Customer Reviews

Reflections And Dreams

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

"Reflections and Dreams" contains two of Nora Roberts' older works, "Reflections" and "Dance of Dreams." Both these books are set in the fascinating and demanding world of ballet.
I want to make a note here to people who complain that this is a reprint . . . it is clearly marked that these are two of Nora's older works that have been repackaged. This is done for the benefit of people like me who have only recently discovered this exceptional author. It does not say "first time in print" as all of her new books do, and I personally think that finding these older books is like finding a wonderful gift. So to avoid any confusion, just make sure that you check the copyright dates before you buy a book if you do not want to buy a previously published one.
Anyway, these two books were great! The first book introduces Lindsay Dunne. Lindsay is an extremely talented ballerina, but she has left the spotlight and returned home to care for her mother after a debilitating accident. Lindsay keeps busy teaching dance and caring for her mother. Seth Bannion, a famous architect, arrives in town with his recently orphaned niece, Ruth. Seth and Lindsay create all kinds of sparks when they are together, not all of them good, but they both find each other irresistible! Ruth begins ballet lessons with Lindsay, and Lindsay immediately recognizes her incredible talent. As Lindsay tries to convince Seth that Ruth needs to go away to dance school it creates a rift between them that may ultimately tear them apart!
This is a wonderful story of finding love and following your dreams.
The second book meets up with Ruth several years later, dancing at one of the best dance companies in the country with her mentor and Lindsay's former partner, Nick Davidov. This temperamental and gifted man is a delightful character. His relationship with Ruth is exciting, emotional and very original. This tale will have the reader captivated. Ruth and Nick are two of the most memorable characters I have ever met and I am confident that you will enjoy their story as much as I did.
You don't have to like ballet to love this great 2-in-1 publication, and I guarantee you will love these characters. So read this book and enjoy!

Before this book came out, I was able to read Reflections and Dance of Dreams as separate novels. As always with Nora Roberts' stories, reading Lindsay and Seth's story in Reflections left me wanting to read Ruth and Davidov's. Each story stands alone, and how!; but it's great that they're together in one book already. Lindsay and Ruth are both ballerinas, and ballet has always added dimension to passion and romance for me. Seth is the uncle of Ruth, who becomes the student of Lindsay, and later, of Davidov. He was also Lindsay's former dance partner, so there are connections galore. For those who've enjoyed Nora Roberts' other family series, this book is a must-read.

I have read almost every series, and stand-alone book Nora Roberts has ever written, and even so, I must say that these two books, Reflections and Dreams, are the best ones out of all of them(w/ the exception of her Three Sisters Trilogy). I enjoyed the first book, and was clamoring for more, but even so, when I read the 2nd book, I was blown away. I fell in love with Davidov immediately, and Ruth, she was just a breath of fresh air. I have never really been into romance books dealing with the ballet, but with these two, I have converted. The interaction between Davidov and Ruth was beautiful, too very strong-willed people with history finding that after 5 years, they were attracted to each other, but still managing to keep a working relationship *working* even after getting involved. I loved these books and I hope she makes a series out of this one.

Many people have said that this is a re-issue of some earlier stories, but I had never read them and I am so glad that they have been published again. I read "Considering Kate" shortly after it came out and, at the time, wondered about Robert's two passing characters, Bannion and Davidov. From the way they were described, there seemed to be so much more behind their story and we definitely get the best of it in Reflections and Dreams. The first part of this book the story of Lindsay Dunne and introduces us to Ruth Bannion in the process. The second tells the heart-warming story of Ruth and Nick. I lean more towards Roberts's mix of mystery and suspense, but this is definitely one of her best romances.

These two stories were among my favorites when I first discovered Nora Roberts in the late 1980s. The stories are filled with the usual angst, but tempered with true love between characters. In the first book Lindsay Dunne has left New York and is settled in a small town, with her own ballet studio. In the second book, Ruth Bannion, who we meet in the first book, sets off to pursue her dream of being a dancer. The passionate way Nora Roberts writes about both dance and the love afair shimmers. I highly recommend these stories. You will enjoy everything about them.

Another great book by Nora Roberts. I really like the way she makes her characters so believable and enjoyable. In this book it is about some of the same characters that she shared with us in Considering Kate. I am involved with dance with my daughter so I found it interesting to be let in on what it is like in a big dance company along with the romance. I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys dance and loves to read. Nora Roberts is one of my favorite authors and she never disappoints me. She's the best.

I think Nora Roberts writes wonderful, true to life books. I find that most of her books depict emotions very well and that I am able to easily place myself in the character's position (even if I don't have ballet experience). I also like how Nora Roberts has trilogies and series that build upon each other so that I am able to revisit favorite characters through other novels.

These two stories are right up there with previous experiences reading Nora Roberts books. In other words, I enjoyed them very much.

I particularly liked the drive that Lindsay shows in the first story. I admired her strength as a woman. I appreciated Seth and how much he added to Lindsay's life.

I have to admit though, of the two stories, the second was my favorite. The strong willed, tempermental Davidov appealed to me, as did Ruth who didn't back down from what she wanted.

Because these are two stories bundled into one, they are shorter than many of Nora Roberts novels. This limited the depth of character that is typical of Nora Roberts longer novels. However, just because I would catagorize this as a lighter romance as compared to her longer novels does not mean I don't like this book. I enjoyed both stories a lot.

Book Review

If you want slow and sensuous, light and romantic then engage on this journey into the world of ballet. Nora Roberts is at the top of her game in her masterpiece Reflections and Dreams. This book not only has vivid female characters who go after and accomplish their dreams, but two very complicated and steamy romances woven around the world of ballet.

The first story, Reflections, is about an accomplished ballerina Lindsay Dunne. She leaves her fast paced life, as a dancer in New York, to return to her childhood home in Connecticut. Lindsay opens a dance school and when her car stalls on her way home one day, the handsome Seth Bannion offers her a ride home. They cautiously fall in love with each other as Seth's niece Ruth shows her aspiring dancing talent to Nick, Lindsay's old company director.

The second story, Dance of Dreams, is about Ruth Bannion a principal ballet dancer, and her demanding company director Nickolai Davidov. Ever since their meeting in Lindsay's school of ballet, Ruth has been captivated by Nick. Their professional partnership blazes out of control after five years of dancing together. Her intense and complex love teaches Nick how to open his heart to her love.

This book showcases the glamorous world of ballet, and the backbreaking exhaustion that dancers endure. This is a light and quick read. Jealousy, control, and character only add to the mystique of this book. The colorful storytelling of Nora Roberts adds a mixture of sexual tension and drama. This extraordinary book will have everyone wanting to re-read it.

Nora Roberts has a reputation of writing great books. Reflections and Dreams is no exception. This book actually contains two stories that branch off from Considering Kate. Reflections and Dreams however is not my favorite Nora Roberts book but it has two great plots that I do not want to give away. The two stories are called Reflections and Dance of Dreams. Both are very well written. Both stories are romance stories and have the same writing style as all Nora Roberts other books. If you're a hard core Nora Roberts fan then you'll love this book. And, if you have never read any of Nora Robert's writings this is a great novel to start with.

This is the most recent in a long line of novels written by Ms. roberts that I have enjoyed. It continues her tradition of sensuality mixed with human character flaws. My favorite part was the second half of the book, Dance Of Dreams. I read this in one night and couldn't put it down. It is one of those books I will read over and over. It tells of the struggles of one young ballerina who has great aspirations. She has tallent and grace and attitude. She also has the attention of her mentor and sometimes dance partner, Nickoli Davidov (Sorry if I spelled that wrong). He is an arogant, proud, yet wonderfull man who is carried over from the first story. Together they are a wonderfull team. Ms. Roberts not only created fufilling characters but she also gave us a seemingly realistic view of the Ballet World. It is a must read, something to cuddle up with on those rainy days when we want to be some one else.