✨ "Dust" (2021) ✨ - Book Review
MY REVIEW
Paperback: 383 pages
Publisher: Firefly Southern Fiction (March 18, 2021)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1645263096
ISBN-13: 978-1645263098
⬅️ Click Photo for Purchase Information
“In 1977, when nineteen-year-old Allison Middleton receives a proposal of marriage from Westley Houser, she eagerly accepts, having no idea the secret Westley carries—a secret that will change Allison’s life forever. But Allison rises to the challenge of raising Westley’s toddling daughter as though she were her own.
Over the course of their lifetime together, Allison, Westley, and Michelle form the strong bond of family. As Allison struggles with infertility and finding her way during a time of great change for women, others—some she knows and others whom she never meets—brush and weave against the fabric of her life, leaving her with more questions than answers.
From teen bride to grandmother, Allison’s life chronicles the ups and downs of an ordinary woman’s life to examine the value of what we all leave behind.”
Thank you in advance to the author, Eva Marie Everson, for providing a complimentary review copy through JustRead Tours. A positive review was not requested or required, and all words are my own.
This is my first introduction to the author, and what a stunning introduction it is. Stunning in good ways and bad ways.
The cover is subtle and yet beautiful, very simple – much like the tone and plot of the story.
The title and story is inspired by Kansas’ “Dust in the Wind” where the main narrator, Allison, wonders what we all leave behind. Though, I will state that most of the plot and story is given away by the blurb on the back. Very few things come as a shock in the course of reading it.
The main characters are: Westley/Allison and Patterson/Mary Ellen with Cindie to connect both couples. Allison’s POV is told in first (1st) person, while the other characters are in third (3rd) person.
Everson carefully, and at times heartbreakingly so; crafts an emotional, poignant, descriptive, dramatic, realistic, and reflective story. At times, the chapters are short, the writing and plot line is realistic and authentic to the times. All of this is done in a standalone read that is complete from the first page to the last.
At times, since I was born around the time this story begins, it was a unique look back on the time I grew up in which was what drew me to the book.
While this is classified as a Christian book – there are only a few references to God. There is some questionable language (sl-t is used), there are some crude but never descriptive intimate references, some nudity referred to. There are very few prayers or references to biblical quotes.
But, after a little bit more research on this book, I learned that Everson; while widely known for her Christian fiction; wrote “Dust” with more of a moral message that she hopes will extend to those outside the church, while also reaching those inside the church with similar experiences as the characters depicted.
In addition there are some heavy trigger/content warnings:
** Infertility references
** Mention of abortion
** Miscarriage
** Emergency Hysterectomy
** Pre-marital Sex
** Extramarital affair
** One character **COULD be perceived as a sexual predator
** Mention of the current pandemic
Readers who have issues with the topics might want to pass this book up as it is very visceral and realistic with regard to them.
The book stars off about 11 years earlier with Patterson Thacker and his marriage to Mary Ellen. And, to be honest, I didn’t know how this couple was going to connect to Allison (Ali) and Westley (Wes). Immediately I was wondering who they were in this story. Patterson returns sporadically, more so in the final chapters of the book.
I did enjoy the Barry Gibb reference since I LOVED the Bee Gees’ music and still do.
Ali is, as mentioned, a teen bride (19) who has no clue about Wes’ daughter by Cindie (a one-night liaison). Even Wes’ family doesn’t know about the girl until just before the wedding. DiAnn (Wes’ sister) knows though. And, soon one of the motives behind the marriage is made clear.
While Ali’s parents are happy for her marriage to Wes, they don’t like her sister’s husband Dean (“the bum”). And, readers will be happy to find out how this relationship pans out over the course of the novel though there is very little interaction between the two.
And, Everson clearly illustrates who the “villain” is in Wes and Ali’s relationship – Michelle’s mom, Cindie. It is either funny or tragic at how many people know she’s beautiful, but not bright. She wants to believe she is in control of her and Wes’ “relationship” with using Michelle, though clearly she isn’t.
Ali doesn’t find out about Wes’ daughter until halfway through the story. It is there that the story picks up with regard to the plot.
Michelle and Ali form a bond and Ali, as the blurb says, deals with infertility. Though it is never explained as to the reason. And, the struggle takes place during Ali and Wes’ lifetime together, but not as long as the reader might think.
Their lives weave and connect with Cindie whose life connects with Patterson and Mary Ellen’s in a not-so-surprising way.
The first 75% of the book is more centered in the late 1970’s to early 1990’s. It isn’t until that 75% that the book moves forward to 1982, and from there hops to 1998, 1993, then current (obviously 2020).
While the characters have interesting changes and development. It is clear to see that they remain true to who they are at the very core. Everson’s writing is slightly predictable in this manner but she does so in a way that the reader will likely keep reading it to see where the story goes.
Readers who enjoy cleaner and more Christian tones might not enjoy this book. Those who don’t mind “light” Christian references with a realistic story, might enjoy this book. There is no foul language and no descriptive “intimate” scenes.
I wouldn’t exactly say I really wanted to read this, given the subject material. I did enjoy it and it was a rather introspective read. One thing that did hamper it, was the slowness of the story.
While classified as a “contemporary” romance, it borders on historical fiction. 50 years is considered a good minimum according to Celadon (https://celadonbooks.com/what-is-historical-fiction/).
I definitely enjoyed the TV and music references –
Dallas (I really loved that show – it was one my grandmother, mother, and I watched)
Phil Collins – “In The Air Tonight”
Eagles
Fleetwood Mac
Van Morrison
Carole King
Even some product mentions that I know far too well – Foster Grants, Coke. Though I never recall my mother telling me about “Ma Bell” (the now defunct Bell Phone Corporation) being free after 9pm.
Everson also highlights the older views on marriage and a woman’s “place” in it. Some modern-day readers might take issue with the views.
There is a slightly personal, interesting note here: my maternal grandmother’s name was Eva Marie, she went by Marie. The author included a family by the name of Edwards, which is my family name. My family also drank sweet tea at dinner in Tupperware cups. It was a cute little reminder that I thoroughly enjoyed.
Fans of the author will not doubt enjoy this novel. This ends slightly how it begins which is a unique idea in and of itself.
One of my favorite quotes from the book – “Our history is what shapes us”.
RATING:
4 ⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Goodreads
4 ⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Bookbub
4 ⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Personal Rating (see rating explanation in this blog: https://readingexcursions.blogspot.com/2020/01/rating-system-2020-changes.html)
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Eva Marie Everson is the best-selling, award-winning author of both fiction and nonfiction titles, which include The Ornament Keeper and Reflections of God’s Holy Land. She is president of Word Weavers International, director of Florida Christian Writers Conference, and a popular speaker at writers conferences across America. She and her husband make their home in Central Florida.
You can also find her on the following social media accounts:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CedarKeyNovels
Website: https://www.evamarieeversonauthor.com/
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