#seraph's burlesque club

[booksandwords]

Show Dance by Renée Dahlia

Series: Seraph's Burlesque Club #4 Read time: <1 Day Rating: 4/5 Stars

The Quote: Oh. This kiss was the outcome of years of teasing. He’d brought this drama on himself by forever taunting Jack with his desire, always holding himself back. The anticipation and never the act. Just like a Burlesque dance. — Ace

Warnings: references to homophobia

Show Dance is a predictable and short but nonetheless lovely story. Honestly, I can't say much about this it's just enjoyable and a great way to spend a few minutes. Show Dance has a fairly simple friends-to-lovers plot, You get an idea of the only angst in the book in the blurb, ie they have a communication issue. It's that whole can't lose the best friend thing, which I get and I quite like as a trope. I like Ace and Jack. Ace is flamboyant and coming to terms with his own form of creativity apart from his famous acting parents. A highly religious single mother raised Jack which lead to him having to suppress his true self for years and her struggling to accept him now. There is a brilliant contrast between Jack's admittedly trying family and Ace's. Ace has famous parents and was raised by his grandmother. Everyone whole heartedly accepts his sexuality and has welcomed Jack too. “Teasing by night, serious in the day job.” “Isn’t that both of us?” (Jack and Ace) I really like the character choices both Ace and Jack are using their respective aspect of burlesque as creative outlets for serious day jobs. Dancer Jack is a sports teacher while costume designer Ace is a lawyer, a prosecutor reading between the lines.

Some quotes I liked

“Take off your shirt. I want to test these wings.” “Wings?” Jack hadn’t agreed to wings. “Yes. I want to see you fly.” — Honestly this is on the first or second page. The outfit Ace has created for Jack is freaking stunning. I want to see what Renée was envisioning when she wrote this. (Ace and Jack)

“What truth is that?” Grace Wu made a grand entrance, as only an actress of her calibre could. Her silk dark blue dress floated around her tall slender frame. “Don’t tell me you two have finally admitted you are love with each other.” She brushed her hand over her forehead. “Fuck, if I could manufacture a tenth of the chemistry you two have with my current co-star, this movie would be going a lot better.” — This quote had to make it into the review. But it felt wrong in something so short to make it one of the main quotes. I love Grace. She made me laugh, basically, she is the reader and damn does she know how to make an enterance. (Grace)

It caught in his throat, almost like he needed to laugh and cry at the same time; melodramatic like one of Ma’s movies. And all the while Jack kissed him, keeping him grounded on this earth while his brain spiralled out of control. This was why he loved the law¬–it was solid, detailed, and he could hunt through the words to find the answer he wanted. He could control the outcome. — There is something deeply appealing about this sentiment. Ace bringing his serious side the table with the man who is usually where his teasing size is. (Ace)

“Anyone who can envisage how a fabric will move against a body and how it makes a dance better isn’t uncoordinated. You might not move your body like a dancer, but you move your brain and your vision in a way that makes the dance better. Your ideas and your skill create the atmosphere. I’m only the conduit.” — I love this line. The vision of a designer is so underrated. (Jack)

One thing that might be offputting to some readers is given by Renée Dahlia in an author's note: "This book is written in Australian English and some spelling and phrases may be unfamiliar to American readers." Personally, I find this to be a bit of an add choice given the London setting of the book and the nationalities of the characters. But Australian and British English are fairly close in spelling, we just have some Americanisations the Brits don't. I didn't see anything in here that shouldn't be broadly understandable by context if nothing else. Show Dance is I think perpetually free so if you want to try it out, I think it's worth it. The characters are cute and there are no nasty surprises.

[sapphicbookclub]

Show Up by Renée Dahlia

An invitation to her ex's wedding is the icing on a crappy cake for burlesque dancer Yolande. Her ex ghosted her just as they were about to take the stage for their neo-burlesque act. Yolande’s friends at Seraph's Burlesque Club persuade her that attending will show her ex that she's moved on. She just needs a date.

Shy bartender Reiko has a secret, or two. She can't risk anyone discovering that her life as a penniless PhD student and bartender is a sham. And even though she's been in love with Yolande since forever, when Yolande needs a plus-one to save face at her ex’s wedding, Reiko knows any fantasy of romance is just that - fantasy. Yolande will never notice the way Reiko looks at her.

