The Dance - Book 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.

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. Other novels in the series will following the Anderson family as Walsh and Smalley continue to draw from The DNA of Relationships as well as several other of Smalley’s bestselling books on marriage and family relationships.

My Thoughts:
What an incredible story that hits home in so many marriages today. So many times, couples are drifting apart and not even realizing it until it is almost too late. But the theme of this book to me is hope. It is not too late, and marriages can be saved! Is that not what our society needs to hear in today's day and age? God is at work behind the scenes and He can accomplish wonders if we are willing to open up to him and surrender our will. I loved this story. I have read various books by Gary Smalley before, but sometimes a fiction, with a point, comes across so much easier than a self-help book. You get into the story, relate to the characters, live it through them and get the big picture. You feel their pain, share their sorrows, and their joys, and you celebrate when things work out. I would recommend this book to those struggling, or in a rut, and even those who are happy. I could not help but keep reading to see how this one was going to end. Sure can't wait for the next book in this series.

About the Authors:

Dan Walsh is the bestselling 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 web site 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. 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.

I received this book from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group, for the purpose of review offers practical books for everyday life.  For more information, or to purchase the book visit www.RevellBooks.com