The Dandelion Field by Kathryn Springer (Review + Blog Tour + Giveaway)

The Dandelion Field
by Kathryn Springer
Christian Fiction / Contemporary / Romance
Available January 2015
Zondervan
352 pages

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About the Book

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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My Thoughts

I think it's safe to say that The Dandelion Field is unlike any other book I've read recently, maybe ever. There are essentially two main stories running concurrently. One focuses on Raine and Cody and their unintended teenage pregnancy. The other focuses on Gin and Dan as adults who care about these teenagers in trouble, struggling with their own baggage, and possibly falling in love. There's a lot packed into these 350 pages, but Kathryn Springer pulls it off easily.

The characters are fascinating. With four main characters and a decent-sized supporting cast, it would be easy to assume that they would be fairly simple or one-dimensional. Fortunately for us, the author does a phenomenal job of creating a full cast of characters that are real. They each have traits that made me love them, as well as flaws that made them human and baggage that made the story more interesting.

From the very first page until well after I finished the book, I could not stop thinking about this story. It's beautiful, and I loved that the author faced some really difficult topics head on. Additionally, faith is central to the story and is a perfect complement to every aspect of the book.

The Dandelion Field is a compelling story that tackles tough issues with humor, romance, and faith. I cannot recommend this book strongly enough. In my opinion, it's a must read! [5 stars]

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher through Litfuse Publicity in exchange for my fair and honest review.

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.

Giveaway
Get ready for Valentine's Day with a new story of romance and falling in love in Kathryn Springer's The Dandelion Field. The handsome firefighter makes a living “coming to the rescue,” but Gin is used to fighting her own battles. Can a woman who doesn't believe in happy endings take a chance on a new beginning? 

Celebrate a second chance at love and family with Kathryn by entering her Kindle Fire giveaway!

One grand prize winner will receive:

• A Kindle Fire
• The Dandelion Field

Enter today by clicking the icon below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on February 15th. Winner will be announced February 16th on the Litfuse blog.

  {NOT ON FACEBOOK? ENTER HERE.}