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Dan Walsh, Gary SmalleyRevell / 2013 / Trade PaperbackOur Price$17.004.6 out of 5 stars for The Dance, The Restoration Series #1. View reviews of this product. 22 ReviewsAvailability: In StockStock No: WW721480
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kickiInyokern, CAAge: 55-65Gender: female4 Stars Out Of 5One-Two-Three - GlideApril 15, 2013kickiInyokern, CAAge: 55-65Gender: femaleQuality: 4Value: 4Meets Expectations: 5I disagree with another reviewer who said it was 'preachy'. For once a book marketed as a Christian piece; actually was. The emphasis on characters who are authentic followers of Jesus in genuinely devastating situations rises out of the muck and mire with their morals intact. What a refreshing change!
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MaryAnnORAge: Over 65Gender: Female4 Stars Out Of 5Wisdom woven into story of trouble marriageJune 14, 2014MaryAnnORAge: Over 65Gender: FemaleQuality: 4Value: 4Meets Expectations: 5A marriage is in trouble–except Jim Anderson is ignorant of the problems driving his wife, Marilyn, away. Jim has gauged his success in life by his thriving business and showplace home. After twenty-seven years together, Marilyn decides she needs to escape, at least for a while. She confides in their daughter, who is away at college, but doesn't let Jim know where she moves to sort out her life. Marilyn steps out to do some things she has not been allowed to pursue: a job and dance lessons.
Surprised and angry at his wife's disappearance, Jim is forced to take stock of his own life and learn to reconnect with Marilyn and their children. He finds an unlikely mentor, who teaches him how to truly relate to those he loves. The metaphor of dancing and living is woven throughout the novel, offering wise advice we all could heed. -
Michelle SuttonArizonaAge: 45-54Gender: female4 Stars Out Of 5Like a Christian "Shall We Dance"April 5, 2013Michelle SuttonArizonaAge: 45-54Gender: femaleQuality: 4Value: 4Meets Expectations: 4This story started out a bit slow for me, but I found myself warming up to the characters and eventually softening toward Jim and Marilyn. Jim presented as an angry man who was upset about his wife leaving him and how that complicated his life and tarnished his image. There wasn't much to like about him at first. That was well portrayed and very good characterization by the authors. The fact that Marilyn was clearly bitter to the point that she didn't believe her husband even when he was sincere was also well done.
Then things started to turn around. I loved the change of heart that Jim had, but it started with recognizing that the responsibility for his failed marriage rested squarely on his shoulders. As long as it was everyone else's fault, it prevented him from having a change of heart. The conversations he had with his children were touching. The ending brought tears to my eyes. This book shows that marriage really does take work and that the death of love happens slowly over time, but even that can be restored. This was a touching and beautiful story of healing. I really enjoyed it. -
My Book AddictionNorth CarolinaAge: 55-65Gender: female4 Stars Out Of 5EMOTIONAL AND COMPELLING!April 5, 2013My Book AddictionNorth CarolinaAge: 55-65Gender: femaleTHE DANCE by Dan Walsh & Gary Smalley is an interesting inspirational contemporary fiction set in River Oaks, Florida. First in
"The Restoration"series. Have your tissues ready,ladies, you will need them. Follow, Marilyn Anderson, the perfect wife to Jim,a successful businessman,and who is tired of the position after twenty seven years. She is looking for more adventure,passion, and a connection to her husband. Jim must win her back,after she leaves him for a new job. Along the way he finds out something about himself. A compelling story of second chances, love lost that may be found again,faith,redemption,forgiveness,healing and finding happiness. A must read for anyone who enjoys tearjerkers,learning more of marriage,it is a two way street,after all,inspirational stories,and an emotional story. I truly enjoyed "The Dance",while I have enjoyed this author's other stories, I feel this one touches not only the heart but the soul as well. A compelling and emotional read.You do not want to miss "The Dance" for a far better understanding of the depth of marriage as told through a wonderful fictional story. Received for an honest review from the publisher.
"Available April 2013 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group."
RATING: 4
HEAT RATING: SWEET
REVIEWED BY: AprilR, My Book Addiction Reviews -
bookwomanjoanOak Harbor, WAAge: Over 65Gender: Female4 Stars Out Of 5a romance novel for husbands, if you dare read itApril 1, 2013bookwomanjoanOak Harbor, WAAge: Over 65Gender: FemaleQuality: 4Value: 5Meets Expectations: 4Marilyn had had enough. She and Jim had been married for twenty seven years. Painful years for her. But Jim didn't have a clue about her pain. He was too busy being an important man at church, the church he picked out because of the possible business contacts. He was too taken by his real estate holdings to take her in his arms.
So she left one day while Jim was at his office. She left him a note, letting him know she just needed some time. She tried to tell him how she felt. She wondered if he would even begin to understand. His heart was no longer with her or their children.
With Marilyn moving out, Jim slowing begins to face who he has become. It takes him a long time and it is not easy. Admitting you have mistreated those you are to love is hard.
The novel revolved around dance. Jim had refused to do the bride and groom dance at their wedding. Marilyn had been crushed. What had followed was a Christian home filled with legalism and harshness, including a couple whose hearts had drifted apart.
But throughout the novel we see that God has a plan to restore the couple, through dance.
Jim pays attention to his uncle's wise words. "Words don't do it for a woman whose heart's grown cold. ... You've gotta...live 'em."
OK, men, this is a novel for you! If there was ever a "romance" novel for Christian husbands to read, this is it. If you want a penetrating look into how you may be treating your wife and children, dare read this book. But have a tissue ready as you near the end. Men do cry, don't they?
On another level, it was a bit strange for me to read about dance in a Christian setting. When I was a teen, dancing was forbidden in our church and family. It was viewed as too tempting for young people. It was interesting to read of Marilyn's struggles with some temptation as she takes dancing lessons from a handsome Latin fellow. It was just a bit strange to have dance be such an integral part of a Christian couple's restoration. Old prejudices die hard.
The only aspect of this novel that was less than perfect was the tearful and quick ending. However, the story of Marilyn and Jim is not over. This is the first in a new series of books from Walsh and Smalley dealing with restoration. I look forward to the next in the series of the Jim and Marilyn Anderson family.
There are discussion questions at the end of this book so it would make a good choice for reading groups.
Also, just a note that many of the healing steps in this novel come from Smalley's book, The DNA of Relationships.
I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher for the purpose of this review.
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