#Book #Review The Baby Chase #surrogacy #book

I was contacted a few months ago to review a new surrogacy book. I was sent a free copy for review.

I have mentioned the book before in a giveaway here.

Read more about the book at Amazon.

So, what did I think?

 I would give it 3 stars. * * *

I enjoyed it overall. It kept my attention and I wanted to keep reading, which is good. There are books that I haven't been able to finish.

My hangup? I didn't care for how it was written. The story itself, the couple's story, was interesting. Their surrogacy journey was interesting. Some of the facts about IVF, India, etc. were interesting. Some, not so much. And it seemed to me that these facts were randomly placed throughout the book. A few added to the story, but some subtracted and I just wanted to get back to THE STORY. I didn't even realize at first that the story was a true story. I think the fact that it was, made it more interesting and enjoyable.

I definitely felt for the couple's struggle with infertility. (I can somewhat relate as a surrogate myself, and going through things secondhand with different couples.

The book tells the story of Gerry and Rhonda Wile and their struggle with infertility. They come to be the first American couple to hire a surrogate through Surrogacy India. (a clinic/agency in India)

I am not a huge fan of surrogacy in India, from other things I've read. I don't necessarily agree with how their surrogates are viewed and treated. However, I am glad that this situation seemed positive for everyone and I came to have respect for the Drs and everyone involved. I did feel a connection to the story in a way, because I carried for a couple from India (living in the states) at one time and it was a good experience. I love how the Wiles really embraced India and it's culture.

I didn't care for how the book made surrogacy (surrogates even) in America to be all about the money. And I felt that the book over glorified surrogacy in India.

In the end, Gerry and Rhonda were blessed with 3 babies- a singleton and twins.The success and the emotions make it all worthwhile.

Black Friday #Surrogacy Books Giveaway and Sale

Giveaway- 

The Baby Chase plus Once Upon A Surrogate: The Stork's Helpers.

(And 25% off my book Once Upon a Surrogate: The Stork's Helpers!)

I let you sleep in for this Black Friday deal. Giveaway ends December 6th, 2013!

I have 2 surrogacy books up for grabs-

The Baby Chase by Leslie Morgan Steiner

Book Description

Publication Date: November 5, 2013

From the New York Times bestselling author of Crazy Love comes a riveting new narrative about surrogate pregnancy from both sides of the equation—the parents and the gestational carrier.Once considered a desperate, even morally suspect option, surrogacy is now sweeping headlines, transforming the lives of celebrities like Sarah Jessica Parker, Nicole Kidman and Elton John, and changing the face of the American family. But how much do we really know about it? And is it really as easy and accessible – emotionally, financially, legally and physically – as magazines make it out to be? We often hear about successful outcomes, but little about the journey – about the precious hope that starts it all, the ups and downs of finding a surrogate, the heartache and obstacles, the risks and expenses at every step, or the unbelievable joy when years of determination pay off. In The Baby Chase, acclaimed writer Leslie Morgan Steiner weaves three stories together — of a nurse, a firefighter, and the Indian gestational carriers and doctors who helped them — to provide one intensely personal look at what makes surrogacy so controversial, fascinating, and in some cases, the only ray of hope for today's infertile parents-to-be.

Rhonda Wile and her husband Gerry struggled for years with infertility. With perseverance that shocked everyone around them, they tried every procedure and option available – unsuccessfully – until they finally decided to hire a surrogate. While surrogacy was being touted as a miracle for hopeful parents, for Rhonda and Gerry, it seemed an impossible and unaffordable dream. Until they came across the beaming smile of a beautiful Indian woman on the internet… and, within a few short months, embarked on a journey that would take them deep into the emerging world of Indian carriers, international medical tourism, and the global surrogacy community.

Moving, page-turning, and meticulously researched, this complex human story is paired with an examination of the issues—religious, legal, medical and emotional—that shapes surrogacy as a solution both imperfect and life-changing.
http://www.amazon.com/The-Baby-Chase-Surrogacy-Transforming-ebook/dp/B00DA6XKF8/ref=cm_cr_pr_pb_i
(I noticed Amazon is offering 30% off books until December 1st. Enter code BOOKDEAL at checkout. Restrictions apply)

Once Upon a Surrogate: The Stork's Helpers by Jill Hancock Reeder (aka ME)

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/9887291-once-upon-a-surrogate

4.45 of 5 stars 4.45  (stars out of 5)·   rating details  ·  11 ratings  ·  10 reviews

Have you ever wondered what is like to be a surrogate mom? Jill Hancock Reeder describes what it is like to be a “helper”- a stork if you will in children’s terms. Jill has been a surrogate before. She knows what it is like. Illustrations for the book are created by none other than her own children! It is simply beautiful!

If you or your children have ever wondered what is like to be a surrogate, I would highly recommend this book. You can catch a small glimpse of what it is like to be an incubator to someone who can’t have any children of their own. You can teach your children there is more than one way to have children.
And if you yourself are struggling to have children perhaps surrogacy might be the answer for you!

Order your copy or learn more including reviews and blog posts at http://surrogacybooks.blogspot.com

At this time, the book can only be ordered directly through the author at the above address. If requested, you can receive a signed copy. Thank You.(less)

Learn More about Once Upon a Surrogate: The Stork's Helpers-

http://surrogacybooks.blogspot.com

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Surrogacy-Books/164401093599033

https://twitter.com/SurrogacyBooks

www.cafepress.com/storkhelpers

25% off has ended!

How to enter the Giveaway-

Giveaway has ended.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thank you Readers for supporting this Reeder

I owe a lot to my fans and readers. (And by readers I mean of my book and of my blog, Twitter followers, Facebook friends and fans, etc.)

Yes, I've put a lot of time and effort into my book from writing to illustrating to editing to marketing to promoting. It's never ending.

But you are what helps me get the word out. You are the ones referring and recommending my book to others. You are the ones buying my book and leaving me wonderful feedback.

I an amazed how far word of my book has spread. (Thanks to social media and all of you!)
I recently received a book order from South Africa. I was told that my book was highly recommended to help explain surrogacy to children. Come to find out the recommendation was from a psychologist there. Wow!

I really got nervous before publishing my book. I was putting myself out there for all to see. I have been blessed with positive praise and feedback. Many parents have thanked me for such a useful tool to help their children understand surrogacy. Some of these parents are using my book to help their children understand their special story of how they came into this world. I have psychologists and doctors and lawyers who think my book is wonderful. It astonishes me. I appreciate it all so much. I am deeply touched.

Heck, even my mom is proud of me-

A huge thank you to you all! 
I can't wait to see what you think of my future books.


*If you don't know what book I'm talking about, it's Once Upon a Surrogate: The Stork's Helpers.

You can find out lots more by visiting my main site http://surrogacybooks.blogspot.com

Synopsis- http://surrogacybooks.blogspot.com/p/synopsis.html

To order a copy- http://surrogacybooks.blogspot.com/p/book-orders.html

To read what others have to say and to read more blog posts about the book- http://surrogacybooks.blogspot.com/p/blog-mentions-and-reviews.html

On Goodreads-http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/9887291-once-upon-a-surrogate

FB Page- https://www.facebook.com/pages/Surrogacy-Books/164401093599033

Follow on Twitter- https://twitter.com/surrogacybooks

Celebrating the 4th birthday of my surrotwins!

I can't believe my surrotwins are 4 today. I am celebrating with cake (of course), but I'm also celebrating by offering my book at $4.00 off.

Order right here, below, for special pricing. ($12.95 instead of $16.95) Please choose the correct button that goes with here your book will be shipped.

Thank You!


Promotion has ended.

Happy New Year 2013! #SurrogacyBooks

Happy New Year from Surrogacy Books and Jill Hancock Reeder!

Thank you for all your book sales of 2012. Looking forward to more in 2013.

Just click on the order page to be the first to order your copy of 
Once Upon a Surrogate: The Stork's Helpers in 2013.

Or you can order right here, right now.



Or click below to buy with shipping within U.S. and Canada-

Or below to buy with shipping outside of the U.S.

*Please note, that if you chose the wrong button for shipping, you will need to add more shipping before your book(s) will be shipped. I have lost too much money shipping outside the U.S. with customers paying for U.S. shipping prices.

Thank you!

Celebrating the 2 year anniversary of Once Upon a Surrogate: The Stork's Helpers (giveaway and sale)

To celebrate the 2 year anniversary of my book Once Upon a Surrogate: The Stork's Helpers, (released 10/10/10) I am hosting a giveaway. And/or you can order your own copy at a discounted price, right here, right now)

Once Upon a Surrogate: The Stork's Helpers 

ISBN: 978-1-4507-3642-8

Order now at a Very Special Discounted Price!

Promotion has ended.

Up for grabs I have 2 copies to giveaway as well as 1 child t-shirt. ( Ash Grey M 10-12) 

   

If you are an intended parent and not sure how to tell your child about their surrogate mother, this book is a wonderful tool. It is also wonderful for surrogates to show the love they experience as a surrogate with their own children or as a gift to their surrogate children.

What others have to say about the book:

Have you ever wondered what is like to be a surrogate mom? Jill Hancock Reeder describes what it is like to be a "helper"- a stork if you will in children's terms. Jill has been a surrogate before. She knows what it is like. Illustrations for the book are created by none other than her own children! It is simply beautiful!

If you or your children have ever wondered what is like to be a surrogate, I would highly recommend this book. You can catch a small glimpse of what it is like to be an incubator to someone who can't have any children of their own. You can teach your children there is more than one way to have children. And if you yourself are struggling to have children perhaps surrogacy might be the answer for you! 

Snyopsis by Alexes Covington
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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2010

First Review for Once Upon a Surrogate: The Stork's Helpers

This book is fantastic! It was great to be able to read it to my children and see that them realize what surrogacy is. They really enjoyed the story and so did I, I think that it really helped them to understand the whole concept of surrogacy.

