The Last Dance

I love turn of the century romances and there are few of them to be had out in the romance market. Ms. Ryan's "The Last Dance" hooked me from page one and made it to my "keeper" shelf. Set in Atlantic City Ms. Ryan spins a sweet story about a straight laced young lady from a small upstate New York village, and a devil may care rake from New York City. This is a perfect example of the old saying "opposites attract."Lucy is going to finally live a little. She has been saving and has planned to go to Atlantic City for a fun two week visit where she plans on meeting a gentleman she has been writing to for several years. Lucy makes her way to the fun city by the ocean totally unaware that Theodore Mooney will not be joining her. She then makes the mistake of thinking Blackie is her gentleman. What happens from there is the building of a relationship that will change both Lucy and Blackie in ways they never thought possible. This was a very well written romance with wonderful characters both primary and secondary. The setting is truly unique and again well written. I found myself transported to the turn of the century Atlantic City and all the wonders that are found there. Ms. Ryan is a truly gifted storyteller and I highly recommend this book. If your in the middle of planing your summer reading list you will miss out on a story that will make you laugh, cry, and believe in romance if you leave this one off your list. Now that would be a shame!

In 1899 Colonias, New York, Postmistress Lucy Hart nearing thirty sacrificed her happiness to care for her dependent mother, but now is recognized as an old maid with no prospects. She looks forward to her vacation in Atlantic City where she will finally meet her pen pal of the last three years Cooperstown, Pennsylvania Postmaster Theodore Mooney though no hint of romance is in any of their letters.As Lucy heads south on her vacation, in New York City, Robert "Blackie" LaDuke escapes from his overly possessive lover leaving the Waldorf for Atlantic City too. At the Atlantic Grand Hotel, Lucy sees a man she believes is Theodore, but he tells her to call him Blackie as he clarifies she accosted the wrong man. Theodore fails to show up sending a telegram canceling his trip. Though Theodore eventually arrives, a despondent Lucy finds Blackie gets perverse pleasure shocking her especially with seduction, but the ultimate shocker is when the hedonist realizes he loves the prim and proper postmistress.THE LAST DANCE is a fantastic look at the turn of the previous century inside the overly used theme of bad boy and good girl fall in love made fresh as newly fallen snow by the intricate descriptions of New York-New Jersey. The story line is brimming with a spotlight on the gilded age through a strong secondary cast that enhances the era. The lead couple is more by the book, but still charm the audience who want Lucy to find her heart's desire and her beloved rogue get what he deserves. Nan Ryan pens another winner.Harriet Klausner