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The Deal, the Dance, and the Devil

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What would you do for five million dollars? Adam and Evia Langston have lived in their own little garden of Eden since the two married at the age of seventeen. Working their way up from the humblest of beginnings, the Langstons have thrived beyond anything they could have ever imagined. Now they live in the finest home, drive the best cars, and indulge in all the trimmings that signify their massive success.

But then the recession hits and rips apart the family’s financial stability. Unable to support their three children and other relatives, Adam and Evia find themselves drowning in financial trouble and teetering on the brink of complete disaster. With nowhere to turn, the Langstons have no idea what to do.

Until Shay-Shaunté, Evia’s multimillionaire boss, comes to the Langstons with a five-million-dollar offer that seems so hard to refuse. Will the Langstons make this deal? Or will they recognize that the glitter of five million dollars may be far from gold?

416 pages, Paperback

First published June 7, 2011

31 people are currently reading
1176 people want to read

About the author

Victoria Christopher Murray

68 books2,363 followers
Victoria Christopher Murray is the author of nine Essence bestselling novels, including The Ex Files; Too Little, Too Late; and Lady Jasmine. Winner of the African American Literary Award for Fiction and Author of the Year (Female).

She has received numerous awards including the Golden Pen Award for Best Inspirational Fiction and the Phyllis Wheatley Trailblazer Award for being a pioneer in African American Fiction. Since 2007, Victoria has won nine African American Literary Awards for best novel, best Christian fiction and Author of the Year — Female. After four nominations, Victoria finally won an NAACP Image Award in Outstanding Literary Work for her social commentary novel, Stand Your Ground.

Victoria splits her time between Los Angeles and Washington DC.

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23 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 153 reviews
Profile Image for Camille.
127 reviews208 followers
September 30, 2019
Interesting, though not realistic.

This story can be slated as a cautionary tale of when faith in GOD is replaced by faith in money. A quick read, and the end had me wanting to know much more.
Profile Image for Tanishia Pearson.
88 reviews8 followers
August 1, 2015
Omg!
This book was intriguing from the very first chapter all the way to the end. I was outdone by the propositioned deal. I was on edge as Adam and Evia tried to keep in step with this dance but reality set in because the Devil truly is this kind of cunning.

What would you do if your livelihood was stripped away and the devil's representative presented you with the deal of a lifetime?
This was the case with Adam and Evia. Victoria Christopher Murray penned a classic example of what can happen when we cross over to the other side, abandoning our beliefs in a panicked state. Although this is fiction, I truly felt ups, downs, highs and lows that were experienced by each member of the Langston family. Whew! What a Ride! That was a gooooooooood book!
Profile Image for Laverne.
327 reviews53 followers
June 4, 2011
Headline: “What’s your price?”

Evia Early Evans and Adam Langston loved each other since they were kids growing up in a rough D.C. neighborhood. They both dreamed of leaving their situations behind wanting a better life for themselves. But when a tragedy brings an alternate beginning to their future, they get married and welcome a lovely set of twin girls into the world and then later a son. Evia and Adam worked hard to provide for their family and finally made their dreams their reality.

The living was easy, the luxury cars, private schools made a pretty picture until the economy turns their perfect world upside down. Now faced with potentially losing everything they’ve worked so hard to achieve, Evia prayed for something to get them out of this situation. But God’s answers don’t always match our request!

Meet Shay-Shaunte’, owner and operator of Ferossity and Evia’s boss. Shay-Shaunte’ offers a five million dollar solution to the Langston’s financial woes. Is this the answer to their prayers, but at what cost? What will they decide?

This book was great from the beginning to the end, the author pulled you into the lives of her characters, and made me think about my answer if presented with the same proposition. You’ve done it again Victoria! An excellent and thought provoking read!

Melody Vernor-Bartel

Reader’s Paradise

5 Bookmarks

ARC provided by the Simon and Schuster for purpose of reviewing



Profile Image for Patriciaw.
136 reviews21 followers
May 24, 2011
Very different book for VCM, I think, even from her other single titles. But no less satisfying. In fact, this one put me off-kilter and kept me that way, even after I'd finished the story. Many people can relate to the issues that arise for Adam and Evia, if not to the offer extended to them. Marriage is difficult, and financial pressures along with childrearing responsibilities and family obligations can drive a stake through the best relationships. Victoria Christopher Murray examines this fact in a sensual, fast-paced, riveting novel.
Profile Image for Cheryl.
6,570 reviews236 followers
May 30, 2011
Adam and Eva Langston have come a long way from where they both grown up in the slums of Washington, D.C. They have three children, a nice house, cars and they are being in the money. Well they were bringing in the money. This is until Adam was let go from his job. Now with the recession, they are trying to survive on a one person income. When Eva’s boss, Shay-Shaunte makes an offer to Eva, she must choose whether to make the deal with the devil.

What Eva and Adam were going through is what is currently happening to people in the real world. This is what made this book so good. I could relate literally to Eva and Adam’s situation. Of course, I am lucky that I don’t have to make the choice that Eva and Adam had to make with Shay-Shaunte. Though, the devil can appear in many different forms and with many different temptations. This was surprising to me that this book was based around the devil and the Bible somewhat. I was not expecting this. This was a nice surprise. I was rooting for Eva and Adam. It was funny to see Eva slip back into her old sixteen year old self at times from a cultivated woman. The Deal, the Dance, and the Devil is a must read!. The only deal that you will make is convincing yourself not to pick up a copy of this book. Victoria Christopher Murray is going on my list of authors to keep an eye on.
Profile Image for OOSA .
1,802 reviews237 followers
June 5, 2011
Negotiable Commodity

Real love! The Langstons, Adam and Evia, have been blessed with an infectious relationship that others envy. After sixteen years and three children, the couple is still as strong as ever. Or are they? When Adam loses his job and they blow through their savings, they realize that Evia's income cannot keep them in the lifestyle they have become accustomed to. On the brink of a foreclosure, repossession and mounting debt, the couple tries to remain optimistic. With everything crumbling around them, will they be steadfast in their faith, or submit to the devil?

THE DEAL, THE DANCE AND THE DEVIL by Victoria Christopher Murray is an emotionally mesmerizing story. I love the way the love leaps off the pages and how the title is suitable to the story. With the economy being what it is today, readers can't help but wonder what they would do, if faced with the same situation. Highly recommended reading.

Reviewed by: Crystal
Profile Image for Rhonda McKnight.
Author 42 books796 followers
July 23, 2011
In her tenth novel, Victoria Christopher Murray has penned an emotionally gripping story that has brought to life a cast of characters caught up in a tragedy as timeless and evocative as those of the Ancient Greeks or Shakespeare. Evia and Adam were a couple living the American Dream, until Adam lost his high paying corporate job. Now they find themselves living the American nightmare. There's more month than money and financial ruin is imminent, but there's a life raft - an offer of $5 Million Dollars if they'll.... They take the deal, but then their lives spin out of control. Murray convinces readers with a conviction of a skilled writer that you cannot, should not dance with the devil. I thought about this story long after I closed the book.
Profile Image for Rhonda.
10 reviews40 followers
June 27, 2011
You ever read a book and then go...'Dang!'. Yeah. That was this one. Great offering from VCM. I started it and once I got a third in I couldn't stop reading until it was done. I had to know how it would turn out. Pretty edgy as far as Christian Fiction goes and I didn't like the way some of it was written, but the message was definitely there. This is definitely a book that stays with you. Not for the faint of heart!
Profile Image for Flashette.
61 reviews33 followers
June 13, 2011
I have the privilege of giving Victoria Christopher Murray's novel 5 stars. What a book! Oh my goodness....it kept me thinking and wondering how I would react in a similar situation. It also shows how it takes just one little thread to unravel a whole sweater! LOL. Bravo! {crossing fingers hoping for a sequel}
Profile Image for Cecelia.
Author 33 books186 followers
August 3, 2011
http://ceceliadowdy.blogspot.com/2011...

First Timothy 6:10 - For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.

This scripture is what ran through my mind as I was reading this novel. Adam and Evia Langston are a happily married couple with three kids. Adam was laid off from his well-paying corporate job several months ago and now the family is struggling to survive. Their savings have been depleted and they're in danger of losing their home to foreclosure.

