Publication Day: Sequins and Starlight

This is my seventeenth publication day, and the excitement never ebbs. I'm delighted to announce the release of Sequins and Starlight, my second contemporary novel and the follow up to A Change of Location.

This story isn't autobiographical, but there are many elements that reflect my own past and present, places that are special to me, and my non-writing careers and interests and activities. 

From the back cover:

In London’s West End, where theatre lights blaze with promise, desire and ambition put two wary hearts to the ultimate test.

Ellie Lowery, former ballet prodigy turned international burlesque sensation, craves change and a professional challenge. By reinventing herself as a stage actress, she’ll not only escape the grind of constant touring—she can fulfill her late husband’s final wish. Her breakthrough role in a debut play provides the perfect fresh start, yet she’s reluctant to permanently retire her pointe shoes.

Corporate executive Dan Wheeler is instantly captivated by the alluring American who gained worldwide fame sashaying in cabarets. And, he soon discovers, there’s much more to appreciate than her beauty and charm and talent. But a visit to his ancestral home in the countryside reveals a significant obstacle to their future happiness. Dan assures Ellie that his father’s disapproval will eventually fade. But because she was married to someone whose parents never accepted her, she’s fully aware of the difficulties they will face.

An unexpected threat emerges from her past, with the potential to lower the curtain on her already troubled romance. Desperate to restore balance after a staggering betrayal, Ellie must decide whether ballet will once again serve as her sanctuary and solace.

An absorbing tale of artistic resilience, family loyalty, and the courage to defy expectations.

PRAISE FOR SEQUINS AND STARLIGHT

“Porter writes in a clear and appealing manner that makes the complicated world of dance accessible and attractive .… The complex relationships are engaging throughout, always keeping the reader hooked. A page-turning romance for those who adore the worlds of theater and dance.” —Kirkus Reviews

“Porter’s juxtapositions of personalities and worlds are nothing short of exquisite . . . A compelling story . . . Immersive descriptions, strong characterization, and challenges.” —Midwest Book Review

“Another standing ovation for Margaret Porter! Anglophiles, theatre kids, and balletomanes everywhere will devour her delicious and delightful Sequins and Starlight.”  —Leslie Carroll, author of Temporary Insanity

“Made me fall headlong into the luscious story set in England, with ballet, burlesque, and theater, as well as love bruised by family expectations. Romance readers will adore Sequins and Starlight.” —Literary Redhead 

Here are some of the novel's locations:

London

Gloucestershire

A New England lakeside cottage (maybe just like my own!)

The Rivoli Bar in London's Ritz Hotel

To order the paperback: Bookshop.org (Indiebound), Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Books a Million, Walmart, Waterstone's (UK), Blackwell's (UK), Saxo

To order the ebook: Kindle, Apple, Nook, Kobo 

Among the scheduled promotions: bookstore events, conference appearances and book signings, photo shoots, television and podcast interviews--in the US and UK. It's going to be a very busy time--but always lots of fun!

Interview with Mamie Parris: Broadway star, concert singer, audiobook narrator

I feel so fortunate that the amazing actress and singer Mamie Parris narrated the audiobook of The Limits of Limelight. The production process was smooth and entirely professional, and I couldn't be more pleased with the result. And the reviews!

My own history as book narrator is limited to nonfiction and instructional manuals. So I was curious to get Mamie's perspective on narrating novels--and this novel in particular. She very generously responded to my questions.

Relying on an audiobook narrator with a strong performance background was important for several reasons. Many of the characters are themselves performers, in film and theatre. Ginger Rogers, for instance, arrived in Depression-era Hollywood from the Broadway stage--where you have also appeared. Her cousin Phyllis Fraser, is striving to become an actress. Did you feel a connection with them, or other actresses in the novel, by virtue of being an actress and singer yourself? What impact did that have on your approach to the material?

I absolutely felt a connection to every performing artist in this book. Since the age of 17 I've been in New York City struggling, then working, then finding success as a professional actress. I'm very familiar with the kinds of struggles and triumphs relayed in the stories of Phyllis, Ginger, Anne, and Peg. I've even trod the same boards as many of these actors at theatres from New York to Connecticut to Maine. Our business is unique and very intimate. I felt privileged to give voice to their stories. 

When voicing the well-known Hollywood personalities, did you carry out any background research, apart from the words on the page? Create some sort of profile, as I do before writing about them?

I research and create characters for audiobooks the same way I would for a play. When I have the opportunity to narrate a book that features real people, my goal is never to imitate, but to take all the information I can gather, and create a fully realized person in my mind. The way they breathe and think is as important to me as how they sound. 

I’m curious about what aspect might have been the most enjoyable about recording The Limits of Limelight. And what you regard as the greatest challenge.

The biggest challenge was also, in its own way, the most enjoyable to me. I loved voicing some of the most recognizable actors and personalities of the era. But with that opportunity comes a great responsibility to their fans. I hope I haven't let them down.

Did you have a favorite character to portray? Or a favorite Astaire and Rogers movie musical? (I can never decide which one is mine!)

I loved Ginger, of course. She's confident and carefree, and grows into a real firebrand. Phyllis's journey was most rewarding. Of course, poor Peg Entwhistle was enjoyable for other reasons. She was complex and so fragile, I wanted to make sure I treated her with respect and love. And who wouldn't relish the opportunity to step into Katharine Hepburn's shoes?

I love a Gershwin tune, so Shall We Dance might be my favorite Fred and Ginger flick, though my favorite number has to be "Night and Day" from The Gay Divorcee. I'm thrilled that Ginger's incredible feathered dress has a mention in the book (with a killer story to it).

You have a home studio, set up with all the necessary technical equipment for recording books and commercial voice-overs. What is your typical work schedule when recording an audiobook? Is there an optimal time of day to do it? How long is your average recording session for an audiobook?

It all depends. I can generally tell right away how dense the material is: The number of characters and scenes involving dialogue, the type and length of the book itself. All this dictates my timeline. When I'm actively recording a book, I expect to spend anywhere from 4-6 hours in the studio at a time. I'm fond of working in the afternoon, when my voice has had plenty of time to warm up and settle. When I finish recording, I can expect anywhere from a few days to a week of editing and engineering, to make sure the finished product sounds the best it can.

With in-person concerts and stage performances possible again, after more than a year of theatre closures due to the Covid pandemic, please share upcoming events and locations.

I'm thrilled to be back in theatres again! Future performance dates and book releases can be found at my website.

Thanks for the great insights, Mamie! I couldn't be more pleased with the audio version of The Limits of Limelight.

This audiobook is available from Audible, ibooks, Google Play, Libro.fm, Chirp, and many other vendors.