I have two boys who are young (6 & 4) and they loved this book and have asked me to read it to them several times since we received it and I am more than happy to do it!

I would recommend this book to surrogates and intended parents alike, this is a great way to teach your children what you do for other people or to teach them about their beginning. Thank you Jill for writing such a lovely book, I have been looking for something like this since I started my first journey and finally my search is over!

-Sarah 

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Once Upon a Surrogate: The Stork's Helpers

Wed, 11/17/2010 

Submitted By :

Maryann507

For most of us, when we're sick or when something unexpected comes up, we can take a personal day from work. But what happens when the Stork gets sick? I mean, babies still need to be delivered, right?

That's why he inlisted special helpers, called Surrogates! Although surrogates can't carry babies in their mouths, they can still carry them in their bellies!

One special surrogate is Jill Hancock Reeder, who received that very important call back in 2005. Jill grew up in Utah, where she currently resides with her Navy hubby and high school sweetheart, along with their three beautiful young children.

Her husband was an avid blood donor, but Jill wanted to do something more. After contemplating egg donation, she came across the idea of surrogacy. With extensive research and help from another online surrogacy community, Jill was able to make her dreams come true, and help other families who weren't able to have children. In fact, not only is she surrogate mom to a little girl, but also to twin boys! To read more about Jill and her decision to become a surrogate, please visit her blog, at http://mormonsurrogate.blogspot.com

Jill was inspired to share her experiences as a surrogate in her new book, Once Upon a Surrogate: The Stork's Helpers. I received a copy, and thought it was a great story to be told, even though I have never been involved in surrogacy. It is told from the perspective of her children, from how they handled the experience to how they were involved. Jill even involved her children as her illustrators for the book and her father as her printer and consultant!

Jill has even designed merchandise for surrogates and intended parents, using unique phrases and sayings. My personal favorite is "I'm not the mom, I'm just the stork"---I think it would be a whole lot easier when talking to inquisitive passerbys that always want to talk about your pregnancy! You can see her entire collection at http://surrogacybooks.blogspot.com

So if you've ever wondered what it would be like to be a surrogate mother, or to teach your children that there is more than one way to have a baby, this book would make a great addition to your bookshelf!

Back to the giveaway-
Each copy will be signed if desired and will include bookmarks and stickers.
I will continue the celebration for the rest of October offering my book at 10 percent off. (you can even order below)

To enter the giveaway please spread the word through Twitter (mention @surropepperbird or @surrogacybooks or link to http://surrogacybooks.blogspot.com or link to this very blog post)  or Facebook or your own blog and send me the link at pepperbird@gmail.com.

If you don't already follow me on Facebook or Twitter, you can do that as well, just let me know.

My Facebook Fan Pages:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Mormon-Surrogate/129139433785474

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Surrogacy-Books/164401093599033


My Twitter Pages:

https://twitter.com/surropepperbird

https://twitter.com/surrogacybooks


Or leave the link here in my blog as a comment. Comments here will count as 1 entry, Facebook and Twitter activity will count as 2 entries. Whatever you do, please include a short sentence of why you are interested in the book.

http://www.cafepress.com/surropepperbird

Please help- Surrogacy Fundraiser

I have talked before about a wonderful story of a surrogate helping her brother and sister in law expand their family. http://mormonsurrogate.blogspot.com/2012/06/surrogate-sisters-ultimate-gift.html

Tiffany is pregnant with twins as a surrogate for her brother and his wife. She is currently 7 months along. They have been filming ongoing milestones for a documentary in progress. However, they are on borrowed time and borrowed equipment. They need help funding the rest of the documentary.

If you are a surrogate, intended parent, anyone within the infertility/fertility community or just someone with a big heart, I'm asking for your help.  Please check out this article about Tifanny and their documentary story and how you can help. Please pass this on to anyone who may be interested and/or willing to help.

They have a good amount pledged, but it's not quite enough and unfortunately they will not receive any of the funds unless they reach their goal. Their goal is $58,500. They have so far raised $10,348. They have until Tuesday October 2nd 2:59 AM EDT. Every little bit does help, especially if we reach enough people. (With your help!)

I am offering to donate $10 to their project for every book sold (my children's book, Once Upon  a Surrogate: The Stork's Helpers) before their deadline ends.
If you are interested in helping me fund them by ordering a copy of my book, please click here. I can only donate the $10 if you pay immediately through Paypal. Please send me an e-mail after your order so I can keep track. (pepperbird@gmail.com) Include "surrogacy fundraiser" in the subject.

Please help me spread this like wildfire. This would be a wonderful story to be told, a personal inside look at surrogacy in real life. This is an opportunity to see surrogacy in its beautiful light, as it should be. Too many people are uneducated about surrogacy and some people have made some negative comments including saying that this is incest. It is absolutely not. Let's educate people and let them see the beautiful truth.

Thank you!!!