I’ve mentioned before that I’m a huge fan of Dee Henderson and Terri Blackstock. I am so delighted to announce that I have found another stellar nationally published Christian suspense author, Karen Kingsbury.
“Like Dandelion Dust” is the story of Jack and Molly Campbell, a couple who was childless for the first years of their marriage until they adopted Joey, a little blond who immediately became the heart of their home. They can’t imagine how they ever existed without him, and they treasure every minute they get to spend with him.
Wendy, Joey’s birth mother has a terrible secret; she never told Rip, the father, she was pregnant, and she forged his signature on the adoption papers. He was in jail on a domestic violence charge, and she knew she shouldn’t raise a child in that type of home. Giving the baby up was the right thing to do, wasn’t it? But now Rip’s being released, and she knows she has to tell him about the baby before the neighbors tell him. He is furious and demands that they find a way to get the child back.
Jack and Molly receive a phone call that shatters their lives. Because Rip never knew about the pregnancy, the adoption is null and void, and they must give Joey back to his birth parents. They appeal to every lawyer and every politician they can, but the answer is always the same: the law is clear on this point. He must be returned. The judge does allow Joey to go for a few short visits before he leaves permanently, and the first time he leaves, it nearly kills both Jack and Molly to see him go.
As the day to lose their son forever draws nearer, Jack comes up with a dangerous plan. They should liquidate all their assets, scoop up Joey, and disappear. They could hide in the Cayman Islands until the hunt dies down, and start a whole new life. Anything to keep from losing Joey. Molly doesn’t agree, but when Joey returns from a visit with finger marks on his arm, she agrees. They have to save their son at all costs. Jack’s plan: pretend to be interested in church and go with the congregation on its planned trip to Haiti to repair an orphanage. Then they’ll slip away, taking only the most essential items, and hope no one ever finds them.
I read this book in one day. I could so easily understand how Jack and Molly would dream of doing something so dangerous and illegal; if someone wanted to take one of my kids away, I’d do anything to keep it from happening. The emotions and drama are played out beautifully, the conclusion is fabulous, and you’ll find yourself experiencing every twist and turn right along with Jack and Molly. Karen Kingsbury was a fabulous find and I’ll be reading everything I can get my hands on that bears her name.
(This book was published in 2006 by Center Street.)
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