Classical Girl Press

Praise for Off Balance, Book 1 of the Ballet Theatre Chronicles

“Any readers who have ever grappled to find the courage to strengthen or to soften, to embrace a dream or to let go of one, will find themselves rooting for the two willful, yet wounded, protagonists in Terez Mertes Rose's edgy debut, OFF BALANCE. I loved this exquisitely written, fast-paced novel from the first page to the last.”
-- Sandra Kring, bestselling author of The Book of Bright Ideas

“A realistic and gripping account of the grittier side of ballet.”
-- Grier Cooper, former dancer and author of Wish and Hope

"A refreshing and gritty story about friendships, dreams, and life. The reason why this story works on so many levels is the author's ability to create characters that ring true. Terez Mertes Rose delves deep into her characters' back story to show how they really are: human and flawed. While her characters are off balance, Rose has balanced her novel perfectly. It's well-written and constructed brilliantly. Off Balance will leave readers wanting more."
-- Self-Publishing Review, 5 Stars

"Terez Mertes Rose writes with an urgency that keeps us reading long past our bedtimes."
-- Dance Advantage

“The demands of the stage—or memories of it—bring two lifelong dancers into an unlikely friendship that helps them face their respective breaking points. Powerfully rendered, sensuously artistic and hauntingly beautiful, OFF BALANCE is on track to become one of my favorite reads of the year.”
-- Tara Staley, author of Need to Breathe and Conditions are Favorable

Welcome to Classical Girl Press!

We are pleased to announce that Book 2 of the Ballet Theatre Chronicles, Outside the Limelight, a nominee for the Kirkus Prize, has been named to Kirkus' Top 100 Indie Books list of 2017. Kirkus Reviews calls Outside the Limelight "a lovely and engaging tale of sibling rivalry in the high-stakes dance world." (starred review) It is available through Ingram Book Company, Bookshop Santa Cruz, Barnes & Noble.com and HERE on Amazon.

Book 1 of the series, Off Balance, is available at Bookshop Santa Cruz and Amazon.

Be sure and visit our sister site at The Classical Girl, where you'll find excerpts and more information on these titles. http://www.theclassicalgirl.com

Named to Kirkus' Top 100 Indie Books list for 2017

A Kirkus' Indie Books of the Month Selection for January 2017

Praise for Outside the Limelight

“A lovely and engaging tale of sibling rivalry in the high-stakes dance world.”
– Kirkus Reviews (Starred review)

"From the theater's spotlights and shadows, Terez Mertes Rose spins a nuanced drama of pain and beauty without one false note. I didn't want it to end!"
-- Kathryn Craft, award-winning author of The Far End of Happy and The Art of Falling

"Outside the Limelight sweeps us backstage, through the wings, past the dressing rooms, and into the lives of its dancers, where we see them up close, flawed and beautiful."
-- Adrienne Sharp, bestselling author of The True Memoirs of Little K and White Swan, Black Swan

"Readers will relish this fresh, enlightened insider's look at two talented dancer sisters beset by professional rivalry & bound by love. This glowing novel is full of heart. Enchanting."
--Sari Wilson, author of Girl Through Glass

"Outside the Limelight pulls readers into the lives of two sisters, both professional ballerinas. Through their challenges, obstacles and triumphs we are reminded that life is a complicated yet wondrous journey, and that love--artistic, romantic and familial--is one of the strongest forces of all."
-- Zippora Karz, former soloist, New York City Ballet, author of The Sugarless Plum and Ballerina Dreams

“In Outside the Limelight, Terez Mertes Rose once again manages to perfectly capture the ethereal beauty of the ballet. It’s a story as rich, heartbreaking and uplifting as any ballet masterwork, with characters who stay with you long after the final act.”
-- Lauren E. Rico, author of Reverie and Rhapsody