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Bannions #2
Dance of Dreams
Narcissus: Egotism
Ruth Bannion knew that handsome Russian émigré Nickolai Davidov never thought he'd meet his match—until she gave the enigmatic man a piece of her mind! But could she ever hope that her lifelong dream to dance would lead to a waltz down the aisle with Nick?
Ruth Bannion knew that handsome Russian émigré Nickolai Davidov never thought he'd meet his match—until she gave the enigmatic man a piece of her mind! But could she ever hope that her lifelong dream to dance would lead to a waltz down the aisle with Nick?
219 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published September 1, 1983
383 people are currently reading
1492 people want to read
About the author
Nora Roberts
1,209 books59.7k followersNora Roberts is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of more than 200 novels, including Hideaway, Under Currents, Come Sundown, The Awakening, Legacy, and coming in November 2021 -- The Becoming -- the second book in The Dragon Heart Legacy. She is also the author of the futuristic suspense In Death series written under the pen name J.D. Robb. There are more than 500 million copies of her books in print.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 154 reviews
November 10, 2017
Pleasant older romance from the 80's by Nora Roberts that takes place in the world of ballet.
Hero Nickolai Davidov and heroine Ruth Bannion are paired together as the leads for a new ballet. They have known each other for years. Nickolai is Ruth's mentor. (He's been called the finest dancer of the decade...a master, a legend.) Ruth has always been in awe of him. But now, during this new ballet, Ruth is finding herself falling for Nickolai.
This was a very enjoyable read. I liked the sexy Russian hero Nickolai...he was arrogant, dramatic, and charming. I also liked Ruth, she was spirited and feisty, but also sweet. I liked her cat Nijinsky. I found the other characters in the book interesting. I liked Ruth's Uncle Seth and his wife Lindsay (who was Ruth's ballet teacher years ago). I enjoyed the ballet storyline, I thought it was romantic.
Hero Nickolai Davidov and heroine Ruth Bannion are paired together as the leads for a new ballet. They have known each other for years. Nickolai is Ruth's mentor. (He's been called the finest dancer of the decade...a master, a legend.) Ruth has always been in awe of him. But now, during this new ballet, Ruth is finding herself falling for Nickolai.
This was a very enjoyable read. I liked the sexy Russian hero Nickolai...he was arrogant, dramatic, and charming. I also liked Ruth, she was spirited and feisty, but also sweet. I liked her cat Nijinsky. I found the other characters in the book interesting. I liked Ruth's Uncle Seth and his wife Lindsay (who was Ruth's ballet teacher years ago). I enjoyed the ballet storyline, I thought it was romantic.
May 12, 2020
I was disappointed. It was bad enough that hero's first love is married to heroine 's uncle and they are constantly reminiscing about their past and being all touchy feely with each other, but he also admitted to the heroine that he has said the words "I love you" to many women before, who he doesn't remember today. This made the relationship with the heroine totally non-special. Plus, I was waiting the entire time for the nasty rival OW number two to get her comeuppance but nada there either. Just disappointing :(
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 29, 2014
This is one of my all time favorite Nora Roberts books. It is the second about continuing characters. Something about the ballet theme and the Russian hero really makes me happy. A beautiful love story and because I consider dancers to be athletes, it comes under the header of a sports romance. I thinks this was one of the first Nora books I read and I immediately got everything else she had written up to that point. Love it, highly recommended.
December 31, 2024
We first met Ruth and Nick in "Reflections" where she was a star struck 17-year-old, and he was a jaded older man contemplating the transition from being the top male ballet dancer to more of a creative role in the world of dance. This is a wonderful romance, and Nora shows why she writes characters that endure. This book is over 40 years old, 40 years old! Yet, it still is as alive and fresh as if he had been published this year, in a lot of ways it is better than some of Nora's more recent work. At the heart of a great romance are the characters and Ruth and Nick are a fantastic couple. Firey, head strong, determined, passionate both in their work and their personal lives. Nora also shows the depth of her research in how she brings to life the world of ballet. This is just a great romance that has stood the test of time.
Ruth Bannion was seventeen when she met and fell under the spell of the dashing Nickolai Davidov, a Russian ballet dancer who is the premier male dancer of his time. After studying under him and becoming his partner, Ruth realizes that her hero worship has turned into something deeper. She had no idea that Nick has been keeping himself in check waiting for Ruth to grow up. Now, five years later, the talented girl is now a prima ballerina and a force to be reconned with. This woman knows her strength and can go toe to toe with him. Creative differences and a backstabber in the company see them at odds with each other, but their fiery passionate natures have them surrendering to each other and their love.
Ruth Bannion was seventeen when she met and fell under the spell of the dashing Nickolai Davidov, a Russian ballet dancer who is the premier male dancer of his time. After studying under him and becoming his partner, Ruth realizes that her hero worship has turned into something deeper. She had no idea that Nick has been keeping himself in check waiting for Ruth to grow up. Now, five years later, the talented girl is now a prima ballerina and a force to be reconned with. This woman knows her strength and can go toe to toe with him. Creative differences and a backstabber in the company see them at odds with each other, but their fiery passionate natures have them surrendering to each other and their love.
March 28, 2021
4.5
Oh yes, this was GREAT. ALL THE BALLET ROMANCES, PLEASE. The idea of knowing each other so intimately as a ballet partner even when you're not romantically involved? And it was HOT, which I don't think I usually feel about Nora Roberts books. I might even bump it up to five stars someday.
Content warnings: Dated, for sure. Use of the word gypsy. Weight/diet talk in the context ballet. Couple met when she was 17.
Oh yes, this was GREAT. ALL THE BALLET ROMANCES, PLEASE. The idea of knowing each other so intimately as a ballet partner even when you're not romantically involved? And it was HOT, which I don't think I usually feel about Nora Roberts books. I might even bump it up to five stars someday.
Content warnings: Dated, for sure. Use of the word gypsy. Weight/diet talk in the context ballet. Couple met when she was 17.
October 2, 2025
Back into these Nora Roberts books with her first series. Reflections and Dance of Dreams follow Ruth Bannion, an up and coming ballerina, and Lindsay (ln?) a famous ballerina retired to care for her mother.
This is more of a review for both books. I don’t have much to say about either but want to keep my thoughts on the Roberts catalogue down for future reference. Reflections was a fairly boring and standard read. There was little chemistry between Lindsay and Seth, and felt neither character was interesting enough on their own, let alone together. It was fine but nothing that stands out.
Dance of Dreams was quite a surprising following Reflections. Picks up five years after that book ends, with Ruth getting closer to fulfilling her dreams as a ballerina. The central romance here is between Ruth and Nick, her instructor that we met in Reflections. This was by far Robert’s best book to date. Dialogue was (at last) well written, no longer as awkward and stifled as her past books. It invites some actual tension to the romance, some heat between the two leads. I enjoyed seeing Ruth pursue her career and not subside her ambitions for a man, this is nice progress for the very submissive and traditional roles Roberts’ female leads usually fall into by the end of her books. There typically is some professional entanglement between Roberts’s two leads, On This Day or Blithe Images for example, but it never adds any real stakes to the romance. And this time it did, leading to their conflicts feeling believable. Dance of Dreams , of course, has all the melodrama of this genre of romance, and why wouldn’t I want that, esp after the bore of Reflections. A lot of trembling, pulling away, storming out. The romance was good, the writing was decent. Dialogue was improved and there wasn’t as much awkward phrasing from my experience,. Both of these books do miss some of Roberts’s lush descriptive tendencies and scene setting.
I also want to point out that Roberts is steadily removing (or I guess simply toning down) on the abusive attributes to her male love interests. No threats of SA this time, the bar is on the floor well and truly.
This is more of a review for both books. I don’t have much to say about either but want to keep my thoughts on the Roberts catalogue down for future reference. Reflections was a fairly boring and standard read. There was little chemistry between Lindsay and Seth, and felt neither character was interesting enough on their own, let alone together. It was fine but nothing that stands out.
Dance of Dreams was quite a surprising following Reflections. Picks up five years after that book ends, with Ruth getting closer to fulfilling her dreams as a ballerina. The central romance here is between Ruth and Nick, her instructor that we met in Reflections. This was by far Robert’s best book to date. Dialogue was (at last) well written, no longer as awkward and stifled as her past books. It invites some actual tension to the romance, some heat between the two leads. I enjoyed seeing Ruth pursue her career and not subside her ambitions for a man, this is nice progress for the very submissive and traditional roles Roberts’ female leads usually fall into by the end of her books. There typically is some professional entanglement between Roberts’s two leads, On This Day or Blithe Images for example, but it never adds any real stakes to the romance. And this time it did, leading to their conflicts feeling believable. Dance of Dreams , of course, has all the melodrama of this genre of romance, and why wouldn’t I want that, esp after the bore of Reflections. A lot of trembling, pulling away, storming out. The romance was good, the writing was decent. Dialogue was improved and there wasn’t as much awkward phrasing from my experience,. Both of these books do miss some of Roberts’s lush descriptive tendencies and scene setting.
I also want to point out that Roberts is steadily removing (or I guess simply toning down) on the abusive attributes to her male love interests. No threats of SA this time, the bar is on the floor well and truly.
