Karen Kingsbury Like Dandelion Dust

Like Dandelion Dust

Karen Kingsbury

Center Street (Warner), Jun 2006, $12.95

ISBN: 1931722854

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