Dance of the Dandelion [Paperback]

Dina L. Sleiman (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 2011

Love's quest leads her the world over.

Dandelion Dering was born a peasant in the English village of Arun, but her soul yearned for another life, another world. One filled with color and music, with adventure and passion . . . with more.

Haunted by childhood memories, Dandelion determines to find a better existence than the life every peasant in the village contents themselves with. Even if her sweetheart William s predictions prove true, and her journey leads straight to heartache.

From her sleepy hamlet to the intrigue of castle life, from the heart of London to the adventurous seas, Dandelion flees from the mistakes of her past, always seeking that something, that someone who will satisfy her longings.

Will Dandelion ever find the rhythm to her life's dance . . . or did she leave her chance for true love at home in Arun village?

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Dina L. Sleiman writes lyrical stories that dance with light. Most of the time you will find this Virginia Beach resident reading, biking, dancing, or hanging out with her husband and three children, preferably at the oceanfront. Since finishing her Professional Writing MA in 1994, she has enjoyed many opportunities to teach literature, writing, and the arts. Join her as she discovers the unforced rhythms of grace.

Product Details

• Paperback: 296 pages
• Publisher: WhiteFire Publishing (October 1, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0983455600
• ISBN-13: 978-0983455608
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (33 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,582,537 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Dina Sleiman writes lyrical stories that dance with light. Most of the time you will find this Virginia Beach resident reading, biking, dancing, or hanging out with her husband and three children, preferably at the oceanfront. Since finishing her Professional Writing MA in 1994, she has enjoyed many opportunities to teach literature, writing, and the arts. She was the Overall Winner in the 2009 Touched by Love contest for unpublished authors. Her debut novel, Dance of the Dandelion with Whitefire Publishing, won an Honorable Mention in the 2012 Selah Awards. Her latest novel, Love in Three-Quarter Time, recently released with Zondervan First. Dina serves as an acquisitions editor for WhiteFire as well, and she loves to represent them at writers conferences throughout the US. Join her as she discovers the unforced rhythms of grace. For more info visit her at http://dinasleiman.com/

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Reminded me favorably of the novel, Year of Wonders June 22, 2011

By Christine Lindsay

Format:Kindle Edition

As I read Dance of the Dandelion, I found myself comparing it to the well-received mainstream novel, Year of Wonders--a novel also set in Medieval times with a strong flavor of the exotic Middle East. The reader is taken from a hovel in the England countryside to within the tapestry-lined walls of a castle and all its evil secrets, to bustling London, and then to sun-kissed Italy. It is a flamboyantm tale with bright imagery that I couldn't put down.

The main character, Dandy, grew up dancing barefoot in meadows, and kept gnawing hunger away by poaching. She is as wild and spirited as a child, but with the body, mind and desires of a grown woman. Dandy doesn't even trust herself to do the right thing, especially when her decisions are influenced by her raw childhood memories of famine.

Dandy wants more out of life than what her simple cotter family has, and more than what the young farmer, William, can ever give her. Because of this, she recklessly turns her back on true love to marry a nobleman from the nearby castle, only to find there are other types of hunger--the hunger of the soul. As Dandy struggles with heartache and at times, brutality, she also finds within each hardship a vibrant sense of hope. Dandy struck me as a strong, vivacious heroine who learns by failure before she grasps the truth.

The literary talent of this author delighted me as I kept picturing the rich pallet of the Renaissance as I read this extremely gripping story. It was like reading light rippling across water. At the same time, the author doesn't shy away from difficult issues, but the story does come around to a Christian redemptive message that is totally believable, and a wonderfully satisfying ending.

I highly recommend this book.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Best Medieval fiction I have ever read, and a favorite this year! July 29, 2011

By Michelle Sutton

Format:Kindle Edition

I have finally found the perfect novel. Seriously! This is the best book I have read in a very long time and I've read over 200 books in the last two years.

In the acknowledgements at the end of the book the author credits Donald Maas for teaching her how to develop at decent plot into a stellar one. She far exceeded stellar and I dare say this book for me was more of a mindblowing romance and spiritual love story similar to Redeeming Love, a best-selling novel by Francine Rivers. Over the years I have read a ton of books set during this time period and none of them came close to being as exhilarating for me as this one. It not only inspired me, but reading this novel was downright addicting. I had to have my fix daily until I finished the book. When I reached the end I felt and ovewhelming sense of satisfaction at having experience the highs and lows of Dandelion's journey as well as bonding so closely to the characters that I felt as if I had also experienced the same boundless joy by the end of the book. The resolution was stellar, and beyond satisfying.

I can't say enough good things about this book. I feel like my words will be inadequate, but I'll try to explain why this book will forever remain in my heart as a favorite read right up there with Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers. For one thing, the author had so many insights into not only the physical and emotional realm of Dandelion's existence, but she nailed her spiritual journey as well. We have all asked ourselves the same questions and have at times felt the same longing for more than we have. We have all sought that joy that can only come from knowing God. The Bible says if you seek God with your whole heart (like Dandelion did) you will find Him. Unfortunately many of us trip and fall many times along the way. Some of us make terrible choices with devastating consequences and others make better ones, but we all make choices every day. We are all capable of being led astray, and often childhood pain drives our desire for whatever it is we seek. This story showed that in a way that made sense, and it was so well-written. The prose was beautiful and sigh-worthy, for sure.

For me the most emotional and touching part of the story had to do with Dandelion's fear of her own passion. God made her that way and she knew that deep inside. When she tried to squelch it, the effect never lasted. She longed for love and a better life, but her passion was misdirected so many times. She thought maybe choosing someone who was stable and secure was what she needed to control that passion that frightened her so many times, but that didn't work. Often women are drawn to men who have self-serving and selfish desires because they are so charming and passionate as well, but not in a way that shows love. That initial bond quickly shatters when the true colors of the person doing the abusing comes out and then the woman is trapped. Dandelion was strong in so many ways, but at the same time she was so very human. I loved her dearly as if she were a real person. Dance of the Dandelion inspired me in a place deep inside my heart that books rarely touch. I highly recommend this story for anyone who has looked for love and satisfaction in the wrong places and thus made poor choices in this life. The book illustrates through well-written characterization how you can experience the freedom to worship God with passion and fulfill that desire to know Him more. That's what Dandelion's story did for me.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Exuberant Debut Novel June 11, 2011

By Linore Burkard

Format:Kindle Edition

This richly imagined book is a passionate medieval coming-of-age tale, written in a melodic first-person style that is compellingly believable. It will have you turning pages eagerly and journeying with young, beautiful and errant Dandelion Dering through the treacherous world of 14th century English life, as she rises from humble beginnings to better herself in the world. Along the way she learns difficult lessons about life, love, and even God. Highly recommended!