Evia works for Shay-Shante (the owner of a mega-hair-care company). Shay Shante makes Evia a deal that's extremely hard to take seriously. Shay offers Evia five million dollars in exchange for one weekend alone with Adam (Evia's husband). Evia is floored by this offer and she initially says no.

As the story progresses, you learn about other financial obligations that the Langstons are responsible for, like the monthly stipend that's paid to Evia's ghetto family and the funds they have to pay for Adam's mother who's now in an upscale nursing home.

I was drawn to this story because it shows how much we can come to depend upon money instead of God. Evia and Adam are a Christian couple but their faith is extremely tested when they're faced with financial hardship.

You also get a glimpse of how Evia and Adam met and how strong their love was. I don't want to give spoilers but, money can change relationships. Although having some extra cash to pay your bills is nice, being indebted to somebody can bring a whole set of new problems into your life.

You should read this novel if you want to see a realistic example of how money can mess with a strong, Christian marriage.

Profile Image for ConSonia .
335 reviews7 followers
May 20, 2012
A*M*A*Z*I*N*G Where s part 2 I feel like there should b one I know the DEVIL had a field day with Adam and Evia marriage & home life but I feel like there wasnt a true ending to their story.. Shay Shaunte The Devil has moved on to another State to burn more people. Definitely feel her story will continue.
Profile Image for Cheryl.
267 reviews53 followers
June 5, 2011
Evia and Adam Langston met when they were very young. I laughed when I saw that Evia called him "Banana-Pudding-Guy"! LOL! They lived in "Barry Farm which was the oldest African American neighborhood in DC and it was still ninety-nine percent black and one hundred percent poor." (e-book location 205-11) It was a very high crime and drug area. Something happened and things moved along much faster than they anticipated. Adam's mother Ruby was very good to Evia and treated her like her own--unlike Evia's own mother. They got married and had the twin girls and later a little boy. They were doing well for a while, but their situation was changing and they were falling fast.


Adam was not working anymore. Luckily Evia had a job at Ferossity. The owner and boss Shay-Shaunte' showed Evia a five million dollar check. It was made right out to Evia. She just has to accept the terms. What were the terms? Would she accept them? Five million dollars is very tempting that is for sure, but are the terms worth it?


Evia's grandmother had always told her that when something just doesn't seem right, you should really listen to your "alarm" that tells you to watch out. Yes, Evia and Adam were in a world of trouble with their financial situation. They were struggling with paying their house payment, tuition at the children's school, and Adam's mother's care. Adam did not want people to know that they were in financial trouble. He especially didn't want their children to know. Their daughters had a big party coming up that they wanted their parents to throw. There was no way Adam was going to let them down. He was determined that he was going to get a job and be back in good financial standing. He knew what it was like growing up and having nothing. He didn't want that for his children. Did he get a job? You will have to read to find out what happens.


Victoria Christopher Murray really made me think. What would I do if I was offered 5 million dollars on the terms that were offered?


I started The Deal, the Dance, and the Devil on one night and read till I couldn't keep my eyes open. I got back at the book the next night and finished it late into the night! I was totally engrossed in this book and couldn't wait to see what was going to happen next! Victoria Christopher Murray did an excellent job developing the characters and really pulling me in to the story. This is a page turner that I highly recommend that you buy!
Profile Image for Tamela.
Author 1 book9 followers
September 6, 2011
Ms. Murray has penned a phenomenal read with a biblical yet realistic concept that will intrigue you from the initial introduction. Adam and Evia Langston beat the odds and have attained successful lives despite the statistics that stated they'd never escape the hood. Adam has lost his high paying job and the luxury vehicles are at stake, the lavish house is threatened, the children's dreams and futures are tremulous, their parents livelihoods are questionable...Adam and Evia's family is slowing dissipating with the loss of income. Evia is now working and praying, praying and working, when she receives an `indecent proposal' from her boss. Shay-Shaunte', a millionaire is the owner of Evia's workplace, Ferrosity. Five million dollars for one weekend...with Evia's husband...her only love, her only lover, her very best friend, the father of her children, the man that pledged his undying love and his body to her and only her!