August 25, 2019
The age difference factor in this one isn't necessarily great, but I really, really love it.
April 12, 2020
An oldie, but a goodie. I enjoyed this two-book series by one of my first favorite authors, Nora Roberts.
February 23, 2016
I rarely obsess over a book for such a long time, but this one got to me! Nikolai Davidov is everything I ever dreamed of in a guy! He is pure perfection! Russian and a ballet dancer! I think I would die if I could meet him! :D
This is the only book, that whenever I feel sad I just pick it up and re-read it. Or I take Reflection and read the middle part where there is Nikolai! It makes me smile immediately! I am completely in love with the book.
The story is beautiful, and even the dance scenes are written really well.I'm so happy that there is a Ballet-themed novel that is actually accurate and not about how ugly it is to be a ballet dancer.I just wish Nick would exist too.
Ruth is a really good character too, she is fierce and stands up to herself, which I really like in her. She has a soft and a really tough side and I'm glad we get to see both of it.
Overall, this is my all time favourite Nora Roberts!
This is the only book, that whenever I feel sad I just pick it up and re-read it. Or I take Reflection and read the middle part where there is Nikolai! It makes me smile immediately! I am completely in love with the book.
The story is beautiful, and even the dance scenes are written really well.I'm so happy that there is a Ballet-themed novel that is actually accurate and not about how ugly it is to be a ballet dancer.I just wish Nick would exist too.
Ruth is a really good character too, she is fierce and stands up to herself, which I really like in her. She has a soft and a really tough side and I'm glad we get to see both of it.
Overall, this is my all time favourite Nora Roberts!
June 20, 2025
Dance of Dreams is the follow up book to Reflections which I read a few weeks ago. I didn’t think Reflections was a great book however since I had both books in the set I decided to read both. Dance of Dreams followed a very similar formula, just with different characters. Once again we have the strong alpha male and the petite prima ballerina. Stereotypical characters and predictable plot. The relationship/love story in the second book never felt right to me, almost wrong in fact. When they first met he was the 28yo Director of the dance company, and she was a 17yo student dancer. Saving grace is that these were very short books.
February 9, 2018
Here is the Nora I know and love.
The characters are so fleshed out, and not just because I already know them from Reflections, but because they are well developed. I fell in love with Ruth, and with Davidov. Even though he was insufferable at times, he wasn't that typical "80s" alpha male, and I appreciated that.
I know I still have so many of her 80s books to go, but I'm hopeful for an upward trend from here.
The characters are so fleshed out, and not just because I already know them from Reflections, but because they are well developed. I fell in love with Ruth, and with Davidov. Even though he was insufferable at times, he wasn't that typical "80s" alpha male, and I appreciated that.
I know I still have so many of her 80s books to go, but I'm hopeful for an upward trend from here.
May 17, 2011
An enjoyable quick read.
September 21, 2018
Jo, lo que me ha gustado este libro... En realidad es un 3.5
Creo que a veces las historias llegan a ti cuando más las necesitas y consiguen llenar un vacío que no sabías que tenías. Esto me ha pasado con esta novela corta de Nora Roberts.
El lunes fui con mis padres a ver el ballet de El lago de los cisnes y me encantó, así que leer sobre bailarines de ballet y que la autora nos describa tan bien esta profesión me parece todo un regalo. Sé que Roberts podría haber hecho más hincapié en todo el tema del ballet e introducirnos bastante más en este arte, pero este libro tiene 35 años, que es prácticamente el comienzo de Nora Roberts y se puede observar una mejoría impresionante.
Ya he comentado lo especial que me ha parecido el libro en cuanto a la profesión de los personajes, ahora diré que he pensado de los protagonistas.
Bueno, empezaré diciendo que en una novela tan corta es complicado llegar a conocer y conectar con los personajes. Con Ruth he sentido una simpatía instantánea. Me ha parecido una mujer tenaz, trabajadora y luchadora. Con Nick he tenido otras sensaciones, me ha parecido un chico muy dulce y entrañable pero en la mitad de las escenas no lo soportaba porque era demasiado paternalista. Él decidía que era lo mejor para Ruth aunque eso significará que estuvieran separados durante años... Diría que al final la autora nos muestra a un Nick tierno, enamorado y dispuesto a darlo todo por Ruth. Sin embargo, una de sus últimas frases me ha molestado y no he dejado de darle vueltas desde que lo terminé. En general, creo que no son los mejores personajes que ha creado la autora pero, aun así, se me han hecho muy adorables.
Por lo que mi conclusión es que, puede que no sea el mejor libro de la autora y que los personajes dejen un poco que desear, pero como se me ha hecho tan especial y como lo he leído en el momento idóneo me ha llegado al corazón.
Creo que a veces las historias llegan a ti cuando más las necesitas y consiguen llenar un vacío que no sabías que tenías. Esto me ha pasado con esta novela corta de Nora Roberts.
El lunes fui con mis padres a ver el ballet de El lago de los cisnes y me encantó, así que leer sobre bailarines de ballet y que la autora nos describa tan bien esta profesión me parece todo un regalo. Sé que Roberts podría haber hecho más hincapié en todo el tema del ballet e introducirnos bastante más en este arte, pero este libro tiene 35 años, que es prácticamente el comienzo de Nora Roberts y se puede observar una mejoría impresionante.
Ya he comentado lo especial que me ha parecido el libro en cuanto a la profesión de los personajes, ahora diré que he pensado de los protagonistas.
Bueno, empezaré diciendo que en una novela tan corta es complicado llegar a conocer y conectar con los personajes. Con Ruth he sentido una simpatía instantánea. Me ha parecido una mujer tenaz, trabajadora y luchadora. Con Nick he tenido otras sensaciones, me ha parecido un chico muy dulce y entrañable pero en la mitad de las escenas no lo soportaba porque era demasiado paternalista. Él decidía que era lo mejor para Ruth aunque eso significará que estuvieran separados durante años... Diría que al final la autora nos muestra a un Nick tierno, enamorado y dispuesto a darlo todo por Ruth. Sin embargo, una de sus últimas frases me ha molestado y no he dejado de darle vueltas desde que lo terminé. En general, creo que no son los mejores personajes que ha creado la autora pero, aun así, se me han hecho muy adorables.
Por lo que mi conclusión es que, puede que no sea el mejor libro de la autora y que los personajes dejen un poco que desear, pero como se me ha hecho tan especial y como lo he leído en el momento idóneo me ha llegado al corazón.
March 6, 2023
Dance of Dreams
2 Stars
The follow-up to Reflections focuses on Ruth Bannion, Seth's niece, and Nikolai Davidov, Lindsay's former dance partner, both of whom appear in book #1. Nick has been Ruth's mentor for 5 years, but now she has come into her own and they are partnered in a sensual ballet that forces them to confront the feelings they have for one another.
Unfortunately, Ruth and Nick's romance falls completely flat. While age gaps are not usually an issue for me, it does not work here as it is paired with several other elements to make the romance rather cringe-worthy.
First, Ruth was 17 when they first met and Nick reveals his attraction was immediate, which is pervy. Second, their mentor/student and then director/dancer relationship has an inherent power divide. In fact, it is made clear that any disagreement between the two would result in Ruth's dismissal from the ballet company. Third, Nick once had strong feelings for Lindsay, Ruth's aunt, and if circumstances had been different might have acted on them.
While there are kernels of an interesting story with Ruth's rival in the company and the cable TV company, everything takes a back seat to Nick and Ruth's supposed battle of wills, which is contrived and irritating rather than engaging. Moreover, there are, once again, too many tedious descriptions and details on ballet and ballerinas to the extent that it feels more like a dance manual than a romance novel.
The updates on Seth and Lindsay and their cute kids are a highlight of the book and earn it an extra star.
Overall, not one of Nora's better books, but she has certainly come alone way since.
2 Stars
The follow-up to Reflections focuses on Ruth Bannion, Seth's niece, and Nikolai Davidov, Lindsay's former dance partner, both of whom appear in book #1. Nick has been Ruth's mentor for 5 years, but now she has come into her own and they are partnered in a sensual ballet that forces them to confront the feelings they have for one another.
Unfortunately, Ruth and Nick's romance falls completely flat. While age gaps are not usually an issue for me, it does not work here as it is paired with several other elements to make the romance rather cringe-worthy.
First, Ruth was 17 when they first met and Nick reveals his attraction was immediate, which is pervy. Second, their mentor/student and then director/dancer relationship has an inherent power divide. In fact, it is made clear that any disagreement between the two would result in Ruth's dismissal from the ballet company. Third, Nick once had strong feelings for Lindsay, Ruth's aunt, and if circumstances had been different might have acted on them.
While there are kernels of an interesting story with Ruth's rival in the company and the cable TV company, everything takes a back seat to Nick and Ruth's supposed battle of wills, which is contrived and irritating rather than engaging. Moreover, there are, once again, too many tedious descriptions and details on ballet and ballerinas to the extent that it feels more like a dance manual than a romance novel.
The updates on Seth and Lindsay and their cute kids are a highlight of the book and earn it an extra star.
Overall, not one of Nora's better books, but she has certainly come alone way since.
September 1, 2018
Primer libro de nora roberts y lo considero bastante bueno, y más que todo entretenido.
March 10, 2014
Two besties have a book club, just the two of them. In an effort to vary their reading choices and push their biblio-limits, they issue a challenge for this reading year. One of the challenges was titled "Is a Picture Worth a Thousand Words?" where the besties had to pick a book with a bad cover--"bad" being lame, silly, cheesy, horrid and any other synonyms that apply. Bring in "Dance of Dreams" in all of its 80s glory...
Oh yeah!! Isn't it fabulous? I will pause here while you go add it to your to-read list...(PAUSE)
Ok ok, for all of its cover silliness, it was actually a really nice little romance novel. Well written and with such restraint in the telling...as with most everything, the romance genre has declined to a record low since this was written (1983). Nora Roberts is still putting up books on the bestseller lists today, so she's doing something right! Proud to say, in this case, our challenge proved the old adage "you can't judge a book by its cover" and I definitely thought this was worth a thousand words!
Side note: can't believe this cover wasn't the version GoodReads chose to use as their stockphoto for the novel. For.shame.
Oh yeah!! Isn't it fabulous? I will pause here while you go add it to your to-read list...(PAUSE)
Ok ok, for all of its cover silliness, it was actually a really nice little romance novel. Well written and with such restraint in the telling...as with most everything, the romance genre has declined to a record low since this was written (1983). Nora Roberts is still putting up books on the bestseller lists today, so she's doing something right! Proud to say, in this case, our challenge proved the old adage "you can't judge a book by its cover" and I definitely thought this was worth a thousand words!
Side note: can't believe this cover wasn't the version GoodReads chose to use as their stockphoto for the novel. For.shame.
April 29, 2023
Hello??? The ending? That’s it?
March 3, 2011
good.early vintage Roberts.
December 1, 2020
A very cute, romantic read! The perfect book for the holiday season (I can't be the only one who likes fluffy reads at the end of the year, right?). I loved Ruth's fiercely independent character.
June 17, 2019
Awhile ago I got a book that collected 2 older Nora Roberts romances. (The book was Spotlight: Untamed\Dance of Dreams but I'm logging each book separately because I have an ambitious reading goal to meet!)
Anywayyy I love Nora but this was originally published in 1983 and it shows! I am glad at least that in this one, Ruth DOESN'T give up her ballet career FOR A MAN but the man does say explicitly to her that he's so jealous he might get "violent" and she's like OK COOL! YIKEsss a present-day Nora heroine would never put up with that shit!!!!
I am awarding this an extra star for the heroine's excellent pet cat.
Anywayyy I love Nora but this was originally published in 1983 and it shows! I am glad at least that in this one, Ruth DOESN'T give up her ballet career FOR A MAN but the man does say explicitly to her that he's so jealous he might get "violent" and she's like OK COOL! YIKEsss a present-day Nora heroine would never put up with that shit!!!!
I am awarding this an extra star for the heroine's excellent pet cat.
October 29, 2023
Just finished both Reflections and Dance of Dreams in one week-end and loved being immersed in the world of ballet. I felt the first was more a true love story, with ballet as a side-line, where as the second fully immersed the reader in the tempestuous, strenuous, all-encompassing life of the ballet. A very enjoyable pair of stories.
January 4, 2025
Dance of Dreams is about Ruth Bannion (Seth’s niece) and Nick, Lindsey’s old dance partner and now Ruth’s partner. He is older, runs the company, and choreographs the ballets. They are attracted to each other, but he is very temperamental. The way he talked to her was problematic, stating that he could snap her neck while they are arguing.
This novel was written in 1983, around the same time as Kathleen E Woodiwiss and Judith MacNaught were writing their books. Society was very different, so judging the book by what was popular in the early 1980s, it’s pretty good. The plot is very angsty. It has the will they/won’t they dynamic with an age gap and he his more power than she as he is her boss. It is a quick read, so it would be worth reading if you would like to.
This novel was written in 1983, around the same time as Kathleen E Woodiwiss and Judith MacNaught were writing their books. Society was very different, so judging the book by what was popular in the early 1980s, it’s pretty good. The plot is very angsty. It has the will they/won’t they dynamic with an age gap and he his more power than she as he is her boss. It is a quick read, so it would be worth reading if you would like to.
March 5, 2019
I can see why this one was one I used to reread all those years ago and why it’s stuck with me for so long.
June 9, 2022
A ballerina and her choreographer. Lots of ‘80’sness.
March 24, 2018
This book is the perfect balance of passionate ballet and steamy romance. I love the depths of emotion this takes me on no matter how many times I reread it. Cheers to the mercurial!
August 10, 2013
Another nice romance from Nora Roberts. I really enjoy those and will continue to read my way through her backlist, slowly but surely.
We’ve met the main characters in the first book, Reflections, and this continues the story, but with Ruth and Nick as the main characters.
In the end of the first book, Ruth finally got permission from her uncle and guardian, Seth, to come to New York to dance. Ruth is a great young talent, and she needs to learn from the best. The life of a dancer is not easy, long hard hours of training each day, lots of pain, but it is in her blood and Ruth loves it. After 5 years of hard work, Ruth has achieved her goal, she has come from just a member of the corpse to being the star ballerina in Davidov’s new ballet, with himself as her partner. As a young girl she had a big crush on Nick, but he never seemed to notice. But now, something seems to spark between them. Nick has no intention to act on it though. He thinks Ruth still too young, and that she needs careful romance. They will have to focus on studying the new ballet, so there is no time for that. He really hurts Ruth with that, and she vows she will never dance with him again after this ballet is finished. But her passion sparks in the role of gypsy to his Russian Prince, and they bring out the best and the worst in each other. As a director, he is very demanding, and he can flay his students/dancers with his words.
Even though Nick is very charismatic and always in the center of attention, someone who enjoys women a lot, he is a very private person, and he won’t open up even for Ruth. When she learns some secrets from her main competitor, someone who is very jealous of her and wants Nick as her own partner, she is hurt again. Why could he not tell her himself? Nick doesn’t understand her at all, and gets angry at her for expecting things from him. He has no idea how to be in a relationship. There is never enough time for them to be together while not dancing. Even the owner of the ballet warns Ruth that if their relationship doesn’t work out, and they won’t be able to dance together anymore, Davidov is more important to the company than she …
I enjoyed Ruth a lot. She is a strong personality, and won’t give in to Nick without a fight; she won’t accept everything from him just because he is Davidov. Luckily, she still has Lindsey and her uncle Seth to fall back on when needed. And Lindsey can help her understand Nick a lot better. In the few years they danced together, they became the best of friends and she knows him like no other. But Ruth is in love with Nick the man, and she admires him for his art. And in the end, she demands from him what she wants from their relationship.
Nick is a kind of tyrant, he is the creator of the new ballet, the director and the main dancer. Everything has to be as he has envisioned it, and it is not an easy ballet to dance. He has fought his feelings for Ruth from the first moment they met, when she was just 19. He hates seeing her with other men, like Donald, even though Ruth clearly is not in love with him. When the sparks between them finally ignite, Ruth is his, and he will have her. Still he is afraid of being in a real relationship, and when she fights back, he pushes her away.
It was nice revisiting Lindsey and Seth, and their two young children.
I do recommend those old Nora Roberts stories to everyone who needs a nice feel good romance with a nice backstory. I have never even seen a ballet, but the one described in this book sounds very beautiful.
8 stars.
We’ve met the main characters in the first book, Reflections, and this continues the story, but with Ruth and Nick as the main characters.
In the end of the first book, Ruth finally got permission from her uncle and guardian, Seth, to come to New York to dance. Ruth is a great young talent, and she needs to learn from the best. The life of a dancer is not easy, long hard hours of training each day, lots of pain, but it is in her blood and Ruth loves it. After 5 years of hard work, Ruth has achieved her goal, she has come from just a member of the corpse to being the star ballerina in Davidov’s new ballet, with himself as her partner. As a young girl she had a big crush on Nick, but he never seemed to notice. But now, something seems to spark between them. Nick has no intention to act on it though. He thinks Ruth still too young, and that she needs careful romance. They will have to focus on studying the new ballet, so there is no time for that. He really hurts Ruth with that, and she vows she will never dance with him again after this ballet is finished. But her passion sparks in the role of gypsy to his Russian Prince, and they bring out the best and the worst in each other. As a director, he is very demanding, and he can flay his students/dancers with his words.
Even though Nick is very charismatic and always in the center of attention, someone who enjoys women a lot, he is a very private person, and he won’t open up even for Ruth. When she learns some secrets from her main competitor, someone who is very jealous of her and wants Nick as her own partner, she is hurt again. Why could he not tell her himself? Nick doesn’t understand her at all, and gets angry at her for expecting things from him. He has no idea how to be in a relationship. There is never enough time for them to be together while not dancing. Even the owner of the ballet warns Ruth that if their relationship doesn’t work out, and they won’t be able to dance together anymore, Davidov is more important to the company than she …
I enjoyed Ruth a lot. She is a strong personality, and won’t give in to Nick without a fight; she won’t accept everything from him just because he is Davidov. Luckily, she still has Lindsey and her uncle Seth to fall back on when needed. And Lindsey can help her understand Nick a lot better. In the few years they danced together, they became the best of friends and she knows him like no other. But Ruth is in love with Nick the man, and she admires him for his art. And in the end, she demands from him what she wants from their relationship.
Nick is a kind of tyrant, he is the creator of the new ballet, the director and the main dancer. Everything has to be as he has envisioned it, and it is not an easy ballet to dance. He has fought his feelings for Ruth from the first moment they met, when she was just 19. He hates seeing her with other men, like Donald, even though Ruth clearly is not in love with him. When the sparks between them finally ignite, Ruth is his, and he will have her. Still he is afraid of being in a real relationship, and when she fights back, he pushes her away.
It was nice revisiting Lindsey and Seth, and their two young children.
I do recommend those old Nora Roberts stories to everyone who needs a nice feel good romance with a nice backstory. I have never even seen a ballet, but the one described in this book sounds very beautiful.
8 stars.
© 2013 Reviews by Aurian
March 31, 2022
I don’t know how this has become such a comfort read. Nevertheless, I’ve read it too many times to count.
October 7, 2016
A sorozat első része is nagyon tetszett, de ez még annál is jobb volt. Eddigi Nora Roberts olvasmányaim közül ez lett a kedvenc.
Az első oldalaktól kezdve megfogott a történet. Ruth egy fiatal balett-táncos, már a sorozat első részében is megismerhettük őt, akkor még csak 17 éves volt. 5 év telt el azóta. Nyikoláj egy orosz származású elismert balett-táncos és koreográfus, aki mestere a szakmának, és kizárólag a legjobbakat fogadja tanítványaiul. Nyikolájnál dolgozni megtiszteltetés ugyan, de egyben kőkemény meló is, mert a munkánál nem ismer kegyelmet.
Két olyan ember, akik a munkában tökéletes összhangban vannak egymással, így nem véletlen, hogy Nyikoláj Ruth-t szokta kiválasztani partneréül. Ők ketten felrobbantják a színpadot szenvedélyes, érzelmes előadásukkal. Több éve táncolnak már együtt, de most valami megváltozott köztük. Talán az, hogy Ruth az évek során tinédzser lányból felnőtt nő lett. Talán az, hogy ennyi idő kellett nekik az érzelmi fejlődéshez. Hőseinknek egy idő után el kell gondolkodniuk azon, hogy saját érzéseikből mennyi képezi az előadás részét, és mennyi az, ami annál is többet jelent. Két olyan emberről van szó, akiknek a tánc a szenvedélyük, az életük, és amit nem biztos, hogy egy kívülálló meg tudna érteni.
Minden megvolt ebben a könyvben, amitől kedvenc lett számomra. Egy határozott, érző szívű lány, aki nem adja meg magát akárkinek. Egy orosz származású, akcentussal beszélő és olykor oroszul káromkodó koreográfus, aki oroszul gondolkodik akkor, mikor elragadják az érzelmek. Na és Ruth cicája, aki valamivel nagyobb szerepet kapott itt, mint az első részben. Jókat mosolyogtam, mikor Nyizsinszkij az egyik pasit kerülte, a másikhoz meg egyből ment hízelkedni. Amilyen okos egy cica, tudta ő, hogy melyik pasinak kell szurkolni a gazdi párválasztása terén… nemhiába, az állatok jó emberismerők. ;)) Na és a fő téma, ami köré épül az egész történet, a balett. Mondtam már, hogy szeretem? ;)
A történetben feltűnik Lindsay és Seth is, akik az első részben voltak a főszereplők.
Kár, hogy nincs 3. rész, az írónő szerintem azzal is meg tudott volna lepni minket.
Ajánlom mindenkinek, aki szereti a szenvedéllyel és érzelmekkel teli történeteket. :)
Az első oldalaktól kezdve megfogott a történet. Ruth egy fiatal balett-táncos, már a sorozat első részében is megismerhettük őt, akkor még csak 17 éves volt. 5 év telt el azóta. Nyikoláj egy orosz származású elismert balett-táncos és koreográfus, aki mestere a szakmának, és kizárólag a legjobbakat fogadja tanítványaiul. Nyikolájnál dolgozni megtiszteltetés ugyan, de egyben kőkemény meló is, mert a munkánál nem ismer kegyelmet.
Két olyan ember, akik a munkában tökéletes összhangban vannak egymással, így nem véletlen, hogy Nyikoláj Ruth-t szokta kiválasztani partneréül. Ők ketten felrobbantják a színpadot szenvedélyes, érzelmes előadásukkal. Több éve táncolnak már együtt, de most valami megváltozott köztük. Talán az, hogy Ruth az évek során tinédzser lányból felnőtt nő lett. Talán az, hogy ennyi idő kellett nekik az érzelmi fejlődéshez. Hőseinknek egy idő után el kell gondolkodniuk azon, hogy saját érzéseikből mennyi képezi az előadás részét, és mennyi az, ami annál is többet jelent. Két olyan emberről van szó, akiknek a tánc a szenvedélyük, az életük, és amit nem biztos, hogy egy kívülálló meg tudna érteni.
Minden megvolt ebben a könyvben, amitől kedvenc lett számomra. Egy határozott, érző szívű lány, aki nem adja meg magát akárkinek. Egy orosz származású, akcentussal beszélő és olykor oroszul káromkodó koreográfus, aki oroszul gondolkodik akkor, mikor elragadják az érzelmek. Na és Ruth cicája, aki valamivel nagyobb szerepet kapott itt, mint az első részben. Jókat mosolyogtam, mikor Nyizsinszkij az egyik pasit kerülte, a másikhoz meg egyből ment hízelkedni. Amilyen okos egy cica, tudta ő, hogy melyik pasinak kell szurkolni a gazdi párválasztása terén… nemhiába, az állatok jó emberismerők. ;)) Na és a fő téma, ami köré épül az egész történet, a balett. Mondtam már, hogy szeretem? ;)
A történetben feltűnik Lindsay és Seth is, akik az első részben voltak a főszereplők.
Kár, hogy nincs 3. rész, az írónő szerintem azzal is meg tudott volna lepni minket.
Ajánlom mindenkinek, aki szereti a szenvedéllyel és érzelmekkel teli történeteket. :)
March 16, 2014
Bannion Family: Book 2
Dance of Dreams (1983)
by Nora Roberts (Author)
Original Language: English
Publisher: Silhouette Books
Country: USA
Publication Date: September 1, 1983
Page Count: 250
Blurb
Prima ballerina Ruth Bannion has always been in awe of her demanding, mercurial mentor Nickolai Davidov. But when they are partnered in a sensual new ballet, they must fight hard to control the rising attraction between them. In the end, though, it is up to Ruth to teach the guarded Nickolai the tender dance of love.
My thought
Ruth Bannion had never met anyone like Russian emigré choreographer Nickolai Davidov. Ruth was open, giving, but Nickolai's background had left him reserved, even wary, and his pride would not let him reveal his need for her. Fear of rejection kept him from speaking the truth. That same fear sent her away to hide on the Connecticut coast. But when he came after her at last, there was no more fear, no more wariness, only a lifetime of love that would never need to be hidden again.
The ballet world is pretty intense. I loved the romance between Ruth and Nickolai. Typical romance, but the characters are good and the references to the ballet are interesting.It was wonderful seeing Ruth grow up and see her relationship with Nickolai develop.
I enjoyed Ruth a lot. She is a strong personality, and won't give in to Nick without a fight; she won't accept everything from him just because he is Davidov.
Nick is a kind of tyrant, he is the creator of the new ballet, the director and the main dancer.
Another nice romance from Nora Roberts. I really enjoy those and will continue to read my way through her backlist, slowly but surely. Perfect writing of a perfect story!! Enjoyed reading this so much!!
I do recommend those old Nora Roberts stories to everyone who needs a nice feel good romance with a nice backstory. I always loved dance and this story of it is just perfect!!
November 15, 2011
I really liked this book. This is the second book in the Davidov series. I listened to this book - and I always have had a thing for accents... The audiobook drives my imagination even further and really makes the book for me.
Ruth is the niece of Seth Banion, our hero from the first Davidov series. After hardship late in her childhood, she has finally achieve one of her life goals of being a prima ballerina. She's also dancing lead in one of Nikolai Davidov's ballets. It's a hot ballet, full of passion and desire. Neither Ruth or Nikolai were ready for the passion the erupt between them.
Ruth has always had feelings for Nikolai. First as a hero, then as a mentor, a friend and now a lover. Nikolai too, has always had feelings for Ruth. Realizing all too well that Ruth grew up too soon, but not wanting to take advantage of the vulnerable young woman, he put away his lustful thoughts. He just didn't expect to lose his cool during one of the most important ballets of his career.
Ruth is the niece of Seth Banion, our hero from the first Davidov series. After hardship late in her childhood, she has finally achieve one of her life goals of being a prima ballerina. She's also dancing lead in one of Nikolai Davidov's ballets. It's a hot ballet, full of passion and desire. Neither Ruth or Nikolai were ready for the passion the erupt between them.
Ruth has always had feelings for Nikolai. First as a hero, then as a mentor, a friend and now a lover. Nikolai too, has always had feelings for Ruth. Realizing all too well that Ruth grew up too soon, but not wanting to take advantage of the vulnerable young woman, he put away his lustful thoughts. He just didn't expect to lose his cool during one of the most important ballets of his career.
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