Swing

by Lindsey Renee Backen

Orphaned and the only caretaker for his crippled brother, Trey Cunningham works at the local soda shop after school. Though he’s the best dancer in town, a delayed growth spurt and the local bullies obliterate all chances of finding a girlfriend. When another orphan arrives in Graceland, she seems the perfect partner—if she was allowed to dance. But the girl of his dreams hides secrets far more dangerous than forbidden dance lessons.

204 pages, Paperback

First published March 30, 2015

About the author

I believe hope is the strongest thread that unites us from where we are in life to where our created potential can be. While fulfilling dreams and reaching goals requires additional traits, the starting point is always a spark of hope that you can actually do it. Hope gives people the courage to pick up a pen, move across the country, start a new career, or even survive captivity, war, and the everyday stresses of life. Creating that spark of hope is what I love to do.

My books cross genres and themes: like life, their stories weave threads of the best and worst of moments, triumphs, and traumas. My fiction is deeply character-driven, centered around the inner worlds of the characters as they face outer challenges, confront their own flaws, and make sense of their worlds. In my books, you will find the innocence of first love, the trauma of war and family abuse, the struggle to break free of molds and expectations, and the complexity of family relationships. Not every character will get a fairytale ending, but read on, Friend. I believe that every story, whether my fiction or your life, can emerge from the darkest of places end in hope.

Love, Lindsey

Reviews

[A.J. Vanderhorst · Rating 5 out of 5]

Endearing, well-drawn characters (Lila is the best) that you want to root for in a poignant throwback setting. Expert pacing that kept me turning pages (read it in a day). A satisfying ending that was at the same time believable. Well done!

[Jami · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lile and Trey. Trey and Lila. They sounded good together, like a dance team.

Swing takes us to a teensy town shortly after WWII where the best dancer in town happens to be shorter than any of the girls. Poor Trey is an orphan, a wallflower, and the brunt of every bully's jokes. Not only that, but his older brother is an absolute mess.

Until Lila comes to town and tugs Trey toward the wild side (and he yoinks her to the straight and narrow) while uncovering secrets everyone thought were safely buried.

It's not up to us to question why one person dies and another lives. You lived. Don't waste your life wondering why.

[Nathan Wagner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed every page. Fun to read. Characters were well developed. Thanks for a wonderful book Linsdey Backen! Look forward to many books more from you.