CSS Blog Tour and Giveaway: “I CALLED HIM DANCER” by G. Edward Snipes

D A N C E R!

Book Blurb:

For a moment, Michael danced on top of the world, but one bad choice turns his life upside down. The once promising Broadway star now washes windows for tips and lives among the homeless. When his former dance partner recognizes him behind the fray of whiskers, shame drives him away from her. Angry at God and the world, the Dancer refuses to allow anyone into his life. When everything is stripped away, three things remain: faith, hope, and love. The greatest of these is love.

I Called Him Dancer is a story about how one woman’s enduring faith and unconditional love drives her to reach out to a homeless man who has given up on life.

This book can be purchased in paperback or in eBook format. Click here to take advantage of the .99¢ eBook special, or buy in paperback by clicking here.

Readers’ Comments:

This book is a page turner from cover to cover, [the author] makes you feel like you actually know the characters in his book. – B. Tillman, OR.
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Almost too good to put into words. …you’ll find yourself saying, “Just one more chapter”. K. McNabney, IL
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This book is a must read. Through this book the reader will learn about true love and the power it holds. T. Franklin, TX
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I loved this book from cover to cover, the author makes you feel like you actually know the characters in his book. T. Webster

Eddie Snipes balances writing between a full-time job, five children, and participating in professional organizations. In 2011, he began serving as the President of the Christian Authors Guild.

He has been actively writing since 1998. Eddie contributes to OnePlace.com / Sermon Search, is a speaker, and has served as a Pastor and interim pastor. He actively participates in three writing organizations – The Christian Authors Guild, American Christian Fiction Writers, and the Atlanta Writers Club, and has won several writing awards.

Eddie’s favorite genres are not limited the Christian fiction – anything but sappy romance and trashy writing. I read a little of every genre - as long as I can get it on my kindle.

Connect with other Christian Fiction writers at the Christian Author’s Guild website by clicking here. BTW, we have non-fiction writers too.

Interview with G. Edward Snipes:

What made you write I CALLED HIM DANCER? Have you ever danced, taken lessons?

The only dance lesson I’ve received came when I was walking in the woods. A yellow cloud surrounded me and I began swatting yellow jackets like a break-dancer. Upon reflection, I don’t think I had the grace needed to make it big, so I quit after my first lesson. No more bees for me.

The inspiration for I Called Him Dancer came from a song performed by Tralena Walker and co-written by Tom Webster. I attended a meeting at the Atlanta Writers Club. Tralena and Tom were guest speakers. The topic was on how to write a story in lyrics for songs. Not my cup of Formosa Oolong, but at least it was entertaining. After performing the song, “Dancer”, either Tom or Tralena said, “We’ve been looking for someone who will turn the song into a novel. We think it would make a great story.”

Until those words were spoken, I was a passive observer. I looked up and words were swarming around me like those yellow jackets. They attacked my head while I lay screaming on the floor. Okay, maybe I didn’t scream – but my mind did. In an instant, the story unfolded in my mind and I knew this was something I was to write.

I knew nothing about dancing (other than what the bees taught me). Tom and Tralena gave me the lyrics and I started researching and writing. I have to admit that I worried about the dancing scenes, but I knew things took shape when people began asking how I became so knowledgeable about dance.  I thought back to the bees and said, “It’s just something that hit me while walking in the woods.”

Have you always wanted to be a writer?

When I was a child, I got my first book. I flipped through the pages, then tore it apart. I didn’t know it at the time, but that’s exactly what you do when editing a manuscript.

I hated writing when I was younger. I only did what I had to do, and sometimes not even that. Writers block was more like writers dementia. My mind didn’t return to me until after … hmm. What were we talking about?

In 1998, I became active in prison ministry. Many of the men I ministered to were eager to learn. Someone asked me if I had my studies or notes on paper. I agreed to write out the next study and then my writing career was born. The problem wasn’t that I couldn’t write. It was that I didn’t have something to say. Or didn’t realize I had something to say. Over time writing transformed from a task to a passion.

Is I Called Him Dancer your first fictional story?

My first fictional story was written in high school. It wasn’t supposed to be fiction, but hey, the best fiction looks like the real world, right? I’ll tell you the story.

In high school, I had a class that was dedicated to writing a 30 page research paper. I chose the topic, The Arms race between the US and Russia. It was the 1980s when the Cold War was still on everyone’s mind. We spent weeks in the library researching our topic. I say ‘we’ in the general sense. My research was sports and other useless browsing.  At the halfway point, we had to turn in our research note cards. The teacher graded them and as she returned them, she said, “Some of you aren’t going to pass this class.” She paused in front of my desk as she said this, and then dropped my notecards on my desk. She continued, “You cannot write this paper with less than 70 research cards.”