When the drama of the wedding reveals a spark of attraction between them, Reiko will have to risk her fake identity for the hope of real love.

Genres: contemporary, romance

Get the book from The Book Depository here!

[atumbleamongthepages]

New Release: Show Off, by @dekabat

New Release: Show Off, by @dekabat

From casual hook up … to something more? Burlesque dancer Charlie Kent should be happy performing and hooking up with sexy people now the pandemic is over, just like before. Instead it feels empty. The audience is always missing Elle, her friend-with-benefits. They were just casual, but Charlie now realises she wants more. Much more. When Elle arrives at the Seraph’s Burlesque Club for business…

[bleedingsandshq]

[ FAHRIYE EVCEN, FEMALE, SHE/HER, 30 ] Whenever I hear HORNS by BRYCE FOX it always makes me think of ELVIRA VOSS. They have been so POISED & SERAPHIC, but occasionally they have gotten a little bit BEGUILING & RETICENT through the years. They currently work as a DANCER AT STARLIGHT BURLESQUE CLUB, a strangely fitting job for someone with loyalty to STARDUST as an ASSASSIN. ROSE GOLD HIGHLIGHTER SHIMMERING ALONG THE HEIGHT OF PROMINENT CHEEKBONES, BLACK SATIN DRESSES DRAPED OVER A SVELTE FRAME AND BLOOD RED ROSES IN A VASE ON THE WINDOW SILL makes them easy to spot on the strip. 

CONNECTIONS.

Her Brother: Elvira and her brother have a strange relationship. In the beginning, it could be described as strained with their father refusing to let them get to know each other. Her brother was the golden child to their father and as she was deemed a disgrace, their father didn’t want her to ‘destroy’ his only son. However, as years passed and Elvira moved away, the two kept in secret communication through writing letters to each other. Her brother was never as cold or cruel as their father and all his life, he’d wanted to know his younger sister. In the end, he was the one who helped Elvira from escaping her abusive relationship and although they’ve kept in touch since her arrival to Las Vegas, I would love to see her brother in action! Maybe he moves to see how his sister is doing or maybe she doesn’t realise he’s moving until he winds up in the Stardust syndicate also. Or, to make it even more angsty, he winds up in a rival gang. Naturally, the face claim would need to pass as a brother for Fahriye Evcen but age-wise, I’m fine with any kind of age gap as long as he is older than Elvira.

A Favourite Client: So, this could be somebody Elvira knows through her dancing at Starlight. Maybe this gentleman pays for private dances and tips extremely well? I have an idea in my head that this man would trust Elvira and confide in her. In a way, she’d kind of act as a therapist for him and his paying for her private time would be more about talking than anything else. Maybe over time, she would tell him things about her past or about the things she has done. Maybe he was somebody who in the beginning, when she was a freelance hit woman, he asked her to take out a target for him. There are endless possibilities for this one! Of course, added angst if he’s from an opposing crime group.

A Ghost From the Past: I think it would be very interesting to see Elvira come face to face with someone who knew her before her arrival in Las Vegas. It would be even more interesting if this somebody knows her dark secret about the murder of her ex-boyfriend. Maybe this person decides to blackmail Elvira? Or maybe they just want to know why she did what she did. Either way, it would be exciting to see that kind of connection play out.

BACKGROUND.

Elvira was born in Berlin to a Turkish mother and a German father. Unfortunately, her mother passed away during childbirth, leaving her father and elder brother devastated. It wasn’t long until she was able to realise just how much hatred her father held toward her, blaming her for the reason his wife was no longer by his side.

Her family were wealthy and led a lavish and excessive lifestyle, though Elvira was shunned and kept out of sight at all times. She grew up alone and lonely, not even her brother would give her companionship. Though this was down to their father forbidding the boy to form any relationship to his sister.

By the time Elvira turned 13, she had begun to develop a deep-rooted resentment for her father. A loathing so strong that she started acting out and going against his wishes which caused her to be shipped off to Nuremberg to live with her aunt and uncle.

It turned out that Elvira actually quite liked them. They were nice and they were kind and they were the kind of parents that she wished she’d been born with. At first, though, she wasn’t entirely certain why they’d became so fixed on teaching her how to defend herself. How to throw a punch or fight. How to use her words as weapons. Similarly, she wasn’t sure why they were so hellbent on teaching her how to be graceful and poised, how to conceal weapons on her person and how to wield a gun.