Ms. Christopher has successfully entertained her fan base with this intricate depiction by correlating modern day society with biblical experiences and times in this read as well as once before in a previous read. I loved the parallel portrait of biblical history versus modern day trials and tribulations. Choices reign galore in regards to faith, trust, love, devotion, and the seen versus the unseen. Amazing execution of this plot was outstanding and you will be enthralled with each raw emotionalism elicited within these pragmatic scenarios!! Eerily realistic, perfectly profound descriptive scenes pronouncing Ms. Murray's limitless skills! Some parts were a bit lengthy, the finale was a little too open in my opinion but thus is true life. Upon finishing, I found it a bit depressing because it felt as if she never gave hope a strong foothold throughout this storyline. 4.50****
Profile Image for Dan.
790 reviews5 followers
June 6, 2011
Adam and Evia Langston were living the good life until Adam loses his six figure salary and their financial problems begin. They are fighting off the tuition of their kid’s private schools, possible foreclosure of their big house and Evia’s mother greedily wanting her monthly check.

Then Evia’s boss, the private but highly successful Shay-Shaunté proposes a five million dollar deal. Will they take it or leave it? The deal; Adam has to spend Shay’s 50th birthday weekend with her alone. Then the real problems begin.

The Langstons live in a world that I know little about and watching them having to deal with the loss of cable (my goodness) and a greedy mother that takes from Evia, it just horrified me. These people drove me crazy, but I guess that’s what drew me in to see what and how they were going to deal with their problems. I also was trying to figure out what Shay was up to and what happened that weekend they spent together.

A curious tale of wealth, greed, appearances, trust and love all wrapped around the all mighty dollar. The ending was an interesting little revelation.
Profile Image for Krystal Esmi.
176 reviews1 follower
August 28, 2011
This book was quite different from any other Christian fiction book that I've read in the past. This book was very current with what is going on in the world today: the recession and financial woes. I wasn't exactly sure of the direction that this book would go into when I started reading it, but once I got into it, I really really liked it. It had some "gunk"(unnecessary sexual material), which I stay away from when reading, but I just skipped over that and continued to read. I loved the message of the story: trusting God inspite of circumstances. The epilogue was the best part of the book to me; it was scary. Without giving anything away, I will say the epilogue will make you re-evaluate your walk with God. It was really good. The only thing keeping me from giving this book 5 out of 5 is the fact that it had "gunk".
Profile Image for Revae.
182 reviews13 followers
July 27, 2011
A husband and wife are offered a once in a lifetime proposition: $5 million dollars for another woman to spend a weekend with the husband. The Deal, the Dance, and the Devil outlines a story about the sanctity of marraige and the importance of God in that marraige. After reading this book, I am further convinced that it matters where you go to church and beware of how sneaky the devil can be. I enjoyed reading this book. I am a fan of Victoria Christopher Murray, and this book did not disappoint. It was very engaging and you couldn't guess where Murray was going next. This is a definite recommended read.
Profile Image for MZURAQT.
259 reviews48 followers
November 13, 2013
Will you do anything to keep your family happy?

Evia and Adam are a happily married couple,With their twins and son they are the perfect family.Things are going well until a lay off has appeared.Once it seems they have hit rock bottom a five million dollar offer has been handed to them on a platter but is everything that glitters gold?

Bravo VCM.This was my first read by her and I must say that I was not disappointed.From page one I was grabbed right in.I love the characters.I felt their emotions,the happiness, pain & tears,this is what a good book consists of.I definitely will be reading more from this author.
Profile Image for Natasha.
468 reviews
February 9, 2012
Wasn't the ending I expected, which I like - not exactly predictable. It kept me intrigued and wanting to see what happened next. The family seemed so real, like I knew them, I was pulling for them to come out on top the whole way through. Very good read! I think this book should be the start of a series with Shay-Shaunte's "deals" with other people/families. I'd read them =)!
Profile Image for ShayBooks.
801 reviews17 followers
June 25, 2014
This was a very good read, I started out listening to it and ended up having to grab the book and finish it cause I could now wait to find out what happened. This book was not predictable at all, I would love to see a sequel to see what happened with the family and the new baby in the city of Angels.
Profile Image for Kimberly.
257 reviews
July 17, 2011
Loved The Deal, The Dance and the Devil. It was a whirlwind for me. It kept me wondering where was their faith and who was there first love. In the end all of my questions were answered. This is a story that many of us can relate to.
Profile Image for Amanda.
348 reviews33 followers
November 18, 2018
Wow! This ranks high on the list of favorite Victoria Christopher Murray novels. I can’t believe I waited this long to read it. Her writing style and storytelling are second to none and this novel is no different.
Profile Image for Carmen Blalock.
262 reviews15 followers
July 12, 2011
Evia and Adam Langston have the ideal marriage, loving relationship with their 3 children, a beautiful house, great jobs and they definitely have the passion for each other. How are they going to deal with their families and finances when Adam loses his job and can't find another one?

