The Sequel to The Dead Don't Dance (Awakening)

Charles Martin is a wonderful southern writer who truly captures the heart of his readers. Sometimes a sequel disappoints, but Maggie is beautifully written and is every bit as good as The Dead Don't Dance.

Love this author Charles Martin.
I always feel I am right there with the characters.
A great way to end the 2 book series.
I hope one day someone in Hollywood decides to make some movies with his writing!
Vicki
Norco, CA

Martin's Novels Are Comfortable
Held my attention. Excellent sequel. I highly recommend all Martin's novels. I love them because they are clean. He does not take God's name in vain and leaves out the "F" word. He also respects the ladies.

Maggie continues the poignant journey of Dylan and Maggie Styles introduced in Charles Martin's excellent debut novel The Dead Don't Dance. Martin did not intend to write a sequel when he completed The Dead Don't Dance but his readers will be grateful he changed his mind!

Maggie has awoken from the coma into which she fell after the traumatic labour that ended in the stillbirth of her firstborn son. Dylan, forever grateful for her restoration believes, "All the world was right.". As with all tragedy those it strikes are permanently changed and life never returns to what it once was. Dylan and Maggie struggle to adjust to the emotional and physical fallout from their trauma and as life becomes complicated and their hopes for a family diminish rapidly they need to find a way to hope again.

Parallel to their story, Martin develops the intriguing yet damaged character of Bryce Kai McGregor, whose penchant for playing the bagpipes naked added so much humour to The Dead Don't Dance. In Maggie, his eccentricities are highlighted and explained, as Dylan discovers the horrors through which he has lived, survived but scarred in deepest places of his heart.

Dylan and Bryce's friendship is one of the many treasures to be discovered in this novel. Dylan's childhood friend, Amos and his wife, Amanda Lovatt also return as part of the tapestry which connects this sequel so seamlessly to The Dead Don't Dance.

Charles Martin's characters tug at your heartstrings due to their authenticity and his ability to convey the inner workings of their hearts and minds. His secondary characters are of the same quality and substance as his main characters being one of the many factors that set Charles' writing apart. While the number of tragedies befalling the young couple and their friends escalate at an alarming rate, the story is saved by Charles' unique literary style and unequalled character development. Charles use of symbolism throughout his novels is beautifully done and his avoidance of tying up all the loose ends neatly is a credit to him and a compliment to his readers.

The "Dead Don't Dance" ends with Maggie Styles waking up from a coma after a traumatic labor and this book continues the story of Maggie and Dylan. Their problems are far from over and they struggle with many issues which begin to drive a wedge into their once-wonderful relationship. They are surrounded by an interesting array of characters from the first book and these characters are further developed and explained in "Maggie". Dylan and Maggie go through many frightening experiences, perhaps TOO many, but Charles Martin always seems to find a way out of seemingly hopeless circumstances without making his solutions too easy or too black and white in a gray world. Perhaps his biggest accomplishment is creating characters who, while certainly not perfect, are usually loveable and very human.

The "Dead Don't Dance" ends with Maggie Styles waking up from a coma after a traumatic labor and this book continues the story of Maggie and Dylan. Their problems are far from over and they struggle with many issues which begin to drive a wedge into their once-wonderful relationship. They are surrounded by an interesting array of characters from the first book and these characters are further developed and explained in "Maggie". Dylan and Maggie go through many frightening experiences, perhaps TOO many, but Charles Martin always seems to find a way out of seemingly hopeless circumstances without making his solutions too easy or too black and white in a gray world. Perhaps his biggest accomplishment is creating characters who, while certainly not perfect, are usually loveable and very human.

Maggie wanted children in the worst way especially after she had a stillborn and fell into a four month coma. Once she recovers her health, she and husband Dylan try the adoption route, but the interviewers conclude they might not be good candidates. Even though a fertility specialist insists her chances of conceiving at probably zero, she becomes pregnant.

One day Dylan comes home to see their house torn up and his wife beaten and bleeding. She miscarries leaving her extremely depressed. However, her troubles have just begun. Arsonists destroy their home and that of their next door best friends too. Three convicts have come to Digger looking to get even with Father John for turning state evidence against them when he was younger, willful, and hung with them. Their devastation impact the relationship between Maggie and Dylan, who will need divine intervention for their marriage to survive.

MAGGIE is a haunting and moving tale about a couple, who due to misfortune and bad luck, find their marriage collapsing with the only tenuous tie left being their deep love for one another. Readers will empathize with Maggie who bears more than her reasonable share of troubles and will understand why she emotionally pulls away from her beloved Dylan. She intellectually knows her spouse is a good man who has stood by his "Maggs" and has tried to help her through her despondency and grief, but may have hit the wall with her rejection of him. Though the convicts seem over the top adding pain to an already battered lead duo, fans will appreciate this unforgettable character study with its deep message of hold on to the love even when darkness engulfs every cell of your body.

Harriet Klausner

Martin's writing is delicious on so many levels--his literary voice, Van Gogh-brilliantly colored and constructed characters, stories that warm the reader's soul. Maggie, the sequel to The Dead Don't Dance, ushers the reader back into Maggie and Dylan's world as they piece together their lives after her coma and the death of their child. I was delighted their eccentric neighbor got a bigger share of the spotlight in Maggie. This book sets the stage for Martin's mastery of memorable secondary characters.

This is another inspiring book by Charles Martin. I would recommend that you read the first book in this 2 book series, "The Dead Don't Dance". This book, as all those I have read by Mr. Martin, deals with real life, difficult situations. He shows the strength and perseverance needed to get through these hard times. I laughed and cried and found joy in this wonderful story. Give one of Charles Martin's books a try. You will not be disappointed.

Charles Martin is a Christian writer without being obvious about it, and this book is a story of redemption that will leave you feeling happy and uplifted about your fellow mankind. Don't try to rush through this one... rather take your time and fully absorb it as the author intended. It's well worth it. I'm glad that Martin is a young man--readers can look forward to many, many more inspirational stories from this author.