The Dandelion Field

Oh how Max hated dandelions. He believed that they ruined the look of the yard. He battled those dandelions constantly. His young son Cody, however saw the dandelions as an endless supply just steps from his front door to gather into bouquets perfect for his mom, Evie. It was no wonder that Cody would be upset when he can home from preschool to find his field of dandelions had been mowed down. When Max went to pick Cody up the next day, he didn't come inside right away. Instead Max and Cody were in the yard, blowing dandelion seeds everywhere. Max said that they were planting a dandelion field.

Why would a man who constantly waged war against dandelions plant them on purpose?

Max replied, "You do whatever you have to do so they know you love them."

This would be the lasting memory that Evie Bennett would reflect on whenever she twisted the gold band she still wore after all these years, like a combination lock to those precious times she would remember the love Max so unconditionally gave them both before dying as a firefighter. It was also the reason Evie didn't want her son, Cody now on the verge of graduating to make that his career.

Thankfully though she had Dan Moretti, her friend and Max's friend from childhood to help become like a mentor and father figure to Cody all these years. He was on the verge of unlimited possibilities for his future when they are both rocked by the news that Cody is going to be a father. Something any of them didn't see coming, especially with Cody's faith being as strong as they could have hoped.

But life is like that, instead of it working out as you have planned, perhaps God has other things in mind. But that is not what Ginevieve Lightly believes when her daughter Raine drops the news in her lap. She was hoping her illness was the result of an eating disorder not morning sickness. She didn't even realize that Raine was dating or seeing anyone. She had hoped that the one year she promised Raine they would stay in Banister Falls, Wisconsin as the result of her car breaking down, would give them time for a fresh start, just not the start either of them were looking to find. All Gin can think of is her own past experiences and how just when you need men the most is when they are no where to be found. What would they do now?

I received The Dandelion Field by Kathryn Springer compliments of Zondervan Publishing and Litfuse Publicity for my honest review. I did not receive any monetary compensation for a favorable review and the opinions expressed are strictly my own. This is such a moving novel because the characters have to deal with a difficult situation and keep the relationships of both Cody and Raine from falling apart. They offer a look at what supportive parents and friend do when facing with insurmountable issues of an unexpected pregnancy from the perspectives of believers and non believers alike. The emotions are well thought out and expressed like you would find in a situation like this, but the side of relying on your faith is what gets you through. I think the theme of this novel is the simple statement of what Max exemplified to his son Cody, "You do whatever you have to do so they know you love them." I loved this novel and give it 5 out 5 stars in my opinion. There is a reader's discussion guide at the conclusion that is perfect for book clubs!

For more information about The Dandelion Field, Kathryn Springer or where you can pick up a copy of this novel today, please click on the links below:

The Dandelion Field by Kathryn Springer

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To read more reviews on The Dandelion Field, please visit Litfuse Publicity's book tour page. 


Get ready for Valentine's Day with a new story of romance and falling in love in Kathryn Springer's The Dandelion Field. The handsome firefighter makes a living “coming to the rescue,” but Gin is used to fighting her own battles. Can a woman who doesn't believe in happy endings take a chance on a new beginning? 

Celebrate a second chance at love and family with Kathryn by entering her Kindle Fire giveaway!

One grand prize winner will receive:

• A Kindle Fire
• The Dandelion Field

Enter today by clicking the icon below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on February 15th. Winner will be announced February 16th on the Litfuse blog.

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A Portrait of Dawn

"The course of a person's life can be altered in just a day, sometimes in a matter of minutes.

The letter I received in the mail yesterday, carried me back to the day my life took a drastic turn. It began like every other day in my somewhat routine life, but this one ended with my life changed forever. It was sixteen years ago, but I haven't forgotten it. How could I? It will be stored in that one private alcove of my mind. The one reserved for the memories of those early years. Memories I don't want, but hey are mine and must be stored somewhere.

Unlike some people, I know the exact day I became pregnant. It was a Friday. One week before my sixteenth birthday."

What an incredible opening to introduce our reader to A Portrait of Dawn by author B.J. Young. We get the opportunity to journey back to the day when Bethany Braun's life took a dramatic change that would not only alter her life but every single life she would touch because of what happened that day. Beth grew up in an abusive household, not so much for her personally but watching her dad, Larry come home each night, and drink himself into another person she grew to fear. He would take out his bad days on her mother and Beth was forced to watch the horror of her mother being beaten. Even when she confronted her mother later, her mother continued to make excuses for his behavior. Soon Beth found that leaving the house when those times came, was better than sitting back and becoming a witness to what she was incapable of stopping. It was when she met Ryan, a boy from her high school that she found she could confide in. It was when she went looking for love in all the wrong places, that Ryan offered her more than what she needed.

Beth knew that if she told her parents she was pregnant, her dad would literally kill her and her mother. Her brother Joel, had left years ago and they lost contact with him, when her dad abused him for the last time. Beth wished she was able to find her brother so she could run away and deal with her pregnancy away from the abusive household she lived in. Ryan only wanted her to have an abortion, but at the last moment knew this was something she could never do, and never told Ryan. She would have to wait for the opportunity to tell her mother and hopefully between them, they could offer a solution to dealing with her father. But for now, they had to continue along with the same old routine, her father expected every time he went to work. It was how he was able to maintain a level of control that kept them both living in fear of ever hoping things might be different for them.

I received A Portrait of Dawn by author B.J. Young compliments of the author herself and received no monetary compensation for a favorable review. This is a novel that needs to not only be read but shared with teen pregnancy on the rise and abortion at an all time high as the answer to this issue. I think B.J. Young did an exceptional job at enabling the reader to walk in Beth's shoes during every heart-rendering, emotionally-charged situation. I literally cried during so many stages of this book, because I could relate to Beth's situation. I did not make the right choice at that time, and have had to deal with my decision every single day of my life. But God can heal those broken places in our life and give us a new one, one of forgiveness, healing and hope. This is just the example of showing how God can take some of life's greatest painful moments and bring about goodness even though we may not see it for years. This one is truly unforgettable and one that will be remembered long after the final page is turned. For that very reason, this one rates a perfect 5 out of 5 stars in my opinion. I look forward to the sequel which we get a sneak peek at the conclusion of this one, Dawn's new day.  Perhaps the most memorable quotes of the book is one I will leave you with:

"I woke at dawn and watched in awe as God used the sky for His canvas. He began to paint for me a picture of my coming day; it was a parade of resplendent color that took my breath away. Then the fog came and my hope was that tomorrow's dawn would bring new wonder."

I will never look at a sunrise again the same way.

For more information about A Portrait of Dawn, B.J. Young or where you can pick up a copy of this incredible novel today, please click on the links below:

A Portrait of Dawn by B.J. Young

You can follow Brenda Young on Facebook to stay up to date with all her latest novels.

You can also visit her on her website by clicking here. 

• Paperback: 314 pages
• Publisher: InspiringVoices (February 8, 2013)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1462405053
• ISBN-13: 978-1462405053
• Product Dimensions: 0.7 x 5.9 x 8.9 inches