His Private Dancer

by Karyn Langhorne

Sahara Mills was the first black ballerina to lead the Manhattan Repertoire—until her life was upended by a billionaire mob boss determined to make her his private dancer. On the run from that disastrous relationship, the last thing Sahara needs is another billionaire bad boy... but Fate has other plans. When an anonymous fling with a quirky stranger turns into something more, Sahara is shattered to learn that her mystery man is none other than Hugh Lindsay the eccentric tech billionaire—a man, even richer and more powerful than the last one.

Can Hugh convince her to look past all that money and love him for himself, or will Sahara’s fears about the power of billions keep her from the joys of performing for an audience of one?

Genres: Suspense, Fiction, Romance, Contemporary Romance

290 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 4, 2021

Reviews

[Dee · Rating 5 out of 5]

The addition starts with the book cover….yeah…yeah…yeah don’t judge a book by its cover they say ….well we all do it and this one here it is the scratch to your itch or better yet the filling to your oreos! Speaking of filling…..wait, that’s for later. Within the first chapters you get the panoramic view of whom you’re dealing with!
Can’t say I didn’t warn you.
(Believe me when I say you won’t put it down until the last page is read…you will find yourself getting upset cause someone called, texted or bothered you while reading this one, you will find yourself up at ungodly hours just to finish it knowing you have to be at work early (like 3am early) the very next day) YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!!!
Sahara tries her best to be kind to others, beautiful ballerina dancer the first of her kind, barley scraping by to live, because she is hiding from her ex who is a mob boss wants her back to be his private dancer despite the fact she wants/has moved on. One day she meets this shy, quirky (some may say weird), while out buying doughnuts. The chemistry is instant and intense, yet she ignores it because the last guy she was involved with wants to kidnap her forcing her into hiding. The last thing she needs is another rich guy thinking she is their private dancer and belong only to them, but someone is out to get her, hurt her or even kill her and Hugh will do what needs to be done to protect her but can he convince Sahara that his intentions are pure and he do not want to own, control or bossed can she finally get happiness?

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

First time reading this authors work and she didn't disappoint, I loved it.
Romance ✅
Intrigue ✅
Suspense ✅
Have you on the edge of your seat reading faster your heart racing ✅
Meet a beautiful ballerina whose life falls apart because of a mobster who is completely obsessed with her and wants his own private dancer.
Go on a journey that takes you on twists and turns you didn't see coming but you will be so glad you took the time to have a read of this one.

[Rosie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good thriller!

Longer to follow ... soon.

[Literary Temptations · Rating 4 out of 5]

MY RATING: 4*
RELEASE DATE: 04 April 2021
CLIFFHANGER: No




I went into this book very skeptically and ill be honest primarily because i couldn't find anything in my very extensive TBR list to actually hook me. But once i started this i couldn't put it down.

I really enjoyed it. Some things could be better. For example, and this is just a personal preference for me but if you're going to write sex into a book, then write it. I don't want to have to extrapolate that that's what they're doing. And i definitely don't want you to be polite about it. No I want the whole thing.

[Scarlett Walters · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you Voracious readers Only and Karyn Langhorne for this copy of His Private Dancer.
I loved this book.
The story is fast-paced and keeps its momentum throughout.
I loved how Sahara's (Love the Sahara, BTW) past unfolded seamlessly throughout the whole story without the reader once being pulled out of the present.
The story starts with Sahara, following her good friend's advice, decides to throw caution to the wind and for once do something for herself - like hooking up with a man she met at a donut shop. Unfortunately, Sahara's one-night stand turns out to be a billionaire and news of their hookup explodes putting Sahara into the limelight.
What follows is a roller-coaster ride of chase, high-tech gadgetry, and deceptions that are layers thick.
All in all, a great, quick read which I thoroughly enjoyed.

[Bree · Rating 4 out of 5]

Surprising.

