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
Discussion questions included.
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Sexual Content - 1/5
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Violence - 1/5
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Language - /5
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Drugs and Alcohol - 1/5
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Summary
Another winning novel by Julie Klassen! To me this novel had a slow start, and I wasn't pulled into the story as quickly as I usually am with Julie's novels. But never fear, she delivered her normal intriguing characters, her presentation of uniquely interesting bits of cultural history, a compelling plot line, and a conclusion that leaves her readers (at least this one) tearfully content and enraptured with the story! I think one of my favorite things about Julie Klassen is her ability to build a rich storyline around interesting occupations, like a dancing and fencing master in this novel, and to inject into her stories real pieces of historical trivia to brew a comforting and satisfying experience for her readers. I never feel like I've wasted my time when I've read a Julie Klassen novel. Wasn't sure I was going to like the lead protagonist, Julia, but I changed my mind and came to adore her and hope for a happy resolution to her troubled relationship with her dour mother. We see examples of how dishonesty and disillusionment can bring tortuous consequences to our spheres of influence. Themes in this novel include adoption, honor, respectability, abandonment, forgiveness, among others. Weaved throughout the plot is a strong biblical worldview. This book is a highly recommended read!
alcohol: Just your normal cultural drinking of the ale at the local inn.