The Dance - Dan Walsh & Gary Smalley

Genre: Books; Contemporary Fiction

Publisher: Revell

Publication Date: 4/1/2013

Rating: 5 out of 5 Near Perfect

PROS: Wonderful marriage/relationship advice sprinkled throughout the story, real life scenarios many spouses find themselves caught in; heart wrenching love story that will bring many to their knees

CONS: none

Marilyn and Jim seem to have it all...a successful business, a beautiful home in an upper-class neighborhood, 3 loving grown children, and a church home to call their own. Imagine Jim's surprise when one day he arrives home to find that Marilyn has moved out and left him, stating she needs some time to herself. Jim cannot figure out why Marilyn would leave all that she has, and that he has provided her with. Throughout the many ups and downs in this novel, the couple find themselves trying to wither the storm of life, and come out standing firm through the gale force winds.

Walsh, an award-winning author and former pastor, and Smalley, an author and speaker on family relationships, have come together to co-author The Dance, one of the best fiction novels on marriage that this reviewer has read in a long time! Both men have had excellent hands on experience and have truly the research knowledge that is needed to write such a book.

Marriage in today's society can conjure up many words, and longevity is often not one of them. Through Marilyn and Jim's story, we come to see many real-life scenario's that happen today, and how quickly they can lead down the road of destruction. Things that might seem or start out innocent, can quickly turn in to much more before we realize it. An innocent meal shared between 2 opposite gendered friends, can slowly turn in to time stolen here and there to share together, often lying to the spouse about where you've been. You might start out hearing “that little voice” advising you against what you're doing, but you convince yourself you are not doing anything wrong, and overtime you no longer hear the voice speaking to you.

Carefully written, and delicately handled, The Dance is so much more than a contemporary fiction novel, it's that gentle reminder of right and wrong told throughout a love story. Great detail is given to the setting, the characters, and the overall topic, the authors leave this reviewer eagerly awaiting the next book in the series, not just to find out where the story is headed, but to catch a glimpse of the Truth that is shining from the inside out.

 **I received this book in exchange for my honest review/opinion**