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Dancing under the Stars #1
The Swan and The Sergeant
Fifty thousand dollars for humiliating myself on national television, spending time with the woman who’d broken my heart, losing my privacy, and becoming the laughingstock of the Marine Corps.
As a teenager, I’d been a ballroom champion and reality star Selena Martinez had been my dance partner and my girl. But she didn’t see herself the way I saw her.
Selena had been judged for being different. And no matter how much I loved her, she didn’t love herself.
Ten years later our former master coach offers me five thousand dollars a week to appear on one season of the hit show, Dancing under the Stars. I immediately say no — I have no desire to relive my painful past.
Except I made a promise once to my dying best friend. I swore that I’d take care of his wife and kids if he passed away on the battlefield.
Fifty thousand dollars. For humiliating myself on national television, losing my privacy, becoming the laughingstock of the Marine Corps, and facing the woman who destroyed me.
Though the self-professed ugly duckling is now a beautiful swan, the girl I fell in love with is gone. Consumed with being a celebrity, her inner beauty has been replaced by an ugly lust for fame.
One season, ten weeks, a small sacrifice to make for the man who’d saved my life, even if it costs me my heart.
This book is a full-length standalone contemporary romance. Previous versions of this book were published as Love Waltzes In and Swing, but this edition has been completely rewritten and re-edited.
As a teenager, I’d been a ballroom champion and reality star Selena Martinez had been my dance partner and my girl. But she didn’t see herself the way I saw her.
Selena had been judged for being different. And no matter how much I loved her, she didn’t love herself.
Ten years later our former master coach offers me five thousand dollars a week to appear on one season of the hit show, Dancing under the Stars. I immediately say no — I have no desire to relive my painful past.
Except I made a promise once to my dying best friend. I swore that I’d take care of his wife and kids if he passed away on the battlefield.
Fifty thousand dollars. For humiliating myself on national television, losing my privacy, becoming the laughingstock of the Marine Corps, and facing the woman who destroyed me.
Though the self-professed ugly duckling is now a beautiful swan, the girl I fell in love with is gone. Consumed with being a celebrity, her inner beauty has been replaced by an ugly lust for fame.
One season, ten weeks, a small sacrifice to make for the man who’d saved my life, even if it costs me my heart.
This book is a full-length standalone contemporary romance. Previous versions of this book were published as Love Waltzes In and Swing, but this edition has been completely rewritten and re-edited.
219 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 14, 2013
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678 people want to read
About the author
Alana Albertson
107 books946 followersAlana Albertson is a multi-award winning author, current President of Romance Writers of America's Contemporary Romance Chapter and the former President of both Romance Writers of America’s Young Adult and Chick Lit chapters. Alana Albertson holds a Masters of Education from Harvard University and a Bachelor of Arts in English from Stanford University. A recovering professional ballroom dancer, Alana currently writes contemporary romance, new adult and young adult fiction. She lives in San Diego, California, with her husband, two young sons, and four dogs. When she’s not spending her time playing with her sons, dancing, or saving dogs from high kill shelters through Pugs N Roses, the rescue she founded, she can be found watching episodes Homeland, Devious Maids, or Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders: Making the Team.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 124 reviews
November 23, 2013
Predictable, cheesy, and I can't stand the heroine. She disgusts me with her back and forth. One day she loves her partner, plans to marry him, and when he doesn't tell her what she wants to hear, only then does she run to the hero. The whole thing is rather disgusting too. I mean, her partner, the man she almost married, was twenty years old to her eight when he began instructing her. Sick.
She's also just very shallow. And perhaps Bret, the hero, can forgive what she did to him years ago, but I can't. I hated this woman from the get-go and as the book went on, she didn't improve in my eyes.
And the connection was, of course, instant. I also felt the characters did things or said things that just didn't make sense. Take the hero and heroine's celebrity dancing couple for starters. One day they are aloof and snotty and all "I don't work with amateurs!" and the next they are practically serving tea. The characters were rarely consistent. They were as flighty with their behavior as the heroine was with her love interests.
The story isn't for me, though I will say I liked the brief paragraphs in between the story describing a man and woman doing different dances.
She's also just very shallow. And perhaps Bret, the hero, can forgive what she did to him years ago, but I can't. I hated this woman from the get-go and as the book went on, she didn't improve in my eyes.
And the connection was, of course, instant. I also felt the characters did things or said things that just didn't make sense. Take the hero and heroine's celebrity dancing couple for starters. One day they are aloof and snotty and all "I don't work with amateurs!" and the next they are practically serving tea. The characters were rarely consistent. They were as flighty with their behavior as the heroine was with her love interests.
The story isn't for me, though I will say I liked the brief paragraphs in between the story describing a man and woman doing different dances.
November 22, 2013
The story had a nice plot and moved along a decent pace. The problem was the two main characters. A) I felt no chemistry whatsoever. B) I didn't really like either of them. I felt like the guy treated the girl fairly badly for quite a bit of the book, and needed to get over himself just a tad. He clearly thought of himself as an alpha, but I found him to be a bit of a delta bravo, and you know what I mean. The girl was a doormat, and when she tried not to be a doormat, she was just mean for no reason to people that had nothing to do with what was going on. C) I think there were some dropped story threads throughout the book, the married father ballroom guy that she saw making out with another guy comes to mind. That could, and should, have been an interesting subplot. Instead, it poofed with no explanation. I enjoy reading romance novels, and I am a cheesy fan of DWTS and SYTYCD, so this really should have been a more fun read for me.
December 18, 2017
A second chance ballroom love story
I received an ARC of this book and am voluntarily writing a review.
Based on the world of reality TV dancing with celebrity shows (here called Dancing Under the Stars), Love Waltzes in is a second chance love story with an interesting set up that does not quite do enough to build a great romance book. The book is ok, not bad.
Bret a Marine and former amateur dance champion, is recruited by Benny, one of the producers of Dancing Under the Stars, to join the show as a dance coach for a season. Bret has many misgivings, leaving his men, making a fool out of himself and the biggest, facing his former partner and ex-fiancé, Selena. Selena left Bret and broke their engagement while Bret was at boot camp, and Selena then partnered with the pair’s former coach, Dima to dance professionally. Bret is convinced to dance on the show in order to raise money to donate to the family of his best friend and fellow Marine who was killed on patrol.
Bret and Selena are constantly thrown together from Bret’s audition dance, which Benny insists Selena perform with Bret, to coaching husband and wife celebrity show contestants and traveling together. It seems the fates want these two to reunite.
I loved the setting, the politics and relationships of the dance world and celebrity. Unfortunately the novel failed to live up to its potential. Our H/h went from animosity to insta-love, with the words, into bed and talking marriage before you could blink. Little angst or build up. When a huge lie came to light, Bret went from literally “I can never forgive her” to making love and wanting to marry her again. It was whiplash and a disservice to the reader. I also felt there was a ton of potential in the secondary characters from Dima, to the other dancers, Bret’s fellow Marines, Benny and his young wife, and even the celebrity contestants. But the secondary characters were barely explored or developed.
Love Waltzes In was a book that missed the chance to be a romance worth remembering. 3 Stars.
I received an ARC of this book and am voluntarily writing a review.
Based on the world of reality TV dancing with celebrity shows (here called Dancing Under the Stars), Love Waltzes in is a second chance love story with an interesting set up that does not quite do enough to build a great romance book. The book is ok, not bad.
Bret a Marine and former amateur dance champion, is recruited by Benny, one of the producers of Dancing Under the Stars, to join the show as a dance coach for a season. Bret has many misgivings, leaving his men, making a fool out of himself and the biggest, facing his former partner and ex-fiancé, Selena. Selena left Bret and broke their engagement while Bret was at boot camp, and Selena then partnered with the pair’s former coach, Dima to dance professionally. Bret is convinced to dance on the show in order to raise money to donate to the family of his best friend and fellow Marine who was killed on patrol.
Bret and Selena are constantly thrown together from Bret’s audition dance, which Benny insists Selena perform with Bret, to coaching husband and wife celebrity show contestants and traveling together. It seems the fates want these two to reunite.
I loved the setting, the politics and relationships of the dance world and celebrity. Unfortunately the novel failed to live up to its potential. Our H/h went from animosity to insta-love, with the words, into bed and talking marriage before you could blink. Little angst or build up. When a huge lie came to light, Bret went from literally “I can never forgive her” to making love and wanting to marry her again. It was whiplash and a disservice to the reader. I also felt there was a ton of potential in the secondary characters from Dima, to the other dancers, Bret’s fellow Marines, Benny and his young wife, and even the celebrity contestants. But the secondary characters were barely explored or developed.
Love Waltzes In was a book that missed the chance to be a romance worth remembering. 3 Stars.
December 15, 2017
Love Waltzes In was an okay read. There were things I liked and disliked about the story, but it wasn't a terrible read. The characters were okay but there was a lot of back and forth between Bret, Selena and Dima. They all acted childish throughout most of the story and by the time they seemed to mature a little, I believe I was already 93% into the story. So basically, by the time I really started to like their characters a little more, we got a sweet wrap up and the story was over. I was not at all satisfied with the ending but even with that, I still thought it was an okay read.
November 19, 2013
I received a complimentary copy of this book as a part of a book tour in exchange for a fair and honest review. I rated it 4 out of 5 stars.
Born with a love of music, and two left feet, I fell in love with dance, and dance movies, at a young age. Reminding me of what I love best about dance movies, Love Waltzes In by Alana Albertson is a well paced, sexy contemporary second chance romance. Well developed characters, good dialogue, plenty of emotional angst and a good romance kept me turning the pages to discover Brett and Selena could put their differences aside long enough to discover their love could make things work out.
Dancing from the time she was a small kid, Selena Marcil has always wanted to win the professional dance competition in Blackpool, England. Being a celebrity dance “star” on Dancing Under the Stars helps pay the bills, gives her the ability to continue to afford competing and keeps her in competitive shape. While she knows she should be grateful for what she has, and she is, Selena also knows her life isn’t quite what she had hoped; she’s still single and wants a family. She even wonders if pursing one dream has resulted in the loneliness that’s become a part of her life.
A former dancer turned Marine; Brett Lord was once Selena’s dance partner and fiancée. Tired of the superficial life of a dancer, Brett chose to join the Marines. Receiving a “Dear John” letter, Brett has focused on his life in the military and the real people he fights for every day. When his old dance instructor offers him a chance to represent the Marines and make enough money to help out a deceased buddies family, Brett jumps at the chance. He just didn’t plan on reuniting with the woman who broke his heart.
The scenes between Selena and Brett are well written, have plenty of emotional angst and plenty of physical chemistry. While they’ve both matured, they still have unresolved issues from their past; Brett’s still hurt by how Selena dumped him and Selena’s worried about letting him get too close. Contrasting their emotional reunion with their competition on the dance floor, Ms. Albertson lets us see the differences between their lives, their goals and what drove them apart.
The secondary characters are also well developed and are an interesting bunch. From Benny, their old dance instructor and Selena’s manager, to Dima, Selena’s current dance partner, and his constantly roving eye, they all contribute something to bringing Selena and Brett back together. Ms. Albertson does a good job managing all of her characters, on and off the page, and making me feel as if I’m seeing the dances she’s describing.
Will Brett and Selena learn to let go of the past and open their hearts to a new future? And will they learn they can spend their future together? You’ll have to read Love Waltzes In to find out, I enjoyed it and look forward to reading the next book in the series, Waltz on the Wild Side.
