Genre:
Historical - Regency
Historical - Regency
The Dancing Master
by Julie Klassen
| -From the back cover- Finding himself the man of the family, London dancing master Alec Valcourt moves his mother and sister to remote Devonshire, hoping to start over. But he is stunned to learn the village matriarch has prohibited all dancing, for reasons buried in her past. Alec find an unlikely ally in the matriarch's daughter. Though he's initially wary of Julia Midwinter's reckless flirtation, he comes to realize her bold exterior disguises a vulnerable soul – and hidden sorrows of her own. Julia is quickly attracted to the handsome dancing master – a man her mother would never approve of – but she cannot imagine why Mr. Valcourt would leave London, or why he evades questions about his past. With Alec's help, can Julia uncover old secrets and restore life to her somber village...and to her mother's tattered heart? Filled with mystery and romance, The Dancing Master brings to life the intriguing profession of those who taught essential graces for ladies and gentlemen hoping to make a “good match” in Regency England. This book was a real surprise to me. I had expected the same kind of romance as in the previous Regencies that I have read by Julie Klassen. The Dancing Master seemed almost more of a coming of age story than a traditional romance. This book is populated with a rich variety of characters and the slower romance allows the rest of the story to come forward and play out in a wonderful way. I have to admit that at first I didn't particularly like Julia, she was spoiled, thoughtless, and quite self-serving. But as the story went on she began to grow up a little, mature, and her character began to grow on me to the point that I genuinely liked her by the end. She was gutsy and didn't mind standing up for what she thought was right. There is a lot to be admired about Alec. His family suffered scandal and he now does his best to care for his mother and sister. He is respectful to his stingy uncle and even manages to earn his uncle's respect. He strives to work hard, do what is right, and is simply the epitome of a gentleman and honorable man. |  . . . This Book earned a 4 Bark rating.
. . .  Julie Klassen Visit Julie's Website HERE |
The book seemed a little slow going at first but I think that might easily have been to introduce all of the characters and set up the rest of the story. Once the hints of scandal, mystery, family secrets, and betrayal came in, the story took off and I had a difficult time putting it down, finally finishing it in the wee small hours of the morning.
Fans of Regency era stories and especially of Julie Klassen's books will not be disappointed at all in The Dancing Master. This is another wonderful story from a woman who knows how to write a good historical novel and keep her readers coming back for more.
Tell Tale Book Reviews gives The Dancing Master by Julie Klassen a 4 Bark rating.
Fans of Regency era stories and especially of Julie Klassen's books will not be disappointed at all in The Dancing Master. This is another wonderful story from a woman who knows how to write a good historical novel and keep her readers coming back for more.
Tell Tale Book Reviews gives The Dancing Master by Julie Klassen a 4 Bark rating.
| . | Paperback: 432 pages Publisher: Bethany House Publishers (January 7, 2014) ISBN-10: 076421070X ISBN-13: 978-0764210709 | . |
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