THE COURTSHIP DANCE

Author: Candace Camp ISBN: 9780373773541 2/2009 HISTORICAL Publisher: HQN
Time Period: Regency

THE RULES OF THE TON ARE MADE TO BE BROKEN... Lady Francesca Haughston had given up on romance for herself, finding passion instead in making desirable matches for others. So it seemed only fair, when she learned she had been deceived into breaking her own long-ago engagement to Sinclair, Duke of Rochford, that she now help him find the perfect wife. Of course, Francesca was certain any spark of passion between them had long since died—her own treatment of him had seen to that. The way Sinclair gazed at her or swept her suddenly into his arms ...well, that was merely practice for when a younger, more suitable woman caught his eye. But soon Francesca found his lessons in love scandalously irresistible—and a temptation that could endanger them both.

RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS:

Camp’s writing has always held my interest. Not only is her writing clever with some of the conventional tropes of the romance genre, but by in large I enjoy her romantic leads. THE COURTSHIP DANCE, the fourth book in the Matchmakers series, is no exception. Readers of the series will recognize the leads, Francesca and Sinclair, from previous books and that the two of them have a history beyond that of the close friendship they feel now.

Francesca and Sinclair’s courtship is fraught with the usual problems—misunderstandings, lack of communication, pride, etc—but Sinclair at least isn’t a fool. He’s quick to Francesca’s game and even quicker to ensure the outcome is what he wants, not what she deems proper and dutiful.

THE COURTSHIP DANCE reminded me of Jane Austen’s Emma actually, a purposeful intention of the author‘s. Camp had set the series up as a nod to Jane Austen and her classic romances.

I was at odds with the danger element of the story however. It served its purpose well enough, but it felt like a contrivance to bring about certain outcomes, instead of a genuine threat.

The rest of the book is quite enjoyable. As I said previously, Camp’s writing is clever and quick fun reads.

Alexandra Cenni