Finding Common Ground

About the Book

Book: Finding Common Ground: One Octogenarian’s Quest to Help Our Nation Heal

Author: Robynne Elizabeth Miller & Marilyn Siden

Genre: Narrative Nonfiction/Memoir

Release date: April 2, 2021

Ebook version for CL Because she’d had enough. Enough anger. Enough hatred. Enough division.

Marilyn Siden has lived through much: the aftermath of World War II, Korea, and the horror of Vietnam. She’s navigated good political administrations and struggling ones, a thriving economy and want. Her eight decades of experience living in the US have shown her the best America has to offer and, unfortunately, the worst. But she never thought America would become a place of vitriol and despair.

So, she decided to do something about it.

Through a series of epic journeys across America, Marilyn discovered what she was after: practical advice on how to help our nation heal.

But she found something she wasn’t expecting . . . something far more powerful.

Marilyn found our common ground.

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About the Authors

Version 2 Robynne Elizabeth Miller is wife to an amazing Brit and mother to a glorious brood of adopted and biological kids. Her adventures have led her to over twenty-five countries, from Malta to Russia, and she’s lived about a quarter of her life in the English countryside. She currently makes her home in the beautiful Pacific Northwest, spending much of her time telling locals they don’t need to apologize for the rain.

With dozens of articles, essays, and blog posts to her credit, as well as eight books and collaborations on several more, she’s put her B.A. from Westmont College and her Master of Fine Arts in Creative Nonfiction & Fiction from Ashland University to good use She’s an experienced speaker, editor, and writing coach, and teaches regularly at conferences and writer’s workshops. She currently serves as President and Director of Leadership of Inspire Christian Writers and hosts The Art of Semi-Fiction podcast, where she explores every corner of the written word.

On quieter days, Robynne can be found meandering back roads with her family, cooking up some grand adventure with her friends, singing at the top of her lungs, or making bacon from scratch.

marilyn-home-page2 Marilyn Siden is blessed with a wonderful family—four grown children, twelve beautiful, talented, Godly grandchildren, and an amazing husband.

More from Robynne and Marilyn

Hello Dear Readers!

Feeling a little discouraged about the state of our nation today? Convinced you have no hope of being part of the solution?

Good news!

Not only are you ABLE to be a part of helping to heal our nation, but you are both called AND equipped to do so, right where you are. No matter your skillset or resources, you can start being a light for Jesus right now. And that light, however small you perceive it to be, WILL shine in these dark times.

Taking this journey at nearly 80 and crossing the country in search of practical solutions to start reversing the hatred and hurt blanketing our nation was challenging.

But it was worth it, too.

Not only is the book filled with stories of hope and encouragement, it’s filled with practical steps we can all take to start healing hurts, restoring our communities, building a safer future for our children, and bringing light back to our nation.

Are you ready?

We are standing on common ground!

My REVIEW

This has been a very inspiring story to read. I’m in awe of this eighty year old woman who decided to do something about the discord in our land instead of complaining about it. I felt like her passenger as she loaded up her car and set out to ask people one very important question. As her journey began, I sat back and prepared myself to pick up nuggets of wisdom from a road trip that opened communication and compassion.

Each chapter introduces us to new places and people from all walks of life. They all had different idea of how to close the gap on discord but one theme seemed to stand out. We need to do it together unified if we want to accomplish our goal. Listening to all the different suggestions gave me hope and saw that there are people who do care, who still watch out for others and do believe that God is in control.

I loved how people talked about forgiving and not judging others. One person said we need to stop thinking of ourselves and start asking what we can do to make this world better. If you are looking for encouragement this book is full of everyday people with wisdom and understanding. I wonder when the last time was that we took time to help someone in need? Can we come together without wanting to be always be the one who is right? What example are we showing our children when they see riots, violence, shouting and danger in their neighborhood? “It boils down to human decency. Respecting others. Standing up for the underdog. Helping our neighbors.”

The more I read the more I wanted to be part of the change. The stories from across the land was overwhelming. There are people out there who do care and want to see our country healed. One thing that really stuck with me was to just start a conversation. Ask friends what we can do to come together and stop the division that has crippled our nation. Let’s be the person who finds solutions for the common good.

I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.