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Dancing with Mistletoe: A Holiday Story
When it comes to Christmas presents, it’s not the size that matters . . .
A sparkling, entertaining story that will leave you laughing and in the holiday mood.
It’s December 21st, 1981 in New York City, and the holidays are approaching fast. But up-and-coming book editor Julia Nash isn’t too busy to notice that her boyfriend has only put one small gift under the tree. At least Jack has an excuse: as the lead guitarist of a famous British rock band, he is deep into rehearsals for their upcoming tour. But Julia was hoping for something a little more meaningful than the pair of mittens she can’t resist taking a peek at.
Julia tries to ignore her friends egging her on about what Jack might have planned. But even with the distractions of a demanding boss, a steamy snowball fight, a baking flop involving rum balls, and a blizzard that shuts down the entire city, the question still torments her: Is a pair of gloves—the kind of thing you’d give to a friend—the only gift Jack is giving her? And if so, what does that say about their relationship?
Brimming with laughter and an enticing dash of romantic spice, with vivid characters that reviewers have called “engaging” and “irresistible”, Dancing with Mistletoe puts you in the mood to kiss someone you love under a sprig of green.
Also included is a sneak peek at Keep Dancing, the hilarious and captivating new novel about Jack and Julia, to be published in Spring 2015.
A sparkling, entertaining story that will leave you laughing and in the holiday mood.
It’s December 21st, 1981 in New York City, and the holidays are approaching fast. But up-and-coming book editor Julia Nash isn’t too busy to notice that her boyfriend has only put one small gift under the tree. At least Jack has an excuse: as the lead guitarist of a famous British rock band, he is deep into rehearsals for their upcoming tour. But Julia was hoping for something a little more meaningful than the pair of mittens she can’t resist taking a peek at.
Julia tries to ignore her friends egging her on about what Jack might have planned. But even with the distractions of a demanding boss, a steamy snowball fight, a baking flop involving rum balls, and a blizzard that shuts down the entire city, the question still torments her: Is a pair of gloves—the kind of thing you’d give to a friend—the only gift Jack is giving her? And if so, what does that say about their relationship?
Brimming with laughter and an enticing dash of romantic spice, with vivid characters that reviewers have called “engaging” and “irresistible”, Dancing with Mistletoe puts you in the mood to kiss someone you love under a sprig of green.
Also included is a sneak peek at Keep Dancing, the hilarious and captivating new novel about Jack and Julia, to be published in Spring 2015.
58 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 5, 2014
4 people are currently reading
58 people want to read
About the author
Leslie Wells
4 books28 followersLeslie Wells has edited forty-eight New York Times bestsellers in her over thirty-year career, including thirteen number one New York Times bestsellers. She has worked with numerous internationally known authors, musicians, actors, actresses, television and radio personalities, athletes, and coaches. She lives on Long Island, New York.
More about me:
Growing up in my small town in Virginia, I always had my nose stuck in a book. I devoured everything on my parents’ bookshelves and pillaged our local library. In college, I double majored in English and Music (classical, piano). When I was a senior, my advisor suggested I apply to graduate school in New York City, and then afterwards, maybe I could think about going into book publishing.
Publishing! The minute he said that, it was as if a light bulb exploded over my head. My Master’s at Columbia only took a year, and then I landed my first job as an editorial assistant. The hours were long, you had to do all the editing on nights and weekends, and the pay was abysmal—but I was getting paid to read! Eventually I became a Senior Editor, and later, an Executive Editor. I worked at three publishing houses over two decades, after which I started my own business. Editing is my day job, and I still love it.
I began writing Come Dancing in 2009, on the thirtieth anniversary of my arrival in Manhattan. I wanted to describe what it was like in the years 1979-1981, when the city was still rough along the edges. And when nightclubs like the Palladium, the Roxy, Danceteria, and the Mudd Club attracted a huge mix of people from many different strata of society.
Back then, you could go out dancing and run into just about anyone: actors, politicians, rock musicians. Celebrities weren’t surrounded by bodyguards; the assumption was that if you were allowed into a club, you were cool. No one was going to harass anybody; after all, this was downtown. And there were no cell phones back then. People didn’t walk around with a camera in their pockets 24/7—so if you were famous, you didn’t have to worry about being photographed every time you turned around. That made for a much more open atmosphere, where regular people rubbed shoulders with the glitterati as everyone cut loose on the dance floor.
I also wanted to write about book publishing before the advent of e-readers and computers, when we were all lugging home 400-page manuscripts every night. As with the music biz, the changes have been seismic. Over the years, many people have asked me what editorial meetings are really like—so I’ve included some of those in my novel.
I hope you’ll enjoy Come Dancing!
