Monday, April 22, 2013

The Dance

GIVEAWAY
WALSH, DAN
SMALLEY, GARY
THE DANCE

Jim Anderson is a successful businessman, and his wife, Marilyn, is the perfect wife. And why wouldn't she be? He gives her everything she needs. That's why Jim never expected to come home one day and find Marilyn gone.

After 27 years of marriage, Marilyn has had enough of feeling unloved and neglected. She wants to experience some measure of happiness before she's too old to enjoy it, even signing up for dance lessons, something Jim would never do. What will it take for Jim to finally become the man Marilyn needs him to be?

Combining the literary talents of bestselling author Dan Walsh and the relationship expertise of bestselling author Gary Smalley, The Dance is the first novel in The Restoration Series. Readers will get caught up in these flawed but sincere members of the Anderson family as they rediscover genuine love and start a transformation that ultimately affects all of them.

My Review:

What a fantastic read! Walsh and Smalley make a great team and give their readers a realistic snapshot of a struggling marriage and the fallout that ensues. There's depth and insight and some really funny moments -- at least they were to me. Poor clueless Jim, not quite sure why Marilyn has left him . Only a man could get away with portraying some of those scenes. A female author would have been accused of stereo-typing.

The authors did a great job of  converting me into a Jim fan. I didn't think it would be possible at the beginning of the book but Jim's conversion into a gentler, softer more spiritual self makes for a moving read. Even as Marilyn stays prickly and defensive almost to the very end. The couples dynamics is dead-on. This could easily be used in a couples therapy course.

The Dance is fiction though, and it makes a rewarding and thought-provoking read. Memorable characters, a tight plot and dashes of humour to break up the angst all contribute to a wonderfully satisfying read.

Giveaway Opportunity:

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of The Dance, please leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you post a comment and add your email address, please use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in the address to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email please remember to put the title in the subject line so that it's easy for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday April 28 2013. Offer open to international readers. Good luck!


"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. Available at your favourite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group".

15 comments:

  1. This book looks so good! Thank you so much for hosting a give-away.

    mickeydog (AT) myfairpoint (DOT) net

    I love meeting fellow book reviewers. :-)
    Faith

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  2. I definitely think this one looks good. I downloaded a sample of it to my kindle, and now I REALLY want to read all of it. Please enter me.


    mchapman (at) windstream (dot) net

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  3. Nice to meet you too, Faith. And you're right -- it's an excellent book. Good luck!

    The authors have a way with words, don't they Michelle? Good luck!

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  4. I have listened to one book by Dan Walsh and I am sold on his writing ability. I am begining to think all his characters are "memorable'.

    Thank you for hosting this giveaway and your great review.

    CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

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  5. I would love to win Dan's book to add to our library collection.
    Thanks for the chance to do so.
    Janet E.
    von1janet(at)gmail(dot)com

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  6. Two great authors....wow, I really want to read this one! Thanks for the giveaway, Kav!
    jackie.smith[at]dishmail[dot]net

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  7. I'm curious what Marilyn does and how Jim will react.
    pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

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  8. Sounds good, I don't read much contemporary fiction, but certainly respect both of these authors!

    pattymh2000(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  9. This is a must read book for me. I would love to win a copy of it! I have most of Dan's other books and this one would be nice to add to my library!

    Blessings!
    Judy B
    sweetpea.judy(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  10. Good luck everybody! It's a great book!

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  11. Unfortunately, this sounds like it could be a real life happening. Will be interesting to see how the conflict is resolved.

    josieringeratgmaildotcom

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  12. It is realistic, Martha -- that's what's so great about it. You're learning as you read fiction! Good luck!

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  13. I have great respect for both authors. It will be interesting to see what they do together. Thank you for an opportunity to win a copy.
    may_dayzee (at) yahoo (dot) com

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  14. I'm drawn to this because it does seem to take a realistic look at a marriage. I like that the couple isn't a newlywed but one who has been married for many years. It should be an interesting read.

    Cambonified(at)yahoo(dot)com

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