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Tears Trilogy #1
Tears to Dancing
After a magical night at The Nutcracker Ballet, Bethany’s picture-perfect life is changed forever. At the tender age of fourteen, everything this young ballerina treasures is tragically torn from her, and she is forced to live with a broken heart and shattered dreams. Only One is able to turn her tears to joy, and transform her life of mourning into one of dancing again….
- GenresYoung Adult
144 pages, Paperback
First published April 12, 2012
6 people are currently reading
276 people want to read
About the author
Laura Thomas
13 books255 followersA published, award-winning Christian author, Laura writes heartwarming encouragement for your soul… with the ultimate desire to inspire fiction readers in their real lives with her stories of hope.
Laura’s award-winning Christian romantic suspense novel is Captured in Frame, the first in her “Bite of Betrayal” series, published by Mountain Brook Ink in 2024. Book 2, The Final Word, was released in June 2025, with book 3 coming in July 2026.
Her Christian romantic suspense books in the “Flight to Freedom” series, originally published by Anaiah Press, have been republished by Mountain Brook Ink: The Glass Bottom Boat, The Lighthouse Baby, The Orphan Beach, and award-winning Christmas novellas The Christmas Cabin, and Snow Globe Secrets.
Laura also has a Christian teen fiction trilogy, marriage book, and middle-grade short novel published by Dancing With Bear Publishing, as well as several anthology books, devotionals, articles, Sunday school lessons, and stories published in magazines and online.
Laura is a hope*writers certified writing coach, a book-loving chocoholic mom and nanny, and is married to her high school sweetheart. Originally from the UK, they now live the empty nest life in Kelowna, British Columbia, with their French bulldog!
Find all her books, blog, bio, and writing coaching, and sign up for her free monthly newsletter at: www.laurathomasauthor.com
Laura’s award-winning Christian romantic suspense novel is Captured in Frame, the first in her “Bite of Betrayal” series, published by Mountain Brook Ink in 2024. Book 2, The Final Word, was released in June 2025, with book 3 coming in July 2026.
Her Christian romantic suspense books in the “Flight to Freedom” series, originally published by Anaiah Press, have been republished by Mountain Brook Ink: The Glass Bottom Boat, The Lighthouse Baby, The Orphan Beach, and award-winning Christmas novellas The Christmas Cabin, and Snow Globe Secrets.
Laura also has a Christian teen fiction trilogy, marriage book, and middle-grade short novel published by Dancing With Bear Publishing, as well as several anthology books, devotionals, articles, Sunday school lessons, and stories published in magazines and online.
Laura is a hope*writers certified writing coach, a book-loving chocoholic mom and nanny, and is married to her high school sweetheart. Originally from the UK, they now live the empty nest life in Kelowna, British Columbia, with their French bulldog!
Find all her books, blog, bio, and writing coaching, and sign up for her free monthly newsletter at: www.laurathomasauthor.com
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 12 reviews
September 9, 2012
'Tears to Dancing' is a story of a young woman(Bethany) who survives a car accident that kills both her parents and leaves her with a broken leg. This ballerina is thrust into a life without parents and without the ability to live her dream of dancing. Through interactions with her aunt and others from a church group, Bethany learns there is a time for tears and a time for dancing.
Honestly, unless I missed the Bethany's age being mentioned in the beginning, I couldn't for the life of me figure out how old she was. At times her interior monologue sounded much older than her fifteen years--mentioned at the end. But her anger and frustration were very believable and I enjoyed riding Bethany's emotional waves as it came to two very understandable conclusions (I won't give it away) for her to choose from. The pacing of the story was good and the dialogue flowed smoothly. I'd recommend this read to both young adults and adults.
Great debut by Ms. Thomas. I hope she writes a happier book next time--just saying, lol. In fact, I'd love to see Bethany and Todd...you know.
Honestly, unless I missed the Bethany's age being mentioned in the beginning, I couldn't for the life of me figure out how old she was. At times her interior monologue sounded much older than her fifteen years--mentioned at the end. But her anger and frustration were very believable and I enjoyed riding Bethany's emotional waves as it came to two very understandable conclusions (I won't give it away) for her to choose from. The pacing of the story was good and the dialogue flowed smoothly. I'd recommend this read to both young adults and adults.
Great debut by Ms. Thomas. I hope she writes a happier book next time--just saying, lol. In fact, I'd love to see Bethany and Todd...you know.
September 1, 2013
I LOVED, LOVED, LOVED THIS TEEN FICTION!!!
When first starting this book I was caught up in the life of a young lady, Bethany St.Clair. Her life is was turned up side down but she has a outlook on life that makes:
To read more of my review:
Breath of Life
When first starting this book I was caught up in the life of a young lady, Bethany St.Clair. Her life is was turned up side down but she has a outlook on life that makes:
To read more of my review:
Breath of Life
February 21, 2025
What a heart-wrenching, yet heart-warming read. Tears to Dancing features a bereaved teenager whose life has been turned upside down by a tragic car accident. Unable to dance, due to the injuries sustained in the accident that killed her parents, Bethany doesn't know how she will continue. Her best friend doesn't understand, and she worries she's upsetting her aunt's life. This emotional rollercoaster of a read has a wonderful, uplifting ending. Suitable for young adults/teens, with the darker themes sensitively and appropriately handled.
July 11, 2020
Bethany spends a night at The Nutcracker Ballet. After, her fourteen-year-old, life, changes. Tragedy strikes. She's forced to live with shattered dreams. Only One can turn her tears to joy.
What a great, sad story. My dad died when I was young, so I can relate to Bethany. Unlike Bethany, I went into myself, staying in grieve for many years. I wish, like Bethany, had people in my life who would have introduced me to the Comforter.
What a great, sad story. My dad died when I was young, so I can relate to Bethany. Unlike Bethany, I went into myself, staying in grieve for many years. I wish, like Bethany, had people in my life who would have introduced me to the Comforter.
July 27, 2021
Inspirational YA novella
I loved this book. A young rich teenager's life is thrown into disarray and depression due to a senseless accident. What follows is a typical account of coming to terms with a broken limb and shattered dreams. I like how the Christian element is woven in without being too forced. Looking forward to reading the next book in this trilogy.
I loved this book. A young rich teenager's life is thrown into disarray and depression due to a senseless accident. What follows is a typical account of coming to terms with a broken limb and shattered dreams. I like how the Christian element is woven in without being too forced. Looking forward to reading the next book in this trilogy.
June 11, 2022
Very uplifting
This was a very encouraging read. It choked me up at times envisioning how hard it was for Bethany to deal with the after math of a tragedy. But I love how she was surrounded with people who steered her toward God.
This was a very encouraging read. It choked me up at times envisioning how hard it was for Bethany to deal with the after math of a tragedy. But I love how she was surrounded with people who steered her toward God.
May 8, 2017
I absolutely love this book, it is so captivating and you can really feel the emotions of the characters. I have read and re-read it multiple times. And I totally recommend it to anyone and everyone!
May 24, 2016
The story starts out with a tragic event, which changes the life of an upcoming ballerina, Bethany St. Clair. As she recovers from this tragedy, Bethany comes to know a closer relationship with her Aunt Alice. Through her aunt and some new friends, Bethany comes to understand that she is not alone in this big world, but she has a heavenly Father who is always with her.
As you read this book, your heart will break for Bethany as she goes through the stages of grief. You will become overjoyed as she comes to know the Lord. But in between those two very different stages of her life you will see this young girl change and grow. It is heart warming to see Bethany accept and enjoy her new life.
This book will be enjoyed for young girls of all ages, especially those who love to dance. I would highly recommend it.
As you read this book, your heart will break for Bethany as she goes through the stages of grief. You will become overjoyed as she comes to know the Lord. But in between those two very different stages of her life you will see this young girl change and grow. It is heart warming to see Bethany accept and enjoy her new life.
This book will be enjoyed for young girls of all ages, especially those who love to dance. I would highly recommend it.
May 19, 2012
This is one of the best books I have ever read. Mrs. Thomas does an awesome job of helping you to feel Bethany's pain. The emotions Bethany experiences are heartfelt and true-to-life for someone (especially someone so young) grieving the loss of loved ones to death.
Bethany's Aunt Alice is the strong family support system in her life as Bethany endures a range of feelings from heartache to anger at God and the man who caused the accident that took her beloved parents from her.
TEARS TO DANCING is a heartwarming read that will have you cheering Bethany on in her struggle not to give up on life or the gift of dancing that God has given her.
Bethany's Aunt Alice is the strong family support system in her life as Bethany endures a range of feelings from heartache to anger at God and the man who caused the accident that took her beloved parents from her.
TEARS TO DANCING is a heartwarming read that will have you cheering Bethany on in her struggle not to give up on life or the gift of dancing that God has given her.
June 4, 2012
This book was so beautifully written. It is a perfect fictional novel for younger girls, it has a strong, wholesome message, and the storyline was gripping. The emotions of loss and renewal are described in a raw manner- completely drawing the reader in. Overall, the thematic elements of ballet and the winter setting is appealing to the reader, and the interesting character development makes this book a joy to read. I would strongly recommend this book to young, teen girls and I look forward to seeing more works by this talented author in the near future!
October 2, 2016
This is a sweet story about 14-year-old Bethany who is in a terrible car accident killing both her parents. With a severely broken leg, Bethany is unable to dance. At times the characters seemed older than 14 and some of the conversations didn’t ring true to teenager – this could be because they were rich ballerinas and possible more mature than the average teen. Great book for teens to see through Bethany’s eyes, what it might be like to lose everything valuable to you. Her grief journey shows the wide range of highs and lows that are very real when someone close to you dies.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 12 reviews