Perfect Partners
Fred and Ginger. Vernon and Irene. Redmond and Lisa. I wonder how many of these perfect partnerships you recognise? The first is a pretty safe bet, but the second and third… Well, if you’re a huge fan of ballroom dance, you might recognise the names of Vernon and Irene Castle, the real-life couple whose story Fred and Ginger told so movingly in their 1939 biopic The Story of Vernon and Irene Castle. But not many people know how much influence this film had on the third pairing on this list: Redmond Carrington and Lisa Darby, the dancing couple who star in my contemporary romance, Perfect Partners.
I didn’t realise it myself until I sat down the other day to watch some of the old movies clogging up my hard drive, and came across this gem of a weepie, which I watched for the first time in my early teens. I’ve loved every Fred and Ginger film I’ve ever watched, but it was this one, with its rags-to-riches fairy tale storyline and superbly glamorous costumes, which cemented the connection in my mind between dancing and romance. As Astaire’s character, vaudeville comedian-turned-dancer Vernon Castle, woos and tutors the would-be starlet Irene Foote, Irene gradually turns from a starstruck stage-school pupil to a charismatic star in her own right.
The film packs an unusually long time-frame into its 93 minutes, covering the years of their rising stardom in a series of innovative montages, including one fabulous one where the couple dance across a giant map of America, trailing other tiny dancing couples in their wake.
It’s difficult to discuss the ending without introducing a massive spoiler, so I’ll stick to the part of the film that most influenced me when I was writing Perfect Partners: Vernon and Irene’s early days of dancing in Paris. Here we see a young couple finding their way in the cutthroat world of showbiz, supported by friends, envied by rivals, and mentored by a successful older woman. Many of these elements are picked up in Redmond and Lisa’s story. I had great fun writing Jerry, Lisa’s gay ex-dancing partner, and Mark and Elaine, the dance school owners who are almost like parents to Lisa. But the element of The Story of Vernon and Irene Castle that made the most difference, both to my life and to my book, is the sheer infectious passion for dancing. Until I started watching films like this, I had no idea I would love to dance. If my book could do that for even one person, I’d be happy!
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Perfect Partners (Crimson Romance)
Blurb:
“What’s he doing back in London after all this time?”
Eight years ago, Lisa Darby’s dancing partner and first love, Redmond Carrington, left London for a fun summer on the cruise ships – and never came back. Lisa’s grown up a bit since then, and she’d like to think she’s prepared for anything, but when Red comes back from America with a proposal for her, she’s not sure she’s ready for what he’s suggesting.
A TV studio is filming a knockout competition of six of the world’s best couples – each of them partners both on and off the dance floor. Redmond wants Lisa to pose as his girlfriend so that they can compete. It’s an unbelievable opportunity for an aspiring professional dancer, and the spectacular prize money would help save Lisa’s beloved dance studio, which is in need of major renovation. Scooping the prize is going to take the performance of a lifetime from Lisa and Redmond, but with the sizzling tension between them, they might just pull it off.
It turns out that putting on an act for the cameras is the least of Lisa’s worries. As time goes on and she rediscovers her feelings for Redmond, she’s left questioning what’s really behind his offer, and where their partnership is heading this time.
Sensuality Level: Sensual
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GIVEAWAY
Stephanie is offering a $5 amazon gift card and an electronic copy of Perfect Partners to one lucky commenter from among the entries from today's post and Wednesday's post at Reviews by Crystal. Please leave a valid e-mail address and a comment about your favorite movie that features dancers. A winner will be chosen on Mar. 8 from all eligible entries (and please go by and wish Crystal a Happy Birthday on that day!)
Eight years ago, Lisa Darby’s dancing partner and first love, Redmond Carrington, left London for a fun summer on the cruise ships – and never came back. Lisa’s grown up a bit since then, and she’d like to think she’s prepared for anything, but when Red comes back from America with a proposal for her, she’s not sure she’s ready for what he’s suggesting.
A TV studio is filming a knockout competition of six of the world’s best couples – each of them partners both on and off the dance floor. Redmond wants Lisa to pose as his girlfriend so that they can compete. It’s an unbelievable opportunity for an aspiring professional dancer, and the spectacular prize money would help save Lisa’s beloved dance studio, which is in need of major renovation. Scooping the prize is going to take the performance of a lifetime from Lisa and Redmond, but with the sizzling tension between them, they might just pull it off.
It turns out that putting on an act for the cameras is the least of Lisa’s worries. As time goes on and she rediscovers her feelings for Redmond, she’s left questioning what’s really behind his offer, and where their partnership is heading this time.
Sensuality Level: Sensual
********************
GIVEAWAY
Stephanie is offering a $5 amazon gift card and an electronic copy of Perfect Partners to one lucky commenter from among the entries from today's post and Wednesday's post at Reviews by Crystal. Please leave a valid e-mail address and a comment about your favorite movie that features dancers. A winner will be chosen on Mar. 8 from all eligible entries (and please go by and wish Crystal a Happy Birthday on that day!)
