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Dancing Through Life: Steps of Courage and Conviction
Candace Cameron Bure has grown up before our eyes and we've watched as she's balanced life in Hollywood with her faith for many years. But that all reached new heights when she was given the opportunity to join the cast of Dancing With the Stars. Being on the show was one of her dreams come true; and with that dream came the opportunity to display her Christian faith in front of millions of people, through an intense season of stretching beyond her limits, and to run the race God gave her with joy and perseverance.
JoinÌýCandaceÌýas she reflects on the self-discovery that came through leaping out of her comfort zone. Go behind the scenes and experience the highs and lows, the roadblocks, and the personal victories. Hear straight from her heart on tough lessons learned about grace, rejection, perfectionism, disappointment, accountability, dealing with criticism, and more. Through God’s strength, and with the help of endless support from her family and friends, see how Candace stayed true to herself and publicly lived out her faith in Christ all the way to the finale.
How do you stand with conviction in your world? Where does your courage come from when faced with challenges? How do you live out your faith on a daily basis despite opposition? Your stage probably isn't in Hollywood and the challenges you are facing may not be on live television, but they are no less real. Come along with Candace as she shares how she found the courage to stand with conviction on one of the largest platforms of her life.
JoinÌýCandaceÌýas she reflects on the self-discovery that came through leaping out of her comfort zone. Go behind the scenes and experience the highs and lows, the roadblocks, and the personal victories. Hear straight from her heart on tough lessons learned about grace, rejection, perfectionism, disappointment, accountability, dealing with criticism, and more. Through God’s strength, and with the help of endless support from her family and friends, see how Candace stayed true to herself and publicly lived out her faith in Christ all the way to the finale.
How do you stand with conviction in your world? Where does your courage come from when faced with challenges? How do you live out your faith on a daily basis despite opposition? Your stage probably isn't in Hollywood and the challenges you are facing may not be on live television, but they are no less real. Come along with Candace as she shares how she found the courage to stand with conviction on one of the largest platforms of her life.
208 pages, Paperback
First published July 5, 2015
135 people are currently reading
2,038 people want to read
About the author
Candace Cameron Bure
46Ìýbooks885ÌýfollowersCandace Cameron Bure, actress, producer, New York Times bestselling author, beloved by millions worldwide from her role as D.J. Tanner on the iconic family sitcoms Full House and Fuller House, Hallmark Channel movies, former co-host of The View, inspirational speaker, and Dancing with the Stars Season 18 finalist, is both outspoken and passionate about her family and faith. Candace continues to flourish in the entertainment industry as a role model to women of all ages. She lives in the Los Angeles area with her husband and three children.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 230 reviews
November 28, 2015
Candace is one of those celebs I have an inexplicable fascination with. I'm a terrible catholic, so I'm not even one of her rabid Christian followers. I just find her strangely fascinating.
This is the best of her books, though still nothing brilliant. It's the most "God-heavy" of them, but that didn't annoy me much (after all...you kind of know going in to this book that you're gonna be hearing about God). This one was definitely the best edited of her books and offered the most insight about her. Her first book ("Reshaping it All") was particularly dreadful..."Dancing" is a tremendous improvement. She seems to pick a better co-author each time.
I'd recommend this to other weirdo Candace fans like myself. If you're looking for solely a Dancing with the Stars book, the bible-thumping will drive you mad and you'd best skip this one.
This is the best of her books, though still nothing brilliant. It's the most "God-heavy" of them, but that didn't annoy me much (after all...you kind of know going in to this book that you're gonna be hearing about God). This one was definitely the best edited of her books and offered the most insight about her. Her first book ("Reshaping it All") was particularly dreadful..."Dancing" is a tremendous improvement. She seems to pick a better co-author each time.
I'd recommend this to other weirdo Candace fans like myself. If you're looking for solely a Dancing with the Stars book, the bible-thumping will drive you mad and you'd best skip this one.
July 21, 2015
Bure shares a core message of standing on conviction no matter if the audience is one or one million. She gives us a glimpse into the boundaries she set even before the first DWTS rehearsal. Boundaries and convictions constantly tested, yet never stretched or broken during her time on the show.
As I read the pages of DTL I felt as if Bure and I were sitting in a coffee shop having a conversation. Her enthusiasm and joy is contagious, refreshing, and honest. I found myself giggling like a school girl even though my iPad wasn’t giggling back (I’m sure there’s an App for that.). And on more than one occasion a joyful tear or two splattered my screen.
DTL is a beautiful reflection of Bure's time in the Word. It is saturated with Scripture, none of which feels forced, cheery-picked, or out of place. Each Scripture seems to have been placed in pages of Bure's heart before she placed it in the pages of her book. A testament to a woman after God's own heart who's true desire is to be salt and light.
I did not want DTL to end and I highly recommend Dancing Through Life to anyone who is looking for encouragement or even just a great read!
As I read the pages of DTL I felt as if Bure and I were sitting in a coffee shop having a conversation. Her enthusiasm and joy is contagious, refreshing, and honest. I found myself giggling like a school girl even though my iPad wasn’t giggling back (I’m sure there’s an App for that.). And on more than one occasion a joyful tear or two splattered my screen.
