Exploring Adoption Blog

Laura Christianson featured Together for Good on her awesome adoption resource blog this week as well as talked to me about our personal adoption story. The full interview is online at:

Exploring Adoption

Thank you, Laura!!

A Hot Day at Barnes and Noble

Thanks so much to everyone who braved the 110-plus temps and humidity to support my first booksigning on Saturday! It was an honor to be able to sign my novel and talk with so many people about writing and adoption. I met a birthmother who'd recently been reconciled with her birth son after thirty years, a husband who was trying to find his wife's birth family, a man who'd just been given custody of his two nieces, and a woman who'd experienced two failed adoptions before finding out she was pregnant.

An hour into the signing, Jon convinced Karly and Kiki to leave the indoor playground to give their mommy a hug. As I wrapped my arms around my girls, I shared our adoption story with another woman who was interested in adopting. In spite of the many challenges we've had, I wouldn't change our past. Our girls are an incredible blessing, the struggles to adopt so blurry in hindsight that we hardly remember any pain.

Together for Good runs the emotional gamut of adoption--both the joy and the sorrow. I pray that as people read this novel, the joy of adoption would trump any pain.

First Review!!

"Novel Reviews" is a blog that reviews inspirational fiction, and Ane Mulligan reviewed Together for Good on this site last week. Thanks Ane!

NovelReviews

Together for Good
By Melanie Dobson
Published by Kregel Publications
ISBN 0-8254-2444-5

Twenty years ago, Abby Wagner lost her baby. Now, at the pinnacle of her career, the repressed pain from that loss surfaces when she is assigned to design a publicity campaign for Heartsong Adoptions … the very organization that separated her from her son. The panic she feels opens her deepest wounds as the past rises up to haunt her. To find some peace of mind, Abby returns to her family's cottage on Orcas Island. As she slowly releases her grip on the past, Abby discovers a miracle in the most unexpected place.

Melanie Dobson delivers a gripping story of adoption, of loss and of restoration with a fresh twist—one I hadn't read before. Free of clichéd writing, this unique story echoed in my heart long after I turned the last page.

Set on Washington State's Puget Sound, Dobson's description of the area invoked nostalgic memories. My mother was born and raised on Puget Sound, and I spent many summers there as a child. I could smell the Sound as I turned the pages.

Excellent writing, coupled with unforeseen plot twists, this is a story you'll not forget. I found the way Dobson weaves in the characters' faith journeys refreshing and natural. A haunting story, Together for Good is highly recommended.

Reviewed by Ane Mulligan
www.anemulligan.com

The Dobson Explorers

Karly celebrated her third birthday with her best bud Johnnie, Mimi and Papa D. and Dora the Explorer. After recovering from our cake-induced sugar high, we set out to explore California's Central mountains and coast for a few days. Kings Canyon. Sequoia National Forest. Morro Bay. The Hearst Castle.

A few pix from our adventures: