Elizabeth wants to work and dance in 1920s New York City. Will she avoid the trap of marriage and live the independent life she dreams of?
She loves dancing but the
city’s harridans and preachers want promiscuous dancing, wild jazz, and skimpy
dresses ended and send the police often.
In 1920s New York City, while
working at the public library, Elizabeth befriends co-worker James, to whom she
introduces the delight of dancing. James imagines a traditional future, while she
dreams of dancing and living on her own.
After a violent altercation
with her mother, Elizabeth flees to her grandmother. There, she meets George, a
piano player, and embarks on a tumultuous flirtation. Caught in the crosshairs
of society’s narrow expectations, will Elizabeth chase her dreams—or will her
own heart conspire against her?
Our Review: For any author that first book is a momentous
undertaking. Describing life in a previous century, showing the mores and
customs of the day, then including the dreams of a forward-thinking young woman
and how she goes about achieving those dreams makes it a bigger challenge. Elizabeth
Alter could have been my grandmothers, my great aunts, or their peers. It’s
important we do not forget what strides those women made so that we have
options available to us and our daughters and granddaughters in the present. We
see big things in store for J. J. Ranson.
On a scale of 1-5, She Danced Anyway deserves a 4.
Kat Henry Doran, Wild Women Reviews
An entertaining interview on www.WildWomenAuthorsx2.blogspot.com, Kat, Veronica and Julie, and now the intriguing review above that will stimulate readers’ interest in J.J. Ranson’s novel, ‘She Danced Anyway’. Best wishes for your novel, Julie.
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