Dancers and Divas Blog Tour: Review + Giveaways

Passion and Pain (Dancers and Divas #1)

Does passion and desire guarantee success? Can friends really be trusted? Can true love be found beneath lust and deceit?

These are questions tenacious street dancer Elena Martinez faces as she struggles to compete against the most talented students at New York’s top Performing Arts High School. Along with her best friend, the carefree and mischievous Sebastien Duval, they are determined to make center stage.

But the singing diva Letitia has other plans. Beautiful, talented and popular, her desire for revenge could ruin everything for Elena and Sebastien. Now, they must fight against prejudice, treachery and deceit as Letitia sets out to destroy Elena’s friendships, her romance, her dignity and her dreams. Can Elena win the battle for true love, happiness and success?
Amazon

Bittersweet (Dancers and Divas #2) 

The second book in the Dancers and Divers series - a YA / NA Contemporary Romance

Can secrets stay hidden forever? Can people really change? Are some mistakes unforgivable?

As Elena and Sebastian embark on a fresh start, will Letitia keep his secret, or will she use it to destroy them?

As Veronika falls in love, Frankie is out of rehab and trying to make amends, but will it last for either of them?

Meanwhile, as Anya is torn between loyalty to her Nana and love for Darius, could Darius fall for the new temptress, Rosa? With her stunning looks, her powerful, sensual dancing and her desire to seduce, she has everyone nervous but what secret is she hiding?

Continue the roller-coaster journey with your favorite characters as they try to survive junior year at the country’s top performing arts school.

Amazon

Author Bio:

Kathy Petrakis was born and raised in Sydney Australia by Greek immigrant parents. She always had a passion for the performing arts - dancing, acting and singing but they were hobbies giving way to a traditional professional career in banking. Before this book, her writing was used to entertain friends with her unusual, and often disastrous travel adventures from around the world.

By the hand of fate, Passion and Pain and Bittersweet were born while living in London, heaven for lovers of the performing arts. After launching Passion and Pain, she returned to Sydney for the launch of the sequel, Bittersweet.
Website  |  Goodreads  |  Twitter

Passion and Pain Review:
First line:

 On a mild Friday afternoon in October, twelve-year-old Elena Martinez smiled as she walked across Harlem on her way to her dance class.

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Source:

ecopy received from author

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Rating:

4 stars out of 5

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This book is funny at times and heartbreaking at others. Elena, the main character, is a dancer and actress. She focuses mainly on hip-hop, as that is what she learned on the streets. She sweet, confident, talented, and trusting. She is also extremely naive and oblivious. Sometimes there traits were endearing. Other times I wanted to smack her for all these stupid things she wasn't seeing right in front of her.

When I first read the description, I thought that all these characters main/supporting characters would make it confusing to read, but I found I actually LOVED all the characters. Except for certain people *cough cough* Letitia *cough cough* Jonathan *cough cough* Frankie down spiral was heartbreaking, to say the least. Anya and Darius are the most adorable couple ever!!!!!!

I liked the pace of the books. It covers two years, freshman and sophomore year. At times the book moved fast, but I didn't feel like Kathy was rushing or forcing the scenes. There were times that I was confused as to what month it was, though.

What caught my attention about Passion and Pain is that it sounded like the Step-Up movies and Fame. I love both of those movies, so I was intrigued as to how well that would transfer onto paper. I couldn't have been happier with the results!

Giveaway 1:
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Giveaway 2: 
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