Introducing María Elena Alonso-Sierra
Where did the idea for the story come from?
From my experience as a dancer, and from experiencing the lives of my mother and father (and family), and hearing some of the horror stories. Everyone was a dancer: my father with Ballet Russes of Monte Carlo and then Sociedad Pro-Arte Musical; my mother with Sociedad Pro-Arte Musical and Ballet Nacional de Cuba; my uncle with Sociedad Pro-Arte Musical, American Ballet Theater; and my aunt, Alicia Alonso, prima ballerina with Ballet de Cuba. So, since I’m into suspense, mystery, and detective, I thought it would be a great storyline to use a ballerina who witnesses attempted murder.
Give a short summary of what the book is about.
Elena del Carral was invited to dance in a Gala Performance by none other than Derek Michaels, founder of the world-renowned Terpsichore Ballet in New York City. She’s also been invited to audition for Black Rhapsody, the unfinished ballet from the late choreographic master, René Fauchier. Delighted, Elena accepts the invitation, knowing this performance will enhance her career, not only as a principal dancer at Ballet Etudes in Monaco, but also as an up-and-coming choreographer, as well.
But Elena holds a secret, too, one which revolves around Black Rhapsody itself. Unfortunately, no one warned Elena, when she arrived in New York, that such revelation would spark a chain of events that would involve attempted murder and finding an almost dead body in the rehearsal hall.
With her friends, Francesca, Fred, and Anne, Elena attempts to figure out what is wrong in Terpsichore as attacks on members of the company and her continue. And with the blossoming relationship with Jake Forrester, the company’s insurance underwriter fraud investigator, well, things get more complicated.
What genre is it?
Cozy Mystery
How many pages is it?
248
Why do you think the readers will want to read it?
It is a fun mystery, where I give glimpses of the real world of ballet, what a ballerina sees, experiences, does and thinks while trying to figure out why she’s being targeted and others are hurt.
Where are you located?
Right now? South Florida
Description
A different kind of cozy…
Elena del Carral has been invited to dance at a Gala Performance by none other than Derek Michaels, founder of the world-renowned Terpsichore Ballet in New York City. She’s also been invited to audition for Black Rhapsody, the unfinished ballet from the late choreographic master, René Fauchier. Delighted, Elena accepts the invitation, knowing this performance will enhance her career, not only as a principal dancer, but also as an up-and-coming choreographer, as well.
But Elena holds a secret, too, one which revolves around Black Rhapsody itself. Unfortunately, no one warned Elena, when she arrived in New York, that her revelation would spark a chain of events that would involve attempted murder and finding an almost dead body in the rehearsal hall.
Excerpt
“You’ve got a nerve coming back.”
Elena didn’t even have to turn around.
“Aren’t you supposed to be at rehearsal, Caro?” She grabbed her spare ballet slippers and pointe shoes from the locker and dropped them inside her bag.
“You’ve no right to audition.”
Elena tried not to sigh. She knew better than to engage with Caroline Wainwright. It was useless, especially with an embittered woman. Caroline’s own fault, really. Elena would have warned her five years ago about Justin’s supreme philandering and opportunistic tendencies, of how he discarded women like torn tights, especially if same woman could not advance his career. Then again, why should she have? Caroline had been the main culprit for Elena’s breakup with Justin. Now, after five years, karma had been foisted on Caroline as Justin grand jetéd his way away from her and châinéd over to fawn over the up-and-coming darling of the company, Martina Brzinsky. Winner of the Lausanne Grand Prix three years prior, Vaganova trained, and lured from the Royal Ballet with the promise of prima status at Terpsichore, critics and directors had her as the new Osipova or Guillem.
And Justin wanted to be her partner, professionally, so the rumor said. And, what better way to achieve that than as Martina’s real-life partner?
“She has every right,” Anne Ruskin interrupted, stopping by her locker and opening it. “Derek asked her.”
“Well, if it isn’t our supreme leader’s personal oracle.”
“Bitchiness doesn’t suit you, dear,” Anne said with her usual phlegm. “I just thought to warn you Derek and Brod have been waiting for you for over ten minutes. They’re not pleased. So, they’re rehearsing Martina.”
Caroline made the quickest exit Elena had ever seen.
“Welcome back.” Anne grinned and opened her arms.
Karen J. Mossman - World of Stories 
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