Author Heidi Love’s latest release, Laughing at the Sky, is featured as June’s book of the month by domestic-violence-support group Finding Our Voices.

On Tuesday, June 11, from 6 - 7:30 p.m., author Heidi Love will join the Finding Our Voices Bookclub, on Zoom, to tell her story of rising above childhood violent crime to realize bold dreams. Maine sailor and survivor Heidi Love tells an extraordinary story, with a tragic start and a powerful ending. By age 11 Heidi had survived a series of violent crimes and began running away. Hiding out in a library at age 15 she discovered an article on artist Paul Gauguin’s Polynesia and dreamed of finding an elusive waterfall pictured in the magazine. Her quest was to travel to the Bay of Virgins in French Polynesia, live hidden in the lush, fruit-filled jungle next to the falls, and overcome a youth scarred by violence. Her challenges to her dream were many: to start, it’s impossible to drive or fly to Fatu Hiva in French Polynesia. That, of course, was just part of her struggles of sailing nearly halfway around the world while trying to leave her past behind.

After a five-year 12,000 nautical-mile sail from Portland, Heidi Love has returned to Maine and penned two books. Love wrote the memoir Laughing at the Sky— Wild Adventure, Bold Dreams, and a
Daring Search For a Stolen Childhood. This true story chronicles her inspirational voyage of healing the emotional wounds of childhood trauma and following her dreams. Love’s personal experience with domestic violence, started with her grandfather. Her abuse along with the violence that her grandfather experienced from his father, illuminates how abuse can impact multiple generations. She is a firm believer that breaking the silence too can have a lasting impact.

“Singular acts of compassion and courage can have profound impacts across generations,” said Love, in her news release. “You never know whom you might inspire or where it might lead.”

Her first book, Knowing Acts, is a calming practice workbook for those suffering for overwhelming emotions. Knowing Acts is endorsed by Harvard trained psychiatrist and Safe Space radio host Anne Hallward, MD. Several hundred books have been distributed throughout the state to sexual assault and domestic violence survivors.

“This workbook is our go-to gift to women domestic abuse survivors,” said Patricia McLean, Founder and CEO of Finding Our Voices, who moderates the Bookclub. “Suffused with love and beauty, it is a balm for anyone overwhelmed by circumstance and trauma.” 

Finding Our Voices is a nonprofit group of Maine survivors breaking the silence on domestic abuse. This critically important organization provides sister support to mitigate the financial abuse, isolation, and stigma, that trap women and children with angry and controlling family members. Finding Our Voices Bookclub, is open to the public and meets six times a year to look at life through the lens of domestic abuse. Anyone who would like to participate is this presentation or learn more about Finding Our Voices on rising above trauma can sign up here.