Slave to the Rhythm (The Rhythm, #1) in Ardent PRose

Feb 12, 2016 Jacqueline rated it it was amazing

Shelves: author-arcs, favourites, rare-2016, favourite-books-of-2016

Wow...I absolutely loved this book.

Ash is a gifted dancer from Eastern Europe who has been lured to the bright lights of Vegas. But when he arrives, instead of fulfilling his dream, he finds he's trapped in a living nightmare. When Laney witnesses something that puts her in danger, they are forced to flee Vegas together.

This was such a page turner thanks to the delicious chemistry between Ash and Laney, but the suspense was ramped up by a plot that was original, lively and compelling. I was co ...more

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Feb 21, 2016 Livros A Go-Go ~Joyci ~ rated it it was amazing

Shelves: 2016

Ash é um dançarino que parte da Eslovenia com a promessa de emprego em Las Vegas.Assim que ele chega ao aeroporto americano, as coisas ficam um tanto quanto estranhas e, para não causar uma má impressão aos seus empregadores, ele comete o erro de não contestar nada. À partir disso ele se vê fazendo parte de um dos esquemas da máfia russa e, para piorar, um dos chefes da máfia se encanta por ele e irá fazer de tudo para que Ash não tenha como escapar de seus desejos, fazendo com que ele pague co ...more

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Mar 02, 2016 Lily (Hopelessly Devoted 2 Books) Wallis rated it it was amazing

5*
I was pleasantly surprised by Slave to the Rhythm... I had no idea what to expect going in, all the teasers I had seen had sparked my interest but the blurb is quite vague and the first 6 words of it are confusing to say the least, but now I’ve read it I totally get it, going in blind intensified my reaction to the story to the point where I was probably just as surprised by the twists and turns as the characters were, I want everyone to have the same experience that I had whilst reading so I’ 5*
I was pleasantly surprised by Slave to the Rhythm... I had no idea what to expect going in, all the teasers I had seen had sparked my interest but the blurb is quite vague and the first 6 words of it are confusing to say the least, but now I’ve read it I totally get it, going in blind intensified my reaction to the story to the point where I was probably just as surprised by the twists and turns as the characters were, I want everyone to have the same experience that I had whilst reading so I’m going to keep this short and sweet and like the blurb it will be very vague to avoid spoilers.

Slave to the Rhythm is told from both Ash and Laney’s POVs, I felt that this raised the suspense in a way... Being given a taste of what is going on in both of the characters minds can be both heaven and hell for me, heaven because I get a fuller view of the story and hell because I can’t be inside both of their minds at once, there were times while reading Slave that I was dying to see what Ash’s thoughts were when I was stuck in Laney’s POV and vice versa, having said that this is one book that I wouldn’t want any other way, I just don’t think I would have been quite so hooked if it was in a single POV, the flipping back and forth between them had me tearing through the chapters wanting to see how the other one was coping/reacting to everything going on. The storyline is quite frankly phenomenal, I’m finding it hard to put it into words just how much I loved it, it’s taken me 2 days to gather my thoughts enough to write this and even then I sat here for a good half an hour staring at a blank page trying to get the words out! This could easily be Jane’s best work to date, it’s definitely one of my favourites so far, I know a book deserves 5 stars when it draws me in the way Slave did and I really wish I could give it more, because 5 just doesn’t seem like enough.

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE don’t be put off by the thought of the dancing or the violence! I’m not a dancing super fan and I don’t know what the moves or sequences are called but that in no way hindered my reading experience, Jane described the moves in such detail, without going into overkill, that I was able to picture the dances perfectly and the violence isn’t that bad it’s sporadic and yes some of you might find it hard to get through parts of it but just know that what awaits you on the other side is so very worth it.

Ash is a total enigma and I can only imagine how frustrating it is to be faced with his stubbornness and broodiness but I couldn’t help but be totally and utterly in love with him... He is so different from any character I’ve come across and his uniqueness is what I adore about him the most and Laney is just as stubborn and determined as Ash is, she is a totally unique character too, her determination and spirit are fiercer than I expected and I’m a little awed by her, by both of them to be fair, they surprised me at every turn.

Thank you for sharing this with the world Jane!
***ARC received in exchange for an honest review*** ...more

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Feb 25, 2016 Cynthia Villarreal Ortiz rated it it was amazing

Such a powerful story of strength, love and courage!!
Loved the way these two came together.
How much can a person give and return until you find love is the answer to everything.
This book is hard but it really makes you find out about sacrifice and love.

**Received ARC for review. **

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Feb 08, 2016 Emma rated it it was amazing

Shelves: all-time-favourite, fave-heroine, fave-hero, made-me-cry, mafia, signed-paperback, arc, best-read-of-2016

I started this book without reading the synopsis, so I didn't know what to expect. However, knowing it was written by Jane Harvey Berrick, who has written some of my favourite books of all time, I knew it was sure to be good.

The last paragraph in the prologue brought tears to my eyes. It was so unexpected and just goes to show how truly gifted the author is at writing.

I don't want to write too much about the story, because I think its better to jump in head first and enjoy the story as it unfold ...more

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Feb 16, 2016 Vickie rated it it was amazing

Shelves: favorites, arcs-reviews-2016, reviewed-for-words-turn-me-on

ORIGINAL. EMOTIVE. MUST READ.

A raw emotive gripping read with a dark undercurrent woven amongst a truly compelling love story that I just could not put down. I was instantly pulled in. You know you're in for one hell of a journey when the prologue leaves you in a state of shock!

Ash leaves his home in Slovenia and travels to the United States in the hopes of furthering his career and fulfilling his dream to dance, instead he finds himself in the middle of the Russian Mafia, where drugs, sex and h ORIGINAL. EMOTIVE. MUST READ.

A raw emotive gripping read with a dark undercurrent woven amongst a truly compelling love story that I just could not put down. I was instantly pulled in. You know you're in for one hell of a journey when the prologue leaves you in a state of shock!

Ash leaves his home in Slovenia and travels to the United States in the hopes of furthering his career and fulfilling his dream to dance, instead he finds himself in the middle of the Russian Mafia, where drugs, sex and human trafficking are to become his life, capturing the attention of one of the mafia's most feared men, Sergei head of security. He quickly learns that the hopes and dreams he had are no more instead he finds himself trapped, living in fear for his life and nothing more than a slave trying to survive.

Laney, is in Las Vegas for a girl's weekend when she firsts meets Ash. There first meeting wasn't exactly a good one but when she meets him again their meeting is anything but horrifying, as she witnesses Ash being beaten and left for dead, going against everything she knows, she knows she can't leave him and makes the decision to rescue him and leave behind the life his been enduring with no other option they try to outrun the mafia and seek safety and solice back in Chicago.

"Ash had come into my world through rage and violence, but every time I saw him, I smiled; when he walked into a room, he lit it up.’

As Laney and Ash's story develops moving from friendship to love, my heart was left racing.

I was so eager to start this book I may or may not have done a happy dance when it appeared in my kindle docs. I wanted to go in blind. I can't tell you how many teasers and reviews I've quickly scrolled past I didn't want any preconceived notions to spoil my reading experience, in my opinion it's the only way to read a story written by Jane Harvey-Berrick as she is a phenomenal writer, she captures the reader with her words, emotions making you feel the story and this one is no different. The ending was so real to me that I was smiling while happy tears rolled down my face it really was so beautiful and poignant and in my opinion a definite must read, I can't recommend it enough!

Arc provided courtesy of the Author in exchange for an honest review for WTMO Book Blog ** ...more

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Mar 12, 2016 Pauline Cassie rated it liked it

ARC provided by author in exchange for an honest review

With ‘Slave to the Rhythm’ I broke my Jane Harvey-Berrick cherry. I wasn’t sure what to expect but was fascinated by the concept. As a fan of BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing (or Dancing with the Stars), it was nice to have a storyline where dance was featured.

Our hero and heroine meet while Ash is ‘working’ and Laney is a customer. He approaches and asks her to dance, she refuses. We then discover that, at times, Laney needs to use ‘Old Ironsid ...more

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Mar 02, 2016 Janie rated it it was amazing

Slave to the Rhythm is a unique, beautifully written story about a man who comes to America to fulfill his dream and dance. Although the opportunity seems to be legitimate, everything is not what it seems. Ash becomes a prisoner and victim who witnesses extreme violence. He meets a beautiful young lady in a wheelchair who becomes his salvation. Their feelings evolve quickly and the differences that they have only make them stronger together.

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Mar 15, 2016 Pureescapism rated it really liked it

4.5* A story of light and dark

I loved this book it is original, it is different. The research is really good, I have read quite a few books by this author so I knew the writing would be good. At first I was sure about how the story would go. When I first realised it would be about a dancer and a girl in a wheelchair - I wasn't sure it would work out - complete opposites. But strangely it does. The love story itself Is sensitive but not patronising . I love the strength and stubbornness of both o ...more

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Mar 09, 2016 Marika rated it really liked it

Ash is a dancer and goes to America to chase his dreams.. sadly he trusted the wrong people and dreams becomes nightmares!
He meets other people during this people and he becomes friends with them.
Laney is living a life that's not her own.. tightly controlled and always looked down to..Until she meets Ash.
A chance meeting then a more cruel situation brings them together..And that's where the story changes for them both!
It's a ride for sure..And it's sad, heartbreaking, dark..but there's friendshi ...more

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Feb 09, 2016 Mari rated it it was amazing

Shelves: 2016-contemporary-reading-challenge, dancer

4.5 stars

Dance. More than just motion it's an expression, an art in itself. With the right music it can be even more.

Such a powerful, inspiring, haunting and beautiful story. I totally thought this would be a dance story book but then the plot just thickens and became more. One dancer's dream takes a dark and brutal turn, chaotic and just harsh. Then a sliver of sunshine comes in when he least expects. The road to overcoming roadblocks and finding atonement of sorts.

Ash and Laney are such st ...more

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