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Maternal Failure
My mother made choices which would become the secrets she carried to her grave. I had been born illegitimately, put up for adoption, but at nine months old I was taken out of the process when my mother married the man who eventually adopted me. Despite her taking me back, she was never able to bond with me. It wasn’t until I had children of my own that I became brave enough to research the many questions I had about my bio-father, and trying to understand my mother’s inability to love me. After her death I pursued uncovering all her secrets. This memoir follows the many dead-ends, shocking revelations, and extraordinary twists and turns I faced in my research. It was finally DNA which uncovered the biggest secrets my mother kept hidden. This book offers hope to others who seek answers about their adoption, finding bio-parents and bio-families, and using DNA testing to help solve the mystery of their beginnings. My life is now incredibly rich with the answers I have found and embraced. My search for answers helped me overcome my own feelings of frustration with my mother and her inability to love me. I now believe she did love me, but her many secrets locked her ability to build a relationship with a daughter who only wanted her love.
380 pages, Paperback
Published October 6, 2018
329 people are currently reading
42 people want to read
About the author
Barb Baltrinic
3 books14 followersI was born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio. I graduated from Cleveland South High School. I then completed my BA and M.Ed. at Kent State University. I am a National Board Certified Teacher. I taught in the Akron Public Schools for 35 years; teaching Public Speaking and English. I worked full time at The University of Akron as a liaison for the College of Education. Presently I work as an educational consultant and coach for High Schools That Work.
I am married to Michael Baltrinic, a retired science teacher. I have two grown sons: Mike, an enviornmental scienctist; Mark, who is in customer service, but aspires to be a writer. My interests are writing (obviously!) geneology, decorating, and learning!
"A Founder for All" is my first novel! We were told we were direct descendants of Abraham Clark, although I have yet to find the missing paperwork or DNA evidence. While researching Abraham's life, I became passionate about his story and it inspired me to write! 452 pages later, the novel is done. My reading pleasure is historical fiction, so this is the genre I chose to write.
My second novel is "A Patriot's Price," which is about Abraham Clark's son who was held prisoner on the hell ship H.M.S. Jersey during the Revolutionary War. It deals with the historic events of the war, and the use of prison ships during the war, and the aftermath of such barbaric treatment of the prisoners.
My third book is far more personal. It is the story of my relationship with my mother who had three illegitimate children. I was one of the three, and all were given up for adoption, but I was taken back into her home at nine months old. She was unable to bond with me, and the dysfunction of my childhood is documented. After her death I sought to uncover her many secrets. My story is amazing, yet sad, however I am happy to report that my life has become so much richer as I have uncovered many of my mother's secrets. "Maternal Failure" is my story.
I invite anyone who reads my books to leave a review on Amazon.com.
I am married to Michael Baltrinic, a retired science teacher. I have two grown sons: Mike, an enviornmental scienctist; Mark, who is in customer service, but aspires to be a writer. My interests are writing (obviously!) geneology, decorating, and learning!
"A Founder for All" is my first novel! We were told we were direct descendants of Abraham Clark, although I have yet to find the missing paperwork or DNA evidence. While researching Abraham's life, I became passionate about his story and it inspired me to write! 452 pages later, the novel is done. My reading pleasure is historical fiction, so this is the genre I chose to write.
My second novel is "A Patriot's Price," which is about Abraham Clark's son who was held prisoner on the hell ship H.M.S. Jersey during the Revolutionary War. It deals with the historic events of the war, and the use of prison ships during the war, and the aftermath of such barbaric treatment of the prisoners.
My third book is far more personal. It is the story of my relationship with my mother who had three illegitimate children. I was one of the three, and all were given up for adoption, but I was taken back into her home at nine months old. She was unable to bond with me, and the dysfunction of my childhood is documented. After her death I sought to uncover her many secrets. My story is amazing, yet sad, however I am happy to report that my life has become so much richer as I have uncovered many of my mother's secrets. "Maternal Failure" is my story.