DTL is a beautiful reflection of Bure's time in the Word. It is saturated with Scripture, none of which feels forced, cheery-picked, or out of place. Each Scripture seems to have been placed in pages of Bure's heart before she placed it in the pages of her book. A testament to a woman after God's own heart who's true desire is to be salt and light.
I did not want DTL to end and I highly recommend Dancing Through Life to anyone who is looking for encouragement or even just a great read!
February 23, 2016
The authenticity of this book was palpable. The voice from Bure is not of an unrelatable Hollywood type. Even though she is a nationally known actress and New York Time’s Bestselling author, she never places herself on a pedestal talking down to her audience. She reveals her encounters with deep-seated matters that were brought to light through her journey on DWTS. One that most of us can relate to is the fear of disappointing others.
I expected this to be an enjoyable memoir type of read, but was surprised to find myself growing throughout the book, learning lessons with Candace. One that really sticks is that living life with conviction isn’t easy and it doesn’t always feel rewarding. Candace took the stand on DWTS to dress modestly which many Christians respected, however, there were some who said her dress was not modest enough. Some inappropriately lambasted her for what they saw as a violation. While on set, she was having difficulties in the dressing department, ensuring there was a little more fabric on the attire they presented her. Some teasing comments were inserted from the crew because being modest in the Hollywood arena is a little unusual. Who knew?
On a similar thread, Candace speaks candidly on the virulent attacks she’s faced on social media (both while on the DWTS and off). She sends off an update with a click of the button, and with only a short time elapsing, she returns to her social media networks to find a war zone. Malicious commenters are berating her, then there is the opposing force blasting the ones who are targeting Candace. What’s worse is that both dueling parties are usually people who wear the title “Christian.� Candace laments on how this could only deter people from the Christian faith, and how she’s had to shake off the criticism over the years.
She uses three Biblical points to caution why this approach isn’t the best. This section of respectably wise boundaries would be good for anyone with a social media account to read- not just out of respect to the celebs, but to anyone’s own personal social media networks. I love her quote on trying to please others:
“I decided that I’d rather be the best Christian with all my flaws and be true to my walk than to live my life so that other people will feel like I’m making the right choices.�
You can zip on over to to read the rest of the review. See you there! :)
I received this book for free from B&H and the opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.�
I expected this to be an enjoyable memoir type of read, but was surprised to find myself growing throughout the book, learning lessons with Candace. One that really sticks is that living life with conviction isn’t easy and it doesn’t always feel rewarding. Candace took the stand on DWTS to dress modestly which many Christians respected, however, there were some who said her dress was not modest enough. Some inappropriately lambasted her for what they saw as a violation. While on set, she was having difficulties in the dressing department, ensuring there was a little more fabric on the attire they presented her. Some teasing comments were inserted from the crew because being modest in the Hollywood arena is a little unusual. Who knew?
On a similar thread, Candace speaks candidly on the virulent attacks she’s faced on social media (both while on the DWTS and off). She sends off an update with a click of the button, and with only a short time elapsing, she returns to her social media networks to find a war zone. Malicious commenters are berating her, then there is the opposing force blasting the ones who are targeting Candace. What’s worse is that both dueling parties are usually people who wear the title “Christian.� Candace laments on how this could only deter people from the Christian faith, and how she’s had to shake off the criticism over the years.
She uses three Biblical points to caution why this approach isn’t the best. This section of respectably wise boundaries would be good for anyone with a social media account to read- not just out of respect to the celebs, but to anyone’s own personal social media networks. I love her quote on trying to please others:
“I decided that I’d rather be the best Christian with all my flaws and be true to my walk than to live my life so that other people will feel like I’m making the right choices.�
You can zip on over to to read the rest of the review. See you there! :)
I received this book for free from B&H and the opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.�
August 17, 2015
I’ve mentioned in the past that I love Full House. And Candace Cameron Bure.
After reading her first two books (you can read my review of her second book, Balancing It All here), I was excited to read her newest book, Dancing Through Life.
Giving an inside-scoop on what her time on Dancing With The Stars was like, Candace shares how each step of her journey shaped her, and how she learned to stay true to herself, live with conviction, and show love to those around her.
Written with incredible wisdom and humor, I found Dancing Through Life to be insightful, encouraging, and fun to read. And while easy to read (I read it in one day), it is not simply an attempt to paint her life as all perfume and pretty dresses� Candace shares some of her personal struggles with identity, finding balance in life, and learning to break free from the shackles of chronic people-pleasing and simply dance for an audience of One, on and off the dance floor.
I particularly enjoyed Candace’s discussion of modesty in Dancing Through Life, as it was a refreshing perspective that was concerned with more than hemlines and necklines.
I would highly recommend Dancing Through Life, and believe it is Candace’s strongest book to date, and I look forward to reading her future work, and sharing it with friends. I would give Dancing Through Life an “A�.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher, B & H Publishing Group. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 .
After reading her first two books (you can read my review of her second book, Balancing It All here), I was excited to read her newest book, Dancing Through Life.
Giving an inside-scoop on what her time on Dancing With The Stars was like, Candace shares how each step of her journey shaped her, and how she learned to stay true to herself, live with conviction, and show love to those around her.
Written with incredible wisdom and humor, I found Dancing Through Life to be insightful, encouraging, and fun to read. And while easy to read (I read it in one day), it is not simply an attempt to paint her life as all perfume and pretty dresses� Candace shares some of her personal struggles with identity, finding balance in life, and learning to break free from the shackles of chronic people-pleasing and simply dance for an audience of One, on and off the dance floor.
I particularly enjoyed Candace’s discussion of modesty in Dancing Through Life, as it was a refreshing perspective that was concerned with more than hemlines and necklines.
I would highly recommend Dancing Through Life, and believe it is Candace’s strongest book to date, and I look forward to reading her future work, and sharing it with friends. I would give Dancing Through Life an “A�.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher, B & H Publishing Group. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 .
July 24, 2015
OK... everyone that knows me I love 2 things in this life. Jesus & Dancing with the Stars.
You think I'm joking.
It's true.
So you have to know that this book was just made for me to devour.
I so loved when Candace Cameron Bure was on DWTS in Season 18 & the faith she showed - getting Jesus name out for the whole word to hear. She carried herself so well during that season & loved she made it to the finals.
This book is just a glimpse of her experience with the show, what happens behind the scenes & little glimpses at what we didn't see. This even made me like Mark even more as we got to see deeper into how he was the partner leading Candace on this journey.
But what makes this book so cool, as every dance goes on, she finds a way to connect it with a growing spiritual thought for us all to learn from in areas of our own lives. I loved the blend of the worlds & the teachings from this.
I smiled throughout the book at the scripture used & how it all applied so perfectly to the experience she went through on the dance floor... & even had tears come to my eyes reading parts. The chapter where Candace messed up & Mark was talking her through the dance & encouraging all the way? ... my favorite chapter of the book....
If you love Candace - if you love DWTS - you can't pass up this book!
You think I'm joking.
It's true.
So you have to know that this book was just made for me to devour.
I so loved when Candace Cameron Bure was on DWTS in Season 18 & the faith she showed - getting Jesus name out for the whole word to hear. She carried herself so well during that season & loved she made it to the finals.
This book is just a glimpse of her experience with the show, what happens behind the scenes & little glimpses at what we didn't see. This even made me like Mark even more as we got to see deeper into how he was the partner leading Candace on this journey.
But what makes this book so cool, as every dance goes on, she finds a way to connect it with a growing spiritual thought for us all to learn from in areas of our own lives. I loved the blend of the worlds & the teachings from this.
I smiled throughout the book at the scripture used & how it all applied so perfectly to the experience she went through on the dance floor... & even had tears come to my eyes reading parts. The chapter where Candace messed up & Mark was talking her through the dance & encouraging all the way? ... my favorite chapter of the book....
If you love Candace - if you love DWTS - you can't pass up this book!
April 8, 2016
Maybe I would've liked this book more if I was religious. I have nothing against religion and most of my family and friends are religious. But this book drove me crazy! I kind of felt like she was so worried about how she would look to others and staying true to God that she was never herself.
Throughout the book she kept making it sound like since she's a wife and mother that she can't be sexy. That's absurd! What kind of example are you setting to girls who look up to you if you are giving of the impression that you can't be a good wife and mother and be sexy all at the same time? I'm not saying that you should go all slutty JLo, but stressing out over a Little Mermaid costume because it's going to show your middle is crazy. I'm all for modesty, but you're on a dancing show, it's ok to show a little skin. Do what makes you comfortable.
I was also annoyed with her whining about never having time for her kids. Welcome to the real world! Parents work and can't always be there. Your kids will understand. If my mom had to go away for three weeks to make thousands of dollars, I'd survive. It's not going to be forever.
And you shouldn't preach about how eating healthy is important to you when I just saw on Instagram a few weeks ago that you do juice cleanses. That's not healthy.
If she's happy in life, good for her. But personally I think she sounds like a party pooper.
Throughout the book she kept making it sound like since she's a wife and mother that she can't be sexy. That's absurd! What kind of example are you setting to girls who look up to you if you are giving of the impression that you can't be a good wife and mother and be sexy all at the same time? I'm not saying that you should go all slutty JLo, but stressing out over a Little Mermaid costume because it's going to show your middle is crazy. I'm all for modesty, but you're on a dancing show, it's ok to show a little skin. Do what makes you comfortable.
I was also annoyed with her whining about never having time for her kids. Welcome to the real world! Parents work and can't always be there. Your kids will understand. If my mom had to go away for three weeks to make thousands of dollars, I'd survive. It's not going to be forever.
And you shouldn't preach about how eating healthy is important to you when I just saw on Instagram a few weeks ago that you do juice cleanses. That's not healthy.
If she's happy in life, good for her. But personally I think she sounds like a party pooper.
February 3, 2022
Typically, I don't listen to audiobooks for no other reason than personal preference, but for this book I listened to the book while simultaneously reading the ebook and I think this combination made it so much more of an immersive experience.
