True Story of Two Women Relays Experience on Open Adoption

The book "Open: An Adoption Story in Three Voices" (published by Balboa Press) begins as a love story between two people who want to adopt a baby. This true story morphs into a journey between the adoptive and birth mothers as they navigate the perils of open adoption. A new love story emerges as these two woman struggle with their personal past demons and emerge 26 years later as different people. Ultimately, the adopted child speaks as an adult about her life as an adopted person.

The three authors are the main characters of the story. Alaina O'Connell is the adoptive mother, Alex Porter is the young woman giving up her baby and Sara O'Connell is the adopted child. Alaina O'Connell and Porter are the main voices in the story as the reader learns how each of them deal with the narratives they tell each other. As they struggle to be honest with each other and themselves, their ever-evolving ability to heal and love emerges. Sara O'Connell speaks in the last chapter, giving testimony to her experience as an adopted person.

"We want our readers to truly experience that 'open' adoption is a wonderful way to adopt a child. We do not paint a totally rosy picture of this often terrifying process, but we do present real people that everyone can relate to. It helps people see the impact that adoption has on families, the perils of blended families, and the tightrope of raising a child that is adopted so that she never feels given away," the authors' relay.

Speaking to the readers in three voices, the book brings an honest humanity to the people affected by open adoption, revealing the fragility and courage of the human spirit.

"Open: An Adoption Story in Three Voices"
By Alaina O'Connell, Alex Porter and Sara O'Connell
Hardcover | 6x9in | 246 pages | ISBN 9781504380492
Softcover | 6x9in | 246 pages | ISBN 9781504380478
E-Book | 246 pages | ISBN 9781504380485
Available at Amazon and Barnes & Noble

About the Author
Alaina O'Connell is a 71-year old mother of four. She is retired and teaches elders in her community how to leave a written legacy to their families. She has been a teacher, counselor, principal and child advocate, but it is her experience as an adoptive mother that inspired her to write "Open."

Alex Porter is a successful, 52-year old business owner in the northwest and is the birth mother of Sara O'Connell. She has spoken honestly and with candor about open adoption to agencies and forums around her state for two decades.

Sara O'Connell is the adopted daughter of Alaina O'Connell for whom "Open" was originally written. She is now 26 and a registered nurse.

Balboa Press, a division of Hay House, Inc. - a leading provider in publishing products that specialize in self-help and the mind, body, and spirit genres. Through an alliance with indie book publishing leader Author Solutions, LLC, authors benefit from the leadership of Hay House Publishing and the speed-to-market advantages of the self-publishing model. For more information, visit balboapress.com. To start publishing your book with Balboa Press, call 877-407-4847 today. For the latest, follow @balboapress on Twitter.

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