Photographer: Abigail Marie, Non Pa'Reil Photography
Cover Design: Murphy Hopkins, Indie Solutions
The Dance is the story of what happens after the happily ever.
Bryson Walker stumbled heart first into the steady rhythm of her life, never questioning whether other possibilities existed. She had been Will’s girl since their junior year in high school, followed him to college, and married him soon after graduation.
In every respect, they were a loving and successful couple, until a series of missteps shattered all of Bryson’s truths. Maybe their life was nothing more than smoke and mirrors. A performance that was never based in reality.
Hart was barely an acquaintance. He and Bryson shared one brief moment during senior prom, full of friction and heat that ignited a spark. But that night Bryson walked away and Hart let her go.
Years later, twisted fate brings Bryson and Hart together again, causing her to wonder if this is her second chance at once in a lifetime.
Review by: Leeann
When I started reading this book I honestly was sitting her thinking "oh my god, this chick cannot see what is right in front of her. This dude is a 5 star a-hole.."
And he is. My opinion of Will did not change throughout the whole book. He was a selfish manipulative man who couldn't are less about his wife or her feelings.
But as they say, karma is a b**** and eventually it bites those who deserve it in the butt. Will definitely has the karma train pull into his station.
In saying all of that, this story was not what I expected and certainly did not go in the direction I thought it was going in.
Bryson basically went from living with her parents to getting married and moving in with her husband. She has a university degree but has never had a job. Her husband would not allow her to work or study. She was a stay at home wife and that was that.
She is a complex character in every sense. To the outside world she has it all, but in actual fact she doesn't and she knows it.
The strength she shows in the face of adversity is amazing and it is something that doesn't initially stand out about her. At the beginning of this story she comes across as a bit of a doormat. When in actual fact she is not a doormat. She is a loving compassionate woman who knows she deserves better.
There are the core characters in this story that are fabulous but there is also a group of support characters that really make the story what it is. They are there for Bryson every step of the way and make sure she knows it. If you the away the support characters it would change the whole tone of the story and take out a crucial element that makes the book what it is.
Overall I enjoyed the story, it was an emotional rollercoaster ride for Bryson and Will as well as their family and friends. It doesn't go where you think it will and is full of suprises.
The reason I gave it a 4 start review and not a 5 star is that the ending was a bit abrupt in my opinion. There were a few things I felt could have been addressed at the end that weren't and it just sort of left me hanging a bit. That is just my personal opinion and I am sure not everyone will agree! In fact most people will probably love the ending the way it is.
If you want a story that is right out of left field and not at all what you are expecting then you will definitely want to check this one out. It is full bodied, has complex developed characters and shows you what it means to be caring and compassionate even when it is the last thing you want to do then you will enjoy this book. All I can say is the world needs more people like Bryson and Hart!!
4 Stars
the Dance
Prologue
I stood in front of the glass wall, mesmerized. The fake sunlight shimmered down through the water, bouncing off the yellow, green, and pink coral. The blue glow of the tank gave the dimly lit nook a mystical dreamy feel.
The prom committee had pulled off an epic feat this year. Instead of having the dance in our gross school gym it was being held at the new state-of-the-art aquarium downtown. Once the student committee agreed, Megan Sims, head cheerleader and overly developed youth, was given the task of presenting the new location idea to the faculty advisor, Mr. Hall. During the meeting, as Megan waxed poetic about riding the waves of hope out into the ocean of the future, she hoisted her massive boobs up to meet Mr. Hall’s sightline. Three seconds into Megan’s spiel the dude was so titnotized that he would have offered up his first born in order to pay the rental fee.
At first, I had my doubts about spending my final prom at the aquarium. The fishy décor didn’t exactly scream romance, but I had to admit, it was pretty cool. The dance was in Ballroom A, which opened up onto a huge deck facing the Charleston harbor. Inside three giant purple octopus chandeliers hung down from the ceiling, casting cool shadows on the walls covered in varying shades of blue. Big white coral sculptures were at the four corners of the room. Tables draped in white linen with candles and seashell centerpieces outlined the room, leaving a huge space in the middle for dancing.
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I was born and raised in Charleston, SC. I attended Winthrop University and graduated with a major in Theater. While at school I began writing one-act plays, which I later produced. My debut novel, Present Perfect, landed on Amazon’s Best Seller List and appeared on many “Best Reads of 2013” Book Blogs. The novel won Best Book at the 2014 Indie Romance Convention Awards. My second novel, Past Imperfect, was published in February of 2014 and appeared on several best books of 2014 lists as well. Presently Perfect, the third and final book in The “Perfect” series was released in Dec 2014 to rave reviews. In March 2015 all the love, swoon, heat, and angst were combined into the Perfect Series Box Set. My fourth novel, Stop!, released in June 2015, becoming a bestseller in YA/Teen category.
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