When You Dance with the Devil

Gwynne is my fav author. I have met her and she is sweet and down to earth. I was slightly disappointed with the book and I LOVE her books. There was a BIG mistake made on in the book and I think the editor's missed it. I was not convinced either that Jolene was that out of touch with life. I liked all the characters and the storyline. I just felt if Jolene was younger I would have been convinced of her naivete.

I enjoyed every aspect of "When You Dance with the Devil." The storyline exhibited innovation and a good measure of originality, the characters were real, but chief among my reasons for enjoying this story? The way Gwynne Forster writes. Her writing style is inexplicable. Simply put, she has a way with words and she knows how to tell a story. "When You Dance with the Devil" brings us into the lives of the residents of Thank the Lord Boarding House. The newest residents are Jolene and Richard. As the novel begins, Jolene's acrimonious mother dies after she gave Jolene a lifetime full of heartache and sadness. She had taken care of her mother for several years all by herself. Jolene never received a thank you or any other form of appreciation from her mother. Before she died, her mother instilled into her mind that men were unscrupulous, malicious individuals. After her mother dies, those thoughts remained in Jolene's mind; she began dating for the first time after her mother died and treats men unfairly, even the men who are gentlemanly toward her. After using a considerable amount of men, she receives a dose of her own medicine and soon realizes her wrongdoings. The reader is able to see some character growth in Jolene, but not an overwhelming amount. Jolene's mother truly damaged her because she never told her who her paternal father was. She never takes any steps to try and find him, but there is an interesting sequence as it relates to that situation. After a hellish saga, Jolene receives some light (although some darkness remained) at the end of the tunnel. In this captivating novel, we are also introduced to Richard. Richard surrendered his once lavish lifestyle of career success, the finer material things, and so many women he is unable to recollect them all. He moves into Thank the Lord Boarding House and meets his first true friend, Judd. While there, he comes to the realization that the things he had prior to moving into the boarding house pale in comparison to the simple things in life such as love and camaraderie. He meets and falls in love with a police officer, Francine. Francine is very strong throughout the novel, something Richard had to get used to because she was not going to change and she let him know that. This book had somewhat of a Hollywood ending, but don't misinterpret that because things weren't perfect in the end. I recommend this book to mature readers. Not because of the content of the book, but because the style of writing and storyline seem to be suitable to a mature individual. Personally, I was very impressed with this read. Superb!

"When You Dance With The Devil is a great story with wonderful life lessons readers can gain knowledge from." "This compelling story is centered on the Thank The Lord Boarding House, which houses several people from different backgrounds and lifestyles." "Two of the main characters are Sarah Jolene Tilman and Richard Peterson. Jolene has been the sole caretaker for her mother and grandmother, enduring verbal abuse all of her life. She doesn't understand why her mother hates her or why she refuses to tell her who her father is." "After the death of her mother and grandmother she decides to move to the Thank The Lord Boarding House. It is here that Jolene befriends individuals that make a significant change in the direction of her life." "Richard Peterson is a former international diplomat who gives up his career and moves to the same boarding house. His decision to move was based on him discovering that the woman he loved married someone else. Richard tries to overcome his previous lifestyle of being involved with numerous women. Some of which he can't even remember. He wants to make a change in his life and gives up his prestigious title and material possessions for a life of simplicity." "Individuals come into Jolene and Richard's life that will challenge them to transform and let people into the secluded lives they have led." "This is a poignant novel that will encourage deep reflection."

Gwynne Forster has written a true to life story of your past being a step into your future and present. Sometimes your parents make a mistake in your upbringing, but one lesson that Jolene learns is at some point and time in your life you have to become responsible for what happens in your life. Just because someone doesn't teach you something, doesn't mean that you don't find an alternative to learn. Life sometimes can be a harsh teacher, but Jolene learns that she has to live to learn and that she does. The boarding house is a family knit home and as the residents bond you learn that you don't have to be raised together or belong to the same family blood line to love and respect others as a family. Sometimes your friends become closer than a brother/sister. Rev.Coles has learned also that keeping your mouth shut and doing nothing, can and will backfire on you. Richard is a self made success and has to learn that just being down to earth and real with others will gain him so much more than money and a career can buy. Judd is a realist and has the wisdom that people only dream about. When you step out and take a good look at yourself, you will see things that you don't like and that need to be changed. You learn that real friends don't pacify you by always agreeing with you, and at the same time they don't criticize and deliberately try to make you feel bad. Friends are there through thick and thin and guide you and commend you when appropriate. You actually get a vivid view in the lives of the boarders of Thank The Lord boarding house. A steady pace and you will not know where the story is going and where it will end up. Go get it today and enjoy.

I won't lie; I am not done with this book, but I truly felt for Sarah Jolene here; I really did; made me want to cry at seeing how a child can be messed up if not raised in a healthy environment; Jolene grew up devoid of love, yet she took care of her grandmother, then her mother(without a word of thanks from either or them) until they died; once they passed, she sells the house at the recommendation of her minister, and he tells her to go for a new beginning by his sister at her boarding house aptly called "Thank the Lord" boarding house not from the beach on the Eastern shore in Maryland; There she meets an assorted group of people who after her initial trepidation, warms up to and helps her(or hinders)on her journey; On the other hand is a retired diplomat, Richard, who tired of the shallow life he's leading plus finding out that a lost love gets married, gets recommended to the same boarding house, where he learns a few things, helps himself and the community by having computer classes(and getting some extra attention)by the various women in the town, comes to find out that life is not all self absorbent; along the way, he meets someone and things heat up. Although I like the book, it can be misleading; first off, you are lead to feel that Jolene and Richard hooks up, but as you go along you tend to understand that that isn't the case until you keep going; Very interesting and engrossing novel; Recommended read.