Born with a love of music, and two left feet, I fell in love with dance, and dance movies, at a young age. Reminding me of what I love best about dance movies, Love Waltzes In by Alana Albertson is a well paced, sexy contemporary second chance romance. Well developed characters, good dialogue, plenty of emotional angst and a good romance kept me turning the pages to discover Brett and Selena could put their differences aside long enough to discover their love could make things work out.
Dancing from the time she was a small kid, Selena Marcil has always wanted to win the professional dance competition in Blackpool, England. Being a celebrity dance “star” on Dancing Under the Stars helps pay the bills, gives her the ability to continue to afford competing and keeps her in competitive shape. While she knows she should be grateful for what she has, and she is, Selena also knows her life isn’t quite what she had hoped; she’s still single and wants a family. She even wonders if pursing one dream has resulted in the loneliness that’s become a part of her life.
A former dancer turned Marine; Brett Lord was once Selena’s dance partner and fiancée. Tired of the superficial life of a dancer, Brett chose to join the Marines. Receiving a “Dear John” letter, Brett has focused on his life in the military and the real people he fights for every day. When his old dance instructor offers him a chance to represent the Marines and make enough money to help out a deceased buddies family, Brett jumps at the chance. He just didn’t plan on reuniting with the woman who broke his heart.
The scenes between Selena and Brett are well written, have plenty of emotional angst and plenty of physical chemistry. While they’ve both matured, they still have unresolved issues from their past; Brett’s still hurt by how Selena dumped him and Selena’s worried about letting him get too close. Contrasting their emotional reunion with their competition on the dance floor, Ms. Albertson lets us see the differences between their lives, their goals and what drove them apart.
The secondary characters are also well developed and are an interesting bunch. From Benny, their old dance instructor and Selena’s manager, to Dima, Selena’s current dance partner, and his constantly roving eye, they all contribute something to bringing Selena and Brett back together. Ms. Albertson does a good job managing all of her characters, on and off the page, and making me feel as if I’m seeing the dances she’s describing.
Will Brett and Selena learn to let go of the past and open their hearts to a new future? And will they learn they can spend their future together? You’ll have to read Love Waltzes In to find out, I enjoyed it and look forward to reading the next book in the series, Waltz on the Wild Side.
November 24, 2016
Grunt is a beautifully passionate and gloriously stunning journey of a heartbreakingly difficult and yet utterly worthwhile second chance at love. This is a story that will break you in order to heal your deeply ingrained wounds. What you find throughout this story is a chance to find out who you are apart from the definition of those around you. Living a life of someone else’s hopes and dreams will never bring lasting joy or fulfillment, but there is no other way to understand that then to walk that difficult path until your heart can no longer stand it. When your dreams and your happiness meet is when you finally find true contentment and complete well-being.
Bret has a single-minded focus in the next few months. He is in the get in, get it done, and then get out type. Give him a goal and the means to accomplish it, and he’s the happiest guy on the planet. However, someone didn’t pass that message along to those in charge of his latest mission. Instead of things being cut and dry, Bret finds himself mired in a web of tangled lies, fruitless tasks, and past regrets. Can he someone figure out how to work with the woman who single-handedly shattered his heart while trying to fulfill the only promise worth keeping?
I was completely captivated by Bret and Selena. They shared a tightly intertwined past that neither can deny nor can they afford to repair. Bret’s intention is to fulfill a promise he made to a fallen friend and not to look at his ex any more then he possibly has to. He knows what will happen, and yet there is something more powerful working tirelessly to bring these two hurting heart together at every turn. Is fate really trying to be a huge drag, or is there something left that these two need to resolve before they can truly call things dead between them? I loved watching how things played out between them and those they worked with. This was an incredible journey that set my heart ablaze and kindled a hope within my own soul.
Alana Albertson is a truly magnificent artist whose masterpieces never cease to rock my world and make me question everything I have ever taken for granted. This story will open your eyes to so much more then you ever imagined, and you will find yourself wondering how you could have missed it all this time. She makes you feel, experience, and savor every word and emotion as if you have never faced it before. There is a freshness and an originality in the characters and the plot that will have you absolutely enthralled and leave you wanting so much more.
Bret has a single-minded focus in the next few months. He is in the get in, get it done, and then get out type. Give him a goal and the means to accomplish it, and he’s the happiest guy on the planet. However, someone didn’t pass that message along to those in charge of his latest mission. Instead of things being cut and dry, Bret finds himself mired in a web of tangled lies, fruitless tasks, and past regrets. Can he someone figure out how to work with the woman who single-handedly shattered his heart while trying to fulfill the only promise worth keeping?
I was completely captivated by Bret and Selena. They shared a tightly intertwined past that neither can deny nor can they afford to repair. Bret’s intention is to fulfill a promise he made to a fallen friend and not to look at his ex any more then he possibly has to. He knows what will happen, and yet there is something more powerful working tirelessly to bring these two hurting heart together at every turn. Is fate really trying to be a huge drag, or is there something left that these two need to resolve before they can truly call things dead between them? I loved watching how things played out between them and those they worked with. This was an incredible journey that set my heart ablaze and kindled a hope within my own soul.
Alana Albertson is a truly magnificent artist whose masterpieces never cease to rock my world and make me question everything I have ever taken for granted. This story will open your eyes to so much more then you ever imagined, and you will find yourself wondering how you could have missed it all this time. She makes you feel, experience, and savor every word and emotion as if you have never faced it before. There is a freshness and an originality in the characters and the plot that will have you absolutely enthralled and leave you wanting so much more.
February 11, 2014
Originally reviewed at Novel Escapes
Love Waltzes In left me with mixed feelings for a review. I found myself more interested in the business of professional ballroom dancing than I did the characters in the novel. While I found their story of separation and coming back together believable I didn’t find myself warming to either of the main characters. There were also so many supporting roles that I was confused most of the read and couldn’t keep all the names and tangled relationships straight, I gave up on sorting them out about half way through.
Selena seemed sometimes distant and sometimes very clingy - I didn’t really believe her relationship with her dance partner and it made very little sense to me that they would have entangled their lives quite so much that they had joint banking? Selena’s friendships were non-existent. Perhaps I am completely naïve? Maybe when you’re entangled in this professional/reality TV world of dance you don’t have relationships that are really real? I would hope that she would have formed some other friendships throughout her life that she could trust but I didn’t even really feel that her one friend in the dance world was reliable. I was convinced she was the one who let the cat out of the bag… Selena would have seemed personable had she had some true friends or family that she confided in - it would have given her some warmth.
Bret seemed more realistic but I didn’t get much out of him either unfortunately. While I appreciated he joined the show to help out a fallen army friend’s family he just didn’t have much of anything else in his life. He was interested in Selena (that was pretty obvious from the start) but his hesitation at the climax of the book was based on her not informing him of an event in their past- but as she didn’t have any way to reach him at the time I hardly think this should have been a sticking point? I got a bit annoyed with his stubborn fixation when reality TV star versus army lifestyle should really have been the main issue of debate in pursuing something together.
While I enjoyed the dance aspect of Love Waltzes In, the characters were somewhat flat for me. I wish they hadn’t been because with a bit more warmth from Gina and Bret this would have been a fun read.
Thank you to Bolero Books for our review copy. All opinions are our own.
Love Waltzes In left me with mixed feelings for a review. I found myself more interested in the business of professional ballroom dancing than I did the characters in the novel. While I found their story of separation and coming back together believable I didn’t find myself warming to either of the main characters. There were also so many supporting roles that I was confused most of the read and couldn’t keep all the names and tangled relationships straight, I gave up on sorting them out about half way through.
Selena seemed sometimes distant and sometimes very clingy - I didn’t really believe her relationship with her dance partner and it made very little sense to me that they would have entangled their lives quite so much that they had joint banking? Selena’s friendships were non-existent. Perhaps I am completely naïve? Maybe when you’re entangled in this professional/reality TV world of dance you don’t have relationships that are really real? I would hope that she would have formed some other friendships throughout her life that she could trust but I didn’t even really feel that her one friend in the dance world was reliable. I was convinced she was the one who let the cat out of the bag… Selena would have seemed personable had she had some true friends or family that she confided in - it would have given her some warmth.
Bret seemed more realistic but I didn’t get much out of him either unfortunately. While I appreciated he joined the show to help out a fallen army friend’s family he just didn’t have much of anything else in his life. He was interested in Selena (that was pretty obvious from the start) but his hesitation at the climax of the book was based on her not informing him of an event in their past- but as she didn’t have any way to reach him at the time I hardly think this should have been a sticking point? I got a bit annoyed with his stubborn fixation when reality TV star versus army lifestyle should really have been the main issue of debate in pursuing something together.
While I enjoyed the dance aspect of Love Waltzes In, the characters were somewhat flat for me. I wish they hadn’t been because with a bit more warmth from Gina and Bret this would have been a fun read.
Thank you to Bolero Books for our review copy. All opinions are our own.
November 15, 2013
Did I enjoy this book: I did enjoy this book. It had dance, romance, excitement. It was a fun read. I read this book in one day.
Love Waltzes In is not quite chick lit and not quite romance; it is a wonderful mash-up of those two genres (or sub-genres? I’m not really sure how to describe it but it is a great combination!). Anyway, this love story between Selena and Bret is sweet. It is part predictable, part unbelievable, part keep-me-on-the-edge-of-my-seat. Selena is a strong dancer who wants more out of her personal life but isn’t ready to sacrifice her professional life. She is with another dancer but not really with him. I did not like her partner, Dima. He was arrogant and controlling. Bret is a former (reluctant) dancer who is now a Marine and wants to do right. He puts on his dancing shoes, despite the razzing that will surely come his way, for a one time gig in order to raise money for his fallen comrade’s family. If that doesn’t grab your heart and make you want to read this book, I don’t know what will.
Ballroom dancing is the focus of this book. The section/chapter breaks describing a bit of each different type of dance was interesting and fun. I’m not a huge ballroom dance fan but I am a fan of shows like So You Think You Can Dance and Dancing with the Stars. I saw quite a few similarities between the characters in Love Waltzes In and people on those television shows. I don’t know if that was on purpose, based on fact, or merely a coincidence. It didn’t bother me. In fact, it helped me to picture these people in my mind.
I have read books about ballet and other solo dancers. This is my first ballroom dance book and it won’t be my last. I will definitely read more by Ms. Albertson.
Would I recommend it: I would recommend this book if you like romantic, fun stories.
Will I read it again: I may. I do know that I want to read the sequel, Waltz on the Wild Side.
(I received a copy of this book for review purposes.)
http://everyfreechance.com/2013/11/re...
Love Waltzes In is not quite chick lit and not quite romance; it is a wonderful mash-up of those two genres (or sub-genres? I’m not really sure how to describe it but it is a great combination!). Anyway, this love story between Selena and Bret is sweet. It is part predictable, part unbelievable, part keep-me-on-the-edge-of-my-seat. Selena is a strong dancer who wants more out of her personal life but isn’t ready to sacrifice her professional life. She is with another dancer but not really with him. I did not like her partner, Dima. He was arrogant and controlling. Bret is a former (reluctant) dancer who is now a Marine and wants to do right. He puts on his dancing shoes, despite the razzing that will surely come his way, for a one time gig in order to raise money for his fallen comrade’s family. If that doesn’t grab your heart and make you want to read this book, I don’t know what will.
Ballroom dancing is the focus of this book. The section/chapter breaks describing a bit of each different type of dance was interesting and fun. I’m not a huge ballroom dance fan but I am a fan of shows like So You Think You Can Dance and Dancing with the Stars. I saw quite a few similarities between the characters in Love Waltzes In and people on those television shows. I don’t know if that was on purpose, based on fact, or merely a coincidence. It didn’t bother me. In fact, it helped me to picture these people in my mind.
