Waltzing Adds Zest to Life

by

Spring is here and my heart is dancing along with my feet!

One of the things that always seems to wind up in my stories is dancing. My characters apparently love to dance. Everyone had to work so hard to carve out a life in the 1800s they had little free time. But on occasion, they had dances.

Up until 1814, dancing was confined to the quadrille, cotilion, baroque, and a few others. There was the barest of touching allowed. The fingertips and hand, but only brief touches at that. How in the world they managed to have children was a miracle. But I’m sure when they got in their carriages out of sight things were different. Oh yes, very different.

This was a time when the slightest glimpse of a lady’s ankle was titillating. Yet it’s strange to me that in a lot of pictures of the 1800s, women showed a lot of bosom. Far too much in fact. Kinda weird.

When the waltz came along in 1814, young people were more than ready for it. To dance so close in an “almost” embrace was quite scandalous! My, oh my. The waltz changed the landscape. At last couples could touch more than their hands and it really took off.

It’s a proven fact that I like to two-step and waltz. Sometimes I dance around my apartment just because it makes me feel good.

But back to the subject. In my recent release, Winning Maura’s Heart, I wrote a scene where Calhoun coaxes Maura into his arms. They have no music, only Calhoun humming. But Maura is swept away. Because she is the hangman’s daughter, she’s never been asked to a dance or courted, or even kissed. No man wanted the hangman to look his way.

Calhoun had no such reservations. He didn’t care who her father was. He liked Maura and nothing was going to make him stop. I loved that about him. He found a way to get what he wanted and wouldn’t let anything stop him.

I loved writing their short private dance. Here’s a little excerpt:

Holding her gaze, his dark eyes softening in the dim light, he silently took the pins from her hair. The mass of long tresses cascaded down her back, spilling over his hands like the whisper of a hope. She closed her eyes for a moment, as some strange desire surged through her veins, knocking her off kilter. Before she had time to adjust, he ran his hands through the long strands, murmuring low.

She raised her eyes and stared into his dark orbs that held so much emotion. “Calhoun.”

“Nothing can compare to your loveliness. I mean that. Nothing. You truly take my breath.” He bowed at the waist and extended his hand. “May I have this dance, Miss Maura?”

With his manners and handsome features, he could easily be a charming prince.

Maura’s heart fluttered. “Here? I’ve never danced in my life. Besides, we don’t have any music.”

“I’ll hum a song I know. The dance is simple. Just stand in one spot and sway.”

“Then I have to try.” She fitted her hand in his and placed the other on his shoulder. He didn’t know this fulfilled one of her secret fantasies.

Here with no one to see her make a fool of herself, she took a deep breath and relaxed. He hummed a song with a nice melody and the sound transported her to a ballroom in some castle. She was dancing with one of the most desirable men she’d ever seen.

In his arms, she felt safe and protected. A languid warmth spread through her and she leaned into the cocoon he’d created, resting her head on his shoulder. She swayed back and forth against him, imagining they were in some fancy place.

“See? I knew you could do it,” Calhoun murmured against her temple. “You’re doing fine.”

 

Do you like to dance? Or maybe you once did. Can you remember how it made you feel? Leave a comment to be entered in a drawing for two e-book copies of Winning Maura’s Heart.

Linda Broday Headshot
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Here in the Texas Panhandle, we do love our cowboys. There's just something about a man in a Stetson and jeans that makes my heart beat faster. I'm not much of a cook but I love to do genealogy and I'm a bit of a rock hound. I'm also a NY Times & USA Today bestselling author of historical western romance. You can contact me through my website and I'd love to connect with you on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and more. HAPPY READING!
https://petticoatsandpistols.com/sweepstakesrules/

55 thoughts on “Waltzing Adds Zest to Life”

    • Denise, I’m glad you like the excerpt. It was a great scene to write. Dancing is really good exercise. When I do indulge in frequently, I feel so much better and I lose a bit of weight. Have a blessed day.

  3. Yes! I love to dance! Unfortunately, my husband does not, so I occasionally turn on some music & dance all by myself when no one else is home. It’s so fun! Thank you for the sneak peak!

  5. My husband and I had a little saying about dancing. We only slow dance because we like to know what we’re up against!

  6. Good morning My Sweet Sister Friend. I love dancing. I grew up dancing all the time with my dad. In college I always danced when I went bar hopping. I even took dance in college (easy credit) and I was glad I did, because we learned to square dance. My dad and me loved to do The Cotten Eyed Joe. I too, dance around my house. Casino and I danced all the time together. I swear she knew when a George Strait came on, she was going to be grabbed up and danced around the house. I’m coming to miss those dances. Precious memories she has left me.
    I loved your dance scene in Winning Maura’s Heart. This was the best book. I think it’s your best one You’ve written, yet. I love you and your ex in my daily thoughts and prayers.

    • Miss Tonya, it’s always so good to see your name pop up. George has some of the best dance music of anyone. That man makes it impossible to sit still. Sweet Casino was so special. You gave her the best life and created a ton of happy memories that still fill your heart. Cling to those and let them comfort you. Thank you for the kind words about Maura’s book. It was hard to write and keep Calhoun’s identity a secret to the end but I loved telling their story. 🙂 I hope you like Emma’s book just as much. Lots of love and big hugs, Sister Friend. You’re in my thoughts and prayers also. One day your raw heart will heal. You’re so dear to me.

  7. Oh how I wished I knew how to dance I was given 2 left feet. I tried taking line dance classes but trying to remember all those steps. The Two Step wasn’t easy either as I can’t dance backwards, but I tried.

    • Miss Rose Ann, women do have a disadvantage in dancing. I understand. Dancing backward is not easy and you have to trust your partner completely. Kudos to you for trying! I’m glad you stopped by. I hope your day is filled with blessings and love.

  8. Good morning! I love to dance. I’m like you sometimes I just dance to dance. And my favorite is the dance scenes in books or even movies. Like in the Sound of Music! This book sounds very good! A must read!

    • Tracy, we must be kindred souls. There’s just nothing like dancing to make your blood flow and your brain release tons of endorphins. When I watch Dancing With the Stars, I sometimes get up and try to mimic their steps. I’d love to learn the Lindy Hop. That looks like so much fun. Thanks for coming. I hope you get a chance to read the book.

  9. Good morning, Linda! I wish I had the grace to be a better dancer. My husband is better than me, but I think I enjoy it more. We took disco lessons once – fun and great exercise.

    Dancing is like laughing. It makes you feel good. More of us should do it, and not the crazy gyrations kids do today. (Do I sound old or what? LOL.)

    Beautiful excerpt, Linda!

    • Pam, you get better with practice. Put on some boots and find some country music. I don’t do these dances of today. No way. Now, disco dancing…I’d love to do that! How fun. Good for you! Dancing and laughing go together. I’m happy you liked the short excerpt. Maura and Calhoun were a great couple. Fill your day with blessings and love, dear Filly Sister. 🙂

    • I understand, Karijean. I hate when our bodies fail us and keep us from doing what we love. You can still enjoy it through books and listening to music. Thanks for coming. Sending much love.

  11. My husband is a better dancer than me! And I’m the musical one in the family! Explain that! I love to dance, especially when no one is looking! Maura’s story was written with such depth, mystery, challenges, fun, and love. For me, once I started reading it, I could not put the book down. It was fun to reread the excerpt again. And, I love the name Maura and to think Calhoun won her heart is just magical. Love you my friend.

    • Hi Kathy!! Ron is a man of many talents it seems. 🙂 You know, it doesn’t matter how or where you dance — just that you do get up and move. Don’t cheat yourself out of so much fun. Thank you for the compliment about the book. I LOVED your review. How could Maura say no to a man like Calhoun? He was just so dreamy and had so much to offer a woman. 🙂 🙂 Sending much love and big hugs. You’re very special to me.

    • Teresa, you don’t have to do the fast ones. Slow is good and you still get some exercise. Keep moving as long as you can. Sending you tons of love and many blessings.

  13. this sounds like such a moving story. I have always loved to dance. I had taken ballet, jazz and ballroom dancing. My husband and I danced the Venetian Waltz for our first dance as a newly married couple. We still dance. And of course I am always moving to music as I clean house LOL quilting dash lady at comcast dot net

    • Lori, that’s wonderful! The Venetian Waltz is so beautiful. Keep moving for as long as you can and enjoy the happiness it gives you. It’s good for the mind and body both. Sending much love and God’s blessings.

  14. My husband and I danced all the time when we were dating! There were weekly teen dances and many dances with live music! There was a dance pavilion in the middle of a farmer’s fields where we attended many dances. We didn’t attend as many later on and the pavilion is no longer there nor is the other ballrooms we went to. But we still danced! Sometimes just swaying in each others arms to the music in our hearts!

    • You are a romantic woman, Connie! I love it. I’d love to have seen the dance pavilion in that farmer’s field! Wow! Good fun. Keep on listening to that music in your heart and finding romance in your husband’s arms. That’s what keeps a marriage alive. Blessings and love.

    • Dearest Filly Sister, thank you for enjoying my post. Spring is a time of rejuvenation and fresh beginnings. I wish the same to you as well as much happiness. You’re very special to me.

  17. Linda, that’s a great scene. I love that. I have written a few dancing scenes in my stories. I always enjoy reading them and watching them in movies. I had to take dance lessons when I was a young girl. I did not enjoy them–but as I got older I liked to dance. Really enjoyed your post!

    • Cheryl, we don’t enjoy anything that’s forced. I’m glad you do like to dance now. It’s really freeing and romantic when you’re dancing with someone you love. Makes all the difference. We had a country singer come here and perform. A few of the residents danced. Then one guy asked me and that was so much fun. He turned out to be pretty good. Fun. Fun. Thank you for liking the excerpt. That was a fun scene to write. Blowing kisses and waving madly. Wish I could see you. Love you, lady.

  18. I liked to dance when I was a teenager and in my twenties. My husband and I do not go anywhere to dance now, I guess we outgrew it.

  19. I love to dance!! I’ll just dance around the room when I hear a really good dancing song. Your book sounds great!!

  20. Hello Linda! I enjoyed the scene from your new book!! I never had much rhythm in this body of mine but I loved to try to dance. Although in recent years it’s only slow dancing for me. And being home alone most of the time I can do like the old saying and “Dance like nobody is watching!”
    Hope you are doing well and wishing you a Blessed day!

    • Miss Ruth, it’s a pleasure to see you! Thanks for coming. Do what feels good and the things that take you back to happier, more carefree times. We’re not getting any younger so we might as well do what we please and enjoy it. I’m very tired today. I think I tried to do too much. But I wanted to get some things done while I could. Love you so much, lady.

    • How wonderful to see your name pop up, Miss Colleen. You should go on YouTube and learn to waltz. And keep dancing the way you want. We need to keep moving. Love and blessings.

  22. I used to love to dance with my husband. He was quite a showman when he danced to the beat. He couldn’t sing but, Boy could he dance! Now we are much too old with hesitant moves even walking, so twirling on a dance floor is definitely out. Have a blessed week.

    • Miss Tonya Cherry, great to see you. Dancing is healthy and fun. It sure gets your blood moving. Good for you. Keep it up as long as you can. Blessings and love.

  24. I enjoyed dancing when I was younger. Occasionally, I will dance a little when I have the radio on.

  25. I loved to dace. I would (and still do) dance around the house when the music moves me. When I was in the Philippines, I discovered many of the men there were excellent dancers. I had never danced much with a partner, but if the man is a good dancer he is also leads very well. I literally found myself waltzing around like they did at great balls. My husband and I unfortunately haven’t done as well. I think the problem is I keep trying to lead. My bad. At our oldest daughter’s wedding, we were dancing then realized we were REALLY dancing. We were a bit shocked but didn’t break the steps and actually waltzed an entire song. Now I have balance issues and his hips hurt, so we don’t even try.
    We did try contra dancing years ago, and I loved it. It reminded me a bit of square dancing I did in high school. It was probably the forerunner of that and the Virginia reel. We also did Scottish fold dancing at one Celtic festival we attended. Great fun and done in sets like many of the Regency dances.
    I can imagine how magical it was for Maura to have that first dance with such a considerate man.

    • Miss Pat, I’m am go happy to see your name come up. Having lived abroad for many years, I’m sure you saw lots of different dances. That would be really interesting. Sounds like the Philippines was amazing fun. I think it’s so sad when bodies wear out and can’t do a lot of things anymore. Sending much love and big Texas hugs!

  26. Linda… I love how you mentioned that apparently your ‘characters love to dance ‘ because I know they must take on attributes that you don’t know about or plan for when you start a story. Fascinating to me. I remember seeing Kirk Douglas on Johnny Carson’s show discussing a book he wrote and he said he just hated this one character so he killed him off. The mind of writers… 🙂

    • Rachel, we writers are a strange bunch. Lots of things happen that we don’t plan. I love those little surprises. It’s like the characters are taking charge and telling the story the way they want. 🙂 Thanks for coming.

  28. I absolutely loved this book! You make it so hard for me to pick a favorite of your books! Your books just seem to get better and better! I’m looking forward to reading many, many more of your books for years to come.

    If your MS ever gives you vision trouble to the point you think you can’t write anymore your just going to have to get an assistant to dictate to!

    My thoughts and prayers have been with you during this very difficult time!

    Love you my friend, favored author and fellow MSer!

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