Each must deal with exhilaration and heartbreak as well as frustration and changes that test their ability to cope. Significant events permanently influence their lives. Shortly after Christmas, everything changes for Marta, Bartley, and Steve. But her steadfast focus is ballet and some of her adventures with him lead to problems with Madame Cosper. Over the months ahead, he becomes her tour guide of the area and attempts to convince Marta to be his girl. He’s attracted to her and begins his pursuit. Steve, a young college man and a reporter, spots Marta when he’s assigned to write an article about ballet for the local paper. Marta determines to dance every role with confidence in hopes of proving to Madame that she’s up for every challenge.

Expecting expulsion, Marta receives a second chance in the form of dancing the unpopular character roles during the fall and winter performances. The Ballet Trilogy book series by Paddy Eger includes books 84 Ribbons: A Dancers Journey and When the Music Stops: Dance On. Marta begins their association poorly when she makes a disastrous choice. Madame Cosper, the artistic director, is a demanding woman. Their time together becomes an important lifeline through their first year. Marta spends her free time practicing when she’s not spending time with her new friends Lynne and Bartley, her fellow corps dancers. The two male boarders are supportive Carol, a fellow boarder, ignores her. B., is friendly, reduces her rent when Marta’s offers to bake for the boarders and later allows her to use the basement as a practice studio. As Marta’s new life unfolds, she must learn to face not only the successes of dancing in the corps de ballet, but the challenges and setbacks that might crush the dream she’s had for so long.Īfter a couple of mishaps, Marta settles into life in a boarding house located near the ballet company. Seventeen year old Marta Selbryth realizes her dream of becoming a professional dancer when the Intermountain Ballet Company in Billings, Montana invites her to join their 1957 season. The Debut novel by award-winning author Paddy EgerĪ young dancer realizes her life long dream, if only for a while.

84 Ribbons by Paddy Eger