Salsa With Me

by Roni Denholtz

When her grandmother is injured while trying to learn to salsa dance, Marisol Acevedo brings her to the hospital where she meets Dr. Alejandro Lares. She soon learns that the handsome, brilliant doctor will be attending the evening salsa class that she assistant teaches. Alex isn't enthusiastic about learning to salsa for his cousin Pablo's wedding, but his ideas change when he discovers that vivacious Marisol will be one of his teachers. As they spend time together both on and off the dance floor, he can't deny the attraction between them. But Alex, betrayed by his former fiancée, finds it hard to trust this beautiful woman. Marisol dealt with her own heartache years ago, but can't help her growing feelings for Alex. To complicate matters, trouble brews in class when Alex's cousin becomes attracted to Marisol's friend. With meddling families, friends, and salsa students surrounding them, Alex and Marisol will have to be light on their feet to dance their way to a happy ending.

240 pages, Hardcover

First published October 24, 2008

About the author

Roni Paitchel Denholtz is an award-winning author who has had stories, articles and poetry published in magazines such as Modern Romances, True Love, Baby Talk, Complete Woman, For the Bride and Women's Circle. She is the author of nine juvenile books, published by January Productions, an educational publisher. One of her books, "Jenny Gets Glasses" was ranked #7 of the top 20 favorites of first graders in a nationwide study by the Reading is Fundamental group.

Roni has six romances―five traditional contemporary romances and one traditional regency romance―published by AVALON BOOKS. "Marquis in a Minute" won the 2007 New Jersey Golden Leaf Award for Best Regency Romance. "Salsa with Me" was nominated for the 2009 National Reader's Choice Award for Best Traditional Romance; and was nominated for the 2009 Golden Leaf for Best Short Contemporary Romance.

Reviews

[Breanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoy this author. She writes enjoyable, light reads that are perfect to have some down time after classes.
(For clean romance readers: No worries, this book does not have anything at all inappropiate in it).

[Katie(babs) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Marisol Acevedo is a children's librarian who lives with her parents, grandmother and seventeen-year old cousin. Marisol also has a part time job as an assistant teacher at a dancing school where she helps teach the introductory salsa class along with her friend, Celia. One student catches her eye, and that is Dr. Alejandro Lares. Marisol first met Dr. Lares when her seventy-year old grandmother, Margarita, was trying to learn salsa dancing for a wedding she was going to attend. Marisol brought Margarita to the emergency room because one of her toes might have been broken. Dr. Lares is the physician who took care of Margarita, and Marisol is quickly enamored with the handsome doctor.

Alejandro, also known as Alex, is taking dancing lessons along with his cousin, Pablo, and Pablo's fiancée, Irene, for their wedding. Alex is surprised to see that Marisol is one of his teachers. At first he wasn't that thrilled about learning to dance, but now that the pretty Marisol will be leading him through the steps, he can't wait for his weekly dance lessons.

Marisol and Alex quickly become friends outside of class and begin dating. Marisol is falling for the handsome doctor, who seems to enjoy Marisol's company, but continues to hold back a part of himself. Alex does like dating Marisol, but because a past relationship of his ended badly, he is not sure if he can trust a woman with his heart, even if it is the lovely Marisol. Even though things between these two are progressing nicely, Marisol wants more from Alex than just friendship. If Alex doesn't decide to let Marisol into his heart, he may lose something very special.

In the mood for a tender and sweet romance? SALSA WITH ME is definitely a romance that will tug on your heartstrings as Marisol and Alex try to come to terms with their relationship and if Alex can love Marisol the way she deserves. Because Alex goes back and forth many times about his feelings for Marisol, I became annoyed because I felt Alex was treating Marisol unfairly all because of a situation that happened with a past girlfriend. Marisol is such a loving and caring woman, and the way Alex treats her is sweet, but because he won't be honest with his feelings, their relationship threatens to end even before it begins.

Not only does Marisol have to worry about Alex and his trust issues, she also has other problems, such as her friend, Celia, who has fallen for Alex's cousin, Pablo. Pablo and Irene's relationship begins to break down and, by accident, both Marisol and Alex catch Pablo and Celia kissing. This makes things between Alex and Marisol even harder. Marisol also has to watch herself around Leo, another student and former friend of hers who just takes the class because he wants to be closer to Marisol. There ends up being a major twist with Leo and Irene that I found a bit ridiculous, and the way that everything was resolved between Pablo and Irene was a bit too pat for my tastes.

I may have some minor problems with the way the characters act and how everything is resolved all too well by the end of the story, but overall I found Roni Denholtz's SALSA WITH ME to be an adorable read for those who like a more traditional type of romance where the happily ever after is so very perfect.

[Gina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Librarian Marisol Acevedo meets a handsome ER doc when her grandmother suffers a minor injury. She's delighted to discover he'll be taking salsa lessons at the dance studio where she works part time. Dr. Alejandro Lanes is smitten with the sweet Marisol, but a bad breakup has him leery of falling in love again. It's going to take some fancy footwork to get these two together. Lucky for us, author Roni Denholtz is up to the challenge. A fun, lighthearted read that will get you wanting to head to your local dance studio.