Tanssi sydämeni

The Twin Tycoons #1

by Carole Mortimer

Andy ei saanut silmiään irti ravintolaan astuneesta synkänkomeasta miehestä. Se ei ollut lainkaan hänen tapaistaan. Nuorena, kun hän oli haaveillut prima ballerinan urasta, hän oli ollut liian uppoutunut tanssimiseen, jotta hänellä olisi ollut aikaa millekään – tai kenellekään – muulle. Ja viimeiset neljä vuotta… niin, viimeiset neljä vuotta hän oli kerännyt kasaan elämänsä sirpaleita. Mutta nyt, aivan yllättäen, nähdessään Darius Sternen, jokin Andyn sisällä heräsi…

Genres: Harlequin, Romance, Contemporary Romance, Harlequin Presents, Contemporary

Unknown Binding

First published February 1, 2015

About the author

I have written almost 250 romance novels in contemporary and Regency.

I am a USA Today Bestselling Author and recipient of the 2015 RWA Lifetime Achievement Award. In 2014 I received a Pioneer of Romance Award from Romantic Times in the US and in 2012 I was recognised by Queen Elizabeth II for my 'outstanding service to literature'.

I am very happily married to Peter with six sons, and live on the Isle of Man

Reviews

[Sandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Andy (Miranda) Jacobs is out celebrating her twenty-third birthday with her sister Kim and her sister's husband. While at the restaurant she notices a darkly handsome man come in--Darius Sterne, accompanied by his twin brother, blonde Xander. Andy's sister tells her that they are the wealthy Sterne's, billionaire owners of Midas Enterprises, and that they own the restaurant they are in right now. Later on they all meet up at a Midas nightclub, (through some secret arranging by Darius, who is eager to meet the lovely Andy). After this the hero really pursues the heroine, and invites her to events, dinners, etc. Andy was a likable and sweet heroine. Four years ago she had dreams of becoming a world-class ballerina but these dreams were shattered when she was injured in a fall. Now she teaches ballet at her own school. Darius was a wonderful hero. He was the darker, brooding one of the two twins. He also had some pain in his past. I liked how he got Andy out of her shell. I found this book to be a very enjoyable, sweet romance, and I really look forward to reading twin brother Xander's story.

[Jenny · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sweet love story about two broken people with lots of scars who heal each other with their love. I enjoyed it but it lacked depth and I really wonder why CM doesn't write love scenes anymore. It kind of ruins the book for me reading a love story where the hero and heroine never consummate their love.

[Alex is The Romance Fox · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was okay...not great.

I liked the characters and the storyline was interesting....but the story dragged a bit for me.

I didn't feel excited about the romance between Darius & Miranda.....

I am looking forward to Darius's brother's book!!!

[*CJ* · Rating 3 out of 5]

"The Redemption of Darius Sterne" is the story of Miranda and Darius.

The heroine is celebrating her birthday in a bar with her family, when she and the hero spot each other. Both feel the pangs of attraction, and he invites her over. He then relentlessly pursues her, tracking her down and blackmailing her to being his escort to his mother's charity saga. He also discovers her identity as a disabled but very famous ballerina. They have a nice courtship, where his family's secrets are revealed and her nemesis shows their face. It ends suddenly with a love confession and a HEA.

I wanted to see more passion, more stabby-stab of the cruel and heartless villain and definitely more of Xander/Darius relationship. This was rushed but sweet.

SWE hero saw the heroine performing ages ago. Even after meeting her in present, he tries to sleep with OW but fails
3.5/5

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

For me, Harlequin Presents are fun, glamorous novels and quick romantic reads that are usually enjoyable enough, but often it's like a crap shoot. Many of these can be poorly plotted or written and at other times they are brilliant. With a long standing and dependable author like Carole, I know I won't have to wonder if the book will be good, and this book proves my point.

Overall, this one is well written, with the steam and glamorous elements toned down a little and the story being a little meatier than most from this line. A satisfying and enjoyable read.

[Reads by Starburst · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Redemption of Darius Sterne was a well written romance set in London with two damaged souls coming together to find a well deserved HEA.

Miranda is an awesome heroine because she rose from her damaged past and found her solace again. I loved her incredible journey and how she fought her insecurities to be with Darius. She had a promising career as a ballerina ahead but an accident made her loose that dreams and cost her many things. Darius is a dark brooding hero who has scars of his own and finds his solace with Miranda. He pursued her and I loved the way he did the same. The romance was based on the main characters connection and how they overcome their inner demons to find a HEA. There was seduction, there were not any love scenes (sex) in the story.

Overall, The Redemption of Darius Sterne by Carole Mortimer is a well written enjoyable romance and is for everyone who believes true love does triumph all.

[Megzy · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

The book is about two strong minded yet emotionally scarred individuals. They are both lovely and likable. Andy is a virgin due to being too busy and not having time for a relationship. Even though both characters are very much drawn to each other from the very first look, they both try to fight the attraction and the book didn't center around just the lust between the two. Their romance took place in a matter of few short weeks but it was more than just sex which held the two together.

[Debbie DiFiore · Rating 3 out of 5]

The heroine was a prima ballerina until she was pushed off the stage and so she can't dance anymore. She starts dating H, the evil woman who pushed her off the stage wants the H and let's slip she was the one who pushed her and she was going to win again. But she didn't. H loved her. Very boring story but I liked it. The evil OW got her comeuppance in the end and the h danced for the H.

[Desere · Rating 5 out of 5]

Formidable tycoon, Darius Sterne has built a global empire and he always get's what he wants. Always. And what he wants right now, is ex ballerina Miranda Jacobs, in his bed and sighing out his name in pleasure.

Virginal Miranda can't resist the allure of the brooding billionaire, but the closer he pulls her the more he threatens the barriers she's very carefully constructed to conceal the scars that lead to her past. But is Miranda the only one hiding pain? Or is there more Darius? As the dance of passion begins so thus the redemption of dark and damaged Darius Sterne.

I have been a long time fan of this author's work , and the more I read the more I want! She has an amazing talent for taking a " it's been done before" plot and twisting and turning it into something new and fresh , I realize that might not make a lot of sense, but believe me it is the honest truth. There have been many books about ballerina's and hot rich men meeting and after a time becoming a couple and then voila , romance read. But what this author did was give the main characters more flair, both were more alive and realistic then I have found in some other similar reads.

The character of Darius is the typical dark, dangerous hero closed off hero, with the dreadful past, but instead of being completely disconnected from his family , as in other reads, Darius is close to his twin brother, they share the same pain and the same secrets and that touch was one I particularity enjoyed. It is not often that I find a read where the hero is at least talking to someone, well before he get's to the being part of being open with the heroine, we all know that takes a while. Through this character the author showed that we all have a past we wish we could simply make go away, but it's always there, lurking in the dark and ready to pounce when we least expect it, but courage to face up to it is the main key.

The character of Miranda was sweet, kind and not at all the kind of woman one would think would get involved with a hero as dark and dangerous as Darius. You would expect her to be with someone more sweet and sensitive , not cold and nearly completely closed off, but of course this happens in Hp reads all the time and it's what us fans thrive on! The difference between her and other heroines in similar settings? She was incredibly strong, most woman in her position would fall over and simply not even try to get back up, the ending of a career means is a very bitter pill to swallow, but not this heroine, she fights back to the point where she is comfortable, and thus could do a heck of a lot more, but as with the hero, she needs to find the courage to move forward. And through this character the author showed just how strong the influence of others can be when we need that final push in life.

I am taking away a message of the past is a cold and dark place none of us want to face, it's the hell we run from everyday. But if we never find the courage to face it, will it ever truly go away? No, of course it won't! Stand up and face it, no matter how hard it might seem, there is light at the end of the tunnel and you never know just who might be waiting within in that light, happiness is after-all what brings us home.

I highly recommend this read for all fans of romance reads. It's a stunning story of two lost souls and the journey they take towards the walls of the past being broken down.

5/5 star review
" The swan rises up from the darkness, but will the darkness consume her before she's ready to save her hero?"

[R.C. Matthews · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars for Darius and Miranda's love story. The book blurb does a good job of setting up the storyline.

Darius is a brooding billionaire used to getting what he wants, and that usually includes sexy interludes with no strings attached. He doesn't do emotions. Growing up with an abusive father taught him to hide his emotions. Miranda ('Andy') grew up in a loving family who supported throughout her life to realize her dream of becoming a world-renowned ballerina. Only her dream was cut short when a near fatal accident meant she'd never dance professionally again. She has no issues expressing her emotions with her loving sister and caring brother-in-law and she enjoys her simple life. But she's hiding under the scars of her past.

The story unfolds very quickly and only spans about two weeks, most of which the H/h were separated. They had five interactions with each other, three fleeting meetings and two for a few hours, with one steamy scene and I'm supposed to believe that they're madly in love with each other? It felt rushed and unrealistic - which is saying something since I generally adore love at first sight books and have written one myself. But with less than 200 pages and no prior history between these characters, it didn't feel genuine.

That being said, I really enjoyed reading this story and if there had been a little more time to develop the relationship between these two characters, then I really believe it could have hit a 5 star rating for me. It's a quick read that was worth my time.

[Megan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute love story. Bit plain and a little chaotic but it was nice he wasn't really mean to her and was protective pretty quickly.

[More Books Than Time · Rating 1 out of 5]

Skimmed, written well enough but not my taste

[Jo · Rating 1 out of 5]

La Redención de Darius Sterne (Los gemelos Sterne #1)

Es una novela que tiene un buen inicio, pero que se vuelve aburrida con el paso de los capítulos.
la sra Mortimer nos quiere vender un héroe muy duro y muy alfa que de duro y alfa no tiene nada, porque en menos de cinco capítulos lo vemos desmoronándose...
Miranda es una luchadora por todo lo que ha tenido que pasar en 23 años. Ella es virgen, pero según sus comentarios y pensamientos, "Es una virgen porque tiene cicatrices en el cuerpo" y no porque para ella sea importante. como que el accidente borró muchos de sus planes, y no sólo sus sueños de ser una bailarina exitosa. Lo que más me fastidia en esta historia es que cuando el héroe sabe que ella es virgen, que será su novia virgen, un poco más y le prende velas a la santa virgen cuando ella ni fu no fa con el tema...
Como dije, el libro es aburrido de la mitad para adelante. La historia es lenta, pesada y no tiene ningún ritmo. la trama está allí, pero no es aprovechada por la autora.
Personalmente deja mucho que desear.

[L.A. Wild]

Byibnnjuyuuyiioxzdewb
Nbcgv. Yuk

[Blog_Océane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Je connaissais déjà cette histoire car c'est la même qu'un vieux manga d'Harlequin. J'ai donc pris du plaisir à la redécouvrir sous forme de roman. Je dois dire qu'elle est très fidèle au roman, je n'ai donc pas été dépaysée.
Carole Mortimer fait partie des auteures incontournables des romances Harlequin, ses romances se lisent très rapidement par le nombre de pages, par la plume légère. C'est clairement un livre sans prise de tête.
Quant à l'intrigue, elle est classique avec la rencontre entre un riche homme d'affaires et coureur de jupons, et une jeune femme qui se reconstruit. Deux mondes différents mais l'alchimie est au rendez-vous. Si vous vous attendez une intrigue avec beaucoup d'actions, d'évènements, etc. ; passez votre chemin car on est plus dans l'émotion. Il est question de se reconstruire, d'évoluer, de danse, d'amour, de désir...
Pour les personnages, j'ai adoré Miranda. Cette ancienne danseuse étoile qui se reconstruit et a su surmonter son accident. Elle est un modèle pour tous et j'aime aussi qu'elle s'oppose au protagoniste masculin même si j'aurais voulu qu'elle s'oppose davantage. Quant à Darius, il est un cliché ambulant : le coureur de jupons qui ne vit que pour son talent, il enchaîne les conquêtes, a des soucis familiaux. Bref, il n'y a rien de surprenant comme le fait qu'il craque pour l'héroïne totalement différente de ses maîtresses habituelles.
J'aime beaucoup leur relation car on sent que leur attirance ne devient pas qu'un désir sexuel mais il y a une volonté d'apprendre à découvrir l'autre.

Pour conclure, c'est une romance assez cucul la praline mais j'adore en été lire des livres sans prise de tête. C'est un bon moment d'évasion avec une romance classique.

[Klynn · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was okay. Not great but not awful either.

[Kate Francis · Rating 3 out of 5]

A short but pleasant romance with enough plot points to have been a much longer, more detailed novel. A good summer book.

[Calysta · Rating 2 out of 5]

just didn't connect with the characters *shrug*

[Karen Geurts · Rating 5 out of 5]

An interesting story about a former ballerina, that now runs her own ballet studio, and a single billionaire extraordinaire.

[Janice · Rating 4 out of 5]

Miranda is starting over after an accident(?) destroyed her ballet career when she meets Darius Sterne.

[Sheila Melo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Andy Tames Darius

"Dark, cold and scary."

THE STORY: Miranda "Andy" Jacobs was a promising ballerina when she was in a serious accident four years ago which left her scarred and destroyed her career in dance. Andy has managed to recover and has opened a dance studio where she teaches young children. On her birthday, Andy gets the chance to dine at an exclusive restaurant where she sees Darius Sterne. Darius and his twin brother are the billionaire owners of Midas Enterprises. From the moment he enters the restaurant, Andy and Darius cannot take their eyes from one another. Neither is inclined to believe that a relationship between them is possible or even advisable. Darius has dark secrets from his past that have made him close himself off from everyone except for his twin brother. Both those secrets and a danger from Andy's past threaten any relationship between Andy and Darius.

OPINION: Andy is incredibly strong for such a young woman. She has endured much and yet she has been able to make more of her life than she might have expected. When she and Darius begin their "courtship" neither believes that it will go anywhere. Darius is closed off, cold and tries to avoid emotional entanglements. From the start, however, Darius cannot avoid his compulsion to get to know Andy. The story is short but it moves at a quick pace and the characters keep the story interesting. Enjoyable one time read except that I really liked the characters being introduced and it makes me want to read the next book about Xander.

WORTH MENTIONING: It is intriguing that Xander the twin that appears lighter and more open is apparently the twin with the darker side. Can't wait for his book.

FINAL DECISION: The relationship between Andy and Darius makes this book interesting. Andy is incredibly strong and Darius is completely unable to resist her despite his intentions. The book is short and uncomplicated, but the main characters make the story interesting.

CONNECTED BOOKS: THE REDEMPTION OF DARIUS STERNE is the first book of the Twin Tycoons series.

STAR RATING: I give this book 4 stars.

[iamGamz · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Stars

I haven't indulged in my favorite guilty pleasure in a while, and I chose a great book to indulge in; "The Redemption of Darius Sterne." It tells the story of a Darius, a billionaire twin who meets Miranda, a ballerina whose promising career ends because of an unlucky fall off the stage. Darius is overbearing and an absolute control freak. He see Miranda and wants her, but Miranda is not having it. She refuses to fall at his feet like most women do. This intrigues Darius and causes him to chase her even more. Eventually she relents and accompanies him to a family charity event.

While there she is reunited with a Tia Bellamy, a former member of Miranda's ballet company. They were never friends and Tia approaching her at the charity event makes Miranda wary. Tia's makes it obvious that she only approached Miranda to meet Darius, who has no interest in her. Her jealousy in Miranda's relationship with Darius, and Miranda's acceptance to dance at a charity event that Darius's mother is chairing, beings Tia's envy to a head. She approaches Miranda at her dance studio and threatens her.

Meanwhile, her relationship with Darius, is becoming hotter and heavier. They share a lovely Sunday dinner and walk in the park which leads to a bit of naughty-time on the sofa. As the relationship develops, Darius begins to run scared. He has kept himself emotionally unavailable to everyone but his twin brother most of his life and Miranda is breaking through his barriers. It isn't until he learns of Tia's perfidy and that Miranda may have been killed, does he come to terms with his true feelings for her.

I love Carole Mortimer's work and this book did not disappoint. Darius, while a bit of an overbearing oaf, still manages to become human enough to fall for the sweet innocent girl. Miranda is able to let go of the fear of dancing that she has had since her accident with a push from Darius and his continued support. It's a sweet story with a lovely epilogue. I adore epilogues! It makes me feel like i've gotten closure from the author. A great read, really enjoyable.

[Trenchologist · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book was not for me. I can't even say I'm disappointed--it didn't set up enough to let me down once finished. It just kinda /was/.

Too many peeves in style and trope, so much telling and so little showing I had no story nor investment from/in the characters, with redundant prose and dizzying head-hopping nearly every page to round it out. Detailed introspective observations of place and other person abounded, slowing the pace, then huge moments and reveals were practically skipped over. And so many exclamation points [!]. There were enough technical errors and clumsiness/laziness I wondered, 'where was the editor during this?'

Cliches for the Heroine's 'villain' and the Hero's backstory--with plenty more general Romance cliches to be had, in action, event, and thoughts/dialogue--but no investment or truth resonating from them. He's a heavy-breathing, pushy, closed off Male and she's a fragile flower for most of it, until he unburdens his soul and smiles and she finds confidence, although I'm not sure how either transformation was achieved. I didn't care about either lead or root for their HEA, and they didn't earn the HEA once achieved; and aside there being trappings for a story, no real story unfolded. All tied in a neat bow during the last chapter and epilogue that required both leads undoing their scant characterization up to that point to make it actually work.

Sexiness factor upped mostly by being told in that detailed, introspective recounting way about the Hero's fantasies every time he encountered or gazed at the Heroine. The heat lost its sizzle pretty quickly with that approach.

Maybe all this can be explained (excused?) in that it's not really a romance. Two people meeting, bickering over scant encounters, then out of the blue realizing they're in love 100 pages later isn't a romance. Even if we're Told to believe it.

Briefly tantalizing in the glimpses of what it could have been, but nothing realized.

[Dottie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A story of redemption and the healing of scars both physically and emotionally. Darius Sterne is a wealthy tycoon who is used to getting every thing he wants and, Miranda Jacobs is his next conquest. Miranda has scars from a past accident that had taken away her career as a ballerina. She has lived in her quiet virginal world for over 4 years till Darius forces his way into her life. What transpires is a wonderful story of two people damaged in different ways living totally different life styles, finding each other and breaking down all the walls both have built. Ms. Mortimer has made a timeless story here that is truly a keeper. Watch for Darius' twin in her twin tycoon series.

[Fenley Grant · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received this book at a conference I recently attended. I rarely read Harlequin Presents novels, but the author's long career and body of work made me give it a try. The book is not my cup of tea, but it isn't because of the author's craft or the story itself. The main characters are likable and the book's craft is fine. I like a longer novel, where you can really delve into the story, and Presents novels are too short for that type of depth. So, not a bad read, but not the type of book I will pick up again.

[Virginia Boylan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Having read the sequel to this book first, I was prepared for the extreme overuse of exclamation points and rambling introspectives interrupting the story so much I had to backtrack to see who spoke last and what they said. It was nice to complete the picture of these two brothers, but the extreme self-made wealth of these two young men was no more appealing this time, and I found Darius less interesting than his brother. Miranda's injuries and their cause seemed unconvincing, and the evil, jealous rival was simply too trite. The story was worth finishing, but that's about it.

[RomLibrary · Rating 3 out of 5]

So innocent. So tempting…

Having built a global empire synonymous with excellence, formidable tycoon Darius Sterne is a man who gets what he wants. Always. And right now? He wants ex-ballerina Miranda Jacobs…in his bed and sighing his name in pleasure.

Virginal Miranda can't resist the allure of the brooding billionaire. But the closer he pulls her, the more Darius threatens the barriers she's carefully constructed to conceal the scars of her past. Yet Miranda isn't the only one with pain to hide…

Can her pure love dance into his heart and redeem the dark and damaged Darius Sterne?

[Melanie Malkoun · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved this book. Darius is a billionaire and meets former Ballerina Miranda Jacobs at his club on her birthday. He is instantly attracted to her. She was also instantly attracted to him, although she didn't admit it at first. They both have a troubled past, but together they overcome it. It was a beautiful love story and Darius was such a gentlemen. I really loved the ending. I highly recommend the reading of this book.

[Harlequin Books]

"Mortimer’s tale is of forgiveness and starting over for her scarred, stubborn heroine and arrogant, determined hero. The glitzy London settings are befitting of the characters and story, and the heroine’s brave rise from her devastating injuries will astonish" (RT Book Reviews, 4 stars).

Miniseries: The Twin Tycoons

[Mari Romancegirl · Rating 1 out of 5]

I'm not sure why this is considered a romance novel.
There is no romance in it. Darius is a bully. Miranda is a doormat who has no assertiveness whatsoever. And the other characters in the book are just annoying. Darius's brother is a wimp, their mother is clueless, and Miranda's rival should be in jail.

This book was not worth my time.