Will a new partnership tear their worlds apart … or will it be the piece they never knew was missing?In 1959, Arleen Thatcher and Neil Fox are fierce competitors on the dance floor, so they’re the least likely pair to enter a televised competition together. But when rivaling studio owners decide to team up, the two will find a partnership they never thought possible. Arleen’s reputation around … reputation around town is reason enough for Neil to keep his distance from his new partner. But as Neil gets to know Arleen, he discovers a side of her few others have seen, one of dark family secrets and carefully-constructed facades.
God’s plan for their partnership may involve more than a single dance; it may be the key to the healing Arleen so desperately needs.
The Art of Love series is compiled of stand-alone novels where the characters tell their own stories and love means so much more than passion.
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Dance With Me begins the Art of Love series. It is, also, the first book I have read by AM Heath. I thought it was a great read. It was set during the late 1950s. I enjoyed watching Arleen and Neil grow throughout the book and see how they lived during this era. There were a few lessons learned within the pages that so many readers could relate to. I thought it was such a beautiful, sweet and entertaining tale. I liked it.
I am giving Dance With Me four stars. I recommend it for readers who enjoyed reading clean Historical Romance. I look forward to reading the next installment from the Art of Love series, Painted Memories, when it releases later this winter. AM Heath has earned themselves a new fan.
I received Dance With Me from the publisher. This review is one hundred percent my own honest opinion.
My Review:
Genre: Historical, romance, Christian fiction.
My Rating: 5 stars.
My Recommendation: 13 up.
My Favorite Character/s: Neil, was sweet and strong. I’ve never read a book so focused on dancers and I loved getting to read his and Arleen’s story! I want to say more about them but … You need to read the book to find out more about them!
My Verse for both Niel and Arleen is Psalm 86:12
I will praise thee, O Lord my God, with all my heart: and I will glorify thy name for evermore. (King James Version.)
My Thoughts: So, to start off I’ve loved each of Mrs. Heath’s books I’ve read, and after I read every one I’ve thought it’s the best … And yup, I think so again! This book was so … amazing! Genuinely amazing! The characters, the descriptions, the dialogue, every word shows a story of love, not a romantic love but a love from Christ, even if at times the characters weren’t perfect which in my opinion made them even better. And the way that I was pulled into the story was so enjoyable, you definitely need to read this book as soon as you can!
Warnings: There is a character who is abused by their father. But that’s all.
I received an ARC of this in exchange for my honest review and am truly happy to provide it!
This was a slow simmer romance. I really liked the H and his interactions with the h. A good story of things aren’t always what they seem and the layers people have. I appreciated it being a clean story with the emphasis on two people growing and coming together and not all things physical. It had good dialogue and made me wish I could go dancing. We were show not told the romance and character growth.
Neil and Arleen are distinctly different in many ways. They have always been rivals on the dance floor until a dance competition pushes them together as dance partners. Could they possibly get along when they seem like they want so many different things?
The book was about much more than dancing. Within the story line, the characters were very realistic with real life problems. I felt like I was sitting down listening to two people tell me their life story. I was engrossed and wanted to know where things would lead. I enjoyed the humor of the book as well.
There were many aspects of this book that I appreciated and enjoyed. Arleen faces many personal issues that she tries to hide from the outside world. She even creates a façade to protect herself in the outside world. Neil helps her discover the layers she has used as well as point her to Christ. I love to see the transformation of the characters.
I would really recommend reading this book. I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own and I was not required to leave a positive review.
Set during the 1960s, Dance With Me deals with a young woman discovering Jesus Christ and her actual identity through her unexpected dance partner. This book starts out in the present, but then jumps to the past so Arleen Thatcher and Neil Fox can share their stories. Perhaps because my husband and I met initially through square dancing and determined, we only wanted to be dance partners and nothing more, I could appreciate this story.
Even though Arleen appears to be a woman with loose morals, the depth of her character and her true nature eventually shine through thanks to Neil, his family, her mother, Wally, and others. The way this story ended wrapped up the entire story in a wonderful package.
