I received a free copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review.

Oksana had a difficult life. Growing up in the poverty ridden area of Kazak, Russia, she was forced to scrounge around for food and even steal. Now at 13, she must not only steal to feed herself, but also her pregnant mother. She chances upon a soup kitchen run by an American pastor and his wife. Meeting them begins a chain of events that will change her life forever.

"Scattered Links" is a touching story of a young girl's journey transitioning in America. This was quite an emotional novel. The things that this child went through before she was adopted is absolutely horrible. The emotional detachment that she went through, and her inability to trust anyone was heartbreaking. I did fall in love with Oksana though. She was a very determined young lady, even when she did something reckless, she always had good intentions. This is a sweet story of unconditional love and trusting God to show you your path. ( )

This book is not for the weak at heart. It reaches inside you, grabs your heart, and pretty much rips it out. It is sad. It is fear. It is all that you hope and pray your children never feel. But even in that, it is a wonderful book. It grips you and spellbinds you and you just can’t put it down! I fully believe in using animals as therapy and healing. We as horse owners have participated in this and I hope that as we and our horses age that we can work with it more and more. You find that people who have been hurt will hurt people and push them away to avoid being hurt, but they are also the ones that will take and care for the least of the animals that have been abused and mistreated. They see something worthwhile in that creature and eventually in themselves as well. ( )

4 of 5 stars

This is a heartfelt and emotional story that truly tugs on your heartstrings! I loved this story and found it unsettling at times and then inspirational at other times. The author has a flawless writing style that really made it impossible to put this book down! She is a writer and was born to be a writer, that is for sure! Any reader/reviewer should be able to see the ease in her writing style, but also the brilliance behind it. Thanks for such a heartwarming, inspirational yet tragic story that is REAL life! I really appreciate my life and the opportunities I have been given just that much more! I ONLY gave it 4 stars because I did find myself slightly frustrated with Oksana's character @ times..... (she was harsh at times,BUT what would you do in her shoes?). I warmed up to her when she befriended Boris the horse for sure! A great read that will pull at your heartstrings and make you appreciate the life you have been given for sure!

Enjoy and here is the blurb from Goodreads.. Check this one out!

Scattered Links is a novel that pulls its characters from the gutters and, in the end, celebrates the tenacity of the human spirit.

Thirteen-year-old Oksana lives on the streets of Russia with her pregnant mama and abusive aunt—both prostitutes. When Mama swells into labor, Oksana makes a decision to save herself from abandonment, a decision that torments her forever. But her plan fails when her aunt dumps her in an orphanage before she has the chance to say goodbye to her mama or tell her the secret that haunts her.

Scattered Links is a story of family and the consequences that come from never learning how to love, of a girl’s inability to bond with her adopted family and the frustrations that follow.

How can a child understand the mechanics of forming a healthy relationship when she never had a mother who answered her cries, held her when she was frightened, fed her when she was hungry, or loved her unconditionally?

Only when the child meets a rescued abused horse, and recognizes the pain in his eyes, does she begin to trust again. ( )

A deeply moving story of an innocent young girl called Oksana, through no fault of her own, lives in a poverty stricken part of Russia called Kazak. Living with her pregnant alcoholic mother and her aunt they are driven by hunger they steal and beg what they can, her mother and aunt turning to prostitution just to keep a roof over their heads. I say a roof but where they live is a cold concrete derelict squatter. When her mother gives birth, knowing that her aunt cannot afford another mouth to feed Oksana has to make a desperate heartbreaking decision just to survive. Following which without any warning or farewell to her mother, her aunt drags both Oksana and her baby sister to an orphanage with absolutely no intention of returning.

With feelings of abandonment they enter a world of further lost hope with only one intention of being reunited with their mother. Life in the orphanage is harsh but in time her baby sister Natalie is adopted by an American couple but Oksana rushes in tears to the meeting not to be parted with yet another family member, luckily the couple see the heartbreak and make the decision to adopt both. But can Oksana overcome her feelings of betrayal to her mother and allow the love of this family to be part of her? Can she believe in what they say and trust them, after such a harsh upbringing in Russia?

The way the author progresses with the story compelling, you cannot fail to be touched by reading this book. You are drawn to Oksana, feeling her desperation throughout this truly emotional read, the sadness of a child in a horrid and cruel adult world is immense. Yet joys of hope as her life takes a positive turn if she could only accept the genuine kindness from the people around her.

What I didn't realise while reading the book is the whole story is based on the author's own adoption experiences, bringing the strong harsh truth of Russia's orphans to light, which inspired her to write this brilliant work of fiction.

Completely and utterly recommending this high quality read by, you will not want to put the book down. ( )