 stars)
Discussion Questions
1. This book is called You Cannot Find Peace Until You Find All The Pieces. Why would Marie Maiden have chosen it for the title of her book?
2. Talk about many of the broken pieces of the author's life that she writes about in her book?
3. The focus of the Marie's book centers around her desire to meet her long lost father. Discuss what it was it like for her as a child without a father?
4. The author explains in her book that she searched for her father, a search that lasted eighteen years. Why didn’t she give up? What made her keep searching for so many years?
5. What methods did the author use to find her father?
6. During her 18 year long search for her father, Marie ended up locating the plantation where her ancestors lived as slaves. What was it like for her to find the plantation home of her ancestors? What would it feel like for you?
7. Chapter three of the book is called “No One to Watch Over Me.” Did you ever feel, like Marie, that you had no one to watch over you as a child growing up?
8. Marie writes in her book that she had a less than desirable childhood. How would you describe her childhood years?
9. The author also writes about her life as a teenaged mother. What were those years like for her?
10. Chapter four is called “Trying to Find My Way on My Own.” Was the author able to find what she was searching for?
11. Marie recounts in her book that, her child was born with some health problems. Was she ever told how her child's condition occured? Talk about those problems and the hardships they brought for all involved?
12. The author wrote about being a teenaged mother of a handicapped child and the issues faced raising her child. How difficult would it be to be a child yourself and, at the same time, raise a child with special needs?
13. The focus of Marie's book is her father and her desire to meet him, a man whom she'd never met. Why was she so intent on meeting him?
(Questions provided courtesy of the author.)