On Tour 09/25/25-10/30/25 “Dancing Woman” by Elaine Neil Orr

Release Date: January 21, 2025

About The Book:

It’s 1963 and Isabel Hammond is an expat who has accompanied her agriculture aid worker husband to Nigeria, where she is hoping to find inspiration for her art and for her life. Then she meets charismatic local singer Bobby Tunde, and they share a night of passion that could upend everything. Seeking solace and distraction, she returns to her painting and her home in a rural village where she plants a lemon tree and unearths an ancient statue buried in her garden. She knows that the dancing female figure is not hers to keep, yet she is reluctant to give it up, and soon, she notices other changes that make her wonder what the dancing woman might portend.

Against the backdrop of political unrest in Nigeria, Isabel’s personal situation also becomes precarious. She finds herself in the center of a tide of suspicion, leaving her torn between the confines of her domestic life and the desire to immerse herself in her art and in the culture that surrounds her. The expat society, the ancient Nigerian culture, her beautiful family, and even the statue hidden in a back room—each trouble and beguile Isabel. Amid all of this, can she finally become who she wants to be?

About The Author:

Elaine Neil Orr is the author of five books, including the novels A Different Sun and Swimming Between Worlds. She was born and grew up in Nigeria, the daughter of expat parents, and most of her writing is grounded in both the American South and the Nigerian South. She is a professor of literature at N.C. State University and serves on the faculty of the Brief-Residency MFA in Writing Program at Spalding University. She lives in Raleigh. https://www.elaineneilorr.com/

Social Media:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elaineneilorr

Book Blurbs:

“Brimming with vivid description, deeply rooted in time and place, and with a fascinating cast of complicated, enigmatic characters, Dancing Woman is ultimately a story of longing—for a sense of self, community, redemption, and healing—and a profound exploration of the transformative power of art in its many forms.”—Charles Frazier, Cold Mountain and The Trackers

“1960s Nigeria is in turmoil, and so is Elaine Neil Orr’s thoughtful, unique protagonist: transplanted American bride Isabel Hammond, whose struggles to find her purpose and identity launch this fascinating tale. Dancing Woman is a provocative, lyrical, moving exploration of a dynamic young woman’s journey from crisis to growth in a challenging time and place, and well worth readers’ valuable time.”—Therese Fowler, It All Comes Down to This and Z

“Elaine Neil Orr’s latest novel is a powerful story of transformation and redemption, guided by the sure, steady hand of an author at the height of her power. Dancing Woman is a fierce reminder of the dangers of unearthing long buried passions, while simultaneously whispering a call to do just that. A thoroughly captivating read.”—Rachel M. Harper, The Other Mother and This Side of Providence

Bloggers On Tour:

Sept. 15th- Lindas Book Obsession https://www.facebook.com/lindasbookobsession/

Sept. 20th – Books Told by Courtney https://www.instagram.com/bookstoldbycourtney

Sept. 23rd- Books and Coffee MX https://instagram.com/booksandcoffeemx

Sept. 23rd- Sarahs Bookish Reviews https://instagram.com/sarahs.bookish.reviews

Oct. 1st- Tammy Reads https://instagram.com/tammyreads62

Oct. 4th- Miss W Book Reviews https://instagram.com/misswbookreviews

Oct. 9th – Nurse Bookie https://instagram.com/nurse_bookie

Oct. 15th- Tiffany Vt4 https://instagram.com/tiffanyvt4

Oct. 16th- One More Exclamation https://instagram.com/onemoreexclamation

Oct. 16th- Marilyn Goncalves https://instagram.com/marilynjgon

Oct. 19th- Books Love And Understanding https://instagram.com/booksloveandunderstanding