SHALL WE DANCE?

I love Shelley's Contemporary books! This is another great book that takes place in Bridgeport. I have enjoyed each character in these books and this book was no different. I loved the premise of 3 sisters reconnecting and the fact that a lot of this story took place in a dance studio was a bonus!!! I loved each of the characters and they all brought life to the story. I really enjoy her storytelling and I look forward to each book she writes.

Shannon is a dance teacher who recently connected with her two adult sisters. Shannon is sweet funny and just like a best friend. Dylan is police office that lost a bet. He is taking dance lessons from Shannon. Dylan has also taken his sister Jennifer under his wing. Jennifer went through a very traumatic event. Jennifer is recovering and trying to get back on her feet one day at a time. Dylan and Shannon have wonderful connection. They have great chemistry. This is a romance but it also has suspense. This book reads like a Hallmark movie. It is very character driven. I loved all the characters. I loved the dance quotes that begin each chapter. "Dance is how we convey our feelings without words". This book a is perfect start to this series. I am really excited to read Traci's story. This is first book I have read by Shelley Shepard I would totally recommend this book. I am looking forward to reading all of her books.

Shelley has done it again! She has written something that sucks you in and hangs on til the last word of the last page! This book is amazing! The conflicts are real life relatable conflicts and the mystery is captivating! I could not put the book down! The book is full of love, forgiveness, new beginnings, new lives, strength, courage, and overcoming situations that have a hold on the lives of the characters! It is a wonderful read and I know any reader would love this engrossing work!

I received a copy of the book from the publisher for my honest opinion and review.

Shannon has only recently found her sisters, and now they are all living together above her dance studio.

Dylan is her new dance student. Things don't get off to a good start when she realises he is only taking lessons after he lost a bet. Soon they are spending more time together, so will they ever become more than friends?

I liked the quotes at the start of each chapter.

Looking forward to the next book in this series.

SHALL WE DANCE - Shelley Shepard Gray
The Dance With Me Series - Book 1
Blackstone Publishing
ISBN: 978-1-9826-5852-6
ASIN: B07XPDJB9G
January 28, 2020
Contemporary Romance

Bridgeport, Ohio - the Present

On a whim, Shannon Murphy did a DNA test only to shockingly learn her parents were not her biological parents. Then she discovered she had two older sisters: Kimber, a New York model, and Traci, a policewoman in Cleveland. Now at age twenty-seven, she convinces Traci and Kimber to live one year with her in Bridgeport, Ohio. They are strangers, but all three are eager to establish a relationship. So they agree to live in Shannon’s recently purchased building where the three sisters will live on the third floor which has been converted into a living area, and Shannon will use the first floor to establish Dance With Me, her ballroom dance studio. Kimber will continue to work as her agent calls her, and Traci has joined the Bridgeport police department.

Policeman Dylan Lange must take five dance lessons as penance reparations for losing a bet with his fantasy football league. He is not excited about it, but the dance teacher is not anything like the old woman he had envisioned the instructor must be. Shannon is an attractive young woman. Later he learns his new partner Traci is Shannon’s sister. He thinks his initial reaction to the forced dance lessons has made Shannon see him only as a temporary client, not someone interested in her. Dylan has another, more serious problem. His younger sister Jennifer is living with him. Two years ago, she was found beaten and raped in her college parking lot. Ever since she has had trouble just leaving his house, and any type of social function frightens her. She desperately needs her brother.

These situations create an intriguing and emotional story which will compel readers to continue until the story’s end. As the details of the three sisters' backgrounds and Jennifer’s plight become known, the reader becomes attached to the characters. Everyone who reads SHALL WE DANCE will be eager to read about Traci in the next story in this series, TAKE THE LEAD.

