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Wednesday 8 January 2014

THE DANCING MASTER: JULIE KLASSEN's New Release 7.01.14

Julie Klassen's latest Regency Romance
[with mystery too!]
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The Dancing Master

Paperback424 pages
Kindle, 432 pages
Published January 7th 2014  
Bethany House Publishers 
(first published December 24th 2013)
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A dashing dance master, danger, and determination 
added to my appreciation of a story that kept my interest with 
every new plot twist.
Perfect pitch between secrets and revelations.

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ABOUT THE DANCING MASTER:

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 Masterbrings 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.

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My Thoughts?
Great touch of dance master quotes introducing each chapter 
and Julie's historic research makes for solid period accuracy. 
And...

I loved the dancemaster Ms Klassen imaginatively created!
Depth of character that intensified in the book's settings and situations. I cheered him on as he struggled with each unexpected loss, determined to find and take new directions. Definitely a hero, Ms Klassen has drawn him flawed, fallible and a favourite for this reader.

Our female lead was another story. As was her mother. Both Midwinter women so conflicted, I found them less than likeable, yet, I'm sure intentionally so in order to make room for the character development intended. And there were plenty of episodes to provide opportunity for those improvements! Our author knew what she was about with plot twists, devious schemers, and intrigue, from past to present. 

Julie's depiction of historical England [and the world of dancing masters]
is well researched and authentically evoked.  The rural settings of Devonshire in this
novel are tangible.  As are the interior sketches.  Familial relationships are authentic
and I appreciated the descriptives of homelife and daily activities.

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Enjoy the Dance...



ABOUT JULIE KLASSEN:

Julie Klassen
 loves all things Jane — Jane Eyre and Jane Austen. A graduate of the University of Illinois, Julie worked in publishing for sixteen years and now writes full time. Three of her books, The Silent GovernessThe Girl in the Gatehouse, and The Maid of Fairbourne Hall, have won the Christy Award for Historical Romance. She has also won Christian Retailing’s BEST Award, and has been a finalist in the Romance Writers of America’s RITA Awards, and the Minnesota Book Awards. The Dancing Master is her seventh book.
Julie and her husband have two sons and live in a suburb of St. Paul, Minnesota. 
Keep up with Julie via her website julieklassen.com 
Purchase a copy: http://ow.ly/s7Yl1
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Much to be enjoyed! 

Thank you, again, Julie!
Your gift is valued and valuable.


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Don't miss the PARTY with Julie !


Enter Today - 1/6 - 1/23!
Julie Klassen The Dancing Master



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More of the book tour HERE

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*And thank you to Bethany House and Litfuse for providing an ecopy to read and review without obligation.
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England travelled for GiraffeDays


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Linked to Katherine's weekly Hop
Thursday favorite things


2 comments:

Pam @ over50feeling40 said...

I would love to go home today and curl up with tea and a good book. Thanks for the review and for sharing it on the blog hop!

Katherines Corner said...

Thank you for sharing at the Thursday Favorite Things Blog Hop . Big Hugs

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