The Dancing Master by Julie Klassen

My Thoughts:

"Footloose" in Regency England!  Julie Klassen always delivers a romantic and engaging story with memorable characters and a thrilling story line.  BUT, The Dancing Master is my absolute favorite- so far.  All the way through this romantic story I was trying to figure out how to convey in words how much I love, love, LOVED this book.  It's THAT wonderful...

The town of Beaworthy is forbidden to dance.  No elegant balls are hosted, no dance classes are offered and, most of all, no dancing masters are welcome.  (If, like me, you've never heard of a "dancing master", he's a gentleman who instructs others in the art of dance.)  A tragedy occurred many years ago and ever since then people no longer dance.  The town's matriarch, Amelia Midwinter, has seen to this...

   Julia, Amelia's daughter, is an incurable flirt with a heart of gold.  She's beautiful, willful and daring and makes her own rules.  As the story begins, she meets newcomer Alec Valcourt, a dashing (and quite handsome) young man from London.  His livelihood is teaching fencing, but his real talent lies in the art of dance.  You guessed it, he makes a living as a dancing master.  Oh my...

A few reasons why The Dancing Master is exceptional...

1) Julie Klassen kept me in suspense through the whole story.  It was delightful agony!

2) The characters, all of them, were beautifully memorable.  Of course I loved Julie and Alec, but I also adored their friends Patience, Walter, Aurora and John. Mrs. Tickle was a gem!  Felton and Joe Wilcox, the town bullies, were despicably ruthless...

3) The romance sizzled.  Oh, the smolder!  I will never forget when Alec and Julia sought shelter in the barn after being caught in the rain...  (allow me to collect myself)  Nothing inappropriate, ladies, but definitely swoon worthy..:)

4) God is present.  Julia confesses that she feels fatherless (her father passes away before the story begins) and a friend tells her that her heavenly father is always there for her and loves her.  Another character feels convicted to make amends during a church service.  Not going to reveal the name.  No spoilers here!

Delightfully memorable characters, a town controlled by a tragic secret, sizzling romance, forbidden dancing and more all take place in the town of Beaworthy.  I highly recommend reading The Dancing Master!

Best-selling author Julie Klassen will be hosting a Kindle Fire HDX giveaway and a live webcast event (1/23) to celebrate the release of her latest novel, The Dancing Master. Enter and RSVP today!








One winner will receive:

• A Kindle Fire HDX


• The Dancing Master by Julie Klassen


Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on January 23rd. Winner will be announced at the "All Things Jane (from Austen to Eyre)" Live Webcast Event on January 23rd. Connect with Julie for an evening of book chat, trivia, laughter, and more! Julie will also be taking questions from the audience and giving away books, Jane Austen DVDs, fun "Jane" merchandise, and gift certificates throughout the evening.

So grab your copy of The Dancing Master and join Julie and friends on the evening of January 23rd for a chance to connect and make some new friends. (If you haven't read the book, don't let that stop you from coming!)








Don't miss a moment of the fun; RSVP today by signing up for a reminder. Tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 23rd!

* Litfuse gave me a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.  No other compensation was received.*