A Lady by Midnight (Spindle Cove)

Very well written. It has all my requirements, romance, mystery, humor, action, suspense and most importantly, a happy ending. Am waiting impatiently for Ms. Dare's next book, in the meantime, I will get caught up with her prior novels. So glad to have found another romance novelist to add to my list.

I enjoyed the previous Spindle Cove books and was really looking forward to reading about the mysterious Corporal Thorne. The romance between Thorne and Kate was a joy to read and the characters were complex and vividly portrayed - he is a battle-scarred war veteran with a dark past and she is an orphan desperate to be loved. I liked the fact that Kate's affection for the Corporal did not magically 'fix' him. Both have their own issues to deal with but it is obvious that they are stronger together than apart.

There were also some very sexy love scenes which are guaranteed to send pulses racing. The 'battle royale' scene was a bit silly but well done all the same.

I wasn't able to give the book five stars (although it was close) because the eccentricities of the Gramercys got on my nerves after a while. I'm also not a big fan of the 'adorable widdle puppy' plot device.

Highly recommended for fans of the series and romance fans who like a damaged hero/heroine.

The characters in this series were lighthearted and funny. I found myself laughing at things said and done and couldn't wait for the next book. All the characters were linked together in the books quite well and it was a joy to see the progression of the characters in the next book. Ms. Dare showed her great sense of humor in this series! Loved it!

The characters were interesting and well developed. The hero and heroine had both been hurt in the past and I liked the way the author brought them together. It was a great book, one that I will read over and over again!

This was enjoyable, but I left feeling a bit unconvinced-the character development was just OK...they fell in love too quickly, the pacing felt off..enjoyable, but more forgettable than some of Dare' s others (my favorite is A Week to be Wicked)

I've fallen arse over teakettle for Tessa Dare. I liked A Week to be Wicked better, but A Lady by Midnight was still a most satisfying read. The ladies at Smart Bitches, Trashy Books rec'd this when it was on sale and I snapped it up for a fun beach read while on vacation. It was a perfect summer, lite, fun read. It was a little more abrupt and immediate than A Week to be Wicked, but, again, still loads of fun. I really enjoyed the side characters and would love to actually read Harry and Ames's story. Now, that wouldn't be an awesome romance!!

I would recommend this book to all my friends. It was so sweet and very touching. Thorne and Katie were born to be together. Ms. Dare did a wonderful job in writing their story. It was the first book of hers I've read and ok can't wait to read more.

This book, like others I've read by Tessa Dare, is funny, with a winsome title character that's easy to relate to and root for. The leading man, however, is as exciting as a stone. He is one dimensional, boring, poorly described and humorless. I couldn't even finish the book, which is unusual for me, because I absolutely could not relate to this man, or why anyone would be interested in him. The whole story of the two main characters' attraction and romance is made totally unrealistic solely because of his lack of appeal.

Years ago he sacrificed, his soul, his heart, his sense of worth, all to give her a chance at a beautiful life. And every time she touches him she returns some of it back to his heart that had gone stone cold for so long in order to survive. Siiiggghhh......

I don't think there are enough words to describe how much I loved this book! I read a lot, and sometimes I find a book by an author that I never read before and I enjoy it so much I can't wait for her next one. That is the case here, It seems every book in this series got better and better, and this one? Superb!!

Hero is a hard man, who seems obsessed with protecting heroin. In the beginning we are not privy as to why he seems to watch her from afar but keeps her at arms length. Where is his motivation coming from? Why does he know her schedule, but is downright rude to her when she gets close?

Well the secrets of their pasts begin to unravel and they are truly heartbreaking. I don't want to say too much because it will ruin the suprise and shock you will receive along the way reading this book. This book is a love story, a mystery, the internal struggle of a good man, a woman who is so lonely.

Just read it!! You will not be disappointed. Every beautifully written word of their love story was like a gift. The author has done an amazing job of creating two of the most beautiful characters I have ever read. When heroin (author) compares hero to a diamond, I realized what a genius this author is with her words.

Mrs. Dare is gonna have a hard time topping this one. Any author would have a hard time topping this one.
I cried like a baby, it was so deep, interesting, lovely, etc....

This book is a must read. KEEPER SHELF for me. Might even lock it up to keep it safe forever, so that in the years to come I can take it out and savor it all over again.

Orphaned at a young age Kate has always dreamed of a family but never hoped for love but when Spindle Cove is invaded by an eccentric group claiming to be her family will Kate be able to leave behind the stoic militia man Corporal Thorne?

Tessa Dare's A Lady by Midnight is another great book in her Spindle Cove series.
A Week to be Wicked is my favorite so far. Funny, romantic and love books that share characters in a series.
Can't wait to read more.

I tried to finish, but the end was just to rediculous.
I loved "A Week to be Wicked, but this was pretty dissapointing. It tried to be a well written book, but it's just to juvenile and simplistic, As it headed into the grand finale it simply exploded into a wacky mess of stupid. Several weeks later I tried to finish this book. I had to skip ahead to get through. The ending dragged on and on and on with sacerine platitudes and rediculousness.

I really wasn't expecting to like this third in the Spindle Cove as much as I did. Thorne's appearances in the first two stories did not lead me to favor him as a romantic hero. Boy howdy, was I wrong. If Tessa keeps improving on the men with each subsequent story, I will find myself in real danger of falling in love with a fictional character! Kate's journey to love was exciting and compelling. Definitely worth reading!

Altogether a very satisfying read. Thought the bit with the Grammercy's and the whole mystery about Kate's identity could have been, well, more mysterious, but I would definitely recommend it to any fan of the genre.

