Review: Dandelions On The Wind
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 03 27, 2013
About The Book: "Tattered relationships and broken hearts, like a quilt, can be pieced together by God's love.  When Maren Jensen took a job on Elsa Brantenberg's St. Charles, Missouri farm, she never expected to call the place her home. As she grows to love Mrs. Brantenberg and her granddaughter, Gabi, Maren is transformed from a lonely mail-order bride-without-a-groom to a beloved member of the Brantenberg household.But when Gabi's father, Rutherford "Wooly" Wainwright, returns to the farm unexpectedly, everything changes for Maren. Despite the failing eyesight that caused her suitor to reject her, she can see that Wooly desperately needs to reconnect with the family he abandoned when his grief sent him running toward the army--and into the Civil War. She also senses there could be something more between the widower and herself, if either can move beyond their past hurts.Comforted and counseled by the wisdom of the women in her beloved quilting circle, Maren begins to discover the cost such decisions demand of her heart. Are her choices in obedience to God, or is she running from His plan? Is it too late for love to be stitched into the fabric of her life?"About The Author:  "Mona Gansberg married Bob Hodgson in 1972, and became Mona Hodgson 40 years ago. They have two grown daughters, two sons-in-law, three grandsons and a granddaughter.In 1987, Mona Hodgson began writing articles, poems, and short stories for publication, and has had several hundred printed in more than 50 different publications. Her publishing credits also include four historical novels for WaterBrook/Multnomah, nearly 30 children's books, and contributions to 11 books for adults.Mona is a speaker for women's retreats, schools, conferences for educators and librarians, and at writers' conferences throughout the United States and Canada. She holds professional memberships in the American Christian Fiction Writers, Romance Writers of America, Women Writing the West, Pikes Peak Writers Group, Christian Authors Network, and Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators."My Thoughts About The Book:  I love post Civil War era and mail-order bride books.  This novella was a wonderful story of hope, sadness, and new beginnings  Maren is a very strong and likeable character.  She comes to life on the written page.  Hodgson is a master at bringing her characters to life.  I have  enjoyed every Mona Hodgsons book I have read and look forward to reading the other two in this series. The Sinclair Sisters of Cripple Creek, are wonderful books. This novella is no different. It has a strong Christian influence but is not overly preachy.  It draws you in and won't let you go until the last event has unfolded.  This book is a must read.Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Waterbrook Multnomah Publishing Group's review program for bloggers, Blogging for Books.  I was not required to write a positive review. All they asked for was an honest review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255.