Counterpointe: Romantic Book Club Fiction

by Ann Warner

A dancer on the verge of achieving her dreams is devastated by an injury, and the scientist who loves her begins a painful search for answers to the mysteries of the human heart. Each will have the chance to save a life. One will succeed, one will not. And then they will face the most difficult quest of all - navigating the space that lies between them.

Genres: Contemporary, Fiction, Romance, Chick Lit, Contemporary Romance

267 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 30, 2012

About the author

A former Air Force brat turned clinical chemist, toxicologist, and university professor, Ann's life took another turn in 2001, when she began writing fiction. After completing a perfectly dreadful novel (she didn't know it was at the time) she talked her way into a graduate writing seminar and followed that up with several years of study as she continued to write. Along the way she made friends with other writers who have supported, critiqued, and eventually praised her novels. Her debut novel, Dreams for Stones, was a finalist for the Indie Next Generation Book Award.

Ann's novels take advantage of the many unusual settings she's traveled to or lived in including New Zealand, Australia, Peru, San Francisco, Wrangell Alaska, Colorado, Boston, and Puerto Rico. As well, her experiences as a toxicologist have added fillips of intrigue to many of her stories.

In Ann's novels, the consequence of choosing to love or not to love is an underlying theme, as characters face crises and complications that force them to dig deep within themselves to discover their own resilience.

Ann has a readers' group. Sign up here: http://eepurl.com/dctGuf

Members of the group will receive a link to a short story along with insider information about Ann's writing process, the stories behind the stories, and recommendations of books Ann has enjoyed.

Contacts for Ann:
Website http://annwarner.net/
Readers' Group Sign-up http://eepurl.com/dctGuf
Email Contact http://annwarner.net/contact-ann/
Facebook Ann Warner Author of Emotionally Engaging Fiction

Reviews

[Callmeamy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Time to read about what a ballerina does after...

Great book - I hope to come back and elaborate - exquisite details, an [interesting] juxtaposition of worlds rarely brought together - characters developed, again with an eye to detail - giving me glimpses of a world I left long ago (ballet) and another (academia) which I entered briefly and left long ago - glimpses without sugarcoating - glimpses that I'll remember, and date i as that i stayed up 6 hours past my bedtime over the course of two nights to read this *Counterpointe*.

[Mary Barrett · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars

This book was riveting! Every book that I have read by Ann Warner impresses me more. They are intelligent, humorous and show a wide range of emotions. Her characters are mature and interesting, drawing the reader into the story line. I definitely recommend this book to other readers!

[Tina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another lovely story that can teach us about life and love. The characters are believable with real life emotions. This book pulls you in. I almost skipped ahead because I wanted to know if something happened. But I did not. I let the book lead me to the conclusion.

[Corinne Smyth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a great read!

This book is so well written - like every other ‘Warner’ one I’ve read! I can’t stop reading Ann Warner’s books - they immediately grab you and keep you rooting for the cast!! On to the next one....

[Malissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow

When I first started reading this book, it felt like just another romance novel. But as it went along, I was drawn in by the characters as they discovered themselves. I spent several nights with too little sleep because I just couldn't put it down.

[Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not what I expected

I have to say I completely enjoyed this book. The twists and turns in the relationship between Clare and Rob were sad at times. Other times, it made you think.
I'd like to read a follow-up in 10 years for this couple.
Good book.

[bob miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely a story to get lost in. Well written.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it!!

[Dianne Petersen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was amazing! I laughed and cried, not at the same time. A great story about the ups and downs of life and marriage.

[Compulsion Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Clare Eliason’s dedication to ballet had finally paid off. She landed a position as the principal dancer with Danse Classique, in Boston, where her skills where being praised in the ballet community. Her new job allowed her to escape her former toxic dance partner and boyfriend, Zachary Showalter. To add icing on the cake she was in the running for the lead in Swan Lake, her dream role.

Not only was Clare’s career taking off, but a new town and new experiences opened the door for her to meet Rob Chapin. Rob, a chemistry teacher from Northeastern University, was dragged to the ballet by his sister. It was the first time he had enjoyed dancing; his intrigue had everything to do with the way Clare danced across the stage. A simple introduction after the performance started a sweet romance between them.

Everything was just as Clare had dreamt it would be, until an accident sends her spiraling down into a dark abyss.

Counterpointe is an emotional roller-coaster. Author Ann Warner starts the book on a slow gentle climb as Clare prepares for her new job, coworkers and town. Just as we connect with Clare and cheer her on as she succeeds, Warner introduces Rob, the sweet professor who is eager to woo Clare. Between Clare’s relationship and her new man it feels like clear skies ahead.

Unfortunately, like all good rollercoasters, the ride isn’t just about the highs. The lows that Warner adds to the plot are the kind that leaves you speechless. My heart ached as Clare lost everything she had worked so hard for. It was easy to feel Rob’s frustration as he tries to glue all of the pieces of their lives back together. Warner has done an amazing job at creating in-depth characters that react to life’s challenges like real people.

Counterpointe is a great book that I think fans of inspirational stories will find to ride to be quite enjoyable.
(This book was provided to Compulsion Reads by the author for review.)

[Judy & Marianne from Long and Short Reviews · Rating 3 out of 5]

Originally posted at: http://www.longandshortreviews.blogsp...

Clare Eliason moves to Boston partly to further her ballet career, but also to escape a painful breakup with her ex-dancing partner. During an after-performance reception, she’s introduced to Rob Chapin, a science professor. Finding humor and many common points of interest, they begin to date and a beautiful relationship evolves between them. In a wonderful saga full of realistic ups and downs Counterpointe shadows them as their lives intertwine and follows the ups and downs of their marriage, work and the most important journey of self-discovery.

I really enjoyed this novel, full of sweetness, humor and vivid, lifelike characters. There is a strong cast of many secondary characters, who are equally complicated and retain the reader’s interest. The gradual progress as Rob and Clare get to know each other, share their lives and follow the natural course of ups and downs, triumphs and disappointments is a beautiful read. Even when they’re apart their connection and the emotions of the characters kept me turning the pages.

Mostly this book is a wonderful exploration of two people from different worlds coming together and finding love and building a lasting, realistic relationship with all the complexities, joys and sorrows that entails.

[LadyCalico · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author certainly has a way with words and dialogue. Her characters are well-developed but still capable of believable growth and change as they deal with life's trials and obstacles to their desires and needs. I found myself liking the book even though not liking the main character whom I found to be a self-absorbed witch. I kept hoping her husband would leave her and find somebody nice who was more worthy of him. It came as quite a pleasant surprise as the book progressed and life experience taught her to view herself in essentially the same terms in which I was viewing her and motivated her to grow and adapt. Even though there are many second-chance stories out there, this one manages to be fresh and original in the authenticity of the characters and how they deal with in realistic ways with realistic problems and become more sensitive and compassionate toward others and themselves because of struggling through heartbreak--choosing whether to let it destroy them or make them stronger.

[Tenille · Rating 4 out of 5]

I won this one on good reads giveaways. I liked it. a lot. Prima Ballerina Clare meets professor Rob when she moves to Boston to get over a broken heart and make a fresh start. One day, tragedy strikes her and she is no longer able to dance. She marries Rob to feel safe and doesn't know what else to do.... dancing was her only career. She slips into a deep depression and almost loses Rob. He goes to Peru for 6 months to give himself some distance from her. while he is gone, he almost dies, and he realizes how clare must have felt when her accident happened. While he is gone, she throws herself into volunteering at hope house, a house where men can go to learn life skills that they didn't learn while young. She teaches reading and writing, and helps a young boy escape the grips of a gang.
When Rob gets back from peru, do they work things out?

[K Berthiaume · Rating 4 out of 5]

Got this free on amazon and became enmeshed in this story of an artist and scientist-a seemingly unlikely pair who find their way to...and back to...each other despite their different approaches to the world. Themes touch on people's career paths, personal journeys of discovery (when all seems lost), and how veils of personal (mis)perceptions lift when you open your heart to new realities. Well written and paced, I knew and cared about these characters and their relationship at this book's end.

[Portia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book and looked forward to picking it up every chance I got until finishing! I have always been fascinated with the abilities of dancers to convey such a range of emotion with movement.
Watching a performance is only a glimpse though, of the life of a dancer.
Here is a story that provides insight into that world while drawing you into a lovely story of relationships and struggles with personal hardship. I recommend it highly.

[Luisa Rivas · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a melancholic book, but so romantic, so beautifully written. Clare lost the career she loved and suffered other losses and spiraled down into a severe depression. Rob loved her with all his heart but when he couldn't help her, he had to leave. They were cruel to each other, but the love was strong underneath it all. It was a lovely story about loss and redemption.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you have ever loved ballet and ballet dancers, this book is amazing and intense and beautifully written. Painful in some ways as it brings home reasons to give up and reasons to keep trying. But it was a good read, start to finish.

[Juli Townsend · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this read. Apart from the intriguing insight into the world of ballet and Peruvian jungle medicine, I cried buckets over the tug-at-the-heart love story that captivated me. Highly recommended.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this story, it was beautifully written and the characters were well developed and believable. Ms. Warner's words paint wonderful mind pictures of the joys of dancing as well as the beauty of nature. A delightful read

[Therese]

$0.0

[Holly Hilbrands · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read about finding yourself after a major loss and learning how to live again.

[Vicki · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed it and like its characters very much.

[Akeating2003 · Rating 3 out of 5]

quick read. Love my ballet books. would have given it 4 start but I thought the ending dragged on for too long

[Alison]

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