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Claire McCall #1
Could I Have This Dance?
You can’t dance this dance unless it’s in your blood. Claire McCall is praying it’s not in hers. Claire McCall is used to fighting back against the odds. Hard work, aptitude, and sheer determination have helped her rise from adverse circumstances to an internship in one of the nation’s most competitive surgical residencies. But talent and tenacity mean nothing in the face of the discovery that is about to rock her world. It’s called the "Stoney Creek Curse" by folks in the small mountain town where Claire grew up. Behind the superstition lies a reality that could destroy her career. But getting to the truth is far from easy in a community with secrets to hide. As a web of relationships becomes increasingly tangled, two things become apparent. One is that more than one person doesn’t want Claire to probe too deeply into the "Stoney Creek Curse." The other is that someone has reasons other than the curse for wanting Claire out of the picture permanently. Somewhere in the course of pursuing her career as a surgeon, Claire lost touch with the God who called her to it. Now she realizes how desperately she needs him. But can she reclaim a faith strong enough to see her through this deadly dance of circumstances?
418 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 1, 2002
13 people are currently reading
342 people want to read
About the author
Harry Kraus
21 books112 followersHarry Kraus, M.D. is a board-certified surgeon, medical missionary to East Africa, and accomplished writer of both non-fiction and fiction. Medical realism and gripping plotlines distinguish his writing, as he gets most of his ideas with a scalpel in hand. Dr. Kraus resides in Virginia with his wife Kris and the youngest of his three sons.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews
July 4, 2017
Another great read from doctor/author Harry Kraus.
July 6, 2022
I was drawn to this book due to the focus on the same rare genetic disorder that haunts my husband’s family. Huntingtons Disease. Thankfully he does not carry the gene. The very first chapter captured my attention and I could hardly put the book down. Thank you Dr. Kraus for truly describing this debilitating disease, the misdiagnosed symptoms, and the fear family faces with a genetic death sentence possibly lurking in their own DNA. I have witnessed this disease first hand any your description of symptoms are right on.
I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in Christian Fiction with a focus on medical issues.
I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in Christian Fiction with a focus on medical issues.
May 29, 2017
This would be an interesting summer read. Claire comes from a po-dunk town in Virginia, and is determined to make something of herself and get out of the shadow of being the town drunk's daughter. Her twin brother, on the other hand, is perfectly fine staying there. So Claire becomes a surgeon and works in Boston for her residency. However, she finds that her father's behavior may not be due to alcohol (part of the Stoney Creek Curse). So, she is trying to get everyone on board to see if it is really a genetic, debilitating disease. That part was pretty good. Not so good were the extreme parts. Sometimes I was just shaking my head like nothing could ever truly get this crazy for one chick. Hence, a slight hesitation of belief. Maybe more than slight. Positive note, though, is that although this is Christian fiction, there were some instances that showed Christians in a real light. We all mess up, even Christians, and it shows how to cling to grace and repentance, even though it can be stinkin' hard.
July 3, 2022
a page turner
I love reading Christian Fiction and that is one reason I chose to read this book. The second, and most compelling reason, is because the characters face a disease lurking in the DNA of unsuspecting family members. My husband’s family has had this “curse” throughout his family’s history. I’m thankful to say that he does not carry this detrimental gene. This story had captivated my attention from the beginning and I was nearly unable to put it down. Thank you Dr. Cross for penning this book with accurate details of symptoms and judgements of this disease of which I have personally witnessed.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys reading the Christian Fiction genre.
I love reading Christian Fiction and that is one reason I chose to read this book. The second, and most compelling reason, is because the characters face a disease lurking in the DNA of unsuspecting family members. My husband’s family has had this “curse” throughout his family’s history. I’m thankful to say that he does not carry this detrimental gene. This story had captivated my attention from the beginning and I was nearly unable to put it down. Thank you Dr. Cross for penning this book with accurate details of symptoms and judgements of this disease of which I have personally witnessed.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys reading the Christian Fiction genre.
January 31, 2025
PB
You were made for something more.
p. 30
Use your wounds to realize your potential. You can do anything.
p. 64
Guilt is a powerful motivator. Love is even stronger.
p. 94
Do the best with the raw materials God gave you, and He makes the right doors open.
p. 133
A little hypochondria circulates in every medical school class.
p. 218
“We are not necessarily doubting that God will do the best for us; we are wondering how painful the best will turn out to be.” C. S. Lewis.
p. 236
It’s not trust that life will always be rosy. It’s trust that when you encounter the thorns, that you’re not alone, that you’re not in control. You never have been.
p. 241
It was a silence that screamed, “You’re holding back.”
p. 273
You were made for something more.
p. 30
Use your wounds to realize your potential. You can do anything.
p. 64
Guilt is a powerful motivator. Love is even stronger.
p. 94
Do the best with the raw materials God gave you, and He makes the right doors open.
p. 133
A little hypochondria circulates in every medical school class.
p. 218
“We are not necessarily doubting that God will do the best for us; we are wondering how painful the best will turn out to be.” C. S. Lewis.
p. 236
It’s not trust that life will always be rosy. It’s trust that when you encounter the thorns, that you’re not alone, that you’re not in control. You never have been.
p. 241
It was a silence that screamed, “You’re holding back.”
p. 273
February 6, 2018
It was a good book and pulled me in right away, there were some slow bits here and there but overall enjoyable. I didn't know this was a series until the end of the book, because I just noticed on here it's called the Claire McCall #1 as well. I will read more if my library has the rest. Happy reading!
October 2, 2019
The author's father was one of my college profs and my uncle, a doctor, enjoyed this author in his retirement. I did not know that it would center around Huntington's disease which I am very familiar with that particular neurological disease.
November 28, 2025
Leest makkelijk weg, de medische informatie is interessant en er zitten best wat (soms voorspelbare) plottwists in. Thema's als vertrouwen op God in moeilijke tijden maken dat het boek veel diepgang heeft.
April 23, 2020
I’ll have to look for the rest of the books in this series! A few questions left to answer, but a book that will keep your attention until the very last page!
February 18, 2021
This book was the perfect mix of family drama, suspense, inspirational fiction, and medical mystery. The author’s writing style was so easy to read! I can’t wait to read the rest of the series!
December 22, 2019
Jane Austen never wrote a scene with two men conversing alone, because she said she didn't know what men spoke about when there were no women around. This would be good advice for Dr. Kraus to follow.
His women characters are all one-dimensional, sexy, unfaithful, and interested only in futhering their financial fitness. The conversations do not ring true. For example, mom, grandma, and granddaghter sit down togeher to discuss grandma's long ago affair. Also, one character just thankfullty takes her philandering husband back after he has a fling with a restaurant employee, with no discussion, and (seemingly) no feelings.
Dr. Kraus seems to have forgotten that med students actually know a lot. He has Dr. McCall not identify Huntington Disease and be totally mystified as to its inheritance. Also, while I don't doubt his surgical description, he never touches on genetic anticpation- each generation should be showing symptoms earlier in life than the previous generation OR de novo mutation.
Th plot is well-paced and I will probably read the next book, but I felt the whole book was a little mysogynistic. Disappointing.
His women characters are all one-dimensional, sexy, unfaithful, and interested only in futhering their financial fitness. The conversations do not ring true. For example, mom, grandma, and granddaghter sit down togeher to discuss grandma's long ago affair. Also, one character just thankfullty takes her philandering husband back after he has a fling with a restaurant employee, with no discussion, and (seemingly) no feelings.
Dr. Kraus seems to have forgotten that med students actually know a lot. He has Dr. McCall not identify Huntington Disease and be totally mystified as to its inheritance. Also, while I don't doubt his surgical description, he never touches on genetic anticpation- each generation should be showing symptoms earlier in life than the previous generation OR de novo mutation.
Th plot is well-paced and I will probably read the next book, but I felt the whole book was a little mysogynistic. Disappointing.
February 21, 2017
I can tell I'm going to love the rest of this series! This was an excellent book! It was Christ-centered and had just enough suspense thrown in. Now onto the next one!
October 6, 2011
Another first for me. I hadn’t heard of Harry Kraus before reading this book. He is now one of my new favorite authors.
There are two kind of books I love and they are medical and police dramas. This is a mix of medical and suspense which I really love.
This book is in a series so it didn’t really answer the main question if the main character has an inherited disease so I have to read book number two.
The cover is beautiful and title of this book Could I have this Dance?, is a great play on words. It makes you think of a dating relationship, but actually has to do with the inherited disease.
The characters are very well developed and it is a very exciting book. It is a long book, but kept me interested throughout and I look forward to book two.
Claire has gone to church most of her life, but doesn’t want to hand over the full control to God. She wants to have the control in her hands. I love all of the medical drama and medical terms, which is very well explained. It also shows that mistakes can be made in hospitals, because we are all human. She goes through relationship problems, family problems, faith problems, work problems, you get the picture, it’s a very tangled web.
I really thought it was neat how the author wove together the prologue and epilogue, it was the same, but very different. It gets the story going and ends the story with one of the main questions answered.
I really love this book and will be keeping it. It is a story that is well written with plenty of interesting characters, plots and suspense. Highly recommended to everyone.
Thank you to Zondervan for providing this book for review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255
There are two kind of books I love and they are medical and police dramas. This is a mix of medical and suspense which I really love.
This book is in a series so it didn’t really answer the main question if the main character has an inherited disease so I have to read book number two.
The cover is beautiful and title of this book Could I have this Dance?, is a great play on words. It makes you think of a dating relationship, but actually has to do with the inherited disease.
The characters are very well developed and it is a very exciting book. It is a long book, but kept me interested throughout and I look forward to book two.
Claire has gone to church most of her life, but doesn’t want to hand over the full control to God. She wants to have the control in her hands. I love all of the medical drama and medical terms, which is very well explained. It also shows that mistakes can be made in hospitals, because we are all human. She goes through relationship problems, family problems, faith problems, work problems, you get the picture, it’s a very tangled web.
I really thought it was neat how the author wove together the prologue and epilogue, it was the same, but very different. It gets the story going and ends the story with one of the main questions answered.
I really love this book and will be keeping it. It is a story that is well written with plenty of interesting characters, plots and suspense. Highly recommended to everyone.
Thank you to Zondervan for providing this book for review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255
October 31, 2015
This was a second read of this book as I had already read it 4-5 years ago. I remembered the story somewhat but I felt that I would enjoy "For the Rest of My Life" better if I read book 1 again first to refresh my mind. It is a great read and it teaches one so much about Huntington Disease and, being written by a doctor, it is also a great way to understand the life of an intern, chief resident, surgeon, other medical staff and even "the Wedges". :)
Claire has fought her way out of a small country town way of life, finished her University studies in medicine and is determined to excel in everything she does, trusting that God is leading her to be a surgeon and a good one too. But wow, how in the world can she perform at the pace that is expected of her while being on call all hours of the day and night, and yet face all the other personal, legal and family issues that she is being confronted with on a weekly basis. Her life is in constant turmoil even while other people's lives are in her hands.
There was one thing in the book that I found quite confusing. The story mentioned a number of times a school project on blood types which Claire had done while studying medicine and yet, when the information on the project would have given her the answers that she needed, a clever doctor like Claire didn't think to go and look at the project. I would think that when one has a question of paternity, information on blood types would be the first place to look.
Read this great story to see how Claire handles all her problems and makes some very important decisions which will change her life forever. This story will make you cry but will also make you smile.
Claire has fought her way out of a small country town way of life, finished her University studies in medicine and is determined to excel in everything she does, trusting that God is leading her to be a surgeon and a good one too. But wow, how in the world can she perform at the pace that is expected of her while being on call all hours of the day and night, and yet face all the other personal, legal and family issues that she is being confronted with on a weekly basis. Her life is in constant turmoil even while other people's lives are in her hands.
