The Dance

by Joe Matlock

The Book Haven
A Book Review by Amy Coffin
Toby Eisler hadn't planned on falling in love that day. He was a part-time private helicopter pilot for Air Link, and his services were needed by Hollingsworth Enterprises. After the job was finished, Toby landed at the Sherman Hollingsworth Estate. That's when he first laid eyes on Sherman's daughter, Sharon Hollingsworth. He was attracted to her immediately.

The feeling was mutual as far as Sharon was concerned. However, they were complete opposites. Toby was tall and strong. Sharon was petite. Toby came from a working class background, while Sharon had always lived a life of affluence.

These two souls tried to fight their feelings. Even Sharon's father tried to keep them apart, but Sharon and Toby were meant to be together.

THE DANCE chronicles the unconditional love between Toby Eisler and Sharon Hollingsworth. Several obstacles stand in the way of their relationship. Toby, the Coast Guard/private pilot, is uneasy around the opulence of the Hollingsworth lifestyle. Sharon is thankful for her wealth, and she uses to make a difference in the world. However, she has no plans to give up her fortune for Toby.

As readers, we come to know the main characters through their daily lives. Author Joe Matlock provides several Coast Guard rescue scenes in which Toby is involved. Sometimes these chapters deterred from the love story, but this reviewer found them to be interesting and exciting anyway. Matlock does a great job explaining the slang and various terms used by the Coast Guard and that added to my satisfaction.

All too often, authors develop a case of "common character syndrome" where the lead female is rich, beautiful, intelligent and about as deep as a wading pool. Danielle Steel and Mary Higgins Clark often suffer from this tendency. However, Matlock is to be commended for creating a believable woman in his leading lady. Sharon Hollingsworth is really likeable. Granted, she is rich and pretty, but she is kind, caring and human as well. Authors Steel and Clark should take a note here.

As an avid reader, I devour a lot of books. So many, in fact, that they sometimes tend to look alike. THE DANCE stands out from the pack, however. Why? Because it is a love story written by a male author in the perspective of a male main character. The story isn't sappy. Instead, it is quite moving, as it is clear the words come from the heart.

That last point is important because as a whole I do not like stories about love and romance. I find them silly and non-dimensional. Though Toby and Sharon were fictional characters, the love shared in the story was real. At some point in time, two people felt this strongly about each other. Joe Matlock just took the time to write it down.

And this effort is probably why the book moved me so. That being said, I do recommend THE DANCE as a refreshing change from the standard love story. Read it and I bet you won't be disappointed.

290 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2000

About the author

Joe Matlock never thought of himself as an author but holds an interest in social sciences. Sharing life experiences though writing, his only desire is to entertain while educating the mind and feeding the soul.

Joe is a retired Marine Pilot and enjoys reading, traveling, cooking and oil painting as well as writing. During his flying career, he was a member of the Confederate (now Commemorative) Air Force. Joe has about a hundred hours in the P-51 Mustang. See video on author profile page.

Today, he maintains a small farm in south-central Texas and is a member of the Kingsbury Aerodrome, a group that restores and preserves pre-1930s airplanes and artifacts.

Reviews

[Stacy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this book, though at the end, I was angry, and cried.... not angry with the book, or the characters, but at fate, as it was so true-to-life and how life can play such cruel tricks on people. Of how nothing is guaranteed, and sometimes the people who a person thinks really deserves a break, and can find a bit of happiness gets robbed of it. The Dance is the tale of two unlikely people meeting and falling in love. People that would normally never meet unless chance or the Divine Hand intervened, and as usually happens, opposites attract. Against numerous obstacles they are determined to defy and persist for their love, and are optimistic about their joint futures on the bright horizon, and then the unthinkable happens. Mr. Matlock has written another wonderful book about what is really important in life, values, and to savor every minute with our loved ones as we never know what tomorrow could bring.

I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. Again, I thank you Mr. Matlock!

Read interview with author Joe Matlock, and enter to win a signed copy of "The Dance" and "The Other Side of Courage"! One winner will win both! Giveaway runs from 12/15/2017 until 12/22/2017! Good luck! https://twogalsandabook.com/

[Janet · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story was captivating and sweet. Two people falling for each other from different worlds. Amazing details about adventures in rescue and drug dealers. I liked the character Toby, a good old boy. Tough when it was needed and soft for his woman. This was a Goodreads giveaway winner. Thank you for sharing your journey in this story. I liked it.

[Olivia "So many books--so little time."" · Rating 4 out of 5]

Adorable love story of a Coast Guard pilot and a California heiress whose father doesn't approve of their relationship. I really liked this book.

[Roxanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a Goodreads win review. This is my kind of book. It is about two people who have noting in common. He is pilot and she is an heiress and has different interests. I really enjoyed this story.

[Brandy Martin · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm not exactly sure where I fall with this book. I won this on a Goodreads Giveaway, I enjoyed the love story between toby and Sharon, but there were a lot of muddy parts that didn't seem to belong. It was like little stories broke off of the main story and kind of made it seem to draw out to long. I did actually feel Toby's pain in the end, which means I became emotionally invested in the characters, so the author did build them enough for me to connect with them, but I feel like I'm still a bit confused on certain parts as to why I even had to learn about them, or why she even discussed certain things about certain characters but never closed the chapter with them.

[Andrea · Rating 3 out of 5]

I won this book through a Goodreads Giveaway. I enjoyed the story about two very different people falling in love. Toby is a pilot in the Coast Guard and Sharon is a heiress whose father does not approve of their relationship. I connected with both characters and was sad at the ending. There could have been a little less detail on helicopters, planes and flying which I found detracted from the story.

[Lavender]

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I won this book via Goodreads Giveaways.

[Clipinchick]

I received this book for free from the author/publisher in response for an honest review of the book. I have not had the opportunity to read this book at this time. I will add my
review of this book once I have read the book. Thank k you for allowing me the optometrist review your work. I look forward to reading this book.