What's Being Said about Folded (and a little update) :)

My life couldn't be crazier than it is right now. I run my kids around to this or that everyday, plus their schoolwork.  We're remodeling our home.  Not just a small project, mind you, but our entire kitchen, and it's the biggest headache I've ever experienced. (AH! - could you hear my exasperation!?)  :)

Oh, and then there's the planning for our upcoming event, A Night for the Necessary Ones, which is an official Christian Alliance for Orphans event.  We're so very excited to be hosting a pre-release screening of the documentary called The Drop Box, which chronicles Pastor Lee Jung-rak's service in Korea with The Baby Box (click to view trailer).  My team and I are continuing to seek out community and business sponsors to help raise money for Pastor Lee Jung-rak's Baby Box Ministry.  Specifically, we're trying to help him build a Rescue Center.  It's going slowly, but we're trying to build awareness of this very special cause.  Ultimately, if it spurs someone on toward adoption, not just from Korea but anywhere, then I've done my job.

At that same event, I'm releasing my nonfiction adoption book entitled Folded: The Forging of an Adoptive Family.  It's succinct, but jam-packed with research and anecdotal evidence supporting the finding that the relationships a person has matters, especially with attachment figures such as parents.  And moreover, it starts at birth.  ALL PROCEEDS of my book go toward The Baby Box ministry!

I was thrilled that the President of MPAK-Georgia (Mission to Promote Adoption in Korea), Karen Lim, wrote the foreword for my book!  And the English Liaison for the Baby Box Ministry itself, Ellie Oh, also endorsed the book (see below)!

But don't just take my word for it... here are some endorsements for my book! :)

Folded is a heartwarming declaration of the 

power of love and what it means to live a Christ-centered 

life! If you are considering adoption, this book will 

encourage, inform, inspire and challenge you! 

~ Tara Fairfield, Ed.D.

Licensed Psychologist, Author, and Speaker

***

Folded puts a face with the idea of adoption, 

showing the simplicity and complexity of the issue at 

once. With an eye on the real challenges adoption brings 

and an ear toward the cry of orphans around the world, 

Jennifer inspires readers to care for children who are 

eagerly waiting for a family in which they can fit. 

~ Sarah Kornmann, MA

Adjunct Professor, 

Western Iowa Tech Community College

Foster and Adoptive Parent

***

There is no ministry closer to the heart of God 

than adoption. He adopts us in Christ, and calls us to care 

for the orphans. Jennifer Pitkin has a heart for adoption, 

and it's open for you; the joys and struggles in this calling 

and command to love the children. 

~ Dan Barnes, MA

Foster and Adoption Advocate, Pastor

***

This book allows me to realize how imperfection 

turns into perfection through adoption. Providing a loving 5

nest to a child who is born to be loved is one of the most 

blessed works that we can ever do under God. 

~ Ellie Oh

ESL Teacher for Korean Students, Author,

English Liaison for the Baby Box Ministry, South 

Korea

***

Parenting is a blessing! It can also be a challenge 

sometimes. Adopting kids from another culture is also a 

blessing; but it comes with some additional challenges. 

This book gives a realistic picture of what both the 

delights and difficulties look like, and points us to the 

One who can forge a family together in a beautiful way. 

"Unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who 

build it," (Psalm 127:1). 

~ Pastor Dave Sowers

Morningside Baptist Church

***

Jennifer Pitkin offers an insightful glimpse into 

the world of parenting adopted children in Folded. She 

shares faith-based experiences and stories that help us to 

better know the supports that are needed for adopted 

children and their adoptive families. 

~ Amy Denney

Elementary School Principal

***

Folded does a fantastic job of explaining the 

importance of relationships showing that emotions, love 

and attachment don’t end at infancy. A powerful read for 

those in “nontraditional” families, because what family is 

“traditional” what is the “right way” to have your family, 

but through love. Families come in all shapes, ages, 

colors, and of course biological and/or adopted. Folded is 

powerful, educational and above all else reminds us to 

open our hearts and love. Ms. Pitkin writes this piece as a 

great resource from both an anecdotal and clinical 

neurobiology perspective.

~ Sadie S. Gehlsen, MSW, LISW

Will YOU join us at our special event?  Here's the flyer!  It's Saturday, Nov 22nd, 6pm, at Sunnybrook Community Church in Sioux City, Iowa.  It's OPEN TO ALL!!!!

Much gratitude and respect ~ J.M.P. :)

Clean Indie Reads Blog Hop

In celebration of the Clean Indie Reads Fall Sale (click here to check out all the lovely books!  Mine should be joining shortly!), we're doing a fun, autumn-themed blog hop!  All the authors are answering the following question:

Q. Do the changing seasons influence your writing and/or choice of books to read?

A. It definitely does.  I am so busy during the summer that when the weather finally cools down and the leaves begin to change, all I want to do is get cozy with a book!  I have certain books I read at certain times of year.  For example, in the fall, I feel drawn to more serious books that give me something deep to ponder about.  Around Christmastime, I always want to read Sarah Sundin's books.  And for when I'm running around after my four kids, I enjoy the more lighthearted, clean romances, or quirky YA or NA that can balance the serious aspects of life with some humor, like Bria Quilan's books!

In addition to reading, I also edit for a Christian business blog and another author.  I keep busy beta-reading for some fabulous people, and then, of course, I try to do my own writing!

I have three books slotted to be released soon.  First up, however, is a Christian nonfiction book about adoption entitled Folded: The Forging of an Adoptive Family.

  

It combines my research in the field of Interpersonal Neurobiology (a study of how the physical structure of the brain is impacted by the relationships a person is in), and attachment with encouraging testimonials from both adoptive families and adult adoptees.  It's my hope to inspire, inform, and encourage anyone considering adoption or touched by the gift of adoption!  As both an adoptive and biological mom, and having done humanitarian work in Ethiopia, I'm really passionate about speaking up for those who have no voice, for children to be treated respectfully and lovingly in the context of a family. :) 

Folded is set to be released during a very special event, A Night for the Necessary Ones, on Saturday, November 22nd, with all proceeds going toward the Baby Box Ministry of Seoul, South Korea.  (Check out kindredimage.org!)

I also have a YA Christian Romantic Suspense entitled Unlikely Places coming up this spring, about two young missionaries that fall in love over social media.  Finally, the third and final release is Of Fire and Fury, the sequel to my novel Watchmen for Morning (Mafia/Crime, Romantic Suspense).  

So, if you're read all the way to the bottom of this post because you're awesome, and would like to enter to win a FREE COPY of Watchmen for Morning or an ARC of Folded, click here to head over to my Rafflecopter giveaway!

Want to check out the other awesome authors participating in the CIR Blog Hop? Click HERE for the schedule!  There are so many talented people in our group! #CR4U

As always, thanks for reading and supporting me on this adventure! Much gratitude and respect ~ J.M.P. :)

Review of Amethyst Eyes by Debbie Brown

(The first book cover photo is from the latest version on Amazon)

The Blurb:

The biggest thing on 15-year-old Tommy's mind is convincing Mom to let him go to the drive-in, but when an accident claims his mother's life and puts him in the hospital, the arrival of his estranged, alien father brings more changes than he had bargained for. It doesn't take his father long to figure out that Tommy knows nothing about who or what he is. Without any explanation, Tommy finds himself onboard his father's spaceship where he is forced to trust a man he does not know in a world he knows even less about. 

Adapting to his new life seems overwhelming, and his father's solution may prove to be Tommy's finest challenge yet...Jayden. A few months younger than Tommy, high strung and always in a mood, the doctor's daughter definitely didn't like being 'told' to help Tommy fit in. Jayden is not the most welcoming or patient of tutors, let alone a friend. As fate would have it, Tommy quickly learns that none of these things compare to the peril that comes from being born with amethyst eyes.


My Review:

Tommy's mother, with whom he had been very close to, died in an accident in the very beginning. His grief was quite believable, but suddenly his dad, who's an alien, appeared and Tommy's stoic reactions surprised me.  

The universe Brown has created is thrilling and unique. I love the dynamics between Tommy & his father's, aka the Commander's, alien race. It's interesting to also see how she incorporates Native American and farming cultures with the alien race & technology - it's a fascinating comparison. I found it especially poignant and timely how she showed toward the end of the book Earth might be the next planet that may come to an end soon.

I did feel that while Brown is a good storyteller, she needed to make sure she "showed" the reader what was going on, rather than "telling."    

Overall, it was an interesting story I'd say would be a good fit for a person seeking a MG or YA sci-fi that has some left political leanings.


My Rating:

Three out of five stars 

(I was given a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review)


Find the Author:

You may find Debbie Brown at:

Amazon
Facebook
Twitter: @amethysteyes01
Goodreads
http://welcometomywritingworld.weebly.com/