I really wasn't expecting to like this third in the Spindle Cove as much as I did. Thorne's appearances in the first two stories did not lead me to favor him as a romantic hero. Boy howdy, was I wrong. If Tessa keeps improving on the men with each subsequent story, I will find myself in real danger of falling in love with a fictional character! Kate's journey to love was exciting and compelling. Definitely worth reading!

Altogether a very satisfying read. Thought the bit with the Grammercy's and the whole mystery about Kate's identity could have been, well, more mysterious, but I would definitely recommend it to any fan of the genre.

Every woman should have a Corporal Thorne in their life to watch over them. He is everything a romance hero should be rugged, good looking and flawed, but that doesn't stop him from protecting the most important thing he hold dear - Kate. The fact that Kate is an orphan and alone in the family sense guaranteed that sparks would fly.

Good story line and character development. I was feeling all of Katie's and Sam's emotions. I could hardly put the kindle down. Very sweet novel. Just a romantic Cinderella sorry with good twists and a great he's ending.

The only bad thing about this book is that it appears that the author has run out of characters in Spindle Cove to write about. I have loved every one of these books about the interesting females there!

this book is fantastic! it is a must read. i personally love books with the hero crazy about the heroine from the jump. men who think they are brutes but genuinely adore their women just get my juices flowing.

Finally, the end of this series! Well worth the wait!!

The hero we were surprised about and the wonderful lady we already loved.

Loved it, now I have to re-read all again.

5 Stars!

I normally enjoy Tessa Dare books and really enjoy the spindle cove series. I was so excited when it came out on my Kindle. But, this book did nothing for me. To me, she didn't make the characters Thorne and Kate click. They didn't bond for me. I enjoyed all the other characters in the book. The story line was typical and boring, there was no excitement in the book. By far not enough sexy parts in it. It's a good book but don't expect a great one.

Here I am again, in the minority. I did not love this book. I do love most of Tessa Dare's books, although to me her best is "Goddess of the Hunt". I enjoyed this book, and recommend you read it if you are a fan of this author, but somehow it did not quite make the grade for me.

There was a great plot here and a great cast of characters, but somehow, in my mind, they never reached full potential. There were some hot love scenes, but I felt they filled up pages to do just that, fill pages. I don't think any of the characters with the possible exception of Kate were fully explored.

The love story of Kate and Thorne had a great back story and at first I was totally hooked. However eventually I wearied of their interplay and wanted to know more of their story and less of their burning desire for each other.

A lot of characters were introduced but not explored or really used in any meaningful way. Some of the scenes I thought were completely unbelievable and the big epic battle between two alpha males ended when they heard a woman singing......well, sorry but I thought....that was stupid.

I sound all negative but again, if you like Tessa Dare, read this book. It has its moments and obviously I am in the minority. You cannot please everyone. I will still buy the next book by Ms. Dare. My main complaint is that a great plot and great characters were not fully developed, and honestly a few scenes just seemed.....well, silly.

After A Week to Be Wicked, I expected quite a story for Kate and Thorn... and was sadly disappointed. That's not to say that this book isn't good and that you won't be able to enjoy it, but it just doesn't have the same joie de vivre that the previous Spindle Cove book had. There are just some things that don't ring true for me.

First of all, a part of me truly can't stand Kate. She has the makings to be a great heroine, just like Minerva, but she doesn't quite reach that potential. Tessa wrote her as unfortunately orphaned and all alone in the world, but with a spark in her heart that just never goes out. She's an incurable optimist. But I don't see that in the writing. Yes, every once in a while, Kate shows that she can shoulder on from something that truly hurt her, but most of this fire is told as back story and has nothing to do with the present. And, to be quite honest, I can't stand the way she treated Thorn. Thorn loves her in the only way he knows how but for a heroine who supposedly sees the best in people, she often doubts and rages at Thorn for things that she quickly forgives in others. While part of this is great because she's not perfect, she does have faults, and that makes the character seem human, I don't see any truly great things to counterbalance those faults. Honestly, I can't quite see why Thorn loves her. She alternates between being nice to him and being mean, she can't seem to make up her mind as to whether she wants the family that literally dropped into her lap or him, and she rages at him when he tries to protect her.

And that's another thing: the plot. A Week to be Wicked also used a common plot, but Tessa Dare was able to write it in such a way that I felt as though it was entirely new. There was nothing but page turning, heart racing love in that book. And A Lady by Midnight's plot was the exact opposite. A common plot is nothing to be too upset about, but Tessa didn't write it uncommonly and I can't love these characters like I did Colin and Minerva. I plod along in the book, wondering when it's going to end because there's nothing interesting happening. So a family comes to claim her. Thorn is right not to trust them but then nothing happens. Oh, they turn out to be family and oh, they're going to lose their inheritance but the conflict comes so close to the end that it was all tied up with a pretty neat bow too quickly and I find myself wondering how Tessa justified the pages of nothing before it.

On the other hand, there are things I do like about this book. Tessa is great at writing scenes of action, and I don't mean battle scenes), but rather scenes that have the characters doing something. My favorite scenes are the horse riding scene at the beginning, when Kate (supposedly, and I say this because after, she seems to have no problem standing up for things she finds wrong and we're only told that she didn't do it before) finally stands up for herself and needles at Thorn and the end scene when they get married. Those two scenes made up for the lackluster middle.

I did enjoy reading about her family. They're all quite quirky and scenes when they were around were among my favorite to read and I did read those quicker but I just don't feel this book like the two before it. What it boils down to is Tess Dare didn't sell their love story to me. I don't know why they're in love and I can't see that love except toward the end. I think Thorn deserved a much better heroine and I kind of want to slap them both on their heads. Kate because she's ridiculous and Thorn because he's in love with a girl that doesn't seem to deserve it. I almost want a refund if it weren't for the fact that I did like some parts of the book and I do like the way Tessa writes.

This book was ok but no where near as good as A Week to be Wicked. A lot of the reasoning and plot didn't make a lot of sense and the characters weren't that interesting. I had to make myself keep reading this book whereas I couldn't put AWTBW down.

Read A Week to be Wicked (witty, quick-moving and sexy) and was looking forward to this book. Unfortunately, I was very disappointed--found story repetitive and claustrophobic (didn't go anywhere and repeated the same info over and over again), one-note characterization of the hero (especially) and heroine and the romantic interludes not very sizzling. A yawner for $7.99!

I might confess the blurb didn’t attracted me, why I went different ways and read other books before this one.
But I was wrong.
I loved this story of two lost souls who rekindle decades later.
While Tessa Dare did a great job with Kate’s character, showing how she struggles to not know who she is, then how she copes when she learns her origins to finally comprehend all these news good and bad mean to her. She has her fears then angsty moments but in all, once she has time to analyze everything she will put her mind to one and only purpose, win Thorne’s love. But the author’s most amazing hero is Corporal Thorne, a man of few words but his past sculpted him in the man of steel he is now. Weakness is not part of his world, but Miss Kate Taylor is his one frailty, he tried to avoid her for a year until the last wrong encounter which unleashed his inner need for her. Since, what ever he does to control his compulsion toward her, their chemistry brings them together. He is a character whom I arched from, what he suffered to become the awesome man he was now was overwhelming. But still he stayed the young boy who gave up everything to save his Katie, and he will continue to do so until death do part they.
I can only praise how the author narrates the adventures of her characters, there are no idle time, everything goes smoothly, perfectly orchestrated with all the protagonists doing their right part.
Each new book I have read so far if not better than the previous one is always full of entertainment, and it is what I’m looking for at first.
I’m a verified customer on the store.fr

Kate Taylor has been living in Spindle Cove (SC) as a music teacher for many years. She was an orphan since she was 4 years old, has longed to know who her family was and yearned to be part of a family. Corporal Thorne is stationed at SC and ever since he realized that Kate lives in SC, he has stayed away from her, acted combative when they interacted with one another, and yet, is very protective of Kate for a mysterious reason. Kate is tolerant of Thorne's behavior towards her and pays little attention to him until a quirky family of four claims Kate may be related to them. The family is wealthy and would secure Kate's future and well-being since she is not married, alone with no family to speak of, and supporting herself on meager wages. Suspicious of the family's motives, Thorne announces to the family that he and Kate are engaged to protect Kate as they both wait to see the intent of the family. From there, the plot dragged on.

The story started out pretty good, and I was really excited about the contentious interactions between Kate and Thorne. There was spark between the two when they were battling it out with words but yet they cared for each other. They were two strong characters whose hard-knock life made them who they are but despite of their hardship, they stood their ground and never allowed others to shape their opinion of their selves. They were individuals who were abandoned and hurting inside, and they coped by putting shields around them to protect themselves. However, as the story progressed these strong individuals seemed to diminish, and the main characters became annoying.

Kate became a sex-starved fiend ever since her first kiss from Thorne. She wanted to do it after she had been shivering for hours in the cold rain. Then she wanted to make love during a ball (and the ball was in progress in a room next to the room she wanted to make love in). She is constantly throwing herself at Thorne and pleading to Thorne to love her by making love to her. Yes, I understand this is a romance novel and the rule of thumb is when the H and h are left alone, that is the time when such things happen. However, within the context of this book, there is a time and place for making love. Those were not the times. Kate went from a strong female character who has been surviving on her own commendably with no help from anyone, to a woman who wants a lot of sex from Thorne and equates sex as love. She has always yearned to know where she came from but that became secondary to making love to Thorne. She loved music with a passion and that too became less important. She was willing to lose her identity to be with Thorne. That is love-sick in a bad way.

Thorne is shell-shocked from the war and other past experiences, and yet he has risen from the gutter that society tried to put him in and became a better person. Despite weathering the harshness of his past, he was constantly on his pitty-pot about not being good enough for Kate. That's fine if this was mentioned once, twice or even three times in the book but this was throughout the book. Dude, SHUT-UP and get over it, or get a new problem!

After all the angst, the resolution to the main characters' dilemma was so lame-o weak that I nearly threw this book against the wall (but that wouldn't have been a good thing since it was an e-book). The ending was just a little too easy to be THE thing that resolved all the problems of the main characters. It's a lot like you have this big huge problem (it doesn't matter what it is but it's major) and it got fixed when someone ripped up a piece of paper. Then everybody says, I feel better already. The End. WTF!!!

The story had so much promise to be so romantically good but the main characters progressively became weaker versions of what they once were before they got together.

For me, this story dragged a little. There were some 4 star parts here and there, but not enough to carry the story.

I always loved stories about people who are separated as children but grow up to find each other again and live happily ever after. This was one such story, but our characters spent so much time being mired in the various plots that it took half of forever for anything to progress.

First, we have Kate's issues. She's an orphan who grew up without love as a ward at this school. She ends up living in Spindle Cove, land of the spinsters. Not sure how she gets there, but, understandably, she spends a lot of time trying to figure out her past

Second, we have the mysterious Thorne, who seems to have a special affinity with Kate. He knows about her past but stays as far from her as possible. He has LOTS of issues. Boatloads. I won't even go there.

We also have the Gramercy family, who appear out of nowhere with a nude portrait of Kate's pregnant mother. There are 4 of them and they EACH have several issues with which to contend.

Ok I'm tired of telling you about the problems. There were too many and some too cliché. The only issue I was REALLY interested in (how Kate and Thorne were connected) took about 10 pages to resolve - this was the 4 star part of the book. Otherwise, the story just dragged on with picnics, conversations and thoughts about "what to do, if...", and that damn dog interrupting EVERY SINGLE TIME Thorne and Kate started making out. That was really distracting and frustrating, which I'll concede was kind of the point.

Anyhow, it was still a decent read and didn't make me angry to have wasted time on it, which is definitely good! Not as good as "Any Duchess Will Do," but still had me cracking up at various points of the story. I give this a hearty 3 stars.

Cut to the Chase:
A very nice example of the we’ve-kind-of-known-each-other stories that Dare seems to like: we have an orphan who’s desperate to know about her past and a soldier who’s obviously had a ridiculously tough life up until now. It’s a twist on the friends-before-lovers trope, with just a hint of mystery and intrigue. In this case, he’s the one who protected her, and now lusts after her… but of course, he thinks he’s generally incapable of love, and, more specifically, undeserving of hers. There are phrases and words that don’t feel quite regency-era, and the ending dragged a little, and became a little overly melodramatic. Still, the characterizations and emotional journeys of the characters are well-done and, at times, riveting. It’s a solid addition to the series, very much in Dare’s usual style.

Greater Detail:
Kate Taylor is a twenty-three year old music teacher in Spindle Cove, the shared setting for this series. She’s quite beautiful, but has a heart-shaped birthmark on her head that she thinks makes her unattractive, and is an orphan of unknown origins. She has very, very dim memories of her past and desperately wants to believe that, before she was literally left on the doorsteps of an all-girl’s school, she was loved, and that she will be loved again.

Corporal Thorne is a militia commander who is always rude and avoidant of Kate. So much so that she’s never noticed how much he notices her, and is attracted to her.

The main tension here is not lack of attraction. They kiss within the first few chapters, and clearly feel attraction for one another. They’ve become fake-engaged within another couple chapters, and spend the majority of the book almost doing the deed, only to back away, saying: no, we can’t.

Their emotional roller coaster is a similar tease. Because Dare has effectively portrayed two people who clearly belong to one another, are compelled to be together, and are passionate about each other, she has to invent obstacles for them. A long-lost family who comes to claim Kate (are they for real? or are they sinister? are they hiding something? or are they the loving family she’s always hoped for — difficult to attach to this menagerie of well-portrayed eccentrics when we’re not positive of the answer). There’s a puppy (very lovable, of course) who tries to stare down an adder, there’s Thorne’s misplaced sense of what should be done (namely: NOT marrying the woman he won’t admit he loves), and on and on. As usual, with Dare, she can’t help but throw in some twists and turns at the end… not all of which really make sense (or add to the plot).

So… I have to say that the ending was not satisfying (epilogue: cute, ending: meh), and, as usual, there are times when I feel like she takes the humor a little too far (and thus pushes me out of the scene… without giving away too much, I’ll say this: cooking oil, a puppy, and a state of undress).

Still, some of the emotional struggles they go through are just so well done (some are overdone, but some are pitch perfect) that I keep coming back. The first half of this book was a quick, enthralling read (the second half was what dragged it down a little).

Like I said, this isn’t my favorite of what she’s done, but the high notes are so high that I’ll keep coming back despite the fact that some of her characters speak like they’re from the 21st century…

Comparisons to Other Authors/Books:
Tessa Dare writes very sensual lovemaking scenes that are very emotional and compelling (like Lisa Kleypas, for example), but in this most recent series, and with Thorne, her characters are just harder, obsessed with their pasts, revenge, etc, in a way that reminds me of some of Amanda Quick’s protagonists. I don’t personally think all the plot twists (especially since some of the reveals are often thrown in at the end) really make sense, or add anything to the story… but I usually enjoy her work.

Oh Captain, my Captain…well I guess Thorne is a corporal but that is close enough for me. He is a hard and sturdy man who seems to have a little soft spot for Kate, not that she would ever know it as he has kept his distance for both their own good. Thorne seems to know something of Kate’s past and wants to keep if hidden from her as the truth might hurt more than not knowing.

Kate has always noticed Corporal Thorne and she had heard many tales of his exploits with women but she has always assumed his indifference to her was because of the heart shaped port birthmark on her temple. Little could she know that he is holding a key to her past. They are thrown together in unexpectedly when a group of people come to town believing she is their long lost relation. As they spend more time closely together everything starts to unravel and the secrets of the past will not stay at bay forever. Kate must decide what she wants more, the family she has always longed for or a love she never knew existed.

‘Love is composed of a single soul, inhabiting two bodies.’ ” He took her by the shoulders, drawing her close. “It rang true for me, in a way nothing else did. Whatever soul I had, Katie, I think I placed it in your keeping twenty years ago. And now, it’s as if . . . every time we kiss, you give a little piece of it back.”

I like Kate, she is stubborn and headstrong but also very loving and tender. I felt very sympathetic to her from the beginning as she had such humble beginnings and was an orphan. If anyone was going to break through that hard shell around Thorne it was her. Thorne is very likable even though he tries to put on a tough exterior he is very broken inside from his past and all of his actions are what he believes to be in the best interest of Kate

Tessa Dare novels are usually fun and flirty with just enough angst to make it interesting but not over the top. I really like the way the two of them gradually came together and the bond they were able to create. I also enjoyed how their past played a role and how.

Sometimes side characters are what make a novel as well and I do have to say the marquess, his sisters and aunt were fun additions. Harry cracked me up with her unusual manners for a woman of means, Lark with her complete obliviousness to anything dubious and Aunt Marmoset with her wicked tongue.

“Well, that’s a lovely view for a picnic,” Aunt Marmoset said, joining them. “I do enjoy gazing upon a well-carved man.”
“He’s called ‘the Long Man of Wilmington,’ Aunt Marmoset.” Lark scribbled in her journal.
“How odd. I’d been under the impression his name was Corporal Thorne.” Aunt Marmoset came and put her hand in Kate’s pocket. “My dear, hold onto that one. Tightly, and with all four limbs.”
Kate blushed. “I don’t know what you mean.”
“Yes, you do. We have similar tastes.” The old lady withdrew her hand, leaving Kate’s pocket oddly heavier—full of spice drops, she assumed. “Remember what I told you,” Aunt Marmoset whispered. “Strong. Overwhelming at first. But with a bit of work, you arrive at the sweetness.”

What I have learned from reading novels set in Spindle Cove is that anytime there is a ball something eventful is going to happen, they do seem to be cursed. I really did enjoy the characters of this novel and the very cute ending to their story.

Solid Fluffy Happy Day Historical Romance.

Read/Listened for Fun (Audible/Kindle)
Overall Rating: 4.75
Story Rating: 4.50
Character Rating: 5.00

Audio Rating: 4.50 (Not Part of the overall rating)

First Thought when Finished: A Lady by Midnight by Tessa Dare had all the feels and smiles!

Overall Thoughts: Tessa did it again! I loved Kate and Thorne's love story. I knew these two were destined to be a great match when Kate was a bit more sure of herself on the inside and Thorne appeared very sure of himself on the outside. Thorne stepping up to "pretend" to be Kate's fiance while they figured out if her new found family was legit was fun, interesting, and intriguing. I loved Thorne's back story. I dare you not to swoon after him. I loved Kate's determination to make him see his worth. I loved the ladies of Spindle Cove making sure that this turned out exactly as it should. All around another great entry in the series.

Audio Thoughts:

Narrated By Carolyn Morris / Length: 10 hrs and 51 mins

Carolyn did an outstanding job with Kate and Thorne! These are really good on audio and well worth the time to listen too1

Final Thoughts: Tessa really does knock it out of the park with Kate and Thorne (his first name is Samuel but his last name fits him so well)!

A really great continuation of this series from Tessa Dare. I don't know if she plans on writing more books for this series but the Gramercys (Evan, Lark and this mysterious Bennett)can provide excellent future stories. Those who have been following along know of Kate's plight of being orphaned and having no recollection of her past. And Corporal Thorne, the resident brooder of Spindle Cove, can't help to watch her nor be around her. And for the last two Spindle Cove books, I've been waiting for these two to finally get their moment to shine.

Everything was going great until around 85% of the book, then it got a little wonky. **spoiler alert** (the weird medieval-like battle, Evan's villain-like chracter (I still question if he was supposed to be bad or not) & Samuel asking to be shackled to not stop Kate's wedding)** It hurts my heart to even take away a star for that but I must cause the author wrote such an excellent buildup to that point and then it started to touch the land of the absurd. The wonkiness gets reeled back a bit but I had a slight sour taste in my reader's palate after visiting absurd world.

Spindle Cove fans get visits from Susanna & Bram and Minerva & Colin (Oh how I adore thee).

Samuel and Kate's love story and the work of their relationship was pretty good. Unfortunately, it seems Minerva & Colin are my fave couple from this series and I guess I want the rest of the books to live up to that pinnacle of romance that was reached in A Week to Be Wicked (Spindle Cove).

But it's still a great love story! FOUR STARS

In 1814 Kate Taylor loves living in Spindle Cove, but has not found love there. Still she has made many friends in the village so overall is satisfied with her life.

Corporal Samuel Thorne remains aloof staying far away from kissable Kate. However, not too distant as he has vowed to himself to keep her safe and happy though at times he wishes he was her one, but also knows she deserves better. Strangers arrive in Spindle Cove seeking Kate who they insist is a wealthy relative. Distrusting these visitors, Thorne insists he is Kate's fiancé and ergo under his protection. To his consternation, her trust in him just makes him want her more, but he remains steadfast that she is better off with someone her equal. Kate has found love in Spindle Cove and refuses to back away.

The latest Spindle Cove Regency romance (see A Night To Surrender) is a tender historical starring two protagonists who seem star-crossed. The lead couple makes the engaging storyline fun to read as he wants her even more so when he steps forward to protect her and she knows he is her one. Readers will appreciate this fabulous early nineteenth century wondering whether her real identity will end the relationship.

Harriet Klausner

A LADY BY MIDNIGHT by Tessa Dare is another fast paced Regency historical romance.Book#3 in the "Spindle Cove" series,but can be read as a stand alone with reoccurring characters. See,"A Night To Surrender","A Week To Be Wicked" and a novella "Once Upon a Winter's Eve". Once again Ms. Dare has written a witty,full of excitement,love and romance from one of my favorite towns in England,Spindle Cove. Spindle Cove is a small sea side town with a town full of misfit young ladies,that no on seems to pay notice to,but who are full of passion and life. Follow two unlikely souls, Corporal Samuel Thorne, the town militia commander and Miss Kate Taylor,the town spinster and music teacher as they find not only acceptance,and friendship,but yearning and love.But there is much more to "A Lady By Midnight",for Miss Kate is more than she appears to be. For a step into the land of surprises and love pick up "A Lady By Midnight" and be transfixed. Received for an honest review from the publisher.Details can be found at the author's website,Avon Books,an imprint of Harper Collins Publishing Group and My Book Addiction and More.

RATING: 4.5

HEAT RATING: MILD

REVIEWED BY: AprilR, My Book Addiction and More/My Book Addiction Reviews

This is my favorite in the series so far. I can’ say that any of the dramatic revelations were a great surprise to me. I think I saw most of them coming fairly far in advance. I loved seeing Kate get her fairy tale ending, and watching Thorne’s tough outer shell crack was a complete delight. I look forward to reading more about the ladies of Spindle Cove.

I stayed up ALL NIGHT reading this book, I just couldn't put it down for something so meager as sleep. Now it's time for the review and I have no words, I agonized over this review for HOURS because I wanted it to convey as much of my thoughts and feelings without revealing too much of the story and I hope I managed.

A Lady by Midnight is the lovely and optimistic Kate Taylor's turn as heroine and she doesn't waste a second of the reader's time. Nor does Spindle Cove's resident grouch and all around too serious hero, Corporal Thorne. What caught and held readers' attention in the first and second book is definitely present in this one. While I loved the heroines and the heroes in A Night to Surrender (book 1) and A Week to Be Wicked (Book 2), I really wanted to see Kate get her happy ending. She's been through more than Susanna and Minerva put together and yet she still finds a reason to keep smiling, and being kind to those around her. Kate is a really special character to me. Her yearning for people to call "family" and her courage to keep going forward when others around her try to put her down was very touching but it left her very vulnerable at times.

Enter Corporal Thorne, now I wasn't sure there was a vulnerable bone in his body. I was sure the man was just a breathing block of stone for all the emotion he showed, but with Kate's easy and accepting manner she began chipping away at that stone block in no time. You have to admire a woman who isn't afraid of a man like that. As the story progressed, the reason for Thorne's seeming indifference towards Kate is explained and shows him to be more than just a militia man. Though he denies he has emotions, let alone a heart, his actions continuously make a liar out of his words, he became, in my mind a tough as nails teddy bear with teeth, ready to defend Kate with his very life. The secret that binds him to Kate, without a doubt, when revealed, shows he has had a long standing affection for her that survived over many years and grew into a tender, healing love that neither expected.

While the plot for A Lady by Midnight isn't a new one, it definitely doesn't feel overused, unimaginative or even boring. It's anything but. I'm always amazed how an author can take a well known plot, in this case the "Orphan who discovers she has a long lost family but said family may not be what they claim so now the hero must step out of the shadows and protect her" and spin a lovely tale with all the right ingredients: Mystery, suspense, passion, romance, humor and of course a happy ending.

Kate and Thorne are a great couple, okay technically they've spent most of the series doing one or more of the following in regards to the other: Glaring, frowning, cursing, staring, insulting or ignoring. So I knew it was going to be fun(ny) to watch these two opposites fall in love and heal each other. I saw their story as a slow burn, a small flame ambling its way towards a powder keg. Well you know what will happen once that tiny, slow moving flame reaches the keg right? Exactly what happens with Kate and Thorne. Apart they're likable but tortured characters. Together they're explosive, interesting and hopeful. I do think that Kate has taken up a place in my heart as one of my favorite characters ever created because of her need and desire to have a family that will claim her and love her no matter what. I fully identify with that aspect of her character and understand her wanting a family. I know I'd love to be adopted by a family like the Gramercys, eccentricities and all.

And can we talk about the Gramercys? I know some people may not enjoy such a loud, eccentric group of people but I do. They provided a bit of comedic relief from all the angst and emotional turmoil going on with Kate and Thorne. I do hope that they'll appear in future books as I've grown very fond of them. Each member is special to me in a different way, though that Evan has all the makings of a hero *hint hint*

Overall, A Lady by Midnight continues to uphold Tessa Dare's reputation for writing breathtakingly romantic stories infused with humor and filled with characters that will remain in your memory long after you've read the final page.

This is a lovely historical romance.

Kate is working in a place known locally as Spinsters Cove because of the high number of unmarried ladies living there. She teaches music to any of them that want to learn. Kate was a foundling brought up in a school. She has fleeting memories of before the school but not who her family were. Corporal Thorne is in charge of the local militia.  He knows Kate from when they were children but is glad that she has forgotten him. He will protect her by never telling her.
When Marquis Drew and his unusual family saying that they believe Kate is a long lost cousin. Corporal Thorne is suspicious of their motives and claims he is her betrothed.

The story is about everyone's search for the truth, and the protection of family.

All I can say is...clever Kate!

Kate is a long lost daughter of the deceased Marquess of Drewe and the daughter of a tenant farmer. Orphaned at the age of 4, Lady Katherine Gramercy ended being a lone happy kid. Twenty year later she is found by not only her possible family but the man that saved her life and virtue.

Corporal Thorne hasn't had an easy childhood and for that reason he doesn't find he is suitable company let alone a romantic or otherwise match. He has a past that he doesn't want her to know but the unfortunate bite of a snake doesn't give him a choice in the end.

Once Katie knows of Samuel's past she doesn't see him as the cold hearted man he wanted her to see, but the loving child he couldn't be. And that was all she needed to force him to see himself as she saw him.

There is duels of honor, sacrifice and fighting of conscience what more can I ask for!!

Stand back people! I have found another author who knows her stuff when writing a Historical Romance! Tessa Dare is now on my auto-buy list and I am not ashamed to admit it!

There are so many words and emotions that come to mind when I try to describe this book. Beautiful. Entrancing. Witty. Suspense. Humor. Passion. Seriously the list could go on and on. I love how the author made Kate strong and independent. She has a superficial flaw and has not let it bring her down -- well, not too much. She realizes what people see when they look at her, but she has accepted this and moved on. Being orphaned at a young age and left to the care of a mean woman in charge, she never let it get to her in a way that ruined her. She accepted it for what it was and made a life for herself teaching music to her students. Yet, even though she has made an honest life for herself, she still wonders about her family that gave her up.

