A Night to Surrender (Spindle Cove)

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The character development was really well written, and I found myself rooting for not only the H/h, but the rest of the ladies as well. I'll definitely be reading more of this series.

I am in love with the male character of this book. The writing, dialogue, humor and most of all- the intense emotions both characters feel = just superb! This was the first book I read by this author and I got hooked! The scenes are steamy, the secondary characters were fantastic. I just LOVED EVERYTHING about this book!

Not the usual English Lord and lady novel. Instead an original setting of a tiny town on the coast with a military officer and a school mistress interacting for the good of the town and protecting her school. Their pasts and present intertwine for an exciting read .

This is the first book in a six book series. The characters are lighthearted and funny and I found myself laughing at things said and done and it is nice that all the characters are carried through all the books. Ms. Dare really showed her great sense of humor in this series. Loved it!

I have read all 6 of Tessa Dare's other novels. A Night to Surrender is by far my favorite. I instantly feel in love with Spindle Cove. It was refreshing to read a novel that was set in a different time and place then the average historical romance. The characters were also refreshing, lovable and funny. I can't wait to read the rest of the series.....CAN'T WAIT!!!

I liked her other book so much and was very happy to have found a very good author so my expectations were very high for this book. This book was occasionally very funny and i love the dialogue and the hero. over all, howver, i liked 'a week to be wicked' a lot better. it seems like the author is getting better and better. i can't wait to read another book by her.

I thought this Regency romance was going to be my cup of tea. A small, out-of-the-way English village with a feminist bent sounded like a great setting for strong, intelligent women to find love in Regency England. I still think that, but this book didn't accomplish that. Instead it took a Regency woman and gave her 21st century sensibilities. And not in a good way. She was a virgin, but has no qualms about losing her virginity, no questions about sex (she's read books, you see, so she's familiar with it). The sex scenes are too long, too many, and (the first one, especially) too rapey for me. That said, a lot of folks will love them. That first sex scene really felt like a high school girl being pushed into sex by a skeevy college boy -- not my thing.

It all might have been okay if the characters had felt better developed, but they fell flat. They seemed like annoying caricatures of contemporary people who happen to reside with a backdrop of Regency England. I've read and enjoyed other books by this author, so this was particularly disappointing.

If you don't mind modern characters in a Regency setting (not time travel, just anachronistic), and like your romance novels with more sex than heart, you'll probably like this.

The women characters were pretty interesting and I liked the pet sheep a lot. Dare can certainly put together a funny scene. My problem is that it felt as though few funny scenes were overwhelmed by endless sex scenes that seemed devoid of tenderness. One of the other reviewers noted that the first time the lead characters actually had sex that it resembled every college guy promising his freshmen girlfriend that he just wanted to kiss her when he really wants to have intercourse with her and will say and possibly do whatever is necessary to do that. I agree with that evaluation. I skipped a lot of the sex scenes after that.

I rarely read historical romances but this one made me glad I choose to read this book. Susanna Finch and Victor Bramwell, Earl of Rycliff meet under unusual circumstances! How can you resist a man that is bombing sheep? If you wonder why that was happening read this first book in the Spindle Cove series, then you will probably want to find out more about the people in the unusual little village.

I couldn't get past the blatant rape passages and the misconception of consent being that the women of course wanted a man to take charge in that way. The initial brutal and violent beginnings were so off-putting that the rest of the story was hard to believe and difficult to feel engaged with the characters. I couldn't finish it.

I liked the method of writing by this Author. The chapters were not too long, and it read easily. I couldn't wait to read it each day, so I finished it rather quickly. I would read this author again.

I found this an easy uncomplicated book to read. However I don't think it lived up to Tessa Dare's previous efforts. The characters were well defined, an yet I did not really "feel" their problems. There seemed to be an absence of a real story. It seemed to me that humor was added to move the storyline along. I don't want to be all negative because it is an enjoyable read when you just want something light. No problems remembering plot lines, whose who, or who did what with this book. I still recommend reading it because it is the beginning of a series and nothing really wrong with it, just not quite up to her other books in my opinion. However the love scenes are HOT! Enjoy.

It's a great start to the series. I'm more anxious to read the second story and hope Corporal Thorne and Kate is the third...looks to be a good set up. I like both main characters. They were likable and believable and not one dimensional.

I have enjoyed Tessa's older works. I could not finish this book. The hero was a smarmy, boorish, mysogenist with clunky realizations and seemingly little social skill to his name other than his newly acquired title. I spent the first half of the book wanting to shun him... I didn't read the second half of the book because I eventually took my own advice and shunned the cad.

If you wish to know why I paid for this book, do yourself a favor and go read "Goddess of the Hunt."

After reading the first two volumes of her Castles series, I wanted more Tessa Dare! So I read this book. As I made my way through it, I realized I've read the book about Minerva (and enjoyed it). However, the Minerva in this book comes across as a character I'd seriously like to slap until… well, slap until. What an awful person!

But Minerva is not whom this book is about. She's only in here long enough to set up for her own story. This book is about how a book should NOT be padded by using gratuitous sex scenes. Blah blah blah, they went on and on. There was no need for them. No end to them, either. I figure an editor must have insisted upon their inclusion or something, even though there are far more than the normal three one finds in non-erotic romances. They brought the book down until I was just thumbing through it, waiting for the plot to resume.

Don't judge Tessa Dare on this book. Go read the books in her Castles series instead, and have a good time!

I was actually very surprised how much I did not like this book. Other books by Tessa Dare have been amazing. The characters were unable to draw me into their story. But I still recommend this author.

It took me a while to finish this book. It was boring in some parts and somewhat ridiculous in others. I've got the 2nd book in the series and I don't know if I want to read it or not. This book didn't keep my attention the whole way through. There were some parts that I did find good, but it just wasn't enough, that's why I'm between 2.5 & 3 stars.

The reason I give the book only three stars is the lengthy descriptions of sexual encounters. The story line is good. She makes me laugh out loud. But the sex is about 3/4 of the book One place there was a 5 page description of the Victorian spinster's sexual encounter with the Officer. It was the end of the chapter. The new chapter gave 2 paragraphs of the story, then back to the sex again. I liked the story, but I doubt I will read any more of her stories (this is the second one I've read), as I just don't care for all the sexual descriptions.

Even though it is outside the realm of normal books I read, I enjoyed Tessa Dare's Romancing the Duke, so I decided to give this first book of her other series a shot.

Man, this was bad. Super boring, and really, really bad.

I finally DNF at about 51% after the first "erotic" scene that seemed super rape-y to me.

"Just kisses. That's all. Just kisses."

Which seemed like every frat-boy line used by a 20-year-old who definitely does NOT mean "just kisses."

But the icing on the cake that had me switching to a different book was when the sexy-time was all over and Susanna's response is:

"Oh, Bram. I never dreamed it could be that way." ... "It was lovely."

Gag me. Who is this chick, Cinderella? Anywho, my point is, if you liked Tessa Dare's Castle's Ever After books, don't assume you'll like this one. I wish I had started reading it within the store's 7-day return window so I could have gotten a refund.

After reading Romancing the Duke, I thought I could easily choose another Tessa Dare book and have a good read. Wrong... This was boring and really no fun at all. It was contrived and predictable. No surprises at all. Couldn't even hold my interest for an hour at a time. Sorry, Tessa. Big disappointment.

I do not understand the positive reviews given to this book because it did not deserve them. In fact, it's as if I read a totally different book: it is saying a lot about it when I say that my favorite character in it was the hero's pet sheep, whom he named (unintentionally) "Dinner". It took me over two weeks to read A Night to Surrender (I could only take a few pages at a time) and I wish I had just not bothered. The reason I did was to see when/if "Dinner" would show up again. After the first half, I skimmed looking for mentions of this pet.
This book was practically unreadable. The premise was silly but possibly interesting (feminist town in lovely corner of England) but the heroine was annoying and the author did nothing to develop her character; the hero started out as potentially interesting but he also fizzled into just plain annoying. The development of their relationship has practically no tension and -SPOILER COMING: taking her virginity under a tree on the village green with the entire village just feet away was too ridiculous, even for someone who is willing to suspend her disbelief. The writing was poor this time, a real surprise because Ms. Dare's earlier books were pretty well written.
I recommend skipping this one. If you are new to Tessa Dare, check out "Goddess of the Hunt" -- that's the one to read, not A Night to Surrender.

Read her earlier books and save yourself the money. There must be some class that is being offered at the Romance Writers Technical School of Book Publishing that teaches current romance writers that the use of quirky "cute" situations and excessive sappy sex scenes are the essential building blocks of churning out full length (and price) novels in the fastest and most efficient means. This translate, unfortunately for reader of romance novels, that there is a disburbing amount of awful sameness to the writing quality and cheesiness levels of the novels that have come out this year. I am sorry to say that Ms. Dare has succumbed to this stylistic abyss. It hurts my brain to even have to think about the story and recount it here for review - please see other reviews to piece together the rote threads of story and plot synopsis. I bought the book on my Kindle and I actually threw the Kindle across the room after reading a chapter of really unimaginative writing, story and plot. I actually started researching what the refund policy was on book puchases on the Kindle. Not to pick on Ms. Dare in particular but she is the latest writer to cave to this trend in the romance writing/publishing industry. I know there is a recession. I have weathered the vampire, time-travel, and nascar trends in romance fiction but for just plain bad writing, I finally give up!

Tessa Dare's ‘A NIGHT TO SURRENDER’ is the first of the fabulous historical Spindle Cove series and is Susanna Finch and Victor Bramwell’s story. Susanna is the unconventional "spinster" mother hen of this village filled with other spinsters and healer of women, and Victor Bramwell (Bram) is a recently injured war hero.

Susanna's father is retired war hero whose main concern is making cannons for war. He manipulates Bram to make militia of the men in spindle cove. Through assembling the militia Bram an Susanna can't keep their hands to themselves.

The plot was engaging, the characters developed, and the dialogue witty. There are, of course, some rather silly shenanigans. What follows is a humour-filled story full of high jinks and romance. So while ‘A NIGHT TO SURRENDER ‘ is light-hearted in general, it does not mean that the hero and heroine are fluffy characters. They both come with a lot of baggage and it is wonderful to see them work through it all. Highly enjoyable.
I am a verified purchaser in Australia

: 1-faithful-from-the-start, 1-heroine-is-a-virgin, 1-historical, 1-safe-no-cheating-no-ow-om, 1st-in-series, 2-approved-for-safe-zone, 2-awesome-alpha

2nd Tessa Dare book and definitely a good one. Loved the hero, the heroine and all the side characters except for his cousin because he's too much of a manho for me.
Really cute love story

I am stunned that this book would get anything less than 5 stars. The writing is hilarious, the characters absorbing, and the setting quite unique in the Regency genre. I think the issue for many traditional romance fans might be that this book doesn't follow the usual formula. Dare writes from the male perspective so well that it is kind of half romance and half adventure novel.

I laughed out loud so many times I was in danger of making my side sore. Where did this woman learn to write such witty prose? The section where Colin tries to inspire his troops in the art of seduction is hysterical.

I love, love, love Spindle Cove. At first (I read the second full-length book first) I was hesitant to buy into the concept of a community of spinsters. It didn't take me long to develop a full-blown appreciation for the freshness of Dare's seaside village.

I didn't think I could like this book better than the other two, but it is a wonderfully fun read, with characters I believe I will long remember. Bram and Suzanna are a great duo. Bram is full of complexity as are all Ms. Dare's heroes. I think she may actually do better with her heroes than she does developing her female leads.

I don't really agree with the criticism leveled by a couple of other reviewers that Susanna immediately turns to mush over Bram. Over and over she pursues her own agenda. At the same time, what exactly do some readers expect from a 19th century gentlewoman? Is she supposed to burn her corset, drive the men from the village with a pitchfork? It's a romance, after all, and both the Susanna and Bram unravel a bit as they give part of themselves up to be together. I think she is strong, within the context of her time, as well as feminine.

These three books, and this one in particular, are the best I've read by any modern writer other than Chase, who I think is equally as entertaining. Dare is truly Heyer on steroids, with way more character development and lead interaction than you get in any Heyer book, but the same type of sparkling dialogue. Not once in her book did the dialogue make me cringe because it was anachronistic or pompous. The sex scenes are good and didn't make me squirm with too much purple prose.

If you like lots of humor with your romance I think you can't help but love Dare's writing, and this book in particular.

I read this book after its sequel of sorts, "A Week to be Wicked" and while I enjoyed them both, I found there was something missing from each.

"A Night to Surrender" tells the story of Susanna Finch, a "spinster" and the de facto ruler of the small enclave of Spindle Cove--also known as "Spinster Cove"--where misfit misses can escape the burden of society and its rules. Susanna is the mother hen, the matriarch and protector of the male-less hamlet and is quite frustrated when she finds her safe haven invaded by men, and not just any men but a corporal (Thorne), a lord (Viscount Payne) and the newly minted (with her father's help, no less) Earl of Rycliffe (Bram).

The latter is her love interest and their relationship develops quite smoothly. Susanna's father, Sir Finch is known for his stellar weaponry (he crafted the Finch Rifle) and Bram has sought him out to have him assist him in his return to battle. Bram was shot in the leg and has been recovering from the serious injury since.

Susanna is hurt after her father assists in getting Bram titled as Rycliffe and bestowing him with Rycliffe Castle--the place he'd "given" to Susanna when she was younger. Bram's "medieval" attitude and his lure of Sir Finch into military matters (Sir Finch tells Bram he'll help him return to battle if he puts together a militia for review in a month) all prove to frustrate Susanna. She doesn't want her father involved in this militia and wants Bram and his men to stay away from her women.

Well of course, sparks fly between the two and a relationship develops. Dare does a good job of humanizing both by giving an insight into their troubles (Susanna's history with doctors and Bram's resistance with retiring from the military). There is even a bit of humor--but not as much as I would appreciate for my tastes--and a good use of secondary characters.

All in all, the story was enjoyable. I don't know what would've made it five stars in my book; it was just missing something for me, but I'll continue to read Ms. Dare's other stories!

Notice: I have not purchased any of these titles from the store and have them on my Nook or from the library. Just wanted to give full disclosure up front since I have seen comments before in the store reviews so if you have issue with that then do not read below...

I have read ALL of Tessa Dare's novels and love them! I checked out some from my library and own all the Spindle Cove novels and novellas as well as the Werestag novella. You will not be dissapointed with any of her writings except that they end! I would like to find a "comparable" author because I just know Tessa's work to be the best for my tastes with the right amount of story, character development, setting, and spice. I was not actually a romance reader until I stumbled upon a free offering of one of her ebooks on my Nook. I know egads not a Kindle but anyways... that was how I even found this genre and now am hooked!

I have always been a fan of period romance movies and am a stickler for anything set in the Victorian (or earlier) settings of Europe which all of her books are. I do have a few other free historical romances but I just know already I won't be as pleased. I wish Tessa would go full time just writing ONLY Spindle Cove series and that PBS or BBC would pick up the rights and make an ongoing romance seriers for TV that would be hot and heavy and for adult viewers but tasteful. Maybe Netflix??? Wouldn't that be incredible! LOL

Bascially to sum all this up do not worry one bit about purchasing any of her materials. You will love having them. I have read each of the Spindle Cove series twice and plan to re-read each once a year- Yes they are that good! I stay tuned for pre-orders and have always been on of the first to get a book as it comes out.

This is the start of the third series from Tessa Dare, and I can tell you right off the bat that my favorite is her first series The Wanton Dairy Maid Series and the début book `Goddess of the Hunt'. Her second series was The Stud Club Trilogy and I sort-of liked it and was partial to the first one more so then the other two.

And now she has written her third series and if the next three (I'm including an eNovella here as well) are as fun as this one, I'm well on my way to love this series as much as the first one.

I have all three on my Kindle and mean to go through all of them and will bring them to you as I read them.

As this story unfolds, we're introduced to not just the hero and the heroine but to the place, Spindle Cove which is home to many women who in one way or another have made this place their refuge from society. They are here to discover ways and means of getting on and accepting themselves for who they are; learning to stand for what they believe in. They come from all walks of life, yet all have one thread that binds them together: freedom from men. Not that there are none in their small community, but that they just seem to have `adjusted' to women in general and one in particular to lead them.

Ms. Dare gives us an interesting albeit not so much believable concept, and in spite of it, I did enjoy it. This is a fiction after all!

Lt. Colonel Victor Bramwell, Lord Rycliffe and Miss Susanna were one of the funniest characters I've read lately and just the dialogue alone between them makes this book a five start read. And let's not forget Ms. Dare's knack for creating one of the best sensual and sexual tension scenes. The woman can certainly make us laugh and blush and sometimes all at the same time.

The book ebbs and flows in pace, but well-developed characters and witty dialogue keep the plot moving along so that the sometimes implausible situations and slapstick comedy are overlooked. If you're in a mood for a romantic regency comedy, than by all means go for it. I did and liked it well.

Mel

*Copy received from AVON for an honest review*

Sparkling with humor and sizzling with sex, A Night To Surrender pulsates with the wants and needs of females and males--needs not the same and on a collision course. A hodgepodge of men assembled to form a militia in a quiet seaside village wreck havoc on Spindle Cove that has a motto of "Tranquility is the soul of our community" and where young, gently-bred ladies come to get themselves sorted out.

When black powder explosions, a sheep "stampede", and wagons loaded with army supplies show up along with Lieutenant Colonel Victor Bramwell, his wastrel cousin Colin, and Thorne, Susanna Finch rallies all her considerable abilities to keep the ladies' retreat intact and on schedule. The village depends on the money the ladies bring into Spindle Cove.

The Queen's Ruby Inn is a temporary home for the ladies, whether sickly, scandalous, shy, disenchanted with marriage, too enchanted with the wrong men, or just misfits in the rules-ridden society of early nineteenth century England. Twenty-five-year-old Susanna, the daughter of the only gentleman in area, nurtures the ladies and helps them to realize their self-worth and take pride in their accomplishments. Her organizational skills, healer abilities, business sense, and abundance of energy are instrumental in keeping the village economically healthy and aesthetically pleasing. Her inner hurts, needs, and woes stay locked away until Bramwell invades her territory. Theirs is a romance not to be missed.

Lt. Col. Victor Bramwell, seriously wounded in battle eight months ago, is healing and wants his command back. But his superiors ignore his requests. His last hope is his father's old friend Sir Lewis Finch, an eccentric inventor of weaponry who is a Royal Advisor to the Prince Regent who could get Bramwell back to his command.

Sir Lewis has his own agenda and gets Bramwell elevated, not back to his command, but gets him a title. By royal decree Bramwell is now an Earl--Lord Rycliff--and owner of a dilapidated castle high on a ridge overlooking the village in one direction and overlooking the channel on the other side where the northern coast of France is only fifty miles away. He is supposed to raise a militia of twenty-four men to defend this area of the coast--NOT Bramwell's `cup-of-tea'.

Colin, Bramwell's ne'er-do-well cousin, is horrified. A pretty village with no taverns and overrun with unbiddable, educated, man-eater ladies is just too much. While his irresponsible mischief propels the plot along at top speed, it often brings about distressing outcomes, but sometimes there is humor that tickles the funny bone.

The secondary characters are a diverse lot that add a wealth of emotions to the conflicts. The lamb named "Dinner" is not to be overlooked. He does his part to make this a delightful story.

Tessa Dare enchants with her skillful use of humor and her breathtaking love scenes. The awakening of Susanna's passion and Bramwell's deep-seated needs is beautifully revealed by Ms. Dare. She does a super job of showing how love reaches beyond weaknesses and flaws to bring out the best of people. She blends differences like Bramwell saying, "You're mine" and Susanna saying, "I claim sole possession of my body, my heart, and my soul. And, tonight I choose to share them all with you", in unique fashion. She melds these attitudes together to create a strong, delicious mixture that proves to be just what is needed for a happy-ever-after.

Originally posted at the Long and Short of It Romance Reviews

Excellent first book in a series that I'm rapidly becoming a big fan of, Spindle Cove! The female lead, Susanna, is a strong and independent woman with a backbone of steel and an enormous heart. She doesn't back down from the hero, Bram or instantly become a mooning miss as many female leads do in romance novels. Her persistence and stubborn determination in the face of what she feels is right is refreshing, as are the frequent verbal exchanges she trades with Bram. I laughed out loud at the dialog and witty writing style of Miss Dare, and eagerly await the opportunity to read book 2!

I loved this book and cannot wait for the next installments so I can spend more time with the inhabitants of Spindle Cove - and check in on Susanna and Bram.

**some spoilers will be sprinkled ahead**

First and foremost, Susanna is a wonderful heroine - very special. Her early formative experiences have made her a fierce advocate for young women who don't easily conform to societal expectations - indeed prescriptions - of proper looks, comportment, interests, etc. She has worked tirelessly to create a place where they can come to heal, to grow, and to truly come into their own. She is a strong, capable, intelligent and caring woman, and one of the things I first (and most) loved about Bram is that he immediately noticed and appreciated those qualities. He didn't want her to be a biddable woman, even though he was used to always being in command.

Into this female-dominated society comes our intrepid hero, Bram, a big, war-hardened man who is still recovering both physically and emotionally (not that he'll admit the latter) from a battlefield injury that seems sure to end his military career, or at least require a move to a "desk job".

Susaanna quickly realizes that big, strong Bram is really a vulnerable soul underneath who is starved for basic kindness, affection and love. I think Tessa did a wonderful job showing that softer inside of Bram without completely negating his more commanding presence. Bram and Susanna changed each other, and it was a pleasure to see their relationship unfold, and their broader, truer selves also unfold as they drew closer and love bloomed.

Sprinkled throughout were numerous scenes that had me laughing out loud. Too many to mention, but the running bit with the lamb named "Dinner" was sweet and funny, and I loved the scene where Bram was trying to explain to Susanna's father that he'd compromised her and had to marry her, and Susanna managed to re-cast everything he said and derail the entire proceeding until instead they were planning a ball and bringing the men & women of the village together to jointly prepare their nascent militia for a formal review.

I reached the end of this book happy, with a smile on my face, knowing that Susanna and Bram were going to have a wonderful life together - they deeply understand each other and saved each other in every sense of the word.

As much as I really liked the characters of Bram and Susanna, I couldn't bring myself to love this book. As the book starts, Bram and a small band of soldiers are entering Spindle Cove where a herd of sheep have blocked their path. Bram's derelict cousin, Colin, sets an explosive charge to clear the sheep. Into the scene walks Susanna, who Bram rescues and then immediately begins sparring with. The opening reminded me of something out of Monty Python--it WAS actually kind of funny, but not quite what I want in a romance novel.

The attraction between Bram and Susanna is instant and believable, and it actually read well. They are attracted to each other, they understand each other, they spar humorously and magnificently. The problem is that there is little plot conflict. The two are so clearly perfect for each other from the beginning that the story became predictable.

Having said that, I think that this novel perfectly sets up Spindle Cove so that I am very much interested in reading further into the series. There are introductions to several characters who we can presume will have stories of their own. I found Colin and Minerva's interactions to be particularly fun and it will be interesting to see how Dare saves Colin from being more than a self-centered careless horndog, as he appears to be in this book.

This may be my favorite historical romance of the year! Spindle Cove is a labor of love for Susanna Finch, who grew up on the neighboring estate. Susanna knows what it's like to be a misfit, and she's turned Spindle Cove into a seaside refuge for other women seeking freedom from illness, scandal, unwanted matrimony, and overbearing mothers. It's a place where unusual women are free to be themselves, and where they are relatively free of men. But the ladies' peaceful life of spinsterly solitude is turned upside down by the arrival of Lt. Colonel Victor Bramwell and his orders to recruit a militia to protect their coastline in the event of a French invasion.

The women of Spindle Cove, led by a feisty and determined Susanna, are prepared to fight for the peace and tranquility of their little haven. Susanna is prepared to do whatever it takes to remove this threat to her paradise, but she's about to meet her match. After a devastating battlefield injury, Bram needs this militia. His commission is on the line and he needs to prove to his superiors that he is capable and ready to return to command in the Napoleonic War. But he's about to find out that his biggest challenge is not building a fighting troop of men from the village's ragtag offering, but rather allowing himself to consider a future far different than what he thought he'd always wanted, and finding the courage to take it. And Susanna's about to discover exactly what kind of benefits there are to having a strong and handsome man in the village, in her arms, and in her heart.

This was my first time reading Tessa Dare, but it will not be my last! It's been a long time since I found a romance so genuinely humorous. I grinned my way through the entire first half of this charming novel. I loved everything about it. (Well, almost. My only little quibble is that I thought the sex scenes were a tad overdone.) The premise is refreshingly original and I loved Spindle Cove and all of its residents. The characters are great--no cliched, cardboard supporting characters here--and Bram is a fantastic hero, very authentic and convincing. The women of the village and the men of the militia go toe-to-toe with cutting wit, sparkling dialogue, and one outrageous scene after another. And though we all know how a romance is going to end, this one had a couple of surprises on the way there. The seeds have been planted for the next two books in the series and I can't wait to read them. This is just an all-around fun, charming, superbly-written little gem, and if you love historical romance, you need to add this one to your list!

This was my least favorite Spindle Cove book. While I enjoy Susanna, I found Bram to be over burdened with traits/ideas of toxic masculinity and a general refusal to treat Susanna with respect in the first half or so of the book. I loved all of the other books in this series, but would prefer if I hadn't read this one at all. There was a scene in this book that absolutely gutted me emotionally and the Spindle Cove books never lack for fun, community, and creativity. I guess what I'm trying to say is, all the hallmarks of what makes this series wonderful are there if you can stand the hero being a cad.

Okay, so it's true to the Regency period in the same way that Renaissance Faires are true to the Renaissance. Not so very, but fun and enjoyable anyway.

Bram thinks she needs a good ravaging.

Susanna thinks he needs a hug.

They're both right. Humor brought in various ways. Like Mary in the nursery rhymes, he has a little lamb, too, aka, Dinner, who has adopted the big, scary military man after Bram's men bombed his flock of sheep.

Then there the battle over the teahouse/tavern - is it to be The Blushing Pansy, or the Rutting Bull?

The sex scenes are hot, and imaginative (given Bram's got a gimpy knee and all, and Susanna's period clothing), but it's really the humor that kept me reading this series. Still, each character has to overcome his/her greatest fear, and to learn to use the "L" word. This novel won the RITA last year, and it's very good, but like many other reviewers, I must admit I preferred A Week to Be Wicked.

"A Night to Surrender" is a historical romance that unfortunately fails to capitalise on its potential. Dare has given us a town that houses spinsters - rich, poor, shy and too bold - but no real men until Victor Bramwell rides into town. He is summarily made the Earl of Rycliff and charged with recruiting and training up a militia on the chance that Napoleon decides to invade Britain. He immediately steals a kiss from the freckled faced red haired Susanna and sets about disrupting the women's liberation movement she has begun. In Spindle Cove, women fight against patriarchy one day at a time - on Monday they partake in country walks, Tuesday they sea bathe and Wednesday they work in the garden. If that does not have the militiamen quaking in their boots, I don't know what will. Hmm.

The hero, Bram, vacillates between agonising over his bum knee, wanting to get back into the military proper and thinking about sex. He thinks about sex a lot and seems to think it romantic to tell Susanna his every thought. The heroine on the other hand, is just too perfect for words and I found that intensely irritating. Send her the tired, the poor, the sick, those yearning to breathe free (providing they follow her rules) and she will rebuild them better...stronger...faster. Without any form of actual medical training she managed to invent aqua therapy and a way to minimise the effects of asthma. This woman was light years ahead of conventional medical treatment.

The battle of the sexes premise comes across as quite amateurish in places particularly when the men storm the village to reclaim their masculinity. I also thought the constant sex in public places detracted from the book - ironic given the genre. Surely someone would have seen something or heard something?? Surely it couldn't be so repetitive?

It is a shame in many ways that some readers might be put off from reading the second in the series, "A Week to Be Wicked" which is far superior. Skip this one and pick up the next or read it with caution.

I've been a fan of Tessa Dare's books for years and so was really excited about her newest, A Night to Surrender. The story takes place in the fictional Spindle's Cove which has earned the nickname of Spinter's Cove as its inhabited mostly by women. These are all women who have retreated from society as they are running away from a bad marriage, have been on the shelf too long, are considered an oddity by society or are recovering from an illness. The town is lead by the formitable Susanna who arranges a bunch of activities for the women to partake in like hikes, swimming and learning to shoot a gun. She is very protective of her girls and so when a regiment of soldiers invades her quite town she is not happy. Which brings her to the attention of Victor Bramwell, the new Earl of Rycliff and head of the regiment.

The tension between the two is apparent from the start and I just love their witty banter. This couple had me cracking up on several occasions. Especially when Bram's unintended pet, Dinner, is in the picture as well. The one thing that I found odd and a bit unrealistic is the first time that the two did the deed...which was out in the open in the public square. That ackwardness aside though it was a steamy scene. I also loved the secondary characters in this book and I look forward to seeing more of them as the series progresses. One of my favorite characters was Colin who decides to lead the men in a campaign to take over the tea house and make it into a pub...and then deal with the fall out when the ladies retaliate. I also loved Minerva (blanking on name so I might be misquoting this one) and her bookish ways as well as her handy dandy rock-filled reticule that she wasn't afraid to swing when she thought there was danger.

All in all this was a fun and entertaining romance and one that I will read more than once. The world and characters are delightful and the book is filled with several moments that make give you that heart achy feeling as well as laugh out loud.

This book has been on my reading list for awhile. Adriana from Looking For a Breath of Life Reviews recommended this book to me. Our reading interest are so similar I consider any book she recommends a must read. So Adriana ended up gifting me this book and cue my latest addiction! Thanks Adriana for contributing to yet another one of my many reading addictions!

Tessa Dare has a writing style that completely appeals to me. I prefer a thicker romance, loaded with cheesy love stuff. Let me explain. I like a romantic setting while making love and a man who uses over the top lines to win over the heroine. This is Tessa's writing style, a truly romantic tale for the romance lover.

Susanna is a bit too tall, a bit to freckly, and a bit to odd for society. Retreating into the life of a spinster Susanna takes up residents in Spindle Cove and soon brings other women who are a bit too odd for society. Each woman is taught valuable lessons like shooting and are exposed to sea air for healing. Sounds like the perfect place to hide right? Well it is until Bram and his squad takes up residents in Spindle Cove. From there a romance takes off exposing more than just a few hidden scars.

I love this story so much! The chemistry between Bram and Susanna is just breathtaking. Tessa Dare has really mastered the art of building chemistry between her characters and keeping it believable. You as the reader fall in love side by side with Bram and Susanna. Every passionate kiss stole my breath away while I was reading; every emotional scene had me clutching my book in suspense. I love how Bram and Susanna are constantly bickering but they both admit that it is because of how attracted they are to one another!

I recommend this book to lovers of historical who prefer and hot and heavy read. If you don't like an overly romantic book you should avoid this book at all cost. BUT if you are like me and love the romance part of the romance genre dive into the world Tessa Dare has created in Spindle Cover.

In Regency-era England, a young woman's future depends on making a success in her season. But what about those women who can't, who don't, or who simply have interests beyond fancy dresses, dances, and attracting a male's attention? Susanna Finch thinks she has the answer--she's turned her village into a retreat where young women (and their mothers) can go to find themselves. Some of these women will return to London for their seasons, others won't. But all of them, Susanna is certain, will be better for some time supported by other women, where they're allowed to pursue their interests without the need to impress a male. Which is exactly why Victor Bramwell's (Bram's) arrival is a disaster. Bram is the kind of man who makes it hard for women to concentrate on anything except him. Worst of all, Susanna herself isn't immune.

Bram isn't interested in spending time in a village run by women, he wants to get back to his regiment, back to the war against Napoleon. He's still recovering from battle injuries and his superiors are certain he's not ready, that he may never be ready to return, but Bram can't imagine a life other than one of military service. When Susanna's father offers him a deal, that he form a costal defense company and impress his military superiors that way, Bram has little choice but to take it. With Susanna's father holding the keys to his future, one thing Bram can't afford to do is tamper with the pretty redhead... no matter how much his body yearns for her.

Author Tessa Dare creates a charming and sexy Regency romp with a pair of damaged lovers who can only find healing in one another's arms, and a host of secondary characters who seem intent on making life difficult for Bram and Susanna as the two are caught between their desire and the certainty that falling in love can only bring ruin.

Dare creates a strong black moment as the book nears its conclusion with a profoundly emotional moment that puts both Bram and Susanna to the test. As the two are forced to confront their deepest fears, their still-budding love for one another seems likely to be snuffed out.

I liked that Dare remembered that the Regency period takes place during a horrible and destructive war. While much of English aristocracy flirted, danced, and practiced their French, England battled against Napoleon, sometimes with allies, sometimes alone in the world. Too often, regency-set books forget this dark backdrop and concentrate on the dances and witty conversation. The backdrop of war and destruction adds complexity to Dare's story. Although there's plenty of humor in A NIGHT TO SURRENDER, there's also destruction and shattered lives.

Over the years Spindle Cove has been a place where parents/ guardians send the ill behaved or physically weak women in their lives to recuperate or just get them out of their hair. Spindle Cove has become a haven for those ladies who don't quite measure up to society's standards. It is now known as Spinster Cove to outsiders.

Susanna came to Spindle Cove years ago and has since made it her home and her mission to help out other young women. She is looked to as a leader of this little community and she likes the way things are in her life. When an old friend of her father's shows up and adds too much testosterone to the estrogen rich environment, Susanna plans on fighting to maintain the status quo.

This was probably one of the best historical romances I have read. The storyline was unique and the characters weren't picture perfect, but colorful and wonderfully human. The romance had all the heat that I love and the characters were sizzling with sexual tension. But what I really loved about this book was the humor. I ba ha ha'd and laughed out loud so many times while reading, this book had some extremely hilarious moments. The wit the characters display, the personalities and the flaws of the people, the snappy dialogue and the refreshingly funny story made this book easily one of my favorite reads this year.

There is one scene where a married lady who has sought refuge at Spindle Cove after discovering her husband and marriage aren't all that she hoped they would be, recites a poem. It is one of the most cleverly written scenes and the poem itself had me nearly choking on my coffee. The author's delivery was perfect. That scene alone is worth reading this book, it was so freakin' funny!

I can't wait to see where the rest of this series goes, and I am going to check out this author's other works. She made me a fan!

Cherise Everhard, August 2011

I had trouble getting into the story. The characters were likable enough but I think I'm just not into Spindle Cove as the setting. I was kind of "meh" about "A Lady By Midnight" and I now realize it was basically for the same reason.

So "A Night to Surrender" is the first book of Tessa Dare's Spindle Cove series. Spindle Cove is a place where unconventional young ladies are sent (in the hopes that they'll become more conventional). Miss Susanna Finch is the leader of these unconventional spinsters, and she's proud of it! Bram, the Earl of Rycliff, was shot through the knee in battle. The military tries to reassign him to desk duty but he feels that he cannot fulfill his destiny unless he's on the battlefield. He travels to Spinster Cove and tries to get Susanna's father to help him get assigned back in the field.

This is where I started nodding off more. In exchange for a new field assignment, Susanna's dad tells Bram that he needs to put together a local militia so that they can have a field day of some sort to present this new cannon that Sir Finch is building. Zzzzzzz. The spinsters, er, ladies of Spindle Cove, especially Susannah, are outraged because the putting together of a local militia interrupts their spinster routines. Susannah is super annoyed because she has dedicated her life to creating a safe haven where unconventional women can feel comfortable. So their routines include fun things like country walks, sea bathing, gardening, etc etc. Zzzzzzz who cares about these boring ladies??? Ugh I couldn't care less!

Anyway, notwithstanding their differences, Bram and Susannah seriously have the hots for each other and sparks fly. Susannah helps Bram come to grips with his war injury, from which he will never heal completely, and Bran shows Susannah that she is indeed a lovely and wanted woman. Everything works out. The end. But the part that gets us to the happily ever after was just so, so, so dull for me. I gave this a 3 because although it was boring, I still finished it and Tessa Dare introduces some interesting characters. I also liked Bram and Susannah. It's not heir fault they were placed in such a dull setting and plot.

What a thoroughly enjoyable novel. The characters are very well developed, the situations are realistic and the relational tension between the two main characters is marvelous.

Susanna Finch has developed a wonderful cozy community at Spindle Cove. It is a place where young ladies can come to heal up from either physical ailments or relational disasters. Many of the young women here are wanting a place free of men, free of conflict and full of companionship (of the same sex).

Susanna has her own reasons for developing this community. When she was younger she lost her mother and her father sent her to live with relatives. Unfortunately these relatives did not treat her well. She was subjected to medical treatments and relational treatments that were terrible. Finally her father rescued her and brought her to Spindle Cove and gave her a place to heal. She now shares that with others.

The whole community turns to Susanna for decisions on just about everything. They took the town tavern and turned it into a Tea and Cake Parlor. The blacksmith now makes jewelry boxes and trinkets and bobbles as well as doing blacksmith work. In other words, the men have been 'reduced' to being pansy's.

Now enter Lt. Colonel Victor Bramwell, the new Lord of the manor. Well, actually he doesn't want to be Lord of anything, but he is recovering from injuries received in the war and as a reward for bravery he is made Lord Rycliffe and given the castle of Spindle Cove. He now has a title and is entitled to the perks that come with that. Usually honor and authority. But he keeps running up against Miss Susanna and the fact that she holds the true authority in the community.

With Bram comes his trusty Corporal and his relative Lord Payne (who turns out to be a real pain). These three men will bring all kinds of conflict to the community. They are tasked with setting up a militia to provide protection against invasion. But the men there are, well, they are pansies. The women have made them into something they shouldn't be. So, Victor Bramwell is going to whip them into shape, make a militia out of them and make them 'real' men. Or will he? If Susanna has anything to say about it this will not happen.

The relational, sexual and romantic tensions that build in the book are terrific. The characters not only capture each others hearts but those of the readers.

Who will bend their will to other's will first? Will both Bram and Susanna win or will just one of them win, or will they both loose? You will find yourself cheering them on and wishing that they would both get over their stubbornness and just let love take it's course.

OK, so I don't read many Romance Novels that have plenty of sexual tension. As a Pastor people want me to recommend books that their daughters can read. So, I have to give a disclaimer, this book has some pretty explicit writing in it. If you don't like that just skip a page or two until the story line comes back around.

All in all the storyline is good. The characters are great. The plots are real and the people are genuine. You will enjoy this quick read.

A Night to Surrender
Reviewed by Francesca and Posted at Under the Covers Book Blog

Spindle Cove is a nice and quiet vacationing spot where young ladies can go to and feel free to enjoy themselves without facing the judgement of others like they would in London society. Also known as Spinsters Cove. The ladies here are not your ordinary historical romance heroine. There's something that has been determined "less desirable" with each of them. Once they are in Spindle Cove, though, they maintain a schedule. On Mondays, they have country walks. On Tuesdays, sea bathing. On Wednesdays, gardening. I'll have to let you find out about Thursdays when you read the book!

Susanna Finch is the head spinster of sorts. She pretty much runs this town, and the women have taken it over! Susanna's control is tested when a group of men, led by Victor Bramwell, aka Bram, and soon to be known as Lord Rycliff arrives. He's a war hero seeking her fathers' recommendation so that he can return to his post for the duration of the war. Her dad gives him a castle, and a title, and will consider signing his papers if he manages to make the few good men of the town to make a presentation worthy of a military group.

With not too many pickings, he has his work cut out for him. And the one thing he was not counting on is Susanna Finch. She's spirited, opinionated, strong willed, and he can't help his attraction to her! These two are great from the start! Their dialogue is witty and funny and entertaining. Their chemistry is amazing turning to hot!

The secondary characters in this book are endearing as well. My favorite being Colin, Bram's cousin. Lord Payne is the incorrigible rake who, in more than one occasion, turns the sweet town of Spindle Cove upside down with his antics. I can't wait for his book next.

I am excited to see what happens with the rest of the crazy ladies in Spindle Cove!

Favorite quote:

He knew all her objections to marriage were logical. She'd built her life and village around happy spinsterhood, and the demands of his military career left no room for a wife. A hasty wedding could mean grief for Sir Lewis, scandal for Susanna, and God knew what for Bram. But he was going to marry her, despite it. Because when he looked at Susanna, all he could think was one word. It wasn't a particularly elegant or poetic word, any more so than "like." But it had a straightforward eloquence all its own.
Mine.

I read lots of Regencies and this is one of my favorites this year so far. The basic plot is that Susanna Finch has set up a kind of haven for misunderstood and mistreated ladies of the ton, where they can get away from society and be themselves. The village she lives in, Spindle Cove, is perfect for her needs in that there are very few able bodied men around, very little local gentry, and the village is on the English Channel, with it's lovely atmosphere and bracing sea air. In the meantime, Bram, a lieutenant colonel in the British Army, is desperate to prove himself fit to return to command after suffering a war injury to his knee. Bram comes to Spindle Cove (or Spinster Cove as Bram's cousin informs him it is jokingly called) to meet with Susanna's father, a famous artillery inventor, in hopes that he will help Bram regain his commission. Various hijinks ensue, starting with Bram's cousin using some of their gunpowder to move a flock of sheep who are blocking the road and ending with Bram attempting to raise and train a local militia to defend the village in case of a possible French invasion of the coast.

The reason I loved this book is that Bram and Susanna are both intelligent, thoughtful adults. Both have suffered pain and disillusion in the past and hide their wounded hearts behind a strong, take charge, no-nonsense exterior. They are instantly attracted to each other and there is no wishy-washy, will he/she, won't he/she behavior. Instead, they come together as adults and work out their problems and obstacles as adults. I could feel the chemistry between them and because I liked both of the characters so much, I was rooting for them all the way. In addition, the book is just funny with amusing dialog and situations, as well as an undercurrent of strong emotion. I have not read Tessa Dare's most recent trilogy, but this book definitely made me want to go back and catch up on her other works.

Are you looking for spinsters gone wild? Read A Night To Surrender by Tessa Dare and take a trip to Spindle Cove. Spindle Cove is the hot spot for well-bred women who don't fit society's expectations perfectly - the shy ones, the ones who realize marriage isn't what it's cracked up to be and those who keep getting their hearts broken by rakes. Susanna has worked long and hard to make Spindle Cove a haven and it'll be over her dead body that Victor Bramwell, Earl of Rycliff invade her sanctuary with his militia. Heated words and sparks fly between the two as they work towards opposite goals.

A Night To Surrender opens with sheep bombing. Yes, it sounds crazy, but trust me it only gets better. There's a sharp humor throughout Tessa Dare's writing that kept me entertained. I couldn't help but fall in love with the fiercely independent spinsters and the misguided militia.

Susanna is my favorite type of heroine - the strong, confident kind. There is no simpering on Susanna's end. Yet, she's not anti-man either. She is ready to open her heart up to love. She is loyal to her friends and hometown. She's exceedingly headstrong, also. I really could not help but enjoy having her at the helm of this story.

A Night To Surrender is quite steamy. Dare certainly takes the love scenes up a notch, so if you are uncomfortable with explicit scenes, this may not be the book for you. The relationship between Victor and Susanna moves rather quickly. The progression of the relationship is rather believable, though. Both characters are very strong willed, and it is as though like attracts like, and I couldn't help but love how they played off of each other's strengths. If you go into romance looking for some heat, absolutely I wholeheartedly recommend Tessa Dare's A Night To Surrender.

This is the first book in Dare's Spindle Cove series, and it's looking like a winner. Victor Bramwell, an officer lamed during his army service, has come to Spindle Cove to see Sir Lewis Finch, a brilliant inventor of weapons and friend to his father. Bramwell has lost his command due to his injury and is hoping Sir Lewis will use his influence to get it back for him - in spite of his lameness. Sir Lewis has an intelligent and commanding daughter Susannah, who has organized Spindle Cove into a haven for unmarried (or unhappily married) ladies who don't quite "fit" into fashionable society. Bramwell must organize a militia in Spindle Cove to prove himself worthy of command, and Susannah must find a way to protect the way of life in Spindle Cove for her ladies. That Bram and Susannah will find each other attractive is inevitable, but it is the development of the relationship between them, their individual painful pasts, and the exploration of their personalities that make the book worth reading. Passion flares between them, but Bram the rough soldier is unused to having to deal with a strong sexual attraction towards a respectable woman, and at first seems too crude. Fortunately for him, Susannah is attracted to him just as strongly and is more tolerant of his behavior than might otherwise be expected. Neither seem prepared to deal with where an intimate relationship will take them. Much of the story deals with their minds and emotions slowly catching up with the passion. The secondary characters are also well worth attention, consisting of troubled heroes and intelligent (or brilliant) socially awkward heroines. They make the reader look forward to the next book in the series.

A bit ago I won a read book four of this series. I'm finally getting the chance to read the rest of it. The hero in this book, Bram, was a bit more forward than I'm used to in historical romance novels, but he was loveable nonetheless. Susanna was an awesome female character. She kicked butt and took names. I really loved the chemistry between the two of them.

This is one of the best (possibly THE BEST) regency romance books I've read all year! Entertaining from page one!!

Fans of Tessa Dare will be delighted by this new installment. (Hopefully the first in a series? It certainly has the potential.) The characters are well realized and admirable. I often find I am turned off by the males in many romance novels; 'reformed' rakes, 'reformed' selfish jerks, etc. Bram was one male who didn't need to be 'reformed.' Their clashes were entertaining and charged and didn't leave me wanting to shake the heroine for desiring someone she was too good for. Both characters managed to earn my respect, as a reader.

The author's writing was a true pleasure! Dare used some entertaining & truly unique metaphors; "There was passion, stockpiled inside her. [...] Here were crates of kisses, never shared. Casks of sweet caresses kept sealed from the rain." (143). I enjoyed the creativity and research that went into this novel.

I highly recommend this terrific new novel of Dare's!

I smiled all the way through "A Night to Surrender" by Tessa Dare. The humor and banter and romantic sparks were just right. There were also moments of exquisite tenderness as well as evocatively erotic interludes. The appreciation between the hero and heroine of each other as individuals was as profound as it was passionate. Neither of them knew that they had spent a lifetime searching for each other until they actually met. Susanna Finch, daughter of Sir Lewis Finch, is a healer and a champion of women in need of shelter from the outside world. She oversees the community of Spindle Cove, also known as "Spinster's Cove", where young women come to enjoy the sea air and beautiful countryside. To those who stay, it is a safe haven and a place where they can be themselves. Victor Bramwell, on leave from his army duties due to a wounded knee, seeks the assistance of Susanna's father to restore his active duty commission. Sir Lewis does much more than that, enabling Bram to become the new Earl of Rycliff in exchange for regrouping and refining the local militia. Bram hadn't counted on becoming an Earl and inheriting a crumbling castle, but most of all, he hadn't expected his overwhelming attraction to the lovely Susanna. At cross purposes, and hopelessly smitten with each other, Bram and Susanna eventually work together for the good of the community. Their own personal demons and fears of being hurt get in the way of their blossoming romance. Can they learn to compromise and trust each other enough to truly have the love of a lifetime? Susanna is a strong, spirited heroine, and she is more than a match for Bram. I instantly fell in love with Bram. His self-deprecating humor, wicked sexiness, and touching vulnerability made him one of my favorite romantic heroes. I very much look forward to the upcoming books in Tessa Dare's "Spindle Cove" series!

