Such A Dance

Title: Such A Dance
Author: Kate McMurray
Publisher: LYRICAL PRESS Kensington Publishing Corp.
Release Date: October 27, 2015
Genre(s): Historical, Romance
Page Count:
Reviewed by: Alissa
Heat Level: 4 flames out of 5
Rating: 4 stars out of 5
Blurb:

When a vaudeville dancer meets a sexy mobster in a speakeasy for men, the sparks fly, the gin flows, the jazz sizzles—and the heat is on…

New York City, 1927.

Eddie Cotton is a talented song-and-dance man with a sassy sidekick, a crowd-pleasing act, and a promising future on Broadway. What he doesn’t have is someone to love. Being gay in an era of prohibition and police raids, Eddie doesn’t have many opportunities to meet men like himself—until he discovers a hot new jazz club for gentlemen of a certain bent…and sets eyes on the most seductive, and dangerous, man he’s ever seen.

Lane Carillo is a handsome young Sicilian who looks like Valentino—and works for the Mob. He’s never hidden his sexuality from his boss, which is why he was chosen to run a private night club for men. When Lane spots Eddie at the bar, it’s lust at first sight. Soon, the unlikely pair are falling hard and fast—in love. But when their whirlwind romance starts raising eyebrows all across town, Lane and Eddie have to decide if their relationship is doomed…or something special worth fighting for.

Smart. Sexy. Dangerous.

Eddie Cotton, a popular dancer at the James Theater, begins an affair with local mobster, Lane Carillo, who runs a speakeasy for men with certain proclivities. They are each taking risks not only with their livelihoods but with their hearts when they come together. Because to be found out could mean having their relationship used against them and everything they’ve worked so hard for taken.

Although this is a historical set during one of the most amazing time periods in US History, don’t let that scare you away from this enjoyable book. Yes, the jazz age is the setting for this story but it does not overpower the romance of Eddie and Lane. The time period is almost like a secondary character: NYC in the late 1920’s (before the stock market crash) is a living, breathing thing. The author does a splendid job of making you feel like you are there giving the reader enough references to ground them: Times Square, Harlem, Charles Lindbergh, prohibition, the mob and many others.

The pacing of the story is very even and steady. The reader won’t feel like they’re just along for the ride while the story forges on. The chemistry between the main characters can be described as sizzling. There are one or two fade to black scenes but don’t worry … there are plenty of fanning-self-hot sex scenes worthy of attention but not so numerous for the reader to become bored. The storyline was original. I’ve never read anything like this. Ms. McMurray gives each chapter a theme by using a title from a song of the era. This makes for a very smart and entertaining book.

The secondary cast was exceptional. They were interesting and multifaceted: the members of the mafia, the NYC police force, members of the theater and most especially prostitutes Julian and Frank who I wanted to know more about. Could there be a sequel? Let’s hope so. The main characters were well written especially Lane. There were many times while reading I was questioning him. “He’s a mobster? He’s too soft.” But then I would remember as the reader, only I knew what he was really feeling and thinking. To those around him he was a tough “gun”. But to me, to Eddie and a few chosen others … he could let his guard down. Show his compassionate side. The reader realizes that this complex man has fears and dreams. And a past he has trouble escaping.

“Each night spent with Eddie was like an ice pick to Lane’s frozen heart, to that part of himself he’d let go numb after Scott’s death. One has to be numb to pull the trigger, to end the life of a fellow human.”

Eddie, on the other hand, at times left me wanting. It was only with Lane, when he was being true to himself, that his character shined.

“Your heart doesn’t lie”.

No, it doesn’t. Each man had to decide if this “thing” they had between them was worthy of the possible consequences. Luckily for the reader the answer is yes but they do not arrive as that decision easily.

I recommend this book, not only to historical junkies like myself but to anyone who loves “lust at first sight” slowly turned into love. Lane and Eddie are the main show but the time period is an added bonus almost like an encore. It only makes this story more memorable.

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