The Dead Don't Dance (Awakening Book 1)

I really enjoyed this novel of love, hope and determination. It sort of reminded me of something Nicholas Sparks would write. Who is another author I enjoy when I want a simple wholesome book to read. I ordered two more books and plan on reading all of the Martin books if there anything like this one.

This is one of the best books and authors that I have ever read. I told a friend that his books have a way of engulfing you in the Spirit of God. I felt Him while reading this book. I now am addicted to Charles Martin. I facebooked him, thinking he would be an older, wise gentleman. I was so surprised to see how young he is. If you want healing and to read a book that will make a difference in your life, read Charles Martin.

This is one of Martin's first books and he is magnificent. I have read all but one of his books and he always delivers. His style is flawless and his story is intriging. I can't wait for his next book!

Since reading When Crickets Cry by Chales Martin I've been a big fan of his. I'd love to read them all. HIs gift with words is amazing which makes the book hard to put down. His imagery and vocabulary help the reader see the story clearly.

A down to earth story about a man and the love for his wife who is in a coma following childbirth and the death of the baby. It takes the reader through his devastating grief and how he deals with it, having the support of his high school friend, the local football hero who is now the town sheriff. He teaches composition to his class of difficult students in a small South Carolina town, catching their attitude and Southern slang. Each student has a story that is informative and rewarding to the reader. Basically, it tells how a man stumbles through his wife's condition and refuses to give us hope that she will wake up.

Great read. It was a little slow in the middle, but well worth the time for the emotional rollercoaster ending. I was on a plane when I finished it and it was all I could do to control my tears so people wouldn't be looking at me. I'm ready to read the sequeal of "Maggie".

I was surprised that I liked this book as much as I did. I don't usual read "spiritual" books but I found this one to be worth reading. Someone gave me the sequel to this book first so I downloaded "The Dead don't Dance" and I was glad I did. I will look for other books by Charles Martin.

Faith and hope were demonstrated throughout this book. Restored my belief even though fiction. Could see and feel this happening to someone and all they would have to go through. Enjoy all Charles Martin's books. Don't believe I have found one I did not enjoy.

Charles Martin has a knack for developing every character in his stories and he certainly does not let you down in "The Dead Don't Dance". If you are looking for a great read which includes love, suspense and faith then I highly recommend this book.

Had to make myself push through parts of this book. First one of Charles Martens book I won't be reading again. I'm glad it was not the first of his I have read. Because I might never have read some of his others which h are wonderful.

I've read several of Martin's books, and did not realized this was his first. I was grabbed from the very first page. Very well written and even humorous. This is a treasure for those looking for inspirational fiction that is not shallow or predictable.

I was really looking forward to reading this book. There were a lot of 5 star reviews on it. The plot and the idea behind it seemed good. But I didn't really get his writing style. He uses lots of similes. I didn't have time to picture what he was talking about before he told me exactly what it looked like. It was also very predictable. But the most frustrating thing was...many of the rising actions throughout the book that I thought were meaningful later were hardly mentioned and not given much justice. Then on the opposite end of the spectrum things that I didn't realize mattered were substantial to the character's well being. I just never felt envolved and quite frankly didn't get it.

Had to make myself push through parts of this book. First one of Charles Martens book I won't be reading again. I'm glad it was not the first of his I have read. Because I might never have read some of his others which h are wonderful.

I've read several of Martin's books, and did not realized this was his first. I was grabbed from the very first page. Very well written and even humorous. This is a treasure for those looking for inspirational fiction that is not shallow or predictable.

I was really looking forward to reading this book. There were a lot of 5 star reviews on it. The plot and the idea behind it seemed good. But I didn't really get his writing style. He uses lots of similes. I didn't have time to picture what he was talking about before he told me exactly what it looked like. It was also very predictable. But the most frustrating thing was...many of the rising actions throughout the book that I thought were meaningful later were hardly mentioned and not given much justice. Then on the opposite end of the spectrum things that I didn't realize mattered were substantial to the character's well being. I just never felt envolved and quite frankly didn't get it.

I can't believe that this is Charles Martin's debut novel. It's no wonder his books have become best sellers. I'm almost at a loss for words as to how good this story is.

Dylan really pours his heart out regarding the tragedy that he and his wife have faced. The love his has for Maggie is certainly something special and rare. Husbands like him are hard to come by, which makes me happy that I have one just like him.
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Going through something so difficult is enough to make anyone question their faith. I think that we've all done it at one time or another. I could feel the emotions of Dylan throughout the story since I could relate to his thoughts and doubts.

The small town atmosphere made the novel extra special. Amos, the police officer, is a man that I would probably have been friends with. His personality shined so brightly. I just want to give him a big ol' hug.

I have read just about all of this author's books but hadn't read this one, so I ordered it along with the sequel. All of have been extraordinary works of art. I'm looking forward to reading Maggie, the sequel, next. I'm sure it will be just as good as this one and his others.

Highly recommend to those who love to read incredible fiction that seems more realistic than true life. It's raw emotions and deep, honest, topics will have you mesmerized.

This is a story about Dylan Styles, his wife and his son. Dylan, was raised in a small town in South Carolina. He left this sleepy little town to get a higher education. Nonetheless, he returns to the family farm in South Carolina. The writer's journey takes the reader through some of the hardest times Dylan will face and his childhood friend, Amos, his faithful dog, Blue and some new friends make all the difference in the world when it matters most.
Timothy Glass author of Just This Side of Heaven and Postcards

Dylan and Maggie Stiles have a marriage that seems nearly symbiotic; when she taps him on the shoulder for a midnight swim (and some connubial bliss), they conceive a son. The couple, living on the Stiles farm, couldn't be happier. Nothing is missing.
Or so they might think (although, as the novel makes clear, Maggie knows better all along). But when tragedy strikes (their baby boy is stillborn and Maggie lapses into a postnatal coma), Dylan finds himself alone in a desert. At first he is unwilling to accept the kindness of strangers, but soon he finds that kindness --- from strangers and friends alike --- is all he has for the moment.
Slowly Dylan begins to fashion a post-childbirth life: his friend Amos, the town sheriff, convinces him to take a proffered job at the local community college teaching English 101. (Amos is African-American and Dylan is Caucasian; they've evidently been known as "Ebony and Ivory" for decades). Dylan, the taste of his doctoral training still sour in his mouth, balks at leaving his comfortable farming existence, but Amos shows him that it was Maggie herself who knew that Dylan needed more than plowing, tilling and harvesting in his life.
Characters as specifically drawn as Maggie (with her firm devotion), Amos and the utterly singular Bryce Kai MacGregor make this soft-spoken debut novel a must-read. MacGregor is a bagpipe-wielding, beer-swilling, trailer-inhabiting layabout with a heart bigger than his enormous trust fund. And the bookended characters of Amanda and Koy, both Dylan's students and both faced with similar burdens, offer a perspective on single motherhood not often found in Christian literature, yet at the same time not in conflict with the aims of that literature. Meanwhile, Dylan finds that teaching again both sparks his interest and kindles problems, since his students' reasons for taking composition are as varied as their ethnic backgrounds.
In the slow weeks that follow Maggie's confinement, Dylan finds that, like his diverse classroom, people have different ways of showing him hope: Amos takes him fishing, while Amanda invites him to her church. In a run-of-the-mill Christian novel, that invitation might be the dénouement of the book --- but Martin's own literary training (he has a Ph.D. from Regents University) serves him well. He presents Dylan's acceptance of Jesus Christ as one step in his spiritual pilgrimage --- the most important step, but not the only step, not the final step.
Thus, the actual dénouement does not seem as pat as it might in the hands of a lesser writer. Although it takes a second tragedy to open Dylan's eyes and heart to grace, these events happen fluidly, not awkwardly. One can easily imagine reading more about Dylan Stiles, and yet the best thing about THE DEAD DON'T DANCE is that you don't need to read more about Dylan Stiles. His story and Maggie's has been told, and told well. In subsequent novels, Martin will no doubt find that his talent for creating vivid characters means that he can allow them, rather than dramatic events, to bring meaning to his words.
--- Reviewed by Bethanne Kelly Patrick

The Dead Don't Dance was Charles Martin's debut novel and it clearly stamped Charles as an author to watch. Charles' books have become a "must read" for this reviewer!

The Dead Don't Dance weaves the heartrending tale of Dylan and Maggie Styles, a young couple seeking to make ends meet on their South Carolina farm, while eagerly anticipating the birth of their first child. Their joy is stripped away with the stillbirth of their son, the physical and emotional trauma leaving Maggie in a coma, and Dylan distraught and self-destructive. As the doctors hold out little hope for Maggie's recovery, Dylan stumbles blindly through his grief and commences a journey which will bring him to his knees before he discovers hope in the wilderness of his despair.

Charles Martin's prose is simply a joy to read. He has an uncanny ability with the written word, conjuring pictures in his readers' minds and expressing emotions with painful clarity. Written in the first person, Dylan's tender love for Maggie is transparent and touching, his grief palpable and confronting. The minor characters are well developed and add humour, substance and believability to a novel that is not to be missed.

I was not familiar with Charles Martin - I am now one of his biggest fans. I read the sequel to this, MAGGIE as well. I could NOT put this book down. I even went back and re-read the ending. I just now ordered another one of his books. Now I want to read every book he has written however can't afford that. Blessed to have found the first two together for a steal! I would have given the books more than 5 if I could have.

Charles Martin is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors. His characters are real and authentic, his storyline's compelling.

"The Dead Don't Dance" is the story of Dylan and Maggie Styles,although most of what we learn about Maggie are Dylan's memories, since Maggie is in a coma for the majority of the book. While that may sound like a depressing storyline, it is not. This story was a wonderful journey of healing, faith, and hope.

The many secondary characters that affect Dylan's life during Maggie's illness are written with as much depth and clarity as Dylan and Maggie themselves. I went through the full gamut of emotions with this book--everything from tears to laughter.

If you want a real treat, listen to the Recorded Books audio version of "The Dead Don't Dance" narrated by Tom Stechschulte. Charles Martin's beautifully written books are made even more compelling by Stechschulte's wonderful narration (he also narrated "Wrapped in Rain").

This book is about growth, love, and faith in the middle of tragedy. The writing is so compelling that I feel it is nearly impossible to finish the book and not experience your own growth and reexamine your ideas about love and God. Many times during the reading of this book, I found myself pulling away from the story and making mental application to my own life -- "Is THAT the way my husband loves me?" and "Is THAT the way God looks at me?" I looked inward for long seconds before going back to the story. The characters are three-dimensional, real. Many aspects of the plot are a mirror of our society, but the anger, horror, and fear are commmon to everyone who has ever asked, "where are you, God?" This is a perfect novel for someone living in the real world, seeking answers with his heart.

Very touching story of love and devotion in the wake of tragedy. My favorite part of the book was Dylan's relationship with his students. I hope we get some follow up with them in the next book. Eager to start Maggie.

Dylan Styles is very content with his life as a farmer, living with his wife Maggie in the house his grandfather built. When Maggie becomes pregnant, he is overjoyed and can't wait to be a father. Maggie goes into labor and Dylan's life is changed forever when his son is still-born and Maggie goes into a coma. Dylan hates going on without his wife, but is forced to go on living as his friend Amos gets him a job teaching writing at a local junior college to supplement his meager income from the farm. His class is made up of students who have failed writing once and don't seem to have much chance of passing his class either. His students range from cocky football players to sweet Amanda, the daughter of a local pastor. Each of them has something to teach Dylan about living, even when he doesn't want to learn any more than they do. Charles Martin does a wonderful job of creating quirky characters such as Bryce, the bagpipe-playing millionaire alcoholic who spends most of his time at a deserted drive-in movie. He also makes the South Carolina countryside very real to the reader, and evokes strong emotions when he describes the deep love between Dylan and Maggie. This book is a real winner!

I was really enjoying this book until last night. I reached the story about the coon hunting excursion, and at first learned some interesting facts about raccoons. However, when the hunter intentionally shot the coon where he would be injured, not killed, the coon bounced off several branches on his way to the ground, was then grabbed by the neck by the dog (and we would hope finally killed, but no....) and brought to near death. Then while still alive, other dogs came and began chewing on the coon's back legs. That was it for me.

Why would anyone, especially Christian, want to write about abject cruelty to any living thing???!!! Is is then OK to intentionally inflict pain on an animal with no good reason other than the sport? I love people, and I love (almost) all animals, but I would never enjoy reading about or causing anyone or anything undue pain. My dad and other family members are hunters so I am not an anti-hunting activist, and they also avoid causing the game to suffer unduly.

So very very disappointed in this book and author.

Charles Martin uses the same 26-letter alphabet we all use, yet the way he uses those letters is absolutely enchanting. If you took all the words in his books and shook them up in a basket, letting the unneeded words fall away, you would still have every word written. He weaves a tale with a regal grace and honesty.

