Tag Archives: dance

Book Review: On the Way to Simple by Jennifer Acres

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About the Book:

On the Way to Simple

Dakota Ames had everything under control, or so she thought.
Ever since her father’s accident on duty as a fireman, she promised herself she would always have a plan. Life couldn’t throw her a curve anymore.
That is until her best friend Alex enlisted in the Navy.
This couldn’t happen. It wasn’t part of her plan. She hadn’t even worked up the nerve to tell him she loved him. Alex was wrong to go and she was going to prove it.
But when she meets Will, one of Alex’s fellow recruits, she finds that things aren’t always so simple.

My Thoughts:

A wonderful and heart warming story of friendship, love, acceptance and the beauty of life. This is a story that will tug at the heart strings of the reader. The ups and downs of life are beautifully portrayed in this story and it’s a pleasure to see the characters grow into stronger people.

Dakota, the main protagonist, has a plan for everything. She thinks that she can control the direction her life takes, including how everyone close to her affects it. What she doesn’t realize is that plans are never set in concrete and life is ever-changing. She is severely affected by the trauma of her father’s accident and the job he used to do, which lead her to be the way she was. Alex, the best friend, has also seen his share of problems in life and in spite of everything, has always been by Dakota’s side. It’s a deep friendship, stemming right from childhood.

The author brings out these minute details in the character’s lives and the introduction of Dakota’s best friend adds more substance to the story. She is so different from Dakota, but is perhaps one of the most caring and time proves that their friendship is very strong. The story revolves around how Dakota meets Will, a Navy recruit and falls for him against all her plans. In parallel, she is also dealing with the fact that Alex has enlisted and she feels betrayed by the same. What follows is a test of the strength of their friendship, their love and all that matters to the people involved.

Life takes unexpected turns, introduces new people to us, and in the end everyone has a role in shaping who you are. The author gives enough importance to all the relationships in this story and the feelings of the people involved. A well-written story with a moving plot, there is no doubt that the reader will fall in love with everything about this book.

Book Review: The Ones That Got Away by Suanne Laqueur

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I was provided with an ARC of Suanne Laqueur’s upcoming book in the Fish Tales series. Read on to know my take on the book. The book will be available on Amazon on July 7th.

Please note that the review may contain some spoilers, but for those who have already read the book, there aren’t too many surprises.

About the Book:

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Plenty of fish in the sea. But none like the ones that got away.

Author Suanne Laqueur gives her readers an intimate, guided tour of the award-winning novel, The Man I Love. From the embryonic chapters written over twenty years ago to scenes cut from the final draft, you’ll witness the crafting of an emotional journey and the evolution of the beloved characters within The Fish Tales.

Includes never-before-seen material and an excerpt from Laqueur’s next novel, An Exaltation of Larks.

My Thoughts:

Suanne Laqueur is back with yet another book and this time it is not a story per se, but an insight into the making of one of the stories we have read and loved, The Fish Tales. It is the story of the journey, the behind the scenes, the creation of Erik and all the other people whom we love and mourn. In a simple and slightly humorous manner, Suanne has shared excerpts from her early writing interspersed with quirky thoughts/comments that she has added now, almost 20 years after she first penned those words.

The story behind the story, this gives us an insight into how the characters were born, how they developed and became the people we came to meet and know so well. As Suanne mentioned at the beginning. This is definitely along the lines of fan fiction and some may even point out that it is inclined towards obsession. However, those who have read TMIL, will completely understand this as they, like me, have taken this journey with Erik and Daisy, not just at a superficial level, but also at the emotional level. The stories will strike your emotional chord and through this book, Suanne keeps the thoughts, emotions and memories alive.

This book brings a sense of nostalgia with it as well as a sense of belonging. It is interesting to see how Suanne first pictured Erik and Daisy and how they grew from there to become who they are now. Somehow, it is clear that some of the basic ideas of the plot never changed. We are also introduced to some people she created, but they never made an appearance in the final story. It is wonderful to meet them however, and knowing how Suanne pictured them fitting into the lives of the characters we know sheds a great deal of light into her way of thinking and her style of writing. The glimpses she provides into some of her written material show us how raw and real her writing is. The style never changes and the emotions are there, no matter what she writes about.

Suanne provides insights into two of the most wonderful people of these stories, Will Kreager and Lucia Dare. She brings us parts of the story from their perspective, mainly from Will’s and shows us how the various events that occur affect them. She clearly brings out Will’s interest in Lucky, Daisy and Erik, his relationship with James and his feelings throughout the story. Seeing everything from his perspective, will bring the reader closer to him than before. As endearing as he was previously, this insight gives new meaning to his existence.

Reading this book feels as though we are sitting with an old friend and taking a stroll down memory lane.

Suanne also expands on how the trauma of the shooting affected not just Daisy and Erik, which we have already seen in TMIL and GMYAT, but also Will and Lucky. She expands on what they feel, how they react, how their relationship develops, breaks and then returns, stronger than ever. She also brings out how Will’s actions eventually lead to the shooting and all events that led to it and that happened after. Even though it cannot be said that everything that happened is his fault, he was a part of what set everything in motion. One decision changes all.

This book only adds to the beauty of the story Suanne has crafted and will make the reader love it more. It will no doubt leave the reader with a heavy heart, but it was worth it. The characters and chapters that were created and written but got left behind or removed from the story are well worth the effort of writing them. Sometimes, as Suanne has mentioned, it’s better to just write what you think and then see the usage later on. The bonus insight into Erik’s younger days when his father was still there and after he leaves are wonderful and I hope Suanne uses this in a story sometime in the future.

Unfortunately, it is difficult for me to summarize my thoughts about this book in a nutshell, and given a chance, I will keep talking about it. This is the first time I have written so much about a book and it has made me experience emotions so deeply that it is slightly difficult to come back to reality. However, I will say this, everyone should, at some point, read The Man I Love and enjoy this story and world as much as I have.

Finally, Suanne gives us a glimpse of her upcoming novel, An Exaltation of Larks which is definitely much awaited for by fans of her books.

 

Book Review: Here to Stay by Suanne Laqueur

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Here to Stay is the sequel to The Man I Love. The book is set for release in January 2016. I was provide with an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review. I have also had the pleasure of reading The Man I love and it’s parallel narrative in Daisy’s POV: Give me your answer true.

Here to Stay (The Fish Tales, #3)

About the Book:

“You can’t sort of do this, Fish. Draw a line and get on one side or the other…”

Love is never so sweet as when it receives a second chance. In the sequel to the award-winning novel The Man I Love, Suanne Laqueur continues the story of Erik Fiskare’s romance with Daisy Bianco. Though separated for twelve years, the extraordinary bond they forged in their youth has endured. Now reconciled and committed as adults, they begin to create a new life together.

Laqueur crafts a new journey that stretches into both the future and the past. Erik’s passionate, soulful love for Daisy continues to evolve and be tested. His friendship with Will Kaeger grows deeper and more complex. And unexpected contact with his Fiskare cousins offers insight to the cruel childhood desertion that shaped Erik as an adult. With Daisy at his side, he travels back to his hometown to explore fragile memories, meet his people and learn about the charms on his signature, heirloom necklace.

All these relationships will prove invaluable when Erik faces his greatest challenge as a son, a husband and a father. Once he walked away from everything he loved. But now he is here to stay.

My Thoughts:

*Spoiler alert*

For those of you who have not read the first book, some things mentioned throughout the review may be treated as small spoilers, but I promise to avoid any direct references to events in this story.

Here to Stay continues where The Man I Love left off. Erik finally returns to face his past and apologises to Daisy. They start working on their relationship and Erik also focuses on his relationship with his friends and family. Many references are made to the past and all the events that led up to the current situation. Thus it is indeed necessary to read The Man I Love before reading this. Note: It is not necessary but is a plus if Give Me Your Answer True is also read before this.

The story is filled with strong, raw emotion expressed beautifully in a style that one will understand and associate with Suanne. The reader will be drawn in as the journey continues and there will not come a moment when the reader will want to stop.

Though this story goes at a slightly slower pace than the first one, it gives the feeling that everything has settled down and hence the pace of the story also seems to be in tune with the tone.

This entire story is an emotional roller-coaster that portrays a deep romance that some say is the kind that are meant to be or the made for each other stuff. I know it can be hard to believe or digest but the author convinces us that fairy-tales can be true and that we can all have our stories as long as there is belief and trust.

A lot can be learnt about relationships and how fragile they are as well as the thin line between trust and betrayal. The focus is on finding oneself even after everything that happens and learning to forgive and move on.

A great story and a wonderfully written book that will tear at your heartstrings and move you to tears! This is for all the romantics out there showing that this kind of love does exist. This is also a must read for every person, to understand that there will be a lot of ups and downs in life, but the most important thing is to hold on to your family and friends and open up about one’s thoughts and feelings.

I would like to end my review here. If I continue writing I will just keep going on and on like a broken record, trying to stress on how much I have enjoyed this sequel. I hope you all decide to read these books too.

Book Review: The Man I Love by Suanne Laqueur

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About the Book:

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As a college freshman, Erik Fiskare is drawn to the world of theater but prefers backstage to center stage. The moment he lays eyes on a beautiful, accomplished dancer named Daisy Bianco, his atoms rearrange themselves and he is drawn into a romance both youthfully passionate and maturely soulful. Their love story thrives within a tight-knit circle of friends, all bound by creativity and artistry. A newcomer arrives–a brilliant but erratic dancer with an unquenchable thirst for connection. And when this disturbed friend brings a gun into the theater, the story is forever changed. Daisy is shot and left seriously injured. And Erik finds himself alone in the aisle, looking down the muzzle of a pistol and trying to stop the madness. He succeeds, but with tremendous repercussions to his well-being and that of his loved ones.

Traumatized by the experience, the lovers spiral into depression and drug use until a shocking act of betrayal destroys their relationship. To survive, Erik must leave school and disconnect from all he loves. He buries his heartbreak and puts the past behind. Or so he believes.

As he moves into adulthood, Erik comes to grips with his role in the shooting, and slowly heals the most wounded parts of his soul. But the unresolved grief for Daisy continues to shape his dreams at night. Once those dreams were haunted by blood and gunfire. Now they are haunted by the refrain of a Gershwin song and a single question: is leaving always the end of loving?

Spanning 15 years, The Man I Love explores themes of love and sexuality, trauma—physical and mental—and its long-lasting effects, the burden of unfinished business and the power of reconciliation. Through Erik’s experience we reflect on what it means to be a man, a son and a leader. A soul mate, a partner and a lover. What it means to live the truth of who you are and what you feel. What it means to fight for what you love.

Goodreads link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22515690-the-man-i-love

Book trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0-1hYK86Lzs

My Thoughts:

This first novel by Suanne Laqueur is a work of sheer brilliance. The book is so well written that it will keep the reader hooked until the very end.

This book explores the emotional psych of people who are in university and following certain events the author explores how trauma affects people, how they cope with it and how friendships and relationships fare in the midst of all this.

The story is written with powerful descriptions that makes it easy for the reader to visualize each situation. The power behind the way the author has described each emotion will draw the reader into the world of intrigue, theatre, friendship, betrayal and trauma.

The author touches upon how the world of theatre works with both the on stage crew and off stage. Dancers and directors on the one hand and then comes those who are involved in the lighting and props. The vivid descriptions of the world of theatre and dance bring out the author’s passion for the same.

Erik is a strongly developed character, affected by his father’s leaving their family in ways he didn’t even realize. He later behaves in certain ways and takes certain decisions that affect his life and the ones he loves in ways he doesn’t expect. Erik falls in love with Daisy and their love is one built in trust and understanding. The author explores how their relationship grows and later how it faces trials after the shooting and finally touches on the necessity of communication. There are so many elements to this that it will definitely affect the reader emotionally. The lives of those around the two central characters are intricately woven into the story and these people provide wonderful support to the plot.

Moreover, through the story, the author shows that it is necessary to seek help after facing any kind of trauma and the support of the ones we love. It is difficult to move on from something unless you confront it and deal with it. Bottling it up and burying something will never solve anything. Erik Fiskare learnt this the hard way.

I strongly recommend this book for everyone as it is important to understand the message that can be drawn out of this story. We learn that all our decisions have consequences and that the paths and decisions we take shape who we are and our actions in the future.

Book Review: Phantom’s Dance by Lesa Howard

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About the Book:
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Christine Dadey’s family uprooted their lives and moved to Houston for her to attend the prestigious Rousseau Academy of Dance. Now, two years later, Christine struggles to compete among the Academy’s finest dancers, her parents are on the brink of divorce, and she’s told no one about her debilitating performance anxiety and what she’s willing to do to cope with it.Erik was a ballet prodigy, a savant, destined to be a star on the world’s stage, but a suspicious fire left Erik’s face horribly disfigured. Now, a lonely phantom forced to keep his scars hidden, he spends his nights haunting the theater halls,mourning all he’s lost. Then, from behind the curtain he sees the lovely Christine. The moldable, malleable Christine.Drawn in by Erik’s unwavering confidence, Christine allows herself to believe Erik’s declarations that he can transform her into the dancer she longs to be. But Christine’s hope of achieving her dreams may be her undoing when she learns Erik is not everything he claims. And before long, Erik’s shadowy past jeopardizes Christine’s unstable present as his obsession with her becomes hopelessly entangled with his plans for revenge.

About the Author:
Lesa
I’m not the typical author. I didn’t always enjoy reading or writing. While in school, I found it to be a chore I’d just as soon skip. I would rather have been daydreaming, my favorite past time. It wasn’t until I grew up and didn’t have to, that I realized reading was fun. I soon discovered that reading fueled my daydreaming. So, remembering a short story I’d written in high school, I began imagining expanding that story into a book. Before long I found I had loads of ideas for not just the short story but other books and stories as well. Fast forward a few years, a lot of studying about writing, practicing my writing, studying some more, taking classes from people who knew what they were doing, studying and practicing yet more, and ta-dah, author! In the same way I had learned I loved reading, I learned I loved writing, too. It’s just that writing is a lot harder than reading.

My Thoughts:

A wonderful retake on the Phantom of the Opera, this story is well written and has the right amount of suspense to keep the reader hooked. The story follows Christine as she works hard to be ready for an audition and her encounter with the “phantom”. The “phantom” seeks Christine out and starts helping her with her dancing.

The beauty of the story lies in the way it is written. We are given a glimpse into the world of ballet and the amount of effort and work that goes into it. It is an art, a form of dance that relies not only on the person’s ability to balance but also to emote and be the character. All the characters in this story are talented but we are shown that each has some reservations and decisions to make. Christine’s decision regarding her love for ballet and the relationship with her boyfriend and her parents form the crux of the story.

A well written story, this will send chills down the reader’s spine and also shows how circumstances and incidents can change a person. It also portrays how a person’s decision in some situation can affect his/her life and the lives of the people around. This is definitely worth a read for those who enjoy suspense coupled with romance.