Robin Lee

I loved the author’s series Bridgeport Social Club, and couldn’t wait to being this book. This new series takes us back to Bridgeport. Where, thanks to Shannon Murphy from West Virginia, three sisters that never knew they existed, now have uprooted themselves and are living together in an apartment above Shannon’s dance studio.
We meet police officer Dylan Lange when he looses a bet and is forced to take dance lessons with Shannon. But what he thought would be torture, changes when he meets Shannon, and is surprised to discover she is the sister of his new partner.
We also meet Jennifer, Dylan’s sister, who has been living with him and whose past is tragic.
I don’t want to give the story away, but suffice is to say it’s a story about family. About the love siblings have between themselves to the point of doing anything to keep them safe. In this case , Dylan’s love for Jennifer .
The plot is touching and engaging, and the characters perfect in their imperfections . I can’t wait to see what else the author has for us in future books.
Lastly, as a dancer, I had so smile reading the quotes about dancing we find throughout the book. All so very true.
I was entrusted a copy of this book by Netgalley and Blackstone Publishing. The opinions expressed are solely my own.

Really enjoyed this book! I love the idea of finding out you had sisters and convincing them to all live with you. Sounds like a story I would want to be apart of.

I enjoyed reading Shannon and Dylan's story as well as the secondary story of Shannon and her two sisters.
Shannon and her sisters were separated when still small children by DCS and sent to different locations. Shannon convinced both sisters to live together for a year as they get to know each other.
Dylan, who is a police officer, and Shannon's sisters' new partner, lost a bet and has to take dance lessons from Shannon. He's pleasantly surprised when he shows for late for his first lesson. The two grow closer during this time.
All in all this was a very enjoyable read and I do and will recommend to anyone who wants to read a feel good romance.
Thank you Shelley Shepard Gray, Blackstone Publishing and NetGalley for allowing me to read an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Shall We Dance by Shelley Shepard Gray
Book #1: The Dance with Me Series
Source: NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing
Rating: 4/5 stars


Shannon Murphy is embarking on a tremendous new journey, a chapter in her life she never expected, but is, nevertheless, extremely excited about. Her two sisters, whom she only recently discovered are moving in with her and she’s opening her own dance studio. Given enough time to think about it all, Shannon may just crack from the nerves, but there’s no more time to think about it and it’s time for the adventure to begin!

Within moments of meeting her sisters Shannon is certain she made the right choice when she invited them to the move to the sleepy little town of Bridgeport. One is a tall, nerdy, gorgeous model and the other tough, no nonsense police officer. Their skills and interests are varied, but they have three very important things in common, they want to know one another, build a life together, and not even one of them can cook. In addition to her new roommates, Shannon also has a new business to run. As a former competitive dancer, Shannon is beyond her competition days, but not nearly over her dancing days. With a variety of class and private lessons, Shannon is thrilled to be dancing for pleasure rather than points.

Dylan Lange isn’t a big fan of losing, especially when the result is having to take dance lessons to satisfy the terms of the lost bet. Dylan has no intention of working any harder than he must in order to settle his bet, and then he meets Shannon Murphy. Shannon is fiery and beautiful and dedicated to dance and has no interest in teaching someone who doesn’t want to learn. What’s more, she isn’t afraid to kick Dylan out and that intrigues him. After an attitude adjustment and an introduction do-over, Dylan is not only ready to get down to business but to become better acquainted with Shannon Murphy.

In betwixt and between dancing lessons, life moves along and much of that life for Dylan includes looking after his sister who is still recovering from a brutal assault several years ago. Though the interceding years have been very hard, Dylan’s sister is finally coming through and finding herself again. To that end, she meets Shannon and her sisters and within a hot minute she becomes a member of the group. What’s more, once the sisters discover the stellar cooking abilities of Dylan’s sister, she becomes a valued and beloved member of the group.

As so often happens in life, just as everything seems to be going well, the bottom falls out. In this case, the bottom falls out for Dylan and his sister. Just as she was getting her life back, the past comes screaming back causing her to somewhat regress and her brother to absolutely lose his mind. As events play out, Shannon and Dylan draw closer to one another, Shannon and her sisters draw closer to Dylan’s sister, and Dylan’s sister proves to everyone, including herself that she won’t be ruled by her past not fear.

The Bottom Line: I am always, always going to be drawn to books about dancing and dancers and this one sure did deliver. Shall We Dance is a true super-sweet romance with all the feels thrown in for good measure. At its core, this book is all about love, support, friendship, loyalty, and what it takes to be a family. This is a super easy read filled with fine characters, a good plot, and loads of room for more books to come. I’m all in on this one and look forward to the next installment.

