Could I Have This Dance?

by Harry Kraus

Book Overview

You can't dance this dance unless it's in your blood. Claire McCall is praying it's not in hers. Claire McCall is used to fighting back against the odds. Hard work, aptitude, and sheer determination have helped her rise from adverse circumstances to an internship in one of the nation's most competitive surgical residencies. But talent and tenacity mean nothing in the face of the discovery that is about to rock her world. It's called the "Stoney...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0310240891
• ISBN13: 9780310240891
• Release Date: March 2002
• Publisher: Zondervan
• Length: 432 Pages
• Weight: 0.90 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 5.5" x 8.5"
• Age Range: 18 years and up

Customer Reviews

Could I have this Dance

As a retired general surgeon, I felt the author was authentic in the culture of surgical training and it's pitfalls. Very entertaining and suspenseful. Also cleverly done. I liked his recognition of the loss of quiet time and devotions with the stresses and demands of the training program.

Captivating

This is the first book by Kraus that I have read, and I plan to buy more. I was completely caught up in the story and quite surprised by the ending. A joy to read.

An Excellent Book

This is the best fiction plot involving Huntington's Disease I have ever read. Dr. Kraus did an excellent job with his research to be able to include so many issues that invariably arise when dealing with this neurological disease. His portrayal of the young intern, Claire, struggling with being at-risk for a genetic disease, was dead on. He captured many issues that one has to consider when deciding to have genetic testing. Issues such as discrimination, insurance, having kids, future job performance, her relationship with her fiance, and many more are covered in Could I Have This Dance? His descriptions of the physical and mental symptoms of Huntington's Disease were excellent. I enjoyed the plot and found myself thinking of people I know who need to read the book. As the author of two non-fiction books about Huntington's Disease and a frequent speaker and HD conferences, I was impressed with the details and how well he wove them into the plot. I was a full time caregiver for husband with HD and the founder and facilitator for HDCaregivers, an online support group for those who caregive loved ones with Huntington's Disease. Because of my continued writing and speaking to HD groups I am often asked to endorse books that have some connection to Huntington's Disease. I usually find major flaws or omissions in these books and am reluctant to endorse them. I was pleasantly surprised to be able to read and enjoy Could I Have This Dance? and to be able to give it a five star rating.For too many years Christian fiction was boring, badly written or didn't ring with authenticity. What a delight to find that in recent years Christian fiction has changed for the better. Dr. Kraus did an excellent job of weaving faith issues into the plot without being preachy or heavy handed. So often it is when a crisis arises that one begins to question God and why bad things happen to good people. Even non Christians should be able to read this book without flinching because Could I Have This Dance? shows a young woman struggling with sin and with her relationship with God, just like we all do.The plot moves at a nice pace and has enough tension and twists to satisfy any reader. Thank you, Dr. Kraus for creating an excellent book that I am excited to share with the thousands of families suffering with Huntington's. I also hope millions who have never heard of HD will read this book because it is an honest, well written look at the issues surrounding Huntington's Disease. It is also a honest look at how flawed human beings and how much we need a sovereign God.Carmen Leal, Author of Faces of Huntington's and Portraits of Huntington's, Choosing Joy Through Life Lessons

This book has it all

From a beginning with an intriguing prologue, this story has it all. There are family secrets, a love story, and an authentic look at the struggles and rewards in the life of a surgical intern. And through it all runs the mystery of the curse of Stoney Creek, and the "dance" that hangs over Claire McCall's life. The conclusion has several satisfying surprises, and the author writes with style and strength.