The little seaside English town is known for being a relaxing and calming setting for well-bred young ladies. Be they ladies needing just somewhere to go when marriage no longer appeals to them or those seeking escape from the influences of London. Susanna has worked many years to make Spindle Cove a haven for other women.

When Victor comes to Spindle Cove looking for a way to get back his field commission, Susanna and him will come to head-to-head with what is best for Spindle Cove. Victor must raise a militia but the men are in short supply and those that live in this cozy little Victorian village aren't soldiers.

This was a quick and enjoyable romance read. It was a little on the typical side. The main female character is, of course a virgin. The main male character is a burly guy that needs to get in touch with his sensitive side. The chemistry between the characters was a huge factor in what kept me reading this. It was enchanting, even if it did lead the two main characters to behave ridiculously.

The silly events that bring Susanna and Victor together were at times funny at other times, annoying. I found Victor's cousin Colin to be annoying and clueless as a character. He drove me a little crazy and I'm glad he didn't play too much of a larger roll in this book.

I did enjoy the romance as it was a light and brainless read (which is perfect sometimes). 3.25 Stars.

As a child, Susanna lost her mother, and was sent by her father to live with relatives. Those relatives, while not intentionally cruel, did not understand Susanna's behavior while she grieved, and assumed her to be ill. She was continually treated by doctors who cut and bled her, and cut her hair. This only worsened Susanna's mental state. Eventually, her father removed her to live with him. She never married, and decided to create a haven for girls who were different, the village of Spindle Cove.

Bram is a soldier recovering from a severe leg wound. His only desire is to return to soldiering. None of his superiors will approve this, due to the severity of his injury. Bram decides to contact Susanna's father, as he has influence and may be able to restore Bram to active duty.

Bram and his small group of rag-tag soldiers invade Spindle Cove and come up against Susanna and her ladies. Two different worlds collide as two wounded people come to fall in love against the odds. There are also a few very humorous scenes. One in particular about a "withered member" had me in stiches.

The story started off a bit slow but it picks up once the H/h meet one another. Susanna is quite comfortable in Spindle Cove. She helps out poor young ladies who are sent their because they were rejected or took an illness. The women, with the help of Susanna and the sea air, find a way to flourish. The whole town is basically filled with women and they like it that way. Their peaceful haven is their sanctuary until Bram and his men arrive.

Bram arrives in Spindle Cove with little knowledge of the place. He just knows that he need to set up a militia there but his plans are derailed when he meets Susanna and her ladies. The two clash over what the town needs.

The characters are extremely passionate in their causes which leads to some very steamy scenes. The better part of the book shows Bram and Susanna sneaking around, hiding their emotions from the town and one another. They both had scars that needed healing and eventually they were able to heal one another.

The town and the rest of the characters were great. I can't wait to know more about Kate. Also, the next story with Minerva and Colin. However, there was not much to the story, just another cute historical.

Susanna Finch is living at Spindle Cove, a retreat for ladies escaping from men. Susanna is strong, full of energy and loves her friends at Spindle Cove, a place where the population are mostly women.

But when Victor Bramwell is named as the new Earl of Rycliff, Susanna's peace is disturbed. He's sexy, stubborn, and impressed by Susanna and her friends.

I really liked Bram and Susanna's romance. They move very quickly and their love scenes are very steamy! But still their relationship seemed realistic and very romantic.

But I mostly loved Susanna. She's one of my favorite heroines. Very strong and intelligent, I felt like I could relate with her because she was very ladylike but liked to do men's stuff, as firing guns!

I also liked the secondary characters. They are so fun! Everyone has it's own personality, and I want to know each of their stories.

A Night to Surrender was the first book I read from Tessa Dare, but I immediately loved her writing. Her story is original and funny, it starts with sheep bombing! Who else can write a romance book that starts with sheep bombing and you still want to continue reading it?

Overall, I loved A Night to Surrender and I can't wait to read Colin's and Minerva's story at A Week to be Wicked.

Now I know why people want to give books a 3.5! Had I rated the book during the first half I would have given it a 2 or a 3. However, Dare finished with strong characters and a great romance. I had to round up!

I really liked this one a lot.

Bram and Susanna were both extremely lovable in their own ways. Susanna is committed to the women in her village, those who have been set apart for one reason or another. Some of these women have physical problems that have cast them out and deemed not fit to be wed. Others are eccentric and resist the normal behaviors of women of the time. Bram is commited to the military. He is not able to accept weakness in anyone, especially in himself. When a knee injury lands him incapable of certain activities, he is committed to regaining his health and ability to serve.

This is a great battle of the sexes book, and I love those. These are two individuals that believe strongly in their convictions and watching them verbally spar was a fun treat. This is a super steamy read with lots of romantic lines. I loved the intensity in which Bram comes to love Susanna. This is a definite good read and I will await the next installment.

This is the first novel I've read by this author and she does a terrific job of setting the scene. From describing England in the time period to the clothes to the food and to the typical roads and hazards of country living, Ms. Dare makes historical England come alive and me fun!

Susanna Finch is the daughter of Sir Finch, an inventor in arms and gunnery. Sir Finch has been very valuable to the crown during the war as he has invented better guns, rifles and cannon. The injured and recovering, Victor Bramwell, the new Earl of Rycliff, knew of Finch and wrote to him to ask him to help him get back to his regiment in the war. So Bramwell is assigned to the tiny town of Spindle Cove to amass a militia. In the meantime, Susanna Finch has made the town a haven for young girls and spinsters of all sorts. In fact, she has come up with a routine for them so that they do things like gardening, taking walks and...practice at a pistol range!

As Bramwell and Ms. Finch meet and clash, so many humorous adventures begin but all in tied together by both their romance and the gathering of the militia.

Such fun to read!

Absolutely, positively my most favorite series ever! Tessa Dare does not disappoint! From the beginning I was sucked into this story, and was taken on a very steamy and sweet ride. I gobbled up the entire Spindle Cover series in no time, and loved each pairing more than the last. The women are strong, the men are hot and the seduction is off the charts - and believable. Do yourself a favor, and take a trip to Spindle Cove - you won't be disappointed!

Surely is not the best of the series, which by the way boasts very good "pieces", see for example the splendid Any duchess will do or Once upon a winter's eve; also the others from Spindle Cove, even if they aren't exactly at the above mentioned level, are quite beautiful.

A night to surrender unfortunately lacks consistency, firstly isn't particularly remarkable, then it gets better, quite better actually, but some time later, again, it falls in a semi-anonymity status, and the story continues alternating really moving and touching moments to not exactly noteworthy parts.
It must be said that is the author's style that cheers up the whole romance, making the reading more thrilling; if A night to surrender had been supported by a more pronounced central thread, this Spindle Cove romance, probably would have been good as the others. The characters are beautiful, I enjoyed their personalities, their relationships and their fears, they aren't unashamedly common.
The story isn't bad at all, and I think the same about the characters (almost all of them have their own story in the series), but is like there isn't the core, the romance frame; it didn't particularly catch me and I'm sorry about that because Spindle Cove is a really good series and the author has a captivating and exciting style; however she has definitely improved her writing.

Colin (A week to be wicked) is the funniest as always!

A Night to Surrender by Tessa Dare (Audio Edition)
Narrated by Carolyn Morris
Spindle Cove, Book 1

3 Stars - I had higher hopes for this book as I have really enjoyed other stories from this author. There were some funny parts, some tender moments and some good banter. However, Bram and Susanna were both stubborn characters and I found it felt like they were at constant odds, and just when they seemed like they might make a go of it.. Some dire drama was put into the story.. I kinda wish they had just let them come to terms without that.

The narrator really did help make the story come alive with her many voices and enthusiasm. I have heard there are some really good books in this series, so I am sure I will pick up the next one soon enough!

Original review posted at: [...]

As a singularly unique woman with definite ideas on a woman's place in society, Susanna Finch is ahead of her time. She's spent several years molding her corner of the world to suit her, and the small seaside town of Spindle Cove has fallen nicely in line with her ambitions and her goals. It's been transformed into a haven for women of unique thought and temperament. Gifted, special, or otherwise socially unfavorable women like Susanna, a highly intelligent bluestocking with a sharp mind and sharper tongue, are not only welcome there, they are celebrated. And Susanna will fight tooth and nail to make sure the sanctuary she's created remains undisturbed. And almost completely free of men.

Lieutenant Colonel Victor Bramwell has come to Spindle Cove for one reason and one reason alone. To get the famous inventor and respected military adviser Sir Lewis Finch to petition his contacts in London and request Bramwell be returned to his military command. A shot in the knee and months of recovery had knocked him out of the war against France, but being a warrior for the crown was all he knew, all his father knew, and no lingering limp and a bit of pain was going to take him from that world. Not if he has anything to say about it.

As it turns out, he doesn't. Sir Lewis has another position in mind for young Bramwell. Before he can begin to wrap his mind around what's happening, Bram has been given a ruined castle and bestowed the title of Earl of Rycliff. Sir Lewis tasks him with forming a militia in Spindle Cove on behalf of the crown, and to have it ready for display maneuvers in time for the visiting dignitaries and generals who will be visiting in a few months.

To say Bram is a little overwhelmed and a bit disgruntled would be an understatement...but that pales in comparison to the onslaught of one seriously annoyed and mightily offended Susanna Finch, Sir Lewis' daughter. Sir Lewis' delectable, beautiful, more-irritating-than-Bram-can-say daughter.

Feeling betrayed by her father in light of recent developments, she's even more put out by what the new Lord Rycliff intends to do. Spindle Cove is a female retreat, a sanctuary, a Utopian paradise! If she has to she will go toe-to-toe with Bram over each and every one of his plans to wrest control of the town out of the hands of the women who need it, curse the man. Curse the tall, fearsomely handsome, fabulously masculine man!

~*~

I loved this book! I had such a great time reading it. I adored the story, which had just enough weight and depth to be memorable and just enough sizzle to be sexy. Liberally laced with humor, something I always appreciate in a read, the narrative was highly engaging. I laughed out loud more than once while I was reading and I lost track of the number of times I broke out into giggles. I thought the main characters were fabulous - even when they were so frustrating I wanted to throttle them both - and the secondary characters were wonderfully quirky and peculiar. In fact, the entire cast of characters was so robust and vibrant that they shined on the pages.

Is it historically authentic? I'm not historically-aware enough to say whether it is or not. My guess would be no. It's certainly not stiff, starched, and upper-crusty, that's for sure. While it points out some of the inequities for women in that time (and don't even get me started on the medical practices - sheesh), it doesn't focus on them, and Spindle Cove is sort of geared towards thumbing a nose at those inequities. So no, it's probably not realistic in that regard. And I couldn't possibly care less. It's fun. It's funny. It's - at times - poignant and touching. It even, once or twice, takes a more serious turn with a more ominous tone. Overall, it was just a fabulously entertaining read that I thoroughly enjoyed.

