Lendle

A socialite, a retired dermatologist, a hometown opera singer, and a bipolar ketchup heiress have dreams of turning the Hankey Opera House into Lincoln Center on the Schuylkill River. The reality is that the Hankey Opera Company stands on the brink of financial ruin. They think mounting an ambitious production of Mozart’s Don Giovanni, a popular opera about history’s most legendary womanizer, will solve their problems. It only compounds them.

After the leading man pulls out of his contract, they wager their future on a rising star, an Argentine baritone with marquee-idol looks who is an incorrigible, untameable modern-day Don Juan. Will his constant need for sex drag the struggling opera company down with him?

DON JUAN IN HANKEY, PA will have readers flying through its pages. Prior knowledge about opera is optional. Love of laughter is essential.

DON JUAN IN HANKEY, PA a Finalist in the 2012 National Indie Excellence Awards for New Fiction.

Praise for DON JUAN IN HANKEY, PA:
“A fast, fun read with wit, charm, and can-do optimism at its heart. Some authors write comedy with aplomb. Others excel at infusing stories with emotional warmth. Martin combines both in a debut novel that will have you doubled over, laughing, that deserves to be welcomed with a hearty brava.” - Kaylie Jones, author of LIES MY MOTHER NEVER TOLD ME

“Gale Martin has written a clever and enchanting story that sings from the first page to its last. Opera buffs and novices will enjoy the juicy drama and intrigue that happens both on and behind the stage. What a treat!” - Margo Candela, author of GOOD-BYE TO ALL THAT

“Like a fabulous production, DON JUAN IN HANKEY, PA seethes with wild jealousies, convoluted mysteries, wry comic turns, resident ghosts, mysterious assailants, bold intrigues, longing, love, lust, and - of course - plenty of opera. Gale Martin’s novel is ‘meraviglioso!’” - Lenore Hart, author of BECKY

“Hold onto your libretti! Gale Martin takes opera, and mayhem, to new heights in her laugh-out-loud, rollicking, confection of a novel. One part romance, one part mystery, DON JUAN IN HANKEY, PA will sweep you off your feet. You won’t want to put it down!” - Nina Solomon, author of THE SINGLE WIFE

“A lively romp about a dysfunctional, small-town opera guild. Martin writes about the Pennsylvania Dutch and opera fanatics with the same verve that Garrison Keillor writes about Minnesota Lutherans and public radio.” - Richard Fellinger, author of THEY HOVER OVER US