1. The Dancing Master
    Julie Klassen
    Bethany House / 2013 / Trade Paperback
    Our Price$18.00 Retail Price$20.00 Save 10% ($2.00)
    4.2 out of 5 stars for The Dancing Master. View reviews of this product. 64 Reviews
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    Stock No: WW210709
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  1. Carole Jarvis
    Jonesboro, Georgia
    Age: 55-65
    Gender: female
    5 Stars Out Of 5
    Regency with strong writing and characterization
    January 25, 2014
    Carole Jarvis
    Jonesboro, Georgia
    Age: 55-65
    Gender: female
    To put it quite simply, I have loved every book that I've read by Julie Klassen, and The Dancing Master is no exception. Julie's prose is beautiful and the descriptions of village life are excellent. Her research must have been extensive and the historical quotes at the beginning of each chapter are a great touch.

    The Dancing Master might seem long to some - and while there's mystery, the action is not fast paced - but I savored every moment spent in its pages. The setting is Devonshire, England in 1816, and the Prologue sets the stage for what's to come with this beautiful picture:

    "From behind the market hall, an old man hobbled into view. He tossed aside his apron and bowed before the woman. And she in turn curtsied. She gave him a girlish smile, and decades flew from her face."

    As a pianist and someone who loves to watch ballroom dancing, I found much enjoyment is the descriptions of various dances. Memories of playing Beethoven's "Minuet in G" quickly came to mind as I read through a scene where the minuet was taught. Julie's writing makes it easy to visualize these scenes so that these stately dances really come alive.

    Alec and Julia are quite complex characters and I really liked how most of the narrative is from Alec's point of view. The dancing master is a unique character . . . Dancing was such an important part of society that dance masters were sought after and mixed freely with the elite, knowing all the while that they could never be considered equals and were therefore looked down upon by the very ladies they were teaching. Julia initially comes across as selfish, self-centered and reckless, but as her past is slowly uncovered, we see and welcome a gradual transformation.

    The unusual and enthusiastic worship of a group called the Bryanites added much to the story, for dance was the expression of their joy and praise. While watching them in one scene, Alec wondered: "How long had it been since he had communed with his Creator with half the sincerity and fervor of these people?"

    But it is the character of Johnny Desmond who will linger in my thoughts. Mysterious, flawed, talented as a blacksmith and musician both, a man with a surprisingly deep faith - for it is he who points out to Julia that she is a "child of the King." And in their conversation, he states simply: "I don't know how religious I am, but I know I'd be lost without Christ."

    The theme of God's love and grace is woven throughout this story, in a way that blends in simply with the storyline. Readers who like a Regency setting, strong characterization and entertaining story will enjoy The Dancing Master.

    Thank you to Litfuse Publicity and Bethany House for providing a copy of The Dancing Master in exchange for my honest review.
  2. Jean
    Russell, PA
    Age: Over 65
    Gender: Female
    5 Stars Out Of 5
    Another Fantastic Regency Story
    January 24, 2014
    Jean
    Russell, PA
    Age: Over 65
    Gender: Female
    Quality: 5
    Value: 5
    Meets Expectations: 5
    Julie Klassen writes fantastic stories centered around Regency

    England. I have read all of her books and love them all. THE

    DANCING MASTER is another great story. Keeping secrets

    can be quite damaging as Julie shows in her recent release.

    Great story Julie. Keep up the great writing. Anxiously

    awaiting for the next one. Wish I could give you ten stars

    as you deserve them.
  3. VicsMediaRoom
    Irvine, CA
    Age: 55-65
    Gender: male
    5 Stars Out Of 5
    Lies, Secrets, 1800 England and Romance
    January 19, 2014
    VicsMediaRoom
    Irvine, CA
    Age: 55-65
    Gender: male
    Quality: 5
    Value: 5
    Meets Expectations: 5
    Julie Klassen in her new book, "The Dancing Master", published by Bethany House, takes us in to the life of Alec Valcourt.

    From the back cover: 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.