Shay-Shaunte' is Evia's boss and a very private person. When she calls Evia into her office and hands her a check for $5 million dollars Evia automatically thinks that it is a joke, but Shay-Shaunte' is not the type of person who jokes around so what could she possibly want Evia to do with this check that she claims is for her?

How far would you go to regain financial stability and sanity within your family? Well you are about to find out in The Deal, The Dance and The Devil! In this novel, Victoria Christopher Murray has captured what it means to be happy and sad all at t he same time and how far we humans would go just to be back or better than they were. This book is excellently written and will keep you interested and talking to the book the entire time you are reading it!

I am totally not suprised that this book is great with the way that Murray writes, I really thought that I was going to jump inside of the book at any minute! Great Job on this one, I know it is going to be successful like your other novels!
Profile Image for LaShawn.
47 reviews
February 9, 2012
Another success from Victoria -- what a whirlwind of a ride with this family as they maneuver through (and manipulate) a sudden change in their lifestyle as a result of a tricky decision!

Loved the parallel the author makes with a very significant Bible story. The characters, though flawed and sometimes melodramatic, are also QUITE real! It's easy to imagine different situations/decision, but I could imagine the situation playing out exactly as written.

If you have a book club, this is an excellent choice -- can spark LOTS of discussion about the Christian walk, marital & parental relationships, the 'paper chase', and 'what would you do'. Our book club thoroughly enjoyed discussing all the "no she didn't" moments and had no trouble pondering the "why" behind so much.

I'm really trying hard not to give too much away! Just know that those that enjoy Victoria's previous books will certainly enjoy the roller coaster ride of The Deal, the Dance, and the Devil. Blessings!
Profile Image for April.
325 reviews4 followers
August 6, 2015
The devil comes but to kill, steal and destroy!! That's EXACTLY what "her" mission was in this novel that Victoria Christopher Murray penned so exceptionally well.
This novel was suspenseful, full of surprises, twists, turns and kept me on the edge of my seat as I turned the pages.

What happens when your perfect life is turned upside down by the cares of this world? Adam and Evia Langston grew up in poverty, married young but worked hard, studied harder and beat the odds to live a good life, but it all took a turn for the worse when Adam lost his job and it seemed they couldn't keep their heads above water. They are offered a deal that could take care of all their problems, but is a dance with the devil worth it? Could the deal that's suppose to save you actually destroy you? Find out in The Deal, The Dance & The Devil....
Profile Image for Elise Randall.
161 reviews1 follower
October 17, 2018
Wow. This book just goes to show what happens when you don't wait on the Lord. I can't believe that this woman was putting this plan in place for six years. However, I did know that she was up to something. They didn't even realize that she actually breached the contract first. She did not return Adam home at the time specified in the contract. And who's car did he drive when he did get there? I enjoyed reading this book though, her family is a trip and once they started having problems people should have been cut off to focus on home first. And Shay-Shaunte had to know somebody to know all of their business
Profile Image for Kia.
8 reviews
August 19, 2011
I really liked this book. I actually read it in one day! It's a definite page-turner and makes you think about marriage and family in a different light. I had the privilege of hearing Victoria Christopher Murray speak about the book during a book fest. I will say that it took a bit to get into it because the beginning covers many details and kind of drags on with some of them - but you totally forget that by the end because you become captivated by the story. Great read!
Profile Image for Metris.
412 reviews
November 20, 2013
This was my official 1st book by Victoria Christopher Murray and I promise it will not be my last. I can't even put into words what I felt reading this...feelings and emotions where all over the place!
God has a strange way about opening up your eyes to different situation and I can truly say God gut punched me on this one. All my thoughts and views of certain relationship issues; Evia & Adam & their family & life chooses has altered my views.
This is a MUST READ!!!!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 153 reviews

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