Like Dandelion Dust by Karen Kingsbury

Molly and Jack Campbell lead an idyllic life - they enjoy a loving, compassionate marriage; Jack has a great job, they've enjoyed the perks of his business success without being swallowed by the "corporate monster", they drive an Acura SUV, and have a loving son in Joey - a gift from heaven above, an adoption that's allowed them to have everything they've ever wanted in life.

The icing on the cake: they've just moved to Florida to live with Molly's sister and life-long friend Beth and her family. Though Beth has gotten a little "preachy" in the last couple years as she and her husband Bill get more and more serious about their "God Thing", Molly is looking forward to meshing their families - a bright future of walks in the park, weekend picnics and family adventures on the lake.

If only she could get Beth to stop harping about church and an intimate relationship with God and enjoy the ride. After all, they have the best life could possibly give them - what more could God possibly give?

Several states away in Ohio, however, Wendy Porter - abused, victimized birth mother of Joey - trembles in both excitement and fearful anticipation at the release of her husband Rick from prison, after his arrest for assaulting her several years before. She has good reason to be excited: Rick claims to have found "religion", given up the booze, and has taken anger management classes, promising her a whole new world and a brand new Rick.

She has good reason to be fearful, though, for she's hid both her pregnancy and adoption from Rick these past years. What will be his reaction when he realizes she not only kept the truth from him, but forged his name on the adoption papers - what will happen to the "brand new Rick" then?

Along the way, she begins to rethink her decision to give up her only son - what would she do for a chance to have him back in her life again, and at what cost? Her prayers are miraculously answered when a judge renders the adoption invalid, ruling that permanent custody of Joey must revert back to she and Rick.

However - doubt plagues her heart. Has Rick really changed? Will he be a danger to Joey, and is the boy - who loves his adoptive parents fiercely, with utter devotion - truly be better off with them?

And what about the Campbells? They are devastated, their perfect lives destroyed in an instant. No ruling can change the fact that in their hearts, Joey belongs to them.

What will they do? What lengths will they go to keep Joey by their side, how low will they sink before they finally approach the God they've ignored for so long?

Like Dandelion Dust, by Karen Kingsbury, is a well-told, emotional tale that is heart-wrenching, especially for any parent or anyone who has worked in child protective services. Kingsbury pulls all the right strings, and the plot - thought somewhat standard - is one you can't help but be engaged by. It's like an experienced bowler setting up a 7-10 split - a can't miss in the sentimental department.

There are few plot holes in the Campbell's scheme to keep Joey from their birth parents - who themselves faded from the limelight over the course of the novel - and Rick Porter is too firmly placed in the "accepted role" of an alcoholic, abusive husband who is just a bad person, and not someone struggling against terrible inner demons, which would've been a little more interesting and realistic.

Also, while the set-up of the emotional tone is one that can't miss, the "set-up" for the "no matter how good our lives are, we'll need God someday" plot-line is a little too obvious for my tastes. The Campbell's lives are just a little too good, presenting the obvious foil that something "bad" is going to happen to them, making them want to turn to Christ. It works, but there are just tons of Lifetime Channel and Pax movies that read just like this.

Though the ending is somewhat anti-climactic, the writing is good and transcends certain stale plot points. Like Dandelion Dust is a novel best read with tissue box near, and after finishing, the first thing you'll want to do is grab that dear "little one" in your life, give them a big hug, tell them that you love them, and thank God for the big AND small things He's done in your life.

4 out of 5 stars