Photographer: Abigail Marie, Non Pa'Reil Photography
Cover Design: Murphy Hopkins, Indie Solutions
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
The Dance wasn't something I was prepared to read. It was a whirlwind of emotions that I could not contain. I felt everything Alison G. Bailey wanted me to feel. I felt the anger, the disappointment, the sadness, the heartbreak, the love, the passion, the overwhelming need to punch something. I FELT Bryson. I FELT Hart. And although I didn't want to I FELT Will. The Dance is a book that captivates you entirely, it makes you want stop feeling because sometimes it's just too much. And maybe it's because I have seen some of the stages at the end of this book play out, but I found myself clutching my heart. I felt this book so much that I had to continually stop reading it and take a breather. That is why it took me a few days to read. I needed a break from the strong emotions it pulled out of me.
The Dance is everything it says on the blurb. It is what happens after the happily after. Sometimes it's not the right time and fate has a way of letting events play out until the time is right. Although it seems like this story might be a love triangle, believe me it is definitely not. It is a story of second chance and true love. It will bring you down at times but in the end it is all worth it.
Now I know what a lot of you will think at the beginning of this book, that Bryson is weak and not the best character. She has a lot of struggles but I see her as anything but weak. I see a girl struggling to face the truth after so many years of the same routine. I see her wanting to take her own path but being defeated and guilted by a man that is supposed to support her. As the book advances her character finally allows herself to be true to her. She grows stronger but even then she is still the loving girl that will help you. Her heart is one of the biggest I have met in a book. Even after everything that she was put through she still loves and cares. She doesn't let vengeance or anger into her heart and I LOVE that about her. She is truly a remarkable character.
I guess I will talk about Will. He was a vital part of this even thought I HATED him. Hated. I couldn't understand him and his actions. At the beginning I thought he might change and become a good man for Bryson. All he did was make me angrier and angrier. I thought that I would never be able to forgive him but I was so wrong. Alison you are such a good author. I don't know how you can do this but you always turn a story around and change my feelings. Because let me tell you, I did not hate Will. I just couldn't. At the end he became something more. I understand that he had to go through what he went through to finally SEE things but I just couldn't handle it. I was a mess and YOU Alison are a brilliant genius.
HART. Hart, oh my gosh. He was the my absolute dream in this book. He was the kind of man that I want. He was the piece that was missing in Bryson. Hart was caring, understanding, loving, and an alpha when it mattered. He just captured my heart from the beginning when it all started with a dance. It was a long journey but by the end of this book everything was what was supposed to be. Hart, I can't tell you enough how much I love you and your strength. Your personality and power was amazing. I have not met someone so amazing. Gah. I just love you. I have nothing bad to say about you.
Thank you Alison G. Bailey for giving us The Dance. I love how you tackle hard subjects in books and you handle it so well. Your writing inspires. The Dance will be that book people will always keep in their heart. It will give hope and strength. The Dance Will always hold a piece of my Hart.
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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