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Mikael Carlson
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The Dancing Life: A Romantic Thriller (The Dancing Trilogy Book 1) Kindle Edition

by Mikael Carlson (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 24 ratings
See all formats and editions

If you’re going through hell, you might as well dance through it.

From award-winning and Amazon best-selling political fiction author Mikael Carlson comes a new series filled with adventure, travel, political maneuvering, danger, action, manhunts and, of course, dancing. It's a political thriller and a romance. It's a thrillmance!

The Dancing Life is a story about finding love and finding yourself as the world tries to get in the way. With likable protagonists and sleazy, despicable antagonists, you will find yourself rooting for Braden and Lyla as they travel across the world. Will the power of their growing love and passion for each other ultimately conquer all, or will their pasts force them to go their separate ways?

"Carlson does a terrific job of creating a story that has something for everyone—deception, greed, betrayal, romance, and suspense." -- Entrada Publishing ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Politics affects our lives, but it defines theirs.

Braden Fox has it all – an apartment in Manhattan’s Upper East Side, a beautiful wife, and a fat bank account from his high-paying job until one betrayal costs him everything. Resigning himself to fate in a self-imposed exile, an inebriated Braden meets a mysterious drifter who sends him on a life-altering journey – if he can stay alive long enough to take it.

For Arden Davenport, the founder of the political action committee American Outreach, the stakes couldn’t be higher. Not only is his star employee missing, but he possesses information that could bring the entire shady enterprise to its knees. His protégé must be found and neutralized before Arden’s life work is destroyed. Fortunately, he has two men capable of finding Braden, even across an ocean.

Everything changes when Braden meets Lyla, a free-spirited drifter who’s hiding from her own demons. Their shared journey will take them across the world as friendship slowly grows into something more. The emotional consequences of their relationship are undeniable: Both of them have deadly secrets they refuse to share…especially with each other.

The Dancing Life is a romantic thriller filled with self-reflection, angst, betrayal, love, and travel. Can these two very different souls find love before the hunters finally catch their prey? Will their dark secrets about the past cause their undoing, or are they prepared to risk everything to keep living the dancing life?

The Dancing Trilogy romance thriller books in order:
The Dancing Life
The Tangled Tango - expected 2025
The Last Dance - expected 2026

For updates on Mikael Carlson’s new releases, sign up for his newsletter at mikaelcarlson.com.

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  1. Book 1 of 1
    The Dancing Trilogy
  2. Print length
    369 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Publication date
    August 1, 2024
  5. File size
    5.5 MB
  6. Page Flip
    Enabled
  7. Word Wise
    Enabled
  8. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
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From the Publisher

Relationships are hard...
Especially when someone is trying to kill you

Award-winning political fiction author Mikael Carlson

Warrington Publishing
  • WINNER - National Indie Excellence Award for Political Thriller, 2014
  • WINNER - Book Excellence Award for Suspense, 2021
  • WINNER - National Indie Excellence Award for Political Fiction, 2020
  • WINNER - American Fiction Award for Thriller: Political, 2020

Politics As UNusual

Political Thrillers from Mikael Carlson

Mikael Carlson's political thrillers and dramas are a bit different. His novels are written from character points of view to draw the reader right into the heart of the action. A winner of countless awards for his work, he brings political thrillers to the next level in writing that is "Politics as Unusual."

  • The Michael Bennit Series
  • Tierra Campos Thrillers
  • Watchtower Thrillers
  • America, Incorporated Dystopian Thrillers
  • The Santa Trilogy - Heartwarming Holiday Political Suspense
  • The Dancing Trilogy - Political Thriller Romances

Political Thriller Series That Are "Politics As Unusual"

Michael Bennit Series Mikael Carlson

The political underdog story we desperately need.

Michael Bennit is a former Green Beret turned history teacher who strives to inspire his students. After losing a bet to one of his classes, he is forced to do something he never imagined: run for political office..

Michael is a man of integrity and courage navigating a world that sees little of either. He's the perfect exemplar of what we should all demand from our leaders, and with a likable group of young staffers and close allies, they are a group you will root for until the very end.

America Inc Mikael Carlson Politics As Unusual

The world is going to hell. In 2088, it arrives.

Corporations rose to power after misguided policies and fiscal mismanagement led to a global economic collapse that brought the world to its knees. Order was restored, but the people lost every ounce of personal freedom to do it.

