Operatic Divas and Naked Irishmen

An Innkeeper’s Tale

1. Operatic Divas and Naked Irishmen depicts the working life of one woman who, at sixty-four, does not let age or lack of enough money stand in the way of opening her own business. She does whatever it takes to make it a success. During the economic crunch of 2008-2013, when her occupancy rate drops, she perseveres and keeps the business alive for another seven years until her health and eighty-four years of age, force her to close after twenty years in business. 2. For those thinking of starting out in the hospitality business, this new book is an eye-opening must-read. The author deals with a variety of unusual guests, some friendly and some not, who create the norm in this humorous and compelling memoir of a determined retired teacher turned innkeeper. This memoir reveals an inspiring and compelling story of one tenacious woman re-inventing herself by building a new career and thriving business from the ground up. 3. Running a bed and breakfast is much more than creating an inviting ambiance and comfortable over-night stay. It centers greatly on the morning meal. This book describes how the author, who has won awards for cooking, enjoys preparing the best morning meals she possibly can and creates, cooks , and serves them in her beautiful dining room. It includes a delicious recipe at the end of every chapter. The author’s recipes can be found in many cookbooks, as well as one of her own she co-authored. 4. According to a recent study on entrepreneurship, “Women entrepreneurs bring a particular set of skills that lend themselves to being successful entrepreneurs. They have a more nuanced view of risk [than their male counter-parts]” (from: Sources of Economic Hope: Women’s Entrepreneurship, Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, November, 2014). This book is a good example of how one woman is breaking down the barriers for women entrepreneurs. 5. Women today who wish to remain single or not to re-marry are beginning to learn there are many options for the future that do not include relying on someone else for financial stability. They are learning to rely on their own resources and realizing that they may choose to create useful, fulfilling, and happy lives by taking a risk and putting themselves out there, as the author demonstrates in this book 6. An 86 year old woman launches her debut book and is working on a second one