A SELECTION OF REVIEWS POSTED ON AMAZON AND GOODREADS
CHARACTERS TO CARE ABOUT review by Linda M Rinehart Neas – Author FIVE Stars
I judge a book by how quickly it pulls me into the story and how fast the characters are developed. In Dancing Between the Beats, I was delighted to find both the pull and the development. Dancers will admire the depths Nicholas went to portray the mechanics of Ballroom Dancing as accurately as possible. Anyone who loves a good mystery/drama/love story will enjoy how all of this seems to be entwined in the story line.
As I read on in the story, I found myself caring for the characters. Would Paige find her father? Would Marcos survive Katherine’s sabotage? Would Katherine ruin the lives of everyone, including herself? No spoilers here…you will have to read the story to find out. Suffice it to say, the ending was also quite satisfactory.
GREAT PLOT IN THE BALLROOM DANCING WORLD review by Margo Dill of WOW! Women on Writing FIVE Stars
I really enjoyed Dancing Between the Beats--I liked how the various characters told their own stories and that this book gave a glimpse into competitive and amateur ballroom dancing as well as the instructors' and students' personal lives. My favorite character, believe it or not, might be considered the antagonist, but Katherine, the studio owner, kept me turning pages to the end. I wanted to find out if she would be able to get out of the mess she was in as we slowly watched her self-destruct. I also enjoyed the storyline between Marcus and Paige.
By the end of the book, I felt like I knew these characters pretty well and could see them in a sequel. It was clear to me that this author knew her away around the ballroom dancing world in some capacity or she had done a lot of research! Since I know nothing about it, I found this story world very interesting also!
Review by Ellen Bessala of Alberta, Canada (A BookCrosser) FIVE Stars
Who would have thought that a novel that deals with Ballroom dancing would grab my interest and be that book that I would pick up before I went to bed, reading until I couldn’t keep my eyes open anymore. Then grab with my morning coffee and keep going. Today, I closed “Dancing Between the Beats” for the last time, after reading from 9:30 this morning until 1:30pm. Two cups of coffee and still in my pajamas, I have that marvellous afterglow that one gets from a great book!
I loved the characters, they felt so real, and Katherine, Marcos and Paige were so interesting.
Stellar Must Read – review by Victoria in Phoenix, AZ FIVE Stars
Let me start off by saying, this type of book is not the genre I usually read. I had a bit of trouble actually getting into it, because of my mindset and the genres I prefer. But once I got into the reading about the different individual studio members and learning who they were and how they melded together in this extended family of theirs, I literally could not place the book down. I could actually see myself in the back of the ballroom, watching the students and instructors, the drama between the instructors, the stress of the couples, and the heartfelt connection of some of the Instructors and students had. I will definitely read this book over and over again.
Review by Nicole, Portland OR FIVE Stars
We enter the dazzling world of a dance studio with Lynn Nicholas' book "Dancing Between the Beats." You hear about the lives of the students and the instructors. Of all the characters, though, I enjoyed reading Paige the most. Her storyline really intrigued me and I kept looking forward to the moments I could see her again. This book was filled with drama coming out at all sides! There were secrets kept and hidden agendas. I also thought the author did a great job describing the dance motions. I never once felt lost. This is a fun book with rich characters that will make you want to join a dance studio and take classes. It sure did that for me!
Review by Nancy Brady – Author, FOUR Stars
Despite being a fan of Dancing With the Stars, this reader still found this novel to be a particularly eye-opening read about ballroom dancing. From the author's note at the beginning, she indicates that she has spent some time in the ballroom and has met enough professional and amateur dancers. Further, the author must have some background in competitive dancing. Her explanations and terminology of the various dance moves certainly indicates this as well.
Told from the perspective of several of the instructors, Katherine Carrington, Marcos Stephanos, and Paige Russell, and student, Barbara Bradshaw, the reader is treated to all the ins and outs, the petty (and not-so-petty) jealousies, and the soap opera antics of the various people connected to this Tucson ballroom studio, the Desert DanceSport.
From the top down, Katherine Carrington is the owner and head diva of the place. Marcos Stephanos is the dance master and studio manager. The top dance instructor is Tony Moreno and his highly ambitious professional partner is Sylvie Goldstein. Paige Russell is the newest dance instructor, who is hoping to find her birth father since the loss of her mother.
Many of the characters have their own agendas or secrets to hide, and when they begin to be revealed or clash with others, there are meltdowns. Attitudes and personalities clash as well. Although ballroom dance is the main focus of this debut novel, the story of what is going on with the characters underneath it all is what really drives the novel.
Will Paige find her father? Will the studio survive the petty jealousies and the soap opera antics of the dancers and students?
Overall, a fun read into the lives of those who enjoy ballroom dancing whether by dancing or observing the flourishes and turns of heel-toe leads.
Review by Rick Buda – author – FOUR Stars
This was a pleasant surprise. I began reading Lynn's novel and have to admit I was soon drawn into the story. Her descriptive passages create a mental picture that pops into view in your mind each time characters reenter the space. Ms. Nichols mentions in various writings that the story could happen in any setting, she chose to write it in what she knew the best. Great call. The land of ballroom dancing (besides DWTS) was new to me so, we had an interesting story set in a fascinating background. Wonderful characters round out a mystery we all experience from discovery to solution. Well done.
Review by CK Sorens – Author – FOUR Stars
Dancing offers us a look into Desert DanceSport, a fictional dance studio that has become a de facto community center for its most loyal customers. This Big Cast book takes us through a game of perspectives. Author, Lynn Nicholas, has created deep characters and proved herself unafraid to show every conscious and subconscious bias of each of them. The entire book allows the reader to dive into the real-life drama of dance instruction and running a business while balancing the surrounding egos. Dancing offers a slow burn contemporary drama with real-life circumstances that show things are rarely as bad as we believe and fear is our greatest barrier to growth. Some characters learn, some cannot, and their choices affect the very fate of their beloved Desert DanceSports.