I counted my cards. Seven. A very weak seven. This information must have shocked my brain, for I didn’t even think about this again until the teacher informed the class that the rough draft was due in the morning. “Holy cow! It’s due tomorrow?” I said.

After school, I visited a few friends, ate dinner, and watched TV. It was now nearly bedtime. No more goofing off. I sat down and began to write. The information flowed. I clearly needed more research sources, so I interviewed military experts born mere minutes ago. But hey, Colonial Imagination was still a source. I wrote thirty pages – somehow. And I got a good grade in the class. After all, no one had more expert sources than I did.

I should have known then that writing was in my future, but it would be more than two decades before I discovered a passion for writing.

Tell us a little about your book, I Called Him Dancer.

For a moment, Michael danced on top of the world, but one bad choice turned his life upside down. The once promising Broadway star now washes windows for tips and lives among the homeless. When his former dance partner recognizes him behind the fray of whiskers, shame drives him away from her. Angry at God and the world, the Dancer refuses to allow anyone into his life. When everything is stripped away, three things remain: faith, hope, and love. The greatest of these is love.

I Called Him Dancer is a story about how one woman’s enduring faith and unconditional love drives her to reach out to a homeless friend, who has given up on life.

Who is your favorite character in I Called Him Dancer?

The character that inspired me the most is Kenyon. Many readers have stated the same. He’s human, struggling to do what is right, and lives by a genuine faith. At times he wrestles between what he knows God wants him to do, and what he wants. Kenyon is down to earth, not preachy, yet his life has an impact on others.

In the story I tried to present Christianity in an honest light. Many who claim to be Christians show hypocrisy and drive others (like the Dancer) away from the faith. This is a real problem in the Christian culture. Kenyon shows what sincere faith looks like. He’s far from perfect, but his simple faith impacts those around him. Kenyon’s sincerity is something the Dancer can’t understand and it piques his curiosity.

What would you like your readers to take away from this novel?

I want people to look at the reality of how faith impacts the world around us. Hypocrisy is being pretentious about faith, and there is a difference between failure and hypocritical behavior. Christians shouldn’t feel dejected when they fail. It’s part of this life of reaching upward.

Also, we all know someone who appears hopeless and hostile toward God, but we don’t know what the Lord is doing behind the scenes. Ultimately, hope is what everyone should take away. Hope that readers are not alone in their struggles. Hope that our lives can make an impact – even with our imperfections. Finally, hope that the people we care about are never out of God’s reach.

How can readers get in touch with you?

You can flash a light on the clouds that says, ‘Free chicken fingers,’ and I’ll play Batman music and come running. Some people prefer the simpler route of connecting with me on Twitter @eddiesnipes. My Facebook username is eddiesnipes. It might seem like a strange coincidence, but my LinkedIn name is also eddiesnipes. Even more crazy is my website: http://www.eddiesnipes.com. On each of these, I just closed my eyes and typed out random keys. I might have peeked on a few letters. You can get the book through online bookstores or your local Christian bookstores.

For the Giveaway:

For a chance to win I Called Him Dancer,  go to to the CSS Blog at: http://christianspeakerservices1.wordpress.com/2011/07/11/follow-the-css-blog-tour-for-free-book-giveaways-i-called-him-dancer-by-g-edward-snipes/ 1) Leave a message as to why you like to read Christian fiction.  2) Please leave an email address for me to contact you should you win, (i.e., booktreasure at gmail dot com).    If an email address and comment is not listed, you will not be entered.

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MY REVIEW:

Before I get into my review, I want to say that I would absolutely love to see this book made into a movie!  The seemingly effortlessness of Michael’s dancing danced right through my heart.  Mr. Snipes’ intense, personal descriptions made me feel like I was there with Michael, magically moving next to him as his partner.

Having suffered much throughout his childhood, Michael had closed off his heart to love and God.  Raquel has felt a romantic love for him since high school.  But by the time she makes it through dance school and onto Broadway, Michael is nowhere to be found.

Upon finding him homeless and washing car windows, her heart’s unconditional love and compassion for her long-lost friend abounded with delight, searching him out until he finally talked to her.  Her tenacity in reaching out to his hurting heart represents the very love of God.  Though Michael had forsaken God, God had not forsaken him.  The story surrounding God’s interactions with him will keep you amazed and hopeful, though Michael is emotionally unpredictable and elusive.  Will he be able to let go of his deep-rooted bitterness and trust?

I Called Him Dancer by G. Edward Snipes is not a book you will not be able to read and forget!  Even if you are not one easily moved by someone’s life tragedy, Snipes expresses the deepest emotions of his characters in such a way as to reach down into the deep crevices of your own heart.  His characters seem so real to life, it’s as though they are people you know personally.  A high 5!

I was given a complimentary copy of this book from the author in exchange for posting the author’s interview on my blog. This blog tour is managed by Christian Speaker Services (www.ChristianSpeakerServices.com).