There was one thing in the book that I found quite confusing. The story mentioned a number of times a school project on blood types which Claire had done while studying medicine and yet, when the information on the project would have given her the answers that she needed, a clever doctor like Claire didn't think to go and look at the project. I would think that when one has a question of paternity, information on blood types would be the first place to look.
Read this great story to see how Claire handles all her problems and makes some very important decisions which will change her life forever. This story will make you cry but will also make you smile.
March 31, 2013
The idea that put this novel together is the main reason I picked it up. To avoid a back cover recap, I’ll just say: it was interesting. Working in a medical field as my work-a-day job, I was intrigued by this concept to let that world enter a bit of my fiction entertainment.
Published in 2002, a reader can definitely see where Christian fiction has progressed and become a stronger force to be reckoned with. Much of the novel was a bit wordy for my taste, but Claire as a character, and her circumstances pushed the novel forward on a solid stride. I do admit to skimming the extraneous verbiage the deeper into the story I got, but still gleaned much in the way of these character’s lives.
This particular novel delves deeper into the terminology and the life of a surgeon intern. I could see readers getting lost in all the terms, but since I work in it, I was able to follow pretty well. Definitely a couple twists, including an excellent one at the end I didn’t see coming. Worth reading to find that one!
All in all, I can’t say it’s my favorite, but I’ve loved a more recent release by the same author, so will continue to read upcoming novels.
This review is my honest opinion. Thanks to the publishers for my copy to review.
Published in 2002, a reader can definitely see where Christian fiction has progressed and become a stronger force to be reckoned with. Much of the novel was a bit wordy for my taste, but Claire as a character, and her circumstances pushed the novel forward on a solid stride. I do admit to skimming the extraneous verbiage the deeper into the story I got, but still gleaned much in the way of these character’s lives.
This particular novel delves deeper into the terminology and the life of a surgeon intern. I could see readers getting lost in all the terms, but since I work in it, I was able to follow pretty well. Definitely a couple twists, including an excellent one at the end I didn’t see coming. Worth reading to find that one!
All in all, I can’t say it’s my favorite, but I’ve loved a more recent release by the same author, so will continue to read upcoming novels.
This review is my honest opinion. Thanks to the publishers for my copy to review.
April 26, 2010
Author Harry Kraus peaked my interest when I discovered that he was a surgeon in real life as well as a fantastic author. Harry began writing his first novel during his last year of surgical training, when he was chief resident. From there not only has his medical career blossomed, but his gift of writing has made a place for him the literary world.
I love the fact that Harry writes some very intense, gritty, medical fiction without crossing over into the secular trends of adding sex, profanity. I haven't read a Harry Kraus book that I haven't enjoyed - if you're looking for a new author to add to your "favorites" list, take the time and find one of Harry's books!
Could I Have This Dance is one of the first series books I read - however, The Chairman (a stand-alone) is also another excellent book to look for.
For a complete listing of books, visit Harry's website at: http://www.harrykraus.com
I love the fact that Harry writes some very intense, gritty, medical fiction without crossing over into the secular trends of adding sex, profanity. I haven't read a Harry Kraus book that I haven't enjoyed - if you're looking for a new author to add to your "favorites" list, take the time and find one of Harry's books!
Could I Have This Dance is one of the first series books I read - however, The Chairman (a stand-alone) is also another excellent book to look for.
For a complete listing of books, visit Harry's website at: http://www.harrykraus.com
March 6, 2014
There is a religious component to this book that I didn't expect, but it wasn't heavy-handed. The story line of a young female intern who is struggling to make the grade in a prestigious University hospital is compelling. There are lots of twists and turns, and I found the inclusion of Huntington's Disease (HD) to be the best part of this book. It helps readers discover the impact of genetic diseases on family systems, and also gives a glimpse into the dilemma of genetic testing for individuals who might be directly affected by HD. I intend to read the sequel!
November 2, 2014
I really enjoy this author's novels that combine intrigue, mystery, and medicine. This book drew me in starting from the first page. The plot development was thorough, the characters were believable, and I was left wondering until the very last chapter how the book would end. At times it was heartbreaking because Huntington's Disease sounds like a horrible disease that robs its victims and their families of so many of life's blessings. I appreciated how the author wove faith in God into the lives of the main characters and also the medical realm.
January 12, 2013
Harry Kraus draws from his career as a general surgeon to develop a story about Claire McCall, and her trials as a surgery intern, her search to prove that Huntington's Disease was the cause of her Dad's strange "dance" rather than alcoholism, and her pain from the secrets and family dynamics that she uncovers along the way.Really enjoyed this one, and learned a great deal about how difficult it can be for a woman to pursue a career in medicine.
August 10, 2016
An excellent story-intense,fast-paced,with several subplots which kept me reading beyond my regular sleeping hours, and very interesting info on Huntington's disease. I liked the character of Clair, her strength and deep faith,and her dreams of becoming a surgeon. Some surprising twists and turns in the story, made me gasp out loud! I don't want to give away anymore of this super good story, you will just have to read it! I have found another favorite author, Harry Kraus,MD.!
December 23, 2016
At first I wasn't so sure about this book, but continued to read and actually started to get in to it. Poor Claire seemed to have so much going on in her life it just broke my heart to see one defeat after another, but through it all she kept her head held high and turned to God to help her get through. I'd like to try and find the next book in this series to see how her life continues on with so many obstacles.
October 30, 2022
The medical terminology in this book was way over my head at times, but the writing and story in this book was great. There were several twists that I either didn't see coming or loved reading the build-up to, and a lot of characters that I was totally blindsided by just how much the author made me feel for them. This was a great book, and I'll probably end up buying it one day, just to read it again.
October 15, 2010
Granted, I read this book quite a while ago, but I loved how the characters were authentic without perfecting them like in most Christian Inspirational Literature. Claire was a normal woman going through what women her age go through, temptation, fear, anger as her world is turned inside out.
I look forward to reading the rest of the books in this series.
I look forward to reading the rest of the books in this series.
April 23, 2011
This book was suggested to me by a dear friend. I thought the story was well told and interesting. There were a few times that I wished the pace of the story would of been quicker. The characters were well developed. The story had enough twists and turns that I did not see the ending coming. I will seek out this author again.
July 27, 2011
I loved this book!! If you are a fan of Grey's Anatomy, you will love this book. It is Book One in a Trilogy. I am looking forward to reading the other two books. You can tell the author is a doctor. Plus if you are Christian, it has a nice Christian element to it, that Grey's Anatomy does not have.
August 5, 2012
I could not put this book down. Medical novel, hospital setting, great characters; fabulous, well-written story; lots of action, surprises around every corner. Medical intern Claire McCall meets challenges in her professional and personal lives. The best thing is that her character changes over the course of the story. I believe this is the best novel I’ve ever read
January 30, 2015
Knowing two different people who have Huntington's Disease has made this book especially interesting to me. Harry Kraus's highly complex plots and fast moving action sure helped too. I would recommend this book to anyone but especially to those who like medical thrillers. I appreciate that Mr. Kraus kept his plot moral, allows his characters to have flaws, and incorporates a Christian worldview.
October 9, 2007
Fist in the series, E. Claire is doing her residency after completing her MD at a top notch school hours away from the family and past she desperately wants to escape. The story unfolds beautifully and makes you want to pick up the next installment. A love story, tear-jerker, medical thriller.
November 9, 2008
I love that it is a Christian novel with characters who truly experience the Christian life...trials, doubts, questions. It is not a trite view of the Christian walk. Also, it has some mystery, romance, and lots of interesting medical situations.
March 2, 2012
A little over the top with the drama but it was a fun read. It was fun to read a medical novel with a Christian perspective. It's nice to know that people still believe in God and will write about Him in a positive light, and a way that most of us can understand.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews