When You Dance with the Devil

By: Gwynne Forster

Narrated by: Susan Spain

Length: 11 hrs and 2 mins

Publisher's summary

When You Dance with the Devil explores the complicated lives of two lost souls looking to start over at a Maryland boarding house.

Fannie Johnson has seen darn near all the world has to offer at her Thank the Lord Boarding House. It is home to a variety of interesting people who regard each other as family. One such is Sarah Jolene Tilman, who, after spending 35 years under the thumb of her vindictive mother, is ready to strike out on her own. In stark contrast, Richard Peterson has done more than his share of living and is looking for simpler pleasures. Under Fannie's watchful eye, each will embark on a path of self-exploration and find that life is nothing if not a wildly unpredictable journey.

Essence best-selling author Gwynne Forster writes thought-provoking tales of love and personal growth.

©2006 Gwynne Forster (P)2006 Recorded Books LLC

Critic reviews

"The characters' earnestness will appeal to readers looking for a light pick-me-up." (Publishers Weekly)

Heartfelt innocence & maturity wrapped in one book

Loved the narrator as much add the story. Old man Judd & Joelean just still your heart.

WONDERFUL

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Like the other review, I listed to this book while at work and there were times it was so good that I became distracted. I would definitely suggest this book to anyone. The narrator definitely helped because she changed her voice for each character and you could really hear the emotion in her voice. WONDERFUL!!

I did not want this book to end...

This was one of my favorite books I've downloaded so far. It was a very easy listen and just a great story. The narrator had a very pleasant sounding voice and she did fabulously when changing from one person to another. Believable! I wish that the author would write a sequel. In a nutshell, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Simple nice story with ups and downs in the lives of the characters. I may listen to it again, which is something I rarely do.

GREAT

This book was absolutely wonderful. I loved it. I could not put it down. Most of the books I've listened to are at work so it could pass the the day while I am working. After listening to it from work, I would go home and re-listen to certain parts. I writer made me feel as if I was sitting right there on the sceen. I guess you can add some credit to the reader of this book, they added character and dept to the book as you listened. I would strong recommend this book.

Plenty of Suspense

The story held my interest and offered enough suspense to be a "page turner" ...The central character is very likable and I cared what happened to her. Who her father turned out to be was a good surprise... Interesting story.

Not what I expected but still good

The story was different than what I expected. Originally I thought the two main characters would fall in love with each other but I was wrong. I felt like Jolene was a little too naïve, for the time that the book takes place. If she had been home schooled it would have been more believable that she didn’t know how to interact with people. The worst part about the book was the narrator. It seems like sometimes she would stop in the middle of a sentence and then start a new thought. Sometimes she would announce a new chapter and sometimes not. It led to some confusion at times.

Good but no page turner.

This book was somewhat predictable but had an interesting plot. Although I have no favorite part, I did appreciate the happy ending. It had just the right number of characters so that I could remember names and their association.

There were too many references to Jolene's past that did not match her intellect. For a person to learn so quickly would suggest that she at least had a good education or was taught well by someone. That was not what was suggested in this book.

I could relate to the boarding house and wish there were really such places where people could learn to live together with respect and consideration. We hear so much about people finding relatives they never knew, I guessed who Jolene's father was amost immediately.

Overall, the book was good reading. More time could have been dedicated to the lives of the couples after they decided to get married. However, there has to be interest for the next book I suppose!

When You Dance with the Devil

By Arlena (Broken Arrow, OK, United States)
I really enjoyed When you Dance with the Devil. It was again for me another good novel to listen to. I thought the narrator Susan Spain in her delivery did a wonderful job on this one. It was long but I was kept interested in getting through the story. Keep on doing what you are doing Mrs. Forster! I loved it. I have now listened to all of your audibles and have truly loved them all. Hopefully, your next audible will be out soon.

Dance with the Devil

This book was very entertaining and so l like reality. Everyday life is so full of hidden stories and this story probably exist somewhere on this earth. Great when your traveling in your car on a long trip. My rating of 5 stars because the book allowed you to share with someone and relate to being back in the country.

Good read!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

It was a story of simplifying your life and being yourself.

What did you like best about this story?

When you learn who you are.

Which scene was your favorite?

The birthday party!

If you could take any character from When You Dance with the Devil out to dinner, who would it be and why?

Sara Jolene Tillman, to talk about how her life has changed for the better.

Any additional comments?

none