The Dancing Master by Julie Klassen

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.

First of all, I have to say that I love this cover.  I think it's utterly charming.  This story is like a sedate and quiet version of Footloose.  Honestly.  Think very slow build up with much of the same elements.  

Dancing is banned after a "situation" where young people get into trouble and dancing just happened to be around at the time.  Daughter of the woman who banned the dancing rebels in any form she can.  Of course she wants to dance.  Boy moves into town, knows how to dance, teaches dance as a living and things start to get interesting.

I didn't really get Julia and I didn't really like her until more of the mystery started unfolding- which was toward the end of the book.  I wasn't sure exactly what Alec saw in her except her beauty.

I did, however, really like Alec.  He has a gentle manner and he thinks about things.  He cares about people.  Alec was the character that made this book for me.

I do love the movie Footloose and I love dancing.  So, the story held much appeal to me but it was just so slow moving.  This is a Christian Fiction book, but I didn't find the Christian part of it to amount to much.  It wasn't overbearing or the focal point.

You can purchase The Dancing Master at Amazon.