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All profits go to Housing Works -- NYC's largest HIV/AIDS organization. Minimal wear to cover. Pages clean and binding tight. Shelfwear. Bumped edges. Minor Exterior Wear. Pages clean. Binding tight. Paperback. All profits go to Housing Works -- NYC's largest HIV/AIDS organization. Minimal wear to cover. Pages clean and binding tight. Shelfwear. Bumped edges. Minor Exterior Wear. Pages clean. Binding tight. Paperback. See less
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M.S. King
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Dad Spelled Backward: A Journey Through the Maze of Love, Marriage, and Adoption Paperback – September 15, 2022

by M S King (Author)
4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 9 ratings
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Can you die from having too much sex? That's the question Dr. Michael King, a well-respected dentist in New York, asks in Dad Spelled Backward: A Journey Through the Maze of Love, Marriage, and Adoption. Mike had never thought much about getting married and becoming a father, but all that changed when, in his fifties, he met Gabriella, his lovely (and much younger) French wife. Together they decide to try to become parents, and they do all they can to make a baby-to the point where Mike wonders if one can die from too much sex.

This candid account by a husband and father is insightful, moving, fiercely funny-and ultimately a testament to unconditional love. Mike tells his story of how, wanting to make his wife happy after realizing that they couldn't successfully conceive a child, he reluctantly agrees to move on to the next phase of potential parenthood-adoption.

Unfortunately, domestic adoption is often a long, costly process that takes couples on a roller-coaster ride from hope to despair and back again. Mike recounts how he and Gabriella were connected with one pregnant woman after another until they were finally given a baby, only to have to give the infant back when the birth mom changed her mind. This left them so emotionally drained that they had to decide whether the price of becoming parents was too high and whether it was time to give up.

Such heartbreak might have driven other couples apart, but Gabriella and Mike only became closer; their love for one another grew even stronger, and they did at last get to be parents. "I hope this book inspires people who want to, or are considering whether to, become parents," Mike says. "We all face obstacles in life, but if love prevails, it's worth the struggle."

You'll laugh and cry with Gaby and Mike in this heartwarming story of one man's journey into happy marriage and fatherhood.

Previous page
  1. Print length
    226 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Cypress House
  4. Publication date
    September 15, 2022
  5. Dimensions
    5.5 x 0.48 x 8.5 inches
  6. ISBN-13
    979-8985408607
  7. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"In Dad Spelled Backward, M. S. King chronicles his and his wife's frustrating yet fulfilling quest to have a baby. King, a New York dentist and comedian, was in his fifties when he met Gaby. When King was younger, his Jewish mother had hoped he would marry a woman of the same faith, but, King notes, the passage of time had rendered his mother happy that he had just found a 'mammal' to marry, and delighted by his intelligent, beautiful French bride. Dad Spelled Backward is a heartfelt, sage, and funny look at the worthwhile gauntlet of domestic adoption. It's also a compelling portrait of a marriage, showing how the bond between King and his wife grew stronger and more resilient as they navigated their unique path to parenthood." -ForeWord Reviews

About the Author

Dr. Mike King, comedian and pediatric dentist, has built his practice in an unusual way: to relax the kids, he incorporates comedy and magic tricks into his treatment. He has written two children's books, Flossopher and the Brushing Trees and Enamel the Camel. Entertaining is in Mike's blood: His dad owned Sid King's Crazy Horse Bar in Denver, Colorado. In the 1970s and '80s, it was one of the most popular burlesque houses West of the Mississippi, so it was just a matter of time before Mike began to perform for grown-ups. In the comedy-club circuit he's known as "The Fifth Dentist"-you know-"Four out of five dentists recommend sugarless gum." Mike appears regularly at Broadway Comedy Club, New York Comedy Club, and Gotham Comedy Club. His musical, The Lap Dance Kid, is in production, and he's also written a one-man show. Mike's greatest joy is spending time with his wife and their daughter. They live in New York City. For more information, visit www.MikeKingWrites.com.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0BD85B8LV
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Cypress House (September 15, 2022)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 226 pages
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 979-8985408607
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 9.5 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.5 x 0.48 x 8.5 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 9 ratings

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M.S. King

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Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
4.6 out of 5
9 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Dr. Jeffrey R. Shapiro
5.0 out of 5 stars Such a fun book! Informational and interesting!
Reviewed in the United States on June 21, 2023
Verified Purchase
MS King is a natural story teller. It feels as if I’m having a conversation with him. I had no idea about the adoption process and it is crazy. 100% recommend this book. It’s a quick read since it’s hard to put down.
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rhonda
5.0 out of 5 stars You won't be able to put it down! A very insightful book about the journey to parenthood.
Reviewed in the United States on December 11, 2022
Verified Purchase
Have you ever read a book that you didn't want to end, but when you did finish the last page, you immediately researched the author to obtain other books he/she had written? Well, that is how it was when I read this amazing book by Dr. Mike King about the journey to becoming parents. It made me laugh, and cry and feel a close connection to the couple who tried every conceivable way to have a baby. I won't give away the ending, but it is very heartfelt and, not being a parent myself, it made me appreciate the joys and tribulations of transitioning from being childless to having a child. It was a very enjoyable read!
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Catherine Ann Jones
4.0 out of 5 stars A delightful & heart-felt journey toward adoption.
Reviewed in the United States on May 26, 2023
DAD SPELLED BACKWARDS is a delightful & heart-felt journey by M. S. King. An amazing hybrid of comedy and pathos about the trials and tribulations of adopting a child in America. I couldn't stop reading this book!
Catherine Ann Jones, Buddha & the Dancing Girl: A Creative Life
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Henry Crane
5.0 out of 5 stars It is so nice to become one with the writer
Reviewed in the United States on November 22, 2022
Verified Purchase
Mike King is funny, poignant and insightful in this easy to read, interesting and fun book I have had many friends who have gone through the adoption process and Mike's story has opened my eyes (unless I was hysterically laughing at his pervasive humor) to this arduous process. So glad that I read it and I hope my friends and family enjoy it as much as I did.

Hank Crane
One person found this helpful
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Mary Frances Phares
5.0 out of 5 stars Heartfelt, humorous and humbling!
Reviewed in the United States on November 26, 2022
Verified Purchase
Dad Spelled Backward is a heartfelt and comedic account of the struggles couples face on the journey to parenthood. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, but most importantly, you’ll be left with the hope that when all seems impossible if you can approach challenges with humor, grace and patience, rewards beyond your greatest imagination await.
One person found this helpful
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C KANER DDS PC
5.0 out of 5 stars Extraordinary!loved
Reviewed in the United States on January 11, 2023
Verified Purchase
Loved book beginning to end. Real page turner and so funny with great insights. Should turn into a movie.
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars You will laugh and cry as Mike share's the journey he and Gabby have traveled
Reviewed in the United States on April 30, 2023
Holy Foook!!! What an incredible story. An amazing authentic story of persistence, and dedication to Love, marriage and the joy of becoming parents. Anyone who has chosen love as a guiding principle in their lives will cry, thrill and deeply connect with this story. This story is highly relatable to all married people, and anyone having or wanting children. On top of the depth, it is also hilarious!
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ALA
5.0 out of 5 stars Highly Recommended
Reviewed in the United States on November 30, 2022
As per the title, M.S. King takes us on a journey, a very personal journey. The result is a "read" that is poignant, humorous and informative. The fact that the story is told through a dad's perspective gives it an unusual slant. Yet, anyone that is going through the process of adoption, has been through the process of adoption or knows someone who has gone through the process will most definitely enjoy the "ride" provided in the pages of this very enjoyable book.
2 people found this helpful
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