Devil's Dance

Written by Arliss Adams

Narrated by Andrea Bates

How much physical and mental pain can a sixteen-year-old girl stand? Jeanette Connor is about to find out. It's Chicago, 1955, and she is on the brink of a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity: a contract with the New York City Ballet. However, since she's a minor, her mother must co-sign and she has different ideas. Jeanette's dream is smashed and instead she soon finds herself in a high-class brothel, being offered up as a little-girl-virgin type. Then she's left for dead in the snowy night. She vows revenge, but first has to put her broken body and shattered emotions back together. That's easier said than done, though. Her struggle to regain her life carries her to California, the land of dreams, which for Jeanette Connor will become the land of nightmares.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Books in Motion
• Release date: Jul 15, 2010
• ISBN: 9781605487489

Reviews for Devil's Dance

[nicnac63 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

DEVIL'S DANCE review, by NicDevil’s Dance, by Arliss Adams, is an emotive read. The story tells of Jen Conner, a promising young dancer, who experiences crushing blows that take away her dreams, her innocence and almost her life. She learns of heartbreak, betrayal, violence and fear; yet she battles it all on a quest to discover the rewards of perseverance and second chances.Although Jen encounters much pain in her life, she doesn’t drown in an ocean of self-pity. Sometimes she barely treads the water, sometimes she becomes submerged in painful and bewildering memories; yet she emerges from it all to show the world, and herself, that the power of good is stronger than evil.I couldn’t put this book down. It is a fast-paced page-turner that isn’t for the faint of heart. There is violent imagery, excruciating pain, and agonizing nightmares that will surely stay with you after you finish reading, but it also leaves you with a poignant message that ‘what doesn’t kill us, makes us stronger.’I'm off to read "The Devil's Due"(book 2).

[angel2649 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I had a tough time starting this book with the graphic scenes in the beginning. And, I found that running into people who could saver her at the last minute was a bit too coincidental, but then there wouldn't have been a story if she'd died in the first chapter. The writing kept me interested to the end. I find it difficult to believe that the detectives couldn't find her, but then this was before the internet and people could change their names and hide. I like the ballet portions as I've taken dance classes also. I did read the entire book in one sitting, and wondering what the sequel would contain.

[dolphinchick · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

WOW! Great book! Very intense and emotional…I actually had to put the book down a couple times through the beginning to catch my breath and gather myself back together. But once I started again I couldn’t stop because I had to know how things were going to turn out for Jen, the main character! It’s very hard for me to stop and take even this brief moment to write this since I am dying to get into the second book! The descriptions of what happened to Jen and the fear and pain she endured are vivid so brace yourself … but all good writing should make us feel something right … even if it’s scary! Mrs. Adams did a great job of describing how trauma can run your life, how hard it is to get out from under it and that it may never fully go away, but that if you keep good, loving people around you and work really hard you can get through it and be happy once again! Now I must go so I can get into the next book…if you’re reading this before purchase…save yourself a little bit of grief and get the 2nd book now also! That way you won’t have to wait to dive right in and believe me you’ll want to!!

[robinorr2 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I loved reading this book. It kept me riveted until the very end. I cannot wait to continue with the next story. I was very emotional about the main character and all her pain I think because I was abused as a child and had more than my share of unfairness in life. I laughed with Jen and I cried with Jen and I can't wait to read more of her triumphs.

[wb75 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I could not put this book down. Jen had some hard times; I felt her pain and her joy. Her mother in-law is just plain evil. PJ sounds like a lovely little boy. The ended left a lot of unanswered questions however; I will have to pick up a copy of the second book to see how things end.

[lilithmoondancer · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This book was really good. It kept my interest and broke my heart and made me want to cheer for Jen and every other emotion you can think of. Well written with great detail. The only complaint I have about this story is how abruptly it ended. It was almost like the author threw an ending on the story.I'm hoping all my questions will be answered in the sequel, "Devil's Due."

[chemegirl · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

I found this book to be tedious but still somewhat entertaining. It seemed like every time something bad happened to the lead character, she magically had someone help her out and everything was ok again. The overall story line had a "too good to be true" feel and so by the end of the story there didn't leave much to the imagination and felt like it became very predictable.

