Dancing with Jou Jou

About the Book

DANCING WITH JOU JOU was a winner at the 17th Annual Hawaii Writers Conference. It is a rollercoaster of a story that begins on the grand country estate of Swan Crest Farms. Animals are running freely on the grounds. So is Mason Figg, a sweet-talking con artist with a reputation among the neighborhood ladies for being a spectacular dancer. This talent alone charms his trusting girlfriend, Valentina, who comes to believe that she’s as graceful as a swan. Nothing could be further from the truth. Mason lies as naturally as breathing. While Valentina slowly figures that out, she narrates a tale about becoming roped into swindling a pair of lottery winners out of a fortune. But when she’s spooked by a large, quacking duck during an attempted diamond heist, one calamity befalls another. Finally, Valentina wises up—and flees. She’s certain that if she heads back home to the city, Mason will return to his senses and follow her. Then the two of them can lead a happy, normal, and crime-free life. It’s a pity that Mason has a few plans of his own. Swept into the madness is Jafford Ames, a famous tennis celebrity known for his quick wit and fine southern manners. Determined to figure out if Valentina is truly a thief, he offers her a lift, driving a beat up Volkswagen Beetle as camouflage. The paparazzi spot them. Pictures land in the media, causing speculation about the tennis star’s latest fling. Rumors are flying. A media circus sets up. Mason is fuming. So are the lottery winners whose animals have been curiously let loose. Television cameras broadcast a stampede while reporters interview the neighborhood ladies, all of whom are wearing knock-offs of the elusive diamonds and confessing to being in love with the same man—the one who taught them each how to, uh, dance.

About the Author

Barbara Louise Leiding aspired to become a concert pianist, but gave up her dream after learning that the piano she practiced on for ten years was grossly out of tune. Sadly, she never noticed. She has no ear for music. Upon the request of her closest neighbors—seconded by animal cries, both domestic and wild—she now restricts her keyboard activities to tapping out words. Dancing with Jou Jou is what came out. It is her first novel, which was the second place winner at the 17th Annual Hawaii Writers Conference.