by: Laura Boon
Series: Deerbourne Inn
Genre: Contemporary Romance/Small-Town Romance/Novella
Release Date: March 27, 2019
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press, Inc.
Amazon US | Amazon UK | Amazon AUS | iBooks | Kobo | Google Books | The Wild Rose Press | Goodreads
Licking her wounds after a bad relationship, San Diego accountant Caitlyn Summers travels to Willow Springs to help her friend gear up for the annual Maple Sugar Ball. She isn't planning on staying long, but one encounter with the delicious Corey Duncan has her re-evaluating her plans.
Corey swore off love when his wife Annie died from breast cancer. Caitlyn is too young, too citified, and vibrates with a passion and energy that will upend the safe, comfortable rhythm of his life. Corey has to choose between playing it safe and taking a risk on love. Caitlyn needs to find the patience to let Corey lead. If not, the Maple Sugar Ball might end in a sticky mess, instead of a slow dance with the man who has captured her heart.
Will their fire burn hot enough to erase doubts and past hurts?
The books in the Deerbourne Inn series are linked through the Inn in Willow Springs, Vermont. People come and people go; some of them fall in love and stay, or whisk their love away to a new location. As you read your way through the series, you get to know the regulars in Willow Springs, even if they haven’t yet been a primary character in one of the books. For example, Tiana runs the Sunny Springs Cafe where everybody goes for great coffee and food.
What can you tell me about the town of Willow Spring, Vermont and the people who live there?
Willow Springs is a beautiful small town with typical New England architecture. It’s surrounded by farmland but still close-ish to Montpellier as well as the ski slopes. It gets a lot of tourists year round. There’s a strong sense of community and there are regular events drawing people together around, for example, the Fourth of July, Halloween and Christmas. There’s even a Maple Sugar Ball hosted by the farming community. There are a couple of nice pubs and a decent restaurant which all tap into Vermont’s wonderful organic produce. Of course, it has a bookshop (absolutely vital to a town’s right to claim to be civilised, IMHO). There is only one inn (Deerbourne, complete with resident ghost), so the staff there know all the gossip. Small towns create their own character; they can be mean, or they can be community orientated. Willow Springs is the latter.
Tell me about Caitlyn Summers and Corey Duncan, what you love about them?
Caitlin is an accountant from San Diego. Corey is a third generation Willow Springs business owner. They have both had their hearts broken. His love died. Hers cheated. They’re cautious and scared to trust, but underneath that protective shield, they are warm, generous individuals with a lot to give. I love them for their resilience, their ability to laugh in the face of tragedy, and their courage in chasing their dreams despite all the setbacks they’ve faced.
What can readers expect from Lion Dancing for Love?
Readers can expect a fun, sexy and and heartwarming romance. It’s a novella, and a lovely pick-me-up if you need a quick read to raise your spirits.
Can you tell me a fun fact or two about Lion Dancing for Love?
I loved researching the lion dance and the costumes dancers wear. And it’s a good thing I did research it because otherwise I might have confused a lion dance (two dancers) with a dragon dance (multiple dancers).
What was your favorite part about writing Lion Dancing for Love?
I really loved writing Caitlin and Corey’s story, and I have so many favorite moments. Their first eye contact when Caitlin is caught gawking at Corey like a schoolgirl. Their first kiss. The waltz in the barn. The way Corey worries about Caitlin walking the sleet-slick streets in her heels. The lion dance at the ball. Even Caitlin’s granny - everyone deserves a Lao Lao like Caitlin’s!
Lion Dancing for Love sounds like an interesting title. Does it have a special meaning to you or the book?
Caitlin has a multicultural heritage. She is Anglo Chinese. The lion dance forms a central theme in the book and is instrumental in bringing Caitlin and Corey together. I think the title hints at all that.
Laura, congratulations again. Thank you so much for answering some questions for me.
She walked across to Corey, tucking her hair behind her right ear, unexpectedly shy at his acknowledgement. She squared her shoulders. “Hi.”
“Hey.” He stood and pulled out a chair for her, a half-smile playing on his lips. “You and I can’t avoid each other.”
She shrugged. “It’s a small town. Although you’ve looked awfully busy.” Too busy to say hello was her unspoken message. She’d let him know she was interested, and he had ignored her ever since.
“Yeah.”
Her drink arrived, and they fell silent while the waitress fussed with a coaster and peanuts.
He rubbed his hand against his chin and gazed directly into her eyes. “I’ve been a bit preoccupied, mostly with you.”
“Me?” She choked on a swig of champagne and coughed as the bubbles went down the wrong way.
He grabbed her glass and set it down before patting her on the back.
“I’m fine,” she gasped.
“Sorry. I take it that was my fault for surprising the heck out of you.”
“Yep.”
“Why? You’re the one who kissed me.”
And why wouldn’t she when he looked so delectable? She was tempted to kiss him again, rub out the mischievous twitch to his lips. Instead she retorted, “And you’re the one who didn’t kiss me back.”
“Hey.” He stood and pulled out a chair for her, a half-smile playing on his lips. “You and I can’t avoid each other.”
She shrugged. “It’s a small town. Although you’ve looked awfully busy.” Too busy to say hello was her unspoken message. She’d let him know she was interested, and he had ignored her ever since.
“Yeah.”
Her drink arrived, and they fell silent while the waitress fussed with a coaster and peanuts.
He rubbed his hand against his chin and gazed directly into her eyes. “I’ve been a bit preoccupied, mostly with you.”
“Me?” She choked on a swig of champagne and coughed as the bubbles went down the wrong way.
He grabbed her glass and set it down before patting her on the back.
“I’m fine,” she gasped.
“Sorry. I take it that was my fault for surprising the heck out of you.”
“Yep.”
“Why? You’re the one who kissed me.”
And why wouldn’t she when he looked so delectable? She was tempted to kiss him again, rub out the mischievous twitch to his lips. Instead she retorted, “And you’re the one who didn’t kiss me back.”
Purchase Lion Dancing for Love from:
The Deerbourne Inn Series:
Witches’ Cliff by Peggy Chambers releases April 24, 2019
Mystic Maples by Tena Stetler releases May 13, 2019
Laura Boon stole her first romance from her father’s bookshelves as a teenager, The Flame and the Flower by Kathleen Woodiwiss, and was immediately captivated. After holding a variety of positions in publishing, from bookseller to sales rep and publicist, she eventually found the courage to write her own stories. She was born in Zambia, grew up in South Africa, and went to university in America. She now lives in Australia with her husband and their adorable dogs Beau and Arro. When she is not reading or writing, she enjoys sleuthing for artisan chocolate and beautiful stationery, watching tennis, and walking alongside Sydney’s beautiful harbor.
Places to find Laura Boon:
You can follow the Lion Dancing for Love Blog Tour here.
Follow
Thanks for hosting!
ReplyDeleteThe Flame and the Flower was also my first romance novel. I loved it. I can't wait to read this.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the giveaway!
ReplyDeleteLoved the post, and the excerpt. I can't wait to read it.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a book I will enjoy.
ReplyDeleteGreat interview!
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like a good read.
ReplyDeleteThat excerpt was excellent!! Looking forward to reading more!!
ReplyDeleteI love the cover
ReplyDelete