Susanna and Bram were great. Both were a little...odd. Though I'm all about woman-power, some of Susanna's feminist ideology circa 1813 was, frankly, a little terrifying. Some of Bram's intentions and plans for the men of the town were fairly horrifying. Together they were a picture of gritty determination and unwavering resolution, as well as being full of life, pride, and purpose. The sparks they struck off each other were hot, sparkly, and delightful to watch explode. Dare struck the perfect chord with their interactions and the chemistry between them. Some of the best between two lead characters I've read recently.

It wasn't, however, all fun and games. I loved that each character had deep scars and several lingering nightmares from dark moments in their past that have molded them into who they are. I was enchanted by how completely out of his element Bram feels with Susanna and how hard he fights the attraction, and how flustered Susanna is by Bram and the disconcerting emotions and need she feels for him. I adored how vulnerable they both are together, and how, eventually, they each become the other's strength.

Dare impressed me with the fully developed backstory and personal histories that were thoroughly fleshed out and woven into the main character definitions, making both of them believable and realistic in what was happening. It's not often I read something so well balanced between such a myriad of conflicting emotions, intentions, dreams, and plans. Certainly not one that is crafted as well as this book is. Just about everything about it worked for me from cover to cover.

One of my favorite things is reading a book I love, then finding out it's the first in a series. For a reading addict like myself, that's like...coming into a personal supply of fictional crack. Such good news! I don't know that I've read anything by Tessa Dare, before. I know that at the very least, I haven't in the past couple of years. I've definitely been missing out. I have no intention of continuing to do so. I'm anxiously awaiting the return to Spindle Cove in the next book. No way I'm missing that.

QUOTABLES:
"It cannot be thunder," Minerva said.
"No. No, it's not thunder. It's...an atmospheric phenomenon, brought on by intermittent gusts of..."
"Sheep!" Charlotte cried, pointing down the lane.
A flock of deranged, woolly beasts stormed through the ancient stone arch and poured into the village, funneling down the lane and bearing down on them.
"Oh, yes," Susanna muttered. "Precisely so. Intermittent gusts of sheep."
~*~

She lay in the shallows, tracing lazy circles with her arms while foamy waves lapped at her breasts.
Focus, Bramwell.
Milk-white breasts, just the perfect size for his hands. Tipped with pert, rosy nipples.
Focus on something ELSE, you addled fool.
~*~

How predictable. Just like a man. Here she'd been worried he was dead, and he had the nerve to be alive. Outrageously, manifestly virile and strong and alive. How dare he. How dare he?
~*~

"I have to offer for you. I have to offer for you, or I can't live with myself."
"You have offered." Tilting her head, she gestured loosely between them. "In some way that involves no declaration of sentiment or actual posing of questions, you've offered to wed me in haste, bed me with enthusiasm, and then leave me alone to deal with speculation and scandal, all so you can go throw yourself in front of another bullet with a clear conscience. Please accept my polite refusal. My lord."
~*~

"How is it you've never married?"
"It's an easy enough thing. Every morning I wake up, go about my day, and return to bed at night without having recited marriage vows. After several years, I have the trick of it down."
~*~

"Ah, so you're scared."
"I'm not scared."
"Of course you are. You're human. We're all scared, every last one of us. Afraid of life, of love, of dying. Maybe marching in neat rows all day distracts you from the truth of it. But when the sun goes down? We're all just stumbling through the darkness, trying to outlast another night."

~*~*~*~
Reviewed for One Good Book Deserves Another.

It's easy to see why A Night to Surrender is a 2012 RITA winner.

I thoroughly enjoyed this battle-of-the-sexes/fish-out-of-water comedy romance. It has lots of plot and a likeable hero and heroine, but oh, the dialogue -- not just between the lovers but also among other characters -- is just fabulous.

Truly, you'll laugh out loud and sigh with desire watching Bram and Susanna fall in love. Highly recommended.

This is the first novel I've read by this author and she does a terrific job of setting the scene. From describing England in the time period to the clothes to the food and to the typical roads and hazards of country living, Ms. Dare makes historical England come alive and me fun!

Susanna Finch is the daughter of Sir Finch, an inventor in arms and gunnery. Sir Finch has been very valuable to the crown during the war as he has invented better guns, rifles and cannon. The injured and recovering, Victor Bramwell, the new Earl of Rycliff, knew of Finch and wrote to him to ask him to help him get back to his regiment in the war. So Bramwell is assigned to the tiny town of Spindle Cove to amass a militia. In the meantime, Susanna Finch has made the town a haven for young girls and spinsters of all sorts. In fact, she has come up with a routine for them so that they do things like gardening, taking walks and...practice at a pistol range!

As Bramwell and Ms. Finch meet and clash, so many humorous adventures begin but all in tied together by both their romance and the gathering of the militia.

Such fun to read!

Absolutely, positively my most favorite series ever! Tessa Dare does not disappoint! From the beginning I was sucked into this story, and was taken on a very steamy and sweet ride. I gobbled up the entire Spindle Cover series in no time, and loved each pairing more than the last. The women are strong, the men are hot and the seduction is off the charts - and believable. Do yourself a favor, and take a trip to Spindle Cove - you won't be disappointed!

Surely is not the best of the series, which by the way boasts very good "pieces", see for example the splendid Any duchess will do or Once upon a winter's eve; also the others from Spindle Cove, even if they aren't exactly at the above mentioned level, are quite beautiful.

A night to surrender unfortunately lacks consistency, firstly isn't particularly remarkable, then it gets better, quite better actually, but some time later, again, it falls in a semi-anonymity status, and the story continues alternating really moving and touching moments to not exactly noteworthy parts.
It must be said that is the author's style that cheers up the whole romance, making the reading more thrilling; if A night to surrender had been supported by a more pronounced central thread, this Spindle Cove romance, probably would have been good as the others. The characters are beautiful, I enjoyed their personalities, their relationships and their fears, they aren't unashamedly common.
The story isn't bad at all, and I think the same about the characters (almost all of them have their own story in the series), but is like there isn't the core, the romance frame; it didn't particularly catch me and I'm sorry about that because Spindle Cove is a really good series and the author has a captivating and exciting style; however she has definitely improved her writing.

Colin (A week to be wicked) is the funniest as always!

A Night to Surrender by Tessa Dare (Audio Edition)
Narrated by Carolyn Morris
Spindle Cove, Book 1

3 Stars - I had higher hopes for this book as I have really enjoyed other stories from this author. There were some funny parts, some tender moments and some good banter. However, Bram and Susanna were both stubborn characters and I found it felt like they were at constant odds, and just when they seemed like they might make a go of it.. Some dire drama was put into the story.. I kinda wish they had just let them come to terms without that.

The narrator really did help make the story come alive with her many voices and enthusiasm. I have heard there are some really good books in this series, so I am sure I will pick up the next one soon enough!

Original review posted at: [...]

As a singularly unique woman with definite ideas on a woman's place in society, Susanna Finch is ahead of her time. She's spent several years molding her corner of the world to suit her, and the small seaside town of Spindle Cove has fallen nicely in line with her ambitions and her goals. It's been transformed into a haven for women of unique thought and temperament. Gifted, special, or otherwise socially unfavorable women like Susanna, a highly intelligent bluestocking with a sharp mind and sharper tongue, are not only welcome there, they are celebrated. And Susanna will fight tooth and nail to make sure the sanctuary she's created remains undisturbed. And almost completely free of men.

Lieutenant Colonel Victor Bramwell has come to Spindle Cove for one reason and one reason alone. To get the famous inventor and respected military adviser Sir Lewis Finch to petition his contacts in London and request Bramwell be returned to his military command. A shot in the knee and months of recovery had knocked him out of the war against France, but being a warrior for the crown was all he knew, all his father knew, and no lingering limp and a bit of pain was going to take him from that world. Not if he has anything to say about it.

As it turns out, he doesn't. Sir Lewis has another position in mind for young Bramwell. Before he can begin to wrap his mind around what's happening, Bram has been given a ruined castle and bestowed the title of Earl of Rycliff. Sir Lewis tasks him with forming a militia in Spindle Cove on behalf of the crown, and to have it ready for display maneuvers in time for the visiting dignitaries and generals who will be visiting in a few months.

To say Bram is a little overwhelmed and a bit disgruntled would be an understatement...but that pales in comparison to the onslaught of one seriously annoyed and mightily offended Susanna Finch, Sir Lewis' daughter. Sir Lewis' delectable, beautiful, more-irritating-than-Bram-can-say daughter.

Feeling betrayed by her father in light of recent developments, she's even more put out by what the new Lord Rycliff intends to do. Spindle Cove is a female retreat, a sanctuary, a Utopian paradise! If she has to she will go toe-to-toe with Bram over each and every one of his plans to wrest control of the town out of the hands of the women who need it, curse the man. Curse the tall, fearsomely handsome, fabulously masculine man!

~*~

I loved this book! I had such a great time reading it. I adored the story, which had just enough weight and depth to be memorable and just enough sizzle to be sexy. Liberally laced with humor, something I always appreciate in a read, the narrative was highly engaging. I laughed out loud more than once while I was reading and I lost track of the number of times I broke out into giggles. I thought the main characters were fabulous - even when they were so frustrating I wanted to throttle them both - and the secondary characters were wonderfully quirky and peculiar. In fact, the entire cast of characters was so robust and vibrant that they shined on the pages.

Is it historically authentic? I'm not historically-aware enough to say whether it is or not. My guess would be no. It's certainly not stiff, starched, and upper-crusty, that's for sure. While it points out some of the inequities for women in that time (and don't even get me started on the medical practices - sheesh), it doesn't focus on them, and Spindle Cove is sort of geared towards thumbing a nose at those inequities. So no, it's probably not realistic in that regard. And I couldn't possibly care less. It's fun. It's funny. It's - at times - poignant and touching. It even, once or twice, takes a more serious turn with a more ominous tone. Overall, it was just a fabulously entertaining read that I thoroughly enjoyed.

Susanna and Bram were great. Both were a little...odd. Though I'm all about woman-power, some of Susanna's feminist ideology circa 1813 was, frankly, a little terrifying. Some of Bram's intentions and plans for the men of the town were fairly horrifying. Together they were a picture of gritty determination and unwavering resolution, as well as being full of life, pride, and purpose. The sparks they struck off each other were hot, sparkly, and delightful to watch explode. Dare struck the perfect chord with their interactions and the chemistry between them. Some of the best between two lead characters I've read recently.

It wasn't, however, all fun and games. I loved that each character had deep scars and several lingering nightmares from dark moments in their past that have molded them into who they are. I was enchanted by how completely out of his element Bram feels with Susanna and how hard he fights the attraction, and how flustered Susanna is by Bram and the disconcerting emotions and need she feels for him. I adored how vulnerable they both are together, and how, eventually, they each become the other's strength.

Dare impressed me with the fully developed backstory and personal histories that were thoroughly fleshed out and woven into the main character definitions, making both of them believable and realistic in what was happening. It's not often I read something so well balanced between such a myriad of conflicting emotions, intentions, dreams, and plans. Certainly not one that is crafted as well as this book is. Just about everything about it worked for me from cover to cover.

One of my favorite things is reading a book I love, then finding out it's the first in a series. For a reading addict like myself, that's like...coming into a personal supply of fictional crack. Such good news! I don't know that I've read anything by Tessa Dare, before. I know that at the very least, I haven't in the past couple of years. I've definitely been missing out. I have no intention of continuing to do so. I'm anxiously awaiting the return to Spindle Cove in the next book. No way I'm missing that.

QUOTABLES:
"It cannot be thunder," Minerva said.
"No. No, it's not thunder. It's...an atmospheric phenomenon, brought on by intermittent gusts of..."
"Sheep!" Charlotte cried, pointing down the lane.
A flock of deranged, woolly beasts stormed through the ancient stone arch and poured into the village, funneling down the lane and bearing down on them.
"Oh, yes," Susanna muttered. "Precisely so. Intermittent gusts of sheep."
~*~

She lay in the shallows, tracing lazy circles with her arms while foamy waves lapped at her breasts.
Focus, Bramwell.
Milk-white breasts, just the perfect size for his hands. Tipped with pert, rosy nipples.
Focus on something ELSE, you addled fool.
~*~

How predictable. Just like a man. Here she'd been worried he was dead, and he had the nerve to be alive. Outrageously, manifestly virile and strong and alive. How dare he. How dare he?
~*~

"I have to offer for you. I have to offer for you, or I can't live with myself."
"You have offered." Tilting her head, she gestured loosely between them. "In some way that involves no declaration of sentiment or actual posing of questions, you've offered to wed me in haste, bed me with enthusiasm, and then leave me alone to deal with speculation and scandal, all so you can go throw yourself in front of another bullet with a clear conscience. Please accept my polite refusal. My lord."
~*~

"How is it you've never married?"
"It's an easy enough thing. Every morning I wake up, go about my day, and return to bed at night without having recited marriage vows. After several years, I have the trick of it down."
~*~

"Ah, so you're scared."
"I'm not scared."
"Of course you are. You're human. We're all scared, every last one of us. Afraid of life, of love, of dying. Maybe marching in neat rows all day distracts you from the truth of it. But when the sun goes down? We're all just stumbling through the darkness, trying to outlast another night."

~*~*~*~
Reviewed for One Good Book Deserves Another.

It's easy to see why A Night to Surrender is a 2012 RITA winner.

I thoroughly enjoyed this battle-of-the-sexes/fish-out-of-water comedy romance. It has lots of plot and a likeable hero and heroine, but oh, the dialogue -- not just between the lovers but also among other characters -- is just fabulous.

Truly, you'll laugh out loud and sigh with desire watching Bram and Susanna fall in love. Highly recommended.

I think the prologue was well worth the imagination of the author and set the tone for the rest of the book.

An injured English officer is determined to make sure that his troops have supplies and he is in charge of them. He is stopped by a flock of sheep that refuse to budge off an English country road. Susana is a center of a spinster cove, or a hide away of rich women who have not found the steps of getting married in England preferable.

The story that unfolds is a great balance of humor and compassion between Victor and Susanna. Victor and Susanna find that it isn't just sparks that keep them together but their loyalty and curiosity enrich their solitary pursuits.

I look forward to other novels by Tessa Dare.

Tessa Dare is a very good writer, and A Night to Surrender is a sweet regency romance, whose H & H share witty banter and whose side characters are not the usual cliched types. The first half is particularly good, as the H & H get to know one another; as I was reading it, I couldn't help thinking that after 6 million regencies (only a slight exaggeration), I've never read one like this - how refreshing! There's no obsession with society manners, dress, or partying, and if the attitudes are perhaps rather 21st century, the characters seem genuine and are likeable. There is not much plot here, however, and as a result the second half (and at a total of 350+ pages it's a long second half) drags a bit. Still, on the whole an enjoyable read.

Here's what I'd like to know about a book before I buy it:

Hero - Victor Bramwell aka "Bram". I liked this hero a lot. He's tall, masculine, rough around the edges but soft as a marshmallow inside. The author made it easy to be attracted to him and I found him, for the most part, to be pretty darn sexy.

Heroine - Susanna Finch. A tall, lovely, red-gold haired spinster. A bluestocking who has made a place for other women to come to just be themselves and not have to hide their "unladylike" interests and pursuits. I thought she was very likeable because she was kind, smart and down to earth. No TSTL moments with her. Her only downside is that she is somewhat sensitive about her height, once referring to herself as "freakishly tall" but the author doesn't beat it to death so it's a very minor thing all in all.

Plot: I won't go into the plot in detail because the blurb the store has included is pretty spot on for the most part. The book details what it's like to live in Spindle Cove, including mentioning and fleshing out secondary characters enough that you can picture for yourself what it would be like there. In short, this is a pleasant read, well written and descriptive and as I mentioned in my review title, if you like tender love stories then this would be a good book for you.

Sexuality Rating: I would rate this "R" because there are several fairly descriptive love scenes however the language is not super explicit for the most part and I felt the love scenes were medium sexy if that makes any sense. They were nice but not the kind that make you want to wake up your hubby in my opinion.

**Possible Spoilers**

I prefer romances that include conflict between the hero and heroine. Think "Lord of Scoundrels" by Loretta Chase. This book had a bit of that but not quite enough for me. This is more a tender kind of romance with not a lot of conflict between the couple or at least none of any truly serious consequence.

The things standing in the way of the HEA (happily ever after) are Bram's obsession with going back to war, Susanna's not wanting to get involved with a man who is just going to leave and the fact that she doesn't want to desert her ladies who come to stay in Spindle Cove to relax and be able to just be themselves without having to downplay their intelligence (or whatever other "unladylike" activities/personality traits as per the time period of the book).

**End of Possible Spoilers**

In Summary: This book has a bit of everything - humor, romance, sex - but to me nothing was really outstanding and it isn't going on my keeper shelves. However it was well written enough to make me check out the author's other books.

This RITA Award winner captures the heat and magic of first love between a British field commander and an intelligent, passionate spinster of twenty-five who is used to running things in her cozy seaside village, Spindle Cove, where women are safe to be "their best and truest selves." The novel features bone-melting erotic sincerity and two central characters trying desperately to maintain decorum and distance. The sexual chemistry is too keen, however, and the battle of the sexes takes an inevitable turn.... As Julia Quinn warns on the cover of the novel, "Prepare to fall in love"--with both the characters and the lush, dynamic writing style of the author.

Louella Nelson, author of Mail-Order Mate

Blurb: The heroine lives in Spindle Cove, a haven for vaguely (but, you know, adorably) weird young women: the awkward, the heartbroken, the jilted. Her elderly father is the ranking local aristocrat, and she fusses over him a lot. For some reason, three hot dudes show up to start a town militia.

My opinion: Man, I was totally betrayed by the sheep. Here's the thing, this book opens with what is basically a reasonably charming scene where the hero and his friends are setting off explosives to get a flock of sheep to clear the road. The heroine doesn't know what's happening, and the hero tackles her to the side of the road to prevent her unfortunate explosion (nobody seems to worry about the sheep.) Mild kissing shenanigans ensue.

That chapter is the only fun part of the book. Literally as soon as I turned to the next chapter, my interest levels plummeted. I know many people love series romances, but one problem I often have is how much time in each book is spent on the lives of characters who are not central characters in THIS book. When I'm reading about Random Spinster and Random Aristocrat, I don't especially need to also be reading about Random Music Teacher and Random Soldier - particularly, as is the case here, when the leads are so... vapid. I mean, you guys, the book throws description of sexual tension at you like it's lobbing grenades, but aside from the early charming-ish sheep scene, there is no there there. I can't even remember the characters' names. I think maybe the lady is Susannah. This doesn't strike me as a great sign.

I think it's possible that I am just not a Tessa Dare fan - maybe her work is too light and fluffy for me? I am not necessarily addicted to angst, but I do like to feel that the characters are sharply drawn and easily distinguished from those in some randomly-selected other romance novel, which did not feel true here.

There was passion, stockpiled inside her. He'd called her a powder keg, but that would be understating. She saw it all now, stretching in her mind's eye. Vast storehouses, whole magazines. Here were crates of kisses, never shared. Casks of sweet caresses kept sealed from the rain. Row upon row of breathy moans and sighs, all carefully bottled and tightly corked.

Redonk Nutshell: Recovering soldier vows to return to his post but gets sidetracked in a quiet coastal town and the woman who keeps it running

It's near impossible to go wrong with Tessa Dare. She's a master at telling stories that are funny, heartfelt, and romantic. It's safe to say that the romance blogging community sighed with rapture when Dare's latest release, A Night to Remember became available at the end of August. I know I was anxious to get my hands on it.

Lt. Colonel Victor Bramwell travels to Spindle Cove to enlist the help of renowned firearms specialist Sir Lewis Finch to help him get his post back after recovering from being shot in the knee. What Bram doesn't count on is this: sheep. Oh, and a woman. Particularly the daughter of Lewis Finch, Miss Susanna Finch. Lewis bargains with Bram, challenging him to whip the residents of Spindle Cove into a militia. Upon completing, Lewis will write his letter of recommendation. Bram accepts and is shocked when Lewis bestows the extinct title of Earl of Rycliff to him, fully passing the responsibility of the militia.

Irritated with the setback, Bram sets out to enlist local men only to realize that the men available to him are...well...cowed. Spindle Cove has served as a sanctuary to women who never found welcome in the ton, thus earning it's nickname"Spinster's Cove." Susanna has run Spindle Cove for years, helping women like her who never fit in with society's standards. With the arrival of Bram and his ragtag cousin, Colin, and his friend and corporal, Thorne, the quiet town is shaken from its slumber.

Quite literally.

The three men make a grand entrance on the coattails of a grand explosion of gun powder used to startle a herd of sheep from blocking their path. The beastly, teasing, handsome sheep-bomber. Who was the man, and what did he want with her father? Hopefully just a polite social call. Though she had to admit, Bramwell didn't seem the tyupe for polite social calls.

What really makes this story a gem is the humor and the blossoming attraction between two very hard-headed characters. In one instance, when Bram and Susanna are debating the usefulness of a local militia, Susanna stuns Bram into brief shock when she states her knowledge on current political standings of the British empire:

"...but everyone knows the threat of French invasion has passed. They've had no real naval clout since Trafalgar, and Bonaparte's forces are so depleted after that drubbing in Russia, he hasn't the str4ength to invade anyone. As matters stand, it's all he can do to hold SPain. With Wellington's forces on the march, even that grasp in tenuous." The room went silent. Yet another instance of Mrs. Worthington's Wisdom proved wrong. If a woman's intellect was in any way analogous to her undergarments, men should thrill to see it revealed. Strangely enough, Susanna had never known it to work that way.

These two enjoy sparring, constantly challenging the other to think or act in a manner that they had not done so before. It's riveting, especially because these two are both comfortable in their skin and recognize their own imperfections. Bram immediately recognizes Susanna's intelligence and comes to rely on it, while Susanna sees the softer, compassionate interior beneath his strict and hardened military shell. What we get are some pretty intense exchanges, laced with wit and passion:

"That's absurd," he scoffed, "You're just begging to be taught a hard, fast lesson in what it means to please a man." "You're just longing to put your head in my lap and feel my fingers in your hair." He backed her up against a rock. "You need a good ravaging." "You," she breathed, "need a hug." They started at each other for long, tense moments. At first, looking each other in the eye. Then looking each other in the lips. "You know what I think?" he said coming closer. So close she could feel his breath wash warm against her cheek. "I think we're having one of those vexing arguments again." "The kind where both sides are right?" "Hell, yes."

A Night to Surrender is a wonderfully wicked read. I laughed, I squeed. Yes. Squeed. Because the romance between Bram and Susanna is so lovely it's hard for me to find a proper word. Swoon doesn't really cut it. Their story is fluffy but substantial, a tale you wouldn't mind revisiting several times just to relive the laughs and the love. It is, simply, explosive.

A Night to Surrender by Tessa Dare, 384 pgs, 8/30/11

Rating: A

Romance: 4/5 Raunch: 4/5

My first Tessa Dare novel and what a joy it was! Dare has such a lovely, amusing voice, it was easy to be pulled into the world of Spindle Cove. A Night to Surrender is not just a beautifully written story about two people falling in love but also about a town embracing the misfits who deserve love just as much as anyone else.

It all started with the sheep. Then the explosion happened. Then they were in each others arms. It isn't exactly how Susanna Finch expected to meet her future husband and at the time she looked upon him as more of an annoyance than hero material. But Susanna is an intelligent woman who knows a good thing when she sees it. Susanna isn't a typical woman of her time. She practically runs Spindle Cove, the haven she's created for young girls and women who don't fit society's idea of acceptable. Susanna is an organized leader of her band of misfits. She's a unique heroine of her time in that she doesn't let Bram intimidate her, standing up to him while still offering her compassion towards him. She's a fixer and she wants to fix Bram.

