The Dancing Master

Very different from what I expected, but a worthwhile read nonetheless. A story of redemption and forgiveness with the usual mix of romance from the author. I would recommend it as a clean read to anyone.

Julie Klassen is probably my favorite author. This just wasn't my favorite book. Didn't like how flirty Julia was...That was kind of the point though. My favorite Julie Klassen book is 'The Silent Governess'.

I have not finished reading it so review is limited. I enjoy Julie Klassen books but this one is not holding my interest. am thinking I know where the story is going so not in a hurry to get through it.

Let me preface this review by saying I love, love, love Julie Klassen's books. My favorites by her are "The Maid of Fairbourne Hall" and "The Silent Governess," both of which I think are far and away her best works. "Apothecary's Daughter" really bombed for me, but she wrote so many other amazing books I was able to forgive one bobble.

So, as much as I love her writing, needless to say I was VERY excited when "Dancing Master" arrived on my doorstep early. I eagerly jumped right in, anticipating another beautiful, beautiful novel. But as I read along, a few things started coming to my attention... And they just were not things I liked.

First, I shall list the PROS:

Historical Accuracy: As always, JK's research is spot on. I can honestly feel like I stepped through a portal back in time every time I read one of her novels. Her settings are always rich and well described - giving me all the information I need to set the scene and finish filling in the blanks myself without beating me over the head with it. I could smell the fresh bread in the air; feel the fabric against my skin; hear the rich music filling my ears. She's just THAT good at writing her settings.

Alec & his family: These were some of my favorite characters in the book. Alec, his mother, and his sister are all very likeable characters - its easy to connect with all of them. Aurora, his sister, is very sweet and humble, and she always brightened every scene in which she appeared. His mother was very quiet, calm, and strong, and she was a character I feel people in such situations can aspire to be (though she did make one bad choice, though she admitted it later and apologized for deceiving her fellow villagers). Alec, I felt, was a very strong hero, well rounded as a character with a noble personality, and reading his thoughts never got old.

Prose: As always, JK's writing is beautiful. Every sentence flows very well into the next, and her phrasing and descriptions are very true to the time. (I'm not saying I'm an expert on the era, but I have done extensive reading on the subject, and many, many books set in that time period, and I feel her books are truest to these things).

And now, the CONS:

Julia and her family: The Midwinters are very - well, wintry. While it eventually makes sense why Amelia is the way she is, I still can't understand her, nor connect with her. I disagree with many decisions the author had her make, though I will further discuss this later. Julia was a very ... strange heroine, and also very difficult to connect with as she had several mood swings. She went from gentle and smiling to pouting and bratty several times, with hardly a warning, and it was very jarring. Though she seems to want to rebel against her mother's strictures and rules, she winds up coming across as a spoiled brat rather than a strong, independent heroine. I spent most of what part of the book I did read wanting to slap her for acting like she did. She lied, sneaked around, flirted indiscriminately, and generally came across as someone less than admirable. Perhaps this was done for an effect, but I didn't see any change in the character throughout the book, and I read to within 100 pages of the end.

Plot: While, in theory, this story was a good idea, I felt like JK tried to juggle too many balls at once. There was Alec's story - why his family left London and their (formerly) lucrative dancing academy and came to a place where there IS no dancing; the question of Julia's parentage and how the situation played out; Julia's disbelief and distrust of everyone around her, even Alec at times; and the up-and-down of Alec and Julia's relationship. I don't expect the road to romance to be smooth - where would be the fun in that? - but there was so much strife in this one, even when I skipped ahead to the epilogue I could still hardly believe they wound up together. Another thing I've enjoyed about JK's writing is the fact she can keep me guessing - but I saw every single plot "twist" in Dancing Master coming a mile before it arrived. It was very disappointing, considering how good most of her other novels have been.

Amelia's Decisions (SPOILERS): I will admit, this is when I stopped reading the book and skipped to the epilogue. Julia did come across as a selfish brat many times throughout the book, and I could understand SOME of Amelia's decisions regarding her. But I feel the author took this way, way too far when she (graphically) described the death of Alec's horse, Apollo. While out riding, Julia made a reckless decision, and Alec's horse followed hers. He's not as good a rider as her, and when Apollo attempted the same jump Julia's horse had just taken, he wound up breaking both his legs. Though this did sadden me, I might have kept going if not for what happened right after that. JK's description of the event were surprisingly graphic, but what really got me was when Amelia made Julia stay and watch while the Midwinter's most trusted servant shot the horse. That was just beyond shocking and far too cruel, even for that character. JK's never done anything like that in a novel before, and I hope she never does it again. There are some lines that should never be crossed in fiction, and I feel JK crossed that very line in this book.

Altogether, I just couldn't finish the book. As much as I love Julie Klassen's writing, ordinarily, there were just too many things that bothered me about "Dancing Master," with that last point going so far as to make me sick to my stomach. Perhaps she didn't mean for it to come across that way, but to me, it felt needlessly cruel and damaging to the characters and the plot. While I heartily recommend other of her books, particularly my two favorites listed above, I just can't in good conscience do so with this one.

