Review: The Courtship Dance by Candace Camp

The Courtship Dance (Matchmakers, #4)

by Candace Camp

Publication Date: February 1, 2009

Genre: Historical Romance

Rating: 4 STARS

Book was purchased personally by me

BOOK BLURB (from Goodreads)

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.

MY REVIEW

Lady Francesca Haughston has had to help the ladies/gentlemen of the ton find their husbands/wives just to make ends meet since her husband has died and left her in debt. One person that she truly wants to help is Sinclair, Duke of Rochford to make up for breaking of their engagement when she was very young. Her and Sinclair have always remained friends but deep down she is still in love with him. The chemistry between the two is off the charts! Sinclair gives in and agrees to the plan (but only because he is going to propose to her). Her late husband's friend Galen Perkins comes back and tells Francesca that he actually owns her house and if she wanted to keep it, she needs to come up with the money to pay him off. Francesca starts to sell everything she can but still can't come up with the money. Her only hope is Sinclair!

Francesca is such a strong independent woman (my favorite heroine type). She has done everything she can to get by without help of others and not showing her stress. But she also knows when things are way over her head that she needs to ask for help.

Sinclair is the dashing hero who sweeps in to help. He is everything a knight in shining armor should be. He has always loved Francesca and until she confessed why she broke off the engagement he thought there was no way that she loved him.

Galen Perkins is the slimy foe who has come back after being exiled after he killed a man. He was Francesca's late husband's gambling buddy and he supposedly has a note that says her husband signed over the house to pay a gambling debt he owed to him. Really all he wants is for her to be his mistress so when his plan is foiled by Sinclair, he decides to kidnap Francesca.

Great story, loved the interaction between all the characters. Would recommend this to anyone that enjoys the historical romance genre...:)