This is a wonderful start to a new series. It is well written and holds your attention. It has enough drama to keep you turning the pages to see what happens next. I cant wait to read the next book in this series. Thank you Blackstone Publishing via NetGalley for the ARC copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.

As usual, Shelley Shepard Gray gives us another addictive series surrounding characters that feel like best friends or family to us. In Shall We Dance, the first in a series of three, we are introduced to three sisters who are forging a relationship. Separated as young children and sharing the same mother, the girls work on becoming sisters by moving in together. Shall We Dance revolves around Shannon, a dance instructor. The girls move into the apartment above Shannon's dance studio in the small town of Bridgeport, Ohio. Shannon's new student, Dylan, is only there because he lost a bet with his police buddies. Of course, sparks fly between the two but they aren't really the plot twist of the book. This revolves around Dylan's younger sister, the victim of a brutal attack. Shall We Dance blurs the lines between family and friends and proves it really does take a village.
I voluntarily received a copy of this book from NetGalley.

“Shall We Dance?” by Shelley Shepard Gray
I really loved this story. If you like clean romance with a touch of police drama then I think you will really like this story too. A nice touch was the dance quotes at the beginning of each chapter. I would love to chat with you about this story… but then I would run the chance of spoiling the story for you… because discovering all the bits and pieces of the story is why we read our novels… Oops almost forgot to share that I received an ARC of this story from the publisher via NetGalley. And, this review expresses my honest opinions. Happy Reading ! !

Back a few months ago I had the pleasure of reading an advanced copy of Shall We Dance by Shelley Shepard Gray. It was an enjoyable heart-warming novel that ticked all the boxes. Charming characters, secondary drama, and familiar settings left me with all the feels.

This title will be published January 28th, 2020 – get your copy when it hits the shelves for a comfortable, friendly read. Tagged as “women’s fiction”, you’ll be transported to a beloved, fictional small town crafted by a bestselling author.

My thanks to Blackstone Publishing for the complimentary copy provided via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.

I will be honest. I was drawn to this story because I love the movie Shall We Dance, Mr. Clark. What I found was this book does not disappoint. I love how the characters in the story became instant favorites of mine. Each was well fleshed out and the story line kept the book moving.
Shannon Murphy finds that she has two half sisters that she never knew about until now. Through loving persuasion, Shannon has convinced her sisters to move in with her over her dance studio in Bridgeport. She is looking to grow not only her family ties but her business. When Dylan Lang becomes her newest client, can she keep this all business? Dylan lost a bet, Dance Lessons were the consequences. However, one look at the dance instructor and maybe the lost bet was his gain. This is a really fun read that keeps the reader on edge. I cannot wait to read the rest of the series. I received a copy through Netgalley. A review was not required.

I really liked this book. I appreciated the theme of female friendship and sisterly support as the main character, Shannon, learned to live with and love her new-found sisters and the sister of the love interest, Dylan. The relationship of Shannon and Dylan was definitely more of a slow burn, and I liked watching it develop over the course of the book. Although I would consider this book a romance, it also dealt with a lot of heavy issues related to recovering from past traumas and was almost an adventure/thriller at times as Dylan and Shannon's sister (both cops) sought to protect their families from violence. All in all, I felt totally immersed in the book and on the edge of my seat as to how it would all be resolved. If you like small town romances with women supporting women and an unfolding mystery/drama, I would highly recommend this book!

This book immediately drew me in and I found it hard to put down all day. It was very engaging. The characters were wonderful. They were unique yet felt very authentic and relatable. They were likeable. I laughed at Dylan and Shannon’s rocky start and enjoyed all the dancing bits as I used to take lessons myself.
I appreciated the commitment the three sisters made to each other even though they didn’t know each other at the beginning. It was beautiful watching them learn about and experience each other as family.
I’m excited about this new series. I am glad it is set in Bridgeport so people from the Bridgeport Social Club series can make an appearance. I can’t wait for the next book in the series. I’d highly recommend it.
Thank you to Blackstone Publishing for providing me with a free e-copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

I loved this book. shelley is one of my favorite authors. I can not wait to read more I'd books.
I couldn't put it down.

Shall We Dance is a perfect fit to this series. I started reading the series because the real Bridgeport Ohio is not far from my hometown, I have read the entire series because the author is one of my favorites and this series is so good. I loved each book and have recommended it many times.

