Disturbing The Peace
A Novel
Sarah Bridges leads an enviable life in New York City. She loves her job teaching English to adult immigrants, hopes to publish a book about the immigrant experience, and has a comfortable relationship with her painter boyfriend. But while interviewing a charismatic Romanian immigrant, she reveals a secret she has hidden from friends and lovers her whole life: her parentage is shrouded in mystery, and she knows nothing about her biological mother.
Raised by her father and adoptive mother in a home where questions about her biological mother were taboo, Sarah has long avoided confronting the truth. Now, as her thirty-fifth birthday approaches, she decides to find and meet her mother. Her search turns into an emotional roller coaster, and her fantasies about her mother bear no resemblance to reality. But she learns that even when life doesn’t offer a Hollywood ending, discovering the truth about yourself can bring unexpected rewards.
Praise for "Disturbing the Peace"
“Heredity or environment–which makes us who we are? Newman's novel, a delicious foray into the frenzied world of a single woman searching for her identity, is chock-full of interesting characters and wicked insights.”
“Sarah doesn’t know her mother, and claws at the truth until it bites her back. Ms. Newman is a brave and vibrant writer…lending hope to those whose troublesome pasts are threatening to burn holes in their present progress.”
“A fresh perspective on the complexity of mother-daughter relationships. Follow the story of a woman as she unlocks the secrets of her past.”
“The author’s ability to capture the uncertainties, frustration, and reconciliation of a less-than-perfect family is right on target. The book grabbed my attention from the beginning and I read it straight through.”
“Newman brings humor and insight into some of the identity issues that are common for many people who are struggling to figure out seminal issues about who they are and where they came from.”
“Newman’s characters, sharp, witty and curious, remind us that the journey is worthy, no matter the outcome. A delicious read.”
“This witty compassionate and amazingly accurate novel is about the search for one’s self-identity–a quest that all of us, whether adopted or raised with our family of origin, must embrace on the path to adulthood. Ms. Newman’s insight into the complexity of adoptee identity issues is unusually candid and precise.”
“Sarah is such an engaging character–smart, sexy, quirky, dedicated to her immigrant students. The writing is crisp and witty–it moved me along.”
“The author writes convincingly of the emotional turmoil, hopes and fears of an individual searching for a missing piece of her past. The book will resonate with readers whose lives have been affected by adoption. For those who have not, it will be an education.”
“It’s difficult not to feel touched by Sarah’s brave search for the truth. This heartfelt novel is sure to interest readers.”
“Definitely one of the MUST READS for all triad members. Sarah’s plight is right on target. Perfect!”
“Newman weaves all of the problems and concerns that English teachers have in their professional lives together with an entertaining saga.”
“The author portrays the very real feelings and fears of individuals who search for answers about their own identity. She beautifully addresses adoptee and search issues, and, at the same time, provides an enjoyable work of fiction. Highly recommended reading for those touched by adoption, as well as those who are not.”
“Nancy Newman’s insights into the world of adoption, and her perceptions of the search experiences are so real.”
“Thought provoking. I enjoyed reading it.”
“Sarah Bridges is a woman of 35 who is unable to commit to anyone or understand herself fully until she searches for and finds her first mother…the book is easy to read and fun. For those who want a love story to read, this novel provides accurate understandings of adoption’s deleterious effects on those adopted and the mothers who lose their children to adoption.”
“In this thoroughly enjoyable book, a devoted teacher discovers an age-old conundrum: What to do when what we find is not what we expected. Newman’s characters, sharp, witty and curious, remind us the journey is worthy, no matter the outcome. A delicious read”
“Deftly told, heartfelt…A fresh perspective on the complexity of mother-daughter relationships. Follow the story of a woman approaching personal and professional meltdown as she unlocks the secrets of her past.”
“A sometimes serious, often humorous, light and entertaining read. Sarah Bridges is rapidly approaching her 35th Birthday and has become obsessed with finding her birth mother…certainly not your typical mother-daughter book.”
“As the compelling story unfolds, the reader is caught up in the suspense of Sarah’s odyssey. Will she find her birthmother? If so, what will happen when they meet? The author writes convincingly of the emotional turmoil, hopes and fears of an individual searching for that missing piece of her past. The book will resonate with readers whose lives have been affected by adoption. For those who have not, it will be an education.”
“I LOVED it! Read it in a single day! It captured so many feelings we have along the way; I resonated over and over with the heroine. Three cheers (and more!) from a new fan!”
“I love Disturbing The Peace. And the fact that it is a novel that just happens to include an adoption story makes me love it that much more. Nancy Newman’s insights into the world of adoption, and her perceptions of the search experiences are so real.”
“Nancy Newman has captured the essence of the adoptee’s inner world in this new novel. Disturbing the Peace is a compelling, true-to-life story of an adopted woman’s search for her past, the key to her future.”
“Disturbing the Peace weaves a wonderful tale. The author explores an adoptees’ journey with emotional honesty.”