I discovered this author on My Space.  "One Dance in Paris" is actually her second novel.  And......Julia Holden is a pseudonym.  Now isn't that intriguing?  Hmm, so who really is Julia Holden?  I have no idea....except from what I've read about her, she's involved with Hollywood as an Executive and I read that she isn't using her real name for personal and professional reasons.  As I said......very intriguing.  And I won't lie, I love a mystery.  And okay, okay.......I'm also nosey.  But she's real, because Julia very nicely accepted my invitation on My Space to be my "friend."  Yeah, I know.....she might be my friend, but I really don't "know" her.  That's okay.......on My Space, that's allowed.  Especially for us authors.

All of this aside, lets get back to the book........in one word I thought it was spectacular!  I loved it.  I didn't want it to end.  I enjoyed every single page.

The main character, Linda Stone, barely remembered her mother.  She died when Linda was a baby.  But what she discovers about the woman who gave her life was way more than she bargained for.  Her mother was a famous.....and infamous.....international showgirl.  Her mother wore glittering high-heeled sandals.......and a dress that was barely there.  A dress that gave her the power to become the talk of the town, the queen of Paris, the star of the Folies Bergere.

As many of you know, I'm originally from the Boston area.  The character in the novel is from Somerville, Mass. which is where the story begins.  Many of you also know that I'm a confirmed Francophile and my favorite place in the world is Paris.  The character ends up in Paris.  So you're probably thinking, "well, sure, of course Terri would love this book."  While that added to the story for me, trust me, those aren't the main reasons I loved this book.

When the character takes off for Vegas to begin her journey of searching to learn about her mother, I was right there with her.  I felt like I was standing right behind Linda Stone's shoulder as she met Dixie, one of the first links to her mother.  When she flew to Paris, I was on that Continental flight with her (yes, the author chose Continental as the airline)  And when she arrived in the City of Light, I was just a few steps in back of her as she walked Rue Cadet, Rue Richer, Montmartre and everywhere else. Not because I've also strolled those streets, but because this author brought it all alive......whether you've been there or not.  When she met Claudine, the last link to her mother, I felt like I was meeting a real French woman by this name.  Because that's how vividly this author captures her characters.

Holden's writing is both witty and poignant.  But above all, it's real.  She's spot-on when it comes to character development.  And knowing Paris as well as I do, it was very gratifying to see how authentic her descriptions were of everything from street locations to the French culture.

The story itself was unique, refreshing, entertaining and satisfying.  All good things must come to an end.......just as this story did.  But it doesn't mean I have to like it.  I hated to close that final page.  And I have to say, I can't remember the last time I enjoyed a novel about Paris as much as I did this one.

But the good news is, I've already ordered Holden's debut novel, A Dangerous Dress.  And I'm anxiously looking forward to losing myself in her writing once again.

So if you're looking for an extremely enjoyable book, whether you're a Francophile or not, do yourself a favor and get this one!  I don't think you'll be sorry.

See you here next time..............