Anni Ross was a magnificent dancer. No, more than magnificent--enthralling. As the star dancer in her company, she commanded sell-out performances for every show she danced in. That made her an extremely valuable commodity to the owner of the company, and it was the reason he had locked Anni into a two-year contract. Thankfully, she had less than a year left before she could get out. And Anni was beginning to feel restless--she definitely wanted a change. Needed a change. She was almost thirty years old. Was it too late to fall in love? Get married? Have a baby?

Steve Hunter took one look at Anni across the lawn at one of the dance company's parties, and he was lost. A hardened divorce attorney, Steve believed deep down that he would never get married and have a family. Until he met Anni. He couldn't put his finger on the exact moment he changed his thinking, but he knew it was for her. The law firm partnership he was guaranteed if he was married was just icing on the cake. All he wanted to do was marry Anni. In fact, it was quickly becoming something he needed for his existence more than he needed air.

After a whirlwind romance, and a fairytale wedding, Anni and Steve tried to learn how to balance their careers and their life together. Somehow it just didn't fit right. Anni knew it would happen--she had told Steve that her dancing consumed her life. She just didn't have time for anyone else. And every time they thought about fixing things, the wrong words came out of their mouths. Soon they were two strangers living in the same house. Roommates almost. Except for one incredible night in Anni's dressing room that finally gave Anni the miracle she thought she'd never get--a baby. But could Steve and Anni find their way back to each other before it was too late?

THE MARRIAGE DANCE is a good example of how romance alone can begin a relationship, and how love can keep it. I loved the fact that Ms. Dagg kept the physical aspect out until after her main characters were married, yet the sexual tension between Anni and Steve could be clearly felt each time they were together. They absolutely sizzled! And it was interesting to find a female character that was more self-absorbed than her male counterpart.

THE MARRIAGE DANCE is perfect for those of you who are looking for a sweet, heartfelt, genuine romance in the truest sense of the word. Jillian Dagg has done a remarkable job bringing romance back into the twenty-first century!

Reviewed by Tracy Atencio
© July 2004