Mastering the Dance: Ambition and Intrigue Among the Rich and Influential [Hardcover]

Tamara Hanson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1, 2004

Mastering the Dance, a tale of ambition and intrigue among the moneyed and influential, is the story of Preston Smith, a bright and handsome young accountant who takes a job with Hank Cantrell, a real estate magnate and longtime client. Preston'ss ge

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Tamara W. Hanson-CPA, successful businesswoman, and cancer survivor-began her professional career working for a large international accounting firm. Later she was chief financial officer for a multi-state cable television company followed by a 10-year period when she operated her own accounting firm. Now vice president and part owner of a life insurance agency, she holds licenses in accounting, insurance, and securities. When not writing or working, Tamara is and has been an active volunteer in her community, her profession, her church, her son's school, and her favorite charities. She is married and lives in Dallas. Tamara is currently working on her second book, Mastering the Light, to be published in 2005.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 345 pages
• Publisher: Skyward Publishing (April 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1881554341
• ISBN-13: 978-1881554349
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6.2 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.7 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,620,136 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars mastering the dance, May 7, 2004

By 

Dona O'Kelley (Austin, Texas United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mastering the Dance: Ambition and Intrigue Among the Rich and Influential (Hardcover)

The books characters were very real. We all know the people in one form or another in business. I had a difficult time puting the book down when I started reading, the feeling of having been in the lives of the people before came at the start of the book and was there when I finished. The mystery of the final solution for the bad guys was held in bay until the end. A little spicy and bits of humor was a good touch.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Hanson Has Created Characters as Memorable as J. R. Ewing!, May 14, 2004

By 

"brian-dallas" (Dallas) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mastering the Dance: Ambition and Intrigue Among the Rich and Influential (Hardcover)

Hanson takes us into the heart of Texas. . . and deep into the heart of one of the most memorable characters of our time, Preston Smith-along with his mentors, friends, and enemies. In a tale of bittersweet tenderness and the unexpected turns that life can take, Tamara Hanson, in Mastering the Dance (Skyward Publishing, new release title), is at her very best: warm, compassionate, the author captures the feelings and needs and desires of her characters in a way that possess a reality unique in American fiction.

Preston Smith, a bright and handsome young accountant, who takes a job with Hank Cantrell, a real estate magnate and longtime client, soon finds himself trapped in a downward spiral of tax evasion, embezzlement, and cover ups. As Preston's future hangs in the balance and he faces prison, he is aided by Amanda Hale Young, the attorney who loves him. Preston realizes his irresistible desires for wealth and the love of Kate Cantrell have led him to the edge. To clear his name, he must risk losing everything he's worked for.

Hanson's quick, eager sympathy for her characters, her ability to slip easily in and out of their minds and hearts, and her effortless narrative style all combine to create a story that is as emotionally involving as it is entertaining. . .absolutely satisfying.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Ms. Hanson has "Mastered" the story!, May 13, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Mastering the Dance: Ambition and Intrigue Among the Rich and Influential (Hardcover)

This is a superb book by Tamara Hanson, a new author who has already "mastered the dance" of telling an intricate story. Set in an affluent area of Dallas, Texas, the story seamlessly weaves the corrupting influence of power and greed among the elite and "would be" elite, with intricate family and personal relationships. A real estate deal going bad is at the heart of the events which challenge the ethics and sensibilities of the power brokers, accountants and lawyers directly involved, but ultimately affect the families and lovers of the deal makers. The fallout has suprising, yet believable outcomes.
Ms. Hanson has done a marvelous job of vividly depicting her characters and their emotional and intellectual strengths and weaknesses. I found myself comparing her characters with real life equivalents and how closely the events described in the novel come to the real life situations and challenges we face in our own lives.
This is a must read first book. I anxiously await future works by Ms. Hanson.