Sweet story, nice return to Bridgeport. This was a heartwarming story of family, friendships, and love. I look forward to more in the series.

Shall We Dance is a sweet romance. This book is well written and has believable characters. You can never go wrong with this author’s books. I received an arc from the publisher and Netgalley and this is my unbiased review.

Shelley Shepard Gray gives us a new contemporary series, which is a very delightful, easy read.

The characters are interesting as 2 families are introduced – 3 sisters who have just discovered each other and strive to learn about each other and form the family they have missed out on through their lives, and a young police officer and his sister, who is living with him right now as she recovers from the trauma of an attack.

Family dynamics, new friendships, and love take a few twists and turns, but definitely keeps your attention as you want to see how these relationships resolve.

This is an excellent book that leaves you just waiting for the next installment of the series.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher, Blackstone Publishing and NetGalley. The opinions expressed are my own.

Shall We Dance by Shelley Shepard Gray is a contemporary romance about 3 sisters who just found each other as adults. This story featured Shannon. She is dance instructor and her handsome hero is a cop who lost a bet and had to take dance lessons. This was a mystery as well as a romance. I really enjoyed it. I look forward to the next installment in the series. For those of you who are used to this author's Amish and historical books, be warned this one is a bit different. There are a few light curse words but is a clean and wholesome read.
*I was given a copy of this book by the publisher and this is my honest opinion.

I enjoyed the set-up and characters in this short novel. I wish, however, that several aspects of the plot had been better developed. We’re told that Shannon suddenly discovered that she had two sisters and they’d all been adopted by different families. Now they’ve decided to all move in together in the little Ohio town from Shepard Gray’s earlier novels. It’s not clear how Shannon found her sisters and why they picked this town for the three of them to move to. I would have liked some flashbacks to clarify that.

Now Shannon has opened up a dance studio and she meets her new student, Dylan, who had to take dance lessons for a bet he lost. Of course, he and Shannon are soon going to find out they’re attracted to each other. Add in another plot about Dylan’s younger sister, Jennifer, who has been traumatized after being attacked and raped. He is constantly worried about her as she is slowly recovering from her agoraphobia.

The plot and characters were interesting, but everything gets wrapped up pretty quickly. There’s a bit of suspense, but that is over in just a paragraph. Shannon and Dylan have a conflict, but that also gets resolved pretty easily. Jennifer starts out as terrified to go anywhere and her difficulties take up a lot of the novel, but we’re also told that she does the cooking and shopping for her brother. So I’m not sure how that matches up with her supposed fears of going out in public.

I still enjoyed the book, but I think the author could have gone into a bit more depth with some of the situations she set up.

I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book that I received from Netgalley; however, the opinions are my own and I did not receive any compensation for my review.

It was fun to read about how three adopted sisters find each other. Lost family members are being found with tools we’ve never had before such the internet and DNA matching. It’s a sweet beginning to a new series that has readers get to know these sisters as each learns about the other. They’ve decided to live together for a year in order for relationships to grow.

The author has readers along with the characters get settled into a quaint small town in Bridgeport, Ohio, with a great bookstore and a dance studio. This is a story about family, friends, making a home and facing deep hurts in unexpected ways. I’ve read other books by this author and have enjoyed them as much as this one. The only thing different in this book was the fact it had a few cuss words in it. I look forward to getting to know each sister as well as we got to know twenty-seven-year-old Shannon Murphy in this first book.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher, Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”

Nora St. Laurent
TBCN Where Book Fun Begins! www.bookfun.org
The Book Club Network blog www.psalm516.blogspot.com

This book is a terrific start of a new series. Three sisters separated as toddlers and growing up in different states move into an apartment that Shannon has found in a small Ohio town. Shannon is disappointed that her first private dance student is only there because he lost a bet. The handsome police officer Dylan may have started lessons for that reason, but he enjoys the lessons and is charmed by his instructor. Dylan's sister Jen is still getting over the trauma of being attacked two years ago. Jen is started to venture back into life, but it might put her life at peril. I received a free copy of this eBook from the publisher. This is my honest and voluntarily given review. I really enjoyed reading this charming book. I would love to live in a small town like Bridgeport and visit Camille's bookstore and enjoy Jen's cooking. I found the main characters very believable. I love this sweet romance with a touch of suspense and I look forward to the next book in this series.

