Wednesday, May 10, 2017

A Season to Dance by Patricial Beal #BookReview #BookGiveaway





http://www.patriciabeal.com/

Back Cover Copy:
Ballerina Ana Brassfield has her path to the stage of the Metropolitan Opera House in New York and her future with fiancĂ© Peter Engberg all figured out—until her first love, renowned German dancer Claus Gert, shows up in the Deep South of America to dance with her and win her back. Claus kisses her after a dress rehearsal, a kiss Peter witnesses from the darkened audience. Convinced the kiss is more than a one-time mistake, he breaks off their engagement.
Rejected by Peter, and knowing Claus is dancing at the Met soon, Ana decides to repave her path to her dream. With her 2002 Torch Red Ford Thunderbird and Baryshnikov, an old dog crippled by arthritis, she moves to Germany to be with Claus. But the ghost of his late wife, Ana’s own memories of Peter, and the pressure of earning a spot in a large ballet company prove to be a high price for a shot at success.


Available at
Amazon, & other fine retailers.



The Why:
I met Patricia at the ACFW 2015 writer's conference and was charmed by her beautiful Brazilian accent and her ballet costume on the character dress-up night. Little did I know she was a REAL ballerina--and had written a book about a ballerina! Last week I won a giveaway of the Letters to Juliet DVD from an interview blog featuring Patricia, who graciously included a copy of A Season to Dance in the giveaway package! I'd been wanting to read this novel since I first met her and am so excited to tell you about the story in this review!


The Main Characters:
Ana, Peter, and Claus... Wow. These characters came to life on the page. The Blake Shelton comparison for Peter gave me an instant reference point, since my Granny and I have been watching the Voice lately. I pictured Patricia as Ana's look-a-like, and my mental image of Claus was a longer-haired Rick Cosnett, whose facial structure is coincidentally similar to Mikhail Baryshnikov. These characters have such unique personalities and back stories, and they are all inwardly broken. Their brokenness translates to their actions and they all make destructive decisions along the way. They learn from them, though. And that is one thing that makes this story so great.


The Romance:
This story is unlike any other I've read. It's a twist on the regular Happily Ever After. Ana loves two very different men, and she's a different person with each of them. The heartstrings are pulled when she is around them, and though I was anticipating one or the other to turn into the typical ex-boyfriend-villain, neither did. Many of the characters are lost or away from God during most of the story, so they make bad decisions concerning their relationships, but the author only portrays these actions as far as a few kisses and caresses, closing the door on more intimate events that will effect these characters for the rest of their lives. Patricia does an excellent job at portraying broken humanity in the light of God's love, where forgiveness is always waiting and the deeply-flawed have access to second-chance mercy as long as they have breath.


The Pace:
In the first chapter, a mystery is introduced, and the character journey to reveal that mystery follows. This is a thoughtful, emotional novel, exploring deep subjects that are suited to a quieter pace. At about the 2/3 mark, though, the events of the story grabbed me and the pace sped up significantly, ending with a finale that had me fighting tears.


The Faith Element:
The redemption message in this novel is one of the most powerful and clearly presented Biblically based faith-journeys I've read in a fiction book. Ana tries to find fulfillment in everything but God, then finally decides to "try out" religion, but eventually learns she can't earn her salvation or peace with God. Redemption is out of her reach as long as she's trying to climb up and attain it herself, and all the while her Savior is waiting for her to simply surrender to Him and ask for His salvation, and He'll gladly give her all she needs. In A Season to Dance, God pursues Ana's heart with a gentle and unrelenting love. It's a beautiful thing to watch unfold.


The Stakes:
The stakes include Peter's heart, Claus' heart, and Ana's heart, which is divided between finding her life's purpose, and following her dream of dancing at the Met in New York. Which one will win?


The Overall Impression:
A Season to Dance isn't my usual light-hearted historical romance and comedic fare. But the spiritual and life lessons the book portrays were ones I needed to contemplate, and I found myself surrendering several dreams to God to do with as He sees best. I love a book that will make me take a closer look at myself and my motives and encourage me to change for the better. This book did that for me.
 

The More Factor:
I would love to read more books by Patricia in the future. 


 Win a paperback copy of A Season to Dance! (U.S. entrants this time, please.) 
Between today and May 17th, simply comment on this blog with your email below in a spam-free format such as: email at address dot com. 
Ends May 17, 2017.

***As always, please consider leaving a book review online at Amazon.com, CBD, Barnes & Noble, Lifeway or any other review site you choose. This helps the author and also other readers who are considering reading the book! I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.




8 comments:

  1. That sounds like an interesting read!! Especially the deep spiritual message.
    amandatero(at)gmail(dot)com

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  2. Thanks Amanda! I hope you will love it. This book means so much to me. I pray it will become special to readers too. And thanks, Natalie, for all the kind words. I'm so glad A Season to Dance touched your heart :)

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  3. Thank you for this review. This book sounds very interesting and I would love to read it. Have a blessed and happy day.
    leliamae54(at)aol(dot)com

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  4. Sounds like a good read. cheetahthecat1986(at)gmail(dot)com.

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  5. Hi Lucy! Thank you! I hope you get to read it :) Have a wonderful day too!

    Hi Kim! I hope you get to read it and that you enjoy it :) Thanks!

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  6. this sounds like a real life book. i am interested in finding out how she comes to a saving relationship with Jesus

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  7. I've heard great things about this book! Thanks for the giveaway!

    colorvibrant at gmail dot com

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  8. Hi Lori! I hope you will take the journey and fall in love with the story of Ana :)

    Hi Heidi! I'm so glad you are hearing good things about A Season to Dance. I hope you love it :)

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