Victor Bramwell, a lieutenant colonel in the British army, wants only to return to the war. He was injured, forcing him to spend time in England but now he's ready to head back. First he must secure the assistance of Sir Lewis Finch, Susanna's father. Sir Lewis has influence with the Prince Regent and Bram is hoping that will get him back with his regiment. Sir Lewis has other plans and Bram finds himself in charge of forming a local militia. Bram's hero-ness is stretched to the limit when he has few men to choose from and finds a lovely distraction in Susanna. I liked that Bram never lied to Susanna, he never pretends that he wants to stay in Spindle Cove - he still plans to return to his regiment.

Susanna and Bram have an instant physical attraction but I couldn't see them being together in the long term. Susanna is such a part of Spindle Cove and Bram is a soldier born. But as the story progressed, I could see them together. They don't always agree on topics but do develop a grudging respect for each others accomplishments. That, along with the physical attraction gives them a believable basis for a relationship. I do like how Susanna turns her nurturing instincts on Bram. He is is desperate need of nurturing, having had little care or kindness in his life. He in turn gets Susanna to release her adventurous side. Bram can get very alpha/caveman but in a way that is sexy, not irritating. So it turns out they are a good fit after all!

The village of Spindle Cove plays an important role in the story, giving Susanna confidence and Bram mostly headaches. It's the backdrop to their conflicts, with secondary characters lending a hand at either bringing Bram and Susanna together or trying to keep them apart. There is plenty of drama and comedy to ride alongside the romance with a few heroes and heroines in the making.

The pace of the story was a pleasant surprise in that it went fairly quickly. Usually, I have a tendency to read historical romances at a slower pace but I read A Night to Surrender a little over a day and on a very busy weekend no less! The romance is clever with Bram and Susanna giving an almost Tracy/Hepburn feel with their banter. A truly delightful romance. I only wish we didn't have to wait until next year for a return trip to Spindle Cove.

This was my first book by Tessa Dare and it won't be my last. I truly enjoyed the idea of Spindle Cove as a town for misfits and felt Ms. Dare did a great job peopling it with rich characters. Conflict abounds between Bram and Susanna from the first moment they meet to the last confrontation that forces them to face head-on their individual deepest, darkest fears. The resolution rips at the reader's heartstrings. Brava!

I liked the wit. I liked the plot. I loved spindle cove. I enjoyed the thought of some place for women to go to mend, heal, be themselves, be a bluestocking if need be. There were a few tragedies to overcome in this story. One I was totally unprepared for (had a gut feeling but not strong enough). I could have done without all the sex. At least it wasn't extremely graphic, but on the tower, on the green, in the water, etc etc. was just a bit much for me. Also very unrealistic in my mind. You can't tell me that people wouldn't be hearing this echoing all over the village etc. Plus their reputations would have been demolished. You can't be moaning, groaning, crying out etc. without footmen, sailors, people in town, etc. either rushing in to protect the lady of the house or discrediting the entire plot. I thought the haranguing back and forth between our hero and heroine were perfect. The father is a cad. There are several very funny scenes at the tavern/tea room. Quotes from Austens works here and there.

I wasn't as wild about this one - it gets a 3.5 from me, really. But the one after this? Gold.

All in all - great setting, great premise with Spindle Cove and how the women rule it. Great hero, great heroine, and great ensemble cast with characters that actually have a meaningful part in a story that's not even theirs, if that makes sense. And wonderfully written as always.

Maybe I've simply read too many romances from this era. At least we are spared immersion in the London society scene, but the peaceful little village scene is far too tame for a heroine like Susanna. Her reasons for considering herself a spinster and her rigid weekly schedule for fellow female refugees from London society do not mesh with her independent spirit. Bram's growth from a one-dimensional military commander is more convincing, but he sure took long enough to figure things out. The title is inaccurate. They had many nights of surrendering. His cousin's disastrous pranks are the best part of the story. This book didn't keep me engrossed, but was interesting enough to finish.

In 1813 in Spindle Cove, Sussex, women run the seaside town as their personal sanctuary. Men for the most part especially militia are unwanted as the male dominated army takes over everything. Lieutenant Colonel Victor "Bram" Bramwell leads a troop heading to the town to set up an encampment as French forces are rumored nearby. However, sheep block their passage so he has his squad use explosives to move the flock. Susanna Finch happens to be walking nearby, but Bram saves her by knocking her from harm's way.

Susanna and Bram are attracted to one another, but he has three strikes against him even before they can relate. First he is titled; second he owns a dilapidated castle; and third he is military. Still as the couple intelligently debates what protection the women of Spindle Cove need, they fall in love.

The first Spindle Cove Regency romance is a delightful historical starring two stubborn strong battling protagonists with conflicting needs supported by a deep secondary cast. The enjoyable story line is fast paced with a nod to Lysistrata. Sub-genre readers will appreciate this brilliant early nineteenth century gender war as love may not be enough.

Harriet Klausner

I have read many Regency Romance novels and I have to say this is one of the best I've read in quite a long time! It was delightful! Not only was the story line fun and entertaining, it was very well written! I adored the main characters Susanna and Bram and especially enjoyed the tension between them. Susanna is portrayed as strong, intelligent, and witty, and Bram...well he is just what every leading lady would desire! The other minor characters were enjoyable as well, especially Minerva and Lord Payne...hopefully the main characters in the next Spindle Cove book??? Definitely looking forward to the rest of this series!

This was a very cute read. The story is about a town ran by women who look up to the heroine Susanna. Ok... "your typical boy meets girl" Boy falls in love with girl at first sight. Great chemistry bewtween the hero and heroine. The hero is an injured war hero that haps upon an earldom because of good service. I enjoyed this read becasue it was very etertaining with hot saucy love scenes. I cant wait to read about Colin and menerva in the next book of this series.

At this point in my Vine reviewing career, I have read a lot of romance books. Some of them are very good and some are bad, and some are just bland. This is one of the bland ones. The characters are the standard cliche people who populate the romance novel universe. She's feisty and a bit more modern than you would expect for the time period. He's a tough guy with a soft heart. They overcome some rather mild obstacles, connect through vividly described sexual contact, and live happily ever after. Standard stuff. It's the kind of book you read to pass the time and then forget about as soon as you put it down. Three stars for being strictly average. I want better stories than this.

I've long been a fan of Tessa Dare's writing, so I was anxious to see how or what would change now that her books are published by Avon. Thankfully, her trademark warmth and wit remain intact, though I did find the premise a bit too twee for Regency England. The opening line made me laugh, which boded well for A Night to Surrender, and I really liked how intense the emotions were. Susannah and Bram are nice characters and their screwball comedy-style sparring was entertaining. The secondary characters were a lovely addition to the primary romantic couple, and though I could tell that certain characters were being set up to have their own stories, it wasn't too annoying or obtrusive. The only issue I did have with the book was that the conflict between Bram and Susannah ran in a predictable manner. The battle of the sexes-to-love plot is a well worn groove, and unfortunately, Dare didn't quite manage to pull the plot out of it. Nevertheless, Dare's writing remains strong and assured, though not as exuberant and unpredictable as in her previous books (new author freshness, perhaps?), and I hope she remains a bright spot in historical romance for years to come.

I liked this book a lot. I found it very enjoyable to read and quick moving. I liked the characters, and thought that it was well written and enjoyable. A nice book to just relax with when you want to unwind. I would be interested in reading more by this author.

I took a while to review this because frankly it took me a long, very long, time to finish the book. And I'm a very, very fast reader. If I hadn't ordered it through Vine I would not have finished it at all. But, that's the deal so I bit the bullet and made my way through it.

The writing was almost as bland as the heroine, Susanna. I like the premise of a feminist town. Not very realistic but I don't read romances for realism, I read them for escapism.

But it's hard to escape when you don't like the writing and you end up losing respect for your heroine. Not because she gave it up, or gave it up to easily (I mean seriously I like a woman who knows what she wants and takes it) but not when she goes against everything she is - just because the author is lazy.

Anyhow, I gave this two instead of 1 stars because even though it took a while to finish it I did like the concept and enjoyed a decent portion of the book. It's the middle that killed me.

I was looking for a new (to me) author to try, and I thought the premise of Tessa Dare's book looked interesting: a war hero, a bluestocking and a small coastal town engaged in a battle of the sexes. This should have been a great book.

It began well -- the characters were interesting and some of the scenes were pretty funny. The dialogue was engaging and each character seemed to have their own "voice". The plot seemed plausible for the Regency era and there were no obvious typos or continuity errors, so at least someone took the time to proofread the book.

But when the hero deflowered the heroine up against a tree...on the village green...on an evening where the entire population of the town was just yards away in the tavern...the author lost me. Seriously? Against a tree?

I don't know where the couple went from that point (maybe a rocky beach or a wooden stairway?) because I stopped reading. Really, I'm not a Regency purist, but I prefer to read fiction that reflects at least some level of plausibility. So I'm guessing Tessa Dare's books are not for me after all.

I really loved this romance because from the very beginning the hero liked the heroine and was a great guy - patriotic and responsible. It was sooo nice to read a romance novel where the man was a good person and not a rake that needed reforming! Yes, I liked the heroine too. They are two caring people who fall in love and are fun. GREAT READ.

Great summer read. I zipped through it. Loved the naughty humor of the hero. Loved that he wasn't polished. Hate it when the hero is to refined. The plot was good and fast paced. I couldn't put itdown.

Having read the praise this book got I too thought perhaps I may be in a parallel universe! The story premise is good, so good I bought the series, but the heroine!!! From liberated woman to shrinking violet, someone who wants to 'heal' others yet makes no show of how she's been healed. I dread picking this book up to see how else she can annoy me. To think I have three more to read.....

I love books, especially historical romance, where a woman is intelligent and strong. It is so satisfying to read about a woman who is not willing to be pushed around in a time where that was expected. I loved the characters and the premise. It kept me on the edge of my seat.

Not do you just have a story Field when wonderful characters, You have a very very fun read. Some of the lines and the predicaments are laugh out loud funny. You know we have a good author when you can see the action and your mind is if it's being played out on stage. Love it

This is the first book I ever read by Tessa Dare and I absolutely loved it! It's a great love story filled with great characters! I loved the strength of her heroine, Susanna, and the devilishness of her hero, Bram. This is the first book in her Spindle Cove series. I am excited to read the rest!

I do think I have a new favorite author, this first book in a series was a great introduction to the world of Spindle Cove, not as much fun as The Duchess Deal but still very entertaining.
The opening scene did it for me and sucked me in this society outside the usual ones.
Who would think to bomb sheeps to clear a country road?
This premise introduced all the future protagonists, so I can’t wait to read Minerva story!
But back to A Night To Surrender. I adored Susanna Finch, she is just awesome, strong by her will. I was surprised like Bramwell at first that she was everyone’s answer, “Ask Miss Finch...”, and instead of being a woman who give orders, she is one to help people to deal with their problems, she helps as much she can but first she wants everyone to choose what is best for itself. She gives the women who have sought refuge in Spindle Cove a new purpose in life, she gave them confidence in themselves, to become who they were meant to be.
She is no boss but she cherishes the quiet life she has there, so the new Lord Rycliff is bad news.
Lieutenant-colonel Bramwell, newly appointed Lord Rycliff with his awesome figure is just one of the worst thing that could happen, his arrival will disrupt everything. And in the same time awaken passion both never thought they will experience. I loved Bram, he came here with one goal but he soon finds himself caught in the middle, Love or his career.
I do like how Tessa Dare paints her characters, they have their flaws, their scars visible or not but they face life head held high. They do not mince their words nor shy away from confrontations. Plus they are able of forgiveness when necessary and do not hold grudges because of some mistakes.
Can’t wait now for the next book in this series.
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