A review by jacqueline1989
Dance of Seduction by Sabrina Jeffries

4.0

Maybe it's just more proof I'm odd, but when characters come onto the scene with really fascinating backgrounds, and current things-I'm-doing, I go ga-ga!

Sabrina Jeffries was absolutely fabulous in setting up an amazing character platform with both her hero, Morgan, and heroine, Clara. I was enthralled! The fact that our rockin' author established Clara to be extremely unique in her reformation efforts astounded me. Quite often, authors like to proclaim their characters are of a particular bent, in this case, social reform. My primary problem deals with the fact that such authors typically tell, rather than show. Jeffries allotted for a very unique setting by having Clara run a Home for wayward pickpockets of youth.

Such creativity was truly great to see, for instead of seeing the heroine playing the role of society-butterfly-with-a-heart-of-gold, we see Clara as being a character who acts her feelings by running her Home. Such positive allowed for Dance of Seduction to have a fresh change of scenery. The classic, sometimes overused but still loved "glittering ballroom" setting is entirely void in this novel. Instead, the reader truly gets a chance to experience the gritter side of London, complete with a wonderful cast of characters to go with.

Aside from loving the above mentioned realities of this book, I found myself enthralled with both the romantic and suspenseful story lines herein. Jeffries does a masterful job in keeping your attention to the emotional tension of Morgan and Clara, as well as curious to the driving external plot of the book, too. In conjunction, the secondary characters, though minor, do an excellent job at staying interesting and relevant to the story.

My one and only criticism of the book comes, alas, at the end. I've often noticed that Jeffries has a tendency to write a really tasty novel, but seems to have a difficult time ending her books. Once more, a book of hers felt randomly ended, slightly cut off at the knees as it were. Additionally, the epilogues, in this case, too, feel a bit overly joy-joy. I adore my HEAs, yes, but Dance of Seduction seemed a bit overly euphoric. I enjoyed that hyperbole of happiness, no doubt, but it did, sadly, decrease me total appreciation for this book.

Still! A great story, not at all a waste of time! Rah-rah Jeffries, you entertained me once more!