Though it all became clear to Elvira soon enough when she discovered her aunt and uncle were, in fact, former contract killers. While at first, it shocked her, the surprise soon ended and she continued with her training and lessons until she turned 20 and fell in love.

At first, her relationship with Ansel had been innocent and genuine. He’d been the first person to show Elvira an ounce of affection. Not to mention he actually respected her. These seeming qualities reeled her in until it was too late. After two years of being showered with love and gifts, things suddenly and swiftly took a nosedive and soon, he turned cruel and merciless. He’d hurt her then he’d be the one to shed the tears, claiming his sincere apologies and promising never to lay a finger upon her again.

Fast forward two more years and Elvira’s brother arrived with news of their father’s passing. At this time, she had moved in with Ansel and continued to suffer his abuse. Very quickly, her brother realised the abuse his sister was facing and after a few weeks, he hatched a plan for Elvira. He’d provided her with poison and an escape plan. Later that night, Elvira laced a glass of wine with the poison and sat back and watched Ansel guzzle the liquid down.

Hours later Ansel fell into a severe illness of which she offered to nurse him through, all the while knowing his impending death was inevitable. Before his very last breath, Elvira’s brother helped her flee Germany in fear of her falling under suspicion of Ansel’s death.

At first, Elvira remained uncertain of her future or her career prospects as she moved around from place to place before eventually winding up in Las Vegas when she was 25. It was the first place she felt at home and it just clicked. Eventually, she ended up in the employment of the Starlight Burlesque Club before she started to freelance as a hitwoman for hire. After all, she had grown up learning the trade and it made her quite a lot of money.

However, she soon fell under the radar of the Stardust syndicate who deemed her skilled enough for hire. That was when she became an assassin for them.

Elvira has lived in Las Vegas for 5 years, 3 of which she has worked as an assassin for the Starlight syndicate while also continuing to dance at the Starlight Burlesque Club. Although this isn’t the life she ever had in mind, she is more than happy with where she is. It isn’t quite what some would deem 'ideal’ for a young, promising, attractive woman but it’s a hell of a lot better than where she once was.

ELVIRA IS CURRENTLY CLOSED & WRITTEN BY CHRISSIE.

[bells-of-black-sunday]

//so I know I haven't gone into that much detail with Luci's little dimension that I'll call Hell for simplicity sake and I legit can't think of a better name atm

I think the shelves are a good place to start even tho I don't have the place fully fleshed out myself. For context if you’ve ever seen coral shelves they’re a lot like that jus over lapping and all similar sizes. Keep in mind most of these are working title:tm: names because I’m still working on the seraphic fold as well.

First shelf: residency

Residency mainly, it's also where Luci's massive mansion is. Typically is full of people that either work in the upper shelves or frequent them. Also has the basic shops, restaurants, parks, entertainment, and work places though the work places tend to be less labor intensive aside from blacksmiths. No notable districts worth naming.

Second shelf: The golden Ring

This is the only shelf that more so resembles a ring and is actually has rivers of golden water like those neat teas that look like a drop of sunlight. This is where people go to gamble, huge performances to toss money at, rigged games, and various kinds of races. This does also have housing, but people don't typically live there as there's housing right above them. Notable districts are the Carnival district, casino district, and the mob den.

Third shelf: The pleasure den

Typically lustful pleasures though there are a few districts that are actually kid friendly. Full of parties, night clubs, strip and burlesque clubs, a lot of bars, drug dispenceries, and brothels just to name a few. Once again not many typically live there and if they do they usually work there. Notable districts are the whisky district, red lantern, and the party district.

Fourth shelf: Catering

Dedicated to food preparation and fancy restaurants. Food is not grown or harvested here, it is just prepared. This is where the soul things happen they get turned into wines, candies, pastries, etc. This is where people go for fine dining or to just gorge themselves on whatever food they want. There is quite a bit of residency here mainly once again home to the people that work there. No districts just many 

Fifth shelf: relaxation

Dedicated to everything related to making someone relax. Very much a shelf that was created by Luci for mainly aesthetics and partly to get away from people. Everything you’d expect bathhouses, spa’s, massage parlors, resorts, etc. Mainly used as a place to vacation to.

Sixith shelf: more residency

Mainly home to people that work in the lower levels. Not many people frequent the lower shelves unless they work there. Same was the first shelf

Seventh shelf: Armory

Everything dedicated to war and weapon production. Enchanters, inscribers, blacksmiths, rune makers, soul forgers,warriors, generals, etc. they all work here. Most also reside there, but many do prefer the quieter shelf above. No notable districts, they’re all sort of mixed and matched together.

Eighth shelf: Materials

Materials for buildings, clothes, and basically everything. Everything here is transported to the various shelves to keep them running. One of the most densely populated shelves with a lot of workers. More people also tend to live here. Similar with all lower levels they have no distinct districts.

Ninth shelf: Hunting fields

Pretty self explanatory. The hunting fields are riddled with feral angelic beasts where the people that live and hunt there closely monitor their populations and only hunt what they need to. Very scantly populated with no cities. Basically full of families who have lived and hunted there for generations.

Tenth shelf: Soul harvesting

This is where people who break the major laws, are damned there by Luci’s husband, and being specifically made to cultivate sin are located. They’re kept there in the cold until they’re needed and then swiftly killed. The people who work there can do whatever they want to the prisoners and there’s a magical barrier at the top of the shelf only letting people with permission in or out. People who work there, live there. No districts just sortation into different categories of sin.

[sapphicbookclub]

Show Queen by Renée Dahlia

Seraph's Burlesque Club owner Beth Zendeli takes no nonsense. She hustled to keep her club afloat through lean years and a pandemic, and she doesn’t let her disability define her. But her perfect location has been sold, and the club is being evicted. The new owner is unreasonable, immovable, and irritating. In desperation, she turns to the online friends she talks about plants with...

Property investor Liz Whitten has plans for the old building she's just purchased, and she's used to getting her way. But when she meets the leaseholder in real life, a chance statement reveals Beth to be Liz's online friend QueenB. Can she really evict a friend? Especially a friend who is so unexpected and fascinating in real life.

Liz must decide if profits and ideals matter more than friendship, or if it’s worth taking a risk on love.

Genres: contemporary, romance

Get the book from Blackwell's with free worldwide shipping here!

[sapphicbookclub]

Show Off by Renée Dahlia

Burlesque dancer Charlie Kent should be happy performing and hooking up with sexy people now the pandemic is over, just like before. Instead it feels empty. The audience is always missing Elle, her friend-with-benefits. They were just casual, but Charlie now realises she wants more. Much more. When Elle arrives at the Seraph’s Burlesque Club for business only, Charlie is not going to let this second chance go to waste.

Elle’s interior design business has boomed since the pandemic with so much work she’s barely thought of the sexy-as-sin burlesque dancer who she used to hook up with… Except when she’s lonely all night. But she can’t be just friends anymore, so she stays away. When she is commissioned to refit Seraph's Burlesque Club, Elle bumps into Charlie, and all her best intentions go out of the perfectly dressed window.

Elle must keep her professional reputation intact, and can’t allow her attraction to Charlie to derail her work and her need for love. . . Unless she can have it all?

Genres: contemporary, romance

Get the book from The Book Depository here!

[atumbleamongthepages]

HRM Bonus - Cover Reveal: Show Off, by @dekabat and her favorite holiday romances

HRM Bonus – Cover Reveal: Show Off, by @dekabat and her favorite holiday romances

You’ve probably been seeing a lot of Renee Dahlia during HRM this year. That’s because she has some exciting things coming your way. One of those things is the release of Show Off in February, the book I’m helping reveal the cover of today. Book one in the Seraph’s Burlesque Club series came out last week. If you haven’t checked that out yet, click HERE. And also check Renee’s holiday romance His…

[atumbleamongthepages]

HRM Bonus Release - @dekabat Introduces a New Series!

HRM Bonus Release – @dekabat Introduces a New Series!

Seraph’s Burlesque Club series, in the author’s own words: Welcome to Seraph’s Burlesque Club in London. The first book in this series, Show Up, is a friends to lovers, fake dating romance between Yolande, one of the dancers, and Reiko, the club’s kitty. I wrote this series during the COVID pandemic in Australia, and it has a what some readers will call a fantasy element in that the book assumes…