Title: Sweet
Author: Lisa Hahn
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Cat Brown spends the first six years of her career as one of the lowest-ranking members of the Bretton Falls Ballet. Despite the dancer’s undisputable talent, artistic director Lillian Smith insists Cat is too short for a leading role. When Lillian is forced to retire, world-renowned ballet dancer Dmitri Fedorov takes over and casts Cat as the premier performer in his first production with the company. Cat struggles to fend off a host of distractions as she prepares for the most important role of her career: the most insurmountable of which is her instant attraction to the new boss.
Dmitri, once known for his theatrical performances and womanizing proclivities, disappears into seclusion after a horrific car accident shatters his knee and renders him unable to dance. Looking to escape the constant reminders of how far he’s fallen, Dmitri escapes to Bretton Falls in hopes of elevating the small ballet company there to international prestige. The task proves to be more challenging than Dmitri had bargained for when his surprising interest in Cat Brown becomes fodder for gossip among the company.
Cat and Dmitri both have a lot riding on their upcoming production of The Nutcracker, knowing that their careers depend upon the outcome. However, the biggest challenge they face will be staying away from one another.
Excerpt #1
Simon Clarke, the current assistant artistic director, and one of Cat’s biggest supporters, swept into the room just as the applause began to wane.
“Listen up, everyone.” He lifted his arm overhead in a willowy gesture that hinted at what a brilliant dancer he’d been. “Nutcracker rehearsals start tomorrow. The schedule and your roles are posted outside the locker room.”
The studio fell eerily silent at his announcement.
Phoebe Braxton, one of the most talented dancers in the small company, and one who often got the most coveted roles, spoke up first. “How can we put together a ballet without an artistic director? Are you assuming the position?”
The thought of Simon directing made Cat’s heart sing. He’d wanted her to be promoted to a soloist position after her first year, but Lillian had always been adamant about Cat’s place in the corps. So Cat continued to do her time as a backdrop for the soloists, and dreamed about progressing on her path from the corps to soloist to prestige, as a principal dancer.
“No.” Simon shook his head, a few wisps of black hair falling into his eyes. He delicately brushed them aside before clasping his hands behind his back. “The new director starts today. His name is Dmitri Fedorov.” He paused, smiling smugly as if he enjoyed dropping this bomb so unexpectedly. “You may know him from his illustrious career with American Ballet Theatre.”
Author Bio
Lisa Hahn writes romance novels across multiple sub-genres. She’s interested in stories that take place in either small towns or strange worlds, and she strives to create honest, passionate characters her readers can relate to.
Currently, Lisa and her husband live in northern New Jersey with their two dogs (Jonas and Cassie) and their cat (Blueberry). When she’s not writing, Lisa can be found reading, practicing yoga, working out, watching professional wrestling, stitching a piece of embroidery, making/eating vegan food, and rooting for the Seattle Seahawks.
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