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By Leaps and Bounds
She used to be a ballerina…At the height of her success, Kerry Guthrie’s career was cut short by an accident. Now she’s on her feet again, teaching young dancers and hoping for a comeback…until she butts heads with the father of her 15-year-old star student, and feels a spark that’s new to her.A police officer, Chris Layne comes from a different world. Can they work together to make his daughter’s dreams come true, especially since he and his daughter are increasingly at odds? Along the way, Kerry must find her balance through an evolving emotional landscape.Author Jacqueline Diamond has sold more than 90 novels, from romantic comedies and Regency romances to mysteries. Her publishers include Harlequin, St. Martin’s Press and Berkley. Recipient of a Career Achievement Award from Romantic Times, she’s a former Associated Press reporter and TV columnist in Los Angeles.Cover photo by Bill DavenportJacqueline Diamond writes interesting stories that her readers can immerse themselves in and forget about the “real” world for a while. Her books are very well thought out and multifaceted, giving us characters that we love to read about. --Donna Zapf, CataromanceJacqueline Diamond's romances contain families, not just the couples but the whole family falling in love. That's because her books are home and community with a "you'll meet no strangers here" attitude.--Michele SchramI have been a longtime fan of Jacqueline Diamond’s and have always enjoyed her books.--Kathy BoswellJacqueline Diamond is one of my favorite Harlequin writers and it's because her books are emotionally charged, leaving you feeling warm and cozy.--Tracy Farnsworth, Roundtable Reviews
251 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 1, 2010
32 people are currently reading
257 people want to read
About the author
Jacqueline Diamond
246 books171 followersUSA Today bestselling author Jacqueline Diamond has more than 100 novels to her name! A former Associated Press reporter and TV columnist, Jackie is best known for her Safe Harbor Medical romances and mysteries, as well as her traditional Regency romances.
Her newest exciting venture is the Forgotten Village Magical Mystery series, beginning with A Cat's Garden of Secrets. Other recent works include the Sisters, Lovers & Second Chances series, featuring couples over age 50.
Jackie has been honored with a Romantic Times Career Achievement Award. She and her husband, who have two grown sons, live in Southern California. You can learn more about her books at www.jacquelinediamond.net or at JacquelineDiamondAuthor on Facebook.
Her newest exciting venture is the Forgotten Village Magical Mystery series, beginning with A Cat's Garden of Secrets. Other recent works include the Sisters, Lovers & Second Chances series, featuring couples over age 50.
Jackie has been honored with a Romantic Times Career Achievement Award. She and her husband, who have two grown sons, live in Southern California. You can learn more about her books at www.jacquelinediamond.net or at JacquelineDiamondAuthor on Facebook.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
June 28, 2015
Leaps and Bounds through the stars.
This is the third book about dance that I have read recently and each book gave me a more vivid piece of the whole. Jackie Diamond's book grabs you and holds you throughout the entire story about relationships and making dreams come true. People trying to find what they want in their life and fulfilling their dream, combined with meeting life's challenges and changing and growing each step of the way. Jackie is a lovely writer, writing each character so that you are able to view each one individually as they move through life's hurdles. I enjoyed this book very much and hope that Ms. Diamond writes a sequel. I would like to visit again with her interesting characters to see what happens next.
This is the third book about dance that I have read recently and each book gave me a more vivid piece of the whole. Jackie Diamond's book grabs you and holds you throughout the entire story about relationships and making dreams come true. People trying to find what they want in their life and fulfilling their dream, combined with meeting life's challenges and changing and growing each step of the way. Jackie is a lovely writer, writing each character so that you are able to view each one individually as they move through life's hurdles. I enjoyed this book very much and hope that Ms. Diamond writes a sequel. I would like to visit again with her interesting characters to see what happens next.
July 7, 2018
Two worlds mingling. Dreams coming true. the dance of life....beautiful!
May 7, 2012
Kerry Guthrie was a rising ballerina, engaged to a handsome up-and-coming orchestra conductor, when her life suddenly took a drastic turn. A car accident shattered her legs and her ability to dance, and her fiance slowly drifted away... Kerry became a dance instructor, and tries to live vicariously through her students.
Chris Layne is a cop and single father. His daughter is Kerry's brightest star. When Kerry and Chris randomly meet outside of the dance school, Chris takes a chance and asks her out. Over the months, Chris and Kerry slowly build a relationship. But both have been hurt and are loath to define what is developing between them. Meanwhile, Chris' daughter Melanie is growing up. She's 15, and spending time with bad-boy Jamie... much to Chris' displeasure.
Over the course of a year, Chris, Kerry, and Melanie grow. dreams are built and shattered, words are spoken in love and in anger and mistakes are made for the best of intentions. Trust is built, confidence is found, and love makes the characters want to be more, to be better. There is so much realism, the characters and situations are completely believable. It was sweet and happy, and a perfect read to lighten up a grey, drizzly day.
Chris Layne is a cop and single father. His daughter is Kerry's brightest star. When Kerry and Chris randomly meet outside of the dance school, Chris takes a chance and asks her out. Over the months, Chris and Kerry slowly build a relationship. But both have been hurt and are loath to define what is developing between them. Meanwhile, Chris' daughter Melanie is growing up. She's 15, and spending time with bad-boy Jamie... much to Chris' displeasure.
Over the course of a year, Chris, Kerry, and Melanie grow. dreams are built and shattered, words are spoken in love and in anger and mistakes are made for the best of intentions. Trust is built, confidence is found, and love makes the characters want to be more, to be better. There is so much realism, the characters and situations are completely believable. It was sweet and happy, and a perfect read to lighten up a grey, drizzly day.
July 1, 2012
It’s a story about ballet. Honestly, for me just that is a reason to not give it any less than 4 stars. But it’s also a story about struggling with having to realize that your dreams might not be what you always thought they were, and that’s what made this to a 5-star story. There’s a scene at the end of the story, in which Kerry realizes that her dream was right in front of her all along, that was so beautiful it made me cry.
There are three main characters here: you have Kerry, who is awesome in almost every way. I love her for being unable to give up her dream, I love her for loving her students, I love her for being true to herself. There’s Chris, a cop who at times got on my nerves – I couldn’t stand the way he treated Jamie – but his heart is in the right place. And there’s Melanie, his daughter, who plays a big role in both his life and in the getting together of Kerry and Chris. She’s a fighter, she knows what she wants and is willing to work to get it. I liked that. I'm a bit sad we didn't get to see more of Suzie, one of the side characters - she was so adorable and true.
There are three main characters here: you have Kerry, who is awesome in almost every way. I love her for being unable to give up her dream, I love her for loving her students, I love her for being true to herself. There’s Chris, a cop who at times got on my nerves – I couldn’t stand the way he treated Jamie – but his heart is in the right place. And there’s Melanie, his daughter, who plays a big role in both his life and in the getting together of Kerry and Chris. She’s a fighter, she knows what she wants and is willing to work to get it. I liked that. I'm a bit sad we didn't get to see more of Suzie, one of the side characters - she was so adorable and true.
May 31, 2012
"By leaps and bounds" is a great novel about discovering yourself and finding love when you least expect it.
Kerry Guthrie was a ballerina in her prime, when an accident ends her career. Now she is leaving in LA teaching ballerinas all with the hopes that she can one day return to her career in New York as a prima ballerina. Now 28 Kerry has to decide if she really wants to make a comeback, or if she wants to pursue a new career as a choreographer.
Chris Layne is the father of Kerry's top student Melanie, and when they met there is a instant connection. As their attraction grows they learn more about each other and help each other discover what they really want in life.
This book also shows a second romance going on between Melanie the top dancer and Jamie, whose little sister Suzie trains at Leaps and bound dance studio. Melanie & Jamie are very different from one another but that doesn't stop them from starting relationship.
Overall this was a GREAT book!
Kerry Guthrie was a ballerina in her prime, when an accident ends her career. Now she is leaving in LA teaching ballerinas all with the hopes that she can one day return to her career in New York as a prima ballerina. Now 28 Kerry has to decide if she really wants to make a comeback, or if she wants to pursue a new career as a choreographer.
Chris Layne is the father of Kerry's top student Melanie, and when they met there is a instant connection. As their attraction grows they learn more about each other and help each other discover what they really want in life.
This book also shows a second romance going on between Melanie the top dancer and Jamie, whose little sister Suzie trains at Leaps and bound dance studio. Melanie & Jamie are very different from one another but that doesn't stop them from starting relationship.
Overall this was a GREAT book!
November 24, 2012
I really enjoyed this book. It is very well written with some great characters. The issues experienced were realistic and you can relate to them. The love story between the main characters built slowly and was never vulgar like some romance novels. This was more than just a love story though. It was about changing life goals and dreams, coming of age, self-worth and acceptance, first love, artistic passion, and much more. Is it some great literary master-piece – no, but it is a great read.
April 11, 2014
This was a very sweet story. You could feel the love between father and daughter and the growing attracting between Kerry and Chris! I found Melanie to be a bit of a brat in the middle of the book but hey she’s a teenager that’s what they do. I LOVED Suzie – she was just so sweet and just wanted to dance. Jaime on the other hand I still don’t think he redeemed himself at all. I loved the coming of age story for both kids and the adults, finding out that dreams do change and grow. Good Book!
May 23, 2012
I was hoping to like this book more, but it was just okay for me. The main character Kerry got on my nerves constantly wallowing in her self-pity. She was always trying to please other people and not make herself happy. Being a former dancer, I was hoping there would be more ballet/dance in this book as opposed to romance. Oh well. I still enjoyed the story.
May 9, 2013
I really enjoyed this book and would read another Jacqueline Diamond novel. Easy,light reading with dancing at its heart. Somewhat predictable outcome but beautiful nonetheless. The author has done her homework on her chosen subject and it shows.
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May 5, 2012Amazing just wonderful
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Want to read
May 3, 2012Free on Amazon 05/02/2012.
May 8, 2012
A wonderful story, great plot and a delightful ending.
May 22, 2012
It was good but I feel that author went overboard with using adjectives. But I like the plot, so good storyline. :)
August 21, 2012
Easy read, good for teens. A nice story about a girl who couldn't dance any longer but found a place in life.
September 1, 2012
Great story about overcoming insecurities and following your dreams.
November 24, 2012
I enjoyed the story but thought it ended abruptly.
November 10, 2013
Well written story providing an inside view of professional dancing.
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December 23, 2014Miniseries: Men In Uniform
February 9, 2016
It was a pleasant novel. It didn't strike me as amazing, but I had no qualms about finishing it. :)
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews