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American Ballerina
Lily Russell thinks she can dance at London’s prestigious Royal Ballet. She also thinks she can single-handedly bring about world peace. Her friends know she’s delusional; her former bosses think she’s unreliable. The only person who seems to believe in her is her jealous ex-lover, Jeremy, and he’s shiftless and violent and doesn’t seem to understand the concept of “ex.” That doesn’t stop her from dreaming; dreams make life an adventure. But when she meets Edmund, a boxer who seems to genuinely care for her and who steadies her thinking, she starts to realize that her ordinary life might be enough of an adventure for her.
She expects a scene when Jeremy finds out about her new boyfriend, but she never could’ve expected the shocking crime that shakes her to the core. Now the police want her for questioning. The men in her life say they want to help her but can she trust them? Soon it becomes apparent the police think she committed the crime, and, her feeble grip on reality fading fast, she’s not entirely sure she didn’t.
202 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 13, 2016
11 people are currently reading
32 people want to read
About the author
Gregg Bell
24 books144 followersTHE PERFECT PROSECUTOR (Book 2 in the Ike Thompson Legal Thriller Series and the sequel to THE PERFECT LAWYER) is released!
Successfully defending an alleged baby killer restored Ike Thompson’s reputation as “the perfect lawyer.” But it also destroyed his practice. Now, a seemingly random attack on a powerful CEO hints at a truth so horrifying, it could cost him everything.
The story was buried on the back pages of a fringe news website: a mentally ill woman randomly attacked the CEO of one of the world’s biggest pharmaceutical companies outside its Chicago headquarters. At first, Ike dismisses it as just another disturbed person roaming the streets, but further investigation reveals that the woman was not mentally ill, the incident not an attack, and that it was not at all random.
As Ike delves deeper, he uncovers evidence of a monstrous scandal that has caused untold thousands to needlessly die agonizing deaths. Exposing the outrage will take him from a search for truth to something much darker than he'd ever imagined—a fight for survival against powerful forces willing to sacrifice anyone to keep their secrets buried.
Get a free legal thriller ebook short story "The Perfect Client" by signing up to Gregg's newsletter: https://bit.ly/ThePerfectClient
Gregg's other books:
THE PERFECT LAWYER (Book 1 in the Ike Thompson Legal Thriller Series) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BPDLLZ92
THE FIND, a thriller, is on Amazon at:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00DH4KRAE
MAN OF GOD, a thriller, is on Amazon at: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00DH4SSY6
BLOODY SUNRISE, a thriller, is on Amazon at: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07215WLG5
I LOVE YOU I KILL YOU, a thriller, is on Amazon at: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B076DS4ZFF
SAVING BABY, a thriller, is on Amazon at: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MTK3KQS
ONE SLIP, a literary thriller, is on Amazon at: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07TD9CQ27
THE TEST, a romance, is on Amazon at: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00U3XKZ86
A WOMAN UNHINGED, a thriller, is on Amazon at: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07H7YR7P6
JAMIE'S GAMBLE, a thriller/romance, is on Amazon at: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00DH4KP9C
OOPS-A-NAVY, a humorous thriller, is the first book in the Navy SEAL Misadventure Series. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07F24WDW9
DUPES-A-NAVY, the hilarious follow-up to OOPS-A-NAVY, the second book in the Navy SEAL Misadventure Series. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07JKHQMVZ
YIPPEE KI YAY-A-NAVY #3 in the zany Navy SEAL Misadventure trilogy. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07ZPF9QYR
BETRAYED HEROES, a thriller, is on Amazon at:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08JWV4VCL
Born in Chicago, Illinois, Gregg Bell spent his formative years playing 16" softball, hanging out, and trying not to get into too much trouble until college when he absconded for the University of Florida. There, he took creative writing classes and spent his free time bodysurfing at St. Augustine's gorgeous beach. After his sojourn in the sun, he was drawn back north and attended the University of Notre Dame. Through jobs ranging from laying asphalt to working in corporate America, the one constant in his life was writing. It still is. A lifelong Midwesterner, he lives in suburban Chicago and, like everyone else who lives there, complains about it being too hot in the summer and too cold in the winter.
Visit Gregg's website https://greggbell.net/
Successfully defending an alleged baby killer restored Ike Thompson’s reputation as “the perfect lawyer.” But it also destroyed his practice. Now, a seemingly random attack on a powerful CEO hints at a truth so horrifying, it could cost him everything.
The story was buried on the back pages of a fringe news website: a mentally ill woman randomly attacked the CEO of one of the world’s biggest pharmaceutical companies outside its Chicago headquarters. At first, Ike dismisses it as just another disturbed person roaming the streets, but further investigation reveals that the woman was not mentally ill, the incident not an attack, and that it was not at all random.
As Ike delves deeper, he uncovers evidence of a monstrous scandal that has caused untold thousands to needlessly die agonizing deaths. Exposing the outrage will take him from a search for truth to something much darker than he'd ever imagined—a fight for survival against powerful forces willing to sacrifice anyone to keep their secrets buried.
Get a free legal thriller ebook short story "The Perfect Client" by signing up to Gregg's newsletter: https://bit.ly/ThePerfectClient
Gregg's other books:
THE PERFECT LAWYER (Book 1 in the Ike Thompson Legal Thriller Series) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BPDLLZ92
THE FIND, a thriller, is on Amazon at:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00DH4KRAE
MAN OF GOD, a thriller, is on Amazon at: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00DH4SSY6
BLOODY SUNRISE, a thriller, is on Amazon at: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07215WLG5
I LOVE YOU I KILL YOU, a thriller, is on Amazon at: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B076DS4ZFF
SAVING BABY, a thriller, is on Amazon at: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MTK3KQS
ONE SLIP, a literary thriller, is on Amazon at: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07TD9CQ27
THE TEST, a romance, is on Amazon at: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00U3XKZ86
A WOMAN UNHINGED, a thriller, is on Amazon at: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07H7YR7P6
JAMIE'S GAMBLE, a thriller/romance, is on Amazon at: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00DH4KP9C
OOPS-A-NAVY, a humorous thriller, is the first book in the Navy SEAL Misadventure Series. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07F24WDW9
DUPES-A-NAVY, the hilarious follow-up to OOPS-A-NAVY, the second book in the Navy SEAL Misadventure Series. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07JKHQMVZ
YIPPEE KI YAY-A-NAVY #3 in the zany Navy SEAL Misadventure trilogy. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07ZPF9QYR
BETRAYED HEROES, a thriller, is on Amazon at:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08JWV4VCL
Born in Chicago, Illinois, Gregg Bell spent his formative years playing 16" softball, hanging out, and trying not to get into too much trouble until college when he absconded for the University of Florida. There, he took creative writing classes and spent his free time bodysurfing at St. Augustine's gorgeous beach. After his sojourn in the sun, he was drawn back north and attended the University of Notre Dame. Through jobs ranging from laying asphalt to working in corporate America, the one constant in his life was writing. It still is. A lifelong Midwesterner, he lives in suburban Chicago and, like everyone else who lives there, complains about it being too hot in the summer and too cold in the winter.
Visit Gregg's website https://greggbell.net/
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
April 1, 2018
Inexplicably overriding reason, previous experiences with unknown authors and my significant other’s good advice to stay away from this one, I went and read it. It was short and meant to round up March’s reading and it did, but what a dud. It actually looks deceivingly decent appearance wise, clichéd serviceable title, clichéd serviceable cover art, no noticeable typos or glaring abuses of grammar, but on the inside it’s a mess. From the first chapter the main character, the eponymous American Ballerina, is a positively tedious person and a delusional idiot to boot. And then you spend the rest of the book following her is it or isn’t it real life, trying to figure out why you would possibly care. Is she a ballerina? Is she a murderer? Is she creating her own realities? It was probably conceived as a paranoid suspense thriller, but doesn’t look like the author had the chops to execute the concept, so it ended up an unsupportable and weirdly racist ramble of a novel. It read quickly, but whatever time it did take up, it wasted. Can’t imagine how this one managed to gather so many positive reviews, but then again what’s popular out there this days can range from confusing to frightening. This inanity shall be forgotten momentarily.
March 11, 2017
American Ballerina by Gregg Bell
Lily wants to dance at London’s prestigious Royal Ballet, and also wants to bring world piece. Her friends think she is crazy and her boss is not one of her biggest fans. But her jealous ex (Jeremy) seems to believe in her.
