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17 October 2011

Diana's Corner - Book Review of Dina Sleiman's "Dance of the Dandelion"




Dance of the Dandelion by Dina Sleiman
5 stars~ *****
  
Beautiful Story of Redemption!
Dina Sleiman takes us to Sussex, England, in the 14th century, where a young peasant girl, Dandelion, sets out on a self-destructive journey to find her place in life. She dreams of her knight in shining armor, who will take her away from hunger, emptiness, and poverty, and longs to live in the gray stone castle overlooking her smoky, poor village. And indeed her dreams take her farther away than she ever intended to go...away from her childhood sweetheart, her family, and most importantly, her innocence. 


Dandelion quickly learns that "the grass is not always greener when you get to the other side" for she falls into a tangled web of her own making that she cannot break free from, of herself. Her search for love and fulfillment leads from one abusive relationship to another, and her own passions and selfish desires threaten to destroy her...until at rock bottom she finds redemption.

This book rocked me to the core of my very being. So wonderfully written, riveting, and heartrending, I simply could not put it down. This is a book of all facets of love, but none so powerful as the redeeming, unconditional love of God, who Dandy learns the hard way, is able to fill all the empty places in her life. 


Oh, that this book would find its way to every Christian woman who is struggling with temptations of the flesh; who feels discontent with simply being a mother and a wife, and longs for something more exciting...and that this book would fall into the hands of our friends and family members who have been trapped in the same web as Dandelion. Yes, there are sexual situations in this book, and certain Christians would find it offensive, but I believe the author's intent is that the reader that is struggling, can identify with Dandy, and find deliverance.


This is not my typical review, but neither is this book your typical book. I believe many women's lives will be changed just by reading it. 


This is my opinion and I was not required to give a favorable review. 


Giveaway:  Leave your comment and email address for a chance to win a copy of Dance of the Dandelion.

55 comments:

  1. I have never heard of this book or author, but it does sound very good. It can be so fun to discover a wonderful book that is just not that well known and sometimes those are some of the best books.

    jen.whitney08[at]gmail[dot]com

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  2. Thank you, Carrie, as always for the beautiful posting job.

    Jen, I know you will be pleasantly surprised by Dina's writing talent, as was I. I loved this book and can't wait for her next one!

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  3. I also want to add that the cover model dancing on this book cover is Dina's own lovely daughter!

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  4. Hi Diana and Carrie, thanks for having me on today and for the lovely review.

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  5. Jen, this is actually my debut novel, and it is with a small publisher. But we're working on getting the word out :)

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  6. I've read some good reviews and an interview by the author. I would a chance to win her book. Please enter me.

    desertrose5173 at gmail dot com

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  7. Thank you, Dina. It's quite easy to write a review on a book such as this!

    Linda, I truly hope you get a chance to read Dina's book. It is a reading experience you will NEVER forget!

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  8. Hi, Linda and everyone. I usually try to mention that if you have an ebook reader, my book is only $3-$4, which is an awesome deal. The print version is a normal $14.99, but it is a nice long book, so I hope people will still feel like it's worth it :)

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  9. I also wanted to add that Dance of the Dandelion has 17 FIVE stars and one 4 star on Amazon! How awesome is that?!

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  10. Maureen left a comment for DotD in the wrong place, but I hope you come back Maureen and leave an email addy so we can locate you should you win!

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  12. Wow this sounds like a great book. Would love the chance to review it on my blog, http://hosannasjourney.blogspot.com/, at some point.
    cllane2 [at] liberty [dot] edu

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  13. Just took a peek at your blog, Charity. Looks like we have similar taste in books :)

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  14. It sounds like a great book!! would love to read it

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  15. As Dina's sister writer for WhiteFire Publishing I want to let you know how utterly beautiful this novel is. It is a book for any woman who has ever yearned for love in the wrong places, and who discovers the redemptive power of God's love. A truly breath-taking book.

    Author of Shadowed in Silk

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  16. Aww, thanks Christine. And thanks to Jewel also.

    You know, I was just looking at all of our WhiteFire books on amazon. All have a huge majority of 5 star ratings mixed in with a handful of 4s. Not a bad rating among them.

    And I just finished reading our next book by Sandi Rog to be released early 2012. Yet another amazing one. Walks Alone. Keep an eye out for it.

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  17. Charity and Jewels, you will love this book, and if you don't win it, you must be sure to order it! Like Dina already said, it's only $3 and some change on Kindle!

    Jewels, could you please come back and leave an email, so if you do win, we know where to find you, sweetie? Unless Dina or Carrie know you and have access to your email.

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  18. Christine, what a pleasure! I was just thinking about you this morning! I totally agree with every word you shared concerning Dina's book; it is breath-taking!

    As I mentioned, Dance of the Dandelion, was one of my favorite reads this year, and so was yours, Christine. I couldn't help thinking of you, and Shadowed in Silk, when I made that statement earlier!

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  19. You are cruel, Diana, because I still haven't gotten to Christine's and I really have to now and I am behind on other reads!

    Thanks for this review of Dina's book. Dina is special to me in so many ways, particularly with the faces she makes when I tell her sappy things like that! Such a talented writer and this story will touch the hearts of many misguided young women, too, and hopefully help them see that those romanticized versions of a hero are often ungodly.

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  20. Someone has to light a fire under you, Miss Carrie, and it may as well be me, hehe!

    I'm praying that this book will find its way into the hands of those very women you and Christine have just mentioned, Carrie. What a ministry Dina has!

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  21. I have heard so many lovely things about this book :)

    Please enter me

    crazi.swans at gmail dot com

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  22. Well, Faye, we're going to post it shortly, but you were the winner on Inkwell Inspirations from a week and a half ago :) Sorry we were a little late on drawing the name. Deb Marvin should be contacting you.

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  23. Wow! Lucky you, Faye! Congrats! We just get all kinds of good news on this blog!

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  24. Wow - This books sounds great. I love the cover it is so beautiful. Please include me in your giveaway.
    Thanks
    Debbie
    debdesk9(at)verizon.net

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  26. Thanks for your comment, Debbie! That's Dina's lovely daughter, Christiana, on the cover by the way! I agree it is a beautiful cover!

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  27. I would also love the chance to win this beautiful book, looks like a great read. I love the cover, also. miaross1961@yahoo.com

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  28. Please add my name to Anonymous..it is Carmee Ross

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  29. Diana, you were very excited about this book when you read it. I put the book on my wishlist then, but it would be great if I could win it of course. So please put my name in the hat :)

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  30. would LOVE to read Dina's masterpiece...thanks for the chance :)

    karenk
    kmkuka at yahoo dot com

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  31. Carmee, thank you for your kind comments. You will be entered in the giveaway!


    Karen, it looks as though you couldn't sleep either this morning. I have been sleeping well the past few months, until 4:00 rolled around this morning. UGG. Here's to a win, friend!

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  32. Marian, thanks for reminding me of that, since I can't even remember what I had for lunch yesterday.:) And I just threw your name in the proverbial hat, my dear friend!

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  33. It's been such an honor working with Dina on this amazing book (and with Christine! What awesome authors WhiteFire has!!), and I just LOVE seeing how the Lord is using the book to touch the hearts and lives of His daughters. Such an honor to be part of it! (And obviously don't enter me, as I have already read it, oh, ten times. Okay, five. ;-)

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  34. Roseanna, one of my favorite people (who I fussed at and fussed at to hurry and send me JoP and still haven't had a chance to read it, but it's next!), it's so nice to "see" you, gf! My TBR stack is something else and I've been trying to fit in these authors with brand new releases. JoP is next...promise.

    I agree, WhiteFire is quite a team! Christine's and Dina's book are in my top 10 faves of the year, and I'm sure yours will be in there, too!
    I can't wait to read their upcoming novels, but I guess I will have to! God bless you my "shine" girl!

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  35. Hi Everyone, thanks for stopping by and entering.

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  36. Aww, come on Roseanna, what could one more time hurt? I'm sure I've read it at least 100 :)

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  37. Diana, thanks for a great review! I've heard this book spoken of on blogs several times, but your review is the clearest and most helpful I've read. Now I am REALLY intrigued to read it :)

    Dina - great to see you again, you did throw a comment my way over at Seekerville a few weeks ago on your very inspiring guest post there.

    helenblogspot[at]gmail[dot]com

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  38. Hi Helen. Glad you enjoyed the Seekerville post. I was excited to write about a subject dear to my heart.

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  39. Helen, thank you for your lovely compliment; music to a reviewer's ears for sure. I hope you make it a point to read Dina's book, it's an experience you won't soon forget, if ever, for we all know Dandelions out there or may have been her ourselves at one time.

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  40. This is a new author for me. The book sounds good and your review has definitely caught my attention.
    Please enter me in the drawing.
    RedeemedReaders@bellsouth.net

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  41. Thank you, Sheryl, and welcome to OTT! Dina is such a fine writer it's hard to believe she is a "new" author. I am anxious to see what's next for her in the way of books. Count yourself officially entered, Sheryl!

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  42. Thanks, Sheryl, and thanks, Diana, for the lovely compliment. Although, after earning a Masters in writing in 1994 and now writing seriously for five years, I don't feel so "new." LOL.

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  43. This book sounds absolutely FABULOUS! Wow. Oh how often I've wanted to reach out and slap, (not really) someone that just couldn't be content. Then I had a new birthday...jk. But seriously speaking, this is a very important message women need to hear in today's world. Thank you for writing the story, Dina! I'm looking forward to reading it!
    amanda38401 at gmail dot com

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  44. Amanda, a million congrats on your new book, Lonely Hearts! How exciting! You will love Dina's book! So many women get caught in a trap and just keep spinning in that wheel like a hamster in a cage, going nowhere. Sooo sad, but they can't break free, of themselves. Dina's book holds such an important message! Thanks for coming over, Amanda!

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  45. It's always a pleasure to be here, Diana :) I've always taught my kids that the greener grass on the other side is really fake...
    Anyway ~ I've always wondered why people can't see that the only thing they're doing is changing the name of their problems and compounding things and making everything worse!

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  46. You know, I have to confess that I learned a lot through Dandelion's experience. And I feel like I'm still learning from her. Hearing Diana's wise perspective on this book helped me to see it from a slightly different perspective than I had before, but she's exactly right.

    I would have said that she had to learn to submit herself to God's plan for her life, but that also involved learning to be content with the normal sort of life she had tried to run away from.

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  47. I think it's interesting what Dina brought up about having different perspectives on this book. I think 10 people could read this book and have 10 different perspectives depending on where each person is in her life, and also her life experiences. But all would have to agree that submission to God's plan for our lives is the key to contentment and fulfillment.

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  48. Dina, I am so glad to see how God is blessing you in your calling. And how you are obedient when He urges you to take action. You are a walking witness to the glory of God.

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  49. Thanks, Carrie. That encouragement means a lot to me.

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  50. I have read some wonderful reviews of this book and would love to read it! I also love Dandelions! They are a sign of spring to me!
    Christina
    charliebear(at)rogers(dot)com

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  51. I had fun playing with the name Dandelion in this book and the different things it could represent. Did you know you can eat dandelions? You can also turn them into wine.

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  52. Christina, I love Dandelions, too, especially when my little grandsons pick them and say, "Here's a flower I picked for you, Nanny!" My heart turns to mush. However, I don't eat them...no thank you, Dina. lol

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  53. Congrats, Amanda Stephan! You have won Dina's awesome book, Dance of the Dandelion!

    Thank you all for visiting and encouraging Dina's heart and mine as well!

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  54. I'm so very excited to read this book. Thank you, Carrie, Diana, and Dina for the opportunity to be blessed in this way! Only too often a book goes where a preacher cannot and teaches the things that normally people wouldn't listen to.

    I'm grateful to learn about other authors that are trying to use their gifts for God's glory. Blessings to each of you!

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