Pride Month is almost here and we have the perfect book for the occasion! Jennifer Moffatt is here today to talk about her latest rom-com, Flirty Dancing. This one appeals to me not only because it is LGBTQ+ themed, but also because I was obsessed with Dirty Dancing when I was growing up (and can still watch it anytime and love it all over again) and I also love anything to do with Broadway. It's in my five-book pile and I can't wait to read it soon! Thanks to St. Martin's Press, we have FIVE copies to give away!
Jennifer Moffatt believes that there are so many more romantic stories to tell than the ones that have traditionally been lined up on bookstore shelves, and she plans to write as many of them as she can. Her short stories have appeared in multiple anthologies and literary magazines. Jennifer loves hot summers and potato chips and lives with her family in British Columbia, Canada. Flirty Dancing is her third novel.
Synopsis:
Archer Read is 27 and desperate to find his place in life. Five months ago, he quit his soul-destroying accounting job in Ohio and moved to Manhattan with dreams of making it on Broadway. And now he has nothing to show for it but a string of rejections. Even for a ray-of-sunshine like Archer, hope can only go so far. A musical revue at Shady Queens, a queer-friendly resort in the Catskills, is his last chance to break into show biz—otherwise, it’s back to Ohio, broke and hopeless. He arrives ready to dance his heart out, only to find he’ll be working with his teenage celebrity crush, the Broadway star Mateo Dixon.
Archer Read is 27 and desperate to find his place in life. Five months ago, he quit his soul-destroying accounting job in Ohio and moved to Manhattan with dreams of making it on Broadway. And now he has nothing to show for it but a string of rejections. Even for a ray-of-sunshine like Archer, hope can only go so far. A musical revue at Shady Queens, a queer-friendly resort in the Catskills, is his last chance to break into show biz—otherwise, it’s back to Ohio, broke and hopeless. He arrives ready to dance his heart out, only to find he’ll be working with his teenage celebrity crush, the Broadway star Mateo Dixon.
What is Mateo doing working at Shady Queens? Besides barking orders and glaring at everyone…when he’s not absolutely smoldering at Archer on the dancefloor. As Archer tries to forget his teen crush and get to know the real Mateo, he’s caught up in a romance with his hot, temperamental bunkmate, Caleb. Between Mateo’s baggage and the dance crew’s drama—partying, flirting, breaking up, getting back together, then breaking up again—it’s no surprise when the show starts to fall apart. Archer quickly discovers that when it comes to dance, sometimes you can’t leave all your problems backstage.
Filled with colorful side characters, about a million Broadway references, and enough drama for a high school summer camp, Flirty Dancing is a delightful romantic comedy that shows love, like art, is worth a little sacrifice.
"With a lovable ensemble cast of oddballs and drama queens, Flirty Dancing is a charming and warm-hearted escape." —Amanda Sellet, author of Hate to Fake it to You
"Filled with romantic flings, unrequited longing, and high kicks, it's the perfect summer read!"
—Jayne Denker, author of The Rom-Com Agenda
"Charming and steamy in equal measures, FLIRTY DANCING is the queer, frisky romcom we’ve been desperately waiting for." —Lindz McLeod, author of The Unlikely Pursuit of Mary Bennet
What is a favorite compliment you received on your writing?
I started writing because I wanted to make people feel good. I wanted to create sweet and comforting worlds where my readers could feel like they were falling in love right along with the characters. So anytime anyone connects emotionally with one of my books or stories, those are my favorite compliments. (Although, I will say, for Flirty Dancing, when a theater kid or Dirty Dancing superfan says they loved it… those ones hit a little harder!)
What were the biggest rewards and challenges with writing Flirty Dancing?
Flirty Dancing is such a personal book for me because so much of who I am is wrapped up in its pages. So it’s certainly a challenge putting a piece of my soul into the world and letting people do with it what they will. But the reward is the chance to share this story with other people on a similar creative path and make them feel good, especially in today’s climate. That makes all the challenges worth it.
I started writing because I wanted to make people feel good. I wanted to create sweet and comforting worlds where my readers could feel like they were falling in love right along with the characters. So anytime anyone connects emotionally with one of my books or stories, those are my favorite compliments. (Although, I will say, for Flirty Dancing, when a theater kid or Dirty Dancing superfan says they loved it… those ones hit a little harder!)
What were the biggest rewards and challenges with writing Flirty Dancing?
Flirty Dancing is such a personal book for me because so much of who I am is wrapped up in its pages. So it’s certainly a challenge putting a piece of my soul into the world and letting people do with it what they will. But the reward is the chance to share this story with other people on a similar creative path and make them feel good, especially in today’s climate. That makes all the challenges worth it.
If Flirty Dancing were made into a movie, who would you cast in the leading roles?
I would love to cast total unknowns! Hollywood likes to hire the same people over and over, and I can’t think of anyone at the right age with the right look who can sing and dance like Archer and Mateo can. I know there are so many ridiculously talented dancers out there trying to make it, just like Archer. Let’s hold an open call and find them!
What is the last movie you saw that you would recommend?
There was a time in my life where I saw just about every movie in the theaters, but now most of the movies I see are ones I can watch with my kids. So can I say Star Wars: Skeleton Crew as my answer, even though it’s a series? I’m a Star Wars nerd, and it was the first Star Wars my kids ever saw. It was so nice to have a series we could sit down to watch together…and, I’m thrilled to report, they loved it. And while I’m already breaking the rules, I have to add Andor to this list. I’m currently watching season two. It’s an incredible piece of art…and I’m obsessed with Denise Gough as Dedra Meero.
If your life was a TV series, which celebrity would you want to narrate it?
Kate Winslet or Gillian Anderson, if they don't mind doing a Canadian accent! They’re both so strong and wise and have grown so much throughout their careers. They have the vibe I aspire to. I’d love to have a powerful woman like that narrating my story.
If we were to visit you right now, what are some places you would take us to see?
I live in the Okanagan Valley in BC, Canada, one of the most beautiful places in the world, and right now in late spring it’s all lush and bright green, flowers and trees blooming everywhere. I’d take you to Arrowleaf Cellars, a winery with the most stunning view of vineyards overlooking Okanagan Lake. A carafe of an aromatic white with a box of their handmade cream puffs… absolute heaven. We could do a whole wine tour of the area while we’re at it and cap it off with a delicious regional dinner on a patio while the sun sets over the mountains.
I would love to cast total unknowns! Hollywood likes to hire the same people over and over, and I can’t think of anyone at the right age with the right look who can sing and dance like Archer and Mateo can. I know there are so many ridiculously talented dancers out there trying to make it, just like Archer. Let’s hold an open call and find them!
What is the last movie you saw that you would recommend?
There was a time in my life where I saw just about every movie in the theaters, but now most of the movies I see are ones I can watch with my kids. So can I say Star Wars: Skeleton Crew as my answer, even though it’s a series? I’m a Star Wars nerd, and it was the first Star Wars my kids ever saw. It was so nice to have a series we could sit down to watch together…and, I’m thrilled to report, they loved it. And while I’m already breaking the rules, I have to add Andor to this list. I’m currently watching season two. It’s an incredible piece of art…and I’m obsessed with Denise Gough as Dedra Meero.
If your life was a TV series, which celebrity would you want to narrate it?
Kate Winslet or Gillian Anderson, if they don't mind doing a Canadian accent! They’re both so strong and wise and have grown so much throughout their careers. They have the vibe I aspire to. I’d love to have a powerful woman like that narrating my story.
If we were to visit you right now, what are some places you would take us to see?
I live in the Okanagan Valley in BC, Canada, one of the most beautiful places in the world, and right now in late spring it’s all lush and bright green, flowers and trees blooming everywhere. I’d take you to Arrowleaf Cellars, a winery with the most stunning view of vineyards overlooking Okanagan Lake. A carafe of an aromatic white with a box of their handmade cream puffs… absolute heaven. We could do a whole wine tour of the area while we’re at it and cap it off with a delicious regional dinner on a patio while the sun sets over the mountains.
Thanks to Jennifer for chatting with us and to St. Martin's Press for sharing her book with our readers.
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Giveaway ends June 3rd at midnight EST.
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8 comments:
I have no idea what is playing.
I would like to see Grease on Broadway.
Just In Time starring Jonathan Goff
I am DYING to see Hamilton. But I'd also love to see Book of Mormon or Gatsby. Heck...I want to see them all!!!
Sorry...didn't mean to originally post as Anonymous. I am DYING to see Hamilton. But I'd also love to see Book of Mormon or Gatsby. Heck...I want to see them all!!!
Six
The Lion King
Chicago
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