He is not the best person for Lily to be around, he is jealous, violent, and won't leave her alone. Then she meets Edmund, a boxer who seems to really care for her. He could be the perfect man for Lily, one to keep her rational and stable.
Things seem to be going pretty good for her, until Jeremy finds out about Edmund. She does expect him to over-react but she doesn't expect the crime that happens, and soon her world is turned upside down. The police suspect her of the crime, she doesn't know who to trust, not even herself.
Lily is certainly unique, but very likable. She has great expectations, with a lot of obstacles to overcome. She finds herself in a very bad situation and not sure how to get out (of it). The plot is original, with a lot of twists turns and suspense. Overall I found American Ballerina to be a page-turning , nail-biting suspense. I highly recommend to those who love a great (suspenseful) story. A definite five-star read!
Lily wants to dance at London’s prestigious Royal Ballet, and also wants to bring world piece. Her friends think she is crazy and her boss is not one of her biggest fans. But her jealous ex (Jeremy) seems to believe in her.
He is not the best person for Lily to be around, he is jealous, violent, and won't leave her alone. Then she meets Edmund, a boxer who seems to really care for her. He could be the perfect man for Lily, one to keep her rational and stable.
Things seem to be going pretty good for her, until Jeremy finds out about Edmund. She does expect him to over-react but she doesn't expect the crime that happens, and soon her world is turned upside down. The police suspect her of the crime, she doesn't know who to trust, not even herself.
Lily is certainly unique, but very likable. She has great expectations, with a lot of obstacles to overcome. She finds herself in a very bad situation and not sure how to get out (of it). The plot is original, with a lot of twists turns and suspense. Overall I found American Ballerina to be a page-turning , nail-biting suspense. I highly recommend to those who love a great (suspenseful) story. A definite five-star read!
March 1, 2018
American Ballerina - a review by Rosemary Kenny
I didn't take to this book as much as I'd hoped from the blurb, as the 'heroine', Lily Russell, seems to have too many issues
to make an interesting story. My doubts waned from time to time as the chapters passed quite quickly, only to return as another
character &/or sub-plot appeared or reacted in a strange/unbelievable way.
For example, I didn't like Jeremy in the least and still wonder if Lily invented him. Sometimes he seemed quite 'solid', [and nasty with it!]
but at others the story didn't make a lot of sense as Lily could see him where nobody else could and it seems too far-fetched that
almost everyone Lily talked to about Jeremy thought she was either on drugs, mentally unbalanced or a fantasist seeking excuses for
her, at times dubious, behavior.
In addition the Russian hoodlums that one minute are threatening to kill or at least maim Lily and then end up saving
her without the least promise of 'reward or favor' seems highly unlikely too and rather confusing.
What interested me was the ambitions Lily, (supposedly) had for the Royal Ballet and the sympathetic love story developed
between Lily and boxer/King Edward Adeyemi, although even that disappointed in the way she submitted to the Russian Wolf's demand
that Edward 'throw' the fight in return for the £10,000, only for him to be killed off later by 'spurned lover'/fantasist Jeremy and
for Lily to disappear with the suddenly and unbelievably reformed Wolf, who bleeds on her as they disappear in the the 'sunset'.
Gregg Bell makes a manly attempt to cover all the bases to entertain a multi-genre audience, but for me personally, a slightly more
straightforward plotline and fewer characters would have made this a 4 star rating for me .
I didn't take to this book as much as I'd hoped from the blurb, as the 'heroine', Lily Russell, seems to have too many issues
to make an interesting story. My doubts waned from time to time as the chapters passed quite quickly, only to return as another
character &/or sub-plot appeared or reacted in a strange/unbelievable way.
For example, I didn't like Jeremy in the least and still wonder if Lily invented him. Sometimes he seemed quite 'solid', [and nasty with it!]
but at others the story didn't make a lot of sense as Lily could see him where nobody else could and it seems too far-fetched that
almost everyone Lily talked to about Jeremy thought she was either on drugs, mentally unbalanced or a fantasist seeking excuses for
her, at times dubious, behavior.
In addition the Russian hoodlums that one minute are threatening to kill or at least maim Lily and then end up saving
her without the least promise of 'reward or favor' seems highly unlikely too and rather confusing.
What interested me was the ambitions Lily, (supposedly) had for the Royal Ballet and the sympathetic love story developed
between Lily and boxer/King Edward Adeyemi, although even that disappointed in the way she submitted to the Russian Wolf's demand
that Edward 'throw' the fight in return for the £10,000, only for him to be killed off later by 'spurned lover'/fantasist Jeremy and
for Lily to disappear with the suddenly and unbelievably reformed Wolf, who bleeds on her as they disappear in the the 'sunset'.
Gregg Bell makes a manly attempt to cover all the bases to entertain a multi-genre audience, but for me personally, a slightly more
straightforward plotline and fewer characters would have made this a 4 star rating for me .
February 7, 2017
Find This and Other Reviews At Craves The Angst.
I received this eCopy from the author in exchange for an honest review.
3.5 “Question Everything” Stars!
The Review:
I thoroughly enjoy author Gregg Bell’s writing. I enjoy the curious characters he creates and I love the unique way he has of telling a story. I always find myself completely engaged in one of his books. He adds mystery and thrills to his reads and I’m hooked from beginning to end.
In American Ballerina, I found that I was once again consumed by the story. I enjoyed the writing, like I always do, and I enjoyed the setting and exposure to the surroundings the story provides. And I even enjoyed the peculiar situations the mains found themselves in. The heroine, Lily, was unusual to say the least, which is also where I’m wavering in my review. Though I found this story interesting, I couldn’t fully connect with the heroine. And thus why I’m only giving this one three and a half stars.
Story/Characters...
Lily Russell, an American from Chicago, is living in London. She has a mundane job as a secretary and she spends a lot of her free time practicing ballet in the hopes of earning a spot in the Royal Ballet. When we first meet Lily, she seems to have herself put together but we quickly learn there’s something off about her too. She has ambitious goals but very little follow through. She’s a bit full of herself, she’s presumptuous, she seems frivolous and sometimes impractical.
Lily soon meets Edmund and a quick relationship forms, but even with the prospect of something good, Lily’s paranoia gets the best of her.
As the story progresses, you can’t help but question Lily’s mental state. She herself admits to living in a fantasy world and sometimes has difficulty distinguishing reality from her fantasy. She gets herself into a series of serious situations and she lies to those she cares about.
Her well-being deteriorates quickly as does her reality. I couldn’t keep up with everything she was doing because the majority of it made no sense at all. However, I could feel how unsorted she was and that is accredited to the talented writing of the author.
But I guess my biggest gripe and also my biggest rave, is that I myself, couldn’t tell what was real and what was the workings of a troubled mind. I both disconnected from that and loved it. I loved the not knowing. I enjoyed trying to decipher the “hidden” in this story but I’m also left wondering what the point of it all was. With the ending we got, there was no real resolution to Lily’s journey for the reader. I’m sure things happened after the story ended because there was a certain path laid out, but I would have liked to have seen a real ending that didn’t leave me questioning everything.
The Wrap Up:
As I said before, I enjoy the distinct, individual traits of each character this author creates in his stories. This one was filled with just those kinds of characters. Everyone we met, I found myself scrutinizing carefully to make sure they were who we thought they were. I loved the mystery behind it all. I couldn’t really connect with Lily and I had a hard time sympathizing with her because I didn’t fully like her, but I did love the vivid palette of additional characters the author gives us to cement her world building and couldn't help but turn the pages to find out what would happen next. As for the ending, it left a lot more unresolved than I would have liked, but all in all, I still enjoyed this outlandish, thrilling story. It’s definitely worth a read.
I received this eCopy from the author in exchange for an honest review.
3.5 “Question Everything” Stars!
The Review:
I thoroughly enjoy author Gregg Bell’s writing. I enjoy the curious characters he creates and I love the unique way he has of telling a story. I always find myself completely engaged in one of his books. He adds mystery and thrills to his reads and I’m hooked from beginning to end.
In American Ballerina, I found that I was once again consumed by the story. I enjoyed the writing, like I always do, and I enjoyed the setting and exposure to the surroundings the story provides. And I even enjoyed the peculiar situations the mains found themselves in. The heroine, Lily, was unusual to say the least, which is also where I’m wavering in my review. Though I found this story interesting, I couldn’t fully connect with the heroine. And thus why I’m only giving this one three and a half stars.
Story/Characters...
Lily Russell, an American from Chicago, is living in London. She has a mundane job as a secretary and she spends a lot of her free time practicing ballet in the hopes of earning a spot in the Royal Ballet. When we first meet Lily, she seems to have herself put together but we quickly learn there’s something off about her too. She has ambitious goals but very little follow through. She’s a bit full of herself, she’s presumptuous, she seems frivolous and sometimes impractical.
Lily soon meets Edmund and a quick relationship forms, but even with the prospect of something good, Lily’s paranoia gets the best of her.
As the story progresses, you can’t help but question Lily’s mental state. She herself admits to living in a fantasy world and sometimes has difficulty distinguishing reality from her fantasy. She gets herself into a series of serious situations and she lies to those she cares about.
Her well-being deteriorates quickly as does her reality. I couldn’t keep up with everything she was doing because the majority of it made no sense at all. However, I could feel how unsorted she was and that is accredited to the talented writing of the author.
But I guess my biggest gripe and also my biggest rave, is that I myself, couldn’t tell what was real and what was the workings of a troubled mind. I both disconnected from that and loved it. I loved the not knowing. I enjoyed trying to decipher the “hidden” in this story but I’m also left wondering what the point of it all was. With the ending we got, there was no real resolution to Lily’s journey for the reader. I’m sure things happened after the story ended because there was a certain path laid out, but I would have liked to have seen a real ending that didn’t leave me questioning everything.
The Wrap Up:
As I said before, I enjoy the distinct, individual traits of each character this author creates in his stories. This one was filled with just those kinds of characters. Everyone we met, I found myself scrutinizing carefully to make sure they were who we thought they were. I loved the mystery behind it all. I couldn’t really connect with Lily and I had a hard time sympathizing with her because I didn’t fully like her, but I did love the vivid palette of additional characters the author gives us to cement her world building and couldn't help but turn the pages to find out what would happen next. As for the ending, it left a lot more unresolved than I would have liked, but all in all, I still enjoyed this outlandish, thrilling story. It’s definitely worth a read.
January 2, 2018
Lily Russell (American, ballerina) was auditioning for the Russian Royal Ballet.
Lily worked for Highsmith & Tyndale Accounting.
King Edmund Adeyemi (A/A, boxer) had been watching her on the tube to/from her work.
They later became friends.
He asked her to go to the Terry Eulen’s boxing Club to watch him fight.
It was not what she expected. Now Edmund ask her out on a date to the White Lion Pub.
Lily went to the Broad Street market.
She could not believe what she was seeing. Her BFF Celeste was with her ex-lover Jeremy.
Next bout (ExCel): Esteban Gutierrez vs. King Edmund Adeyemi.
What was PC Elspeth Hill (f) letting Lily know.
What did Lily & Khalid (Ava’s husband, software developer, India) get into it about?
Lily tried to go see Edmund in the hospital as often as possible
I did not receive any type of compensation for reading & reviewing this book. While I receive free books from publishers & authors, I am under no obligation to write a positive review, only an honest one. All thoughts & opinions are entirely my own.
A very awesome book cover, great font & writing style. A very well written thriller book. It was very easy for me to read/follow from start/finish & never a dull moment. There were no grammar/typo errors, nor any repetitive or out of line sequence sentences. Lots of exciting scenarios, with several twists/turns & a great set of unique characters to keep track of. This could also make another great thriller movie, or better yet a mini TV series. Started out with a bang, but then fizzled out. That said I will only rate it at 3/5 stars.
Thank you for the free DailyFreeBooks; Eric Carter; Author; PDF book
Tony Parsons (Washburn)
Lily worked for Highsmith & Tyndale Accounting.
King Edmund Adeyemi (A/A, boxer) had been watching her on the tube to/from her work.
They later became friends.
He asked her to go to the Terry Eulen’s boxing Club to watch him fight.
It was not what she expected. Now Edmund ask her out on a date to the White Lion Pub.
Lily went to the Broad Street market.
She could not believe what she was seeing. Her BFF Celeste was with her ex-lover Jeremy.
Next bout (ExCel): Esteban Gutierrez vs. King Edmund Adeyemi.
What was PC Elspeth Hill (f) letting Lily know.
What did Lily & Khalid (Ava’s husband, software developer, India) get into it about?
Lily tried to go see Edmund in the hospital as often as possible
I did not receive any type of compensation for reading & reviewing this book. While I receive free books from publishers & authors, I am under no obligation to write a positive review, only an honest one. All thoughts & opinions are entirely my own.
A very awesome book cover, great font & writing style. A very well written thriller book. It was very easy for me to read/follow from start/finish & never a dull moment. There were no grammar/typo errors, nor any repetitive or out of line sequence sentences. Lots of exciting scenarios, with several twists/turns & a great set of unique characters to keep track of. This could also make another great thriller movie, or better yet a mini TV series. Started out with a bang, but then fizzled out. That said I will only rate it at 3/5 stars.
Thank you for the free DailyFreeBooks; Eric Carter; Author; PDF book
Tony Parsons (Washburn)
December 18, 2016
American Ballerina: A Suspense Novel by Gregg Bell
Lily wants to dance at London’s prestigious Royal Ballet, and also wants to bring world piece. Her friends think she is crazy and her boss is not one of her biggest fans. But her jealous ex (Jeremy) seems to believe in her.
He is not the best person for Lily to be around, he is jealous, violent, and won't leave her alone. Then she meets Edmund, a boxer who seems to really care for her. He could be the perfect man for Lily, one to keep her rational and stable.
Things seem to be going pretty good for her, until Jeremy finds out about Edmund. She does expect him to over-react but she doesn't expect the crime that happens, and soon her world is turned upside down. The police suspect her of the crime, she doesn't know who to trust, not even herself.
Lily is certainly unique, but very likable. She has great expectations, with a lot of obstacles to overcome. She finds herself in a very bad situation and not sure how to get out (of it). The plot is original, with a lot of twists turns and suspense. Overall I found American Ballerina: A Suspense Novel to be a page-turning , nail-biting suspense. I highly recommend to those who love a great (suspenseful) story. A definite five-star read!
Lily wants to dance at London’s prestigious Royal Ballet, and also wants to bring world piece. Her friends think she is crazy and her boss is not one of her biggest fans. But her jealous ex (Jeremy) seems to believe in her.
He is not the best person for Lily to be around, he is jealous, violent, and won't leave her alone. Then she meets Edmund, a boxer who seems to really care for her. He could be the perfect man for Lily, one to keep her rational and stable.
Things seem to be going pretty good for her, until Jeremy finds out about Edmund. She does expect him to over-react but she doesn't expect the crime that happens, and soon her world is turned upside down. The police suspect her of the crime, she doesn't know who to trust, not even herself.
Lily is certainly unique, but very likable. She has great expectations, with a lot of obstacles to overcome. She finds herself in a very bad situation and not sure how to get out (of it). The plot is original, with a lot of twists turns and suspense. Overall I found American Ballerina: A Suspense Novel to be a page-turning , nail-biting suspense. I highly recommend to those who love a great (suspenseful) story. A definite five-star read!
December 19, 2016
Lily Russell thinks she can do a lot of things like dance at the prestigious Royal Ballet in London. She also believes she can bring about World peace all by herself. Her former Bosses say she is unreliable , her friends think she is crazy. The only person who believes in her is her Ex -lover Jeremy he is jealous,violent and shiftless he doesn't understand the meaning of Ex. But that doesn't stop Lily from dreaming. Than she meets Edmund a Boxer who cares for her and steadies her thinking. She expects a scene when Jeremy finds out about Edmond but than a shocking crime occurs that shakes her to her very core. The police want her for questioning Edmond and Jeremy say they are there for her but can she trust them? Lily's grip on reality begins fading fast as the police suspect she committed the crime! And she isn't entirely sure she didn't ! A fast paced suspenseful drama.
April 5, 2018
Left me wanting more.. A little hard to follow. It would build me up only to fall flat.
July 11, 2021
A very odd book that I couldn't put down. It's very difficult to know what's real and what's in Lily's imagination, but that keeps you involved trying to figure it out.
December 16, 2016
WOW!
Wow. I'm a big Gregg Bell fan but American Ballerina really steps up the suspense. Lily Russell is a young American in London trying to make it as a ballerina at a world class ballet company. It's a really lofty goal but her thinking is shaky. Is she just a dreamer or is she delusional? She goes off on this roundabout, and unethical, way of trying to get an audition at the ballet company, and all along she's being tormented by her jealous ex boyfriend Jeremy who eggs on her dream (delusion?). Lily then meets a boxer named Edmund who really seems to help her with her thinking. But when Jeremy finds out she's seeing him things get wild. Where Gregg Bell comes up with these ideas and characters--Wolf, Apostle Janice--I'll never know but but it's all one big thrill ride to the finish. This book seemed kind of different than his other books, darker, even a little creepy at times, but the suspense and second guessing how it would all play out was awesome! I didn't want it to end!
Wow. I'm a big Gregg Bell fan but American Ballerina really steps up the suspense. Lily Russell is a young American in London trying to make it as a ballerina at a world class ballet company. It's a really lofty goal but her thinking is shaky. Is she just a dreamer or is she delusional? She goes off on this roundabout, and unethical, way of trying to get an audition at the ballet company, and all along she's being tormented by her jealous ex boyfriend Jeremy who eggs on her dream (delusion?). Lily then meets a boxer named Edmund who really seems to help her with her thinking. But when Jeremy finds out she's seeing him things get wild. Where Gregg Bell comes up with these ideas and characters--Wolf, Apostle Janice--I'll never know but but it's all one big thrill ride to the finish. This book seemed kind of different than his other books, darker, even a little creepy at times, but the suspense and second guessing how it would all play out was awesome! I didn't want it to end!
July 7, 2020
London based American female believes in her fantasies - a perplexing story which wandered at times, finding near resolution. Towards the end I had to push myself to finish - the story had lost the impetus to intrigue.
December 27, 2016
Sorry
OK honestly this book was to far fetch and weird fantasy Vs reality king boxing OK whatever none just made much sense .
OK honestly this book was to far fetch and weird fantasy Vs reality king boxing OK whatever none just made much sense .
October 5, 2017
http://i869.photobucket.com/albums/ab...
American Ballerina was a good 4 star read.
Lily is originally from Chicago but is now living in London. She has the dream of ballet but is working an office job for now. Lily had been seeing Jeremy but he comes and goes so much that it didn’t work. Than she meets King Edmund and they seem to hit it off.
When her ex, Jeremy finds out she is seeing Edmund things take a scary twist. He gets jealous and violent with her which one scene had me in tears. There are other situations that were intense and had me on the edge of my seat.
I have to say that I had a hard time connecting with Lily at first. Than as I read further in I started to understand a little more. I wasn’t really happy with some of her choices, I didn’t fully understand why she did or didn’t do certain things. Than I was trying to figure out what was real and what was not.
This is my first read from Gregg Bell and I have to say that he really had my mind going. I was constantly trying to figure things out. The ending actually left me with more questions. All of the secondary characters added a great element to the story. If your looking for a mystery, suspenseful and thrilling read than this would be the one for you.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. Reviewed by MAustin from Alpha Book Club
American Ballerina was a good 4 star read.
Lily is originally from Chicago but is now living in London. She has the dream of ballet but is working an office job for now. Lily had been seeing Jeremy but he comes and goes so much that it didn’t work. Than she meets King Edmund and they seem to hit it off.
When her ex, Jeremy finds out she is seeing Edmund things take a scary twist. He gets jealous and violent with her which one scene had me in tears. There are other situations that were intense and had me on the edge of my seat.
I have to say that I had a hard time connecting with Lily at first. Than as I read further in I started to understand a little more. I wasn’t really happy with some of her choices, I didn’t fully understand why she did or didn’t do certain things. Than I was trying to figure out what was real and what was not.
This is my first read from Gregg Bell and I have to say that he really had my mind going. I was constantly trying to figure things out. The ending actually left me with more questions. All of the secondary characters added a great element to the story. If your looking for a mystery, suspenseful and thrilling read than this would be the one for you.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. Reviewed by MAustin from Alpha Book Club
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