Daddy Trails: Three wishes, three fathers, and a DNA fairy-tale.

by Elizabeth Manzanares Wenig

Little House meets Hillbilly Elegy....

Far removed from a typical childhood, Elizabeth experiences the nightmare of growing up in an alcoholic environment, the joy of having nature as a backyard with animals as companions, and the extraordinary faith that shaped her foundational years and carried her into adulthood.
Elizabeth shares the pitfalls and heartache of longing and searching for a fairy-tale father. She thought she had him in a step-dad who was a stern taskmaster, provided the necessities of life, and taught her to be tough and self-sufficient.
Then after years of returned letters and the thorough searching of genealogy records, Elizabeth found her birth-certificate dad who had become a shining knight in the dreams of her youth. Unfortunately, there would be no love forthcoming from this narcissistic psychopathic criminal.
Finally, a miracle brought the surprise of a lifetime and fulfilled her third secret wish. Elizabeth’s genetic material spiraled not only around her mother’s Scotch, Irish, and English ancestors but encircled a bonafide, DNA-certified fairy-tale father.
Genealogy often brings blessings in the guise of shocking revelations. Elizabeth’s long sought-after and dreamed-of father was Mexican. She was catapulted into a new culture, a new way of thinking, and a very large and loving family.
After years of endurance filled with disappointment, violence, abuse, and murder Elizabeth discovers the true power for overcoming burdens—the atoning sacrifice of our Lord. Her story of trial, faith, and forgiveness underscores the truth that you are never alone.

226 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 15, 2022

About the author

Elizabeth lives in the country with her husband, Gary, a gaggle of cats, and a little flock of chickens, Mary Jane, her sixteen-year-old sourdough starter, Annie, her twenty-six-year-old bonsai Ficus, her Faith Garden, and many herbs and flowers.

Her three children, nine grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren are the apple of her eye, and she takes pleasure in reading, writing, and worshiping her Savior.


You may reach Elizabeth through her author page.

Reviews

[Hulls Lila]

The Fairytale Father is a deeply moving memoir that takes readers on an emotional journey through hardship, resilience, and hope. Elizabeth shares the painful realities of growing up in a troubled home while also capturing the beauty of childhood moments spent in nature and the strength she found through faith. Her lifelong search for her father is both heartbreaking and inspiring, filled with unexpected twists that make the story difficult to put down. The exploration of family, identity, forgiveness, and healing gives this memoir remarkable depth. Whether you're interested in true stories, genealogy, or uplifting journeys of perseverance, this book offers a powerful reminder that hope can be found even after life's greatest challenges. Highly recommended.

[Autumn]

I think it's one of the lovliest things in the world to know the writer, so I'm totally going to be biased.

This woman is amazing and the fact that she has written her story and was daring enough to publish it is awe inspiring for me. So no matter what, I will always recommend this book.

[Elizabeth Manzanares Wenig]

Of course, I'm going to rate my own book the highest! Not because I'm the best writer, but because my story can touch your heart and show His Abiding Love.

The purpose of the book is to share my adversities to demonstrate that God's Light and guiding Presence is with us throughout our lives. And, that He can help us do the hard things such as forgive the unforgivable.

Following the trails through prayer, genealogy, and three fathers I found a treasure I didn't even know existed.