Thorne was a man that you instantly knew was a man who could make a woman feel loved and safe. He was a soldier and is very protective of Kate. While the two share a past, only Thorne is the one who is aware of this. Kate has forgotten their time together when she was young, but Thorne has never forgotten Kate. He has watched over her from a distance and they both grew into characters the reader will love.

When unexpected people arrive claiming to be Kate's true family, Thorne doesn't trust them even though he does know some secrets in either confirming or denying their accusations. He claims Kate as his fiance and vows to get to the bottom of it all. If only Kate could remember her past, then all could be sorted out. Together they must learn the truth and fight the passion they both are experiencing for each other.

I enjoyed this book so much that I am looking forward to sitting down and reading the first two books in this series so I can enjoy all of the characters presented better. While characters from previous books are mentioned and appear on the pages of A Lady By Midnight, a new reader of the series should have no problem reading this book out of order. Another wonderfully written story that will sweep you away!

Reviewed by FRANCESCA & posted at Under the Covers Book Blog

On Mondays they had country walks. Tuesdays were sea bathing. On Wednesdays they turned their hands to gardening. And Thursdays were their day to shoot.

Spindle Cove is quickly becoming one of my favorite places to go back in time and visit. This time around we finally get the story Kate and Corporal Thorne. She's soft and refined, even though she grew up as an orphan, never knowing or remembering who her parents were. He's dark and intense, with a past that is very much a part of his every thought. A past that involved Kate, but she can't remember.

I loved the connection between Kate and Thorne, the link in their pasts, and how they interacted in the present. They were very well suited for each other even when they were arguing. Although he is the typical tortured, brooding hero, he was written so to perfection. How can you not love such a hard man who then turns around and has so much love for a puppy? Then flip that coin and you get that burning desire he's always had for Kate. *melting* Swoon-worthy and absolutely lovable, that is how I have filed Samuel Thorne in my mind.

Although Kate was a very likeable heroine, strong and independent, I have to say she's not my favorite in this series. I found her quick acceptance of her new family and of some of the things that were going on around her wasn't exactly how I was expecting her to react. But in her relationship with Thorne she was everything he needed and then some.

A LADY BY MIDNIGHT is definitely another solid book in this wonderful series. Tessa Dare yet again captivates my full attention with the intricate story of Kate's life and love, taking us through the ups and downs with even a bit of humor. I can't wait to be WOWed again with the next trip to Spindle Cove.

"I'm here. You're not alone now."

*ARC provided by publisher

In the first two delightful volumes of this series, Tessa Dare introduced us to Spindle Cove, a Sussex coastal hamlet run by an extraordinary group of females. Women who don't quite fit in to genteel society - spinsters, bluestockings, abandoned wives, and even the odd promiscuous young miss - find a haven among the denizens of the Queen's Ruby rooming house.

Miss Kate Taylor has found a comfortable life there teaching music to the visiting young ladies. Their cozy retreat was disturbed a year ago, however, when several of the King's soldiers arrived to organize a militia to protect Spindle Cove from invasion by Napoleon. And for Miss Taylor, no man was more disturbing than the large, dark, taciturn Corporal Thorne. Although he pointedly ignored her, his very presence made her skin prickle, and her efforts to be friendly were invariably rewarded by his finding some excuse to leave her company.

Kate is a orphan, a foundling educated at the forbidding Margate school, who has never attracted the notice of any man. Although she is relentlessly cheerful and chatty, she is self-conscious about a port wine birthmark on her temple and believes that Thorne is repelled by it and her. One day, however, when she finds herself stranded in nearby Hastings without sufficient funds to return to Spindle Cove, Corporal Thorne comes to her rescue. On the way home, they share a passionate kiss, and Kate discovers that Thorne harbors a deep attraction to her, along with a surprisingly fiery protectiveness. When they arrive in Spindle Cove and find a decidedly odd family of aristocrats waiting to meet Kate, Thorne is immediately suspicious. When this family declares that Kate may be a long-lost illegitimate cousin, Thorne decides she needs protection from these strange strangers and declares himself to be her fiancé.

Kate goes along with Thorne's deception, agreeing with him that if she is indeed taken into the Gramercy family she can break the betrothal and Thorne can follow his plans to leave the army and move to America. There are many more secrets to be revealed, however, about not only Kate's past but also Corporal Thorne's. (Some of the early reviews, I think, give too much away, so perhaps should be avoided.) Kate finds herself falling in love with the handsome, forbidding Thorne, and Thorne finds it hard to resist her tempting charms.

Along the way, we are treated to visits by Bram and Susanna (from A Night to Surrender) and Colin and Minerva (from A Week to Be Wicked (Spindle Cove)). Their stories were fun and filled with humor, but A Lady by Midnight is much more somber and touching. Still, Dare fills the story with good humor and her usual collection of entertaining secondary characters, a disastrous ball, and a farcical duel. I can't wait to return to Spindle Cove, but how will I bear to wait until 2013 for Any Duchess Will Do?

One final note: although this books works well as a stand alone, I think that for maximum enjoyment the series really should be read in order.

Heartfelt thanks to Avon and Edelweiss for giving me the opportunity to read an ARC of this highly recommended story.

