By Dina Sleiman
Reviewed by Suzie Johnson
This week at the Inkwell, we’re celebrating the release of Dina Sleiman’s newest novel, Dance from Deep Within. Today I’m so pleased to tell you how much this
book touched my heart.
Before I go further, in case you haven’t seen the blurb:
Despite her conservative Muslim heritage, Layla Al-Rai
longs for a chance to earn her degree in engineering and perhaps even...dare
she dream...to choose her own husband. But young women from her background
rarely enjoy such freedoms. When she finally talks her parents into letting her
attend college, she is drawn to fellow twenty-something students, Allie and
Rain, over a class project. Allie, the blonde ballerina, faces her own
struggles as she deals with an ex-fiancé and a church she had hoped to leave
behind. Rain, the bi-racial hippie chick, longs for something to believe in,
but her questioning could cost her the love of her life. When Layla s childhood
sweetheart reenters her world, it seems her dreams might become real. Until
everything falls apart. When she meets truth face to face, will she find the
courage to accept it even if it requires the ultimate sacrifice?
Wow.
Every young woman needs acceptance for who they are, what they believe,
and where they’ve been.
But the journey to acceptance usually isn’t easy. So what happens when three very different women, with different backgrounds and dreams, form the beginning buds of friendship?
Truth.
Strength.
Love.
Characterization, balance, and timing are key to a novel with an
ensemble cast. Dina Sleiman masters each with a skilful hand, developing a
heart in her characters and dovetailing one individual storyline with the next.
She delivers an extraordinary book that’s impossible not to love.
I love this tag-line Dina has on her blog:
“Three unlikely friends learning
to dance to the song of the spirit.”
This is, I believe, the perfect description for both the book and its
author. Dina’s heart shines through the pages in a way that makes me smile. I
simply adore this book, and I’m actually reading – and loving it – again.
To read an excerpt of Dance From Deep Within, or to learn more about Dina and her
books, you can visit her blog at: http://awesomeinspirationals.blogspot.com/
"Buy" links:
Kindle - $3.99
Nook - $3.99
Paperback - on sale for $11.00 Normally $15
"Buy" links:
Kindle - $3.99
Nook - $3.99
Paperback - on sale for $11.00 Normally $15
I agree. Dina's two other books have shown her skill at writing, but this one shows her heart. I know God is going to bless her and others with this. We'll be hearing about it still in ten years' time.
ReplyDeleteIt means a lot to me to read that, Deb. It definitely is true that this is a book from my heart.
DeleteIt comes through, Dina. It really does.
DeleteGreat review, Suzie.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Lisa. Easy to do when you love a book. :)
DeleteSuzie, thank you sooooo much for the lovely review!!!!
ReplyDeleteYou're so welcome. Now get crackin' on the next one because I'm more than ready to read it. ;)
DeleteI'm at about 30% :D
DeleteHmm... I wonder if it needs a second set of eyes. ;)
DeleteSoon!
DeleteI wish there was a "like" button. :)
DeleteHey everybody, I just noticed a big sale on amazon for the print version. Down from $15 to $11!!! I'll make that adjustment on the post.
ReplyDeleteYay! Very cool. Another highly recommended book! ;)
DeleteWhat a lovely review, Suzie. I love what Deb said in the comments about this book not only revealing Dina's tremendous skill, but also her heart. What a gift.
ReplyDeleteCool about the price reduction! Why, I need to head over to amazon...
Well, what a great idea, Susie. LOL.
DeleteThank you, Susie. Yes, I totally agree. Dina's heart shines through. Hey! I think I said that in the review! I'm redundant. But honest! ;)
DeleteI really like this review, Suzie. And I like that the book embodies Dina's outlook on life since she has such experience behind her.
ReplyDeleteDance from Deep Within is an excellent title for this book. Well done, Dina.
Anita, I think that's part of why I love her writing. She has that eenigmatic "voice" thing down pat.
Delete:) Thanks, Anita!
DeleteI'll tell my daughter in Tanzania to get it on Kindle!!!
ReplyDeleteSounds really good--Congratulations!
Hi Cheryl! I'm sure your daughter will enjoy it!
DeleteI think this book will really mean a lot to her. And u know, its easy to order kindle books as gifts too. I do that a lot. They have a good system.
Delete