My Heart in My Hands
Becoming the Person I Was Meant to Be
by Eleni Marinos

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In 1953, the Greek island of Zakynthos suffered a series of earthquakes, later known as the Great Ionian Earthquake. Villages were decimated, many people lost their homes, their loved ones, and their ways of life. Seven years old at the time, Eleni Marinos grew up in the rubble. And then at sixteen, she was swept halfway around the world as a child bride, marrying a cold-hearted man thirteen years older and whom she had just met. Eleni didn’t know the language or the people around her, let alone herself. My Heart in My Hands: Becoming the Person I Was Meant to Be shares how Eleni overcame her circumstances to build one of the most successful haute couture businesses in Montreal, Canada. For years, Eleni lived her life for others until she’d finally had enough. Redrawing her life and following her dreams wouldn’t be easy, not with an unsupportive husband and three young children. But Eleni knew that she couldn’t keep living a lie. She had to find herself. Heartfelt and candid, My Heart in My Hands is a memoir of resilience, perseverance, and hope. Eleni’s story reminds us that life is about choices, and if we choose to not learn from our mistakes, we’ll never grow into our true selves.

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"Reading Eleni's story and seeing how she was able to overcome so many obstacles and achieve her dreams has truly inspired me. I'm a newlywed immigrant in Canada and I feel like Eleni's life lessons will serve me as a sort of cheat-sheet (thankfully, I married my John on the first try). I want to thank Eleni so much for having bared her heart like this for the world to read. It takes a lot of courage (and from what I read she has courage to spare) and I will treasure this book for the rest of my life! I pray that God showers you and your family with many blessings and that you continue to heal and that this book helps others to heal as well." With love, —Dina from Puerto Rico "A wonderful story about a woman whose challenges and struggles resulted in a resilience to create a strong self identity. We are able to identify with the writer’s narrative as we can recognize parts of ourselves in her journey. Thank you Eleni for being authentic." —IM "As a professional Cultural Interpreter, I have worked with lots of migrant women, and I am aware of the challenges they put up with. When I read Eleni Marinos’s book I was in awe, she is a heroine, she had the will power, the determination, the stamina, the perseverance, to cross the tumultuous ocean of life and she got rewarded. What I see in Eleni is a White Lotus Flower, the lotus flower grows in mud, the stems start growing and come to the surface and the bud blooms to one of the most beautiful flowers, with a nice fragrance. The white lotus flower is also symbol of purity of the mind, which let Eleni to her Artistic Haute Couture achievement." —Elly "Hello Eleni, I hope my text finds you well. I finished reading your book. I was touched by your vulnerability and honesty in how you chose to invite us, the reader into your life. As a Greek, independent, professional, adored by my husband woman -I relate to much of what you’ve experienced. Bill and I both worked hard at and embraced our journey toward our spiritual path. Meditation, Yoga, Buddhist practice certainly fed our soul. The tenderness you express sharing in your relationship with John brought tears to my eyes and pain to my heart as I miss that so much since Bill’s death. I was a woman adored and appreciated by a wonderful man. All my teachings, that which brought strength and insight seemed to have vanished when I lost the love of my life. I am drowning in the fears and doubts you speak of- they are part of my DNA, where I used to live for so long- in my despair I seem to have gone backwards. Your book has reminded me, to take stock. To do the hard work again. There’s too much to express in this text so I will stop here. As I mention in my previous text, there was no coincidence in my picking up this book. I needed a strong reminder of what I had accomplished in the past that I can work towards again and embrace – in hopes of once again seeing the light. I’m grateful that your health is better, that you continue to pursue conscious contentment in your daily life. That you are loved, and love in return, that you see and appreciate beauty. Thank you" —Anastasia

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Originally from Greece, Eleni Marinos is a survivor, retired fashion designer, and great-grandmother. These all inform who she is today and inspired her to share her story. My Heart in My Hands: Becoming the Person I Was Meant to Be is her first book. Originally published in 2024, the first edition was translated into three languages. When she’s not writing, Eleni enjoys yoga and meditating. She lives in Brownsburg-Chatham, Quebec, with her husband, John.

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Eleni Marinos

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