"Firefly", by Madison Night – Review

Firefly by Madison Night
Genre: Contemporary
Length: Novella

Libby Hill, a classically trained dancer whose dreams were dashed by chronic knee pain, runs a quaint coffee shop, The Bean, in Las Vegas. Although her days are filled with the aromas of Irish Cream and rich Columbian, her nights are filled with something much different – Libby transforms into Firefly, a seductive and confidant dancer at the infamous Tommy Rocker’s, a local topless strip club.

Desmond Carlisle is in Vegas for a week, desperate to get away from the daily pressures of his shattered home life and rock star celebrity. He’s keeping his presence in the city low key, opting to frequent quiet venues and cafés like The Bean. He needs a distraction, and he’s hoping one just might come his way in the form of a delicious topless dancer with his band’s logo tattooed on the small of her back.

But there’s one little problem.

Des hates the fact that Firefly refuses to take off the wig and mask she wears on stage. He doesn’t know if he can bring himself to be intimate with someone who won’t even show him her face – and Libby is too ashamed to reveal Firefly’s true identity to anyone.

Will Libby be able to stop hiding behind her embarrassment before it’s too late, and Des leaves Las Vegas for good?

Excerpt and Ordering Information

Sometimes I need a break from reading full length novels and turn to novellas and short stories to “feed the need”. I get weekly updates from Noble Romance Publishing, which offers a variety of e-books for download. The synopsis gives an excellent overview of this 64 page story which appealed to me for a variety of reasons. Firefly is Madison Night’s first publication and I hope we see more from this Author who lives in Toronto.

Firefly

As the synopsis indicates Libby Hill is a dancer who left her family in Boulder, Colorado and moved to Las Vegas with hopes of dancing professionally on the strip. Unfortunately Libby develops patellar tendonitis resulting in chronic knee pain so her dreams are dashed. Libby owns a coffee shop, she has one employee and has been able to eke out a decent living for herself. To satisfy her desire to dance Libby performs one show a night as an exotic dancer at local club. Libby’s classical training and persona make her act a nightly favorite at the club. She maintains her anonymity by wearing a wig and mask on stage and performs under the stage name “Firefly”.

Libby has been a fangirl of guitarist Desmond Carlisle, from the rock band “Red Rain” ever since she can remember and when he walks into her coffee shop one day she realizes he is likely in Las Vegas for a break, trying to avoid the media. Libby never expects to see him again. Then Des turns up at the strip club for her performance and is entranced by the seductive dancer. He pays her a visit after the show.

The sexual chemistry crackles between Firefly and Desmond, however she refuses to reveal her true identity even to him. Libby is somewhat ashamed of feeding her need to dance by stripping in a club, she is also worried that Des is attracted to the sensuous Firefly and will not be to Libby, coffee shop owner. Des, however is a decent guy, he declines further involvement with her unless she removes her disguise.

I really liked both these characters. Des is written as a strong man who needs a break from the celebrity lifestyle and his own personal issues. Moreover, he has morals which he demonstrates in his reluctance to continue an intimate relationship with a woman who will not be honest with herself or him. Even though this is a short story, Libby is forced to really examine herself and her fear of others finding out about her alter ego.

I also really liked the believable ending Ms. Night wrote for Libby and Des’ story and how at the end of the day, he discovers her true identity. If you enjoy a sexy contemporary romance about a rocker and a dancer, you may like to give this short story a try.

Madison Night has a blog, however she doesn’t seem to be actively posting at the moment. I wanted her to know I really enjoyed “Firefly”.

My Rating: 3.5/5 (IMHO this is a really great first story for a new author.)
Heat Level: Hot!