I invite anyone who reads my books to leave a review on Amazon.com.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
July 24, 2019
Barb Baltrinic's story is both heartbreaking and uplifting. Her incredible amount of research makes her memoir intriguing. Her writing style is engaging, and her story is emotional.
January 13, 2022
Wow!
This book brought me back to a place I have long ago erased from my past.
I have a similar story even though I was raised by my biological parents. Well written.
This book brought me back to a place I have long ago erased from my past.
I have a similar story even though I was raised by my biological parents. Well written.
April 7, 2025
Barbara's family story is filled with secrets, lies, and disconnection. She is a thoughtful, detailed writer and researcher, and her book is of value for those trying to make sense of their own family secrets, particularly if adoption is a part of the mix. However, this book would have benefitted from a developmental edit - there is much redundancy (at one point, she even notes as much, suggesting that it is necessary to tell her story accurately) and a level of detail that ends up bogging down the book's flow. That said, I hope the process of writing and self-publishing her story has been healing to her, and may encourage a few of her readers trying to unlock the secrets of their own past.
October 23, 2021
An adoption story
If you like to read adoption stories you may very well get into this book. While the section about mother Dorothy's life was interesting I ended up getting kind of bored with the rest of it. I am glad the author was able to uncover truths and meet her family but I just didn't get into this book.
If you like to read adoption stories you may very well get into this book. While the section about mother Dorothy's life was interesting I ended up getting kind of bored with the rest of it. I am glad the author was able to uncover truths and meet her family but I just didn't get into this book.
February 9, 2022
Excellent read!
The truth of Barbara's heritage is written in this sad, triumphant book. I'm so glad you have come to terms with the relationship with your mother. Yet I did feel empathy for Dorothy as well. She always looked for her own love and acceptance, yet had no idea how to live in return.
The truth of Barbara's heritage is written in this sad, triumphant book. I'm so glad you have come to terms with the relationship with your mother. Yet I did feel empathy for Dorothy as well. She always looked for her own love and acceptance, yet had no idea how to live in return.
March 10, 2022
Very Inspiring Story
I have fell in love with this writer!! Her story is very special, very inspiring! My own story is very different but yet very much the same. I can feel the pain and understand what she has been through. The way she has succeeded is very inspiring and gives courage and hope!! Thank you so much for sharing your story.
I have fell in love with this writer!! Her story is very special, very inspiring! My own story is very different but yet very much the same. I can feel the pain and understand what she has been through. The way she has succeeded is very inspiring and gives courage and hope!! Thank you so much for sharing your story.
February 24, 2022
Admirable
Author is perceptive from a young age in the skills necessary to survive the difficulties of growing up in a dysfunctional environment. Kudos to her. Her 2000 papers were especially enlightening.
Author is perceptive from a young age in the skills necessary to survive the difficulties of growing up in a dysfunctional environment. Kudos to her. Her 2000 papers were especially enlightening.
February 18, 2024
excellent book well researched with great insitr
This book was well researched and written in a most humane light given the circumstance the writer endured as a child . She’s light on the psychology of people damaged by certain old style traditions and norms of those days
This book was well researched and written in a most humane light given the circumstance the writer endured as a child . She’s light on the psychology of people damaged by certain old style traditions and norms of those days
May 28, 2022
repetitive
This book is a good read but extremely repetitive to the point of becoming annoying.
Happy for Barb to finally find closure.
This book is a good read but extremely repetitive to the point of becoming annoying.
Happy for Barb to finally find closure.
June 6, 2024
Thank You!
It takes a great deal of courage to share a story such as this one. The level of commitment and persistence it took to accomplish the writing of this book is phenomenal!
It takes a great deal of courage to share a story such as this one. The level of commitment and persistence it took to accomplish the writing of this book is phenomenal!
July 3, 2024
Easy to read and interesting true story.
December 6, 2025
Very engaging and well written.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews