In early 19th-century Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania the focus was on industry, not dancing. This western city was not yet as sophisticated and polished as Philadelphia which was considered very chic even since colonial times. The aversion to the finer pursuits is evidenced in Jack Turlock’s perspective on the Ballantyne’s ball. One of my editors found Jack’s thoughts particularly funny when he compared being formal with having the flu!
Here is a ballroom/assembly room in Bath, England which I came across in my research and is particularly beautiful. The floor is perfect for dancing!
Happy reading!
Be the first to receive writing updates, try her favorite recipes, and get her FREE guide: 10 Beloved Books (that inspire me professionally and personally).
I would have to agree with Jack! Give me jeans and a sweater any day. I’ve never enjoyed “dressing up” and guess by now I never will. Seems a pity, but that’s that, as my 86-yr-old MIL is fond of saying. 🙂 I do enjoy seeing others dressed up, though, on screen or off.
Lori, I think you’d be a great Levi’s model :). Or LL Bean with those beautiful sweaters and such. Chuckling at your MIL’s saying. I must admit I love dressing up but when I do I don’t ever feel quite comfortable and want to get back to “normal” as soon as possible. A strange feeling! Truth be told, I’m most comfortable in my Goodwill duds. It is fun watching others dress up. That’s one of the reasons I created my Royal board on Pinterest. It’s fun to see what Kate is wearing as she makes it look so easy!
Laura,
Jack, Chloe and Ellie have all made me laugh quite a few times. I have to say my heart is breaking for Jack and all the turmoil he has endured. I only have a few more chapters until this journey ends, and I am feeling very melancholy as a result…..(sigh). 🙁
Love this story.
Georgianne, I’ve been thinking of you reading and wondering just where you are ~ thanks for updating me. Love that. I do believe this is my first story with humor in it. Some comic relief was needed given the Turlock’s messy situation. Chloe appeared out of nowhere, surprising me. I thought Wade was enough but she came onto stage and just about took over!
You’re so right about that melancholy feeling when a book nears an ending. The last novel that did that for me was Carla Laureano’s FIVE DAYS IN SKYE. I rarely read contemporary novels but a reader recommended this to me and I really loved it and finished it last week. Kept eeeking it out on my Kindle till the last word/drop. And was very sad to see she doesn’t have another like it! You may have read it. If not, it’s a keeper and may help you in post book angst ;). I do have some new books in my stack to move onto next…very thankful for that! Happy reading to you, my kind friend!
Ahhh, the Ball. I had friends in high school who suffered through debutante misery to please their parents. Most of them HATED it. I’m a jeans and sweater girl too, but I do enjoy getting poshed up every once in a while.
I was a fish out of water at the ACFW gala, but now I know what to aim for next year. Whatever I wear, it be strategically arranged so that I can wear comfy under garments and not worry about showing off the girls too much. That brooch? It was entirely functional.
Laura, I’ve just finished Ellie and Jack’s story, it’s almost 2am but I just had to finish it!!! It was soo good! In true Laura style, I felt the passionate love between them as if I was living in the story. I love love love Jack! Dare I say he might be my favorite hero that you’ve introduced us to, though it’d be a close wrestle with Red Shirt for that title. But I think Jack would win in my book! He is such a troubled turmoiled soul, struggling daily with the old nature that people have pinned him to, but starting to realise that he doesn’t haven’t to live up to the reputation and person everyone thinks him to be. That through Christ he can be a new creation. I absolutely loved how deep inside under his hard exterior, is a soft and sweet heart of a man who truly has the capability of loving and doing good even when he doesn’t believe it of himself. His passionate love for Ellie….just sigh, that’s all I can say about that as it’s utterly breathtaking. Seriously, love Jack here!!! Please don’t make me wait a whole other year for the next installment!!! Lol!
Oh YES, Eva!! You can dare say it :). It’s a real joy to me that he may be right up there with RS because I have never forgotten your very memorable review when you’d finished CML. You really “get” what Jack is about despite his flaws and failings. His battle was much greater than any of my other heroes except perhaps RS. Love that you see the spiritual struggle beneath and that he is a new creation in Christ. So glad that his deep love for Ellie came across in the way he handled her and protected her and stood up for her and didn’t even dance with her lest he cast some shame on her in some way. Oh my, you write a very moving summation. I feel so blessed. A real joy to think of you reading and enjoying it and taking time here. You always bring a blessing! Prayers with you and your precious family and little Miss Eden on turning one :). Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Yes, when Silas said to Ellie “then he is an even better man than I thought he was”, that just sums up the entire story right there lol! You portrayed his deep love for Ellie perfectly!
Oh, so glad you highlighted this line, Eva :). You’re one of those rare readers who grasp all the little details and nuances – and inspire me to keep writing those kind of stories, Lord willing (and Lord enabling). Thanks so much.
LOL! I remember that scene with Jack. Despite the fact that Jack is a little on the gruff side, it was a bit comical. I love my jeans, but I don’t mind getting dressed up (as long as I can get back into my comfies after a couple of hours…hehe)
Sad that I’m done with LA, but looking forward to Ballantyne Bk 3!!! <3
Oh, so wish I could hand over Wren and James right this minute! But she needs a bit more polishing, lol, before her debut ;).
Love that Jack won you over. And that you’re like me and are glad for your comfies after all that dress up!
Jacks’s response to dancing and balls in Love’s Awakening reminds me a little of Mr. Darcy in Pride and Prejudice.
🙂 You make me want to go back and reread P&P :).