With characters both heroic and deeply flawed, the divergence in perception is what makes this saga so compelling – the journey will challenge your biases and your view of modern society. If freedom is something to be cherished, why don’t more people stand to fight for it?

Watchtower Thrillers Mikael Carlson Politics As Unusual

The ability to see someone's memories is a gift. To Watchtower, it's a weapon.

Eugene "Boston" Hollinger discovered that he has a gift - a traumatic brain injury has left him with the ability to tap into people's minds and see their memories. For Boston, it's an inconvenience he must learn to live with until he realizes that he can use it to uncover a dangerous mole selling our national secrets to the highest bidder.

Boston is the closest thing to a real-life superhero that exists. Imagine what you would do if you could close your eyes and experience another person's most traumatic memories. What could you uncover? What will Boston find along his journey?

The Tierra Campos Series Mikael Carlson

The truth is only revealed when you pull back the blanket of lies.

Journalism in America is dead, but Tierra Campos is on a mission to reshape how news is presented. When a teenage gun control advocate is implicated in the school shooting that made him famous, she becomes a household name...and a target.

Tierra and Victoria are everything we want as modern heroines - intelligent, dedicated, confident, and honest. In a society where we see despicable behavior all around us, they bring with them a glimmer of hope that there are still good people out there.

The Dancing Trilogy Mikael Carlson

If you're going through hell, you might as well dance through it.

Braden is a boring finance guy on the run from his ruthless employer. Lyla is an adventurous, free-spirited soul running from her own set of demons. Can these two find happiness together, or will their pasts rip them apart?

Enduring love is forged in fire, and these two are about to put that to the test. The trials and tribulations they face in The Dancing Life is only the beginning of their journey - one that will get more treacherous as the trilogy unfolds. Are they meant to be together, or are they the greatest set of star-crossed lovers since Romeo & Juliet?

The Santa Trilogy Mikael Carlson

Nothing can destroy the spirit of Christmas. Don't tell that to politicians.

Politics is the ultimate divisive subject in the modern age. It destroys families and relationships. Can two people with different political ideologies ever find happiness together?

The Santa Trilogy is a planned three-novel set that will explore the true magic and meaning of Christmas. A political thriller meets a romance novel where readers find the answer to an age-old question: which is more powerful, love or politics?

Editorial Reviews

Review

"This intricate and intriguing page-turner is a story of finding yourself in the least likely of places and learning to trust your instincts. Carlson does a terrific job of creating a story that has something for everyone—deception, greed, betrayal, romance, and suspense." -- Entrada Publishing

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0CW1GB9R6
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Warrington Publishing; 1st edition (August 1, 2024)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ August 1, 2024
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 5.5 MB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 369 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 24 ratings

About the author

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Mikael Carlson

Mikael Carlson

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Mikael Carlson is an award-winning political fiction author, including a silver medal from Readers' Favorite and National Indie Excellence, American Fiction, Lyra, and Global E-book Awards. He was named one of the ‘50 Great Writers You Should Be Reading’ by The Authors Show in 2018.

Mikael is a former U.S. Army Paratrooper and retired Army National Guardsman. He conducted over 50 airborne operations following the completion of jump school at Fort Benning in 1998, and trained on several occasions with the British Airborne, earning British Parachutist wings. Mikael participated in several international jump competitions and traveled to Arnhem for an anniversary jump celebrating the Allied sacrifice during Operation Market Garden in World War II.

He graduated with a Master of Arts in American History in 2010 and a B.S. in International Business from Marist College in 1996. An avid traveler and unabashed political junkie, you can find him at www.mikaelcarlson.com.

Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
24 global ratings

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Top reviews from the United States

  • Woodstock7
    5.0 out of 5 stars interesting and surprising read
    Reviewed in the United States on November 22, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    Just as I was thinking that his maybe wasn’t one of Carlson’s best, each time a twist or an interesting piece of history emerged. Turned out to be a really good read.
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  • Chris M.
    4.0 out of 5 stars Plenty of life lessons intertwined with the suspense, betrayal, greed, and deception
    Reviewed in the United States on February 23, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    Although this is part of a trilogy, it can also be enjoyed as a standalone which has a satisfying ending. We are introduced to Braden Fox, who is down in life and drinking his woes away. After a roll of the dice that brings him some fortune, he hops on a plane and leaves the US behind. With no destination in mind, he encounters Lyla Chance and they have a magical night in dance. Even though Braden knows his boss has sent a hitman to hunt him down due to the kind of business he works in, he goes off on an adventure around the world with Lyla. Turns out she has secrets herself. They can only stay off grid for so long before their pasts catch up to them.

    This was the first book I've read by author Mikael Carlson. I'm not one who typically reads political thrillers/romance, but enjoyed reading something different. I didn't fully connect with the characters and some of the twists were not as surprising to me.

    If you enjoy dancing, traveling the world, or immersing yourself into a life unchained to routines, then you will want to pick up this book as there is plenty of life lessons intertwined with the suspense, betrayal, greed, and deception.
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  • JRL
    5.0 out of 5 stars Braden's Reawakening!!!!!
    Reviewed in the United States on August 1, 2024
    I received an ARC and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

    If you are expecting a standard Political Thriller, then you are in for a surprise. The story is about Braden Fox who works for a political PAC who has disappeared and the boss is worried that he might do something to damage the PAC. To make sure that nothing will happen, he employs a firm to find Braden and take action to prevent it.

    Braden has discovered that his wife Kinsley has been unfaithful and he winds up in Key West getting drunk. During one of his binge drinking episodes, he winds up talking to a stranger who advises him that he needs a change in his life and he needs to find someone who can provide him with direction. The next morning, he wakes up on the beach and discovers his wallet missing. He winds up going to the bar where he was the last evening to check if the wallet was there. He discovers that Braus, a German hired to find him, was in the bar earlier. He has luck and gets his wallet and then decides to go to a different location without one in mind. He winds up in Argentina where is takes a chance at a casino and wins big. Later he meets up with Lyla where his new life begins. The journey revolves around dancing and along the way he visits many locales and learns how to enjoy life.

    As the adventure continues, Braden is still being pursued and keeps that information from Lyla. As it works out, Lyla had a secret she was keeping from Branden as well. AS luck would have it, Braus was just one step behind from getting him. Things change when Braden and Lyla arrive in Paris.

    To discover what Braus had been told and which later changed, what secret Lyla had, what attachment Lyla had to Paris and how everything worked out in the end, then you need to read this book.

    The reawakening of Braden as he traveled with Lyla and how his life changed for the better was well portrayed. This is definitely a book worth reading and you won't be disappointed.
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  • karenc
    5.0 out of 5 stars When life gives you lemons.. dance.
    Reviewed in the United States on August 10, 2024
    I was torn between racing through this captivating story, and slowing down to make it last. So I did what Braden learned to do... relax and enjoy the journey for as long as you can. Once he leaves New York, he's prepared for the fate he knows is coming for him. He never expects to meet Lyla, dancer and travel partner extraordinaire. They gallivant throughout South America and Europe as if they don't have a care in the world, knowing full well that there is an expiration date. They both have huge secrets, although hers were not revealed until much later in the book. Suspense, betrayals, greed and murder fit right alongside the romance in this book. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
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  • Molly G. Hamblin
    4.0 out of 5 stars Dance the world away
    Reviewed in the United States on August 8, 2024
    If you're going through He@$, keep on dancing!

    Guilt, guilty pleasures, possibilities for new redemption and romance - if they can survive- did I mention dance?.

    I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
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  • Beth Perry
    5.0 out of 5 stars Delightful & Scary!
    Reviewed in the United States on August 2, 2024
    What do you do when your world falls apart? You drop everything and leave town. You find a beautiful woman and dance. But then you find out an assassin is following you. Keep moving, keep dancing.
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  • Kathy L
    5.0 out of 5 stars A political thriller with a lot more than most - loved it!
    Reviewed in the United States on August 1, 2024
    This book caught my interest from the very start. There were lots of twists and even things you thought you figured out turned out to have a little something more to them than was first apparent. Braden was a bit of a puzzle but I was soon rooting for him all the way. Meeting Lyla was a high point and how their relationship built was very realistic. Each of them has a past that they kept secret for various reasons.

    Once I started reading, I had a hard time putting it down. Unfortunately work and life prevented me from finishing it in one sitting but I did finish it the second time. It was worth the time spent.

    The story has suspense, adventure in foreign lands, villains, and intrigue with the spice of romance. The main characters show some growth and I cannot wait to read the sequel(s).

    I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. I most heartily recommend this book
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