The debut novels of Em Brooks -- Put on your dancing shoes and join the staff of Baldassare's Ballroom on an journey of friendship, drama, and romance.  The only guarantee in life is that nothing will stay the same.

Random "Author Interview" Questions: 

Q: Which of the characters in the Cedar Grove series do you relate the most to and why?

Em: I relate wholeheartedly to Angelina and Ryan's plight in Along the Way. While some people out there are real go-getters in every single area of their life, I'm only that way in some areas, some of the times, when it matters most to me. Dating was always something that came difficult to me because I do believe I was overly considerate and empathetic in taking other people's thoughts and feelings in consideration, even giving the other person a load of excuses and reasons for their behavior which may or may not have been true (like maybe they're working...Or busy with family...Or maybe they really did have plans already.) In my teens and twenties, I really lived mostly in my head, but that's not surprising given that I'm an author. Second, third, tenth chances, all the while figuring eventually it'll all come together because sometimes people are hard headed (OK. It was me. I'm hard headed.) Of course, experience is the greatest teacher and you have to learn or you keep repeating it until you do. I know I drove some people nuts. While some friends would give advice on how to do something, that advice always backfired because it wasn't me -- such as "Why don't you just walk up and ask him out?" and "Just call him." (Complete and utter failures each time and you'd think I'd had learned from that. Nope. Persistence. Ha.) So that's why in Along the Way, Ryan and Angelina and their dealings with themselves and their friends, I can completely empathize. They are living in their heads a lot, and then what they are thinking doesn't always match what they actually say. And I know there is someone, somewhere in their life, who just wants to shake some sense into them (Their friends are much too understanding and accepting of them balking at what everyone knows is meant to be, I know.) Now, the older me would do things completely different. The older and cantankerous me would tell the younger shy me this: You deserve to be someone's priority, not their option. If they can't find the time to see or talk to you, then they are not worth your time. There is no excuse. Period. Actions always speak louder. Always. Always. Always. Sometimes people can and will grow and change, sometimes they can't and don't, and sometimes they will never be the person that you thought they were. Don't waste your time or energy chasing anyone who isn't chasing you back because we have to refer back to the original point -- You aren't an option. Know who you are, be at peace with who you are, and don't compromise for second or third best, because perhaps it is them who isn't "enough." Of course, that leads to the best advice I've ever heard:  "Never compare yourself to others -- They are more screwed up than you think."  Which is true. You never know what is truly going on with someone else and what battles they are fighting in their head. But still, if you want something you'll find a way. If you don't, you'll find an excuse. If I wrote this series from my perspective today, it'd be a whole different story. But, I was able to write it way back in my 20s with the experience and perspective I had back then. Overall, I think Ryan and Angelina, and their friends, would be fun people to know in real life. I'd get along with them all...Except for Chris. Nobody likes Chris's behavior. Don't be a Chris Enright.  

 Q: If you were to write a spin-off about a side character, which from this series would you pick?

Em: I'd likely choose Greg Powell or Caleb Townsend. Either one would be really fun to write with, showing how they became who they are prior to their introductions in these two books. Think of everything they had seen, did, or thought as they saw the main characters navigated their own lives.  Greg is smarter than he gives himself credit for and Town has a unique way of living life. I've laughed out loud from some of the responses Town gives. And Lola is a gem. She's the perfect match for Town. As 'support' characters, they both are very important to story, and to Ryan especially. Both are truly like brothers to him and I'd like to see where they go from these stories. What became of them after the closing pages of Wherever It Goes? 

Q: Do you think people should know how to dance ballroom or other partnership type of dances?

Em: I believe ballroom dancing is an important skill to know. It definitely can't hurt knowing how to dance with a partner. Once upon a time it was good social etiquette. Learning in a setting like a ballroom studio was great for me, back in the 1990s, because I got to meet and talk to people of all ages, of all backgrounds, and all abilities. I'm still in awe over the dancers I met. It was always a welcoming place and the typical 'social competition' was limited back then. We cheered each other on and made everyone feel welcomed. I believe we all remembered what it was like taking those first steps and being the beginner. It was amazing seeing individual progress in the other dancers. I'm not sure if that's the same in today's world, but back then it was appreciated. I do think knowing how to partner dance is important. Knowing how to both lead and follow is important. Knowing how to move in time with the music -- Even experiencing the different music out there -- is important. Being able to converse with all ages and backgrounds is important. I think they were really onto something back in our grandparents and great-grandparents day. If you've been putting off learning to dance, just stop with the excuses and do it. It's worth it for body, mind, and soul.

So, what vibes does this duology this check off for you?

🚪Closed-door (fade to black) — All of my books are Closed-Door, no spice.

🏡Small town — Cedar Grove is a city large enough to have a state college, but small enough everyone keeps running into each other.

💰Millionaire — Ryan is known as the “Carson Heir” and no one let’s him forget it.

✔New adult — They are college students, ranging in age between 21 and 28.

💘Romantic suspense — Looking for that Happily Ever After in the drama.

✔Professions — ballroom dance instructor and students, as well as military and financial broker.

✔Military — Ryan is an active duty officer in the Army.

😱Secrets — Angelina is a mystery all of her own. She doesn’t like sharing her past… And there’s a few others who have secrets of their own here.

🚒Slow burn — Total. Slow. Burn.

✔Friends to Lovers — Yeah, but who? There’s a lot happening here.

✔Protector — Alpha males. Lots of testosterone. Beware if you don’t like manly men.

✔Emotional over Physical — Yeah, looks aren’t the whole package.

Possible sensitivities….

❗ Inferred Cheating — It never makes the page completely.

❗ Swearing — It’s not gratuitous swearing and is scene (and character) appropriate.

❗ Addiction — It is unfortunate and addiction comes in all forms. This one rears its head in the form of pharmaceuticals…And you could make an argument for alcohol...

❗ Cancer — The entire reason Ryan comes home.

❗ Death — Nothing on page, just in memories.

❗ You will probably need a box of tissues for parts of the first book….and perhaps parts of the second book. Just have a box of tissues within reach just to be safe. (I’d love to have someone review it and have a “box of tissues” factor for future readers.)

The A.I. Generated Visions of the Main Characters