A Midnight Dance

Written by Joanna Davidson Politano

Narrated by Amy Scanlon

All theater romances are tragedies. Ella Blythe knows this. Still, she cannot help but hope her own story may turn out different than most--and certainly different than the tragic story of the Ghost of Craven Street Theater. Yet as she struggles to maintain her tenuous place in the ever-shrinking ballet company, win the attentions of principal dancer Philippe, and avoid company flirt Jack, Ella cannot deny the uncanny feeling that her life is mirroring that of the dead ballerina.

Is she dancing ever closer to the edge of her own tragic end? Or will the secrets that are about to come to light offer release from the past?

Mystery and romance make the perfect dance partners in this evocative story from fan-favorite Joanna Davidson Politano.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Recorded Books, Inc.
• Release date: Sep 7, 2021
• ISBN: 9781705039076

Joanna Davidson Politano

Joanna Davidson Politano is the award-winning author of Lady Jayne Disappears, A Rumored Fortune, Finding Lady Enderly, The Love Note, A Midnight Dance, and The Lost Melody. She loves tales that capture the colorful, exquisite details in ordinary lives and is eager to hear anyone's story. She lives with her husband and their children in a house in the woods near Lake Michigan. You can find her online at www.JDPStories.com.

Reviews for A Midnight Dance

[Frances O'Connor · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Exceptional! A true love story. Just beautiful! The reader is also excellent.

[Laina Scott · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

One of my favorites authors. This may be my favorite story so far! The excruciating beauty will not let you go!!

[Judy · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is so well-written from beginning to end. It had me captivated from chapter one and kept me guessing till the very end! It’s the best book I’ve read in a long time!

[Sue Farris · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The characters in this book are as real as if they truly existed…and characters change, coming closer to God’s ideal for each of them…and a fit ending for those who continue to walk away from their loving Father!

[Patrice E Christie · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Absolutely fabulous! The narrator was unbelievably good and brought the book to life in such a realistic and inspiring way. And the book was so well-written with so many twist turns and convolutions and brilliant character development. I've read hundreds of books of this sort and this was one of the best!! I hope to hear more from this author and especially from this exquisite narrator

[claudia.castenir · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Joanna Davidson Politano has woven intricate plot lines among intense characters, displaying the heart of God. While the Christian element of her writing is essential to what she has created, fans of secular historical fiction will be equally enthralled with Ella Blythe's story. Set in 1830s London,the book centers around the world of ballet, but the theme of longing to belong to someone, to some place is universal. Ella's story, and the stories of those closest to her, demonstrates the struggles involved with moving forward following rejection. While the book has an element of darkness, the light of hope shines through, shining brightly in contrast to the darkness.I am extremely grateful to have received a complimentary copy of A Midnight Dance from Revell via NetGalley without obligation. All opinions expressed here are my own.

[khoyt-43756 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Once again I am extremely impressed with the depth and substance of Joanna Davidson Politano's writing. I have never attended a ballet, but after this novel, I would like to. Her prose makes you believe you are watching the heroine's passionate, God-glorifying dancing. You are there as she slowly perfects her craft. As she attempts to look into her mother's past trying to fit puzzle pieces together. At times the story is a joyous romp as Ella becomes the ballerina she was born to be. At other times, she is plunged to the depths because she doesn't feel good enough to be where she is. Gradually, she realizes she must first rely wholly on God and the rest will follow. This is a haunting tale that will stay with you long after you have put the book down. Savor every minute of reading it. The twists and turns will surprise and astound.

[polarmath · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Ella is trying to figure out what she wants. She is trying to find her way in the dance company she is a part of while avoiding the romances that are going on in the theater. She wants to continue to dance, but feels pressure from some of the other members of the dance company. She feels like she wants to do one thing while life seems to be going in another direction. A great read with a mix of mystery and romance.I received a copy to read, the review is mine.

[fcplcataloger · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Joanna Davidson Politano is truly an artist, but her pictures are painted with words, and this book proves once again just how talented she is. A Midnight Dance revolves around a ballerina who deeply doubts her self worth. Ella Blythe loves ballet and possesses an amazing talent, but she feels that she'll never be good enough. She also truly loves God but she believes that His love for her is determined by her abilities and hard work. What will it take for Ella to accept that perfection is impossible, and it isn't necessary to be deeply loved? When will she finally understand God's amazing love and grace?"It's the flaws that tell us when something's real. And what's real...well, that's quite valuable indeed."A Midnight Dance is set in Victorian England and it has mystery, romance, and a strong message of faith woven into its story. Politano includes so many strong elements: the ballet scenes, the mystery of the Ghost of Craven Street Theatre, Ella's infatuation with a lead ballet dancer, and her friendship with another member of the ballet company. There is also a search for her father. A Midnight Dance has so much to savor, and it's an exceptional book that you won't want to miss!I received a copy of this book from the publisher through Revell Reads, but there was no obligation for a positive review. These are my own thoughts.

[thequietreader · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Ella Blythe has grown up knowing that theater romance ends in tragedy, but she hopes that he own life will follow a different path. She works hard to earn a place in the struggling ballet company, all the while hoping to uncover the truth behind a decades old tragedy. Will she find her place or will she dance too close to danger?I don't know much about dancing, and ballet has never held much interest for me. I can't tell how much of the history of ballet in London was true, but I did find the details of the era provided by the author to be informative.The characters were enjoyable. The majority of the story is told through Ella's eyes, so she is the one we see grow and learn the most. I found it interesting how she fought so hard to be good at her craft that she forgot the love she had for dancing. It was only when she remembered why she danced that she was able to achieve her goal.Overall, the plot was well-laid out. There were several twists that I didn't see coming. For the most part, the story is told well. I did not like the narrative shift that randomly happened where we are suddenly following another character in third person. If that was the only way the author could impart important information, I think a different narrative might have been needed for the story.Readers of Christian Historical fiction may enjoy this one, as there are strong Christian themes (some of which I did not agree with). I received a free copy from the publisher and am voluntarily reviewing.

[beautyinthebinding · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Several days have passed since I finished A Midnight Dance by Joanna Davidson Politano and I’m still thinking about this novel. Written mainly in first person point-of-view (POV), this story catapulted me directly into Ella’s mind and experiences. She’s a determined, relatable heroine whose pursuit of ballet dancing and potential romance with a handsome dancer bring her to Craven Street Theater, a place that holds secrets she must grapple with.The complex mystery in A Midnight Dance unfurls with finesse as Ella discovers truths of the past and present. I loved how the mystery tied together with Ella’s career dreams, spiritual questioning, and budding romance. The spiritual lessons that unfold apply both in Ella’s story, a work of historical fiction, and in modern-day lives.A Midnight Dance by Joanna Davidson Politano surprised me in the best of ways and stands as one of my favorite reads in 2021. This story held my attention from Ella’s first midnight dance, through every plot twist, right on into the beautiful finale. Five stars!Disclosure of Material Connection: I was provided a copy of this book by the author or publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.

[jaymewill-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I really enjoyed this book! I read it in two sittings. It has all the elements of a great story; likable characters, good plot line, suspense, and triumph. The romance is light and so is the Christianity. It has a little bit of a gothic feel, but in a Jane Austen sort of way. The main character, Ella Blythe, is a young dancer trying to make it big without selling herself for favors. Her own mother suffered for most of her life from cutthroat competitors. Ella's dance scholarship dictates she cannot entertain the attention of any men or lose the support. Therefore, she can't decide if she should encourage or discourage the attention of the young choreographer, Jack. I spent the whole book trying to decide if Jack was a good guy or a bad guy.If you are a fan of Christian fiction, I think you will like this book. I can't wait for the next one by this author!

[wagner5sarah35 · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

*I received a copy of this book through LibraryThing Early Reviewers.*So, this one just wasn't for me. The story has plenty of potential - ballet, mystery, romance. Yet, as I read something felt a little not quite right to me about the characters and the way they acted. For me, it all became clear towards the end of the book when Ella has an argument with her cousin/sister Lily and realizes that she had done the right thing when she took the child Lily had given birth to a hospital because Lily wouldn't have properly loved the child. Well, I guess I'm glad Ella was confident in her decision, because I'm not certain I share her opinion of her sister. I notice other readers have really enjoyed this book and I encourage anyone interested to read those reviews as this book just wasn't for me.

[croknot1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I received this book through LT for my honest review. For me, I lost interest for awhile, but picked it up again after a while, and was surprised to find it was a really good book.

[anne_rightler-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A Midnight Dance by Joanna Davidson Politano is a captivating book that readers who enjoy mystery and historical drama will not want to miss. I'd never read any of Politano's books before so didn't quite know what to expect. I will definitely be looking for other books written by this author. She has a masterful way with a pen and has written a complex and multifaceted story. It is a story full of grace and passion, elegant characterization, and sensory-rich settings that usher the reader into a beautiful experience. Ella is a young woman, passionate about ballet theater and is on a mission to find out secrets of her parents' past. But some secrets may be better left in the dark. Jack was a man of many surprises. Would he help her or was he only a narcissistic flirt? Watching their relationship wax and wane was pure pleasure! I really enjoyed how Ella grew in her faith and begins to realize that her talent was for her Heavenly Father, an offering from a grateful heart. Several major twists to the plot kept the story's tension and my interest high. I won an advanced reader copy of the book through LibraryThing and was not required to write a review. The opinions are my own.

[gingersnap000 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Although this novel is not presented as a YA book, it would be an appropriate lesson for a teenager. The protagonist, Ella, falls in a love with a young man, Phillippe, after she dances with him in the theater where her Mother was a star ballet dancer. Her mother's dissapearance from the world of ballet is a mystery. Her mother was reported as dying in a fire which disfigured her. Ella sets out to discover why her mother lied about her death, to meet her father, to prove her worth has ballet dancer and to dance once again with Phillipe. She earns a scholarship to the Ballet theater where her mother was a star. She does met Phillippe, who is now the principal male dancers. She is smitten with him but another gentleman, Jack, has set his cap on her.Similar to Scarlett O'Hara, she wishes to be with only Phillippe, the Ashley type and not the rake of man like Rhett Butler. Jack proves her wrong and he wishes to elevator her to greatness. The story is very spiritual as Ella believes that God will help her overcome her losses and bring her to greatness. God's and Jack's love brings her the happiness that she deserves.

[grammy57 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This was a refreshing change for me. It is set in London in the mid-1800s. It is part mystery and part romance. The author brought things to life in this new novel.I enjoyed the main characters, they were very well done. The mystery was very well done, I did not figure it out before the end as I usually do.This is a Christian book but is not preachy. It shows one's renewal of faith in a very positive light. I highly recommend this book. I give it a rare 5 out of 5 stars.

[lamb521 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Title: A Midnight DanceAuthor: Joanna Davidson PolitanoPages: 400Year: 2021Publisher: RevellMy rating: 5 out of 5 starsA Midnight Dance is a tale that readers will quickly be drawn into and entertained with for hours. The story begins in the year 1833 in Covent Garden, London, where performing ballet is the dream of a young girl. Her dream captures her heart. She sneaks into the Craven Street Theatre and dances where no one can see her. Then, he sees her and quickly captures her heart even more.There is a mystery feel to the story from start to finish, with questions about the character Ella Blythe. Ella lives in a poor part of London with her mother and sister. Ella’s mother is said to be the famed and renowned ballet dancer Delphine Bessette who is thought to have died one night in a fire at a theatre. But did she? Throughout the novel a wonderfully intriguing tale slowly unfolds to reveal the true mystery of Delphine Bessete, red ballet slippers and more. Who was Delphine Bessete, and how is she related to Ella Blythe?As I read the tale, I was drawn into the world of ballet. The author does a wonderful job of painting pictures with words that made it easy to conceptualize the action. My heart was drawn in by the interactions and relationships between different players in the book. Here is a story of romance, mystery, faith, struggle, and hope.I hope you take time to read, relax and enjoy the newest novel by Politano. Her other books are superb as well, and I highly recommend reading them. The titles are: A Rumored Fortune, Lady Jane Disappears, Finding Lady Enderly and The Love Note.Note: The opinions shared in this review are solely my responsibility.

[tealadytoo · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

What a remarkable book this is. Set in the world of ballet in Victorian England, it has many layers. There is a complex mystery involving the backstage fire that trapped the famous ballerina Delphine Bessette years earlier. There's a love triangle between the heroine, Ella, the principle male dancer, Phillipe, and the puckish choreographer, Jack. And there are serious questions involving faith and ambition and how they can be reconciled. It was fascinating from the first page, and my attention never wavered.I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

[pamelabarrett · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This is the third book I’ve read by Joanna Davidson Politano and I ve love each one. She is so good at getting the setting, the historical time period and the characters correct that I find my self swept away in her stories. I love the mystery and the little spice of romantic interests in each one. In A Midnight Dance I found out more about Dancers and the behind the scenes drama that as an audience member I wouldn’t have been privy to, so interesting. This could be a movie or a series on Masterpiece.

[lynnb_64 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Ella Blythe is a ballet dancer in Victorian England, a time when most female dancers required a sponsor to advance their career and set them up for life after ballet. This conflicts with Ella's values as she tries to make her way while solving the mysteries of her past. Who set the fire that ended her mother's career? Why did her mother allow her father to think she had died in the fire? This was a gripping story about a young woman trying to make her way and find her place in the world of ballet.Three notes: 1) I found the book slow to get going and worried about the number of pages to get through. However, once the book got going (about 20% into it), I found it engrossing. 2) Some will call this book "Christian fiction". I wouldn't dismiss it as merely that. Ella believes in God and she prays. That is part of who she is....she is not preaching to the reader.3) I'm still not sure all the motivations add up....

[julie2013-544404 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Welcome to the world of ballet - in 1838 Victorian England - where ballerinas are not paid a living wage and depend on "sponsors" to get ahead, and even for survival. Where being a good Christian girl and a dancer do not mix. Enter Ella Blythe, a talented dancer who longs to please her heavenly Father, learn who her earthly father is, and discover who set the fire that ended her mother's career and "life" as she knew it. Her mother's tragic story haunts Ella, as she tries to keep her place in Craven Theatre's ballet company. The Delphine Bessette she knew and loved does not seem to match up to the one she learns about at the theatre. Who was her mother, really? Did her father truly try to kill Delphine? If not, why did she never let him know that she did not die in the fire? The longer Ella is at Craven, the more questions she encounters. What is Philippe Rousseau hiding? Why does he disappear for days at a time? What is the bet that Jack Dorian has about her? Is he truly the ladies man he is reputed to be, trifling with every woman who crosses his path? Or is there more to him? What does he know about her father? Is Minna Frank a friend, a foe, or both? The ballet and Victorian England come to life in this historical romantic suspense novel. The rivalries, the hardships, the judgement of the times is clearly felt as you journey with Ella through the twists and turns of this story. The ghosts of the theatre tickle the imagination. Ella has to confront her fears and insecurities as she struggles to find a place she belongs, and to settle the question is it possible to be a moral, pure woman in the jaded world of ballet? This was the first novel I have read of Joanna Davidson Politano. It will definitely not be the last! I couldn't put it down. I was completely drawn in and invested in the story from page one.

[written-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

It took me awhile to really get into this book. I'm not much for ballet and all the dance terms didn't help my "find" the story. Once I did get into the "story" it was really quite good though.So it involves a young girl living with her mother and her (not really) sister. London in the 1800's. The daughter Ella wants to be a ballerina like her famous mother, Delphine had been. Her mother carries the scars from the fire at the ballet company and never steps foot outside of the house and to the world she died in this mysterious fire. That is the beginning of the story where it really takes off as we unravel the mysterious fire that killed famous ballerina Delphine, Ella's mother. The story takes many twists and turns but how else can we discover all the secrets and hidden lies. Ella's passion for dance and always wanting to do the right thing. Not knowing the whole story or mystery of her mother's life. All the people wrapped up in this mystery and the part that they played. I loved Jack! The person Ella finally let into her life gradually. Jack who was always there and the person who helped her discover her true self and finally brought the mystery to a beautiful end.This really is a great read....the ballet company, jealousy, Ella's father, her grandfather, her terrible secret, the real Delphine, who started the fire and wonderful Jack.I've been lucky enough to receive all of Joanna Davidson Politano's books from Early Reviewers and then in turn I end up buying her stories for my Kindle as well. Her first book is still my favorite but she always tells a great story!