Interview with author of DANCE OF SHADOWS, Yelena Black!

Tell us a little about yourself and Dance of Shadows.

I first tried to write a book when I was in elementary school (it was only one page long!). Since then, I’ve stayed the course. I started publishing articles and essays when I was in high school, then went on to study creative writing in college and graduate school. As a student, I loved English and History because they’re both so story oriented. I remember despising Physics. I was always frustrated by how many unknowns there were, and how so many of my questions about the way the world worked had no answers. Now I find the mystery of it fascinating and wish I had paid more attention in class.

I have always had a passion for dance, and I began thinking of an idea for story that involved ballet … and that is where Dance of Shadows came from. The story is about a girl named Vanessa Adler who attends the New York Ballet Academy, the same school that her older sister Margaret disappeared from years earlier. She is set on figuring out exactly what happened to her sister, and begins to uncover something more sinister than she could have ever imagined. Oh, and of course, there are a lot of cute boys.

Do you read reviews of your books? What do you do when you read a not-so-nice one?

I’m going to try and keep my head down and simply focus on writing.

What's the one piece of technology you can't live without?

My iPhone.

Who is your literary hero?

Suzanne Collins, who is a brilliant writer and has managed to engage the world with her amazing characters. Also J.K. Rowling and Stephen King—who writes amazing and dark mysteries.

If you could choose one book cover to put on your wall as a poster, what would it be?

Bunheads by Sophie Flack. It’s a dancer’s dream come true!

About Dance of Shadows...

Dancing with someone is an act of trust. Elegant and intimate; you're close enough to kiss, close enough to feel your partner's heartbeat. But for Vanessa, dance is deadly – and she must be very careful who she trusts . . .

Vanessa Adler attends an elite ballet school – the same one her older sister, Margaret, attended before she disappeared. Vanessa feels she can never live up to her sister's shining reputation. But Vanessa, with her glorious red hair and fair skin, has a kind of power when she dances – she loses herself in the music, breathes different air, and the world around her turns to flames . . .

Soon she attracts the attention of three men: gorgeous Zep, mysterious Justin, and the great, enigmatic choreographer Josef Zhalkovsky. When Josef asks Vanessa to dance the lead in the Firebird, she has little idea of the danger that lies ahead – and the burning forces about to be unleashed . . .

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