Wishing on Dandelions

Maranatha #2

by Mary E. DeMuth

"Mary's heart for Jesus and people is contagious." —Jennie Allen, author of Nothing to Prove and founder and visionary







Have you ever struggled to know, really know the reality of God's love?

In the critically acclaimed sequel to Watching the Tree Limbs, we meet Georgeanne Peach who is bent on ruining everything!

Now seventeen, Maranatha Winningham admittedly has some trust issues-her mother abandoned her, a neighbor boy abused her for years, her best friend has left for college and God, ever since he spoke to her underneath the pecan tree three years ago, has remained elusive.

So when Miss Peach blows in to take over the only place Natha's ever called home, leaving a trail of peach fabric swatches and cloying perfume, it's easy to understand how something like a little ol' tornado might not be a big deal.

Like every teenager, Natha tries to sort out the confusing layers of love-of friends, of family, of suitors, and desperately, of God. She struggles to find herself before she gives into the scared, shadow of a girl. She asks the question we all Does God really love me?

Genres: Christian Fiction

260 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 22, 2006

About the author

Mary DeMuth is literary agent, international speaker, podcaster, and she’s the novelist and nonfiction author of over forty books, including Love, Pray, Listen: Parenting Your Wayward Adult Kids with Joy (Bethany 2022). She loves to help people re-story their lives. She lives in Texas with her husband of 31 years and is the mom to three adult children. Find out more at marydemuth.com. Be prayed for on her daily prayer podcast with 4 million downloads: prayeveryday.show. For sexual abuse resources, visit wetoo.org. For cards, prints, and artsy fun go to marydemuth.com/art. Find out what she’s looking for as a literary agent at marydemuthliterary.com

Reviews

[Lori Wasson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really loved this book. Awesome book about healing and the impacts of major trauma. The character development was awesome. I loved Charlie and Zady, but couldn't stand "Violin Charlie" and his self-righteous and judgmental ways. Maranatha had been through so much in her young life but has come out to be such a strong person. And I loved Mary Demuth's lyrical writing style.

I read "Watching the Tree Limbs" over 10 years ago and while I remember the general story line and some of the characters, there's a lot I've forgotten. I am going to reread this book to fill in the gaps in my memory :).

[Lanette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Waiting For Rivers!

OMGosh! I love her stories! I’m always amazed (and a bit envious) of how authors put together a story on paper. I love Mary DeMuth’s style and talent. I love the mystery and the emotional intensity of her books. I love how she brings it together and this one is no different. Her books, both fiction and nonfiction are worth the time. I’ve read some of both and this series is no different. Now I’m anxiously “Waiting For Rivers” (pun intended 😉) Book 3! PLEASE FINISH IT so I can see how Life plays out for Maranatha. ❤️

[Randy Tramp · Rating 5 out of 5]

A whirlwind of a first scene that matches what's happening in Maranatha's life. Raw emotions caused me to stop at times, then press on. I enjoyed the Christian element in this book. We need Jesus, who helps us find ourselves, as portrayed in the life of elusive, seventeen-year-old Maranatha Winningham. Like every teenager, she tries to figure out the love of friends, of family, of suitors, and of God. Especially as Miss Peach arrives. Very good read.

[Ntebogeng Archer · Rating 5 out of 5]

So beautifully written.

What a beautifully written story of pain, finding healing by leaning on friendship and God. Natha made me so mad though at some point. The emotions in this book are so high and feel so real. Rape is not sufficiently addressed and I am grateful to have read this book to better understand the complexity of pain and healing. I cannot wait for book 3.

[Ashleigh Bolyard · Rating 4 out of 5]

The problem with reading good books is that they end. Although it was a great ending, I wanted there to be more. Can there be another book?

[Pat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hard to put down. Mesmerizing.

[Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Maranatha Winningham has a place to go to think, to question God. It's a burned-out, abandoned plantation mansion sitting on a field of dandelions. Maranatha journeyed to this thinking place, raced to the middle of the field, plucked a single dandelion-gone-to-seed and blew across its head while she made her wish:
Jesus, you know my name. I want to live up to it. I want my heart to be a place where you want to come. But I'm afraid it's too dark there. What I've done. What's been done to me...I'm sorry I'm so needy, but I have to know, have to know it in my gut. Please show me you love me anyway. Whatever it takes.

And so this second book in DeMuth's Maranatha series begins...years after Maranatha's struggle with her identity, with abandonment issues, with the vulgar crimes committed against her, Maranatha comes to terms with the love of Jesus. A love that makes us face up to the ugly truths of who we are...how helpless we can be. A love that makes us face the truth that Jesus hasn't left us--even in the poor choices we make, even in the terrible things done against us. It's a bitter truth to know that Jesus has been with us in those dreadful times. But because He's been with us, He is fully capable of walking with us in the healing. This is the redemptive message of Maranata's story. The pain of her past is known by Jesus. He loves her anyway...loves her enough to walk beside her through the healing.

There were a lot of side-stories with this one...stories distracted from this quest for Jesus. In fact, much of it was disappointing because Maranath, aka "Mara" had found Jesus under the pecan tree, as she looked up into the tree limbs. Didn't she know that Jesus was with her? Why the confusion about Zady's and Camilla's loyalties? Why the guilt over Uncle Zane's stroke? Why question what she felt for Charlie...and then play games with it using Violin Charlie? Why, especially why, the feelings of being soiled, spoiled, damaged goods.

But...this is the struggle of believers. We all struggle with "where is/wasJesus?" We all have to deal with feeling damaged. We all must come to terms with trusting that He's there, that He cares about everything we've been through, that He died to REDEEM all the ugly experiences of our lives.

I gave WISHING ON DANDELIONS three stars because this main message was at times lost in the back stories of Uncle Zane and Georgeanne, of Camilla's poems, of the wonder of Old Mack appearing at just the right time. I don't know that the relationship with Georgeanne, Maranata's new step-aunt, was ever resolved...the hint is there that Georgeanne hurts Maranatha because she herself is hurt. Will this be explored in another book? If so, I'll read it, but for present, for the end of this book, it was simply distracting.

[V.K. Sansone · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am through with Wishing On Dandelions and it is a very good follow-up of Watching the Tree Limbs by Mary DeMuth. She takes you inside the heart and mind of Maranatha from a nine year old child and up into her teenage years in the second book. You will love her and want to protect her, to keep her close and safe by your side. These are two very good reads! If you find them grab them for your own personal library because I think I could read them over again and still be moved! :)

[Chickadee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've always loved the south and reading Mary's books make me yearn to live somewhere warm and sunny where I can sit peacefully on my front porch swing, sipping sweet tea, surrounded by the overwhelming scent of magnolia. *happy sigh*

[Chantal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great so far.

[Terry Shepherd]

I loved it. I couldn't put it down!!!

[Michelle Fowler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book. The struggles that Maranatha has with God are so close to struggles that I have. Couldn't put it down!

[Val · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very hopeful book, but heavy and hard. I felt with the characters so deeply. This author is so talented! You feel like you are there.