Authors and Dancers Against Cancer #anthology Get the inside scoop on Cosette Binet from The Red Slippers by Ruth A Casie @RuthACasie #RLFblog #Historical #Regency
From Ruth A Casie: This story is on pre-order and releases Nov 30, and was part of the Authors and Dancers Against Cancer anthology, The Write to Dance. I have gone to their Conference in Ohio since its inception before the pandemic. Their next one will be in 2024.
Dancers Against Cancer (DAC), helps the dancing community fight cancer. The organization hosts fundraising events and benefit dance concerts, to educate and provide a platform for impacted dancers.
A group of authors partnered with DAC and created Authors and Dancers Against Cancer (ADAC), to bring awareness and to support DAC as they demonstrate how the arts of all types can really make a difference.
Authors and Dancers Against Cancer holds book signing events in Ohio. This past year, nineteen amazing authors from different genres got together for one great cause and created an anthology The Write to Dance in which The Red Slippers originally appeared.
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A ballerina obsessed with perfection. A man who will do anything to grant her wish. Are the second-hand red slippers he found magical, or is he the only one who can conjure the spell and make her the world’s greatest ballerina?
Ruth, welcome to Romance Lives Forever. I’m Kayelle Allen, author and owner of this blog. Happy to have you here! Please tell us about The Red Slippers.
The Red Slippers by Ruth A. Casie
Genre: HistoricalRegencyRomance,
Book heat level (based on movie ratings): Sweet
It will take magic for Cosette to believe in her abilities.
Is Avery the only one who can conjure the spell?
Cosette Binet has been in the service to Queen Marie of France, since she was a young girl. She watched private ballet performances for the queen and was fascinated by the great Marie Camargo’s footwork and high leaps. Cosette studied to become a ballerina and earned a rare opportunity to audition for the Paris Opera Ballet’s corps de ballet where she met and found her soul mate, Avery, the ballet director. Her first performance brought the audience to their feet, but when she was chosen for a principal part in another ballet, a fellow dancer had her doubting her ability and Avery’s devotion.
While searching for additional dancers for the corps de ballet, ballet master, Avery Parsons DuBois, watched Cosette dance and was captivated when she performed a grand jetè that soared further and higher than anyone he has ever seen. Mesmerized, he was drawn to the dancer and fell in love with her. He offered her a position in the ballet, but when she began to doubt her ability and his love for her, he had to do something. He gave her red slippers and told her they were Marie Camargo’s dance shoes… filled with magic.
Did the red slippers hold the magic that made her a great ballerina or was it Avery’s love?
Insider Information about Cosette Binet Dubois
Welcome! We’d like to know more about you. Please add info you’re comfortable sharing.
Nickname:
Age: Mon chéri, a lady never gives her age. Ah, but if you and reader promise not to breathe a word of it, I am in my late thirties.
Gender: Female
Birthplace: Paris, France
Profession: I am a dancer in the Paris Opera Ballet Company.
Please provide a physical description of yourself.
In the world of classical ballet, our instrument is our body, which is complicated, diverse, functional, imposing and at the very least – aesthetically pleasing. What I mean is, my profession demands what I look like. In dance, the body creates the illusion that goes from head to toe, limbs and torso create the reach and length. Weight, bulk and bulges, and yes, breasts, must never interfere with a seamless, sculptured quality. The only place I can declare my individuality is my face and even then, often make up is used to make that part of fade so all that is seen are the shapes we create with our dancing and bodies.
That is a long answer to tell you I have been describes as slight, willowy, without curves, and small waisted.
What are your pronouns?
Madam is my pronoun. It is more a title awarded to the company’s prima ballerina. It is how the dancers in the company address me.
Do you believe in love at first sight?
(Madam smiled and gave a slight chuckle) I would say it was love at our first dance. I remember it quite well. I could never forget it.
I was waiting for my turn to audition for the ballet master, Avery Parsons. The orchestra was rehearsing. I was so nervous, and I needed to warm up. You see, I lived with my parents in an apartment at the palace. My parents both worked for the royal family. I had little room to practice. And here I was in a great room, the orchestra playing. I couldn’t not dance. I knew every step, every gesture.
I never saw Avery standing at the door until I danced in front of him. I stopped not because he was there, but rather the next part was a pas de deux. I required a male partner. On cue, he began to dance with me. We have been dancing ever since.
Do you believe in magic?
How can I not. I did get my place on the corps de ballet and even a solo. I was nervous. Not only was I to dance for the Queen of France, but also for the great prima ballerina, my idol, Maria Carmago.
No matter how much I practiced I wasn’t perfect enough. That was when Avery brought me a gift.
It was the afternoon before the performance. He gave me red ballet slippers. They were tattered and used, but he told me they had belonged to Maria Carmago herself and held the magic that would make me a great dancer.
I knew they weren’t the great ballerina’s dancing slippers. But I fell deeper in love with my Avery, if that is at all possible. He was all the magic I needed.
What is your astrological sign?
Avery is an excellent astrologer. He descends from a long line of druid grand masters. Of course he thinks that part of his family history is fantasy. I don’t know, there are times I believe he can make anything happen. But I digress. You asked about my astrological sign. I was born in early April mine is the fire sign, Aries.
I’m told, mostly by Avery, that the sign fits me. I am a gifted, eager dancer that is intellectual and affectionate. I do try my best.
Do you enjoy dressing up or prefer to dress casually?
I dressed in my costume at every performance and never tired of it. I actually miss it. What I haven’t told you is I have had to leave my beloved dance. I have taken ill, quite ill, in fact.
Avery has done everything he possibly could, but even my druid grand master cannot cure me.
I am content to teach others, make them the best dancers they can be.
If a place where you shop installed benches in various sections, where would you sit?
If I were to sit on a bench, I would sit as close to my Avery as possible… wherever he was sitting. (a small chuckle) He would sit squarely in the center of the bench.
What color best describes you?
Red, the color of fire describes me best. I can sometimes be stubborn, volatile, and passionate.
Who is the one person who can convince you to do something you know you shouldn’t?
Avery. Avery. Avery.
Where to buy The Red Slippers
Amazon https://tinyurl.com/TheRedSlippers
Ruth A Casie Social Media
Ruth A Casie is a USA bestselling author. She writes historical adventures from the shores of medieval Scotland to the cobblestone streets of Regency London. Her stories embrace strong woman and the men who deserve them. Within the pages you’ll discover ‘edge-of-your-seat suspense, mind boggling drama, and heart melting emotions. Grab your favorite cup of tea, or an ale if you prefer, and join her heroes and heroines as they race across the pages to find their happily ever after. Ruth hopes her stories are your next favorite adventures!
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