Ooh La La

by Doreen Alsen

Aspiring choreographer and dance teacher, Simon West is walking along the hall in the college where he teaches when he gets knocked over by klutzy, two left feet, accounting professor Veronica Cooke. Simon wants to get to know the beautiful woman who ran him down, but how will she react when she finds out his alter-ego is a super sexy cowboy at an upscale exotic dancing male revue and that he makes ends meet by taking off his clothes?

Genres: Romance, Novella

73 pages, ebook

Published February 8, 2016

About the author

Doreen Alsen wears many hats when it comes down to what she does every day. She teaches people how to sing, she conducts assorted choirs, she teaches water aerobics, but mostly she likes to write!

She graduated from Ithaca College in 1985 with a master of music degree in vocal performance. She teaches singing and musical theater at The Community School of Music and Arts in Ithaca, NY.

Her best friend and writing buddy is a miniature pinscher named Jackson and he gives her all her best ideas, ‘natch.

She’s been married for a long time to Mr. Doreen, and has two grown daughters, the Doreen-ettes.

Multi-published, her romantic comedy series, At the End Zone, including Mike’s Best Bet, What Ian Wants, Charming Dave, and Working My Way Back to You are available now at Amazon.com and thewildrosepress.com, and for Nook. A Taste of Hope, book 4 in At The End Zone is available April 8.

Working My Way Back to You is also part of the Wild Rose Press' Lobster Cove multi-author series. Doreen is currently hard at work on Worth a Thousand Words, another Lobster Cove book.

She is a long time member of STAR and is the Vice-President of the Central New York Romance Writers. Check her out at www.doreenalsen.com.

Reviews

[MDWolf · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5stars!

You need to know two fact about this book:
-It is a short story
-WE HAVE A STRIPPER!!!



''A blonde man in a cowboy hat, a mask made of a bandana over the lower half of his face, and long duster, strode onto the stage. He tipped his hat so his face was in shadow and looked down on his feet. Without warning, the man tipped his hat back and shrugged out of his floor length duster, revealing an amazing set of abs and a set of shoulders that could only have ben carved in marble.''


That is right girls, we have one really sexy cowbay stripper with a Texas accent . Mmmmmm

Veronica Cooke is accounting professor, who has two left feet.
Simon West is a dance theacher, who works like a stripper.
They couldn't be more different even if they tried. But that is a love - fu*king unussual thing.

''He wasn't ashamed of being a stripper. He had a great body, which he worked hard to get and maintain, and no shyness about showing it off. At least he got to dance, which was the main thing.''



There is not a lot of characters, witch can be really good for a person, like me, who quickly forgot names.
There are also characters that I didn't like at all. Veronica parents. ''Rich'' parents, if you understand what I mean.

There is quick romance, but before you judge this is one of shorter books. Just 73 pages. There is not time and pages for that ''slow'' romance.

She looped her arms around his neck, went up on tiptoes and kissed him, desperate for taste of him.



Only thing that I didn't like in this book is that we don't get more of Simon stripper dance.


ARC kindly provided via NetGalley for the exchange of an honest review.

P.S. OMG, I just saw that my all review I wrote stripper and not exotic dancer. I hope that there isn't anyone insulted.

[Carrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Veronica Cooke runs into Simon West actually knocking him to the ground she finds him later to apologize. Simon is immediately taken by Veronica and asks her to coffee. Veronica isn't sure but Simon reminds her an awfully lot of a "cowboy" male dancer she had seen at the club her friends had taken her to. The pair hit it off over coffee and make other plans for an upcoming event but Veronica's overbearing parents just may cause the end of what seemed to be a promising relationship.

Another great title from the Candy Hearts Romance collection. A rather cute couple, Veronica is a bit on the mousy side but seems to come into her own in the story and Simon makes a rather sexy male with his side job of stripping. After a few chance encounters the two are given a chance at romance right at Valentine's Day. Nice of the author also to add an epilogue into this one to give us one more look at this lovely couple. Definitely another quick read I'd recommend checking out to the romance fans.

I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.wordpress....

[Heidi Kneale · Rating 5 out of 5]

First I must say that the cover of this book cracks me up. I *had* to read this one!

I'm happy to say I was not disappointed at all. I found this a well-balanced story with a satisfying plot.

Simon West loves to dance--so much so, he'll do anything if it means he can dance, even take a job at a strip joint. (The money doesn't hurt either.) However, Simon's got his big dreams as well. He wants to be a choreographer at a prestigeous ballet company. I like his drive and his willingness to do what it takes to achieve his dreams.

Veronica Cooke is an accounting professor with two left feet. One of the Boston Brahmin, she's been driven her whole life by her parents to be what she's expected to be, do what's expected of her and even marry as is expected.

The interplay with the two characters as they follow their hearts is delightful. Simon's used to working hard to achieve his dreams, even if they get derailed from time to time. Veronica learns how to break free from the bonds of hard work in the wrong direction. I love her courage, but also that she's wise enough to know that sheer, blind defiance is not the way to go. She's caught between two worlds, but is clever enough to figure out how to make them both work harmoniously. I found it interesting how Veronica was able to take the class system she was raised in and play it against itself.

This is a beautiful retelling of a meritocratic The Beggar Princess.

[Laura Strickland · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this great, little story from word one. Veronica Cooke, accountant and math professor, isn’t the type of woman to attend a male strip club. But when her friends drag her there one night, a golden-haired, blue-eyed and utterly buff cowboy catches her eye. Can it be possible he’s the same man she literally bowls over the next day on campus? Or that he could be as attracted to her as she is to him?
Simon West is moonlighting at the strip club only till he can land his dream job. Days, he teaches dance at the same university where Veronica works. Wanting desperately to get close to her, he offers to teach the klutzy beauty to dance, after accepting her invitation to a high-society Valentine’s Day do. But not everyone in Veronica’s life is happy about what her association with a male stripper might do to the family prestige …
Persuasive, skillful writing really made this story for me and got me pulling for the hero and heroine. Do yourself a favor and give this one a read!

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

What do you get when you mix a klutzy, boring accounting professor and an exciting choreographer in a romantic mashup? You get a fun read by author Doreen Alsen.

Veronica Cooke is the picture of a staid educator. She even teaches quite possible one of the most boring subjects. Simon West, on the other hand, exudes creativity and determination. He’s willing to do whatever necessary to realize his dream...even if it means taking his clothes off at a local male strip club.

Can two such opposites attract? Of course they can ... as soon as they side-step some family interference.

This is a short, quick read with lots of chuckles.

[Flower · Rating 2 out of 5]

From the cover and blurb, I was expecting a cute and fun high heat romance. Not one where none of the characters act or sound like adults and the story is a scattered mess. Yes, the main character is a stripper. We, and the heroine, see this once. He never does a routine for her, they never have a real discussion about it, and by the end of the book, it just doesn't exist anymore. The heroine is supposed to be a straight-laced accountant and university instructor. She apparently has asthma, but that's never brought up beside one time when she uses an inhaler (and not correctly). In fact, I am nearly 100% sure this is barely disguised Buffy The Vampire Slayer fanfiction. There are lines verbatim from the show. And some of the Hero's actions and descriptions would be incredibly familiar to anyone that's read fic with that character. The structure of the book leaves a lot to be desired. There's a deuse ex machina conclusion, and somehow the main characters have a chance to speak banal dialogue at two different sit-down places (including a campus coffee shop that makes me wonder if this author has ever been to a coffee shop before) but it's mostly a G rated story up to the last minute. I also spotted quite a few editing and grammar mistakes that shouldn't be in a traditionally published story. All in all, not worth your time or money.

[patrick Lorelli · Rating 4 out of 5]

Simon West wants to be a professional dance chirographer for a dance company. Instead he works part-time as a dance instructor at a local university and also at a male strip club as a dancer. Veronica Cooke is a math whiz, an account, and teaches at the same university as a math professor. This night she is at the club with three of her friends who are trying to get her to loosen up and have some fun. She is really not having a good time until a new dancer takes the stage and the way he dances, and his blue eyes lock onto hers and she feels a connection. But she knows that cannot be true, not her things like that does not happen to her. The next day she is thinking about the blue eyed cowboy when plow she walks into Simon. Upon helping her up she starts to stutter because he reminders her of the man from the night before. He wore a mask, but those eyes she would know. He is also taken with her and then later that afternoon she shows up in the dance hall to apologize once again. This starts them going out to dinner, and her asking him to teach her to dance for ball that she must attended. Their romance is heating up when her mother finds out and along with her father who is running for Governor tells her to end it with the stripper or they will get him fired and then make sure he can’t get a job anywhere. For the first time in his life he does not care he loves her and tells her, and now it is up to her to stand up to her parents, for the man she loves and truly loves her and sees her beyond the numbers. What does she do? Read the book. It is a short story but full of action. A good book. I got this book from netgalley. I gave this book 4 stars. Follow us at www.1rad-readerreviews.com

[Judy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Reviewed on Musings and Ramblings.

I had to do a massive double take when I saw the cover on this book. I mean come on, just look at it! Ooh la la indeed. The title is perfect for that cover. After reading the blurb, I knew that I was going to have to check this book out.

All too often, it's the female character who is the one who is down on her luck, working as an exotic dancer or stripper. It was nice to see the tables turned for once. Of course, it doesn't hurt that we all know we are going to be imagining Channing Tatum/Matt Bomer/Joe Manganiello/Matthew McConaughey (pick your favorite) in this story... whether you have seen the Magic Mike movies or not, we have all seen the trailers. (you know the ones I'm talking about). And when the book opened on a scene in a club, my imagination ran wild. But honestly, that was the extent of our interaction with Sexy Simon. Though there was a scene or two that brought to mind Patrick Swayze teaching Jennifer Gray as Baby, how to dance.

The relationship between Simon and Veronica felt a bit rushed to me. I would have liked to have them spend more time together. I was also a bit disappointed in Veronica's lack of gumption regarding the obstacles to their relationship. It took an outside source to help bring them back together. Overall, I started out excited, but finished the book feeling a bit let down. So 2 stars for an okay read.

Thanks to Netgalley and Wild Rose Press for the opportunity to read and review the book.

[Paula Phillips · Rating 3 out of 5]

Accounting teacher Veronica Cooke, is the type of buttoned up girl you would expect as an accountant but underneath all that she is a bit of a klutz and every now and again she likes to let her hair down with her friends. One night a group of her friends takes her to a new club with male dancers and one of them dressed as a Cowboy captures Veronica's eye and soon he becomes her fantasy in bed . By day though the cowboy is a dance teacher at the same college that Veronica works at and soon the pair run into each other and start a little date etc over coffee. Veronica thinks he's her cowboy but of course shy Veronica is nervous to ask. What will happen when truths are revealed and more so when it turns out Veronica's family is well-off and her mother does a background on Simon and his extra-curricular activities comes to light ? Will this be the push Veronica needs to A) stand up to her parents and B) take control of her love life this Valentine's Day and getting down and dirty with her fantasy cowboy ?
Find out in this quick and cutesy Candy Hearts Romance Valentine's Novella.

[Katie O'Sullivan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Veronica has a button-downed life as an accountant and teacher at a local college, but when her friends drag her to a strip club, she starts fantasizing about a certain cowboy. Simon West also teaches dance at the college, but he also tends bar and dances in the all-male revue to pay the bills until he can land his dream job as choreographer to the local ballet. When the pair literally run into each other on campus, Veronica is pretty sure she's met her cowboy in the flesh, but isn't quite sure what she wants to do with him. Simon, on the other hand, has an idea or two.

While not as fast a read as many of the other books in this series, it had a unique premise and an interesting dynamic between characters. I kept feeling like the author was introducing too many characters and doing a little too much specific world building, unless she plans to expand this into a series. 4 candy hearts for this hunky cowboy stripper.

[April Hollingworth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review Courtesy of April Hollingworth

Okay so Simon is seriously hot, sweet, sexy and totally adorable. Yep the perfect guy, who happens to strip to make ends meet. He's a talented dancer who's goal is to become a top choreographer. Then you have klutzy Veronica Cooke, who has two left feet and a heart of gold. These two are made for each other. I loved this story so much.

The Review:

Aspiring choreographer and dance teacher, Simon West is walking along the hall in the college where he teaches when he gets knocked over by klutzy, two left feet, accounting professor Veronica Cooke. Simon wants to get to know the beautiful woman who ran him down, but how will she react when she finds out his alter-ego is a super sexy cowboy at an upscale exotic dancing male revue and that he makes ends meet by taking off his clothes?

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Novella!
This is a great novella; this book is part of the A Candy Hearts Romance series by Doreen Alsen. Simon West is an aspiring choreographer and dance teacher. He was walking down the hall at his college where he teaches when he gets knocked over by klutzy, two left feet, accounting Professor Veronica Cooke. Simon wants to get to know her but is worried how she will react when she finds out that he also dances at an upscale exotic dancing male revue. If you are looking for a fun short book, then you need to read this book. I am looking forward to reading the next book in this series.
A Review copy was provided to me in exchange for a fair and honest review. The free book held no determination on my personal review.

[Judy Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

When a klutzy, strait-laced accountant collides with a dance instructor and aspiring choreographer, who moonlights as a male exotic dancer to make money, the attraction and the laughs begin.

Unfortunately, Veronica Cooke’s upper-crust parents are not fond of a man who’s been taking off his clothes. Will Simon be able to teach two-left-feet Veronica to dance? Will the couple be able to circumvent Veronica’s parents and have any chance at finding true love?

This is a delightful read with unlikely characters. You can’t help yourself from cheering them on as the story evolves.

[Elle Markov · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an enjoyable short story about a choreographer Simon West making ends meet by working as a stripper and a well connected, accounting professor Veronica Cook.

The story was fun; you have them meet in the most unconventional of ways and then you see the love grow. Of course with any romance involving a rich / poor dynamic there is always a villain in the form of a disapproving parent, but not to worry love always wins.

Rating 5 out of 5
Read@Book

[Emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very cute, quick story. The hero & heroine are opposites, but they fit well together. He’s a dancer, she has two left feet. She loves numbers, he can’t balance his checkbook. Read this in one sitting. Great for when you have just a little time and want something that will give you a smile.

[Kayden Claremont · Rating 5 out of 5]

Being a fan of the dancing shows on the TV, I loved this book. Doreen Alsen crafted a remarkable love story with a dancer and an accountant. I couldn’t put the book down and devoured it.