Unbreakable Determination by Maria Florkiewicz
It’s hard to find a work as emotionally gripping and inspiring as that of Maria Florkiewicz’s debut novel, Unbreakable Determination (Barnes & Noble Press), which recounts the story of an abused child outrunning the demons that torment her in order to find a brighter future.
Twelve-year-old Violet’s life is a nightmare. Between the abuse of her father and younger brother, and the neglect of her battered mother, Vi doesn’t think it could get much worse. But then she’s forced to move to NYC, away from the only people who ever actually loved her.
In New York, her home life only gets worse — now she must not only outrun the violent hands of her father, but also the creepy hands of her step-grandfather. But Vi remains resilient and optimistic. Through letters, she keeps in touch with her uncle — who serves as more of an older brother in Vi’s life — and sends him extensive journal entries that help Vi sort through her tumultuous emotions.
Meanwhile, her school life has become a whole new hellscape, where she faces cruel and malicious bullies intent on leaving her a broken bag of bruised-up bones. But there she finds an ally in Mrs. Burch, the school counselor who’s far more than what she appears.
Through all her hardships, Vi remains hopeful for a better future. She finds endless comfort in her new canine companion, Handsome, as well as an unlikely group of strangers who become her chosen family.
RAW AND HEARTBREAKING
Just before the big move, Vi had discovered a new joy in life: running. In New York, she soon joins a group of runners led by Vince, the friendly ex-cop who saved her from a nasty run-in with the school bullies. What Vi doesn’t know is Vince isn’t actually retired — he’s investigating her father.
A bit of an amateur sleuth herself, Vi starts to slowly piece together the pieces of her family history; her mysterious grandfather’s criminal enterprise, and her father and estranged uncle’s battle for position as mob boss. And underneath it all, a malicious sex trafficking ring responsible for the disappearance of girls from Vi’s middle school.
At the brink of disappearing herself, Vi must find the courage to run away from home and embark on a new — and scary — path toward a brighter future.
THOUGHT-PROVOKING, INSPIRATIONAL
Unbreakable Determination is a raw and heartbreaking portrayal of the realities of child abuse. Yet through Vi’s relentless conviction, Florkiewicz ultimately paints a picture of hope that readers will find inspiring.
Vi’s character is dynamic and multi-faceted — smart and intuitive, kind and lovable. She has an unbreakable spirit that will touch readers’ hearts, showcasing the resiliency and courage it takes to survive and escape an abusive family.
Florkiewicz paints a poignant portrait of Vi’s inner mind — perhaps drawing from her own personal experiences? The book’s subtitle, “Based on Real Life Events,” the author’s bio, and the details with which she portrays Vi’s life lead one to believe that there is more than a little truth behind this fiction.
Her story outlines in vivid detail how abusive and neglectful homes can harm a child not only physically but psychologically as well. Vi is filled with feelings of worthlessness and self-doubt, a cycle which keeps her from fleeing her abusers for a long time. It’s ultimately through the help and love of others that Vi finally comes to see her own worth and realizes she deserves a better life.
Unbreakable Determination is a thought-provoking, inspirational voyage brimming with gut-wrenching emotions. Readers will surely fall in love with the protagonist and find themselves rooting for her happy ending.
About Maria Florkiewicz:
Maria Florkiewicz was born in a small town in PA. At a young age she was whisked off to NYC where she not only had difficulty with the transformation from going to a catholic school to an inner city school, but also had to emotionally deal with an extremely dysfunctional family. She’s a life-long educator who taught a broad spectrum from kindergarten to a variety of colleges and universities in the states. She taught for the Department of Defense overseas, counseled young soldiers, and assisted in their development of basic skills. Through her own life experiences and struggles, she was able to help kids cope with their own struggles and difficulties in life. Today, she loves spending time with her husband and horses. Maria has a Master’s Degree from Boston University in Human Services and counseling. Unbreakable Determination is Maria’s first book.
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