    As human beings what is the one thing we all like to keep? The answer, secrets. What is the one thing that God knows that we should not keep because it is detrimental to, not only our health, but our relationships as well? You guessed it, secrets. What is the one thing that Alec and Julia have in common? Of course, secrets. "The Dancing Master" is a story about guilt, bad choices and forgiveness. Both Alec and Julia made mistakes in their past and it takes God to work out everything in their lives and set them straight for their future. Ms. Klassen does a wonderful job of transporting back to that time with her vivid descriptions of clothing, language and wonderful characters. "The Dancing Master" is a fine read and a wonderful romance.

    Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Litfuse Publicity Group. 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."
  4. Wanda
    NC
    Age: 35-44
    Gender: female
    5 Stars Out Of 5
    The Dancing Master by Julie Klassen
    January 18, 2014
    Wanda
    NC
    Age: 35-44
    Gender: female
    Quality: 5
    Value: 5
    Meets Expectations: 5
    I will admit that, although I have read a lot of Regency romances throughout the years, I have never found one that truly satisfied my hunger for reading in that particular genre. The genre I love reading most is Historical western romances but, I have to say, Julie Klassen has changed my whole outlook on Regency romance. The Dancing Master lacks none of the facets that make a story great. I loved the characters so much that the town of Beaworthy is a place I would love to visit over and over. I'm not sure if there will be any follow up books after this one but I truly hope so. There are a few characters that need their own story, I think.

    I often like to talk about the characters I loved most in a book as the characters are half of the story itself. My favorite, most endearing character was Julia Midwinter and I can find no better way to describe her than by quoting the leading man himself, Alec Valcourt.-- "Oh..." Alec puffed out his cheeks in thought. "Julia--that is, Miss Midwinter--is all liveliness and changeability. Rapturous one moment and wistful the next. Given to frequent smiles and laughter..." -- Julia is spontaneous, flirtatious, mischievous and, yes, even cunning and conniving. But she was also vulnerable and wore her heart on her sleeve. I loved her spirit and I loved the way Miss Klassen brought her to life within the pages of this book. Alec was much more reserved but he was ambitious and, even though he wanted to give up, he never did. He was a gentleman and a provider for his family who had a deep rooted love for the art of dancing. He was respectability at its best.

    I have never really given dancing much thought. It has always been something people do for enjoyment in my opinion but I now have a new found respect for the art and this book has even made me want to do a little research on the dances from that era. All that aside, I completely loved this book. The plot. The setting. The characters. I didn't come away feeling as if something were missing as I have with other Regency romances. While reading The Dancing Master I often thought I had the plot figured out just to be blindsided by a change of direction. I love that. Knowing how a book will end halfway through just kills the enjoyment of reading a book in the first place as far as I'm concerned.

    I do want to talk about the spiritual aspects of this book also. It was about forgiveness and discovery. There were a lot of reasons forgiveness was needed in this story and Miss Julie brought this to fruition beautifully along with the discovery that no matter what our earthly fathers are like, we have a Heavenly Father that loves us beyond measure. And I loved the fact that, through this book, Miss Julie tips her hat to Jane Austen in a sublte but evident way.This is my first book by Julie Klassen and I am so glad I read it. I have found a brand new author to love and I intend to devour her books from this point on. I can't stress enough how enjoyable this book was and I MOST HIGHLY recommend it.

    Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher for my honest review. The opinions expressed are mine alone. If I recommend a book it's because I truly enjoyed it and would recommend it to even the closest of family and friends. I received no monetary compensation for this review as it is simply a way of giving back for the enjoyment it brought me.
  5. KavR
    Canada
    Gender: female
    5 Stars Out Of 5
    Incredible!
    January 14, 2014
    KavR
    Canada
    Gender: female
    Quality: 5
    Value: 5
    Meets Expectations: 5
    Honestly, I'm always tongue-tied when it comes to reviewing one of Julie Klassen's books because she's such an incredible writer and I just know I won't do her justice. The Dancing Master is another memorable read.

    Rich in historical detail and chalk full of riveting intrigue and plot twists, Klassen's latest novel is the kind of book you won't want to put down. I just poured over it -- recklessly skipping over words only to slow my pace so I could bask in the ambiance of Regency England. Blissful sigh!...and fret over a complicated love story that seems doomed to a bad end. :-)

    Another stellar novel from a captivating author.
Displaying items 16-20 of 64
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