BEYOND THE TANGO

"Whether you are looking for a guide to long-term relationships or help on specific topics such as parenting, loneliness, sexuality, or spirituality, this book is for you. Susan draws from her own experience, wisdom of experts, and examples from movies and books in this thorough and engaging description of the joys and struggles of relationships. The result is applicable information, insight, and inspiration. I highly recommend Beyond the Tango."

Rev. Dr. David B. Reynolds

Licensed Psychotherapist and Minister

“Susan McKeown has written a very readable, practical book animated by her rich personal and professional experiences, packed with sensible advice, and backed up by solid research. This comprehensive guidebook navigating the lifelong dance of marriage hits the mark with its many relatable anecdotes and tested strategies for dealing effectively with the complex dynamics of family life over the lifespan. Particularly helpful are steps at the end of each chapter suggesting how to maintain a healthy sense of self while promoting a loving, respectful, and even joyful marriage through the years. I recommend this honest and hopeful book to all couples who are seeking to assess, renew, or repair their bond, whatever their stage of marriage.”

Stephanie K. Williston, PhD

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist

“As a physician and married father of two, I couldn’t help but think of this book as a great way for me to do a checkup on my own 15 years of marriage.  It’s incredibly thought provoking. The concepts and my own analysis stuck with me for hours after I finished each chapter. No matter where we might be on our marriage journey, having a coach to help us step up our game or adjust our rhythm and dance steps is invaluable.  Susan has managed to give us all something upon which to reflect and grow as individuals and couples.  Highly Recommended!”

Erik M. Shessler, MD
Associate Medical Director- Dartmouth Hitchcock Manchester, NH

“As an engaged couple, we loved reading Susan's first book, Beyond the First Dance, which offered us great insights into establishing good habits early on in our relationship. Susan skillfully pairs clinical knowledge with practical guidance, making her writing approachable for the everyday couple. We are so looking forward to expanding our dance moves with this book.”

Trini Head and Tim Kelly

“McKeown, a long-time marriage and parenting educator, adds helpful insights to the relationship canon in her discussions of the value of compartmentalization in good marriages, strategies for approaching worry, surviving life's unexpected events, and childrearing approaches that lead to renewal rather than burnout.”

Daphne de Marneffe, PhD

Psychologist and Author of The Rough Patch and Maternal Desire

“Beyond the Tango proves that with knowledge and commitment couples can successfully navigate just about every marital challenge. Susan McKeown has done a terrific job of weaving her vast personal and professional experience with expert references, compassion, empathy, and humor into a practical, step-by-step guide to a happy, fulfilling, long lasting marriage. This is a must-read for couples at every stage of their relationships.”

Linda Saunders Paquette, JD

“Relationships are like a dance, but the tempo quickens, and the steps seem to be ever changing. This remarkable book gets it! Beyond the Tango addresses real issues for real couples in ways that invite growth, stability, and a pathway to deeper connections with less stress and more joy.”

Paul S. Boynton

Author of Begin with Yes and Be Amazing

“This new book by Susan McKeown is a sequel to Beyond the First Dance and continues to explore the nature of our most intimate relationships. Using dance to explain our interactions is quite lovely. The chapters are self-contained and helpful with bullet points and references that are on target and easy to understand. Every marriage and long-term relationship can be strengthened by the pearls of wisdom imparted through this book. I highly recommend it.”

Teresa Ponn, MD FACS

“Beyond the Tango, a wonderful guide to keeping your marriage loving and healthy, takes readers through the stages of marriage and its inevitable challenges in a clear, easy to access format that addresses a wide range of strategies and topics, including parenting, finances, intimacy, and even solitude. Susan McKeown provides a wealth of citations for further reading and exploration, along with concrete steps to take for improved communication and self-understanding. After 50 years of marriage, McKeown has plenty of experience to draw on. The stories she shares from her own marriage, full of honesty and humor, form the heart of this indispensable book.”

Katherine Towler

Author of The Penny Poet of Portsmouth

“Susan McKeown has written a guide to marriage and family, drawing not only on her personal and professional experiences but a thorough reading of noted, experienced authors on the related topics. This is an excellent read for marrieds of all ages, but particularly those planning on a marriage. There are invaluable insights here. Should be required reading.”

James F. Conway Jr., MD

“All the ingredients for a good enough marriage come to mind in reading Beyond the Tango.  The most important decision one makes in their life is who to choose for a mate. This book reads like a novel and allows the reader to soak up all the necessary ingredients for a fulfilling, long term relationship. Susan shares her own life experiences both personal and professional to help couples who strive for a healthy, happy marriage.  Let the dance go on.”

DeeDee Souza, MSW, LICSW

"We highly recommend this book to anyone who is married and recommend reading it right away! The book is easy to read, humorous, and gives great insight and advice in a down to earth way. There have been many times during our three-year marriage and now parenthood that we think back on Susan’s stories and teachings-with a relatable laugh or “Ah ha” moment after using her advice and seeing how it supports our marriage."

Duke and Kristin Logan (APRN)

"This book could easily form the basis of a high school course on  marriage. I highly recommend it for teens and young adults who are  starting to date, as well as married couples." 

John J. Buchino, M.D.

Emeritus Professor of Pediatrics

University of Louisville

Louisville, Kentucky

 “In today's fast paced world couples need support, encouragement and a  reliable GPS system to direct them on the road to living married life,  not only happily, but in a way in which each partner thrives.  Susan's  McKeown's book is just that navigation system.  Engaged couples cannot  start early enough to prepare themselves for the dance of their lives.   Susan's experience as a presenter in our Engaged Couple Seminars these  40 years affords her a wealth of experience. All couples will benefit  from reading this informative and life-giving book.  I highly recommend  it as an effective, must-have resource for every couple.”

 Paul Ashton, Psy.D., D.Min. 

 Director, Engaged Couples Seminar 

 Diocese of Manchester, N.H.

 "I read Susan's book with my three adult children in mind and found her  stories, insight and questions provocative and inspiring.  Even  better--I learned some new steps to add to my repertoire of dancing  through 38 years of marriage." 

 Marcy Lyman

 Manchester, N.H. 

"Beyond the First Dance offers a very creative and accessible  approach to preparing couples for the marriage dance—a dance that may  change tempos and styles during the years, but in those marriages that  succeed, it never ends and just keeps getting richer and more loving.”

 Paul and Kathleen Casey

 Ellicott City, Md. 

 Former marriage preparation program leaders

Archdiocese of Baltimore for over 20 years