Title: Noon: Ballroom Series, Book 3
Author: Katherine Warwick
Published in February 2007 by Grove Creek Publishing
Genre: Contemporary
ISBN: 1-933963-99-9
Related Books: Dancing With His Heart, Book 1 Wilde, Book 2
The club’s music is loud, and with a room full of willing men to dance with, Nicole Dubois can forget her pain. Even with the distraction, she still longs for him. Scanning the room she finds her another man to dance, but he can’t stop the memories either. Lost in her thoughts she realizes someone is cutting in on her dance partner. Shocked, Nicole watches as Breck eases his way in between them. Has he returned to reclaim the place that is rightfully his, beside Nicole?
Twelve years ago, Nicole grudgingly accepts Breck as her dance partner; goaded by her ambition to become a top Ballroom dance team. Nicole knew him as that loser skater from school; hiding behind hair that constantly falls into his eyes, though he never speaks to anyone. Nicole is not pleased with her mother’s choice of partners. She has worked hard positioning herself within the proper dance circles, and now this novice dancer will destroy it all. Everyone at school thought him a loser so being seen with him could ruin her reputation there as well. Nicole’s mother, Lois Dubois is always looking for someone to mother. Not surprising for Lois to visit a skate park when finding her a dance partner. From the car, Lois watches Breck’s agility and athletic acquity in rollerblading. She envisions Breck as an avid pupil for learning ballroom dancing. Offering to pay for his instruction and time, Lois senses something troubling about the young man; like unhappiness. Breck rapidly picks up the dance combinations, while displaying a natural affinity for ballroom dancing; exhibiting phenomenal skill. Nicole, however, is still unhappy with him; a relentless impatiences while expressing displeasure at every opportunity. After four months of practice the Pleasant Grove Invitational looms, Breck’s first competition, and though they work well together, she barely tolerates him. Yet her behavior doesn’t stifle the thrill dance gives him, so much where nothing else matters. Caught practicing in the school’s corner parking lot, Breck is invited to join the high school dance team. However, when the dance team coach comments how much of an honor it is to dance with Nicole, Breck feels slighted and vows to be better.
Waiting for Lois to pick them up from school, Breck watches Nicole and Trey together. As Nicole fends off Trey’s kisses, he feels a tinge of envy flow through him. Nicole is not immune to the developing interest either. Their rehearsal sparks feelings of yearning for Breck, which Nicole quickly suppresses. On the day of the competition Nicole sees Breck in a different way. Wearing a crisp new shirt he looks stylish, although stunning when his wild curly hair tames to a smooth shimmer; exposing full lips and expressive dark blue eyes. She finds his handsomeness breathtaking. As the competition begins they make it through the selections, only to place second after Kit and Trey; Nicole’s competitors. Breck stands by confused and hurt as she cries; he thought second place a huge success. Breck’s debut competition spreads throughout the school. During the high school’s dance practice the other girls on the team are keyed up about Breck; gossiping about his father and living conditions. Kit moves in on Breck, upsetting Nicole with the ease in which she does this. Having never touched publicly before Nicole grabs Breck claiming they are a team; hoping to make her teammates envious. The practice lifts Breck’s confidence by the easy flow of compliments from his fellow dancers. Except for Trey who makes a point of reminding Breck that he may dance with them, but he will never be fully accepted. As Nicole and Breck practice in the Dubois’ studio, hostility mounts between the two. Breck finally expresses dislike at being used during dance practice, and then to his surprise Nicole apologizes. Facing Breck head-on, she sees his vulnerability covered by fear and anger that softens her heart.
Upon returning home Breck is forcefully cuffed and beaten by his father. Since his mother’s death Breck and his father live in the neglected section of Pleasant Grove. Their shabby trailer harbors ugly secrets; abuses inflicted by an avenging, drunken father. Using what he earns from Mrs. Dubois, Breck hopes to leave, however at this moment maybe it’s too late. For two days Breck misses school and dance practices. Worried, Lois visits Breck’s home where she confronts an angry Rob, the young man’s father. Lois is sent away trusting that Breck will never return to dancing. Another struggle ensues between father and son, but this time Breck breaks away; running to the Dubois’. In the morning Mr. Dubois discovers Breck collapsed inside the front gate. I actually choked at what the Dubois’s do here. Bartering for Breck’s freedom, Mr. Dubois offers Rob a monthly stipend, with assurances that his son will receive a quality education and good care. But, Breck must stay at the Dubois’ home, where he can practice dancing and work the orchards during harvest. Gathering his meager belongings Breck leaves the trailer park… for good. He quickly gets back up to speed with dancing, but he’s no longer a shy young man. Breck’s more confident and expressive and comfortably bonds with the Dubois’, basking in their affectionate parenting. His life seems brighter now too; winning a scholarship to the university, crowned Mr. Viking and dates most weekends. However Breck’s joy is short lived. Rob catches his son coming home from a date when demanding more money. Not wanting to burden Mr. Dubois, Breck gives dance lessons in order to pay his father. After placing first in the US Dancesport National Championships Nicole comes down with mono. Devastated she won’t be competing for a while. Breck comforts Nicole with promises to wait for her to get better.
Four years later, Breck is attending Utah Valley State College. At twenty years-old Breck still holds a longing for Nicole. As Breck watches her date other guys, he remains hopeful that she won’t be taken away forever. Attending the same college, Nicole begins to realize that dance has isolated her from the one thing craves most, Breck. She has to decide that dance is not all she wants, or loose him forever. In the meantime Breck’s father begins a new torment. In order to keep Nicole safe Breck makes a decision that hurts the only people who ever loved him.
Noon, a Grove Creek Publishing novel, is a sweet and graceful romance that glides me through the lives of two people slowly falling in love. I can hear the music and feel the dancing as Ms. Warwick captures the essence and reverence of ballroom dancing. I’m mesmerized as she deftly tells how a dancer feels when performing the intricate but arduous combinations. The characters are vivid as Nicole appears snooty and vain, only later to reveal her compassionate though ambitious persona. Breck comes off as a shy punk, although I quickly learn he’s enslaved in a life of abuse and neglect. However, he’s cute when first pairing up with Nicole; palms sweating with nervous tension, he’s never touched a girl. Ms. Warwick writes a captivating if not inspiring novel that can be read on its own.
A dedicated reader,
Pamela Jenewein
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