As a child, I always loved the look of a rose bush. I never understood, however, that the thorns would end up breaking the skin and hurting me each time I tried to touch the sharp stems. Besides the rose, there are many things in life that look literally, too beautiful to touch. Ms. Marilyn Meredith has touched upon this subject wonderfully in her latest novel, Wishing Makes It So.

Although Steven and Alyse Chrestman already have three wonderful children, they decide to adopt a fourth child. When presented with Belinda Sleigh, a sad-looking four-year-old waif, they feel sorry for her, and they immediately open their home and their hearts to the young child.

Alyse anticipates a little jealousy among the children at first, especially when it comes to the older two children, Holly and Andrew. The youngest, a baby named Pammy, seems to take the new sibling all in her little cherubic stride. Alyse has the feeling that her new little daughter, Belinda doesn’t like her very much. Despite the growing divide between new mother and daughter, Alyse makes every attempt to welcome her new child.

At first, only small things happen- things that you might see in any family’s home, such as Holly’s hair being cut during her sleep, toys being broken, and little white lies. It seems as though each infraction that the beguiling Belinda is able to extricate herself from brings something more sinister.

Alyse hates the fact that she can’t help but think Belinda is behind all the chaos that her family has been in lately. Unfortunately, no one else seems to understand this. Belinda has managed to wrap her new father around her sweet little finger, and this makes things around the house even worse. Alyse and Steven find themselves arguing about their new addition more and more.

Gone are the broken toys, the missing baseballs and the cut hair. In their stead, the Chrestman family finds that they have unwittingly walked into a battle for their lives, and it’s not certain that it will be won.

Ms. Meredith is quite a storyteller! Wishing Makes It So kept me on the edge of my seat, gripping my blanket in anticipation of Belinda’s next move. As a mother, my heart went out to Alyse Chrestman in her quest to become a mother to this young child who has been through so much. The plot of this story was wonderfully manipulated around characters who are unique, and together both plot and characters make this novel a definite keeper. The author shows us that no matter how beautiful something looks, it’s not always advisable to touch. I can’t wait to see what else Ms. Meredith has in store for us readers!

Reviewed By Sue
© September 2006