The Kitchen Dance, By Geri G. Taylor

According to Rene Descartes, no two bodies can occupy the same space at the same time and any physical motion of a body involves moving other bodies from the space they occupy. In my first work of contemporary fiction, Joule and Allen create their own movements in THE KITCHEN DANCE.

Joule Dalton, a successful interior designer with a prestigious architectural firm, lived her life choreographed by her loved ones until a tragedy forces her to learn her own steps. Allen Brooks has endured his own share of manipulations and all his hard work and sacrifice has left him with nothing. He wears his troubles like the too large overcoat he picked up at a mission while living on the streets. This coat brings them together in an unexpected way. Joule takes the misfortunate Allen into her home in hopes of turning his life around. She gives him a place to live, a job, even introduces him to her wealthy friends. What she does not give him is her trust. This he must earn. The two combine their dreams and create a wonderful relationship. Then Allen gets a call that will challenge his sense of responsibility. He makes a choice, one that Joule cannot begrudge. Allen struggles with his decision while Joule goes back to her old life until they both realize what they really want.


About The Author


I wrote, actually, drew my first storybook during my preschool years about a troll who lived under a bridge, as trolls tend to do, in an unkempt cave. One day, a cute little lady troll came along and changed his life completely. He fell in love and allowed her to transform him into a kind gentleman who lived in a clean and lovely home, albeit still under a bridge, as trolls tend to do.

In many films, writers are stereotypically portrayed seated at their uncluttered desk inserting a fresh sheet of paper into their typewriter and then staring dismally at the glaring white emptiness of the page before them. I rarely look at the blankness before me with dismay. The stories are always there. I just wish I could type as fast as the story unfolds and not make so many typos. Even though the tap-tap of old-fashioned typewriter keys are a melodic symphony to a writer's ear most writers these days open a word processing program on a laptop and hit "file" then "new" and their fingers dance to the dull clicks of their keyboards. Either way, I love that sound!

My life as of late has not been ideal for writing and the characters of my stories nag at me like Luigi Pirandello's Sei Personaggi in Cerca d'Autore (Six Characters in Search of an Author) at the most inconvenient times wanting to know why their stories have not been written. I enjoy performing on stage and the process of acting in films but I owe it to my characters to return to the dull clicks of my laptop because I am the only one who can write their stories. I look forward to other people reading them.





Reviews:

Sheila L. Jackson
The Kitchen dance is an amazing, touching story. Please don't let the title fool you. Geri Taylor does a fabulous job at keeping her readers guessing. I find it hard to write a review without giving away the entire story. After reading, The Kitchen, you will walk away with hope in humanity. This book is not your average romance novel,there are life lessons,mystery,and heart-tugging moments throughout each page. Please don't judge this book by its cover.

 Krystal Milton

A uniquely told love story, this book was. To me, it was a very touching and intriguing read. I loved the sense of morality Geri shows as her character Joule helps out a fellow man by taking him in off the streets.

Like with anything in life, a little bit of good can go a long way, but in any respect you also have the bad that comes along with it. I loved the flow of how ones past and indiscretions in life can come to haunt them as they try so desperately to weave a prosperous future. These issues are relatable, and fixed within the storyline so beautifully with a cast of characters you cant help but to embrace.

The characters were well defined as their tale of finding oneself and love developed through this endearing read.

Very well done Geri. 

By Patty 

I enjoyed this story. It was told with twists and turns that we're not always predictable. I enjoyed each character and the relationships between all. With a smidgen of titillation, I couldn't wait to finish! Read closely for the dance!

By P. Blevins

 Kitchen Dance is by Geri G Taylor. It is a fabulous book. I would definitely recommend this to any of my friends. Once you get into the story, it takes a hold on you and doesn’t let go. It is one that I stayed up late, late, late to read along with a box of tissues. The writing is well done. The characters are so realistic it seems like they are your fest friends or worst enemies. The plot seems so simple; but it explodes and goes in a totally different direction.

Joule Dalton is an Interior Designer for The West Agency. Once the architects get finished, she puts in the design portions before it is presented to the prospective investors or buyers. She met and married her husband here but he was murdered two years ago. Her best friend, Elaine (who is also her boss’s wife) keeps trying to match her up with various men with some hysterical results. Phillip West, her boss, is very pleased with her work and keeps putting her in charge of larger projects.

Before she went to work for West, she lived in a warehouse with 5 other people, rather like a commune. Daisy did a lot of the cooking with the others helping out. It was here Joule learned the “kitchen dance” and the value of true relationships. When her boyfriend left without telling her, she changed her way of living and went to work for West. However, she kept her work with the homeless and other charities. She had faith in people and usually she was rewarded with their friendship. She was wrong in the two men who she and her husband hired to help them renovate the warehouse as they were the ones who killed him. Still she continued to help people.

As she was returning home from a cocktail party where she presented the latest project, she came into contact with Allen Brooks when he returned her purse which she had dropped. He was an out of work carpenter whose truck and tools had been stolen. She noticed him because he was wearing her husband’s coat which she had just given to charity that morning. She invited him to the diner for dinner and later asked him to stay overnight in the Loft where she lived. Her self-appointed guardian, Roosevelt whom she had also saved, disagreed but since she was adamant went up with them and talked with Allen until he felt comfortable leaving him alone with Joule.

Allen reluctantly agreed to spend the night but eagerly accepted her invitation to shower. He might be homeless; but he was a proud man who had nothing left but his integrity. However in the shower, he began to wonder about her. Why did she do so much for him? Why did she invite a strange man to spend the night? Who was Roosevelt and what was he to her? He intended to spend the night, try to fix her elevator, and go on his way.

The next day, Joule invited him to the cabin her parents had left her in order to hire him to finish the renovations that had been started. She didn’t know what she wanted to do with the cabin; but it did need repairing. He agreed but asked her permission to use her phone to call his kids and later to use her Bronco to go see them. His ex-wives were not allowing him to see his kids.
Was Joule right in trusting Allen? Would he do what he said he would or would he turn out to be like the men who killed her husband? Would he rob her at the cabin and disappear? She takes him on Faith.

Then the book takes a major and unexpected turn. It is fascinating . 

By Larry B. Gray

 I really enjoyed The Kitchen Dance by Geri G. Taylor. This contemporary romance fiction kept me glued to its pages and guessing what was going to happen next.

The author did an excellent job of developing a storyline that was both realistic and believable. It was full of plot twist that kept me reading and wondering what was going to happen next. I liked the fact it was fast paced and did not drag. This made for a great read.

One of the great points of the story was how it was told from both of the lead characters prospective. By switching back and forth, telling their story, the story came alive.

Geri G. Taylor did a good job of creating characters that were easy to identify with and follow. Each of the lead characters was strong but the author clearly showed their vulnerability. This made it easy to relate to them.

I really enjoyed reading The Kitchen Dance by Geri G. Taylor and I highly recommend this book.

Where to purchase, The Kitchen Dance and contact the author:

Amazon.com,Barnes and Noble, Goodreads, Twitter,
Geri G. Taylor