I have read books about ballet and other solo dancers. This is my first ballroom dance book and it won’t be my last. I will definitely read more by Ms. Albertson.
Would I recommend it: I would recommend this book if you like romantic, fun stories.
Will I read it again: I may. I do know that I want to read the sequel, Waltz on the Wild Side.
(I received a copy of this book for review purposes.)
http://everyfreechance.com/2013/11/re...
September 2, 2013
A BEAUTIFULLY WRITTEN ROMANCE: FANTASTIC READ!
*COPY PROVIDED BY AUTHOR/RABT*
Let me start off with a gif
This book was absolutely lovely. I was so surprised because I dove into this book not expecting much. I thought it'd be one of those cheesy, cliché romance and it was actually. But it was so damn good! It was a romantic, easy, fun read that can bring a smile to your face ;)
The characters were so damn awesome. Selena, the sexy Latina, felt guilty over ending hers and Bret's relationship so when she sees him, she tries to make up with him. Which I really liked because she's not one of those whiny heroines. And Bret, mmm, who can resist a shmexy marine who can ballroom dance, NOT ME! This is kind of like Bret:
Love Waltzes In was such a wonderful read. I fell in love with the book, with the characters, with the story. EVERYTHING! A must read for romance fans!
*COPY PROVIDED BY AUTHOR/RABT*
Let me start off with a gif
This book was absolutely lovely. I was so surprised because I dove into this book not expecting much. I thought it'd be one of those cheesy, cliché romance and it was actually. But it was so damn good! It was a romantic, easy, fun read that can bring a smile to your face ;)
The characters were so damn awesome. Selena, the sexy Latina, felt guilty over ending hers and Bret's relationship so when she sees him, she tries to make up with him. Which I really liked because she's not one of those whiny heroines. And Bret, mmm, who can resist a shmexy marine who can ballroom dance, NOT ME! This is kind of like Bret:
Love Waltzes In was such a wonderful read. I fell in love with the book, with the characters, with the story. EVERYTHING! A must read for romance fans!
December 30, 2017
So this review is going to be a bit of a rant...just beware. Usually I enjoy this author quite a lot so this might be an exception but seeing as how this is a DNF for me, I can't be sure. So here goes...
Bret seems so strong and admirable and then he becomes so judgmental about almost everyone. It makes me doubt his heart and how deep his goodness actually goes. He has noble reasons for doing what he's doing but how can such a man be such a jerk about others and what they feel is important or valid?
I don't really like Selena's character. She's obsessed with winning and says sacrificing Bret was super hard but I don't actually feel her sincerity and I'm not convinced of it. Dima is creepy and sleazy and justifying her dance partnership to the man Selena left so callously does nothing to endear her to me. And the stuff about paying her mom back I feel is a total cop out. From what we know of her mother she did all she did willingly and Selena has more than monetarily paid her back. Perhaps just being honest and heartfelt in her gratitude and the way she lives her life will be enough to pay her mother back. Serious humility will be needed and I don't see any of that in Selena so far. It'll take something huge for me to like her or raise my rating.
Well, really, it'll take some insane curiosity for me to go back to finishing this book because I stopped at chapter 13 and don't really feel like going back to it just yet. I have some ideas for things she hints about regarding the reasoning for sending Bret the Dear John letter so maybe the curiosity about that will be the impetus to go back and finish the story...
ARC from Hidden Gems and I willingly read it. Uh, read a part of it. The review was voluntary as well.
Bret seems so strong and admirable and then he becomes so judgmental about almost everyone. It makes me doubt his heart and how deep his goodness actually goes. He has noble reasons for doing what he's doing but how can such a man be such a jerk about others and what they feel is important or valid?
I don't really like Selena's character. She's obsessed with winning and says sacrificing Bret was super hard but I don't actually feel her sincerity and I'm not convinced of it. Dima is creepy and sleazy and justifying her dance partnership to the man Selena left so callously does nothing to endear her to me. And the stuff about paying her mom back I feel is a total cop out. From what we know of her mother she did all she did willingly and Selena has more than monetarily paid her back. Perhaps just being honest and heartfelt in her gratitude and the way she lives her life will be enough to pay her mother back. Serious humility will be needed and I don't see any of that in Selena so far. It'll take something huge for me to like her or raise my rating.
Well, really, it'll take some insane curiosity for me to go back to finishing this book because I stopped at chapter 13 and don't really feel like going back to it just yet. I have some ideas for things she hints about regarding the reasoning for sending Bret the Dear John letter so maybe the curiosity about that will be the impetus to go back and finish the story...
ARC from Hidden Gems and I willingly read it. Uh, read a part of it. The review was voluntary as well.
September 18, 2013
This book was part of a blog tour I was given a copy for my honest review
Selena and Bret where childhood sweethearts and dance partners he never wanted to be the limelight and she loves it, after winning two national titles with her he joined the Marines. She broke their engagement, he saw her in the media and while she routinely tried to find him on the internet the two didn't see each other again. It's been ten years and Selena is a dancing star and Bret takes leave from the Marines to appear on the same dance show as her to get enough money to help out the widow of his friend. The two of them realize breaking up really was the best thing for them, but did they ever stop loving each other? Will the two of them give up a second time or will they put their love ahead of personal wants this time? This was a second chance at first love book, it was sweet and the dancing added a sensual element that gave it some heat. I loved the characters in this book, who could resist a marine that dances like a god and Selena at first seemed selfish, but after you got to know her you realized she was not a bad person. The rest of the characters added some humor to the book and a few of them added that flare of drama that kept things interesting. Love Waltzes In is a great read, I can't wait to read the rest of the books in this series.
