The Deal, the Dance, and the Devil: A Novel [Paperback]

Victoria Christopher Murray (Author)

Book Description

Release date: June 7, 2011

What would you do for five million dollars? Adam and Evia Langston have lived in their own little garden of Eden since the two married at the age of seventeen. Working their way up from the humblest of beginnings, the Langstons have thrived beyond anything they could have ever imagined. Now they live in the finest home, drive the best cars, and indulge in all the trimmings that signify their massive success.

But then the recession hits and rips apart the family’s financial stability. Unable to support their three children and other relatives, Adam and Evia find themselves drowning in financial trouble and teetering on the brink of complete disaster. With nowhere to turn, the Langstons have no idea what to do.

Until Shay-Shaunté, Evia’s multimillionaire boss, comes to the Langstons with a five-million-dollar offer that seems so hard to refuse. Will the Langstons make this deal? Or will they recognize that the glitter of five million dollars may be far from gold?

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Victoria is one of our best...an excellent storyteller."---Eric Jerome Dickey, New York Times bestselling author

"Victoria is an exceptional writer who knows how to deliver a story."---Kimberla Lawson Roby, author of Changing Faces

"Murray has always impressed me with her ability to live the life of her characters and make them come alive with each turning page." --- Indianapolis Recorder

I think I've found a new author to add to my list of favorites… Murray knows how to tell a story. I can't wait to read other books by this author. -Debbie Norrell, New Pittsburgh Courier

“Murray’s story has the kind of momentum that prompts you to elbow disbelief aside and flip the pages in horrified enjoyment.” --The Washington Post

“Murray’s characters are extremely likable…Murray’s fiction is Christian, it’s not saccharine, and this page-turning take on the Faustian theme should satisfy fans and newcomers alike.” --WalMart BookPage

About the Author

Victoria Christopher Murray is the author of nine Essence bestselling novels, including Too Little, Too Late and Lady Jasmine. Winner of the African American Literary Award for Fiction and Author of the Year, she splits her time between Los Angeles and Washington, D.C. Visit her website at VictoriaChristopherMurray.com.

Product Details

• Paperback: 416 pages
• Publisher: Touchstone; Original edition (June 7, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1439194254
• ISBN-13: 978-1439194256
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 5.3 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (105 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #360,355 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Victoria Christopher Murray is the Essence bestselling author of the novels Truth Be Told, Joy, and Temptation. Visit her at www.victoriachristophermurray.com. She lives with her family in Inglewood, California.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

26 of 27 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A High Price To Pay For Money June 1, 2011

By Rhonda McKnight

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

In her tenth novel, Victoria Christopher Murray has penned an emotionally gripping story that has brought to life a cast of characters caught up in a tragedy as timeless and evocative as those of the Ancient Greeks or Shakespeare. Evia and Adam were a couple living the American Dream, until Adam lost his high paying corporate job. Now they find themselves living the American nightmare. There's more month than money and financial ruin is imminent, but there's a life raft - an offer of $5 Million Dollars if they'll.... They take the deal, but then their lives spin out of control. Murray convinces readers with a conviction of a skilled writer that you cannot, should not dance with the devil. I thought about this story long after I closed the book.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars strong inspirational family drama June 10, 2011

By Harriet Klausner #1 HALL OF FAME

Format:Paperback

As she nears her fiftieth birthday, wealthy Shay-Shaunte knows what she wants as her special present. Until Shay-Shaunte offers one of her executive assistant, Evia Langston five million dollars for a weekend with the latter's husband Adam. Stunned Evia says no thanks.

However, Evia knows her family could use the money as they are nearing financial ruin with the economy tanking. She also knows that when she and Adam exchanged vows in front of the Lord when they were seventeen, they pledged a faith based relationship to raise their kids in. Now Evia and Adam must choose between the she-devil serpent's glittering offering to save the Langston's Garden of Eden or trusting in God to take care of them and their children.

The immediate reaction is The Deal, the Dance, and the Devil is a gender bending version of Redford's Indecent Proposal to Moore and Harrelson; but that is only at the surface. Instead this is a much deeper profound character driven tale as besides breaking one's ethics for easy money and the example that sets for their children as well as destroying the trust between Evia and Adam. There is also an underlying religious issue throughout the engaging story line that will stun readers with a shocking twist at the final confrontation. Victoria Christopher Murray provides readers with a strong inspirational family drama as free will allows the Langston duo to choose between the devil's easy money and the Lord's pious path.

Harriet Klausner

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars They That Wait!!! June 29, 2011

By Stacy Lawrence-Campbell

Format:Paperback

Victoria Christopher Murray has done it again! The Deal, the Dance, and the Devil is an outstanding read that is still on my mind after powering down my e-reader.

Adam and Evia Langston share a modern marriage society says is nonexistent: they are loving, have studious children, and have kept the home fires burning since saying "I do." Life happens to Adam and Evia and they find themselves questioning their love, stability, and faith. A seemingly harmless proposal comes their way and turns their world topsy-turvy. You MUST read the novel to find out how they handle it.

I enjoyed the characters, the message, and overall theme. What satisfied me most is the powerful truth that waiting on God, whether ten minutes, a month, or twenty years, makes a significant difference in one's personal journey as well as for the next generation. Bravo, VCM!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

2.0 out of 5 stars God doesnt work?? November 11, 2012

By IntrinsicallyMe

Format:Kindle Edition

im so conflicted on whether to give this 2 or 3 stars. It really doesnt deserve 2 stars but not quite 3 either. I wont drone on about this book but this is really about the ending. ive read many of her books and know she writes christian fiction. I just dont like how it ending with "the devil" basically saying oh they will never be able to recover from everything that happened in the book. If the message is Gods love mercy forgiveness and grace then how can you end with "oh they will never be able to overcome this" and the author sort of tries to explain this with a quick sentence saying that its not God but the Evia and Adam who will never be able to forgive each other each other and THIS will be the reason they will never overcome everything that happened, but again if you write about and one of the messages of the books is how powerful God is, why wasnt the message that God can help them to forgive each other as well.

I mean overall it was your typical fiction but im ok with that b/c i know how that goes. what i didnt like was that whole epilogue that basically went against every message that this author puts forth in her books and as a christian myself i refuse to be down with a book where the ending message of a christian fiction is that God isnt powerful enough to help these two characters be able to forgive each other

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Highly recommend you read this book June 21, 2011

By Sammikins

Format:Paperback

The Deal, The Dance, and The Devil is the best book I have read in a long time.

From the beginning to the end you will find yourself thinking what if this was your situation .. which judging from the state of the economy today it could very well be.

A offer of enough money to get you out of a financial pit but may lead to a deeper one than you can ever imagine ..It brings to mind the real truth of money is the root of all evil and most importantly money cannot buy happiness .. in this story money only leads to depair and life altering changes for the Langston family.

What should you do or shouldn't do for the sake of your family, do you keep your faith and struggle along .. lose it all then rebuild, or do you make a deal and dance with the devil???