Like Dandelion Dust

I wore my heart on my sleeve during this whole book. Sisters emotions and love, real and adoptive parents and the struggles they face for the good of a child. The story is action packed and will keep you wanting to read to know the outcome. I have read this book, would recommend it, and am now preparing to watch the DVD movie of it! Can't wait!

Like Dandelion Dust by Karen Kingsbury is a fabulously written story. Jack and Molly Campbell have the perfect life with their adopted son Joey. Until Joey's biological father Rip decides he wants his son back, and the courts agree with him. How far will Jack and Molly go to protect their son from his abusive father? I hadn't read anything by Kingsbury before, and I now sincerely regret that decision. She knows how to craft a story filled with emotion and drama without going into melodrama or stereotypical characters. Her descriptions of characters' actions make each scene come alive in a way few authors can. I was moved to tears at least twice during the book. And while the book has a Christian message, it's never pounded down the reader's throat, but the way God affects each person by the end of the story is profound. This is a deep emotional novel with the message that God is in control, and we need to have the faith of a child to trust him.

I own every book Karen Kingsbury has written and this one did not disappoint me. Again, Karen has proven to be the best Christian fiction author out there. Like Dandelion Dust contains a powerful message...A must read!

Jack and Molly Campbell adopt newborn Joey whose biological mother Wendy Porter, fearing for the infant's life, forged her abusive husband's signature while he did prison time for beating her up. For the next four years Jack, Molly and Joey live a delightful loving life together in Palm Beach that includes her sister Beth, her brother-in-law Bill and their son Jonah, who is Joey's best friend. Feeling guilt Wendy informs Rip after his release from prison what she did. He persuades her he has changed and they demand custody of Joey claiming fraud. Social worker Allyson Bower agrees with the Porters and a court rules they have custody. Joey is removed from the nurturing of the Campbells to the Ohio home of the Porters where Wendy sees first hand her mistake as Rip remains an angry raging person. Joey though in fear prays to God just like his cousin taught him and finds comfort with the Lord's presence even in the violent Porter home. Using complex social issues involving parental rights, Karen Kingsbury provides a deep inspirational family drama with a strong cast of characters whose moral dilemmas seem very real. Readers will appreciate little Joey as he comforts his adopted mom, his biological mom, and even his aunt with his youthful belief that God will take care of him and them. Rip is abusive and violent and obviously bad for his son but despite this angry man, fans who appreciate a well written exciting inspirational tale based on realistic social values and issues will want to read LIKE DANDELION DUST, a sort of religious take on Taking Isaiah. Harriet Klausner

Reviewed by Richard R. Blake for ReaderViews (6/06) This story centers around three couples, two small boys, and a social worker. Jack and Molly adopt Joey within days of his birth. Wendy, without the knowledge of her husband, Rip, forged his name to the papers. Rip was serving time in prison, for spousal abuse. Beth, Molly's sister, and her husband Bill, play a major role in the story as the plot unfolds. Beth's son, Jonah, five years old becomes a friend and young mentor to his four year old cousin, Joey. Jack is successful in business, and Molly is happy and content with her lifestyle. Joey has responded to their love. Things are seemingly perfect. Bill and Beth have moved from Seattle and are now neighbors of Jack and Molly. Beth became a Christian during her college years and is now eager to share her faith with Molly and her family. When Rip is released from prison Wendy feels compelled to tell her husband of the birth of their son. Rip convinces her that he has changed. He told her of his anger management classes and of getting his alcoholic behavior under control through Alcoholics Anonymous. Together they made up a story about the forgery and went to the social worker, Allyson Bower. The adoption is determined to be illegal, with claims of fraud. A judge determines that Joey must be returned to the Porters. Jack and Molly are devastated. Mrs. Bowers is able to work out an arrangement for shared custody with periodic short visits to the Porters home in Ohio for a short period before final custody takes place. During these visits Wendy is faced with the realism and deep scars of Rip's anger. Little Joey has learned to pray by listening to five year old Jonah and his comforted with a feeling of God's presence during his visits in the Porter's home. Molly and Wendy both vow to give their lives if necessary in order to keep Joey. As the story unfolds each the central characters are forced to examine their own faith as they look for a miracle. The author shows a remarkable flair in developing her characters. I found myself empathizing with each one in turn as they faced a new crisis. The choices and decisions faced become moral issues to be considered by the reader. Joey's insights are rich and become the focus bringing comfort and challenge to both Wendy and Molly as they seek God's guidance. Karen Kingsbury has written a timely perspective on the complexities and struggles that might arise in adoption when technicalities of the law leave the doors open for a future claim on the child by the biological parents. Another issue that comes into play is the issue of an abusive relationship and the resulting cycle. This is a story that will linger in your thoughts long after you have read the dramatic ending. Karen's writing is superb.

I just got done reading this book. I knew that I wouldn't be able to put it down when I started. That's the way it is with all Kingsbury books but I wasn't ready for this one. Wow- it was so great. If you like her books you will love this one and if you've never read a Kingsbury book this is a great place to start. Have plenty of Kleenex ready.