Tour de Force“…a feat of great technical skill…” “…an arresting, vital step…” A Passion for Dance Gilly Kincade is a rising star on the New York ballet scene. Dancing is her life’s passion, second only to her love for Jesus, and she believes her faith sets her apart–but hasn’t held her back. Chosen for a plum role in a new ballet choreographed for her, it seems the sky’s the limit. Then she meets Jacob Ferrar…. A Passion for God Jacob Ferrar has left behind the glittering temptations of stardom in New York ballet. He has established a reputation as a brilliant, innovative artistic director of a regional dance company in Alabama, with a vision for choreography that glorifies God and encourages the audience. In fact, he’s certain nothing could make him go back…. Becomes Love’s Tour de Force When Jacob offers Gilly the lead in his original Easter ballet, she begins to reevaluate what she’s willing to sacrifice for dance. And he sees exciting potential of shining light on the world’s dark stage. But their brilliant first performance is destroyed by a terrible accident, and Gilly and Jacob find themselves facing an uncertain future. Together, they dance the fine line between personal vision and God’s will, listening for the beat of the Father’s heart. REVIEWS Focus On the Familysays: “As Christian dancers in a secular industry, both Jacob and Gillian struggle to stand up for the truth and show God’s love without condemnation.” *Note: spoilers included in the review.”This novel is a tour de force like its title. White creates the typical romance novel but successfully keeps readers’ attentions through her addicting story line and blending of Christian and secular cultures found in the dance world. … Recommended for any fan of romance novels, lovers of the arts, or seeker of God’s will.” –HW, Church Libraries “White takes readers behind the scenes into the competitive dance world. It’s refreshing that Gillian befriends and respects people living different lifestyles while still boldly living out her faith.” (4 stars) “We first met Gillian Kincade in Elizabeth White’s book Off the Record. Tour de Force brings Gilly back into our lives. In Tour de Force Gilly has grown and matured and is living in New York City as a dancer. White does an excellent job of writing a captivating story about the life Gilly has chosen to live and the people that surround her. The book moves between light-hearted banter and serious dialogue about life, culture and faith as Gilly struggles to find her place as Christian and ballerina in the world of dance. It’s a must read for all White fans both ones that have read her books in the past or for the first time reader. ” “Tour de Force is the perfect blend of a dramatic plot, challenging spiritual journeys and a fascinating insight into the life of a ballet company and its dancers. Addressing significant moral issues that are prevalent in the world of professional dance, this story is more serious than Elizabeth’s previous offerings but equally engaging. Plunged into Gilly’s world, I was fascinated by the technical, yet never overwhelming, details of ballet, entranced by Gilly’s exuberance, and Jacob’s reticence, but above all delighted in a story of grace, forgiveness and love. Elizabeth White’s abilities once again shine brightly, cementing her place as one of my must read authors.” “The author’s portrayal of the ballet world is one of the huge strengths of this book. From the exhilaration of a good performance to descriptions of the toll that dance takes on the dancer’s bodies to how the long hours and demands of the profession affect one’s life, readers get to step behind the curtain into a world that feels real. Gillian, her friends and her colleagues seem a lot more modern and believable than the characters in most secular contemporaries that I’ve read….I vastly enjoyed Tour de Force and would recommend it without hesitation.” Others: |
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Hello Mrs.White,
How are you? My name is Violetta Katykhin. I really loved your book Tour de Force. I bought this book for myself for my birthday and I can tell you that this was an amazing read. I’ve had this book for over 2 years now and I’ve read it more than once and each time I read it I learn new things. It was amazing. Really inspirational and from each POV I felt like I was in the story. That is what I am emailing you about. I really loved your book and I want to share it with other people that haven’t read it on this site called Wattpad. This is a site were all kinds of people from all over the world gather and write and “publish” their work. Fan-fiction, fantasy, teen-fiction, non-fiction, werewolf, vampire, etc. So many different genres to choose from. My friend and I have started a kinda of a sci-fi book called Obverse. And so far the people that are following me really like it and ask for updates but I haven’t been updating cause my co-writer is in Gov. School right now. Anyway so the question is, will you let me share this book on Wattpad to other readers all over the world. Thank you very much.
Sincerely one of your readers,
Violetta A. Katykhin
P.S. Please email me your answer as soon as you read this, I’m asking for your permission before I post Tour de Force on Wattpad. Thank you again. God bless!
Hi Violetta,
Thank you so much for your kind note. I’m glad you enjoyed Tour de Force. I enjoyed writing it and I’m always glad to hear from readers.
I also appreciate your thoughtfulness in asking permission before you post my book on a public site. Unfortunately all my books are protected by copyright laws. So it’s not a good idea to put it up somewhere for free. Any of your friends who want to read it can check it out of the library or buy it on Amazon. Besides, if you want me to keep writing great books somebody has to pay me! Haha!
Thanks again for writing!
Beth
Hi again Beth,
I reread your book this summer again….it gets better every time I read it! I was just checking back in to see if you had any news on a sequel. I really love this book. I hope you have had a great summer; I did. 🙂
Hello again, Misty! Thank you so much for coming by. There will be a sequel to TDF down the road somewhere, but I’m not sure when. I’m working on a historical series right now.
My new website is at bethwhite.net. You’re welcome to drop by anytime!
Blessings,
Beth
hi il loved your tour de force book it was amazing! i would love a sequal because my friends and i want to know what happens with Gilly and Jacob! ( if you do have a sequal please make the wedding CREATIVE) Also on your website it would be great to have an upcoming book/series page so people can know hwere to go and also what books go with what series! I loved your book and again would love a sequal thanks so much!
Alexandra
Hi, Alexandra,
That’s a very good couple of suggestions. Today’s blog post will give you the series connections. (I had it on another page, but it was kinda hidden.) So here you go!
Regarding a sequel to Tour de Force, I am working on one but Gilly and Jacob will be already married. I think. Things change according to whether or not I have a better idea!
Thanks for writing, and stay tuned…..
Warmly,
Beth
I just finished this book last night…it’s my favorite so far! I love Gilly. She’s so refreshing. I cannot wait for your future books. Thanks again for another great book.
Glad you enjoyed it, Sara. Appreciate you stopping by. Merry Christmas!
Madison, you are my kind of reader. I was reading romances by Grace Livingston Hill and Louisa May Alcott by the time I was twelve. I’m so very happy you like my stories. Please keep walking with God and continue to look for fiction that will edify your spirit and grow your mind.
I’m working on a couple of story ideas that you’ll probably like—one is a spin-off of Tour de Force. Victoria Farigno will be the heroine, and Gilly and Jacob will be in it as secondary characters. I’m also working on a book with Tucker as the hero. Please be patient…it may take a while to get them into print.
Thank you for your sweet blessings, and I return them ten-fold.
Merry Christmas!
Beth
Beth,
I am so glad to find out that you are writing a spin off story with Victoria as the heroine! I came by your website specifically to find out if this was a possibility.
I have always been fascinated and in awe of ballet dancers and loved “Tour de Force”. My daughter is now taking ballet and wants to grow up to be a “real” ballerina and as a Christian parent I am of course concerned about the impact of that world on her life and had done research and found out about “Ballet Magnificat” So I was tickled when I read in your forward that you’d been able to sit in on a rehearsal with them!
I will wait with great anticipation for your spin-offs to “Tour de Force”.
Thank you for writing such an inspiring story set in a world that is both beautiful and yet fraught with the elements of the world.
Thanks for checking in, Anne. I deeply appreciate your encouragement. I’m glad you enjoyed Tour de Force.
The folks at Ballet Magnificat are wonderful. So gracious to me, and what superb dancers. When I visited them, they were about to head out for a mission trip to Europe, the Czech Republic, I think. I think your daughter would love it there.
Blessings to you!
Beth
P.S.S- I would love to Know what happened to Tucker if he became a christian and found a girl or what! and sorry i keep adding things to my comment!
Ps Tour De FOrce, Off the Record, And Fair GAme were my favorites!
I loved this book!!! I loved all of them! I read almost every book in a week or two and I am only 12 years old! I love Gilly she is fun modest mixed with modern and christian. I have the quote ” So i like variety life is too short to be satisfied with boring” on my door in my room! Elizabeth White you are absolutly brilliant! And I love how all of the books have some one who has messed up but in the end relizes that God has forgiven them and they can be a new person! This book is entertaining and teaches a lesson about looking past a person’s past.Thanks for writing such awesome books I am very anxious to see what is next for Gilly and Jacob!May God bless you and watch over you.:)))))))
I work as a teacher during the school year but I really enjoyed my summer break with this book. I couldn’t put it down. I really wish there was a sequel.
My husband and I began a little Bible study about how Christians are supposed to do what is right and obstain from evil, but that we can’t witness to people in the world if we aren’t of this world. So this book was right up my alley. He is the lead guitarist at our church and I am dancer, and together we love Christian rock music. However, we have struggled recently with trying to share Jesus with people if we can’t relate to them and the secular world they live in. I said all of that to say that I thoroughly enjoyed your book and think my husband might be even reading it too. 🙂 Thank you for writing such a relevant book. God bless you.
Oh wow! Thanks for the encouragement, Misty. That’s exactly what I was going for–tell an entertaining story that encourages Christians to be salt and light!! Maybe I’ll get my publisher to come look at your comment and we’ll have a sequel! haha! Stay tuned…
Warmly,
Beth
PS and blessings on your school year!
I loved the book! I’m sending it to my best friend. I’ll be reviewing it on A Novel Menagerie in August, although I finished the read tonight. Congratulations on such a great book!
Sheri,
Thank you so much for your encouraging comment. I greatly appreciate your willingness to review Tour de Force. If you don’t mind, I’ll stop by and respond to any comments that appear after the review.
Hope your best friend will enjoy it too!
Blessings,
Beth
Thank you for replying Mrs. White. I totally agree with you on getting paid. Amazing authors like you DO nee to get paid, how else will you get the money to write your other books? 🙂 Good luck with your other books. I’m hoping that I’ll be able to get a hold of your other books but right now it’s a hard time. Thank you again and God bless!!