Will I read another new book by her? Definitely! She's still one of my favorite authors, but I'm afraid I have to put this one by way of "Apothecary's Daughter" - it just missed the mark. Though if you did like "Apothecary's Daughter," you'll probably like this one. I saw many similarities between the two.

Thank you so much for taking the time to read this review. I genuinely hope I helped you make a decision one way or another if you were, perhaps, on the fence about buying this book.

i enjoyed the tension of this story. the characters were well defined and kept my interest . the little intrigues were subtle and kept ones attention. well worty a day spent in reading and losing oneself in a book.

Because of a family scandal, Alec Valcourt leaves London and moves his mother and sister in with his uncle in a small village in Devonshire. He’d planned to reopen a dance studio there but is shocked to learn dancing isn’t allowed. As he meets both friends and foes, mysteries are unraveled, relationships revealed, and lives changed. As truths come to light, will it be enough to restore joy, grace, and love in the community?

This was a captivating story, although it had too much detail in places, which made it longer than it needed to be. In addition, I was disappointed with the ending. It would have been better if it had not been just told and we were shown what happened between the main characters. I gave it 4.5, which rounded up to a five.

Once again this is a beautiful novel by Julie Klassen. I have read several books from this author and they are always interesting and well-written. I really enjoy the way her novels feel like they could be part of Jane Austen’s world. I know she is a huge fan of the author’s from that time (Austen, the Bronte sisters, etc) and it shows in her books.

Unfortunately for me, this was not my favorite. Although the story was nice and the characters were well developed like usual, I felt that the storyline itself was a bit contrived. Not that it was predictable, but that the problems worked out a little too perfectly.

Alec Valcourt was a dancing master in London. He came from a family line of successful dancing masters, but then his father ruins everything and Alec has to move his mother and sister to a small town called Beaworthy to live under his uncle’s roof. Not until after their arrival does he discover that the leading family has borne a tragedy that has caused them to prohibit dancing altogether.

Then there is Julia Midwinter. She is a reckless nineteen-year-old girl who flirts shamelessly with every eligible man who comes around – especially if he might take her away from Beaworthy. She hates the fact that her mother is so stifling and is constantly going against her wishes. She befriends Mr. Valcourt and of course wants to take dancing lessons from him.

The two have a strong mutual attraction and attempt to figure out the truth of what happened so many years ago. Along the way there are many interesting and colorful secondary characters that really make the story come to life – and they are actually some of my favorites. The author does a wonderful job of using little facts and events from history blended in with her stories (make sure to read her explanations at the end of the novel!)

Can Alec keep the secret of his father and what happened in London while fulfilling his dream of a dancing academy in
Beaworthy? Can Julia discover the truth about her own past and that of her mother’s?

Then there is Lady Amelia Midwinter. She is full of past secrets and hurts. She has lived through heartbreaking family and personal tragedy. Can she forgive and move on? Or will it haunt her and her relationships for the rest of her life?

Told from the POV of Alec Valcourt, Julia Midwinter and Lady Midwinter. This was a promising novel, but it just seemed like everything worked out a little too well for me. Neither Julia or Lady Midwinter were very lovable characters. There was also very little spiritual development of the characters – I almost felt like it was an afterthought in the story and could have been left out altogether without any significant difference in the story.

Overall, a good story. Well written, but just a little too contrived and not very likable main characters.

Disclosure: I received a free e-book copy of this book from Bethany House Publishers for my honest review. I did not receive any other compensation and all thoughts and opinions are strictly my own.

Alec Valcourt was a third generation Dancing Master, a profession of those who taught essential social graces for ladies and gentlemen hoping to make a "good match" in Regency England. After falling from grace because of the actions of his father, he moved his mother and sister to Beaworthy in Devonshire to live with his mother's brother. His hopes of employment as a Dancing Master were dashed when he discovered that dancing was unofficially banned by the village matriarch.

Both romance and mystery, "The Dancing Master" would have been better if the author could have chosen one or the other. As mysteries go, it didn't. There was some intrigue in the beginning but the plot moved too slowly and went on too long. As a romance, the story was predictable. Boy meets girl. Girl is beautiful but out of boy's social class. They fall in love but neither wants to admit it to the other because they are aware of the societal fall-out. Then, the plot thickens, as they sometimes say.

Julie Klassen knows how to tell a story as she proved so eloquently in "The Tutor's Daughter". Even though Alec Valcourt's character was likable, I found I didn't particularly like his love interest, Julia Midwinter, who seemed to be spoiled and entitled. Often pushing the limits of her mother's patience, I found myself growing quite impatient with her as well. In my opinion, Klassen should have found a way to limit her 422 page book to 300 pages. After chapter 20, it became a chore to finish. I really wanted to like this book.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Litfuse Publicity Group, as part of their Book Review Blogger Program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Klassen is typically one of my very favorite authors and her books always go right to the top of my list. I'm sad to say I was disappointed in this book. It did not grab my attention right away and left me lagging through much of it. As characters both Julia and Alex were annoying to the point of ridiculousness. Alec lacked leadership and Julia was shallow. Yes, they did grow throughout, but unfortunately that growth couldn't recover a rocky start for both of them as characters.