Thank you,
Leslie
More about me:
Growing up in my small town in Virginia, I always had my nose stuck in a book. I devoured everything on my parents’ bookshelves and pillaged our local library. In college, I double majored in English and Music (classical, piano). When I was a senior, my advisor suggested I apply to graduate school in New York City, and then afterwards, maybe I could think about going into book publishing.
Publishing! The minute he said that, it was as if a light bulb exploded over my head. My Master’s at Columbia only took a year, and then I landed my first job as an editorial assistant. The hours were long, you had to do all the editing on nights and weekends, and the pay was abysmal—but I was getting paid to read! Eventually I became a Senior Editor, and later, an Executive Editor. I worked at three publishing houses over two decades, after which I started my own business. Editing is my day job, and I still love it.
I began writing Come Dancing in 2009, on the thirtieth anniversary of my arrival in Manhattan. I wanted to describe what it was like in the years 1979-1981, when the city was still rough along the edges. And when nightclubs like the Palladium, the Roxy, Danceteria, and the Mudd Club attracted a huge mix of people from many different strata of society.
Back then, you could go out dancing and run into just about anyone: actors, politicians, rock musicians. Celebrities weren’t surrounded by bodyguards; the assumption was that if you were allowed into a club, you were cool. No one was going to harass anybody; after all, this was downtown. And there were no cell phones back then. People didn’t walk around with a camera in their pockets 24/7—so if you were famous, you didn’t have to worry about being photographed every time you turned around. That made for a much more open atmosphere, where regular people rubbed shoulders with the glitterati as everyone cut loose on the dance floor.
I also wanted to write about book publishing before the advent of e-readers and computers, when we were all lugging home 400-page manuscripts every night. As with the music biz, the changes have been seismic. Over the years, many people have asked me what editorial meetings are really like—so I’ve included some of those in my novel.
I hope you’ll enjoy Come Dancing!
Thank you,
Leslie
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
December 12, 2014
I'm first going to start off my saying that I took a chance on this book because I am always keen to find new authors and to try to extend my reading range (usually mysteries or crime).
My own preference is to read a book that is hugely gripping and highly compelling. I like grisly crime stories and a myriad of complex sub-plots. Dancing with Mistletoe is not that and the cover and the description are very clear.
I like characters to have many obstacles to overcome but the main character Julia is never really pushed, her life is pretty easy and the only fears she has, like so many women in love, is the fear that the relationship will suddenly be over. Because the plot is simplistic, I couldn't discover new levels. In fact at one point I was really hoping that the love of her life would do something to really shake their relationship.
It's well-written however, the story flows and it made me smile. I liked the naughty innuendos and I do think although it's a very short book, it will please a great many readers who like a nice easy to read modern love story. I believe Leslie Wells is a popular author and I can understand why, this is a feel good book and I can imagine the author achieved what she set out to do. Some readers will absolutely love it.
If you have an hour spare and want a short,sweet and mildly spicy book which makes you feel all is well with the world, then this may be for you. If you prefer books that are a little more gritty, then look elsewhere.
My own preference is to read a book that is hugely gripping and highly compelling. I like grisly crime stories and a myriad of complex sub-plots. Dancing with Mistletoe is not that and the cover and the description are very clear.
I like characters to have many obstacles to overcome but the main character Julia is never really pushed, her life is pretty easy and the only fears she has, like so many women in love, is the fear that the relationship will suddenly be over. Because the plot is simplistic, I couldn't discover new levels. In fact at one point I was really hoping that the love of her life would do something to really shake their relationship.
It's well-written however, the story flows and it made me smile. I liked the naughty innuendos and I do think although it's a very short book, it will please a great many readers who like a nice easy to read modern love story. I believe Leslie Wells is a popular author and I can understand why, this is a feel good book and I can imagine the author achieved what she set out to do. Some readers will absolutely love it.
If you have an hour spare and want a short,sweet and mildly spicy book which makes you feel all is well with the world, then this may be for you. If you prefer books that are a little more gritty, then look elsewhere.
July 22, 2015
What a cute little novella. Vicky and Julia talking about the Christmas presents are hilarious. And the way Julia describes Jack is so sweet. It's obvious how much they love each other. This was the perfect holiday read. It reminds me why I love Christmas so much: opening presents, making cookies, snowball fights, snow angels, friends, family, love, thoughtfulness, and Christmas spirit.
Favorite quotes:
"Quietly I padded over to the edge of the mattress and gazed at his handsome face framed by disheveled hair. His cheeks were stubbed by morning shadow; he often have to shave twice a day. A thick strand of hair fell over his eye. Carefully I moved it out of his face."
"'Hey!' I whirled around. Jack was grinning, forming another snowball in his hands. Quickly I leaned down and shaped one of my own, the cold shocking my fingers in the places where my mittens had frayed. As I stood up, another ball hit my butt."
"I could spend the whole night like this, I thought, resting my face against his chest as we swayed to the luscious melody."
Favorite quotes:
"Quietly I padded over to the edge of the mattress and gazed at his handsome face framed by disheveled hair. His cheeks were stubbed by morning shadow; he often have to shave twice a day. A thick strand of hair fell over his eye. Carefully I moved it out of his face."
"'Hey!' I whirled around. Jack was grinning, forming another snowball in his hands. Quickly I leaned down and shaped one of my own, the cold shocking my fingers in the places where my mittens had frayed. As I stood up, another ball hit my butt."
"I could spend the whole night like this, I thought, resting my face against his chest as we swayed to the luscious melody."
December 12, 2014
What do you get a British rockstar for Christmas? What does
he get you?
This quick read entertaining story will answer your questions.
This story is definitely a good holiday read. The author gives us
romance with a touch of humor.
Very entertaining!!
he get you?
This quick read entertaining story will answer your questions.
This story is definitely a good holiday read. The author gives us
romance with a touch of humor.
Very entertaining!!
August 19, 2024
8/18/24: Re-read. Cute Christmas novella - but nothing special.
December 14, 2014
apparently I failed to realize that this was a christmas supplement to a novel called Come Dancing. unfortunately, I realized that only at the end of this story.
the whole time I just kept thinking: what am I missing? why am I just reading about this woman counting down to christmas and just flying by the interesting stuff?
well, that's because all of those nice details and emotions were probably already covered in the full novel.
I think I would have liked this if I read it in order, after Come Dancing. as that was not my case, this was only "ok" for me.
this was also not enticing enough to make me want to pick up Come Dancing to journey into Julia & Jack's full story.
the whole time I just kept thinking: what am I missing? why am I just reading about this woman counting down to christmas and just flying by the interesting stuff?
well, that's because all of those nice details and emotions were probably already covered in the full novel.
I think I would have liked this if I read it in order, after Come Dancing. as that was not my case, this was only "ok" for me.
this was also not enticing enough to make me want to pick up Come Dancing to journey into Julia & Jack's full story.
January 28, 2016
I went into this not knowing that it was in a series of sorts. However, I thought it read well as a standalone. This is the story of Julia who fell in love with a famous musician Jack and her life as it has turned upside down but for the good. We have these thoughts of famous musicians who are reckless and cheaters, but I loved how Jack is the exception to the rule. This is a true love story of a girl who simply fell in love with someone who truly loves her back. I also loved that it was set in the 80’s plus I love the other characters in the book. Although this is a series I didn’t feel like I was missing anything but I do want to go back and read the series.
December 12, 2014
Lovely tale of rock star and average Joe
This story was quite slow at first, starting off with a get together and two women gossiping over presents one should or shouldn't get. It then takes on a life of its own as a quick read for a snow day. Great sentence structure tires and a multitude of great rarely used words. Well written and sweetly finished. Only downside is this book wasn't descriptive in any sense besides talking sensual about the men.
This story was quite slow at first, starting off with a get together and two women gossiping over presents one should or shouldn't get. It then takes on a life of its own as a quick read for a snow day. Great sentence structure tires and a multitude of great rarely used words. Well written and sweetly finished. Only downside is this book wasn't descriptive in any sense besides talking sensual about the men.
November 30, 2014
I read Dancing with Mistletoe in less than an hour but the fact that I didn't notice the time passing surprised me, as did this neat little story about a young woman and her rocker boyfriend. It drew me in and kept me there. Good writing is a gift and Leslie Wells is a gifted storyteller. This is what reading is all about - losing yourself in another time and place. Good holiday story.
December 2, 2014
A short sweet Christmas story about a young woman and her gorgeous British rockstar boyfriend. I don't want to give anything away so I'll just say if you're looking for a quick read to put you in the holiday spirit then this would be a great book to read.
December 16, 2014
What's under the tree?
Really cute, I loved the simplicity of the story and it felt so real. The story is written as if the writer had lived this. Cute but a little sexy, short but not too short. You will really enjoy this.
Really cute, I loved the simplicity of the story and it felt so real. The story is written as if the writer had lived this. Cute but a little sexy, short but not too short. You will really enjoy this.
April 5, 2015
Dancing with Mistletoe is a sweet little Novella that fills a week between the end of Come Dancing and the start of Keep Dancing. If you are reading the series, don’t miss it and if possible read between the two. Christmas in NY is magical (especially with Jack Kipling).
November 13, 2014
it will only take a brief little while to read but its quite sweet and will get you in Christmas spirit in a chick lit minute.
November 28, 2014
A cute seasonal story.
The three stars is because I don't really enjoy short stories, not a reflection of the writing.
The three stars is because I don't really enjoy short stories, not a reflection of the writing.
December 23, 2014
A short piece of a novel "Come Dancing". Cute but hard to get into since I didn't know the back story that well.
December 16, 2014
Adorable!
August 27, 2016
Short but fun little novella.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews