Nov 9, 2021
As I edited this episode, I'm about 1/3 through Joanna Politano's latest release, A Midnight Dance, and while I rave about the little bit I'd read before recording the interview, let's just say this book gets better and better. I don't think I've ever cried out aloud while reading a book more. I KNOW I've never done it in LAX while passengers look on, ready to beg airport security to protect them. Not that this happened on Sunday or anything.
Find out what inspired Joanna to write the book, the lessons she learned as she wrote it, and more in this delightful interview with her and her infant son!
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The Last Thing I Need Is More Amazing Books to Read—Just Kidding!
Series are probably my favorite way to consume books--give me all the books you can about a set of characters, and I'm a happy camper. That said, there is something magical and beautiful in a story that dances onto center stage, tells its tale, and glides off again, leaving you breathless in its wake.
Those are the sorts of stories Joanna Politano writes.
That is the sort of story you'll find in A Midnight Dance. This book has everything, secrets, mystery, and... ghosts! It's sort of Phantom of the Opera meets Giselle but with a happier ending... I hope. And en pointe. Because what is ballet without beautiful, scarlet pointe shoes?
My first takeaway from this book came early on--when Ella insists that she is a dancer, despite being young and not in a company. It's true of so many things. Must we sell our art to be an artist, a sculptor, a writer, a dancer?
So many layers to this story! I don't know where to begin. So I won't. I'll just say, read it. I doubt Joanna would object. ;)
In this interview, Joanna Politano talks about...
- her inspiration for writing a novel about the ballet
- her writing style (psst... no huge outlines for her!)
- titles (is she a fabulous "titler" or not so much?)
- and the authors she enjoys when she's not writing
A Midnight Dance by Joanna Politano
All theater romances are tragedies. Ella Blythe knows this.
Still, she cannot help but hope her own story may turn out
different than most--and certainly different than the tragic story
of the Ghost of Craven Street Theater. Yet as she struggles to
maintain her tenuous place in the ever-shrinking ballet company,
win the attentions of principal dancer Philippe, and avoid company
flirt Jack, Ella cannot deny the uncanny feeling that her life is
mirroring that of the dead ballerina.
Is she dancing ever closer to the edge of her own tragic end? Or
will the secrets that are about to come to light offer release from
the past?
Mystery and romance make the perfect dance partners in this
evocative story from fan-favorite Joanna Davidson Politano.
You can learn more about Joanna and her books on her WEBSITE.