The whole dancing master thing may have been a bit of a weak platform for a main plot. I could see it doing well as a subplot but as a main plot it lacked intrigue. I typically appreciate Klassen's ability to bring to light lesser known occupations from the regency era but in this case the book was needing a bit less dancing and a little more story.

There were bright spots in the book but they were few and far between. A disappointing performance from Klassen for the first time in her writing career. She has remained strong throughout and I'll eagerly jump for her next book as well with high hopes for a much less clunky read.

This is another wonderful novel, aptly written and researched by Ms. Klassen. Delightful characters. Tantalizing scenery. True to her own unique, classic style of writing, this book immediately deposits the reader into a delightful, bygone era, reminiscent of Jane Austen and the Bronte sisters.

Filled to the brim with flawed yet lovable characters, this book was a pleasure to read. Mr. Valcourt, handsome, once successful dancing master with secrets to hide meets spirited and willful Julia Midwinter whose mother strikes fear into every townsperson who dares dance - because of tragedy and loss twenty years in the past that she won't forgive and forget.

It never ceases to amaze me how Ms. Klassen can write such a great story with so many well-rounded, well-written characters without giving any of them the shaft. Each character has their own story, their own troubles, and their own victories, and yet, never do they detract from the overall plot but instead, add a depth and richness that is lacking in many other novels. This is difficult to achieve and complex, yet Ms. Klassen does so without missing a beat. This is fraught with timeless messages every person can learn from. A book of cause and effect. Consequences of actions and whom those actions could ultimately hurt. No matter what we do, we must remember that God loves and forgives, but that doesn't mean He will erase the natural consequences of our sin.

This is one novel I'd love to see in movie or TV series form.

I very much enjoyed reading this book. It is both deep and simple at the same time. The deep meaningful aspects of the story come from the struggles of the main characters to overcome their false beliefs about the past and embrace the "Love and Grace" of the future. The light aspect comes from the fact, that the main mystery of the book is predictable. However, it is still a very nice story. We have the young Lady of Buckleigh Manor, Julia, feeling stifled by her dreary village. Her Mother/Aunt is very severe and won't let the village celebrate May Day and strictly prohibits dancing of any sort. Into this depressed village comes a family of dancing and fencing masters who unknowingly pose a threat to the "way things are." One of the main attractions of this novel was the emphasis placed on dancing and the civilities. Each chapter opens with an historical quote regarding dancing and the art of dance. And it is nice to be transported into a world of sophistication.

I use Goodreads to help me find new books. Sometimes before beginning a new book, I’ll peruse the reviews before I begin reading [non-spoiler ones, that is] and one of the first ones I saw was that this book is “Footloose in Regency England!” How fun, I thought–and it was. An all around fun read.

My biggest gripe about The Dancing Master was that everything was soooooo drawwwwwn outttttt. Writing like that reminds me of my sister, circa 2007. But seriously, it takes forever to learn WHY dancing has been all but outlawed in this tiny town, and even then, it’s a pretty outlandish reason. Maybe it wouldn’t have been outlandish back in Regency times but it seemed sort of silly today.

There were lots of secrets in this book, and I liked that the reader didn’t learn secrets before the characters do. Many good books are set up that way, but sometimes it is fun to try to figure out the mysterious events as the characters do.

Speaking of characters, many times I like the main female leads in these cheesy romances. This time? Not so much. I think Julia learns a lot throughout the events in the novel, but something about her rubbed me the wrong way. It wasn’t that she was super spoiled or selfish; she’s just annoying at times. She has a few good friends though [including Alec's sister] that I would really like to know better. A spinoff perhaps? Alec was very likeable. I enjoyed hearing a lot of the story from his point of view–a bit unusual, the male perspective, but very good.

All in all, this was a good book. Fun. Exciting. Unpredictable [well, as much as romances are]. I enjoyed the setting and the history lesson about the upperclass social graces of the time. Dancing masters also taught fencing, so it was fun to read about Alec fencing too. Hope you enjoy this book like I did!

Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House Publishers. However, I was not required to write a positive review. The thoughts expressed above are entirely my own. Thanks to Bethany House for the chance to read this great book!

Alec Valcourt, a dancing master by trade, finds himself and his family at the mercy of his uncle’s generosity in the village of Beaworthy, but ever-hopeful, Alec plans to start over with an academy of his own. Unfortunately, the town is under the strict supervision of Lady Amelia Midwinter, and she does not want dancing in any form to engage her people due to a painful episode 20 years earlier. Alec is forced to take a position as clerk to Lady Amelia, and this brings him in contact with the lovely daughter of the house, feisty Julia. Julia’s fighting her own problems; she feels oppressed by her mother and longs to go to a London season and escape Beaworthy. When a long held family secret comes to light, both Julia and Alec will have to decide if the truth is worth risking all they hold dear and how far they are willing to go to achieve their dreams.

Klassen always writes engaging historical fiction with Christian overtones that are neither heavy-handed nor obtrusive. While I was invested in this story, however, I never really warmed up to the petulant Julia nor her mother, regardless of their reasons for their behavior. In fact, even Alec is a bit of a prig; I was taken aback whenever he ordered a ginger beer at the local establishment because it just seemed out of character for the Regency period. Overall, most of the characters are rather flat though there is some character growth. This may not be Klassen’s best work, but it is still very enjoyable nonetheless.

Thank you to the Historical Novel Society for providing a copy of this novel for an honest review.

Alex Valcourt, dancing master by profession, arrives in a small town that prohibits dancing. He must find a way to support his family, but what other profession is he trained for? Julia Midwinter fancies the new dancing master, but is it because she is lonely, trying to fill a void left by her unloving father, or something else? Julia unearths some disturbing information about her past and confronts her mother, questioning whether this information is true or not. Julia is met with evasions and continues to dig deeper, but will she like what she discovers?
I didn’t really like the main female character as she seemed vain, selfish and manipulative. She never seemed to realize that she wasn’t the focus of the world. Her mother in the story also seemed cold and distant. The story could have been shortened by 50 pages or so by eliminating all the waiting to find out the answers to Julia’s questions. The long wait between questions and answers didn’t serve as a tension builder for me, but rather as an irritation. With the negatives out of the way, I did like the lead male characters. He was willing to give up his dreams to take a job he didn’t want in order to support his mother and sister. He honorably took the blame for his father’s ruinous deeds in order to spare his mother further humiliation. I also liked the supporting characters of the Allen brothers and Desmond and their willingness to stand up for their friend at the potential cost of injury to themselves. Mrs. Tickle’s generosity, Mr. and Mrs. Desmond’s cheekiness and Barlow’s affection for Julia helped to make the story more interesting.

First of all, I would like to extend a heartfelt “Thank you” to Julie Klassen and her publisher for sending me a copy of "The Dancing Master" to review for them. I am truly grateful for this generosity. I really appreciate the time, effort and expense it takes to make a reviewer copy available to me.

“The Dancing Master” by Julie Klassen reads like a Jane Austen romance. Alec Valcourt has recently relocated to the United States with his mother and sister, seeking a life in America and at the merciful kindness of his stingy uncle until he can become gainfully employed and take care of his family. Unbeknownst to Alec, a London Dance and Fencing Master, there is no dancing in his new home, so finding students is becoming increasingly frustrating. Miss Julia Midwinter is a flirtatious rich girl whose mother, Lady Amelia, was instrumental in banishing dancing from the community. The attraction between these two is presented in a similar manner as great literature.

This is a long, slow read - perfect for a holiday weekend in a hammock or on a porch swing. The plot has so many facets, it resembles real life. The characters are beautifully built and showcased to their full advantage. “The Dancing Master” brings to life a time long past that teaches the reader “simpler times” weren’t really simpler. I would whole-heartedly recommend this novel to anyone who loves classic literature like “Jane Eyre”, “Pride and Prejudice”, etc.

My one issue with the book was that the story reminded me so much of “Footloose” that my concentration kept coming back to the present rather than fully submerging in the past.

Stretch the imagination and reality and think modern-day (the original movie is my favorite) Footloose set in Regency England. Alec Valcourt, needing to move his family out of London and away from scandal, finds himself in a small Devonshire village. Hoping to open a dance studio, he discovers that dancing in the village is prohibited. When he meets Julia, the daughter of the manor house, he quickly forms an attachment, but the lady of the manor doesn't like dancing masters.

The story moves along well with a balance of romance and intrigue. As Alec and Julia try and discover her mother's secret, Julia learns answers to questions about her own life. Alec is determined to open his own dancing academy, regardless of what Lady Midwinter thinks.

Alec is likeable enough and Julia starts out selfish and spoiled and a bit whiny although she does improve. The supporting characters are what make this novel. The Allen siblings are terrific and need their own book. I loved John Desmond. The Wilcox brothers are ridiculous, but every story needs its villains.

I was slightly disappointed in the ending/epilogue as I would have liked to see more closure for Aurora and John and James, Walter and Patience, but the story is resolved nicely.

When I started reading again after a hiatus, I reached for the latest Julie Klassen story sitting in my TBR stack. I have enjoyed her novels in the past and while this one won't become a favorite, it was enjoyable.

I received a copy for review. My opinions are my own.

As a self-proclaimed huge Julie Klassen fan, I have been waiting with great anticipation for the release of her newest novel The Dancing Master! I've read every book by this author, and she has never let me down. And honestly, look at that cover, it's gorgeous! I couldn't wait, and I finished the book in under a week.

The Dancing Master, like many literary favorites such as Jane Austen's Pride & Prejudice, is a romance set in eighteenth century England during the height of the Regency Period. It's one of my favorite settings to read about, to imagine the high society ladies and gentlemen, dancing at elegant balls and parties. However as many of Julie Klassen's books often do, the plot of this novel takes quite a different spin than I had anticipated.

The Dancing Master is a story about the devastation brought about by a huge misunderstanding, which leads to years of festering bitterness and unforgiveness. Only with help from the Lord do hearts and eyes open to the truth and real healing and forgiveness begin.

The Pros:
Ah, the cover. I can't keep saying enough how beautiful it is. It's the kind that make you want to judge the book completely by the cover. I could see myself walking through the bookstore and picking this one up, reading the back synopsis, and purchasing it by that alone.
The story is quickly paced, and true to Julie Klassen's style, mixed with mystery and intrigue. There is a reason that dancing has been banned in this town, and you absolutely want to know why. The hero and heroine of the story are fabulous main characters, as are the secondary characters, especially Johnny Desmond, who could probably have had an entire book of his own, and I would definitely read it to get into his head a little more.

The Cons:
Like I said before, I have read each of this authors books. I enjoy how she writes unique characters who hold your attention throughout. She also has a great talent to spin a plot or character line in a direction you didn't anticipate. Maybe it's because of this that I was actually expecting it this time, so I was able to guess, at least in part, some of that twist. I also feel like there are parts of the story that she could've driven deeper into, such as that of the secondary characters. At times, they were a bit more enjoyable then our two main characters Alec & Julia.
Overall, it wasn't my most favorite of Julie Klassen novels (that title still goes to The Maid of Fairbourne Hall). However, it is definitely still a book I recommend.

"The Dancing Master"
"The Dancing Master" by Julie Klassen is published by Bethany House on January 7, 2014. It is a stand-alone book.

Alec Valcourt and his family are a mess. Because of an incident with his father and one of the family's dancing academy's students, the Valcourts are disgraced and forced to flee London to avoid charges. Alec, his mother, and his sister come to live with his uncle on his mother's side in Beaworthy. Alec attempts to open a dancing and fencing academy in Beaworthy so he can provide for his mother and sister. However, no one will open up, and everyone looks at him with suspicion and disdain. Alec can't figure out why; no word of the reason for their sudden departure from London has been leaked. Then he finds out that Beaworthy has a most unusual, unspoken rule: no dancing.

Julia Midwinter is sick and tired of not being able to attend a ball or party, and wants desperately to go to London, but her mother, Lady Amelia Midwinter, forbids it. Lady Amelia has declared that there be no dancing, and no dancing masters, in Beaworthy. When Julia meets Alec, she flirts constantly with him, as she has with all other men because her father never loved her.

This book, honestly, was very lackluster for me. The research done and time invested were very apparent, and the effort was incredible, but I just could not make myself enjoy the book. I have read several of this author's books and have always been impressed with the details and intricacy of her books, but this just did not seem to measure up to them. It is advertised as being a historical romantic mystery, but there was no romance to the romance - only frustration, and no mystery to the mystery - only a lack of communication. The characters were deep in their pains and their past, but the reconciliation was abrupt and deficient. I think that the characters were excellent and very interesting, by only looking at their backgrounds, and can tell the author is amazing creative. Mainly, it was the plot lacking. The characters pretty much just sit around all day, except Alec occasionally gets harassed by the town's wrestling champs. Overall, there was a lot of potential for this book, but even about halfway through, nothing really notable had happened! I wanted to like this book, truly, because I have such high expectations for this author after having read her previous works. As I mentioned before, the characters were superb, but that was all.

Thank you so much to Bethany House publishers and Net galley for providing me with a copy of this book to read and review. All opinions are my own; I was not required to write a positive review.

TYPE OF NOVEL: Historical Romance, Regency Romance

SETTING: 1815, Beaworthy, Devonshire, England

MAIN CHARACTERS: Julia Midwinter (wealthy and beautiful heiress), Alec Valcourt (a fencing and dancing master from London), Lady Amelia Midwinter (Julia's strict mother who dislikes dancing), John Desmond (a mysterious man who seems to have had quite a scandalous past in Beaworthy)

SYNOPSIS:
For the last twenty years the citizens of Beaworthy have not engaged in dancing, assemblies, or balls. Due to a scandal, duel, and death of her brother, Lady Amelia has forbidden the pastime and the good people of Beaworthy have abided by her wishes. However, when Alec Valcourt, a dancing and fencing master from London, arrives on the scene, he begins to question this ban on dancing...

WHAT I LOVED:
- Unravelling Everyone's Past: As always with Julie Klassen's novels there is an air of mystery, intrigue, and undivulged secrets. Oh, how I loved being in the dark and trying to figure everything out on my own! In this novel, it seemed as if everyone had a secret in their past, and Julie Klassen revealed them at quite a deliciously slow pace. Why does Lady Amelia dislike dancing so much? Why did Julia's father treat her with such disdain? Why did Alec and his family have to leave London? Not knowing all was an exquisitely delightful torture!

- Endearing and Admirable Characters: Some characters in this tale definitely found their way into my heart! Ms. Klassen's characters are well-drawn, complex, and engaging. Alec was an admirable and honorable hero; I enjoyed how he resisted Julia's flirtations and forwardness. In addition, I think my favorite character in this novel was John Desmond – misunderstood, maligned, and mysterious – I just adored him! (And in my head I kept picturing him looking like Viggo Mortensen. *sigh*) In addition, the villagers of Beaworthy – like Mrs. Tickle with her cakes and pies and loyal Mr. Barlow with his tender heart.

- Historical Tidbits and Depictions: Apothecaries, tutors, dancing masters - Julie Klassen's novels have taught me a lot about different middle class professions. I took pleasure in learning what the average day of a dancing/fencing master in 1815 would be like, how he would advertise and promote himself, and the various types of classes and lessons he might offer. How I wish we still lived in a time of country dances, assemblies, and dancing masters!

WHAT I AM FEELING AMBIVALENT ABOUT:
- Julia Midwinter, a.k.a. The Heroine: I most certainly don't mind a flawed heroine - I like it when characters have lessons to learn or obstacles to overcome. Julia is reckless, inappropriate flirtatious, and has a propensity of thinking a little too much of herself. But the fact that she never felt love or kindness from her father and receives only rules and restrictions from her mother engaged my compassion and helped me understand her desperate need for attention and male admiration. I was pleased to see Julia grow into a more admirable person, but with her earlier vanity and coquetry, I couldn't help but be reminded of Isabella Thorpe from Northanger Abbey!

WHAT I WASN'T TOO FOND OF:
- Not Enough Resolution: For me, the story ended a little unsatisfying. There was a little too much summarization and tying up loose ends in the epilogue and not enough events and conversations happening on the page. I am glad to know the fate of these characters and to see a glimpse of their futures, but I feel shortchanged at not being there to hear the declarations and see the developments myself.

CONCLUSION:
What a delight it is to read another novel by Julie Klassen! I loved learning more about the Regency Era and the lives of middle class workers as well as the landed gentry. While not my favorite novel by Ms. Klassen (current favorite: The Silent Governess), I still greatly enjoyed my sojourn to Beaworthy and unravelling all the secrets and scandals of the past there!

Austenesque Reviews

Julia Midwinter, the only child of Lady Amelia, the formidable leading citizen of the small village of Beaworthy, aches to escape the confines of the only home she's ever known and the stifling restrictions her mother has constructed around her life. Lady Amelia is a model of duty and responsibility, long-ago family tragedy causing her to forswear frivolous, potentially dangerous pursuits such as dancing -- for in the euphoric atmosphere of a public ball, one small slip can lead to morally bankrupt chaos. Frustrated and alone, Julia embraces every chance she can to raise her mother's ire, indulging in reckless behavior and flirtations, desperately seeking a sense of belonging, of life within the staid confines of Beaworthy. When the handsome Alec Valcourt arrives from London, she's immediately drawn to his good looks and charm -- particularly when she discovers that his chosen profession is that of dancing master, the one occupation her mother abhors most of all. Positive Alec can breathe new life into Beaworthy, Julia seeks every opportunity to further their acquaintance -- but the erstwhile dancing master proves to be a deeper riddle, and a more reticent recipient of her flirtations than she'd ever dreamed possible. Could the dancing master and his forbidden trade be the key she's long sought to breathe life into her restless spirit?

Alec Valcourt and his mother and sister retreated to his uncle's home in Beaworthy, fleeing rumors and disgrace in London, hoping for a fresh start. A third-generation dancing and fencing master, Alec hoped to bring his passion for the more graceful social arts to his new home, and perhaps establish his reputation anew, and restore honor to the Valcourt name. But Lady Amelia's ban on dancing proves to be a formidable obstacle, one a young man of little money and scant reputation can scarce afford to challenge. Against all reason he finds himself drawn to the fiery Julia, the one woman in the village forbidden to him by class and virtue of his profession. Spurred by Julia's passion for change, the unlikely pair finds themselves inexorably drawn into a delicate dance of their own making, one that threatens to bring to light long-held, painful secrets, and hold the promise of restoring life and dance to a community shadowed by guilt and condemnation. But exposing secrets doesn't come without a price -- a price Julia, Alec, and Amelia must each decide if they're willing to pay, for the chance to dance in the light of freedom requires both forgiveness and grace.

Julie Klassen's latest Regency romance is an exquisite exploration of the power of art and faith to transform a life. For one such as I who professes to be something of an Austen aficionado and an avid lover of both costume dramas and fiction that brings this time period to life, I'm rather nonplussed to admit that prior to delving into this novel I'd never heard of or realized the critical importance of a dancing master in developing the social skills that make up such a part of this time period. The role of a dancing master is a fascinating one to consider -- a purveyor, if you will, of valued social skills, but still outside the realm of complete acceptability into the highest echelons of society. His talents may be valued, and utilized, but there is a line that cannot be crossed, as Alec and his family tragically discover.

Considering the time period and subject matter, I was surprised The Dancing Master unexpectedly reminded me of a twentieth-century literary classic -- Pollyanna by Eleanor H. Porter. While Julia has far too many of her own immature traits and insecurities to overcome in order to be classified as a Pollyanna figure, in my view the over-arching theme of both stories is strikingly similar -- finding the good in every situation. Like Pollyanna's "Glad Game," Beaworthy and her residents have been stifled by Lady Amelia's desire to unofficially legislate a specific moral code in the wake of her personal family tragedies. It's only when truths are revealed and forgiveness offered that Amelia is able to at long last lay to rest the demons that have haunted her, freeing both her and her village to once again embrace the community and artistic expression offered by the long-dormant art of dance.

Julia is a fascinating heroine. Initially a bit prickly, her headstrong nature reminded me of Austen's Emma -- only even lacking that classic heroine's belief in her rightness. This is a girl intensely frustrated by her life and desperately seeking a sense of belonging, her bravado eventually revealed to mask intense pain. Although her mother offers love and affection, the secrets she holds dear -- and that Julia senses -- prevent the two from reaching an accord. It's only when the secrets surrounding Julia's birth are brought to light that she realizes that the acceptance and security she longs for cannot be found in another individual; rather, it's only in the grace of faith and forgiveness, freely offered and accepted, that she finds a lasting balm for her soul. I adore the slow-burning romance Klassen develops between Alec and Julia -- he is SUCH a gentleman, and while young and struggling to establish his career, he has an honorable core that makes him the perfect match for the fiery Miss Midwinter.

The Dancing Master is a joy from start to finish, an exquisite novel saturated with the understated beauty and power of the very art form it extols. Like Austen and Heyer, Klassen excels at building a community in her novels, and never more apparent than here as this is far more than Alec and Julia's love story -- instead, it is the tale of a community renewed and transformed, a love story, if you will, to the transforming power of faith and fellowship. I initially thought that perhaps this would be Klassen's most Austen-esque novel to date, missing the thread of intrigue that has peppered her earlier work, so I was pleasantly surprised to be proven wrong. Through carefully-meted detail and expertly-sketched characters, Klassen unfolds a tale of love, loss, and betrayal worthy of a Bronte sister. Once again the cost of secrets are weighed against the power of truth and forgiveness, all while skillfully illuminating a fascinating quarter of nineteenth-century English society. Klassen's novels are experiences to savor, and The Dancing Master is no exception -- a romance for the heart and soul.

Alec Valcourt moves with his mother and sister to the small country town of Beaworthy to escape a scandal in London. He doesn't know when he moves to the town that dancing is strictly forbidden. As a dancing master, that puts a damper on his chances of employment. When he is offered a job as a clerk for Lady Amelia Midwinter, Alec accepts, even though his heart longs to be teaching dance. He soon finds himself drawn to the young, beautiful Julia Midwinter, daughter of his boss. Julia longs to escape the small town/country life she lives and seek adventure in the world outside of Beaworthy. She doesn't understand why dancing has been forbidden. As she seeks out Alec's company more and more, she discovers a need to find out the truth behind the reasons dancing is forbidden as well as her own past. When the scandal that caused Alec to leave London follows him to the town, will he admit the truth or will he continue to protect his family.

I've several of Julie Klassen's books before. When I kept hearing about how slow this one was, I found myself hoping I'd be able to get into it and enjoy it. I also found myself browsing the reviews, something I never do until I write my own, and was a little surprised at the lower than usual ratings for this book. While, I'll admit that this book is not my favorite one by this author. Truthfully, I don't feel it's one of her better written ones either. But I was still able to enjoy this book.

I found Julia to be, for about half of the book, very immature and more of a flirt than what I really cared for. The other half of the book, I saw her grow up and I actually liked her then. Alec was a bit too stuck on his appearance and not getting his hands dirty, but I truly liked him. I liked how he realized he had to make a living to support his mother and sister, and while the clerk position may not have been his dream job, it was a job that he could do. I loved the way he cared for his mother and sister. In fact, I found his caring for them to be sweet.

I absolutely ADORED the secondary characters. Specifically John Drummond and Walter Allen. I loved how they made a scene more interesting whenever they were in one. I also found the way that Alec helped Walter to overcome his problem with dancing to be very ingenious.

There was a bit of mystery surrounding the scandal that caused Alec and his family to flee London and around the Midwinters. Yet when the truth was actually revealed, I felt it was a bit of a letdown. Even the reasons behind dancing being forbidden was more anti-climatic than I'd expected.

Still, I can recommend this book. But I'd recommend, if you've never read anything by this author, in starting with either The Lady of Milkweed Manor or the Tutor's Daughter.

I received this book for free from Bethany House Publishers for the purpose of reviewing. My thoughts and opinions are my own.

Recommended to fans of Regency England, Julie Klassen, historical fiction

Rating - 3.5 stars, though for purposes on the store and Goodreads, it'll be 3.

Do not be surprised if Julie Klassen’s The Dancing Master (Bethany House) takes wandering minds from the setting of Beaworthy, England to the small southern US town of Bomont on the unmistakable opening refrain of “Footloose.” However unintentional, Julie Klassen’s newest Regency novel induces nostalgia for an iconic and generation defining dance experience, from the obvious plot conflict to the flirtatious and misguided heroine and impertinent hero. Evidently even Christian Regency fiction is not immune from the degrees of separation to Kevin Bacon. However, the familiarity of the storyline does not leave it lacking in originality.

Young dancing and fencing master Alec Valcourt travels with his dependent mother and sister to the English countryside from London with hopes of establishing himself in the community as an instructor in the finer graces and refinement of dancing. Unbeknownst to him, dancing is unofficially forbidden in Beaworthy as enforced by the intimidation tactics of the presiding Lady Midwinter. Alec’s plans for an academy are swiftly dashed, but not before Lady Midwinter’s impetuous daughter Miss Julia Midwinter defies her mother and convinces him to tutor her. Frivolous with her affections and desperate to escape her confining and restrictive life, Julia seizes the chance for social betterment. Neither realize that in their partnership lays the ability to restore the vigour of the community and heal the hurts of secrets long buried.

The characters-specifically Alec and Julia-are not portrayed as virtuous and consummate products of their refined society; instead they are flawed in past and in personality. Neither lead is particularly enthralling at the onset with Julia initially portrayed as spoiled and entitled, however their journey of grace is touching and they grow increasingly endearing as the facade of “dandy” and “coquette” fade to the wayside. The redemptive theme of this story is the focal point, with romance playing and subdued supporting role.

A multi-perspective narrative from character’s of various stations, with Alec’s voice prevailing as the most assertive-a refreshing rarity in Regency fiction to have such as strong male point of view. The plot slowly builds as secrets are unveiled and characters find their strength in the midst of trials and burdensome histories. The pacing is languid and the story layered, lending itself well to quiet evening of leisurely reading. A cleverly fabricated mystery element is woven in to the story and the resolution is deftly concealed until the end of the story.

Julie Klassen is a master at portraying the many nuances of the Regency era, drawing inspiration from the greats like Austen and Bronte, while still maintaining her distinctive writer’s voice and vision. The reading experience is immersive due to Klassen’s proficient use of contemporary rhetoric and prose accented with elegant descriptions of setting.

Julie Klassen does not fail to draw readers in with this story of gentility and intrigue. A recommended read for fans and Regency aficionados.

**Disclosure: review materials provided by PR**

Julie Klassen's latest release, The Dancing Master is a novel that historical romance and Christian fiction enthusiasts alike will come to love. The impeccable research and a well delivered plot, of this novel will endear fans quickly to Klassen's writing style. She is able to evoke feelings of nostalgia, and makes several nods to some of the great writers like Jane Austen. The Dancing Master is a feast for the senses as Klassen's descriptions show a lot of attention to detail. A great novel, but a wonderful novelist!

What I liked:

Julie Klassen's novels have always been favorites of mine. Most Christian/Inspirational books come in a series or trilogy. Klassen however has always done single titles which shows a lot of confidence in her ability to bring her characters to life. She only has one shot and she certainly makes the best of it. She doesn't have to rely on perhaps doing better with the next book in the series. It's often a refreshing change in the genre.

It is obvious that Klassen does a lot of research for her books. She has the time period and the customs down to a science. There was not one slip in character or in the dialogue from how characters who actually lived in the time would act or what they would say. Klassen does a remarkable job of transporting the reader back in time and does not break from that time long past until the book finishes. A great fete for any author.

I loved Alec Valcourt as the hero in this book. I know that many of the leading families during this time period made sure that their children were taught all of the necessary graces of which dancing and music were one. I liked that Alec had an unusual profession and a heart of gold. He is trying to establish himself in a new place because of the ruin of his father, but he also still trying to live his dreams as well. I thought he was insightful and brave to take the stands that he did against the leading family of Beaworthy who did not allow dancing. Such a great character.

I also very much enjoyed the mystery behind why dancing was not allowed and how that played into the story. It gave it a unique and original feel that is sometimes lacking in historical romance. The themes can get a bit predictable, and I thought The Dancing Master stood out as different and fresh.

What I didn't like:

Unfortunately, there were a few things I didn't like about this one. And one of them happened to be the heroine. Julia Midwinter, just did not sit well with me. She was somewhat unlikable. Though she did improve under the watchful eye of Alec, she was still a bit simpering. I just did not connect with her at all. That's a rare thing for me.

The Christian/Inspirational message that is usually the underlying theme of books of this kind was all but missing in this one. What few references there were to it seemed a bit contrived and not essential to the story line. That's something I have never seen in a Julie Klassen novel before, so that was a bit surprising.

Bottom Line:

I was a little disappointed with some aspects of the book and delighted with others. I wanted more of a faith message and I did not like the heroine, but the research in this novel was unparalleled and Klassen has such a way with description. Don't take my word for it... read it and see!