Families come in many shapes and sizes. Familiar are much more than DNA and blood.Author Kristy Woodson Harvey recently visited Thoughts to talk about her new release, DEAR CAROLINA, which deals with both sides of adoption. Today I’m sharing my thoughts on this heartwarming story. In addition, Kristy is giving away one print copy of DEAR CAROLINA to a lucky reader (and it’s open internationally!). Please see the end of the post for more details. Now here are my thoughts …..
DEAR CAROLINA by Kristy Woodson Harvey
The bittersweet and wonderful sides of adoption are examined in author Kathy Woodson Harvey’s stunning debut novel.
The story is told in letters written to baby Carolina from both her birth mother and her adopted mother. The story weaves back and forth from each woman sharing how their role in her life came to be.
Related to begin with, the two southern women forge an even stronger and close-knit family through their love for Carolina. Theirs is an open adoption that demonstrates “you can never have too many people to love you.”
Frances “Khaki” Mason appears to have it all – successful interior design career, a loving husband in Graham, an adorable toddler named Alex, and homes in North Carolina and Manhattan. But she desperately wants a second child and the couple’s efforts seem futile.
Jodi, Graham’s 19-year-old cousin, has lived a hard life growing up with an alcoholic mother after her father died of cancer. Jodi turned to drinking and ended up living with a loser. Fresh out of rehab, Jodi finds herself pregnant and alone when her boyfriend runs out on her when she needs him the most.
Khaki reaches out to help Jodi when she decides to keep her baby. But when the pressures and temptation overtake Jodi after the baby is born, she asked Khaki for the ultimate favor. What follows changes everyone’s lives in ways they never imaged.
Harvey has created amazing characters that are realistic, likable and well-developed. She has captured the small town atmosphere, as well as the hectic lifestyle of Manhattan combining the two together with great ease.Readers are quickly drawn in as the two mothers share their thoughts, fears, and joy with baby Carolina. The dialogue is rich and flows smoothly keeping readers’ attention as the group experiences highs and lows while becoming a blended family.
DEAR CAROLINA will tug on your heartstrings and have you laughing all at the same time. The mix of emotions leaps off the page and surrounds you. Harvey has captured the essence of what a real family is all about. Can’t wait to see where she goes from here.
Dear Carolina by Kristy Woodson Harvey, Berkley, @2015, ISBN: 978-0425279984, Paperback, 320 Pages
FTC Full Disclosure – A copy of this book was sent to me by the author in hopes I would review it. However, receiving the complimentary copy did not influence my review. The thoughts are completely my own and given honestly and freely.
GIVEAWAY DETAILS:
This giveaway is for one print copy of DEAR CAROLINA. The giveaway is open internationally and will end at 12 a.m. on Thursday, July 23.
To enter, just click on the Rafflecopter widget below and following the instructions. The widget may take a few seconds to load, so please be patient. The winner from this giveaway will have 72 hours to respond after being contacted or another winner will be selected. The email will have ‘Thoughts in Progress Dear Carolina’ in the subject line, just so you know what to watch for (in case it goes into your spam folder).
I do so appreciate you stopping by today to find out more about this delightful book. What are your thoughts on open adoption? Do you think it should be for every adoption or depend on the circumstances?
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a Rafflecopter giveaway
Such a hard decision. Such a brave decision. Such a loving decision. By both mothers.
ReplyDeleteI was a foster parent for several years so I know some of the emotions involved.
ReplyDeleteAs an adoptive parent myself, I can certainly relate to some of this story. Every adoption is different of course, but they're all full of emotion.
ReplyDeleteInteresting. Count me in. Tks.
ReplyDeleteI have volunteered at a crisis pregnancy center for over 20 years and know what difficult circumstances some girls face. Now records aren't sealed so tightly, it's nice to know that both parents can write a letter to their child. I look forward to reading this.
ReplyDeleteAnn
What a beautiful and captivating novel. Thanks for this feature.saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com
ReplyDeleteThank you so, so much for this wonderful review. I am so very appreciative of all your support of Dear Carolina and can't wait to see who wins the giveaway! xo Kristy
ReplyDeleteHi everyone, thanks so much for stopping by. I've been away from my computer today and haven't had a chance to catch up. This is such an amazing story. Good luck to those who enter the giveaway and wishing much success to Kristy.
ReplyDeleteI would love to read this
ReplyDeleteSounds like a great story! There are goods and bads on both sides of adoptions. And the author is right--you can never have too much family, no matter how extended it may be.
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