I appreciated the gradual way Arleen came to know and accept Jesus Christ as her Savior. While this book includes a domestic abuse storyline, the author focuses on Jesus Christ along with finding love even when you do not plan on it. The title and cover suit this book perfectly. So check it out for yourself.
I received a complimentary copy of this book, but this in no way influenced my review. All opinions are my own.
I love the amount of research that went into the writing of this novel. While I don’t consider this a historical novel because I don’t consider this real history yet, this is a wonderful piece of fiction that does take you back in time. You go back in time to the 1960s. My parents were born in 1960 and 1961 so this is an era I’m not totally unfamiliar with.
The slang from the time period. Is it bad if I admit that I actually do and have used quite a few of them on a regular basis? I’m also very familiar with the music and love it. I grew up watching the TV shows and movies of the time period and definitely think they’re good ones. The fashion was fun too.
I enjoyed the complexity of the characters. Arlene for example has a bad reputation. One of those wrong side of tracks bad girl type things. But really, that’s not who she is. It’s just a product of what others think of her. I loved getting to see the layers peel off until Neil could see who she really was.
Speaking of Neil, I enjoyed his character as well. It’s definitely fun to watch these two learn to dance together and become a team instead of rivals. They’re good at what they do. But can they remain impersonal while dancing? Can anyone actually do that?
I think this is a great book and I will be checking out the rest of the books in this series. I read they are stand-alone books so that should help if you don’t want to read the series in order. Enjoy this book and come back to tell me what you think!
I have voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received through Celebrate Lit. All views expressed are only my honest opinion. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. All opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC regulations.
Dance With Me is one of those feel good books that leave you smiling. Whether it is the music, the dancing, the romance, or truthfully, the saving grace of our Lord, this book moved me. The Christian perspective completes this story. Learning one’s worth in the eyes of our Lord changes everything. From the book: “I know in Christ, we’ll find peace that surpasses all understanding and strength to endure the pains of this sinful world. And I know that He promised to take everything and use it for good. Somehow. Someway.” I enjoyed this story! This book tackled some tough issues, too. I would highly recommend this book for those that like inspirational fiction, romance, books set in the fifties, and anyone that wants to read a good story.
This book was provided through Celebrate Lit, the publisher and author for me to read. The opinions expressed are my own thoughts.
Dance with Me By: A.M. Heath is a Christian Historical Romance. This book is set in the late 1950/early 1960 time period. I have read books by this author before and I have always enjoyed them. In this book we see Arleen Thatcher and Neil Fox . They are dance competitors. They are paired together for a dance competition. Neil is nervous about this pairing. Arleen does not have a great reputation. Neil is worried about his being tarnished so he holds her at arm’s lengths. (ha ha) However as they get to know each other, learn to trust each other, Neil learns that there is more to Arleen then her negative reputation. Neil also learns that Arleen is in desperate need of God’s love and forgiveness. Seeing their pairing build throughout the story had my heart pounding and had me excited to turn the page.
I love these characters. They are real feeling and flawed. I love how the author’s message of God’s love and forgiveness is well woven into this story. The author did some great research. The only dance competitions I know of is that of what I see on Dancing with the Stars. There is some flirtation on Arleen’s part. But the author handles this with grace and tact. It is all part of her story.
I received a copy of this book through the Celebrate Lit blogging program, all thoughts are my own.
Told from the future (2010) looking back in the format of a human interest story for a news story, Arleen and Neil take turns telling the story of their rivalry turned partnership in 1959.
Neil and Arleen are rivals on the floor, each representing competing dance clubs they go 1-2 in every competition. When their dance clubs decide to join forces for a televised competition, Neil and Arleen are matched up as partners for the first time.
A captivating read with compelling characters, each sharing in their own words what happened in ’59. Neil is a skilled dance partner and strong Christian, patient and willing to listen, he was probably my favorite character in this book. Arleen hides her pain, dancing, and dating, the rumors run rampant about her reputation. I loved how Neil is understanding and kind, he gives Arleen support takes time to see the real her.
Overall, I fell in love with this story from the dancing, strong faith, natural romantic building and chemistry, this was solid read for so many reasons! Highly recommend!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.