Beautiful. Poignant. Timeless. Stunning. I could keep going but there are really no words to describe how amazing this story was.

I received a complimentary copy of this book and was not required to write a favorable review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Words, art, music…

It takes a special kind of talent to bundle different forms of storytelling into one engaging novel. Joanna Davidson Politano displayed that talent beautifully with her latest release, A Midnight Dance. A fitting title if I ever heard one, because reading this was just that – a dance!

In A Midnight Dance, Politano pens a tale of self discovery, of struggle, faith, perseverance, and true love. Which made reading this more complicated than it sounds. Ella Blythe (the heroine) has a tough journey to follow along with (emotionally and mentally), not to mention the other characters of the story. But I’ll have to admit, without giving away any spoilers, that it was the male characters that really surprised me. From page one onward, nothing was as it first appeared. Every time I thought I’d figured everything out, something would happen mid-page to throw me off. Throughout my reading I could not help breaking out a few “wait, what?!”s and “NO!”s. Like music, the story would constantly change tempo. But just like a fine piece of art, It was too engrossing to look away from.

But you know what? All of the shockers and big reveals were what made this an engaging read for me. I really needed a book that’d be different from my recent reads, and this was it. In short, I’m happy to have read this!

A special thanks to Revell for providing a free copy for my honest review. All thoughts expressed are my own.

My Thoughts:
Politano has a way of telling beautiful Victorian romances that aren’t just entertaining but powerfully edifying. A Midnight Dance was another stunning example.
Ella struggled with her worth and it was amazing to see the truth come through verbally and naturally woven into the plot.
Politano has become a trusted favorite author, and I highly recommend this or any of her other novels.

Rating and Recommendations: I’m giving A Midnight Dance 5 stars. I highly recommend it to those looking for Christian Historical Romance.

~ I received a copy from the publisher. All thoughts are my own. I was not compensated for this review or required to give a favorable one.

In my view A Midnight Dance is the best yet by far of Joanna Davidson Politano's novels set in England. In it we meet Ella Blythe, who longs to be as gifted a ballet dancer as her mother had been before her. But dancing led to tragedy for Ella's mum, and it could lead the same way for her daughter.
This is a truly grippingly told novel. The story is multi-layered and raises many questions, most of which are eventually answered! There are threads throughout of hope, ambition, desperation, challenge, overcoming obstacles and the fear of being 'not enough' no matter how hard you try. There is also a rather nicely complicated love story (or indeed, love stories) with an extra twist just for good measure.

The mystery of what really happened to Delphine, and who she was, is a fabulous story arc. There are further mysteries and secrets throughout too. Family is a powerful element, especially 'the fatherless'. Faith elements are rather cleverly woven in, and although occasionally seeming a bit awkward these rare times in no way spoiled my enjoyment of a clever and involving story.

The brief historical notes at the end are informative and interesting and the very personal author note shows the root of a number of the story elements, not least the issue of God's love for the 'broken and messed up'.

There were one or two anomalies in the use of 'theatre' and 'theater', but I was glad to see that most times the Craven Street Theatre was correctly referred to, given that it's located in London, England. The use of 'theater' elsewhere, given the book's US publisher and largely US readership, is perfectly acceptable - but I don't envy the editor or proof reader! I read an early manuscript so I suspect that the rare situations where the wrong theatre spelling was used will now be correct.

Highly recommended for anyone who loves historical novels with a hefty helping of mystery and a light-handed sprinkling of not-too-overpowering romance.

This was Good. There was lots of history to it. It also had ballet which I loved. It was full of mystery about Ella’s mom. I love the romance between Jack and Ella. This book is full of love, mystery and ballet! I would recommend this book.

Joanna Davidson Politano surely put her heart into researching this book. And she did well in portraying the world of a ballet artist and I enjoyed having a taste of what that would have been during the Victorian era. I didn't connect with her characters as much as in her previous books, but overall still enjoyed the book.

A Midnight Dance
By Joanna Davidson Politano
Rating: 4/5

“What I want . . . is for you to fly.”

I have to admit that the book is delightful and mysterious and brooding and beautiful and inspiring but it didn’t start that way for me. It wasn’t till I got 1/3 of the way through that the story really picked up and peaked my interest. I am so glad I kept reading. Having never read anything from the author before, I was grateful for her beautiful writing and intelligent story telling. She was also able to weave her faith and God’s love throughout the story in a genuine way that complemented the characters’ development.

“Then before I knew it, quite against my will, the dancer’s heart in me was awakening, sparking with life, and answering yes against the silence of the room.”

As someone who loves ballet, I was eager to read this story. As someone who has felt the Lord’s presence and pleasure when worshiping in dance, I loved how Ella’s heart was expressed in her dancing. Her light shown through on the stage and people noticed.

“Turn after turn, dance after dance, I found myself unwinding from the constraints of this world, muffling its beat as my heart matched the rhythm of its Creator.”

I also enjoyed the mystery that kept me guessing till the very end. It was well written and well-deserved.

Highly recommend if you enjoy a story about love, family, faith and dance.

My thanks to the author and publisher for providing me with an ARC of the book. All opinions expressed here are entirely my own. No positive review was expected and no compensation received.

Wow! Simply wow!

This is definitely one of my favorite reads of the year. Ms. Politano has created a stunning masterpiece. With an original plot, memorable characters and a profound message, I was captivated. Lyrically written, Ms. Politano draws her reader into the ballet world of the Victorian era. The emotional range within her characters, their different beliefs and motivations had a compelling effect. I cherished every word and every emotion that found their way into my heart.

I received a complimentary copy from the author/publisher through Netgalley. I was not required to write a review. All opinions expressed are my own.

A Midnight Dance by Joanna Davidson Politano transports you into the world of ballet with the heroine Ella as your narrator in 1830s London. You with experience a behind the scenes look at competitive ballet, fascinating and dark secrets, and satisfying romance as you read the pages of the book. Written beautifully, Politano will draw you into her world creating an eeringly captivating read.

This is my third read by Joanna Davidson Politano and they keep getting better and better! This story follows Ella, whose mother was once a famous principle dancer in the ballet company that she is now part of (but no one knows this). The story is full of mystery and surprising twists as well as beautiful ballet descriptions from 1800s London. I was swept into the story from the moment I picked the book up until the moment I put it down. I can still remember the feelings of standing on the large stage with Ella during ballet practice or walking down the dark London streets late at night as she was on her way home. Politano is an extremely gifted writer and her descriptions truly put the reader into the story.

The faith content in this book was beautiful. Ella felt far from God and she struggled with the fame that she received and wished for as she knew that it wasn’t what God desired for her. She had a lot of internal struggles that she worked through in the book and I appreciated the “realness” of her faith.

There was so much that I loved about this book, it is one of my favorite reads of 2021 and I highly recommend it.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher to read and review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Joanna Davidson Politano is one of my go-t0 Victorian fiction authors, and I usually read her newest title each year.

This book focuses on the world of Ballet theatre. Dancers had an unfortunate reputation in Victorian (and early Georgian) times. This even carried over into the 20th century, with a remark from an Agatha Christie novel that it was "impossible!" to have a child and be a dancer.
Ella however, dreams of being a dancer like her mother, but also wants to keep hold of her faith, two things she has been told are incompatible.

Along the way, she has a mystery to unravel. Ella believes she can find her father, but as she unravels the complex threads of the past, she discovers more than one secret in the theatre where her mother once graced the stage.

A Midnight Dance was in interesting mix of romance and mystery, with just enough of a smattering of details about the culture in which the story was set. There's enough to keep the reader guessing, but too much so that they are bogged down.

Ella proved to be one of the better written characters in this genre. It’s all too easy for female leads in Inspy Fiction to become boring and stale Mary Sues as authors try to tick all the boxes expected of them.
Female leads who are a a little controversial or have a somewhat dark background are ones I find more satisfying.

I think readers will enjoy this new standalone from Ms Politano. I didn't like it as much as The Love Note, but nearly so.

Thanks to Revell for approving my request for this title. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are my own.

help I've fallen in love with this story and I can't get up. In equal parts, I want to shout from the rooftops how much I loved it and hold it quietly close to my heart and never let go. I haven't read any of this author's books before now, but rest assured I will be devouring her backlist sooner rather than later.

"A Midnight Dance" is an enchanting, haunting, deeply moving story of how God has His plan for us in place before we can see it ourselves. There's a bit of mystery, some fascinating characters, and so much love for dance that I ended up unashamedly twirling instead of walking around my house when I couldn't read. Dance has been a part of my life since I was very young, but at this moment in time, I haven't been able to go to class in over a year, and this book brought a yearning to be back like I haven't felt in a long time.

The faith content was just... amazing. I will always love a novel where the main character is firmly rooted in their faith, and their biggest desire is to know God better, and do what He's called them to do. (Don't get me wrong, a salvation story is great ((we get one of those in here too)) but as someone who's been a Christian for a long time, I just don't see as much representation of that as I'd like.) God used this book for me, and I know I won't be the only one.

I loved the mystery element here, it was so well done. The story peels back layer after layer as the plot progresses, where we learn new things about the characters and history, and each twist felt nicely placed, and nothing felt like a left turn. It made sense, as much as some of it hurt, and I enjoyed that a lot.

((also yes I am a little in love with Jack Dorian. he'd drive me crazy in real life, but he's prime book boyfriend material, lol))

Overall, this is definitely going to be amongst my favorites of the year, just from how it made me feel. I don't think it's going to leave me for a long while. Five stars from me!

**I received a copy of this book from Netgalley. A positive review was not required. All opinions are my own.**

I don't quite know how to describe Joanna Davidson Politano's books. They're historical but such interesting time periods. They're romantic but not your usual kind of romance. They're mysteries but not really a 'whodunnit' mystery, more of a slow unveiling of secrets. She's in a genre all of her own! A Midnight Dance was giving me serious Phantom of the Opera vibes! (the movie not the book) There's rumours of ghosts, a lost star trying to make sense of the unusual theatre world, a mysterious man with circus origins and a tragic love story! If you're a P of the O fan, that should be enough for you to go pick this book up! Need more convincing? Ok. Step into the contradictory world of ballet where only the lowest of society perform it and only the highest in society watch it. This book gives you a fascinating glimpse into the world of Victorian theatre and ballet. Though I must say, as someone who never did ballet as a kid, all the proper ballet terms were completely lost on me and she could've been doing headstands for all I knew lol. Still need more? Enter into the story, Ella, a conflicted yet talented dancer who is trying to reconcile her faith with her love of dancing, a profession that society has deemed immoral. While first person isn't my favourite, it always works for me in Joanna Davidson Politano books. Now because I hate spoilers, I will not say anything about the hero. A Midnight Dance had me guessing all the way through and had (I kid you not!) one of the most perfect endings ever!!!

A Midnight Dance
by Joanna Davidson Politano
Pub Date 07 Sep 2021 | Archive Date 09 Oct 2021
Revell
Christian


I am reviewing a copy of A Midnight Dance through Revell and NetGalley:


Ella Blythe knows that all theatre romances are tragedies. But she cannot help to Hope her hope her own story may turn out different than most and certainly different than the tragic story of the Ghost of Craven Street Theater. As she struggles to maintain her tenuous place in the shrinking ballet company as well as win the attention 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 Ella dancing ever closer to the edge of her own tragic end? Will the secrets that are about to come to light offer release from the past?



I give A Midnight Dance five out of five stars!


Happy Reading!

*Warnings*
#1 This is a long review, so pull up a chair and grab a bowl of popcorn. You’ll be here awhile. #2 When I read a review, I want substantial information. So I will not skimp on the details. Which may mean some spoilers, so watch out.


You know how there are some books that, when you turn the final page and walk away, you leave a piece of you behind?

You know how there are some stories that become so vivid that you feel as though you yourself are entangled in the words?

You know how there are some characters who are so alive and vibrant that you could almost touch them?

You know how there are some romances so beautiful that you wish you could claim it as your own?

You know how there are some sentences that weave together so seamlessly, in a dance so intricate and lovely, that you feel your heart soar?

You know how there are some heroes so imperfectly perfect in every way that you wish to God that you could marry them?

That was this book.

This story.

These characters.

This romance.

Those sentences.

And, Lord have mercy, my Jack.

*sighs*

I suppose I should write a full review. I should probably tell you about how lovely and melodic, how lyrical and alive Politano’s prose is. I should probably tell you about how well thought-out and paced her plots are. I should probably tell you about how unique, mysterious, and engaging her story is. I should probably tell you how vibrant and intriguing the characters are. I should probably tell you how intricately and beautifully she weaves in spiritual truths and messages to her novels.

Or...I could just continue to melt. You could join me. All you have to do...is read.

Seriously, y’all. When Politano began the story with the most enchanting pas de deux, I knew my heart was lost to me forever. You see, I have long loved all things ballet. I am by no means an expert nor an accomplished dancer (although I did take for a couple years); however, a part of me belongs to the barre...a part of me rises on releve...a part of me soars in a jete...a part of me pirouettes to the gentle refrains of classical music and sighs on a cloud of artistic euphoria.

(Please don’t ask me what any of that meant. I just went poetically wild for a moment there. Bear with me.)

Politano took that part by the hand and led it in the most beautiful, most exquisite dance ever.

Her descriptions of dance…augh, they were like kisses. Ballet...ah, yes, I now know why they called it sensual, for when you simply read the words Politano penned to evoke those images, those sounds, those emotions...you come alive.

Nothing...nothing, I tell you, has ever melted me as this novel did. True, I have melted before...but not...not in this way. Not like with Jack and Ella...mainly Jack. No, definitely, completely, wholly, fully, utterly, and irrevocably Jack.

Y’all, he was like perfection bottled into one man in tights and oil paint. (Never thought I’d find perfection in that form...but, hey, first time for everything, am I right?) I’ll be entirely honest and say I was as fooled as Ella that whole dad-blamed time, which was the point, wasn’t it? I tried so hard to save my heart for Phillippe (or, um, save Ella’s heart, I guess) and not fall for Jack. At all costs. (Considering the last time I fell for a Jack, he died and the girl ended up with some other guy that I just didn’t love as much as my man Jack and so yes me and Jacks have had some seriously rough relationships hence why I was hesitant to love on Jack Dorian but here we are and I have already claimed this sexy ballet-dancing blond from the circus as my husband. So, no, you can’t have him. Sorry, not sorry.)

And I just realized that probably constitutes as a spoiler. Oh well.

The point is that Jack was perfect. Ella was actually a heroine I more than tolerated—I may have even loved her. The way her focus always came back to God...and how she wanted Him more than anything else...and how she found a way to honor Him through dance...y’all. That was probably one of the most beautiful themes I’ve ever read. Not only because it was so unique and different from the typical themes of trust and forgiveness...but also because it was so very applicable and relatable.

Not to mention, Ella stuck to her convictions. She wasn’t just a “church-going girl”; she was a Christian and she walked (or, rather, danced) like it. Even though she was surrounded by immorality and temptation, she clung to her faith and her values, something that I truly appreciated from a reader’s perspective and also from the perspective of someone trying to do the exact same thing in our messed-up world.

That said, I would’ve liked more Jack. I would’ve loved to have seen more of his spiritual transformation...but, then again, this was technically Ella’s story.

I mean, Jack totally took it over, but it’s still Ella’s.

And...that’s basically it. I probably could’ve summed this review up in two sentences: Jack was so dad-blamed perfect and beautiful and I’m so marrying him. And if you haven’t read this book, you haven’t lived (or flown either, for that matter).

If you do nothing else, read this book for Jack.

ALSO. While I’m thinking about it...they’re from 130 years in the future, but “Come Fly With Me” and “Fly Me To The Moon” by Frank Sinatra just fit this story so well. Wonder why? Read the blessed book! I cannot stress how important that is to your well-being. You. Must. Read. This Book. Like, yesterday.

The End.

*curtsies*

Disclaimer: A complimentary copy of this book was provided by the publisher, publicist, or author, including NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.

A compelling story that will keep you guessing until the end! It did take me a bit to get into the book, I'm not sure if it was slow or a bit confusing at the beginning, most likely, it was me. But the mysterious a lure kept me turning the pages and once I was hooked, I couldn't turn the pages quick enough.

I have been waiting for this book ever since the blurb I read from the last book of hers that I reviewed. I love her lyrical style of description balanced with depth of emotion. And although I am not a ballet fan, and can't picture in my mind what most of the moves look like, that hardly mattered.

I loved that Ella was so passionate about her craft. It was odd to me, in a sense, that she didn't understand the politics and level of competition found in theater- ballet specifically. For her mother to have been so involved in that world, and knowing Ella's passion for it, I was surprised that she never sat her down and warned her specifically of how things would go, should she ever pursue that life.

The red slippers puzzled me. The books open with Ella wearing them, afraid at a moment that someone will take them away from her, tell her she doesn't deserve them. And then we hear how hard she worked for them, and what they really mean to her. They were almost as difficult to obtain as her place in the ballet. But when they are stolen, she isn't even really devastated. She is upset for a short time, but never questions her roommate, never hotly pursues who might've taken them or why, as I would have expected. And I was left wondering if they really meant anything to her. That was confusing.

The author is wonderful at weaving mysteries within other mysteries, and telling a tale at a pace that keeps you interested- even in a subject you know little of and care even less about. While not everything was resolved to my satisfaction, I would definitely read other books by this author, and can heartily recommend this book to people who love great fiction.

Ella Blythe has lived a life shrouded in secret, she holds tightly to her precarious position in a shrinking ballet company. Even though she knows the fate of most theater romances, she can't help but hope to catch the eye of principle dancer Phillipe, while avoiding the advances of the flirtatious Jack.

A intriguing read, filled with mystery and haunting suspense as secrets from the past are revealed. Ella loves to dance but struggles to find her stride, uncertainty and the ghost of another promising dancer haunt her every step. I liked her story arc, and how she learns to deal with anxiety and the unknowns of life on the stage.

A well written read, but a slower start, due to it taking awhile for the pieces to start coming together, and eventually giving some answers along with the growing number of questions. Mysterious and evocative, it is a page turning read full of secrets and worthwhile reveals. Definitely picks up speed as it goes along. I really enjoyed seeing Ella grow in her faith, and become more sure of herself. A twisting, and enjoyable read!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

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.

I am not sure what I was expecting in this book but it wasn’t this. It is mysterious, with a Victorian era gothic feel to it.
I really knew nothing about ballet before reading this now I feel enriched for having read it.
You travel in a place while reading in where you are asking yourself if this is realistic or you are in a dream world.
Very atmospheric the book has a dark gothic feel to it as though you know something is just around the corner waiting to happen.
There are bits of it I just don’t understand, like the red ballet slippers. They are such an important connection ,then when they are stolen they are no longer important?
The ending was surprising and a shake up. The book felt a bit like swimming in murky waters while reading it.

Pub Date: 07 Sep 2021
I was given a complimentary copy of this book. Thank you.
All opinions expressed are my own.