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The Backstage Answer Man
A broken professional dancer. A backward children’s dance teacher. A production of The Nutcracker that will surprise them all.
Casey Leeds has a bright future in dance until an accident damages his shoulder and kills the people he loves the most. He finds himself healing on Luke Flanigan’s farm, angry with life and everyone who tries to help him. To make it worse, the farm is all abuzz about the city’s first performance of The Nutcracker, since Luke runs the local dance troupe.
Alicia teaches dance on the farm, and Luke has invited her students to participate in the performance. While she deals with a hundred costumes and nervous little dancers, she spends time with the angry ex-dancer staying in the dorm. She feels for the guy, but wow, the chip on his shoulder makes it hard to like him. She much prefers her quiet, invisible life with her cat.
Everyone on the farm thinks both Casey and Alicia need to perform in this production themselves, but they strongly disagree. God has a plan for this pair, though, that will include healing, bravery, and a strange leap of faith nobody was expecting. Come grab a little Christmas hope in the eighth book of Casa Flanigan, Christian romance on a farm where God heals broken souls.
Casey Leeds has a bright future in dance until an accident damages his shoulder and kills the people he loves the most. He finds himself healing on Luke Flanigan’s farm, angry with life and everyone who tries to help him. To make it worse, the farm is all abuzz about the city’s first performance of The Nutcracker, since Luke runs the local dance troupe.
Alicia teaches dance on the farm, and Luke has invited her students to participate in the performance. While she deals with a hundred costumes and nervous little dancers, she spends time with the angry ex-dancer staying in the dorm. She feels for the guy, but wow, the chip on his shoulder makes it hard to like him. She much prefers her quiet, invisible life with her cat.
Everyone on the farm thinks both Casey and Alicia need to perform in this production themselves, but they strongly disagree. God has a plan for this pair, though, that will include healing, bravery, and a strange leap of faith nobody was expecting. Come grab a little Christmas hope in the eighth book of Casa Flanigan, Christian romance on a farm where God heals broken souls.
205 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 17, 2023
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1 person want to read
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
December 13, 2023
Another profoundly spiritual winner from a talented author. Staff and previous guests of Casa Flanigan feature strongly, with Jericho, from “The Barefoot Bard”, playing a pivotal role in this book again.
Casey, a principal ballet dancer, is in physical and emotional pain after a plane crash which killed his four closest dancing friends. He arrives at the farm angry and resistant towards everyone, rejecting Jericho in particular, due to his deep faith in God.
Despite Casey’s hostility, dance teacher, Alicia, encourages him into her dance studio and farm owner, Luke, persuades him to assist with the Christmas dance presentation.
Jill Penrod’s Casa Flanigan series is a deeply introspective succession of books which need a great deal of reflection by readers. My first book was “The Barefoot Bard” which is essential reading before Casey’s book if readers want the full impact of Jericho’s influence on the other characters.
I received a free review copy from the author and this is my honest opinion.
Casey, a principal ballet dancer, is in physical and emotional pain after a plane crash which killed his four closest dancing friends. He arrives at the farm angry and resistant towards everyone, rejecting Jericho in particular, due to his deep faith in God.
Despite Casey’s hostility, dance teacher, Alicia, encourages him into her dance studio and farm owner, Luke, persuades him to assist with the Christmas dance presentation.
Jill Penrod’s Casa Flanigan series is a deeply introspective succession of books which need a great deal of reflection by readers. My first book was “The Barefoot Bard” which is essential reading before Casey’s book if readers want the full impact of Jericho’s influence on the other characters.
I received a free review copy from the author and this is my honest opinion.
November 27, 2023
I really enjoyed reading The Backstage Answer Man, but, honestly, I didn't expect to, not being a ballet fan. The characters are the main part of the book with very little technical dance terminology. There were so many things that I loved about this book: helping people have the feeling of belonging, learning how to grieve and then allowing oneself to fully live again, embracing those that don't fit the norm, and reaching out and being willing to be a part of people's lives. The little ballerinas were so much fun! The romance between Casey and Alicia was bumpy, but they do get their HEA. I would highly recommend this book to readers of clean romance and Christian romance who want more than just a beach read. I would read more of the Casa Flanigan series and other works by author Jill Penrod.
I received a complimentary copy and am sharing my opinion of this very well-written book.
I received a complimentary copy and am sharing my opinion of this very well-written book.
November 21, 2023
As usual, she packs a great deal of wisdom and lessons into her story. Who doesn't love tiny dancers who want to help save Casey? Love the exposition of the discipline of silence. Shows how when you think it's all lost, God has a surprise in store for you, if you are willing. Doing things for the love and fun of it trumps doing it just to 'get better' at it. A lovely read that stays with you long after you finished the book.
November 30, 2023
What a delightful story, full of despair then hope among a town full of interesting characters. Despite no knowledge of the dance world, I found myself involved in the story, and wanting to know what happens next in each person's life. The way Christians are portrayed is refreshingly real, rather than idealised conformity. A delight!
I received an ARC from the author, but my opinion is voluntarily given.
I received an ARC from the author, but my opinion is voluntarily given.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 9, 2026
God works in mysterious ways
I love how Jill makes you wish we had our own Casa Flanigan!! Can’t get enough! Wish it didn’t have to ever end. A mini series would be so awesome too!
I love how Jill makes you wish we had our own Casa Flanigan!! Can’t get enough! Wish it didn’t have to ever end. A mini series would be so awesome too!
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews