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The Dancing Doll
Life in glittering Regency Paris was perilous for beautiful young Michele Martindale. Both her noble English father and lovely French mother were dead, and the inexperienced girl was forced to seek her livelihood on the stage. Two men were vying to influence her life. One was a dashing, impetuous Frenchman, the other a handsome but cold and arrogant English lord. One offered Michele passion without marriage, the other marriage without love, and Michele was dangerously attracted to both. It took a deadly confrontation between these two men to make Michele suddenly grow from a girl into a woman, and to show she was not just a pretty plaything but a vital, vibrant female who could make her own decisions in life and in love.
Mass Market Paperback
First published March 15, 1973
About the author
Janet Louise Roberts
74 books34 followersSee pseudonyms Louisa Bronte, Rebecca Danton & Janette Radcliffe. Some of the listed titles are more straight romance than romantic suspense.
Janet Louise Roberts was born on January 20, 1925, in New Britain Connecticut, the daughter of a missionary in a conservative church. She wrote contemporary, historical, and gothic romances, as well as occult horror romances such as The Devil’s Own, Isle of the Dolphins, Lord Satan, and Her Demon Lover. She used pseudonyms for several of her works.
Roberts died on June 11, 1982 in Dayton, Ohio.
Janet Louise Roberts was born on January 20, 1925, in New Britain Connecticut, the daughter of a missionary in a conservative church. She wrote contemporary, historical, and gothic romances, as well as occult horror romances such as The Devil’s Own, Isle of the Dolphins, Lord Satan, and Her Demon Lover. She used pseudonyms for several of her works.
Roberts died on June 11, 1982 in Dayton, Ohio.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
June 21, 2017
Fairly boring!
However!
I think I can respect a hero far more if he goes through mental turmoil thinking he raped his wife and never dare approaching her again until he can soberly talk about it with her compared to the ones who arrogantly thinks it's their right, the wives asked for it and because they had an orgasm they enjoyed it.
This hero falls on the earlier category! Poor guy feels like a manipulative bastard, rapist and pedophile all at the same time.
Whereas, he was really rather caring and heroine acknowledged it too.
Poor hero was too drunk when he had sex with his wife which was consensual but had no memory the next morning. He thought he saw indications of rape along with the fact that he felt she was just a kid he now counts himself as a rapist and child molester!
Thank god he didn't go to the police to turn himself in!
This is completely different to a rapist hero feeling remorse, because they actually acts on their violent urges, whereas this guy didn't even have that violent urge however was killing himself THINKING he did and thinking he raped his wife based on circumstantial evidences! This one was actually a decent guy!
However!
I think I can respect a hero far more if he goes through mental turmoil thinking he raped his wife and never dare approaching her again until he can soberly talk about it with her compared to the ones who arrogantly thinks it's their right, the wives asked for it and because they had an orgasm they enjoyed it.
This hero falls on the earlier category! Poor guy feels like a manipulative bastard, rapist and pedophile all at the same time.
Whereas, he was really rather caring and heroine acknowledged it too.
Poor hero was too drunk when he had sex with his wife which was consensual but had no memory the next morning. He thought he saw indications of rape along with the fact that he felt she was just a kid he now counts himself as a rapist and child molester!
Thank god he didn't go to the police to turn himself in!
This is completely different to a rapist hero feeling remorse, because they actually acts on their violent urges, whereas this guy didn't even have that violent urge however was killing himself THINKING he did and thinking he raped his wife based on circumstantial evidences! This one was actually a decent guy!
October 3, 2010
This was a fairly decent old style regency. I read this many years ago. There was a scene I always liked where the hero gets drunk and makes love to the heroine, his wife. It wasn't rape but he can't remember it. He just wakes up and notices things that make him think he raped her. Lots of remorse from him and he is certain she hates him now. Quite angsty. I guess I've always loved angst.
September 8, 2018
In most of the book heroine acted stupid and immature even for a 17 year old. Considering 17 year old h a child was inconsistent with 17th century facts. In those days nobody considered 17 year old people as children. They were adults whose half of lives behind already as the average life expectancy was about 40 years. The most of 17 years olds were married and already had several children.
March 16, 2021
DNF at 26%
The way the main character was constantly described as childlike and innocent and being the love interest's ward and stuff was grossing me out.
The way the main character was constantly described as childlike and innocent and being the love interest's ward and stuff was grossing me out.
May 7, 2022
Fast read of a charming old fashioned romance.
I read this many years ago in my single days, and then lost it in a fire.
I read this many years ago in my single days, and then lost it in a fire.
January 3, 2025
Typical regency
February 28, 2015
May be because I haven't read any English books since school , but I found this one perfectly adequate and indeed it was , I liked it alot (y).
Some times I felt it lame when Henri & others would call her " little one " or when the author kept repeating " she was sure he didn't love her " , but it was so obvious that he was totally in love with her already <3 also the scenes' description , I got sick of the word " velvet " and it seemed like all the colours where blue and white at that time :D , but despite all of these, I was really eager to finish it and to know how it will end, I loved it and it became one of my favourites. (y)
Some times I felt it lame when Henri & others would call her " little one " or when the author kept repeating " she was sure he didn't love her " , but it was so obvious that he was totally in love with her already <3 also the scenes' description , I got sick of the word " velvet " and it seemed like all the colours where blue and white at that time :D , but despite all of these, I was really eager to finish it and to know how it will end, I loved it and it became one of my favourites. (y)
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews