A Dance in Donegal
“Deibel’s exemplarily executed debut is a touching tale of love and forgiveness that also beautifully captures the warmth and magic of 1920s Ireland. The author’s flair for vivid characterization is especially striking in Moira, whose realistic struggles with her faith give her memorable depth and relatability.”
Booklist
All her life, Boston-born Moira Doherty has relished her mother's descriptions of the Emerald Isle. When her mother dies unexpectedly in the summer of 1920, Moira is compelled to fulfill her dying wish—that she become the teacher in Ballymann, the beloved village in Donegal, Ireland, she's heard so much about.
After an arduous voyage, Moira begins a challenging new job in an unfamiliar and ancient country. Though a few locals offer a warm welcome, others are distanced by superstition and suspicion. Rumors about Moira's mother are unspoken in her presence but threaten to derail everything she's journeyed to Ballymann to do. Moira must rely on the kindness of a handful of friends—and the strength of Sean, an unsettlingly handsome thatcher who keeps popping up unannounced—as she seeks to navigate a life she'd never dreamed of … but perhaps was meant to live.
Praise