SOLVED. girl is an ice skater and gets involved with a show like Ice Capades, but not exactly [s]

[Ann aka Iftcan]

Ok, I only remember bits of this. Basically the heroine (late teens/early 20's) is a skater, but she's built more like Tanya Harding than Kerry whats-her-name. Tall, strong blond, I THINK, since I vaguely remember that she's got some form of Norse heritage--German, Norwegian, Swiss, something like that. She was prevented from competing as a kid and is now like I said, older. She manages to join an ice show and the choreographer (or possibly manager???) is male and takes an interest in her because she is able to do leaps and spins that the more "delicate" skaters can't do. I think she's in love with this male and at first is upset when he gets side-tracked by some of the other skaters, but she realizes that he ALWAYS comes back to her, simply because she IS strong enough to do some of the fantastic leaps and spins that he wants done. I think that they are doing something where they need an "Evil crone" type who skates and disappears into smoke or fog. But I'm not totally positive about this one

It MIGHT be a romance, could be a YA, altho when I read this (sometime in the 1970's I THINK) they didn't really have that category.

[Kiri]

Just to make certain your not thinking of Ice Castles right?

[Ann aka Iftcan]

I don't THINK its Ice Castles. I remember watching the movie and it didn't have exactly the right "feel".
And someone posted in Amazon's review that the movie DID stick fairly closely to the book.

I did find a copy on Paperback Swap, so ordered it. We'll see if this is it or not when the book comes in. But from what I remember, the girl/woman didn't get as far as a National title--or at least I don't think she did.

[Ann aka Iftcan]

bump

[Ann aka Iftcan]

definately not Ice castles. And bump

[Abigail]

Quite possibly a longshot, but right timeframe and several of its descriptors fit, so I'll go ahead and mention it.

Love Finds the Way, by Charles Roy MacKinnon

http://www.worldcat.org/title/love-fi...

At 63 pages, it sounds way too short, but it seems that MacKinnon also wrote under the pseudonym Iain Torr and when the title is searched for along with that author name, it appears that it actually has 184 pages (perhaps the 63-page edition is condensed?): http://books.google.com/books?id=Kzbz...

I couldn't find a synopsis anywhere.

[Ann aka Iftcan]

No idea either Abigail. But since this was definately classified as a romance (I THINK) I am having a hard time believing that it was written by a man. So no way to know if this is it or not.

[Ann aka Iftcan]

bump

[Ann aka Iftcan]

Ok, I also remembered that the main female is from a farming community in the upper mid-west where it gets COLD in the winter. Wisconsin, North Dakota, some please like that, I believe. I don't think it was set in Europe.

[Andria]

What about White Satin? Published in 1985, but you sounded a little uncertain about when you read it, so I figured it was worth a shot. :)

[Ann aka Iftcan]

not that one Andria. In my book the mc never competes that far. She started out as a competitive figure skater but, due to some kind of family emergency, she is not able to follow her dreams until she is in her very late teens/early 20's, by which time she's missed the years of training it takes to make it to the Olympics. Instead, she is discovered by someone in this Ice Show while skating on a pond (I think it's a pond--could be a public ice rink.)

[Deborah]

There is another Ice Castle by a different author Ice Castles

[Ann aka Iftcan]

Um, that is the same author Deborah.

In "my" book there was only 1 guy that SHE was interested in. And she did NOT compete at any level past "kids" as a figure skater because of her family problems. It was a total fluke from what I remember that she got the job with the Ice Show at all. Either she tried out, even tho everyone laughted at the idea that someone who 1) HADN'T competed and 2) was as BIG (I think she was somewhere close to 6 feet tall) as she was) would ever get a job with this ice show. As I said--it was kind of like the Ice Capades (or any of the Disney on Ice Shows) where usually the stars were retired "S*T*A*R*S" of figure skating (National Champions, International Champions, Olympic winners etc.) None of which this girl was. Altho she wasn't really a girl. She was at least 18--maybe even into her early 20's.

