Daisy Chain: A Novel [Paperback]

I was beyond pleasantly surprised by this book.

I had never heard of this author, and was a little worried about reading a book under the category of "Religion"

This book is amazing! It marries discovering faith with a real-world painful accident. From the very start you feel the characters and go through the emotions as they are going through them. You want to reach through the pages and hug, cry, laugh, surrender and believe right along with them. All the while bringing to light the power of faith and religion.

Not one sentence in this book feels like a lecture. Instead, it uses an incident which happens in each American community at one point or another, and shows how by letting go of pre-judgements and conceptions, everything can be overcome and healed.

One note I must add is that once you read this book, you have no choice but to continue with the series. Not because of obligation, but because you get so attached to the characters, that you want to be there for them when they continue their journey. Not one character you meet in this book is a throwaway. They are all written for a reason and are integral to making the story what it is. To do that is a rare gift this author has mastered.

This first book in the Trilogy is a sure smash! The second book, "A Slow Burn" is sure to be just as enticing and well written. Please be sure to look out for it as it comes out October 1, 2009.

By Michelle Wegner

I just finished reading Daisy Chain by Mary Demuth last night. I love a good story, one that grips me and keeps my attention the entire time. This story did that for me and more. It touched parts of me in a very deep way that I hadn't thought about for a long time, causing me to think and reflect deeply on where I am and how I got here.

The way Mary tells this story set in Defiance, Texas in the 70's made me feel like I was there with each and every character she described. I could feel the Texas heat, smell the air, touch Daisy's matted hair, and see her dance and twirl in the wind. Her telling also made me feel Hap's rage and anger in a very real way. Something about the duplicity of his character, a small town preacher by day, and a wife demeaning, child abusing husband/father by night, made my skin crawl.

For real!

I loved this story.

I can't wait for the 2nd and 3rd books come out so I can put my mind to rest and find out what happens in the end...

Through the riveting novel "Daisy Chain," Mary E. Demuth has set a new standard for Christian fiction and few writers will ever come close to reaching it. Demuth doesn't want you to walk away from her books simply "reading a good story"... she wants you to "live" them and be transformed by their message.

You may find your heart pounding as Jed Pepper runs to check on Daisy. You will find yourself filled with anger at Jed's father who portrays a heart for God as a preacher, yet is abusive behind closed doors. You'll want to sit down with Jed's mother and let her cry on your shoulder. You might wish you could go to Defiance and rescue Jed and his sister, help look for Daisy, and pray in hope for the brokenness that has consumed the town, but there's no need to. The author introduces you to God's grace in the form of Hixon and Muriel. Demuth leaves no stitch of the story loose or undone. She has weaved a perfect tapestry of the truth of tragedy, yet the assured triumph through God's mercy and grace. Each character is as mysterious and intriguing as our Creator who has made each of us. The author brilliantly keeps you on the edge of your seat while taking you through the realities of a fallen world. She doesn't beat around the bush; she doesn't try to sugar coat pain. "Daisy Chain" will open your heart and your eyes so that you will get a glimpse of what it's like to look at others as God does.

Mary E. Demuth has a God-given talent to write that most could work towards their whole life and never even come close. Each word is carefully chosen and artfully written. You'll be up all night reading "Daisy Chain" and find yourself hoping there is no end to Mary's incredible story telling of Defiance, TX. Lucky for you, the second book in the Texas Trilogy is released and you don't have to wait to read it ("A Slow Burn"). My advice...buy them both together...you won't want to wait to go down to the book store or the time it will take for shipping!