About the book: The Dandelion Field
This handsome firefighter makes a living coming to the rescue, but Gin doesn’t need a man to fight her battles.
After Raine’s dad walked out, Ginevieve Lightly never lived in one place too long, a rambling lifestyle that defined her daughter’s youth. When their car dies in Banister Falls, Wisconsin, Gin promises Raine they can stay until she finishes her senior year of high school. Gin will do anything to make sure her daughter has a bright future . . . a future that’s compromised when Raine reveals she’s pregnant.
Dan Moretti has only ever called Banister Falls home. After losing his best friend in a tragic accident, Dan devoted himself to responding to fires, rescuing the helpless, and guiding Cody Bennett, his best friend’s son, through life. With Cody being the epitome of the good kid, it was an easy job. Until he says four little words: “The baby is mine.”
Knowing gossip of Raine’s pregnancy will erupt sooner or later in the small town, Gin’s reflex is to grab the suitcase and escape to a new city, a new life. But with each passing day, Gin’s feet stay rooted in Banister Falls, and she falls a little more for this local firefighter who shows her not all men abandon women at the first sign of smoke.
As Gin and Dan do the best they can to guide the two teenagers through their early entry into adulthood, they discover together that romance can bloom in the rockiest of situations. And God can turn the pieces of a broken past into a beautiful new beginning.
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About the author:
Kathryn Springer is a USA Today bestselling author. She grew up in northern Wisconsin, where her parents published a weekly newspaper. As a child she spent many hours sitting at her mother’s typewriter, plunking out stories, and credits her parents for instilling in her a love of books — which eventually turned into a desire to tell stories of her own. Kathryn has written nineteen books with close to two million copies sold. She lives with her husband and three children in Marinette, Wisconsin.
My thoughts: This book is addicting. Seriously addicting. I didn’t want to put it down. My kids had free reading for a whole afternoon because I couldn’t put it down! We were all sitting around the house with our noses in books. Of course, I had to take breaks when it was my turn to read to the baby. So glad she still takes naps even if it is for only 20 minutes! Anyway back to the book. First I love the title and the story behind the title in the book. The Dandelion Field. A field of dandelions. Only not really a field, more a yard. A yard full of dandelions symbolizing the love of a father to his son. What you have to read further to find is the man that helps the father to see the wisdom of sowing those dandelion seeds in the yard with his son. I loved it! Such a great memory for the son and such a great gesture of love by the father(read to book to see why). I say get this book. This is another new author for me and I loved the way she told the story of the characters of the book.
Okay guys here is where I give some spoilers. So if you really want to read the book and don’t want to know anything read no further. If you want to know a bit more before reading the book keep on trucking!
In this book we meet a single mother. She hasn’t stayed in one place for very long since being on her own. She has an 18 year old daughter who asks her to put down roots for just her senior year. She wants to stay in one spot for just a bit. And so they do. The mother, Gin, and the daughter, Raine, rent a house and begin life in a small town. Gin gets a job as a waitress in a little diner named “My Place” while Raine takes on life in high school over senior year. What neither of them was expecting comes their way in the form of love though. The love of a Godly man for Gin only after Raine experiences her first boyfriend and then becoming pregnant. How will two 18 year old seniors handle being pregnant? What about their parents? Both are single moms but one a widow and one never married. Through in a gorgeous firefighter investing in all of their lives and this story just gets better and better.
I have to say that one of my favorite scenes was when Gin visits the local church community for a flag football game only to find herself on the field! Not only is she tricked into playing, but then her team decides she is not worth their attention. What a great way for the church to reach out to the community! This struck me because we often find this in churches. There is no real outreach. I loved how our handsome firefighter Dan stepped up to the challenge here and then his whole family got involved!
I loved how the Moretti family enclosed the two female Lightlys in their midst and made them feel welcome and loved. Two things that those girls had never really felt. It takes a lot of courage and love for her daughter for Gin to stick in town and endure all the looks and whispers due to Raine’s pregnancy. But through her daughter, Cody, Dan and a few others eventually Gin comes to know the love of God. Raine is ahead of her in this journey as she found Him through Cody earlier.
This books touches on a touchy subject too. Christian youth are not hidden from temptation. They are still warm blooded people with desires just like the rest of the world. What happens when temptation takes over? How do others respond? I think this would be a great book for those in youth ministry to read!
Again, this is a great read and I hope you find out for yourselves by taking a peek!
Debbie Denny
This sounds like a great story. Love that she stays put and tackles the situation.
Erin S.
Yes it’s a great example! The young parents are great too.