Selena and Bret where childhood sweethearts and dance partners he never wanted to be the limelight and she loves it, after winning two national titles with her he joined the Marines. She broke their engagement, he saw her in the media and while she routinely tried to find him on the internet the two didn't see each other again. It's been ten years and Selena is a dancing star and Bret takes leave from the Marines to appear on the same dance show as her to get enough money to help out the widow of his friend. The two of them realize breaking up really was the best thing for them, but did they ever stop loving each other? Will the two of them give up a second time or will they put their love ahead of personal wants this time? This was a second chance at first love book, it was sweet and the dancing added a sensual element that gave it some heat. I loved the characters in this book, who could resist a marine that dances like a god and Selena at first seemed selfish, but after you got to know her you realized she was not a bad person. The rest of the characters added some humor to the book and a few of them added that flare of drama that kept things interesting. Love Waltzes In is a great read, I can't wait to read the rest of the books in this series.
December 19, 2017
I was disappointed in this book after reading the blurb. The plot had potential. The story-line was a little choppy and lacking emotions for me. I found myself skipping over some pages as the story just dragged along. The characters weren't very developed and I just couldn't connect with them at all. In some aspects of the story, all were very immature especially Dima, since he was supposed to be in his 40's. This is surprising coming from Alana Albertson.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book...
I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book...
December 23, 2017
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I did not particularly like this book much. There really was little imagination to this story and I found the characters boring. Selena and Bret seemed to lack any chemistry and there really was not much to their background story. Boy meets girl , boy goes into the marines, girl leaves boy and moves on. Years later they are reunited for another dance competition and they get together again, very predictable. Sorry this one just was a no go for me
I did not particularly like this book much. There really was little imagination to this story and I found the characters boring. Selena and Bret seemed to lack any chemistry and there really was not much to their background story. Boy meets girl , boy goes into the marines, girl leaves boy and moves on. Years later they are reunited for another dance competition and they get together again, very predictable. Sorry this one just was a no go for me
December 15, 2014
I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Love Waltzes In is a beautiful story about finding your way. Selena and Bret are two lost souls searching for something. The backdrop of ballroom dancing is an interesting addition to the story. To me sometimes it serves as a hindrance and slows down the story. Overall a heartwarming story about love, compromise and finding the way back home. Recommendable read.
December 20, 2017
The storyline was interesting, and the characters were entertaining. A story of love, betrayal and forgiveness.
Selena and Brett were a little too immature though, and the progression of the romance seemed to be missing a lot of content. To go from I hate you, to lets go to bed together, then to I love you, all within one night was a little too unrealistic for me.
I thought it had potential but didn't really live up to it.
I received an ARC of Love Waltzes In and this is my honest review.
Selena and Brett were a little too immature though, and the progression of the romance seemed to be missing a lot of content. To go from I hate you, to lets go to bed together, then to I love you, all within one night was a little too unrealistic for me.
I thought it had potential but didn't really live up to it.
I received an ARC of Love Waltzes In and this is my honest review.
December 18, 2017
A romance that tangos and two-steps into your heart
Ballroom dance fans and second-chance romance fans are in luck - Alana Albertson has given us all what we want! Love Waltzes In pairs SSG Bret Lord, USMC with ballroom /TV star Selena Marcil. These two grew up in the world of competitive ballroom dance, fell in love, and then things went wrong. Bret joined the Marines, and Selena accepted her dance coach's offer of partnership and turned pro. Ten years later, they meet again on the dance floor, and the old flame is rekindled. And we find out, in the course of their on-again-off-again second the around, why things went south the first time. Author Albertson's familiarity for the dance world stands out in her story-telling. She uses dance as the metaphor for the challenges and victories the couple out go through to work out their nearly insurmountable differences, as well as the stage on which their drama plays out. There's sweet and sexy seduction, stormy arguments and tender reunions, and a lot of angst before the happy ending. Only two things bothered me abut this book. One was Bret. He's angry, bitter, judgmental and self righteous for far too much of the book, though he improve at the end. My other issue is the amount of repetition in the story. We get that these two have some serious growing up and getting real to do, but rehashing the same incidents of the past slows the pace and puts a damper on the romance. I would have preferred more present-tense sizzle and less past regret, but that's my taste, not a knock against the book. There's plenty of drama, not just with Bret and Selena, but with the other characters in this story. The world of competitive professional ballroom dance seems to hold endless opportunity for romance, and I hope that world which Ms. Albertson knows so well will feature in more of her work. I am voluntarily reviewing an ARC of this book, the open ion expressed is my own.
Ballroom dance fans and second-chance romance fans are in luck - Alana Albertson has given us all what we want! Love Waltzes In pairs SSG Bret Lord, USMC with ballroom /TV star Selena Marcil. These two grew up in the world of competitive ballroom dance, fell in love, and then things went wrong. Bret joined the Marines, and Selena accepted her dance coach's offer of partnership and turned pro. Ten years later, they meet again on the dance floor, and the old flame is rekindled. And we find out, in the course of their on-again-off-again second the around, why things went south the first time. Author Albertson's familiarity for the dance world stands out in her story-telling. She uses dance as the metaphor for the challenges and victories the couple out go through to work out their nearly insurmountable differences, as well as the stage on which their drama plays out. There's sweet and sexy seduction, stormy arguments and tender reunions, and a lot of angst before the happy ending. Only two things bothered me abut this book. One was Bret. He's angry, bitter, judgmental and self righteous for far too much of the book, though he improve at the end. My other issue is the amount of repetition in the story. We get that these two have some serious growing up and getting real to do, but rehashing the same incidents of the past slows the pace and puts a damper on the romance. I would have preferred more present-tense sizzle and less past regret, but that's my taste, not a knock against the book. There's plenty of drama, not just with Bret and Selena, but with the other characters in this story. The world of competitive professional ballroom dance seems to hold endless opportunity for romance, and I hope that world which Ms. Albertson knows so well will feature in more of her work. I am voluntarily reviewing an ARC of this book, the open ion expressed is my own.
December 21, 2017
What a great read! I loved this book. This is not your typical Second Chance Romance or Military Love Story. It was better.
Selina Marcil has her sights set on continuing to hold the United States Professional Latin-American Title in dance, and she is a Professional dancer on the Dancing Under the Stars show. Her dance partner for competition was her teacher when she was a teen. He is the best and can help her get to the top and remain there, if they continue their partnership.
Staff Sergeant Bret Lord is in the Marines. He was Selina's dance partner when they were young. He was also her first love and her fiancé. He has been asked by Dancing Under the Stars, to come on for a season as a Professional dancer. The only reason he agrees is so that he can fulfill his promise to a friend who died in the line of service. He promised to take care of his family. He wants to win so that he can fulfill that promise.
Bret and Selina's past could be a problem for them. They have to spend a lot of time together for fifteen weeks to do the show. Will they be able to get past the hurt from their split? Will Bret ever be able to forgive Selina for breaking off their engagement through a letter? The passion and love are still there, perhaps things can work out for them.
If you like second chance romance and Military love stories, this is a great book to read. Add in the dancing and competition and you have a very good story. I loved the competition between the dancers, but also the camaraderie that they had as a group. They worked together, but they also competed against each other in various facets. For me that brought more to the story.
Selina Marcil has her sights set on continuing to hold the United States Professional Latin-American Title in dance, and she is a Professional dancer on the Dancing Under the Stars show. Her dance partner for competition was her teacher when she was a teen. He is the best and can help her get to the top and remain there, if they continue their partnership.
Staff Sergeant Bret Lord is in the Marines. He was Selina's dance partner when they were young. He was also her first love and her fiancé. He has been asked by Dancing Under the Stars, to come on for a season as a Professional dancer. The only reason he agrees is so that he can fulfill his promise to a friend who died in the line of service. He promised to take care of his family. He wants to win so that he can fulfill that promise.
Bret and Selina's past could be a problem for them. They have to spend a lot of time together for fifteen weeks to do the show. Will they be able to get past the hurt from their split? Will Bret ever be able to forgive Selina for breaking off their engagement through a letter? The passion and love are still there, perhaps things can work out for them.
If you like second chance romance and Military love stories, this is a great book to read. Add in the dancing and competition and you have a very good story. I loved the competition between the dancers, but also the camaraderie that they had as a group. They worked together, but they also competed against each other in various facets. For me that brought more to the story.
December 20, 2017
Field Stripping His Rifle🔫 in Less than a Minute⏳
ARC Received for a Voluntary and Honest Review.
Staff Sergeant Bret Lord🐺🔪🔫 is over in some forsaken desert🌵 kickin' a$$, when he gets a letter wanting him to go back to his dancing career. Before he joined up to the Marines, he was a champion ballroom dancer. He was paired as a dancer and romanticly with a feisty Latino woman, Selena💃💋. After he left and went into the Marines, she dumped him and got a jerk Russian partner and she's still 💃dancing with him, although she can't stand him anymore.
Now, he is using his built up leave to go on💃 Dancing Under the 🌟Stars, as a promotion to get young people to join the services.
The first person he sees at the studio is Selena💋, she's to dance with him for his guaranteed audition. For her part, Selena is totally burned out on the 💃dancing. It's too much exercising, almost constantly, too many salads, too much traveling to events and never seeing anything but the stage. 💃Dancing professionally is no fun anymore.
💃Dancing with Selena brings it all back for Bret🐺🔪🔫. That isn't him any more, but he's doing it for the Marines, and to win money to take care of a fallen comrade's wife and kids.
Is there still some kind of spark⚡ between them, now that their priorities have changed?
This book is definitely something I don't normally read, but it was sexy, good, fun!
ARC Received for a Voluntary and Honest Review.
Staff Sergeant Bret Lord🐺🔪🔫 is over in some forsaken desert🌵 kickin' a$$, when he gets a letter wanting him to go back to his dancing career. Before he joined up to the Marines, he was a champion ballroom dancer. He was paired as a dancer and romanticly with a feisty Latino woman, Selena💃💋. After he left and went into the Marines, she dumped him and got a jerk Russian partner and she's still 💃dancing with him, although she can't stand him anymore.
Now, he is using his built up leave to go on💃 Dancing Under the 🌟Stars, as a promotion to get young people to join the services.
The first person he sees at the studio is Selena💋, she's to dance with him for his guaranteed audition. For her part, Selena is totally burned out on the 💃dancing. It's too much exercising, almost constantly, too many salads, too much traveling to events and never seeing anything but the stage. 💃Dancing professionally is no fun anymore.
💃Dancing with Selena brings it all back for Bret🐺🔪🔫. That isn't him any more, but he's doing it for the Marines, and to win money to take care of a fallen comrade's wife and kids.
Is there still some kind of spark⚡ between them, now that their priorities have changed?
This book is definitely something I don't normally read, but it was sexy, good, fun!
September 16, 2018
COULDN'T QUITE CONNECT...
I liked this book, but it just felt like something was missing. It had an original story and good character development, interesting scenarios and good editing. but for some reason I just couldn't get into it. It was like when you meet someone new, but you just don't connect, even though you might have loads in common with them.
Brett is an ex-national dance champion, who is currently a marine. Selena is a current dance champion who works on "Dancing With the Stars." When Brett is asked to do the show he doesn't want to, but to raise money for a friend's family who had died in combat, he does anyway. When he gets there, Selena, his ex-dance partner and fiance, is expected to show him the ropes.
A couple small things just didn't gel with me. Selena ditched him when he was in boot camp with a "Dear John...," yet he just jumps right in after a few days. I could sort of see him having a one night, out of curiousity, but to instantly forget and be talking of marriage just days later is unlikely. She goes from determination to win the World Championship, to wanting to be a wife wth kids also in a few days,...also unlikely.
I liked this book, but it just felt like something was missing. It had an original story and good character development, interesting scenarios and good editing. but for some reason I just couldn't get into it. It was like when you meet someone new, but you just don't connect, even though you might have loads in common with them.
Brett is an ex-national dance champion, who is currently a marine. Selena is a current dance champion who works on "Dancing With the Stars." When Brett is asked to do the show he doesn't want to, but to raise money for a friend's family who had died in combat, he does anyway. When he gets there, Selena, his ex-dance partner and fiance, is expected to show him the ropes.
A couple small things just didn't gel with me. Selena ditched him when he was in boot camp with a "Dear John...," yet he just jumps right in after a few days. I could sort of see him having a one night, out of curiousity, but to instantly forget and be talking of marriage just days later is unlikely. She goes from determination to win the World Championship, to wanting to be a wife wth kids also in a few days,...also unlikely.
November 29, 2016
Bret gave up the life of Ballroom Dancing at 18 to join the military. While in training, Selena, his dance partner, fiance and childhood sweetheart sent him a Dear John letter. Bret had no communication with Selena for 10 years. When his best friend died on the battlefield, Bret made a vow to buy a home for his dead friend's family. In order to fulfill the promise, Brent does the one thing he swore never do.........dance competitively. When Bret and Selena meet again, all the love thought dead came to life again. This story is good and well written. However, this Marine story is a lot tamer then "Beast". Once again, this story is good, but I'm just not into ballroom dancing. I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book.
December 23, 2017
I really enjoyed this latest release in the Dancinf Under the Stars series. Alan Albertson has a way with capturing a reader right away and not letting go until the end. Great book with emotional depth and great passion. I thoroughly enjoyed this! I voluntarily reviewed an advanced copy of this book.
Hero, Bret = 5/5
Heroine, Selena = 5/5
Chemistry = 5/5
Sex = 5/5
Plot = 3/5
Mystery = 1/5
Action = 1/5
Darkness = 1/5
Humor = 1/5
POV = dual
Would I recommend this book = yes
Would I re-read this book = yes
Would I read future books by this author = yes
Hero, Bret = 5/5
Heroine, Selena = 5/5
Chemistry = 5/5
Sex = 5/5
Plot = 3/5
Mystery = 1/5
Action = 1/5
Darkness = 1/5
Humor = 1/5
POV = dual
Would I recommend this book = yes
Would I re-read this book = yes
Would I read future books by this author = yes
November 27, 2016
I voluntarily read this book as an ARC!
This is a wonderful story of second chance love.
Love Bret and Selena!
Bret is Selena's dance partner until he decides to enlist in the Marines. She brakes off the engagement and follows her dreams. Ten years later they meet again when she is a professional dancer on a reality t.v. show and he is invited to perform. Sparks are still there. But will they make it through it this time around?
This is a wonderful story of second chance love.
Love Bret and Selena!
Bret is Selena's dance partner until he decides to enlist in the Marines. She brakes off the engagement and follows her dreams. Ten years later they meet again when she is a professional dancer on a reality t.v. show and he is invited to perform. Sparks are still there. But will they make it through it this time around?
June 3, 2017
I received this book as an ARC for an voluntary honest review. Loved the concept of a tough Marine being a ballroom dancer! I'm not really a fan of reality TV but I enjoyed the behind the scenes look at the dancing competitions. Bret and Selena were both flawed characters (I loved her diva outburst!) who have some dramas finding their way back to each other. There were a lot of secondary characters, so I wonder if there is a spin off in the works? Enjoyable afternoon's read.
December 19, 2017
Lovely story of dancer Selena and USMC Bret. The story is unique in that it is centered around the world of ballroom dancing. I enjoyed reading about the different dances and about what it might be like to be on a reality TV show. The characters were strong, intelligent and talented and the romance between Selena and Bret was told over a period of over 10 years. An excellent read. I voluntarily received an Advanced Readers Copy of this book from Hidden Gems.
May 11, 2022
Twinkle toes!
This story was really cute. I think it grabbed my heart a little more because I was a big Dancing with the Stars fan at one point (it's crap now... lol).
Some parts happened a little bit too easy or convenient but that's okay. It's what a fluffy feel good romance is supposed to do, right?
It's not a perfect ten but it's a fun, spicy samba!
(I received a complimentary copy of this book from Hidden Gems)
This story was really cute. I think it grabbed my heart a little more because I was a big Dancing with the Stars fan at one point (it's crap now... lol).
Some parts happened a little bit too easy or convenient but that's okay. It's what a fluffy feel good romance is supposed to do, right?
It's not a perfect ten but it's a fun, spicy samba!
(I received a complimentary copy of this book from Hidden Gems)
December 21, 2017
This is a great read. The emotions of all the characters are heart wrenching at times, and the secrets and scandals keep everyone on their toes. I cannot wait to read more from this author. I'm voluntarily reviewing an advanced reader copy of this book.
December 21, 2017
Heartwarming military second chance romance. Very entertaining, captivating, and interesting sexy read. I could not put it down. Wonderfully written with strong characters. I want to read more from this author. I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book
April 22, 2018
I listened to Love Waltzes In after I had read Sway & found the different characters in the books very similar as the storylines are.
Though they were similar, the outcome & why they initially separated were different .
It was a likeable read 😘
Though they were similar, the outcome & why they initially separated were different .
It was a likeable read 😘
Read
January 19, 2022De Guatire a Medellín trabajé en la traducción de esta serie.
La edición comienza en unas semanas.
Gracias a Dios y a Alana por estas semanas de trabajo. Que los libros sean siempre mi techo y mi comida.
La edición comienza en unas semanas.
Gracias a Dios y a Alana por estas semanas de trabajo. Que los libros sean siempre mi techo y mi comida.
March 9, 2023
I enjoyed this second chance romance story, probably my favorite of the 6 in this series by Alana Albertson. I liked how the dance costumes, practices and competitions were described throughout the story.
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