[kathryn_anne_merkel · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Do we read tragic stories to make us feel better about our own lives? If we do, then Devil's Dance is sure to make you glad you are not Jenny Connor. It takes a very strong person to overcome being repeatedly lifted to mere centimeters from the brass ring, only to fall crashing into a pit of despair. Jenny Connor is such a character. Arliss Adams has woven a tale of woe & triumph that captivated me from the very first chapter. As I was carried along on the rollercoaster that is Jenny’s life story, I found myself constantly amazed that she could recover from so many incidents of crushing betrayal & energetically cheering her on. The ending of Devil’s Dance seemed a bit abrupt & not really complete. Thank goodness, the story is continued in Devil’s Due.

[besodenena · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This copy was received as a part of the Early Reviewers program. This tale is about a relatable character named Jeanette, who's life continually revolves in an up and down merry go round of tragedy and hope. After having her dream of becoming a ballerina dashed by her mother, Jeanette's life continually takes turns for the worse followed by finding silver linings among the storm clouds. Ms. Adams did an excellent job of building tension for each twist and turn taken by the plot and of causing the reader to form a connection to Jeanette. I was laughing, crying and cheering in turns by the end of the book and look forward to reading more of this story!

[lizbuckley · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

A story about a teenage girl named Jeanette who had a dream to become a professional ballerina. After her mother turned down a contract for Jeanette to dance with the NYC ballet she lapsed into deep depression and was eventually kidnapped and sold to a man who runs a brothel. Her life turns around after a violent night with a John. The book was easy to read and I thought that the beginning was believable but after Jeanette escapes and starts a new life, everything just seems to take on more of a romance novel feel. The believable beginning is forgotten.

[annrig · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

How many awful things can one person survive? It was difficult reading the very graphic description of rape of the main character near the beginning of the book. Instantaneous trust in strangers was an unlikely reaction of a rape victim. The pace of the book is fast and I was drawn into the story by hope that problems would be resolved. Unfortunately the book abruptly ended, leaving me annoyed that a sequel would be the only way to complete the story.

[bazzafr · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Not my usual genre choice, but found the overall plot quite compelling despite the insipid characterisation of Jenny. The occasional juxtapôsition of 'first person' and 'third person' was confusing, as was the time-shift between action and background information. The graphic description of the rape was unexpected but forces the reader to persevere to learn about the fate of the perpetrators and the victim. Many questions remained unanswered as the story solely focusses on the strange and unexpected rehabilitation of Jenny. Her life follows many twists and turns in rapid succession, leaving the reader confused about the purpose of the story. It could have been a collection of anecdotes about the trials and tribulations of various shallow individuals who accidentally come together then disappear again. I was waiting for some startling revelation or twist but the page after page of bad times suddenly became a few pages of the good times and the tale ended abruptly without any finality. Interesting but disappointing to the degree that I would not recommend it.

[rebecca8jane · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I loved the idea behind this book, and it was a quick and interesting read. However, I thought the pace needed to be set at a much slower speed. Her relationships seemed to develop too quickly; for example, the growing love between Jen and her future husband seemed to come without warning, even though the book hinted that it developed gradually. The same goes for her relationship with Vince. The quick pace made it hard to tell how much time had passed: on one page her son was 6 and on the next he was 10! I believe that if the pace were slower, then the sweeter parts of the book, like Vince teaching Jen to fly a kite, would have had a more emotional meaning instead of just being a cute, but fairly insignificant scene.

[pennybrainerd · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I had a tough time starting this book with the graphic scenes in the beginning. And, I found that running into people who could saver her at the last minute was a bit too coincidental, but then there wouldn't have been a story if she'd died in the first chapter. The writing kept me interested to the end. I find it difficult to believe that the detectives couldn't find her, but then this was before the internet and people could change their names and hide. I like the ballet portions as I've taken dance classes also. I did read the entire book in one sitting, and wondering what the sequel would contain.

[tldittmer04 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

The book seemed a little out-of-sync. There was an almost 1940's feel to it, yet, it didn't quite make-it as that type of gritty crime novel. I think the characters are good. I just wish it was a little more real.

[mumfie_1 · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

The opening has far too much conversation and too much explanation to introduce us to the story. The book as a whole is very pacy, maybe the story should be allowed to develop a bit more. There is too much conversation and action, and not enough reflection and depth.The lucky timing of meeting a saviour, just at a time of intense need is one of the many coincidences in this story.The dreams are a bit over the top. The mother in law is a caricature, so bad, so nasty. And equally her son is so wonderful, so caring. It's all black and white with no grey characters.It's all a bit neat that she gets rescued and finds a new man and can have a career with problem of evil mother in law to deal with in book 2.The story is just puerile, with not enough depth or reflection,

[coverloverbookreview · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

DEVIL'S DANCE review, by NicDevil’s Dance, by Arliss Adams, is an emotive read. The story tells of Jen Conner, a promising young dancer, who experiences crushing blows that take away her dreams, her innocence and almost her life. She learns of heartbreak, betrayal, violence and fear; yet she battles it all on a quest to discover the rewards of perseverance and second chances.Although Jen encounters much pain in her life, she doesn’t drown in an ocean of self-pity. Sometimes she barely treads the water, sometimes she becomes submerged in painful and bewildering memories; yet she emerges from it all to show the world, and herself, that the power of good is stronger than evil.I couldn’t put this book down. It is a fast-paced page-turner that isn’t for the faint of heart. There is violent imagery, excruciating pain, and agonizing nightmares that will surely stay with you after you finish reading, but it also leaves you with a poignant message that ‘what doesn’t kill us, makes us stronger.’I'm off to read "The Devil's Due"(book 2).

[cathyqt85 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

well the book was ok.... its not one of the books i would read or keep reading after the first chapter. it was so sad jsut reading this book that i had to stop and get my self together. i mean how and a teen like jen go threw so much and at the same time still gets the bad luck. i know some ppl go threw this before and have a hard time going threw there life. this book was soo sad it made me cry couple of times. when jen finally get a brake and got something she wanted then next thing it is pulled away from her and she is a reck for a while. i cant believe that paul died that quick too, i mean come on jen jsut found some one she actually trust and love and get the love back to her. she never had that when she was living at home or had friends to back her up. then came paul, he was her shinning knight and he gave her everything she ever wanted and she gave him her trust and love that she thought she never have to share to another person. see her happy finally w. a man she love and care for is so perfect. o and the mother in law is just messed up i mean damn she is shallow to jen threw out this hole book. i mean i want to met her and beat her for being a stupid mother in law. who treat a daughter in law like she treat jen, i mean jen went threw alot threw her teen age and to add on the mother in law hateing her and hateing her son for marring jen is jsut fucken up. when paul died omg i cryed b.c that was the only person that made jen happy for once in her life and seeing half of her heart gone in a fash was jsut heart breaking. i mean jen just cant get a brake at all and it seem like that her life is going to end up missable. but at the end of the book it was sweet but weird at the same time. the reason i say that is bc she just lost paul and now ran from the crazy in law and took the son to seattle and she meet vince(become the new lover) and have viola and nadya as her new family is great and all. but she fell in love w a new man kinda quick to me but that is me. but vince is a great guy for her and alittle old for her to but he treat her so perfect from the first day they met. he been here helping her and her son to get everything settle and start a new life in seattle. but it was nice to see that she have a new man to love and be w. a person share the same love and protection for each other. i loved how nadya is the best character threw out this book. she is a strong woman and helping jen getting a new life was so great of her to do b.c jen lost contact of nadya and one day she call and nadya accepts the long lost years w. jen and help her anywaays. i like how they formed a beautiful family, that is what i like at the end seeing jen had a great friends and a new family to call of her own finally. so over all of this book it was ok and im am going to read the 2nd book and see what happen w the mother in law and see if she is going to go that low to beat jen and take her son away and see if jen change her confidence up and take charge of her life and kick that in law butt. o its nice that vince will be there beside here and viola and nadya.