This book is more than a memoir. Don't expect to pick this book up and get 'hot gossip' because it really isn't that kind of book. It's more of a book surrounding and detailing Candace Cameron Bure's experience on Dancing With the Stars and her journey.
I will say that for those who avoid any book involving religion (specifically Christianity), this will not be the book for you to pick up. However, I will also say that many could benefit reading this book even if they aren't involved with religion, from a different perspective. Simply put, this is a good non-fiction book that could be an aid for many as it has messages on perseverance, strength, personal convictions, etc.
I really enjoyed this book along with the experience that accompanied it. I definitely recommend both the audiobook and the physical book and know that in the future I will be doing something similar with non-fiction titles as I felt this experience was so beneficial.
This book is more than a memoir. Don't expect to pick this book up and get 'hot gossip' because it really isn't that kind of book. It's more of a book surrounding and detailing Candace Cameron Bure's experience on Dancing With the Stars and her journey.
I will say that for those who avoid any book involving religion (specifically Christianity), this will not be the book for you to pick up. However, I will also say that many could benefit reading this book even if they aren't involved with religion, from a different perspective. Simply put, this is a good non-fiction book that could be an aid for many as it has messages on perseverance, strength, personal convictions, etc.
I really enjoyed this book along with the experience that accompanied it. I definitely recommend both the audiobook and the physical book and know that in the future I will be doing something similar with non-fiction titles as I felt this experience was so beneficial.
May 18, 2016
Real, Encouraging, Honest, Heartfelt & Insightful! A Beautiful Read! I Loved It!
May 1, 2017
Hmm....I'm thinking this is slightly higher than a 2 star for me but, not by much. I like Candace even though I don't share many of her views. I read her book Balancing it All last year and liked it well enough, but this one was kind of messy. It seemed to go all over the place in each chapter. I know she likes to incorporate her faith into her books, which, even though I don't follow the same faith as her doesn't really bother me, but in some places it just didn't really mesh with what she was writing about as far as her time on DWTS goes. In some places it did, but in others it was distracting. I notice she had a different co-author on this book so maybe that was part of the problem. It was an okay read.
September 11, 2015
I'll start out by saying that I'm an evangelical Christian and a fan of Candace Cameron Bure. That being said, this book is a disappointment and reflects much of what's wrong with celebrity Christianity. As you can tell by other reviews. people LOVE Candace and love this book--overlooking all of its faults--but they need to step back and look at who she really is as portrayed here. I've met her and her mother and her brother, so I'm not just speaking as a person who is unaware of their family of faith.
The book is part Dancing With The Stars overview and part spiritual guide to life. Neither parts work very well and together it's awkward. She strains to take "lessons" she learns on the TV show and then plug in Bible verses or Bible stories that apply. The problem is that some scripture verses she uses don't relate at all to what she is going through on the show.
She gets to the point of being preachy, looking down her celebrity nose at those that tweeted her concerned about her strange choices on the show. She's in denial about some of the songs she danced to or the skimpy costumes she wore, claiming that she wasn't compromising her faith. Yes she was, and this would have been a better book if she would have had some objective comments from others about it. Instead she deflects all criticism and instead criticizes those who post negative things online, trying to use verses to support her view that it's Biblically wrong to tweet something negative! ha! (Ironic that she takes pages to condemn those who used 140 characters to condemn her.) She also brags--a lot. She has a lot of pride in herself, her fame, her celebrity, her fans, etc. For a person who keeps telling us how humbled she is she certainly brags a lot. This is a woman who makes a lot of money, whose husband was rich and famous, and who does not have a normal life (after the TV show she flew out to shoot three movies in a row)--but she works hard to claim she's normal.
The biggest problem is that at her core Candace is a very anxious person and the book is filled with her nervousness from start to finish. She never really addresses the fact that she is TOO anxious, constantly. She has some deep psychological issues, a few of which are briefly mentioned when the producers send her to a session with reality TV's Dr. Jenn! And that her go-to when she gets anxious is running away to have prayer and sending frantic emails to her prayer group. While that is somewhat admirable, it reveals something I was never aware of before--that many evangelical Christians are scared, anxious, shy people that use God as a shelter from their fears and criticisms instead of dealing with their issues head-on. There are many times when it sounds like her dancing partner Mark was ready to give up on her because she was so immature and psychologically a wreck. This surprised me, since on the show they seemed to get along well. But her constant need for affirmation and someone to tell her how okay she was means that she is the very opposite of who she claims to be. She's not the solid woman of faith but rather that nervous child trying to be perfect in pleasing everyone around her (which she admits to being when young).
The biggest shock of the book is how she almost never mentions the men in her family. Her husband gets a couple lines (while her kids are often discussed). Her dad almost nothing (while her mom is mentioned much more). And her famous evangelical Christian brother is basically missing from the book. What's going on? How can she discuss her life and make it sound like she barely talks to her husband, rarely sees her dad, and doesn't even acknowledge her much more famous brother (who, by the way, is also a shy nervous but overly bold Christian just like her!)?
As an evangelical Christian she works hard to push the gospel at people in this book, but what I came away with was that often what people are on the outside is very different from who they are on the inside. She presents a beautiful face and body, matched by an almost perfect faith, but in truth is a scared little girl who has trouble believing in herself and needs constant affirmation. She certainly got it on this TV show, but it's hard to say whether she is the kind of role model for Christian women that she tries to be by writing this book.
The book is part Dancing With The Stars overview and part spiritual guide to life. Neither parts work very well and together it's awkward. She strains to take "lessons" she learns on the TV show and then plug in Bible verses or Bible stories that apply. The problem is that some scripture verses she uses don't relate at all to what she is going through on the show.
She gets to the point of being preachy, looking down her celebrity nose at those that tweeted her concerned about her strange choices on the show. She's in denial about some of the songs she danced to or the skimpy costumes she wore, claiming that she wasn't compromising her faith. Yes she was, and this would have been a better book if she would have had some objective comments from others about it. Instead she deflects all criticism and instead criticizes those who post negative things online, trying to use verses to support her view that it's Biblically wrong to tweet something negative! ha! (Ironic that she takes pages to condemn those who used 140 characters to condemn her.) She also brags--a lot. She has a lot of pride in herself, her fame, her celebrity, her fans, etc. For a person who keeps telling us how humbled she is she certainly brags a lot. This is a woman who makes a lot of money, whose husband was rich and famous, and who does not have a normal life (after the TV show she flew out to shoot three movies in a row)--but she works hard to claim she's normal.
The biggest problem is that at her core Candace is a very anxious person and the book is filled with her nervousness from start to finish. She never really addresses the fact that she is TOO anxious, constantly. She has some deep psychological issues, a few of which are briefly mentioned when the producers send her to a session with reality TV's Dr. Jenn! And that her go-to when she gets anxious is running away to have prayer and sending frantic emails to her prayer group. While that is somewhat admirable, it reveals something I was never aware of before--that many evangelical Christians are scared, anxious, shy people that use God as a shelter from their fears and criticisms instead of dealing with their issues head-on. There are many times when it sounds like her dancing partner Mark was ready to give up on her because she was so immature and psychologically a wreck. This surprised me, since on the show they seemed to get along well. But her constant need for affirmation and someone to tell her how okay she was means that she is the very opposite of who she claims to be. She's not the solid woman of faith but rather that nervous child trying to be perfect in pleasing everyone around her (which she admits to being when young).
The biggest shock of the book is how she almost never mentions the men in her family. Her husband gets a couple lines (while her kids are often discussed). Her dad almost nothing (while her mom is mentioned much more). And her famous evangelical Christian brother is basically missing from the book. What's going on? How can she discuss her life and make it sound like she barely talks to her husband, rarely sees her dad, and doesn't even acknowledge her much more famous brother (who, by the way, is also a shy nervous but overly bold Christian just like her!)?
As an evangelical Christian she works hard to push the gospel at people in this book, but what I came away with was that often what people are on the outside is very different from who they are on the inside. She presents a beautiful face and body, matched by an almost perfect faith, but in truth is a scared little girl who has trouble believing in herself and needs constant affirmation. She certainly got it on this TV show, but it's hard to say whether she is the kind of role model for Christian women that she tries to be by writing this book.
July 22, 2015
Enjoyed reading this book! I was so impressed with the way Candace can relate to all of us at different levels and tie scripture in to help us understand that, though people watch us, our journey is ultimately between ourselves and God. Engaging stories about her time on the Dancing with the Stars show will keep you turning the pages with an increasing admiration for what it takes to stand firm for your beliefs in our culture today and what a good example of that looks like. Highly recommend this book!
August 19, 2016
This is a chronicle of Cameron Bure' s stint on Dancing With the Stars and how she used it as a platform to maintain and share her faith. It is an interesting look at DWTS as well as a compelling journey of her testimony. There are some good biblical references here, Esther and David, for example. This is more about her testimony than her dancing. Regardless of faith, it is an interesting look at the celebrity' s beliefs and the show.
Copy provided by Publisher and NetGalley
Copy provided by Publisher and NetGalley
August 29, 2015
Fast read. I'm a fan and really enjoyed it but not sure non-fans would.
January 29, 2016
Disappointing. I'm a Christian and like Candace Cameron Bure, so I was excited to see this book on the library shelf. Unfortunately, it was not well done. Candace's experiences and beliefs could have yielded an amazing book but she (and her editor) seemed to lack the talent or the time to hone this book into something really good.
It was a jumbled mess. Decide what type of book you want to write (behind the scenes stories from DWTS, stream of consciousness ramblings, or bible study), organize the book better and edit with a critical eye! This is the type of book non-believers can easily (and somewhat justifiably) mock and pick to shreds.
There were three main types of writing jumbled together :
- Candace's first hand experiences on DWTS and behind-the-scenes viewpoints & personal comments. This was very interesting. But I had to read through a bunch of other stuff to get these interesting nuggets. She also sometimes shares brief thoughts or beliefs directly tied to her reality on DWTS. I also enjoyed these.
- Long rambling personal thoughts. These could go on for paragraphs or even pages and sometimes resembled a stream of consciousness. No one needs to know every thought that passes through your head! You end up looking flaky or self-defensive. Edit, edit, edit! Decide what ideas you want to convey and try to do it more effectively.
- Bible study/historical biblical lessons. Out of nowhere there would be paragraphs or even pages with a historical bible lesson, reflection on a bible verse or some theological teaching. One moment you are reading gossip on the DWTS costume staff and the next you are getting a history of St. Paul. It was disorienting to say the least. I have no problem with sharing your beliefs or writing bible study workbooks, but organize yourself! Perhaps each chapter could have had a "biblical reflections/inspirations" section at the end with this information. It had a totally different tone and feel than other parts of the book and was jarring. It felt heavy-handed and unrelated to her personal story at times.
It was a jumbled mess. Decide what type of book you want to write (behind the scenes stories from DWTS, stream of consciousness ramblings, or bible study), organize the book better and edit with a critical eye! This is the type of book non-believers can easily (and somewhat justifiably) mock and pick to shreds.
There were three main types of writing jumbled together :
- Candace's first hand experiences on DWTS and behind-the-scenes viewpoints & personal comments. This was very interesting. But I had to read through a bunch of other stuff to get these interesting nuggets. She also sometimes shares brief thoughts or beliefs directly tied to her reality on DWTS. I also enjoyed these.
- Long rambling personal thoughts. These could go on for paragraphs or even pages and sometimes resembled a stream of consciousness. No one needs to know every thought that passes through your head! You end up looking flaky or self-defensive. Edit, edit, edit! Decide what ideas you want to convey and try to do it more effectively.
- Bible study/historical biblical lessons. Out of nowhere there would be paragraphs or even pages with a historical bible lesson, reflection on a bible verse or some theological teaching. One moment you are reading gossip on the DWTS costume staff and the next you are getting a history of St. Paul. It was disorienting to say the least. I have no problem with sharing your beliefs or writing bible study workbooks, but organize yourself! Perhaps each chapter could have had a "biblical reflections/inspirations" section at the end with this information. It had a totally different tone and feel than other parts of the book and was jarring. It felt heavy-handed and unrelated to her personal story at times.
September 16, 2015
Growing up in the 90's, I, like many of my peers, absolutely loved Full House. Though I was closer in age to Stephanie, I identified with D.J., and I really admired her portrayer, Candace Cameron. After the show ended (which crushed me, by the way), Candace married and stepped out of the spotlight. I sort of loosely kept up with her throughout the years, and then she began appearing more regularly on Hallmark films (which I'm a sucker for!), so I started paying more attention to her and her faith. Then she signed onto Dancing with the Stars, and I faithfully watched. Dancing Through Life details her time on the show.
I really enjoyed Dancing through Life. While a portion of each chapter traces Candace's Dancing with the Stars journey, the rest of each chapter is dedicated to the lessons Candace learned each week, and she shows how those lessons applied to her own life and can apply to other Christians.
I thought Candace came across as very relatable. Yes, her life is far different from mine, but the way she opened up about her struggles made her feel like any other Christian woman who is trying to do the right thing. I also found myself challenged by her; if she can share her faith and stand by her convictions in Hollywood, surely I can do the same in small town Nebraska!
Of course, I very much enjoyed the behind the scenes look at Dancing with the Stars—I've been watching off and on since the first season, so it was fun to see some of the inner workings of the show. I'm glad I had the opportunity to read Dancing Through Life, and I highly recommend it, especially for Christian women who love Full House or DWTS! 4-1/2 stars.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free for review through Icon Media Group. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
I really enjoyed Dancing through Life. While a portion of each chapter traces Candace's Dancing with the Stars journey, the rest of each chapter is dedicated to the lessons Candace learned each week, and she shows how those lessons applied to her own life and can apply to other Christians.
I thought Candace came across as very relatable. Yes, her life is far different from mine, but the way she opened up about her struggles made her feel like any other Christian woman who is trying to do the right thing. I also found myself challenged by her; if she can share her faith and stand by her convictions in Hollywood, surely I can do the same in small town Nebraska!
Of course, I very much enjoyed the behind the scenes look at Dancing with the Stars—I've been watching off and on since the first season, so it was fun to see some of the inner workings of the show. I'm glad I had the opportunity to read Dancing Through Life, and I highly recommend it, especially for Christian women who love Full House or DWTS! 4-1/2 stars.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free for review through Icon Media Group. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
January 9, 2016
Confession #1 I watch dancing with the stars. It's a guilty pleasure of mine.
Confession #2 I can't wait for fuller house to premiere on Netflix. I also watch Full House reruns.
Okay, now that I've confessed I can give my thoughts on this book. I had moments where I loved this book, and moments where it kind of made me cringe. I loved how honest Candace is in this book. I loved learning about her faith in Jesus and how she relates that to everyday life. I loved learning about some of the ins and outs of Dancing with the stars. I loved how normal Candace seemed, for being a celebrity. I loved how devoted she is to her religion.
The parts that made me cringe a little bit was the writing style. Being a Christian myself, I at times found the way the book was written come across preachy. It wasn't anything about her beliefs personally, more the way it was written.
However, that is easy to overlook, and is not necessarily a good reason to not read this book. It is refreshing to see someone in the Hollywood scene stand true to her beliefs and herself. She brought up many valuable lessons that can be learned through our thoughts and mistakes. I loved how she said that in order to achieve perfection, we should not be looking at her, as she is far from perfect, but we should be looking to Jesus Christ.
Confession #2 I can't wait for fuller house to premiere on Netflix. I also watch Full House reruns.
Okay, now that I've confessed I can give my thoughts on this book. I had moments where I loved this book, and moments where it kind of made me cringe. I loved how honest Candace is in this book. I loved learning about her faith in Jesus and how she relates that to everyday life. I loved learning about some of the ins and outs of Dancing with the stars. I loved how normal Candace seemed, for being a celebrity. I loved how devoted she is to her religion.
The parts that made me cringe a little bit was the writing style. Being a Christian myself, I at times found the way the book was written come across preachy. It wasn't anything about her beliefs personally, more the way it was written.
However, that is easy to overlook, and is not necessarily a good reason to not read this book. It is refreshing to see someone in the Hollywood scene stand true to her beliefs and herself. She brought up many valuable lessons that can be learned through our thoughts and mistakes. I loved how she said that in order to achieve perfection, we should not be looking at her, as she is far from perfect, but we should be looking to Jesus Christ.
August 20, 2015
I enjoyed watching Candace on DWTS; especially how she was able to live her faith and still be true to the competition. My lower rating is because I was wanting more of the behind-the-scenes stuff; this is about 30% about her time on the show and about 70% devotional. That's fine, and she's a great writer, but as a big fan of the show I was left wanting more.
August 3, 2015
I have all 3 of Candaces' books, but this one is proving to be my favorite. There are so many areas of this book that resonate with where I am at in my life right now.
From having a bigger than expected platform to live my truth to acting with kindness (especially in this world of social media). From dealing with severe stress & anxiety (to the point of completely blanking out & forgetting what you're supposed to be doing in the moment) to realizing there's someone out there who always has our back ("I've got you. It's ok. Right leg. Left leg. Stretch. Turn around. I've got you. It's ok. Love you. Love you. Love you. We're gonna make it. We're gonna make it.")
This book has a little something for everyone. Candace, you've knocked it out of the park with this one!!!
From having a bigger than expected platform to live my truth to acting with kindness (especially in this world of social media). From dealing with severe stress & anxiety (to the point of completely blanking out & forgetting what you're supposed to be doing in the moment) to realizing there's someone out there who always has our back ("I've got you. It's ok. Right leg. Left leg. Stretch. Turn around. I've got you. It's ok. Love you. Love you. Love you. We're gonna make it. We're gonna make it.")
This book has a little something for everyone. Candace, you've knocked it out of the park with this one!!!
November 5, 2015
I've read all of her books and I think this was the best as far as what I got out it. I honestly just expected to get a little "behind the scenes" sneak peek from her experience on Dancing with the Stars. BUT, I was wrong.
I was really impressed how she tied her experiences and lessons from the show to more general life lessons that could apply to anyone, while incorporating biblical references. Well done and I would recommend this book to just about anyone.
I was really impressed how she tied her experiences and lessons from the show to more general life lessons that could apply to anyone, while incorporating biblical references. Well done and I would recommend this book to just about anyone.
July 31, 2015
Content rating: 4/5
Editing rating: 2/5 due to excessive use of exclamation points! I think there were at least three per page!
In all seriousness, this book was enjoyable, even though I didn't watch Candace's season of "Dancing With the Stars" because we had cancelled our cable TV. Biblically sound, conversational in tone, an easy read overall.
Editing rating: 2/5 due to excessive use of exclamation points! I think there were at least three per page!
In all seriousness, this book was enjoyable, even though I didn't watch Candace's season of "Dancing With the Stars" because we had cancelled our cable TV. Biblically sound, conversational in tone, an easy read overall.
August 2, 2015
I am loving this book so far! I love that she uses scripture to back up her statements, and I feel like I connect to so much of what she says as a working mom. I'm also a DWTS fan, so it's fun to read about her side of it.
December 21, 2018
DNF at 1%
I just couldn't get into this audiobook. As much as I like CCB and want to hear about her DWTS experience, I cannot stand her narration. Which is surprising since I figured she'd be a good narrator given that she's an actress. But nope.
I just couldn't get into this audiobook. As much as I like CCB and want to hear about her DWTS experience, I cannot stand her narration. Which is surprising since I figured she'd be a good narrator given that she's an actress. But nope.
December 30, 2015
I like and respect Candace but this book was a no for me. It sounded like she was making a mountain out of molehill.
January 25, 2016
I'm a huge fan, but I thought her second book was better than this one. I hope she continues to write more though!
March 6, 2025
Another winner in my book! I adore Candace and what she stands for, and this book was no exception!
August 21, 2018
I've never watched Dancing with the Stars, but I picked up this book free with a coupon at Lifeway when attending a Bible Study there in the store. The reason I wanted to read it was to hear Candace Cameron Bure's perspective on standing on your convictions in a culture that's hostile to them - and that's not just in Hollywood anymore.
I believe most readers will be surprised by the descriptions in this book of the grueling schedule that these dancers and stars endure to be part of the show. There's a section in the middle with photos, and some are of Candace's injuries. Truly, to keep a good attitude in the season would be a major character building experience!
I liked the way Candace speaks about the foundations for her decisions about modesty, dance moves, etc. She used both scripture and advisors that she trusted, and in making a final decision, she had to accept that she would never be able to please everyone. She suffered hits of criticism from every side, and learned a lot about herself when things were very tense and she was physically and emotionally exhausted.
This book did satisfy the reason I picked it up, which was to be encouraged to courageously carry on when I stand for my own faith convictions. I appreciated that she used scripture to demonstrate the foundation that her decisions were grounded in. As an author and reader, though, I found the trail of the account distracting. It seemed to wander around between her personal family situations, DWTS situations, background in growing up, people she valued in her life for godly decisions, etc. The book could have had more impact if it had been focused on the DWTS challenges that season and how she met them head-on with her faith, but Christian readers who follow Candace and are DWTS fans will find plenty to love in this book.
I believe most readers will be surprised by the descriptions in this book of the grueling schedule that these dancers and stars endure to be part of the show. There's a section in the middle with photos, and some are of Candace's injuries. Truly, to keep a good attitude in the season would be a major character building experience!
I liked the way Candace speaks about the foundations for her decisions about modesty, dance moves, etc. She used both scripture and advisors that she trusted, and in making a final decision, she had to accept that she would never be able to please everyone. She suffered hits of criticism from every side, and learned a lot about herself when things were very tense and she was physically and emotionally exhausted.
This book did satisfy the reason I picked it up, which was to be encouraged to courageously carry on when I stand for my own faith convictions. I appreciated that she used scripture to demonstrate the foundation that her decisions were grounded in. As an author and reader, though, I found the trail of the account distracting. It seemed to wander around between her personal family situations, DWTS situations, background in growing up, people she valued in her life for godly decisions, etc. The book could have had more impact if it had been focused on the DWTS challenges that season and how she met them head-on with her faith, but Christian readers who follow Candace and are DWTS fans will find plenty to love in this book.
November 27, 2020
I have loved Candace through the years and will continue to find joy and inspiration from everything she creates.
Dancing through life discussion questions
Question one is there a show or movie or book that you would love to be a part of?
How do you think Candace did bringing Jesus to the world?
Do you have a most memorable year? Chapter 4
Have you ever needed a wake up call to get your priorities straight? To your family or back God? P68
Pg 87 Candace goes over a list of rude comments. How would you cope with the hate?
On 102 Candace talks about womanhood and being a good woman, what does being a Godly woman mean to you?
On 131 we are reminded the Gods character does not change. Ever while we are ever changing God is and always will be the one unwevering consant and stable thing. What are other things you wish were constant?
Who is your hero? Chapter ten.
On page 156 she says I am not a ballroom dancer but they didn’t keep me off the dancing with the stars � stage. What has God given you the strength to start? (whether it be a hobby or a job or relationship?)
Has your faith grown or been encouraged while reading Dancing Through Life?
Dancing through life discussion questions
Question one is there a show or movie or book that you would love to be a part of?
How do you think Candace did bringing Jesus to the world?
Do you have a most memorable year? Chapter 4
Have you ever needed a wake up call to get your priorities straight? To your family or back God? P68
Pg 87 Candace goes over a list of rude comments. How would you cope with the hate?
On 102 Candace talks about womanhood and being a good woman, what does being a Godly woman mean to you?
On 131 we are reminded the Gods character does not change. Ever while we are ever changing God is and always will be the one unwevering consant and stable thing. What are other things you wish were constant?
Who is your hero? Chapter ten.
On page 156 she says I am not a ballroom dancer but they didn’t keep me off the dancing with the stars � stage. What has God given you the strength to start? (whether it be a hobby or a job or relationship?)
Has your faith grown or been encouraged while reading Dancing Through Life?
December 1, 2017
This was such an interesting book as I didn’t know Candace starred in Dancing with the Stars which I’ve never watched or really care to. Even though she’s on the other end of Bible separation from where I’m at, she gave such a clear testimony of salvation! She used lots of Scripture which surprised me and even gave some pretty good guidelines for finding a good church! Even though I don’t agree with her on a lot, I do appreciate the stand she is taking, and that she does not water down the gospel at all. I also learned that she works extremely hard at what she does!
March 5, 2024
Eh. This wasn’t quite what I expected. I’m not a huge fan of DWTS and the Bible quotes were a bit more than what I had hoped for. I am a devout Christian and have a strong faith, but this was a lot. With all due respect, another child actor who has found a positive path into adulthood, I praise her for that.
May 15, 2021
Such an incredible read!! I listened to it on audible, it’s my third book I’ve read of hers and they’ve all been wonderful. I got a lot out of this specific book and learned a lot. Definitely recommend!!
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