The Courtship Dance

by Candace Camp

Book Overview

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...

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0373773544
• ISBN13: 9780373773541
• Release Date: January 2009
• Publisher: Hqn
• Length: 384 Pages
• Weight: 0.40 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 4.2" x 6.6"

Customer Reviews

Worth the wait!

I loved this book. I have been waiting for it since book 1 of the series. I was apprehensive that I might be disappointed, as it had been the case with some other hyped-up books. However, Ms. Camp DELIVERED. I am not going to summarize the plot as many have done so. Buy this book as soon as you can.

Eagerly-Awaited Conclusion to the Delightful Courtship Series

Unlike some of the other reviewers, I loved all four books in this well-written, thoughtful and ultimately quite satisfying Regency romance series. The talented Candace Camp planned the series very well. Although each of the four books in the series stands alone, they all give us a few more teasers about the hero and heroine of this last entry in the series, with tantalizing intimations throughout that "there is some history there" between the imperious Duke of Rochford and gorgeous matchmaker, Lady Francesca Haughston. Now Ms. Camp has brought her series to a lovely, sigh-inducing conclusion with the story of the contentious, delicious love affair between Rochford and Francesca. As a reader who clearly recalls the earliest days of modern romance novels, (in the 1970s and 1980s) when the heroine could never be more than a virginal nineteen and the hero was always an experienced thirty-five, I have to say that I love these romances between more mature, seasoned and three-dimensional people. Ms. Camp has created two characters who have been kicked around by life a bit, and who are wary of relationships. Francesca and Rochford are still vital and sexy, but finding love has been elusive and disappointing for them. Francesca has gone through an ill-advised marriage to a man who not only didn't appreciate her, but demeaned her, cheated on her, then died and left her penniless. Rochford has been betrayed in love, and so is approaching middle-age, realizing that he probably should marry sometime, but is not looking for anything other than someone who will give him an heir and live in her part of the castle. But fate seems to have plans for these two strong-minded people, and when they cannot keep away from each other -- fireworks! I loved the repartee between these two characters and the interesting unfolding of their history and their fascination with each other. I also liked learning a bit more about the fates of the heroes and heroines who made good marriages in the other three books in this series. The Courtship Dance will be joining The Marriage Wager (Matchmakers), The Bridal Quest (Matchmakers) and The Wedding Challenge (Matchmakers) on my keeper shelf. I have a feeling I will want to enter this lovely world again.

delightful Matchmaker Regency romance

Fifteen years ago, then eighteen years old Lady Francesca Haughtson and the Duke of Rochford were engaged though they told no one as he insisted she enjoy her first season. However, she ended their relationship when she learned the truth about her fiancé with Lady Daphne Swithington; she married someone else. All these years Sinclair has never met anyone else he wanted to marry; besides he does not trust women as he tried to explain to his beloved, but she refused to listen. A widow for five years after an unhappy marriage, Francesca is filled with remorse and guilt because she knows the truth that she was duped with lies when she dumped her beloved Rochford. She wants to rectify her error and though it will hurt use her matchmaking skills to find him a proper wife who will believe his word. However, to find him a suitable wife means being with him. Francesca knows at first look she still loves him; Sinclair has never stopped living her. Although he wants her he knows he can never trust she will stay with him if another misunderstanding surfaces. The fourth delightful Matchmaker Regency romance (see THE WEDDING CHALLENGE, THE MARRIAGE WAGER and THE BRIDAL QUEST) is a superb tale as this time Francesca's efforts are much more personalized as she owes Rochfort for doubting him. The engaging story line is driven by her and Rochford as she wants to make amends and he wants her; the days of reckoning between them that Candace Camp's fans have waited for have finally occurred. Harriet Klausner

Finally the long awaited courtship!

It has been a long wait for the story of Francesca and Sinclair, after bits and pieces of their interaction and hinted back-history had been dropped throughout the earlier books in the series. I quite liked the first book "The Bridal Quest"...I think that it really gave this series a strong start, but like some of the other reviewers, I have to concur that the subsequent two books were only okay for me, and I was far far FAR more enthralled by Francesca and the duke, though they were only secondary characters. If anything, the earlier books were great in building up the anticipation leading up to the final telling of their story, which does not disappoint, in my humble opinion. Definitely worth the wait (though I'm glad I don't have to wait any longer!)

Best in the series!!

Okay, so saying that this is the best in the series isn't actually saying much for me, because I did not love the other books in the series. They were pleasant enough, but also very ordinary. The leading ladies in those stories were not as intriguing or likeable as Francesca and the men were nowhere near as magnetic as Rochford. In fact, I found myself skimming through the main storylines while slowly savoring every mention of these supporting characters. I can't say why, but I just loved the strained interactions between the two and the hint of something deep and tragic that happened between them in the past. They stole the show. I actually read the second and third books mainly to find out more about them. So of course, I could not wait for The Courtship Dance to be released. For those of you who feel the same way about them in the previous novels, let me assure you---the finale will be well worth the wait! I was afraid I had too high hopes for this book and tried to convince myself that it would be difficult for Camp to write an entire novel centered on these two characters without messing it up in some way. It was a relief when I read this that I was not disappointed. Though we only saw glimpses of their characters in the previous books, their personalities that developed in this book were exactly as I had imagined and hoped. They are both very proud and honorable people, but in a respectable and not irritating sense. I never got annoyed with them as I often do with lead characters with strong personalities, but instead fell even more in love with them. I love how they knew each other so well and had so much history together, so their "grownup-up" relationship had much more depth and substance compared to the whirlwind type romances that are often written. This made the ending much more sweet and satisfying. The main conflict also does not focus on some Big Misunderstanding (not the way I see it, anyway), which was refreshing. Generally, the storyline is rather predictable, but in a good, comfortable and entertaining way (I find most romances to be like this though). I'm not good at summarizing plot lines and don't want to accidentally give out any spoilers, so I will just leave it at that. I hope everyone enjoys this book as much as I did!