Book Review & Giveaway: Tour de Force-A Love Story by Elizabeth White

Friday, Jul 31, 2009

Book Review & Giveaway: Tour de Force-A Love Story by Elizabeth White

tour-de-force-cover Author: Elizabeth White

Publisher: Zondervan

ISBN #: 978-0-310-27390-5

Type: Fiction:Christian

Pages: 326 Trade Paperback

Published: May 1, 2009

Website: http://bethsquill.wordpress.com./

Purchase: $10.18 @ Amazon (HERE)

The Story

“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.”

(Excerpt is from www.bethsquill.wordpress.com)

The Review

e-white This year has been a great time for me to discover Christian Fiction. Although I’ve read a considerable amount of Christian YA Fiction, this was my first adult Christian book that I’ve been presented for review. I have come to really enjoy reading stories about people struggling to lead honorable lives that radiate their faith. Being a Christian for many years, my relationship with God has been strong at times and weak at others. But the truth of my heart is that Jesus is at the center of it. However, for me, learning to live a life that honor that love is sometimes difficult when you’ve got the pressures of real life around you.

I admit that, at times, I’ve been angry with God and at other times I’ve completely lived to glorify him. What is interesting to me about reading fiction with the heroes/heroines as strong Christians, is that I am reminded that you can make good choices in your life that honor your faith. In the case of this story, our heroine Gilly is a prima ballerina for BNY. She’s world traveled and at the beginning of the height of her career. She’s got a very supportive family who helps to keep her rooted in her faith. On the other hand, she works amidst a secular team of people who she feels the innate need to exhibit her love of God to. The great thing about Gilly is that she attempts to demonstrate this through the witnessing of her life rather than the use of preaching of words.

Gilly meets Jacob and the reader knows that this duo is headed for a destiny of marriage and family. However, their age difference, lifestyle, and work commitments refrain them from making a logistic connection. Despite the odds stacked against them, they have God at the center of their relationship. With this in place, there is not much that either of them can do to avoid the inevitable… which is an eventual future together.

In addition to my ability to relate to this book from a Christian viewpoint, I also easily bonded with the book as it centered around dance. Dance, music, and the performing arts have been my passion since I was a young girl. Dance lessons were a very important part of my life and my heart. Although I was not a ballet dancer, I’ve taken many a course in my past. And, I love love love to watch ballet. So, this read just drew me in and held me there… in first position!

Overall, this book was just RIGHT UP MY ALLEY! Dance, love, God… what more can I ask for? It was the perfect read for me.

The Giveaway

Elizabeth White has graciously offered a SIGNED COPY of the book to one of my very lucky readers! As you do a little dance and get ready to enter enter enter, let me share the rules:

* Contest Begins Today & Ends August 14th at 5pm PST *

* 1 entry for leaving a comment *

* +1 entry for sharing which type of dance is your favorite *

* +1 entry for visiting Elizabeth’s Website (blog) and leaving her a comment *

* +1 entry for following me on either facebook or twitter *

* +1 entry for mentioning the contest on your blog *

* +2 entries for following me on GOOGLE READER *

GOOD LUCK!

The Rating

On Sher’s “Out of Ten Scale,” I would rate this book an 8.5 out of 10. I think that Elizabeth White wrote a very solid book! I enjoyed the characters of Gilly, Victoria, Jabob, Graham, and Dimtri very much. In addition to the cast of characters, I loved the way that White used the element of tragedy and miracles to confirm God’s work in our lives. It was just what I needed to remind me of the possibility of God’s miracles in my own life.

Many thanks to The Blog Tour Spot for including me in this blog tour! Here are the links to the other blogs on the tour:

4BoyBarbarians4Us
A Novel Menagerie
A Peek at My Bookshelf
Blog Tour Spot
Book Junkie Confessions
Books, Movies and Chinese Food
Cindy’s Stamping and Reviews
Drive Home Productions
Fictionary
Fresh Brewed Writer
Gatorskunz and Mudcats
Giving Up on Perfect
J’s Spot
Life is one daily adventure
Lighthouse Academy
Net’s Book Notes
Quiverfullfamily.com
Real Women Scrap
Refresh My Soul
Scraps and Snippets
Springs Writers
Steeler Girl’s Blog
Sueth sayings
The Law, Books and Life
The Sarah Jane Diaries
The Sassy Pear
The Writing Road
Wild Words . . . Photos and Fine Art

christian-reading

34 Comments

| Posted in Books Books Books

34 Responses

Sandy

July 31st, 2009 at 3:40 am

It would be refreshing to read a book that was built on sound values! I like the dark and disturbing stuff, but not all the time. I would imagine that if you were involved in dance, it would even draw you in more. I took my ballet lessons as a child, but I’m not all that willowy! Ha! I think my last performance was “I’m a little teacup”!
.-= Sandy´s last blog ..Spies of Warsaw – Alan Furst =-.
Bridget

July 31st, 2009 at 11:35 am

Hi! Just posted this on Win A Book. No need to enter me.
.-= Bridget´s last blog ..Tour de Force =-.
Sue

July 31st, 2009 at 3:05 pm

I would really love to read this. Thanks for including me.
DarcyO

July 31st, 2009 at 6:29 pm

I’d love to read this book!

My favorite is tap dance.
Menagerie

July 31st, 2009 at 7:57 pm

I would love to be entered into a contest for this book – it sounds different and great. My favorite type of dance would be the Charleston. My husband and I haven’t gone dancing in awhile and rarely do the Charleston, but I love watching the old home movies we have from the 1920′s with my Great-Grandparents dancing the Charleston. I am a follower using Google Reader.

Thank-you!

My blog is http://lauragerold.blogspot.com/

Laura
Esme

July 31st, 2009 at 10:27 pm

I love the cover of this book

chocolateandcroissants at yahoo dot com
.-= Esme´s last blog ..Labor Day Giveaway =-.
Esme

July 31st, 2009 at 10:27 pm

Following you.

chocolateandcroissants at yahoo dot com
.-= Esme´s last blog ..Labor Day Giveaway =-.
Esme

July 31st, 2009 at 10:28 pm

Ballet is my favorite dance
.-= Esme´s last blog ..Labor Day Giveaway =-.
Jake Lsewhere

August 1st, 2009 at 2:15 am

Looks like a good book, please enter me into this drawing.

Thanks for hosting this giveaway.
jake.lsewhere[at]gmail.com
Jake Lsewhere

August 1st, 2009 at 3:08 am

I’ve also blogged about this giveaway here.

Thanks,
jake.lsewhere[at]gmail.com
.-= Jake Lsewhere´s last blog ..Morning Book Giveaways № 16 =-.
avalonne83

August 1st, 2009 at 8:25 am

Please enter me in the contest. Thanks.

avalonne83 [at] yahoo [dot] it
Mozi Esmes Mommy

August 1st, 2009 at 8:26 am

Sounds like my kind of book! I’d love to win this…

janemaritz at yahoo dot com
.-= Mozi Esmes Mommy´s last blog ..7 Fragments… =-.
Andreea

August 1st, 2009 at 9:24 am

Hi Sheri, thank you for stopping by my blog. The book sounds really interesting. And the cover is so beautiful. I’ll add you to my blogroll. I am glad to hear that you are also a Christian:)
.-= Andreea´s last blog ..Ten Beautiful Book Covers =-.
Debbie

August 1st, 2009 at 11:37 am

I would love to be included in your giveaway.

My favorite type of dance is the one that I dont have to do. I am a bad dancer. If I am watching I like to watch Country dancing.

I am a follower.

I subscribe in Google Reader.
Thanks
Debbie
debdesk9(at)Verizon.net
Winning Readings

August 1st, 2009 at 1:00 pm

I’ve posted about this giveaway at Winning Readings:

http://winningreadings.blogspot.com/2009/08/tour-de-force.html
.-= Winning Readings´s last blog ..Tour de Force =-.
Lindsey@A Kindred Spirit's Thoughts

August 1st, 2009 at 2:57 pm

What a gorgeous cover! And a topic that isn’t over-covered – I would love to win!
.-= Lindsey@A Kindred Spirit’s Thoughts´s last blog ..Sand, Wet Diapers, and Unrealistic Expectations… =-.
Lindsey@A Kindred Spirit's Thoughts

August 1st, 2009 at 2:58 pm

Well, Ballet would be a favorite, but I also love latin dance as well – like salsa. I could never do it myself but love the music!
.-= Lindsey@A Kindred Spirit’s Thoughts´s last blog ..Sand, Wet Diapers, and Unrealistic Expectations… =-.
Lindsey@A Kindred Spirit's Thoughts

August 1st, 2009 at 3:49 pm

Following you on Twitter! (@kindred_spirit)
.-= Lindsey@A Kindred Spirit’s Thoughts´s last blog ..Sand, Wet Diapers, and Unrealistic Expectations… =-.
Annette W

August 1st, 2009 at 4:55 pm

This looks like a good book! Thanks for the opportunity and a good review!
.-= Annette W´s last blog ..ABC Puzzle =-.
Annette W

August 1st, 2009 at 4:56 pm

This probably isn’t what you are looking for, but my favorite dance is a slow dance with my husband!
.-= Annette W´s last blog ..ABC Puzzle =-.
ruth

August 6th, 2009 at 10:53 am

Thanks for this lovly giveaway. My favorite dance is the jitterbug. I love the 50′s era and the sock hops.
Allison

August 6th, 2009 at 3:31 pm

Hi! Please enter me. allygotts567 at hotmail dot com

My favorite type of dance is modern.

I follow via twitter and google reader!

I left elizabeth a comment on her blog.

Thanks!
Wanda

August 9th, 2009 at 7:18 pm

Please enter my name in your draw. Thanks.
wandanamgreb (at) gmail (dot) com
Wanda

August 9th, 2009 at 7:19 pm

My favourite dance is the waltz.
wandanamgreb (at) gmail (dot) com
Wanda

August 9th, 2009 at 7:19 pm

I am following you on Google Reader.
wandanamgreb (at) gmail (dot) com
Miranda

August 10th, 2009 at 6:23 am

I don’t know if there is a name for my favorite type of dance. I just love to get out on the club dance floor and move to the music!

I’m a follower as well.

mdwartistry at yahoo dot com
Kelly B

August 10th, 2009 at 11:10 am

Wonderful review. I love dance though my favorite is Swing dancing. They have live bands in our town square every Tuesday and although I can’t do it, I love watching it.

Thanks for the giveaway, Sheri.

kalea_kane(at)yahoo(dot)com
.-= Kelly B´s last blog ..And The Winner Is….. =-.
Kelly B

August 10th, 2009 at 11:11 am

I subscribe via google reader! And I follow you too!

kalea_kane(at)yahoo(dot)com
.-= Kelly B´s last blog ..And The Winner Is….. =-.
Kelly B

August 10th, 2009 at 2:09 pm

I blogged about your contest too.

http://enroutetolife.blogspot.com/2009/08/whooo-hooooo-more-giveaways.html

kalea_kane(at)yahoo(dot)com
.-= Kelly B´s last blog ..WHOOO HOOOOO! MORE GIVEAWAYS! =-.
Karen K

August 10th, 2009 at 3:22 pm

I’m a big fan of Elizabeth White’s books…thanks for the opportunity to receive an autographed copy.

karen k
kmkuka(at)yahoo(dot)com
Karen K

August 10th, 2009 at 3:24 pm

I enjoy going to the ballet.

karen k
kmkuka(at)yahoo(dot)com
Karen K

August 10th, 2009 at 3:25 pm

I left Elizabeth a comment on her blog…

karen k
kmkuka(at)yahoo(dot)com
Beth White

August 11th, 2009 at 7:08 pm

What a fun contest! I like to line-dance, myself. And I enjoyed working out with a young ballet dancer at my church. She was going to perform with our church choir, and she let me warm up with her before the performance….I was aching all over the next day! (of course since I’m the author I won’t be entered in the contest but I couldn’t resist the conversation)
Trin

August 15th, 2009 at 12:44 am

+1 I am commenting
+1 I follow you on twitter
+1 My favorite dance is the Waltz because I remember dancing the waltz with my father when he learned it for my aunts wedding.
.-= Trin´s last blog ..Dancing with Ana =-.