Book Review of Safe From the Past by Patricia Miller Mauro

Safe from the Past Written by Patricia Miller Mauro
Published by The P3 Press.
Reviewed by Patricia Walker
ISBN 978-1933651842

This is the author’s own story of growing up under difficult and stressful circumstances that never seem to end. Yet she finds her strength in faith and determination to overcome many difficult circumstances despite roadblocks. Through her faith in God and with the help of friends she is able to change her life.
This story is a good example of what people can accomplish even under the most difficult of circumstances. After her parents’ divorce her mother struggled with providing even the basic needs for the author and her sister. The girls were often left alone in a home without heat or lights. Her mother tells them that their father no longer cares about them. Daily life was a battle for all of them.

After her mother remarries, life seems easier at first, but soon becomes even worse for the girls than before. Both adults start drinking heavily and become physically and mentally abusive to each other and the girls. Throughout this time, Patricia’s mother kept telling her to go to school so that she could have a better life. Finally Patricia is sent off to find her own way through school…with only enough money to pay for the first term and with the hurtful warning from her stepfather to not come back home. She is in a strange place and on her own.

This is an easy book to read and I enjoyed it. There were some repetitive phrases such as, “…huddling around a space heater for warmth in the winter with blankets that hung at every doorframe to trap the lukewarm air that it provided.” But for the most part it was a good story. Patricia’s life could have led her to repeat what she knew, but is a good example to others that you can change direction if you have faith and determination.

(This book was provided to me by Litfuse publicity in exchange for an honest review)