Friday, April 12, 2013

The Dance by Dan Walsh and Gary Smalley (Review)

Love's recovery starts with a single step . . .

After 27 years of marriage, Marilyn Anderson is tired of playing the role of perfect wife. Her husband Jim is a successful businessman who gives her everything she needs--a beautiful home in an upscale neighborhood, the financial freedom to be a stay-at-home mom, an enviable collection of stuff. Everything, that is, except what really matters: love.

After years of trying to connect with Jim, Marilyn has had enough. She longs to experience some measure of happiness before she's too old to enjoy it. Needing some time to herself to sort things out, Marilyn leaves to start a new job and take dancing lessons--something she has wanted to do for as long as she can remember.

Shocked to find his wife gone, Jim Anderson must sort through the past to save his marriage. With a little help from an unexpected ally, he begins a campaign to win Marilyn back. What he doesn't anticipate is how his actions will affect everyone around him--starting with himself.

I GIVE THIS BOOK: 5 Stars

MY THOUGHTS:
The Dance is the first book in The Restoration series and it completely wowed me!  I don't think I can put into words just how amazing this book is, but I will try my best.

First off let me say that contemporary fiction is not a genre that I usually read, as I find that I don't enjoy books written in it, but The Dance totally impressed me. The characters were so well written, from page one I was drawn into the story and even though I had an idea from almost the beginning what was going to happen at the end, it was still so powerful.

The Dance had me crying several different times, and since I'm not someone who cries very easily when reading books, that's saying a lot. I will feel sad or happy for people, whatever the case calls for, but it takes something extra special to make me actually shed tears...and this book had that something special!

Before this book, I had never read anything by Gary Smalley and this is only the second book I've read by Dan Walsh, but I can't wait to read more from this duo. The Promise, the second book in The Restoration series, is set to be released September of this year - which I know is close, but it feels like so long to wait.

I would love to see The Dance made into a movie. I think, if done correctly, it would be very powerful, along the lines of Fireproof. 

I think The Dance should be required reading for every married couple, obviously, but also for Christians of marriageable age. I highly recommend reading The Dance and believe that both men and women will enjoy and be enriched by reading The Dance.

***I received a complimentary copy of this book to review. I was asked to give my honest opinion of the book - which I have done.***

“Available April 2013 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.”

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Product Details
  • Paperback: 352 pages
  • Publisher: Revell (April 1, 2013)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0800721489
  • ISBN-13: 978-0800721480
  • Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 0.9 x 8.5 inches
  • Available to Purchase at Amazon | B&N | CBD

ABOUT THE AUTHORS:

Dan Walsh is the award-winning author of several books, including The Discovery and The Reunion. A member of American Christian Fiction Writers, Dan served as a pastor for 25 years. He lives with his wife in the Daytona Beach area, where he's busy researching and writing his next novel. For more information about Walsh and his books, visit his website at www.DanWalshBooks.com and follow him on Twitter at @DanWalshAuthor.

Gary Smalley is one of the country’s best known authors and speakers on family relationships. He is the bestselling and award-winning author or coauthor of more than 60 books. He has spent over 40 years learning, teaching and counseling, speaking to over 2 million people in live conferences. Smalley has appeared on national television programs such as Oprah, Larry King Live, Extra and TODAY, as well as numerous national radio programs. Gary and his wife, Norma, have been married for 48 years and live in Branson, Missouri. They have three children, all in full time ministry to families, couples and orphans, and they enjoy their wonderful relationships with their ten grandchildren.

1 comment:

  1. This looks awesome! :) Thank you for visiting my blog!

    ReplyDelete