Miralee Ferrell's Novels discussion
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Blowing on Dandelions
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Blowing on Dandelions
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Sarah
(last edited Jan 31, 2014 07:31PM)
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rated it 5 stars
Jan 31, 2014 04:33PM
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Thank you, Sarah...I asked Sarah to do this as I felt it might be easier than wading through reviews on the general Goodreads site. I also asked her to post about spoilers, but I should rephrase what I told her. Feel free to go beyond the summary, as long as it doesn't disclose anything important about the story line.
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If only life was as easy as making dandelion wishes. But as Katherine Galloway knows,“There was no fantasy world where thirty-two-year-old women—or little girls for that matter—could ride the dandelion fluff and become someone they weren’t.” A widow of three years who balances motherhood with running a boardinghouse, Katherine has accepted the hardships she faces and tries her best to keep moving forward. However, now her overbearing and acerbic mother, Frances Connors, is coming for a visit, and she dreads having another cause of stress in her life. Katherine firmly believes in respecting her elders, particularly her mother, even though she does nothing but criticize and try to assume control. Katherine decided long ago that she will have a better relationship with her own two daughters than she has with her mother, and she moves this determination to the forefront in the wake of their grandmother’s arrival. Nevertheless, her obeisance does not preclude her from wishing that her circumstances were different and from wondering why God doesn’t change her mother’s attitude, especially when she meets a handsome single man.
Widower Micah Jacobs and his son Zachary have come to Baker City, Oregon to make a fresh start. Micah owns the town livery, and he is still grieving his late wife’s untimely death and harboring anger toward God for allowing it to happen. A chance encounter introduces him to Katherine, and his son and Katherine’s older daughter, Lucy, develop a close friendship. Micah’s life seems to be heading in the right direction when a tragic event upsets his new start and seems to push him even further away from God and from happiness. As a reluctant lodger at the boardinghouse, he finds himself in the midst of a tumultuous situation between Frances, the other boarders, and Katherine, who is often caught in the crossfire. Sometimes, though, the Lord works in mysterious ways, and perhaps it isn’t too late for healing and renewal to begin.
“Blowing on Dandelions,” book one of author Miralee Ferrell’s “Love Blossoms in Oregon” trilogy, sets a promising precedent for the remainder of the series. With intelligent, well-crafted prose, Ferrell takes readers on a literary and spiritual journey that spans the past and bridges the gap between the story’s 1880 setting and contemporary life with timeless dilemmas and relatable characters. Everybody knows someone who is difficult to love, and everyone can identify with the struggles of faith and love. “Blowing on Dandelions” presents practical Christianity and faith in action, avoiding pie-in-the-sky preaching in favor of illuminating the true message of the Gospel—i.e., loving God and loving one’s neighbors. This heartwarming novel encourages readers in their daily lives and faith walk as Ferrell dexterously weaves a story rife with adversity but also abounding in love and triumph. Suitable for an adult and young adult audience, “Blowing on Dandelions” proves to be a quick and lively read, thanks in part to short chapters and a captivating plot. There is also an “AfterWords” section appended to the novel itself, providing an Author’s Note regarding Ferrell’s reason for writing the story, thought-provoking discussion questions for individual or group consideration, and an enticing look at chapter one of “Wishing on Buttercups,” the second book in the series.
I received a complimentary copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
Mod
While Katherine is doing her best in raising her two girls in a Boardinghouse alone, she also struggles with her relationship with her Mother. I liked how Katherine welcomed all of the Guests that came to her Boardinghouse, even when one woman was "difficult"...
The characters were very interesting, and I liked how Miralee describes the relationship between Katherine and her Mother.
Mod
Blowing On Dandelions spoke to me from the very first page. Here is a small excerpt from page one and then I will explain why.
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Katherine Galloway’s soft exhales sent the dandelion fluff dancing on the warm current of air, but it didn’t bring the anticipated relief. Gripping the stem, she sat in the grassy field with her eyes closed and waited. Why didn’t it come? It had always appeared years ago when she needed it. How long had it been since her mind had drifted away to a place where nothing could hurt her? Fifteen years? Twenty?
She shook her head and an errant curl tickled her cheek.
More. Many more. But always her memory returned to those times when the dandelion fluff had carried her away to a place where mothers were loving and kind, and little girls didn’t need to be afraid of cutting words or sharp voices.
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When I was a little girl I used to wait for the “flowers” to bloom just so I could blow on them and see them be scattered by the wind. My Dad would always say “They’re just WEEDS!”. What my Dad didn’t know was every time I blew on those dandelions, every hope and dream I had was scattering on the wind and I was praying they would find their way to God and, eventually, come true. This might sound silly to those of you reading this but, the small excerpt awakened long forgotten memories and brought back memories of my Dad as well. So for the first time (yes, I said the first time) a book really spoke to me.
I was able to sympathize with Katherine’s character in more ways than one. Her relationship with her mother was rocky at best and she suffered constant criticism from a woman she had tried very hard to love her whole life. Katherine had an inner strength and control that was astounding. I, too, didn’t have the best relationship with my mother when I was younger but through faith in God and prayer we now have a strong bond and I am now her caregiver.
Miralee Ferrell is an amazing writer. This is the first book I have read by her and I am so glad I read it. It left me smiling at old memories and gave me hope for making new ones. I can’t wait for the next two books in this series. If you haven’t read Blowing On Dandelions I suggest you give it a try. It’s more than worth it and look at that cover! Isn’t it amazing?
**I was given an ARC of this book for my honest opinion**
My review: posted on goodreads, amazon, netgalley, Christianbook.com, and going to put on my blog. Blowing on dandelions
Always love a good historical. This is definitely a good one.
Katherine is a widow and runs a boarding house, her sister that was taking of her mother recently passed away and now her mother is going to stay with her. Katherine's mother is always picking on everything she does and makes her feel insecure.
Micah Jacobs is also a widow with a son. Katherine has two daughters and the oldest, Lucy, becomes friends with Micah son.
There is a fire at the livery where Micah and his son lives, when the fire happens they lose everything, Katherine invites them to stay at the boardinghouse. Then Mrs. Roberts and her niece,Beth, comes to town and stays at the boardinghouse. Katherine has "fun" trying to get everyone to get along.
A very good book and well worth reading.
Hi Janice, I just found your review on Amazon and I was so tickled you read it, enjoyed and reviewed it. Thank you!!!
Mod
I am reading Wishing on Buttercups, there is a scene in chapter thirteen that made me laugh had a stressful day at work , thanks for the laugh, I needed it.
Blowing on Dandelions (Love Blossoms in Oregon #1) by Miralee FerrellI give this book 5 stars.
This is a great historical romance!
The character development is absolutely wonderful. Miralee has not only done a complete in-depth build up of a couple of main characters. She paid attention to detail in a fairly large number of additional people in the story. The way she fleshed out the relationships and how each person’s attitudes affected the others was incredible. Many of the people are aware of God’s presence and it comes out in their conversations. This story helps to encourage us to remember to take time with God for help in our relationships.
I received a free copy of this book from The Book Club Network in exchange for my honest opinion.
