Believe it or not, when Emily McGlashen first came to town and opened her Irish dance studio, I thought we could be friends. I thought it could be fun to partner on some dance events and so on. I’ve trained and danced in New York and while the competition has been fierce from time time, I’ve never been met with such rudeness and lack of respect as what I’ve experienced from Emily. She has turned my days inside out, I can tell you that.
For years, my studio has been the only one in Cumberland Creek. The nearest large town is Charlottesville, where there are plenty of good dancing schools, but some families can’t make a 45-minute drive for their children to take dance classes. I totally get that. That’s what my Mama and I had to do three times a week. And it was hard. But I love to dance and my mother always supported me—even if dance is not her thing at all.
But anyway, as I was saying, Emily has really gotten under my skin. My daily life usually goes along on a regular schedule. Right now, I’m getting ready to move into an apartment and staying with my Mom and Jon, her boyfriend until it’s ready. We all pitch in with my daughter Elizabeth, since my soon to be ex-husband, Bill, has moved to Charlottesville to be with his rather young girlfriend. (Some men take their mid-life crises to levels of ridiculousness, what can I say?)
But now, I have to worry about what Emily does next. First, she spread some flyers around town outlining how bad ballet is for children, then this morning, I opened up the newspaper to an editorial she wrote about the very same subject. Honestly! As if I would teach ballet to children if it were bad for them! I mean certainly there are injuries with any sport, dance, or any physical activity, but to come down so hard on ballet is just spiteful and mean. She wants to put me out of business. And between you and me, she might just succeed.
Students are dropping out, parents are calling with concerns, and her studio continues to grow. I’m trying not to panic and hoping my dance students will come back. But Emily is younger, more hip, and Irish dancing looks like so much fun that it really appeals to my young dance students.
As I said, my daily life used to be fairly mundane and routine. But these days a certain Irish dancer has it out for me. I don’t think I ever been so angry in my life! I’m playing it cool, but I’m not sure how much more I can take. Has anybody ever gotten to you like this?
This is the 7th stop on the Death of an Irish Diva Great Escapes Virtual Book Tour. For other stops on this tour, click HERE
GIVEAWAY: Comment on this post by noon EST on February 11, and you will be entered to win a copy of Death Of An Irish Diva. One winner will be chosen at random. Unless specified, U.S. entries only.
Meet the author
Mollie Cox Bryan writes the Cumberland Creek Mysteries, published by Kensington. DEATH OF AN IRISH DIVA is the third in the series. The first book, Scrapbook of Secrets, was nominated for an Agatha Award for Best First Novel of 2012; the next one Scrapped was published in January 2013. An e-novella will be released this June—A SCRAPPY SUMMER. The next book in the series, A CRAFTY CHRISTMAS, will be released in October 2014. She lives in Waynesboro, Va., with her husband and two daughters.
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I can’t wait to read this one!
Sounds good, count me in please!
I’d love to read this one! Thank you!
Love the title and would be so happy to have an opportunity to read whats inside. Sounds like a good book to read
I absolutely love this series–and can’t wait to read this book!
I’ve started this series and thoroughly enjoying it. Thanks for the update!
Thanks so much for all of your kind comments!
This is a fun series. Thank you for the chance to win
I think I must start at the beginning of this series. I’d love to win this one.
I’m looking forward to reading this series, thanks for the opportunity to win !
I would love to start this series!
I look forward to the series (new to me) I’d love to win/read it
This sounds like a fun series!
This looks like a great read and an awesome blog!!! And yes I have had someone get to me like that!
I really like the sounds of this book.
I’ve read Mollie Cox Bryan’s work and really enjoyed it. This book sounds like fun!
Thank heavens, no one has gotten to me like this. I have enjoyed this series.
Irish dancing does look like so much fun – but ballet is so beautiful. I believe this sounds like such a fun story.
Sounds like a good read.
Sounds really good. Can’t wait to read.
Thanks for all the lovely remarks. It’s the best Monday, ever! 😉
Ah, the classic American smear campaign. Nasty stuff.
OOh this sound great!! I’d love to win!!
Ireland is at the top of my wish list for international travel. I’ve been to Wales, Scotland and England and love them dearly but I have a feeling I won’t be satisfied till I’ve been to Sligo. Sounds like a great read. Sign me up.
Ireland is at the top of my international travel wish list. I’ve been to Wales, Scotland and England but I don’t think I’ll be satisfied till I visit Sligo. Sign me up for the giveaway please.
This is my third attempt to comment using WordPress. Let’s see if this one works. Love to get into this giveaway 🙂
Sounds like another fun book. I like to read about nasty ladies.
suefarrell.farrell@gmail.com
Dru, I tried commenting three times and nothing appears. Maybe they will all hit at once ???? Judy
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Why didn’t my comment “take”? I’ll try again. I like to read about nasty ladies and this sounds like a fun book.
suefarrell.farrell@gmail.com
I can’t dance, don’t ask me. Lyrics from what song? Oldie, ancient, etc.
I have met people like that, most of them when I was in school, bitter people. This sounds like this will be a good mystery, thanks for the chance to win.
Irish dancing–maybe just in time for St Patrick’s Day!!
Looking forward to reading this series. I love dancing even though I don’t dance myself.
Sounds like a fun series. Thanks for the chance to win.
I know that I have to get my hands on a copy of this book. Questions have been raised in just this review alone and I have a curiosity that a cat would be proud of.
Sounds like a good book. I’m going to read it.
kaye.killgore@comcast.net
Sounds good. It would be great for March and St. Patrick’s Day.
already on my WishList!!!
thank you for the giveaway!!!
I can’t wait to see what happens to Emily!
contest is closed.