"Open Adoption, Open Heart"

Welcome to my stop in this blog tour.  I want to thank Kathy @I Am A Reader, Not A Writer for hosting this tour and of course author, Mr. Russell Elkins, for giving me the opportunity to read and review his book.

Please stop by the Tour Page for other participants in this tour, to view the book trailer, and for author links and profile. 

As a thank you for stopping by the tour, the author is giving away a chance to win $25 Amazon GC or Paypal Cash (same giveaway for all tour stops).  See below for details.  Good luck!

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by Russell Elkins, NF, 2012, 83p, rating=4
Source: provided by author thru tour host for review

Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kindle | Website

The world of adoption has changed dramatically over the past twenty years. No longer do biological parents have to say goodbye to their child forever. They now have more options when deciding the type of adoption to pursue, such as open adoption. Open adoption creates the opportunity for a special relationship between biological parents, the adoptive parents, and the child.

Open Adoption, Open Heart is an inspiring and true story, which takes the reader deeper into the feelings and emotions experienced by adoptive parents. As you read this incredible story, you will experience the joys, difficulties, and amazing victories facing adoptive couples. Russell and his wife, Jammie, invite you to share in their inspiring and heartwarming journey.

Old school adoption meant that there were no interactions between the birthmother and the adoptive parents.  All information and relationships were confidential and closed.  Nowadays, many have turned to the open adoption process, where the biological and adoptive families can share in varying forms of contact (eg. mail, photo exchange, face-to-face visits).  Obviously, this book accounts a journey in open adoption. 

Seeing myself in an old school of thought, I would be uncomfortable and perhaps even skeptical that such openness can truly work.  I can imagine all sorts of unsettling emotions that this free passage might bring.  Well, I don't have to imagine them.  Mr. Elkins laid it all out.  All the frustrations, anxiety, fears, heartaches, and joys of this kind of adoptive process was related.  He was able to communicate candidly that it was not an easy road but certainly had its rewards as well.  More importantly, Mr. Elkins didn't claim that all open adoptions have the same outcome.  He merely told his true story and thereby provide information and also might invoke an inspiration of hope to someone contemplating open adoption. 

I caught something else important from the author's telling of the story.  I like that he involved the biological family's responses (and even friends and acquaintance for that matter) thus-so giving me a sense of a more well rounded account.  This then got me as a reader invested in the story to seeing it through.  I wouldn't say the writing was of high quality literary form, but it certainly was sincere and captivating. 

A definite recommendation to those seeking information or perception of open adoption.  Noting that it is best explained from someone who has gone through it.

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