“Toot, toot” that’s me blowing a party horn, because today I have a special guest. Dara Young is here with me today talking about her novella The Cancan Dancer and the Duke. What a title! I love it. So sit back and let Dara tell you…
The Long and the Short of It
I was talking to my mom the other day, and she was complaining about how short the majority of books are these days in romance. First off, yes my mother reads everything I write. She really got me started reading romance as a young adult. My first adult romances came right off her bookshelf. She had titles by authors Mary Renault, Judith McNaught, and Johanna Lindsay. So, I totally blame her for my addiction. J
As I was saying, she asked me about book lengths. She is an old school romance reader from the days of 3-400 page books. That is what she prefers. Me, I like both. It depends on the story. Some tales just don’t need 400 pages. Others need all of that to be able to show the characters growth and development until they fall in love.
The Cancan Dancer and the Duke was originally intended to be a full length novel. But, then I realized that it just didn’t need all those pages. It occurred to me that I would simply be adding stupid plot elements to string the journey out and that did not sit well with me. The truth is, Charise and Ethan’s story is one of a quick, intense fall.
I suppose I could have stretched out the discovery of her secret, but really why? Some relationships are a slow simmering burn, others are a quick, intense conflagration. And, there are a million options in between. Short of having external plot devices keeping the lovers apart, a conflagration generally winds up a novella for me.
How about you? Do you have a preference for story length? How do you feel about short stories under 15K words?
Thanks for stopping by to celebrate with me and remember to comment on each post during the blog tour for more chances to win! (Not sure what I’m talking about? Click here.)
The Cancan Dancer and The Duke
The Wild Rose Press
Can a lady on the lam and a duke on the make find love at the Moulin Rouge?
Cathedrals and museums are not Lady Charise Colton’s idea of European adventure. Turn-of-the-century Paris beckons, and she wants to grab it while she can…or rather, cancan. Flirting with fate and half of Paris, Charise eludes her chaperones and joins the cancan revue at the Moulin Rouge.
Ethan Greer, Duke of Lofton, is in Paris to settle some estate business. Chafing under his responsibilities, he discovers an enchanting distraction at the Moulin Rouge, a flirtatious dancer who stirs his lust and something more. He must have her—even if it means offering carte blanche.
Terrified of discovery, Charise tries to hold her persistent suitor at bay, though her heart has already surrendered. Will she lose him if he learns the truth, or is love enough to bind the cancan dancer and the duke?
Excerpt:
The singular sound was a soft whisper at first. The audience strained forward to catch even a note of the eerie melody carried on the fetid air of the cafe. As the song picked up, her voice grew stronger, the words more clear. Ethan relaxed into his seat and let the warm rich alto caress him. His body grew warm with the promises carried by the witch’s husky tones.
He remained unaware of anything in the room except the siren walking toward him. Each steady, unhurried step she took further drew him in. His gaze feasted on the curve of her hip, the swell of her breast. Ethan rode the knife’s edge between lust and propriety.
The song described, in lurid detail, two lovers in the throes of passion. Upon reaching him, the dancer propped the toe of her boot onto the edge of his seat—square between his thighs. The luscious creature presented impossibly sheer bloomers which hid everything and yet nothing, causing him to let out the breath he, until now, unknowingly held. His cock grew rigid, the uncomfortable throbbing causing him to shift. The desire to haul her into his arms and demonstrate every action she described with the most sensuous mouth he’d ever seen rode him hard. Her full lower lip begged for his kiss. Ethan wanted to see it slick and glowing pink from his attentions.
The wanton dancer continued to taunt him, but his good breeding won out. Forcing himself to stay seated, his fists balled and his jaw grew rigid with frustration, but his raging lusts remained leashed. The song ended, sending her into the nether regions of the cafe in a swirl of skirts.
Add it to my shelf at: GoodReads
Thanks so much, Dara for being my guest today! This one’s definitely going on my TBR list. And thanks to everyone for stopping by. Don’t forget to leave a comment in order to be included in the giveaway. How do I feel about short romantic fiction? I love romances of any length! :)
Lots of <3–Amie
amie louellen 
For me, I’m going to say it really depends more on the plot. If the plot can be wrapped up in a short span of pages, then go ahead and write short, by all means!
Good point, JD. I’m working on a short right now and I’ve had to reign myself in a few times. So far it’s been a fun experience though. I can’t wait to read The Cancan Dancer and the Duke. Thanks for stopping by! :)
I am also used to longer length novels and sometimes feel shortchanged with the novella length-except when the story grips immediately and says all it has to at a faster rate. Then, it’s as excellent as any other excellent novel.
I do like being able to pick up a story read it in one sitting and still get something done with my day. LOL Thanks for stopping by, Nancy!
Yes JD, the plot must allow for the shorter length, but equally as important is not overstretching the bounds of a short plot. Those are the books I skim a lot in. LOL!
So true Nancy, good writing will always show through and should never leave the reader feeling short changed. Wanting more in the good way is of course the goal. :-)
And is probably the reason for so many series. :)
I like shorter works if an author can suck me in quickly and tell me the backstory in a believably short amount of time. I also like novel length too. But sometimes a short story is a nice change. Great article and great book title! Sounds like a great read :)
I agree, Kellie. Sometimes it’s fun to sit down with a short and escape for an hour or two without having to invest too much time into reading a story. Thanks for stopping by! :)