The composition of this book is so lyrical; the writing flows in a steady stream of poetic heartbeats. I really enjoyed it. The book is very real and raw, and characters react to tragedy and trauma just as anyone else would. Some accept pain peacefully; others lash out and reject others.
Little details really help bring the characters to life. The main character and narrator, Dylan Styles may be grappling with major life decisions - what with his wife in a coma and his son's stillborn death and troubles a-plenty with his students - but he still takes time to think about silly little things, like the fact that he loves Wrangler jeans and can't stand Levis. It's this blend of big and small that really keeps the book from becoming fluffy or heavy-handed.

A nice book, very quick read. Likes, not preachy, not drowning in religion, an actual story with religious ideology interspersed rather than the other way around. Nicely crafted characters, very memorable. I'm not usually a reader of faith based fiction (I didn't even realize it was a faith based book until I was well in to the reading of it). It gives you a lot to think about without making it too hard to chew! I loved the main characters and would snap of a full book about Amos in a moment.

Dislikes, the use of popular, famous people as descriptors. I've read older books that depend on this sort of short hand (say books from the 60's and 70's) and I'm always like "huh?" as I don't get what the author is referring to and it takes me completely out of the story. This device was used throughout the book and unless there is some revision down the line, a lot of it will not be understood by the reader. Even I had a problem knowing some of the current music (country western) references made in the book. But that may sound nit-picky for a book I read completely in one sitting. I truly couldn't put it down!

The Dead Don't Dance grabbed me from the beginning and never let me go. I fell in love with Dylan & Maggie, with Martin's beautiful prose and sparkling secondary characters. Martin's writing is incandescent, yet conveys an earthy sense of reality. He nailed the ending.

From the time I picked up this book, I was transported into the main character's world. Begining in the middle of Dylan's tumulultous trial-his wife in a coma and his first child still born-the author weaves a beautiful tale of sorrow, hope, spirituality, and triumph over one's darkest moments. With beautiful settings and heartfelt memories, this is a tale that will inspire for generations! Original story and characters. I give this two thumbs up!

Another great book by Charles Martin!Entwined in the tale of Dylan's heartache at the loss of his infant son & his wife's comatose condition, Martin introduces some interesting characters. This is definitely one of those books that is difficult to put down, and that you wish wouldn't come to an end.

I read this for the book club at my church. I would never choose to read about the topic but the writing grabbed me and drew me into the story. There was a short lull in the middle where I was almost bored, but in too deep to quit. Toward the end I thought, you can't win with me on the ending. I was a little annoyed that if she died I would not have the fairytale I wanted and if she lived it was the miracle too many people never get, so I wasn't going to be happy. However, it picked up again and everything was tied together and satisfying. I recommend.

I've already read a few of Charles Martin's books and it was hard to believe this was his very first book as its very well written as the others are. Sad story but a happy ending of a couple trying to have a baby but tragedy strikes and you go through one person's fustrations and anger of dealing with it.

Amazing story of love, pain, heartache, growth, and faith! This book was referred to me, and I'm glad I read it. The author also does a great job of getting you into each scene, and letting you experience it. Great book!

Love and faith are Dylan's bread and water in this novel. You can feel his pain as he watches his wife fight for her life in a deep coma, not to mention the loss of their first child. The lessons he learns and the people he meets on this journey will bring you to tears and then put a smile on your face. Read with a box of tissues and then buy a copy for everyone you know.

I hated this book. The Dead Don't Dance has not one single redeeming characteristic.

The characters are one-dimensional and most of them are variations on the hooker-with-the-heart-of-gold stereotype. Worse, the author draws attention to their flatness by having the narrator tell the reader directly all there is to know about the other character's personalities. It is like an outright admission of the author's own inability to characterize. The only character who is believable at all is the narrator himself - he is convincingly selfish, self-pitying, and self-righteous.

The writing is terrible. It is halting and simplistic and lacks continuity or flow. The organization of the story is haphazard. The similes are trite and forced (e.g. "the church pews looked like they were made for oompa-loompas"). The author also favors overkill similes (e.g. "he felt like the emperor with no clothes" when "he felt exposed" would have been more accurate), but when real description is necessary, he cheaps out (e.g. "if you've never had a pregnant wife, you'd never understand just how beautiful it is"). A good writer makes his readers understand.

Details and stories about life in South Carolina seem too contrived to ring true - like cardboard cutouts of the South. They are at best awkward injections of symbolism, at worst, completely irrelevant.

The narrator's relationship with his wife Maggie is believable, but I don't understand why he thinks of it so positively. Most of the anecdotes about their life together strike me as serious red flags, if not dealbreakers, in a relationship. Maggie is a frivolous spender who won't listen to reason, and she often refuses to communicate with her husband in other situations; she tries to run his life for him, even going so far as to apply for jobs on his behalf, behind his back, against his will. This isn't the mark of someone romantic and caring, sadly; it's the mark of someone controlling and fundamentally disrespectful.

Amanda, the pregnant rape victim who accepts her situation with grace, is so endlessly angelic that it actually seems almost insulting, like the author is glossing over, trivializing the seriousness and tragedy of rape. It is hard to see Amanda as inspirational when as a character she is so unrealistic.

The narrator's friends Amos and Bryce have the potential to be interesting characters, but they are left undeveloped - instead their only purpose is to drive the narrator through the plot, and to rescue the story deus-ex-machina style when the happy ending seems endangered.

I would not recommend this book to ANYONE, and in fact, truly regret reading it.

I began this book a little biased because it was written by a friend's brother, but after I finished the first chapter, I was legitimately hooked! The characters are so vivid and well developed, and it is even more touching to know that a man wrote this story. The imagery is lifelike. Emotions range from despair to elation, and I felt them right along with the characters in the book. And if you were on Delta flight 1123 on May 17th, you felt them right along with me as I was sobbing uncontrollably the entire flight while I finished the book. These turned to tears of happiness as the book ended and I have a yearning to hear the next chapter in this story of heartache and love. It was so powerful, and the message reached me at a time that I needed to hear it. I feel that everyone who reads this story will come away with something more than what they started with.

I hope this man continues to write prolifically and I can't wait to begin the sequel to this book. Love, lessons, life, and all beautifully rendered so that you don't want to put the book down at night, but instead read on. This is one of those books that you wish wouldn't end because it engages you. As always, the characters in the story speak in full voice, and not a one is cut short. I loved this book and highly recommend it.

I first read "When Crickets Cry" a few months ago & just finished "The Dead Don't Dance" & "Maggie" this week. His characters are so real, I feel like I am right there with them. Mr. Martin has become my new favorite author, but alas I have read all his books. I hope he writes fast!

Dr. Martin, you've done it! I remember sitting in a graduate class you helped teach 10 years ago, hearing how you dreamed of becoming a novelist someday. Well, you're living the dream -- and doing a fine job of it, too. Your writing is brutally -- and refreshingly -- honest. Real characters with real emotions that resonate throughout the story make this an engaging read. Bravo to WestBow for not asking you to pull your punches in telling the story like you knew it had to be told. Looking forward to reading "Wrapped in Rain." Keep the faith -- and keep writing!

I don't always rate books at five stars, but this one is a great book. A friend suggested it to me a long time ago and I bought it at walmart. It is an older book, but still a great book! You get so caught up in the characters and everything that has happened to them. It's sad, yet happy, funny, and intriguing. It is a must read without a doubt. I love Charles Martin now because of this book!

In The Dead Don't Dance Charles Martin once again creates characters that the reader grows to love. Martin's wonderful mix of drama, contemplation and humor give a great pace to the novel. His books are very inspirational, but never preachy or simplistic.

I hated this book. The Dead Don't Dance has not one single redeeming characteristic.

The characters are one-dimensional and most of them are variations on the hooker-with-the-heart-of-gold stereotype. Worse, the author draws attention to their flatness by having the narrator tell the reader directly all there is to know about the other character's personalities. It is like an outright admission of the author's own inability to characterize. The only character who is believable at all is the narrator himself - he is convincingly selfish, self-pitying, and self-righteous.

The writing is terrible. It is halting and simplistic and lacks continuity or flow. The organization of the story is haphazard. The similes are trite and forced (e.g. "the church pews looked like they were made for oompa-loompas"). The author also favors overkill similes (e.g. "he felt like the emperor with no clothes" when "he felt exposed" would have been more accurate), but when real description is necessary, he cheaps out (e.g. "if you've never had a pregnant wife, you'd never understand just how beautiful it is"). A good writer makes his readers understand.

Details and stories about life in South Carolina seem too contrived to ring true - like cardboard cutouts of the South. They are at best awkward injections of symbolism, at worst, completely irrelevant.

The narrator's relationship with his wife Maggie is believable, but I don't understand why he thinks of it so positively. Most of the anecdotes about their life together strike me as serious red flags, if not dealbreakers, in a relationship. Maggie is a frivolous spender who won't listen to reason, and she often refuses to communicate with her husband in other situations; she tries to run his life for him, even going so far as to apply for jobs on his behalf, behind his back, against his will. This isn't the mark of someone romantic and caring, sadly; it's the mark of someone controlling and fundamentally disrespectful.

Amanda, the pregnant rape victim who accepts her situation with grace, is so endlessly angelic that it actually seems almost insulting, like the author is glossing over, trivializing the seriousness and tragedy of rape. It is hard to see Amanda as inspirational when as a character she is so unrealistic.

The narrator's friends Amos and Bryce have the potential to be interesting characters, but they are left undeveloped - instead their only purpose is to drive the narrator through the plot, and to rescue the story deus-ex-machina style when the happy ending seems endangered.

I would not recommend this book to ANYONE, and in fact, truly regret reading it.

I began this book a little biased because it was written by a friend's brother, but after I finished the first chapter, I was legitimately hooked! The characters are so vivid and well developed, and it is even more touching to know that a man wrote this story. The imagery is lifelike. Emotions range from despair to elation, and I felt them right along with the characters in the book. And if you were on Delta flight 1123 on May 17th, you felt them right along with me as I was sobbing uncontrollably the entire flight while I finished the book. These turned to tears of happiness as the book ended and I have a yearning to hear the next chapter in this story of heartache and love. It was so powerful, and the message reached me at a time that I needed to hear it. I feel that everyone who reads this story will come away with something more than what they started with.

I thought this book was good but a little predictable, and a little odd in spots. A dog in a hospital, and spelling trees and flowers in the hospital from outside? Just a few off things that created pet peeves for me, but overall the story was engrossing and Maggie a character I rooted for.

I hope this man continues to write prolifically and I can't wait to begin the sequel to this book. Love, lessons, life, and all beautifully rendered so that you don't want to put the book down at night, but instead read on. This is one of those books that you wish wouldn't end because it engages you. As always, the characters in the story speak in full voice, and not a one is cut short. I loved this book and highly recommend it.

I first read "When Crickets Cry" a few months ago & just finished "The Dead Don't Dance" & "Maggie" this week. His characters are so real, I feel like I am right there with them. Mr. Martin has become my new favorite author, but alas I have read all his books. I hope he writes fast!

Dr. Martin, you've done it! I remember sitting in a graduate class you helped teach 10 years ago, hearing how you dreamed of becoming a novelist someday. Well, you're living the dream -- and doing a fine job of it, too. Your writing is brutally -- and refreshingly -- honest. Real characters with real emotions that resonate throughout the story make this an engaging read. Bravo to WestBow for not asking you to pull your punches in telling the story like you knew it had to be told. Looking forward to reading "Wrapped in Rain." Keep the faith -- and keep writing!

I don't always rate books at five stars, but this one is a great book. A friend suggested it to me a long time ago and I bought it at walmart. It is an older book, but still a great book! You get so caught up in the characters and everything that has happened to them. It's sad, yet happy, funny, and intriguing. It is a must read without a doubt. I love Charles Martin now because of this book!

In The Dead Don't Dance Charles Martin once again creates characters that the reader grows to love. Martin's wonderful mix of drama, contemplation and humor give a great pace to the novel. His books are very inspirational, but never preachy or simplistic.

The Dead Don't Dance is simply marvelous. Charles Martin has written a profound novel of life in the South without creating ridiculous characters. The protagonist is a man trying to find meaning in his life after the death of his firstborn and the half-life of his wife after she lapsed into a coma following complications from the birth. A must read for anyone searching for meaning in their lives.

I was pleased with this book and loved the quirky Southern characters that did not at all seem cardboard. The author does a nice job of making you feel as if you are THERE in small town South Carolina.
This one is a writer to watch. I look forward to his next book.

Mr. Martin's story-telling is fantastic. The way he weaves each of his character's lives together is seamless, leaving you loving each one of them.
This is a great book to take on your summer vacation. It will make you laugh and it will make you cry. And if you come from the South you'll appreciate Mr. Martin's descriptions of those hot, muggy summer nights.
I couldn't put this one down and am already reading it again. I'd recommend it to anyone.

After much anticipation in waiting for the book to ship on May 14th (I heard about it from the author's wife), I knew after reading the first chapter, that it was going to be worth the wait. As a woman, I loved reading about the soft side of a man (Dylan Stiles), and as an African American, I thought that the description of the African-American charactors were tastefully written. I truly enjoyed this book and look forward to future books written by Charles Martin.

THis was actually the third book I have read by Charles Martin and so far my favorite. Unlike many other Southern Writers, He is not a tourtured soul beyond redemption! The characters are believable and likable and well developed. Thank you for a good Read!