Dancing Shoes and Honky-Tonk Blues (Signet Eclipse) [Paperback]

LuAnn McLane (Author)

Book Description

Series: Signet Eclipse | Publication Date: May 1, 2007

Now LuAnn McLane follows her surprise hit with Dancing Shoes and Honky-Tonk Blues. Despite her two left feet, waitress Abilene Harper joins a reality TV dance competition and cha-chas and rumbas her way into the heart of the TV audience-and into the arms of her sexy dance instructor.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Abilene thinks it a mean joke when her brother signs her up as a contestant for a new reality show called Dancing with the Rednecks until she hears about the $50,000 grand prize. That kind of money would really help her Kentucky family out. Why, there might even be a little left over to finance her own dream, not that she minds waitressing. Tall and gangly, Abliene has two big left feet, and she's more than a bit intimidated by her tall, dark, and brooding celebrity dance partner. Rio Martin isn't happy about being involved in a spoof. He was hoping his appearance would be good publicity for his chain of dance studios. So the two do not get off on a good foot, but Rio is not immune to the leggy blonde who is too naive to realize she's a beauty. It's her spunky, down-home personality, though, that wins him, and the reader, over in McLane's comical and poignant modern-day rags-to-riches romance. Maria Hatton
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Product Details

• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Signet (May 1, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0451221036
• ISBN-13: 978-0451221032
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.2 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #960,615 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

LuAnn McLane writes southern bent romantic comedy for NAL and is currently penning her third novel in her Cricket Creek book series. Her books have appeared on best selling lists including Barnes and Noble, Rhapsody and Doubleday Book clubs. She recently collaborated with country superstar Wynonna Judd with Restless Heart. She lives in Florence, Kentucky and when she isn't writing... she enjoys family, friends, cooking, reading, music, travel and University of Kentucky basketball.
www.LuAnnMcLane.com

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars You will love this book., May 7, 2007

By 

Judy "book reader" (Cincinnati, ohio United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Dancing Shoes and Honky-Tonk Blues (Signet Eclipse) (Paperback)

Dancing Shoes and Honky Tonk Blues by LuAnn McLane is one the funniest and sexiest books of the year.

Abilene Harper has been content with her quite and somewhat boring life in small town Misty Creek, KY. When a reality shoe Dancing with the Rednecks comes to town she is shocked to find out that her younger brother has signed her up as a contestant. Abby is reluctant to compete but the prize money has her changing her mind. This money could really change her family's way of life for the better.

Abby's first look at her dance partner sends her blood pumping. There is nothing like smoldering Rio Martin in Misty Creek. Rio is not happy to have been tricked into this joke of a dance competition. But Abby's verve and sheer will have him thinking they have a shot at winning.

These two polar opposites send sparks on and off the dance floor. Every time one or the other tries to be business only their passions take over.

Dancing Shoes and Honky Tonk Blues is my favorite book by LuAnn McLane. The dance sequences and training made me feel like I was right their with the characters. This book is a delightfully funny. You will find yourself laughing out loud at the antics of the contestants and their family and friends. The chemistry between Abby and Rio just burns up the pages, makes you want to find a dance instructor of your own. Kudos.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellence from LuAnn McLane, April 19, 2007

By 

Laurie (OH - USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Dancing Shoes and Honky-Tonk Blues (Signet Eclipse) (Paperback)

When Abilene "Abby" Harper signs on as a contestant on the reality television show, Dancing with the Rednecks, it is mainly for a chance at the $50,000.00 prize. When she is paired with professional ballroom dancer Rio Martin, by far one of the most gorgeous men in the world, the two couldn't be more opposite. Abby lives a simple life, waitressing at her mother's diner, and she would love to be able to help her mother with some much needed renovations, and help her brother get the college education he deserves. Abby and Rio agree that the only heat between them should be on the dance floor, but as they spend several sultry hours together every day, mostly in each other's arms and with neither of them involved with anyone, it's only natural that an attraction would spark and test their resolve.
Rio Martin isn't happy about being a contestant in the Comedy Channel's dancing spoof, but after he meets Abby and sees her enthusiasm, he is determined to win. Rio takes his dancing very seriously, and will accept nothing less from Abby than her absolute best. Having been burned by another dancer, he is especially wary of getting involved with anyone and has resisted that temptation. Abby Harper, however, is a cool drink of water whose southern hospitality is just a little too tempting for Rio to resist.
Abby and Rio are polar opposites, but share an intense passion as well as the utmost respect for one another, which seems to make their differences insignificant. Abby's stubborn determination is matched by Rio's willingness to work hard in order to win this competition. This latest offering from LuAnn McLane is written in first person; her second book in this style, and is excellently written. I am highly impressed with Abby and Rio's story, and I know that readers will settle into this book very comfortably, feeling as if Abby is telling you her story. I swear that I could hear Abby's southern accent and Rio's sexy, smooth accent! Don't miss DANCING SHOES AND HONKY TONK BLUES, it is great fun and I can confidently guarantee that you'll love it.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars fun small town drama, May 2, 2007

By 

Harriet Klausner - See all my reviews
(#1 Hall OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Dancing Shoes and Honky-Tonk Blues (Signet Eclipse) (Paperback)

Reality TV arrives in rural Misty Creek, Kentucky when a ballroom dancing contest is planned. However, most of the contestants signing on take the contest seriously, but the show's sponsors are lampooning the locals as redneck hillbillies who would not know what a ballroom looked like let alone be able to perform one the dances.

Local waitress Abby Harper was going to pass as she had no doubt that she and any other "yokel" was meant to be ridiculed. However, when she learns $50,000 is the winner's prize, she signs on although her natural reticence and two left feet make her feel more like performing clown than a dancer. Her partner is Mexico City ballroom dancing champion Rio Martin. As they rehearse, an attraction ignites even as both are irate that the hosts plan this as a big joke. Led by Rio and Abby, every dancer vows to prove that the hicks can dance with the best city slickers.

This is a fun small town drama starring a delightful seemingly opposites lead couple and an eccentric but likable support cast. The romance flows mostly on the dance floor as Rio is determined to turn Abby into the darling of the cha-cha crowd. Fans will enjoy dancing step by step with this pair and the other contestants especially since the ballroom dance is the most developed "character" with the cast being predominantly two-step deep.

Harriet Klausner