Today’s technology of DNA, what a remarkable tool, not that long ago one we couldn’t even conceive, now lost family members are being found and secrets are being reveal. Loved how the author used this tool to bring three sisters together, and then they decide to live together for a year.
This is a series that I have read previous books in, and this is the start of a new one, but you will not be lost to read this one, it really can stand alone.
What a joy these sisters are, and so different, and love their personalities, and compassion.
We are given a bit of romance, a few new friends, and one new one whose life is being threatened, as we follow this family finding one another.
I really enjoyed this story, and it felt like something that really happened!

I received this book through Net Galley and Blackstone Publishing, and was not required to give a positive review.

A wonderful first book in a brand new series by master Christian storyteller Shelley Shepard Gray!

For full review: go to the link below

Shall We Dance
The Dance With Me Series - Book 1
By Shelley Shepard Gray

Blackstone Publishing - February 2020

Contemporary Romance


Shannon Murphy was a sibling. It was something she hadn't known, and now not only has she found her two sisters, but all three of them were going to live together. It would be challenging as although they were blood, they were still strangers to one another, but it was also exhilarating. Having been a champion competitive dancer growing up, Shannon had now opened a dance studio in Bridgeport, Ohio. She worked on the first floor, and the three of them would live upstairs. Shannon was really enjoying what she was doing, which explained why she was a bit more than miffed when she learned her newest student was only there because he had lost a bet.

Honesty probably wasn't always the best policy if you were telling a professional dancer that you were being forced to be there, but Dylan Lange was able to encourage Shannon to continue with the lesson. And it was much better than he ever expected. It had definitely been good to smooth things over with Shannon, as their lives continued to intersect outside of dancing. Dylan was a police officer, and not only was his new partner one of Shannon's sisters, but his own sister, Jennifer, had made friends with her. This was an important step as Jennifer had been attacked and was only now venturing out into life again.

Shall We Dance is a sweet romance brimming with characters, relationships and love. I loved the idea of three sisters discovering each other and coming together to start new lives in a new town. Their different backgrounds makes each sister unique, but they are all equally caring. It was difficult to see Jennifer's setbacks as she struggles to overcome the violence of her past, but equally joyful to see her triumphs. Best of all was watching Shannon and Dylan work through their issues and come together. I really hope to see both of Shannon's sisters find heroes of their own.

Kathy Andrico - KathysReviewCorner.com

I received this book in exchange for an honest review. You can purchase your copy here : https://www.amazon.com/Shall-We-Dance-Me-Book-ebook/dp/B07XPDJB9G/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=shall+we+dance&qid=1600542201&s=books&sr=1-1

OK, after reading the two other books in this series, I had to go back and read this one, the first one in the series! At least I read the two other books in order. Boy was I missing a lot by skipping this one! WHAT AN AMAZING READ!!! This book is about Shannon Murphy, she is 27 and meeting her biological sisters for the very first time. TWO sisters and just now meeting them, can you imagine? I think meeting my sister when I was 27 may not be a bad thing, you don’t have all that teenage angst growing up and the competition of parental unit attention and more. Shannon’s mother died suddenly twenty-four years ago, not only leaving three daughters, but a mess of bills, and web of lies. Good old DNA tests have gotten her to this discovery! Not only discovering that the people that she thought were her parents, but that she also had sisters! TWO SISTERS! She contacted them and after many emails and phone calls, they all decided to live together for a year to get to know each other above Shannon’s recently purchased building. Her two sisters are giving up their entire lives as they know it to move to nowhere Ohio to bond. Traci was a big city cop from Cleveland and Kimber was a model from New York City. Both of her sisters are going to help out with her ballroom dance studio, a dream that Shannon has dreamt a long time for. I am so mad that I waited so long to read this book! This book focuses on the bond that the girls form and them getting to know each other. There is a hint of romance after a handsome cop loses a bet in his fantasy football league. He has to take five dance classes with Shannon and doesn’t care what he learns. If you were told that, which dance would you teach? Would you torture him with the most difficult or make him learn ballet? Well, you will have to read the book to find out what Dylan learns.