[Ann aka Iftcan]

bump

[Andria]

Ann, I found a book called Linda Lane, Figure Skater by Alice Clink Schumacher. Published in 1969, but that's about all I've been able to find out about it. But it's worth a shot, maybe the title will ring a bell. :)

[Ann aka Iftcan]

I don't think it was that book, but since I can't find out any more than you did, I suppose it's possible. But I read a paperback copy of the book, and I seem to vaguely remember a "cheesy" cover on it. Wish I could remember the title, as its been driving me kind of nuts off and on for years.

[Themis-Athena (Lioness at Large)]

This may be a bit of a long shot because the show is touring Europe, but possibly Ice Charades by Jenny Hall?

From the description/review at about.com:
"The book is told by "Sue," a 19-year old college student from Minnesota. In 1983, she takes a year off from college and joins "Follies on Ice," an ice show that tours Europe. She finds out that being in an ice show involves long hours of rehearsals, skating in a penguin costume, not so fancy hotels, low wages, and dreaded weekly weigh-ins. She makes friends with some of the people in the cast; she also experiences some conflicts and awkward moments. Sue’s year with the show unfolds in the book. At the end of the year, she decides that her ice show tour experience was really fun and wants to do it again."

[Ann aka Iftcan]

That's way too new. I read my book at least 15 years ago, and possibly longer ago than that.

[Themis-Athena (Lioness at Large)]

Ann aka Iftcan wrote: "That's way too new. I read my book at least 15 years ago, and possibly longer ago than that."

I figured since the book takes place in 1983 and is a CreateSpace publication, it's maybe a reissue of something where the publication rights have reverted to the author ... but I guess it doesn't ring any other bells with you, either, huh? :(

[Andria]

Ooh, the description on this one sounds promising: Ballerina on Skates by Zoa Sherburne. 1961.

"In spite of her unusual height, Karen works her way up from the chorus line in the ice show to become one of its stars."

(I'll create a GR record for it in just a minute!)

ETA: Voila! The link: Ballerina on Skates

[Ann aka Iftcan]

Well Andria--that's the closest I've seen so far. Now to see if I can find a copy anywhere for less than the National Debt.

[Andria]

alibris has a hardcover copy for $5.00
http://www.alibris.com/booksearch?wti...

And it looks like Amazon has a used paperback for $2.99

Also, see if your local library can get it through interlibrary loan from another library system. According to Worldcat there are several libraries that have copies. And it should be a free or nearly free service from your public library.

I REALLY want to see this one solved! :)

[Andria]

oh, and here's the Kirkus review, which gives more info:

"After the death of her mother and stepfather, and at the bidding of her foster parents, Norwegian-born Karen auditions for a skating company. Despite her height and large build, about which she is very sensitive, she is accepted into the company. Her outstanding skating ability is recognized and she is elevated to solo billing as a comedienne. Karen is outspoken to her ""friends"" in the chorus who are jealous of her success. A half hearted romance with Lance, the choreographer, never flourishes because he ""plays the field"". When a prettier and newer member of the company captures his interest, Karen is miserable. But Lance returns and Karen is cheered by the thought that he will always come back to her."

I think this is your book!

[Ann aka Iftcan]

I did find a copy that I'm now waiting on. But that review sure seems like MINE. Got my fingers and toes crossed (Well, my toes and ankles, anyway, since I can't type with crossed fingers.) :oP

[Andria]

And I'm dancing around excitedly, hoping it's the right one! If it is, I'll probably be almost as excited as you are :)

[CLM]

I used to read that author but don't remember ever seeing this one except on the back cover: Too Bad About the Haines Girl is the one that worried me.

For those now in the mood for a story about a skater that is easier to find, I recommend Summer's End.

[Ann aka Iftcan]

Whhoooo HHOOOO--that's my book. It came in today and I've already read it. It is DEFINATELY it. The copy I bought is the hard back--and it has the cheesy cover that I remembered.

I was kind of doing a seated Snoopy dance. (You know, like Snoopy does in all those Charlie Brown cartoons on TV.)

I was so happy to find this. It is definately a YA book, at least it was when it was written. Nowadays, it would probably be more a tweenie--say 11-15 or so. Sigh, a MUCH more innoucent time when I read this.

[Andria]

Hooray! I'm doing a Snoopy dance right along with you. So glad you were reunited with your book! L