Lauren Gibbons Paul is a Boston-area writer. She worked as a freelance business/technology journalist for more than 30 years.

Her pivot to fiction coincided with taking up ballroom dance lessons seven years ago. Lauren was immediately fascinated by the glamorous world -- especially the instructors -- most of whom come here from other countries. This world is a perfect backdrop within which to explore themes of wanting to belong, wanting to be seen, making one's way in America.