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Summary
Summary
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 deep in her past. Alec finds 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 social graces for ladies and gentlemen hoping to make a "good match" in Regency England. Praise for Julie Klassen's The Tutor's Daughter "Whether you're a fan of Jane Austen or Charlotte Bronte, or both, you will soon become a fan of Julie Klassen once you read this wonderful book."-- GoodReads "Well-developed characters, plot twists, and attention to period detail make this a sure bet for fans of Regency novels."-- Library Journal "Regency/Klassen fans will love the mystery, romance, and drama."-- Publishers Weekly
Author Notes
Julie Klassen is a bestselling, award winning author. She graduated from the University of Illinois and worked in publishing for sixteen years in advertising and as a fiction editor.
Klassen's books, The Girl in the Gatehouse and The Silent Governess won the Christy Award for Historical Romance. The Girl in the Gatehouse also won a Midwest Book Award and The Silent Governess was a finalist in Romance Writers of America's RITA awards. Julie is also the author of Lady of Milkweed Manor, which was a finalist for the Christy award, The Apothecary's Daughter, and The Maid of Fairbourne Hall.
(Bowker Author Biography)
Reviews (3)
Publisher's Weekly Review
British village life in Beaworthy, Devonshire, in the early 19th century revolves around tradition for both the haves and the have-nots in Klassen's (The Tutor's Daughter) latest Regency historical. Lady Julia Midwinter is the young, headstrong daughter of the manor. Despite a wealth of friends and diversions, single Julia latches on to the town's newly-arrived dancing master, a young, attractive man named Alec Valcourt, who came to Beaworthy under somewhat mysterious circumstances with his mother and sister. Unfortunately for Alec, Julia's mother, Lady Amelia Midwinter, has long decreed that dancing is prohibited in the village-particularly at the May Day celebration. Alec and Julia must navigate the intricacies of their responsibilities while remaining true to themselves. Passionate storytelling and intriguing mystery are overshadowed by the relationship between the eminently unlikable Julia and her mother. Their contentious relationship, while explained, comes across as overly contrived. A rather large and delightful cast of secondary characters serves to bolster the plot and provide the occasional bit of levity to a well-written book that is less engaging than Klassen's usual work. Agency: Books & Such Literary Agency. (Jan.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
Booklist Review
Julia Midwinter is absolutely convinced that if she doesn't find a way to escape Beaworthy soon, she is going to die of boredom. Fortunately, the arrival of several new residents promises to shake things up in the quiet little English village. Former London-based dancing and fencing master Alec Valcourt arrives with his mother and sister, hoping that he can help support his family by teaching dance. It isn't until Alec begins looking for a place to hold lessons that he discovers that no one in Beaworthy dances. Ever since a disastrous May Day celebration years ago, Lady Amelia Midwinter has unofficially banned dancing. Now Alec with some help from Julia hopes to find a way to convince the lady of the manor to let her people dance! Multiple Christy Award-winning Klassen once again demonstrates her gift for creating richly layered characters and skillfully integrating a multitude of fascinating historical facts into a spirited story that will have wide appeal to inspirational fans as well as readers who enjoy sweet historical romances.--Charles, John Copyright 2010 Booklist
Library Journal Review
When Alec Valcourt relocates his family from London to Devonshire in hopes of establishing a new dance studio, he discovers that the town's benefactor, Lady Amelia Midwinter, has forbidden dancing, and the reason for the moratorium is a secret. There's more that remains hidden to the reader; questions abound regarding Alec's mysterious background, and all is not as is seems in Devonshire or in the Midwinter family. Yet powerful and surprising allies, such as Amelia's own daughter, Julia Midwinter, help keep Alec's dream alive. The inspiring themes-loyalty, love, and family ties-in Klassen's (The Tutor's Daughter) historical romance pay homage to such writers as Jane Austen and the Bronte sisters. Christian messages of forgiveness are both subtle and highly effective, and there is an abundance of intrigue to keep patrons listening even if the feel-good ending is reminiscent of a holiday musical. Narrator Elizabeth Sastre excels at the delivery of regional accents. She switches fluidly between West Country English and a Scottish brogue while simultaneously transitioning among male and female voices of all ages without flaws. VERDICT A highly satisfying experience for listeners who love historical fiction.-Erin E. Forson, Columbus, OH (c) Copyright 2014. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