I liked this a lot. I was skeptical about this because of the title but once I started reading it hooked me. Hugh and Sahara come together for a one time fling but both deep down want it to be more. When their “relationship” is blasted all over the media they and her son Malik go into hiding.

I know Hugh is supposed to be surly but I just didn’t get that. I loved him with all his flaws. I was back and forth with Sahara. I understood her motivations but she was so stubborn sometimes it drove me nuts.

Cute story with some action and thrills! Good weekend read

[Mc Chanster · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars rounded up to 5

So. This book. Absolutely excellent.

Ex-dancer Sahara Mills had to abandon the career she loved because of a tragic accident. At the same time, she gets entangled with a mob boss who continues to haunt her even though she’s done her best to get herself, and her son Malik, away from him. A chance encounter with tech billionaire Hugh Lindsay turns her entire world upside down as both their pasts come to light and they have to figure out to deal with the consequences.

What else can I say about this novel other than I loved it? Sahara and Hugh were excellent mains – deep, charismatic, interesting and well-crafted characters. The fact that Hugh was a billionaire seemed like a sidenote and I loved this. I very much appreciated that his character is not a rich man who flaunts his wealth but really, is a nerd who loves his toys. The meeting between Hugh and Sahara was well fleshed out and the subsequent relationship was subtle, but it was also clear they were falling for each other. I felt the secondary characters were memorable and their appearances were strategic to the plot and driving it forward – something that is often difficult to do in novels like romance suspense. I also really appreciated that while I know this is a romance, there is also a substantial, well thought-out plot with lots of action and anticipation. Finally, the twist – definitely unexpected and it only made me read faster because I just had to know what was happening next.

Overall, a fantastic book and one I read in 2 sittings. Thank you Voracious Readers and Karyn Langhorne for my copy! All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Ljay]

***4 1/2 stars***

This book was an unexpectedly emotional surprise. Sahara was a woman hiding and on the run and Hugh was a man hiding in plain sight. It was a "hook-up" that turned into so much more. Finding Hugh while in hiding was risky and proved to be deadly with outside forces against them; unbeknownst to them. Sahara thought Hugh, with all his money, had it all together. Hugh turned out to be very human and NOTHING like what she assumed him to be with all his money. He was all heart and the hurt and pain of his childhood shaped that heart in him. I felt for both of them. There was genuine feeling, not just physical attraction, between them. I liked that; even though that is all Sahara wanted at first. And Malik, Sahara's little boy was just a gem. The way he tried to protect his mom was just too precious.

There was an unexpected end that had me saying...whaaaat?? There were also some sad revelations as well. I don't want to give too much away, it was pretty good.

I really liked these characters and they had me completely invested emotionally in them. Good read.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Pascale · Rating 4 out of 5]

Humph 😤! This Sahara/Alicia…. It’s definitely a 4 1/2 stars ✨

So this book started out so good and so refreshing and cute but this woman Sahara/Alicia, man… humph 😤 we needed a better main lady for sure
Alicia/Sahara was cute and strong at the beginning but ended up being the downfall of this book because she became so insecure, stupid, selfish, childish, annoying to the point I was wishing that Paul did damage and he did. She was too righteous and so wrong.
Hugh, OMG, was the bomb. Definitely bae, he was strong but in a boyish way and extremely smart but damaged inside.
This story was about two people, opposite but similar in so many ways. They meet but the heroine is so jaded and all because of her foolishness thinking, that she believes that nothing could happened between them until she was forced to realize that if it wasn’t because of her she would still be dancing. I tell you some of these ladies out there are their own worst enemy.
Chandra and Charles were perfect while Paul got exactly what he deserved. Felt sorry for Freddie and Tango. Malik was so great!

[CLorraine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am so happy to have discovered Karyn Langehorne. Her new book is highly entertaining, both romantic and suspenseful. Sahara Mills Is living a meager existence; once a principal ballerina for the Manhattan Repertoire she is hiding from her former benefactor and lover, a mob boss. She needs some time for herself and some human connection. She takes advice from a friend and reaches out to the quirky, handsome man she meets as she is buying doughnuts. Hugh Lindsay is not as he appears; he is a billionaire tech genius and he is drawn to the enigmatic Sahara. They embark on a one night stand but both of them want more. They are soon grappling with more than just their feelings.....someone is out scare or hurt Sahara. Who is after her? Is it the newly released mob boss? Or someone closer? This book was a great read. I loved the two main characters and the secondary characters were equally interesting. I was totally surprised by the villain.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Cathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sahara is living a very low key life with her son, trying to stay under the radar as her ex is a very rich, resourceful and dangerous man. When she meets Hugh she thinks maybe she could give herself permission for once to just be a woman as long as there’s no strings, no names and no repeating. Once couldn’t hurt could it? Unbeknownst to Sahara, Hugh isn’t just a man, he is a famous billionaire and suddenly things get a lot more dangerous and all consuming.
I’m not sure what I was expecting after reading the blurb but it wasn’t what I got. This book was so much better than the blurb. Sahara and Hugh are wonderful, strong and complex characters that had me invested from the beginning. The relationships were believable and enjoyable. The pace was consistent throughout the story as we saw enough background information to get us hooked before continuing to weave suspense, romance and surprise. Overall it was a very entertaining book to read.
I received a free copy of this book from Voracious Readers in exchange for an honest review.

[Sonya Male · Rating 4 out of 5]

The ballerina, the billionaire and steamy sex!
A really enjoyable romance with sizzling chemistry between Sahara and Hugh.
Sahara has been in witness protection with her son for seven years. A chance meeting with billionaire Hugh starts a seemingly impossible romance.
After news of the release from prison of Sahara’s ex-husband, Hugh takes everyone to his first home – which raises memories and emotions that he finds difficult to deal with.
Suspense is heightened by a totally unexpected twist that leaves Sahara in more danger than ever. Resilient and loving Sahara is well matched with the surly but kind hearted Hugh in this page turning novel that has the reader hoping for a happy ending.

(The author kindly made a copy of this novel available for review via Voracious Readers – with thanks).

[Ash Juillet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you so much, Voracious Readers Only, for a copy of this book.

I absolutely loved this. Hugh was a sweetheart. I couldn't stop laughing when he asked Calliope, his AI, if he had a few houses in the area where he could take Sahara or whether he should buy a whole building for the occasion. I'm still laughing at how desperate the poor (filthy rich) man was to have sex with a woman who didn't know he was a billionaire.

The plot twist was very interesting. I had expected a version of it, but the story took a turn and pleasantly surprised me.

There were a few places where the large letter changed the whole format of the paragraph, and it was a bit jarring to read (and reread), but the rest of the book was great. I would have liked to read more about Hugh and Malik bonding in the days they spent in the cabin, though.

[Adalle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow I didn’t see that coming...

Wow, this book had me thinking one way, and then all of a sudden, BAM, it took me somewhere else. Meeting Sahara and Hugh is one of the highlights of the book. But meeting Calliope and Malik will melt your heart.

Yes, I had to grab some tissues for a hot minute. But for the rest of the book, I had my tennis shoes and vaseline at the ready.

This is the first time I have ever read anything from this author, and based solely on this “thrilla” here, it is not my last.

Any opinions expressed within this review are solely and uniquely made by me and I am happily leaving this review. I originally voluntarily received an advanced copy of this book via bsprout.

[Tijuanna Ruffin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very Good Read

This was such a good book. Sahara Mills was in witness protection after testifying against her mobster husband. Sahara and Hugh have a chance meeting which led to them sleeping together. Sahara then has to relocate but Hugh finds her and their journey begins. I liked Hugh because he was very smart and his invention led to him being a billionaire. Hugh also had a traumatic childhood which wss revealed as he was helping Sahara. Sahara had experienced some trauma while being married to her husband. Malik, Sahara's son was so cute and how he attached himself to Hugh. Hugh and Sahara's journey was wild, unexpected and so good that I will be reading this book again. And the HEA was so deserved.

[Caitlynne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sahara is in hiding, trying to protect her son from her billionaire ex. She used to be a prima ballerina until an accident ended her career. Hugh is a tech billionaire, he hates most of the business side of his business and often ends up leaving events.
The two meet outside a donut shop and sparks fly. They have a fling, which results in a photograph of the two going viral and Sahara hiding place is revealed. She and her son go on the run with Hugh's help.
I loved learning about Hugh and his childhood. He and Sahara appear so different on the surface level but actually work so well together in all the ways that matter. Malik was adorable and I loved how she wrote him. Its a great read and I couldn't put it down once I started.

I received a free copy of this book through Voracious Readers.

[Zsa Zsa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sahara has secrets. She along with her young son Malik live in hiding, as she endeavours to keep them ahead of danger. Sahara had it all, a career that fulfilled her love of dance. In the blink of an eye it was gone. In her lowest moments she let a powerful man take care of her. Unfortunately her life devolves into an emotionally and physically volatile situation. Finally able to escape her marital prison, she makes a new path. An unexpected encounter introduces her to a man with charisma. A bold proposal leads to a liaison that has them craving more. Hugh can't resist the woman who he just met, but wants to know more about. What ensues is a story that entertains while weaving together drama, revelations, emotions and danger.

[C C Adcock · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! I could not it down! I felt a connection to this book because I am a brown girl and I did dance professionally in my younger days. I also studied at MIT, and, yes, there are guys like Hugh who are good-looking, super-smart, but also socially awkward. I thought the author did a wonderful job building the tension between the two romantic leads, and I loved how Sahara just blurted out her attraction to Hugh. The "danger" part of the plot was very believable, and I confess, I did not foresee the twist at the end. If you are looking for a quick read with a well-written plot, and interracial romance, this is your book. I was very pleasantly surprised. I received a free copy of this book from Voracious Readers in exchange for this review.

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you VoraciousReader for sending me a free copy of this book. This is the first book I have read by this author and it will definitely not be my last. The story was captivating from the start. I loved the MCs Sahara and Hugh and how their relationship grew and blossomed. The only reason I  didn't give it 5 stars is because of the love-making scenes, I felt they were rushed and indescriptive. I must admit I did cringed at some of the terms used during these scenes like 'tasted her crevice' and 'churning himself deep into the heart of her body'. It was a little too antiquated for me. Also, with a title like 'His Private Dancer', I was expecting something a bit more raunchy rather than Mills and Boon circa 1980. But overall it was a good read.

[T.M. Haddock · Rating 4 out of 5]

If the past 15 months has shown us anything, it's that we are seeing a resurgence in our culture that points once again to racial awareness. That's why when reading an IR novel, I am keen to know how intentional an author plans to be with the theme. In an airy but not irresponsible divergence from the norm however, this author chose to simply SEE people-a pair of exceptional, but damaged people.
Hugh and Sahara fell hard and fast, but weren't drawn to each other in a way that came off as fetishy or exotizing. They were both interestingly flawed human beings, each with a triggering back story and an undeniable attraction.

[Genevieve · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sahara Mills is a black ballerina that was injured and has been kept by Tango, her mobster boyfriend. She becomes friends with one of his men and because of it he is killed in front of her. She’s then put into protective custody. Years later she meets a man, Hugh Lindsay that she has sex with, and they both want more but she can’t give him what he wants because of her secret.
Sahara and Hugh are all over the news and they both find out about each other. He sets out to protect her and her son and will stop at no end to do just that.
This book is filled with lots of passion, full of mystery and will keep you wanting more down to the last page.

[Shifty Bugger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the book it was great, the story was written well and the characters were interesting. This story is about Sahara and Hugh. Sahara was a ballerina she runaway because her benefactor and boyfrienda mob boss. Hugh is a gorgeous quiet tech genius and a billionaire, he had his eye on Sahara. Hugh and Sahara decided to have a one night stand but their chemistry is so intense they need more of each other. There was so much action when someone is trying to get to Sahara.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Whit · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow! Lots of shocking twists and turns in this heart-tugging story.
When Sahara's ballerina career comes to an end, she finds herself on the run from her mobster boyfriend, who was supposed to be protecting her. Instead she ended up as his prisoner. The brutal and horrific deeds Tango put her through were mind-boggling.
Then she meets Hugh, a really decent guy, but Sahara doesn't trust him because of her past. She ends up hiding out in a really dangerous neighborhood under the Witness Protection Program.
But the guy running that turns out to be the biggest danger to Sahara and her son, than all the other guys put together.

[Sheilina · Rating 5 out of 5]

*This book was provided by voracious readers in return for an honest review...

At the first page, I considered abandoning this book, thinking it was just another sex/romance novel - but I'm very glad I persisted... and it soon became compelling. A wonderful story with drama, suspense and romance, told in a good pace with some beautiful narrative. It was also so positive to read about a woman of colour, strong, independent and determined - how heartening to have such a heroine.

Definitely worth reading ... and difficult to put down. Thoroughly enjoyed.

[Cam · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting, complex and with a twist storyline that weaves several characters together through the lens of a budding relationship. Definitely a HEA which gets you in the feels after the roller coaster these characters go through.

With a love/lust at first sight to kick off the romance for the main two baggage welding characters, their relationship grows in a stuttering will they, won't they, climb.

My true mark of an HEA; I have no need for a sequel but will definitely be picking up another book by Karyn

--Received this book for free via VRO in exchange for an honest review--

[PAMELA L MOORE · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Book

I thought it was a good book to read. Hugh and Sahara Were some couple. A chance meeting turned into all of that. I can’t believe that Tango and Paul were both so obsessed with Sahara like the both were. That after everything Tango put Sahara through he left her his legitimate businesses. And Sahara took possession of them.

I would have thought that Sahara wouldn’t want anything to to with Tango’s money. I really Loved Hugh’s invention. That was cool. All in all it was a great book to read, l really enjoyed reading it.

[Butterbean · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a fine thriller about an ex ballet dancer who is on the run with her son when she finds out that her mafia ex husband is out of prison. She reluctantly trusts and receives help from a billionaire tech inventor who falls for her after a one night stand, afraid that she has escaped one cage only to fall into another. I read this in audio it was atrocious. The narrator is whispering if she's not putting on a male voice. Then, on top of that, the audio quality is poor and unlistenable in some chapters. If you are going to give this book a try, I would avoid the audio version.

[Rose Brown]

Beautiful and intense
Two strangers crash into each other at a doughnut show. As they stare into each other’s eyes they feel an instant attraction and find something they didn’t know was missing. But first Sahara and Hugh need to battle their demons to be free from the past and happy. This sweet, intense, and romantic tale has drama, betrayal, action, suspense, and steamy chemistry. I loved this read.
I received a free copy of this book for an honest review

[Georgie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book through voracious readers and I liked reading it. It did not take me long at all to finish this book. The romance, the mystery, the thrills were all soo exciting and kept the book interesting from start to finish. I loved the meet cute between Sahara and Hugh, it was soo cute and romantic. All of the characters in the book were all soo interesting and none fell flat at all. I recommend this book to people who like thriller romances.

[Lvingwithnk · Rating 3 out of 5]

I gave this 3 out of 5 stars because although I loved the writing style, I felt that the story was too short and quick but the author did a very good job of packing so much into the plot and progressing it in a meaningful way in so little time. The romance is very fast and explosive and there is no lull in the story. I wanted more which would have probably given the story an extra star because I would have had more time with the characters which is what I wanted.