"Fantastic look at the turn of the previous century"

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

Reviewed by Harriet Klausner
Posted December 24, 2003

Summary

Lucy Hart is setting out on the first adventure of her life. On the verge of turning thirty, the overly responsible Postmistress of Colonias, New York is planning to meet a man in Atlantic City. Only known to her from their three year correspondence, she is hoping to find her life begin with this virtual stranger. Blackie LaDuke is taking a vacation from a life overflowing with adventure. Escaping the heat of New York City, along with matrimonial heat coming his way, roguish Blackie is intrigued when Lucy mistakes him for her intended companion. At first, he enjoys shocking the prim Lucy, but he soon finds himself wanting to be a man worthy of her interest. When these two very different worlds collide, can a life together begin after the last dance?