*I received a free copy of Death Dancer from via Enchantress Design and Promo. This has in no way influenced my voluntary review, which is honest and unbiased *
Death Dancer Series: Dangerous Dancers #2 on 29 November 2016
Pages: 228
Book two in the Dangerous Dancers series
A tattooed dancer and a by-the-book detective dance with death in the ego-fueled halls of ballet.
Bad boy of ballet Valentin ‘Val’ Aalto stands poised on the verge of huge success—except for one big obstacle. Influential lead dancer Harry Hardesty hates Val and cheats him out of the lead in Romeo and Juliet.
When Hardesty winds up dead, Val looks like a prime suspect—and gets thrown under the detailed and methodical inspection of the handsome NY detective with the stick up his butt, Andrew Preston. At first, Preston believes Hardesty may be the victim of the chilling Dancer Killer who’s struck three victims, but evidence stacks up against Val.
Still, Andrew can’t seem to keep his hands off his suspect and when the Dancer Killer starts stalking Val, Andrew is forced to choose between his dedication to a job he loves and his growing passion for his beautiful dancer. Together Val and Andrew discover that chaos can be beautiful, one should choose desserts wisely, and love can even trump death in the rehearsal halls of ballet.
Death Dancer had it all! A whirlwind romance, death, a mystery, a thrilling serial killer chase and true love.
I enjoyed Death Dancer a great deal, from the characters that were both relatable and likeable, the dancing, the serial killer, the dancing… I found the chemistry between Andrew and Val to be off the charts from the first time they met, and I really enjoyed that they both wanted to see what could happen between them. While Andrew wasn’t out at work, he wasn’t exactly hiding, either, and that’s something I really liked! I have some friends who happen to be gay, and they are always telling me that they don’t get why they should explain to colleagues that they are gay, as others don’t go around explaining to colleagues that they are straight. And that is something I can completely understand!
There were several layers of intrigue and mystery in Death Dancer, because there was a serial killer out there who killed good-looking, young dancers. And the crimes each seemed to escalate with each new victim. When Val seemed to become the focus for the killer, he was both lucky and happy to have Andrew in his life, plus his elderly neighbour Cassandra to keep him occupied and cheerful. The dance aspect of the novel made me dream of beautiful ballets and extraordinary movements, and now, I want to see a show as soon as possible.
If you enjoy romances with mystery and tension, with characters that are slightly unconventional but loyal to a fault Death Dancer should make it to your shelf and be read as soon as you have a chance!
“Yeah. The girls all want to shag him. So do half the boys, and the other half want to be him. He gets a lot of respect for his dancing and I guess he stood up for a girl who was being berated by their lead dancer – who’s pretty much hated by the way. The lead, not the girl. The girl’s adorable.” She laughed. “I’d take her dancing anytime.”
“Don’t worry, we’ll make it just right.” “Rain check.” The guy narrowed his mascaraed eyes. “I’m praying for a hurricane, baby.”
If he could eat curiosity, he’d be full.
Death Dancer Excerpt
Is that light? Val opened an eye and frowned at the sliver of brightness seeping around his closed blinds. What the fuck time is it? Am I late for rehearsal? Jesus, he never slept like this. A lifetime of living with different relatives and in ballet school with all kinds of people had turned him into a light sleeper.
Wait. No weight on his back. No soft breathing. He’d heard breath earlier—hadn’t he? He sat up, the covers falling to his hips.
Across the room, Andrew was pulling on his sport coat as he watched his foot slide on a loafer, sockless.
“Leaving without saying goodbye?”
“Oh, uh, not necessarily, but you were sleeping quite soundly.”
“Yeah, well, I was fucked into another dimension.” He rubbed a hand over his neck.
Andrew’s cheeks turned pink.
So, hello to the bumbling detective.
“Oddly, I slept like the dead. I usually wake up at the sound of a leaf. I can’t imagine what got into me.”
Val grinned. “I can. What time is it?”
“Six.”
“In the morning?”
“Uh yes.”
“Holy shit! Don’t I remember something about a day off for you?”
“No, that was a night off. Night’s over.”
Val raised his legs and hugged his knees, the sheet covering them. “So, apparently, is your liaison with my ass.”
“I have to get to work.”
Val flipped the sheet off his lap to reveal a very upright example of morning erection. “That’s exactly what I was thinking.” He bared his teeth in his snarkiest grin.
“An impressive invitation.” That produced a small smile.
“A national characteristic. Us Finns are well endowed. It’s scientific fact.” Val eyed the proper law enforcement officer in front of him. “What’s your excuse?”
Another blush. “Well, my father was known as a horse’s ass. Maybe I got the cock?”
Val fell back against his pillow and laughed. Andrew amazed him. Funny, dry, witty—weird. “So, question.” He flipped on his side.
“Okay.”
“In the throes last night, you on several occasions mentioned ‘the next time’. Is there going to be one?”
“I, uh, hope so.”
“Me too.”
Andrew smiled shyly and walked toward the door.
“Andrew?”
“Yes?”
“Who is that guy who fucked my brains out last night?”
Wrinkles played across his forehead. “I’m not altogether sure.”
The door opened. Gone.
Whew.
Order Links:
Pride Publishing | Amazon | B&N | Kobo
Series information : Dangerous Dancers
Order Links:
Pride Publishing | Amazon | B&N | Kobo
Tara Lain writes the Beautiful Boys of Romance in LGBT erotic romance novels that star her unique, charismatic heroes. Her first novel was published in January of 2011 and she’s now somewhere around book 32. Her best-selling novels have garnered awards for Best Series, Best Contemporary Romance, Best Paranormal Romance, Best Ménage, Best LGBT Romance, Best Gay Characters, and Tara has been named Best Writer of the Year in the LRC Awards. In her other job, Tara owns an advertising and public relations firm. She often does workshops on both author promotion and writing craft. She lives with her soul-mate husband and her soul-mate dog near the sea in California where she sets a lot of her books. Passionate about diversity, justice, and new experiences, Tara says on her tombstone it will say “Yes”!
Author Links:
Website | Blog | Twitter | FB Author Page | Goodreads | Pinterest |
Thanks for stopping by today. Good luck in the giveaway 🙂
★★★★½ #Review Death Dancer by Tara Lain had it all - romance, mystery, humor Share on XReading this book contributed to these challenges:
About Linda @ (un)Conventional Bookworms
Linda is an English as foreign language teacher and has a Master's degree in English Language and Literature. She's an avid reader, blogger, compulsive one-clicker and a genre omnivore. Ever since she learnt how to read she has been seen with a book or two in her hands everywhere she goes.
Well, you know I love books with all the elements you listed, so of course I noted this one down! 😉
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Thank you, Silvia!! : )
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You are going to love this one, Silvia, I’m pretty sure of it 🙂
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Lexxie, thank you so much for reading DEATH DANCER. I’m happy dancing over here since this is kind of a new subgenre for me. Honored that you liked it!! : )
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It was so well done, Tara! It had just the right amount of tension and mystery, and the romance was so swoony 🙂
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I had to laugh that you kept mentioning the dancing, Lexxie. This isn’t my normal genre but I think it might be time to read outside the box again. And that cover is a work of art!
The giveaway is a nice surprise. Crossing fingers, toes, eyes……!
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Hi Laura! Good luck and if you decide to try it, hope you enjoy it. : )
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Yeah, well, the dancing is even in the title… plus, I love the beauty and grace of dancers, so I could imagine a lot of the moves in there.
I hope you’ll win the big prize, Laura 🙂
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This sounds like a good read Lexxie! Great review!
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It was so good, Laura!!
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You know, I thought I signed up for this tour…Hmm…well, I’m happy it was such a wonderful read, Lexxie. I’ll have to pick up this one since I like the sound of the mystery as well as the romance. And I like your comment about not feeling it necessary to explain to co-workers your sexual orientation. That’s so true!
I hope your week is off to a great start! Miss you! *LOVE & BIG HUGS*
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Oh no, Brandee! I hope your e-mail wasn’t lost somehow! And you’ll definitely have to pick this one up, it was very well done, and I really enjoyed the characters, too.
Yeah, my friend is very right about hetero people not saying anything at all about our sexual orientation to co-workers, and so, he doesn’t see why He should 🙂
Miss you too!! Lots and lots! {{{BIG HUGS}}} and love <3
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is good looking a reason to be killed? glad i’m plain jane then
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