Jim is a wealthy business owner. Good returns have enabled him to buy his wife the best clothes, a lovely home in in the high class section of River Oaks, the current gadget and toys for his kids, exclusive cars, and invitations to social events. With his wife by his side, all of River Oaks knows Jim is a successful man, including his church. As a deacon of the mega church, board members choose to rent needed facilities from Jim's available properties. While life could be stressful at times from keeping up with business demands, he always is assured his shirts would be washed and pressed, a meal on the table, kids cared for, and his home spit polished clean--until one day.Jim has to admit, he had a bad day, and looks forward to going home. Coming into the house and not finding his dinner on the table irks him, maybe Marilyn is laying in bed sick. He can forgive her this once. After searching the house, Jim can't figure out where she is. Marilyn knows he'd be home at this time, the same minute he arrives everyday. Where is she?Marilyn walks into her friends apartment and to her new room, barely the size of the walk-in closet at home. The first day of work ends with tired feet but a thrill she hasn't experienced in a long time. She has a job, one of the many things Jim never let her do. A string of new opportunities: holding her first paycheck, sitting on an enclosed balcony in her pajamas, and etc. led Marilyn to sign up for something she had always wanted to do, take dance lessons. Jim would never let her leave the house for something so foolish. He wouldn't even dance with her at their wedding reception. Each day she woke in her new world feeling freedom, respect from others, a chance to make her own decisions, and joy.One week later, Jim realizes Marilyn is not coming home. He didn't know what to do. After meeting with an unusual new friend, Jim sets everything aside to win back Marilyn. The work is much more than he expects, but his true love is worth every step. Despite his endeavors, though, she doesn't respond as he hopes. Is it too late to win the woman he treasures back?I appreciated the point of view of this story. Walsh and Smalley wrote a timeless story that can touch every home in some way. I feel it was very well crafted, didn't hold back on this difficult issue at all, raised real issues and hardships, and most importantly, brought about the perfect ending, one the reader will definitely need a box of tissues.One organization I review books for instructs reviewers to reserve the rating of "5+" for the books containing not only a great story but also some element of life change for the reader. This simply means the theme in some way is able to tug at the heart of the reader and invites change. With this in mind, I can't help but rate The Dance: 5+ and heartily invite you to read it. Story Description:Revell Publishing|April 1, 2013|Trade Paperback|ISBN: 978-0-8007-2148-0Love’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. My Review:Marilyn Anderson and her husband, Jim are happily married on the surface. However, Marilyn is truly unhappy and has reached the end of her rope. She ends up leaving the marriage and moves out when her attempts at talking with him fall on deaf ears. Jim is shocked into disbelief that Marilyn has actually gone and wants her back immediately. What Jim fails to realize is that his anger and lack of communication skills are what has driven, Marilyn away. After he speaks with a woman who knows Marilyn through a dance studio, he begins to understand and comprehend that he needs to control his anger and take a serious look at why the marriage has failed. This was a beautiful story that shows how much both partners in this relationship change with some hard work and it was neat to watch them both grow and change. But it was frustrating and aggravating waiting for Jim to change. He is one of those people who needs a pile of bricks to fall on his head before he really ‘gets it.’Overall, The Dance, was an excellent novel and one that I would recommend."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".
What do You think about De Dans (2013)?
I did like this book and it had good lessons to learn, but it didn't seem very realistic to me.
—aaa
Excellent! Gary Smalley (author) wrote with Karen Kingsbury in the Baxter Family Redemption.
—Bridebookworm