Kate Taylor has finally found a place for herself in Spindle Cove but she has always wondered who she truly was and who she belonged to. Growing up at Margate School for Girls, Kate does not even know her true birthday and when one last failed attempt at answers with the former schoolmistress leads to even more questions, she is devastated. Running into the snarly Corporal Samuel Thorne just adds insult to injury as he saves her from a viscous attack. Upon returning to Spindle Cove however, Kate's life is thrown into question when some mysterious family comes forward to claim her. When Thorne steps forward and claims they are engaged, she allows the farce as too many unanswered questions need to be answered before she can truly accept she might actually belong somewhere. But a few smoldering kisses with Thorne turn up a whole new batch of questions...does she stay with Thorne and make the engagement real and head of to America or does she let this new, slightly crazy family, accept her and finally find some answers to her past? Little does she know that Thorne could be hiding the key to answering more than he will let on.

Samuel is determined to protect Kate from this 'family' that has suddenly shown up after twenty three years. He feels that there must me a more ulterior motive for this marquess to step forward with two of his sisters and aunt. Having shared part of Kate's past, he knows from where Kate comes and wants to know why now? Why not back when she needed them as a girl? As clues and answers slowly unravel, so does the barrier around his heart. Samuel knows he is not good enough for Kate and refuses to let her in, but Kate is persistent and together they seem to reach an agreement...until the final piece of the puzzle is laid out and their happiness seems impossible.

I have been dying to read this book since A Week to Be Wicked as I loved watching the dislike that Bourne and Kate had for each other pop up from time to time. I just knew that their love story was going to be special and it was. I loved unwrapping the mystery of Kate's past piece by piece and the introduction of the eccentric Gramercy family adds a creative layer. Are you supposed to enjoy and like them or are they the enemy? Kate herself is full of life and spirit and humor and is a perfect counterpart to the stoic, commanding Bourne. As Bourne has quite the checkered past, he is quite reluctant to give Kate the love and tenderness she wants and deserves. As time passes and they are thrown together again and again, walls slowly crumble and we get to see a whole new side to Bourne. And if you don't fall in love with him after he irons, there might be something wrong :) Watching Bourne and Kate overcome so many obstacles from outside sources and each other was a delight to read and I wanted to just keep going! This is another wonderful, sigh worthy, heart tripping romance from one of my new favorite authors! I loved the romance, the passion, the mystery and the humor. It had it all for me and I can not wait to see who is next in the delightful Spindle Cove family! 4 1/2 stars

*review copy*

I loved this book! This was my first Tessa Dare, but it definitely will not be the last. I loved Samuel Thorne! He was so protective, and caring. Even when he was pushing Kate away, it was done to protect her. I found Kate to be awesome, she was smart, and she followed her heart. I loved how she saw past Thorne's grumpy, distant exterior to the good man within, the man he himself didn't see until she showed him. Badger, I love that dog! He was such an important part of this story. I can't wait to read more and I very highly recommend. <3

I enjoyed this mis-named book. Katie and Samuel (Thorne) have secrets and need each other's love in ways that can heal and make each of them whole. A Lady by Midnight requires that you suspend belief as the story of Katie and Thorne's pasts unfold and as Katie finds herself with a set of goofy relatives. You must be willing to tolerate Regencies that are not true to the period - mostly because of the lack of details and unchaperoned time rather than because of glaring errors.

Again, Tessa Dare has used her editors well. There are no glaring grammatical or spelling errors.

This was the 4th installment in the Spindle Cove series. Some are full length novels and some are novellas, but they are all good. This one follows Miss Kate Taylor, the town's music tutor and Corporal Thorne who is in charge of the town's militia.

Thorne has known Kate her whole life and is afraid that she will recognize him. When she doesn't he vows to stay away from her (you know, for her own good). Miss Taylor is an orphan who grew up in a girls home and has never known her family. Very early in the story, the Grammercy's (a well to do but somewhat scandalous family) come to Spindle Cove searching for Kate. They think she might be a long lost cousin and want to sleuth it out. Thorne wants to protect her from the Grammercy's and he doesn't trust them and states that Kate and he are engaged. The rest of the story follows Kate and Thorne through their phony engagement and through Kate finding out whether she has a family or not.

I love this series! I haven't read anything else by this author so I can't say whether it is all fabulous, but the author has a way of writing that is quite funny.

Favorite Quote: Thorne to Kate:

"If I hadn't spent the last year thinking of you as a lady, I promise you--things would be different between us."
To read more reviews about Spindle Cove visit my blog at: [...]

I have to admit it took me several books before I warmed to Ms. Dare's writing style. Now I can honestly say that I absolutely love the Spindle Cove series. Ms. Dare crafted an irregular romance from completed characters. It almost appears as if she picked her characters out of different hats and was required to make a romantic comedy. Because her stories are compelling and still seems to work in spite of the impossibility of the relationship.

A Lady by Midnight is such a wonderful story. Tessa Dare is so talented, so creative... her Spindle Cove stories are every bit as funny as they are poignant, and every bit as sexy as they are romantic!

I may write a longer review one day, but trust me on this - just read the series. If you're a fan of historical romance, if you love quirky but compelling characters... just read the series. It's quickly become a favorite, and I am excited to read more!

This. Was. So. Hot.

The characters - the wounded bad boy who believes he's incapable of loving or being loved, the hurt good girl who has never been appreciated and is all alone in the world. Put them together and you've got combustion, people. Sparks fly.

For whatever reason, this was my jams. Maybe it has to do with my own history, my own wounds, but this one resonated with me. I disagree with many of the other reviews here that critique the characters personalities or actions, but I'd rather go back to rereading this story than dispute them all.

Suffice to say: if you've got a serious weak spot for strong, silent types, you'll love Corporal Thorne.

For once, a curt, brooding hero who has good reason for his ill- humor and emotional distance. Heroine is a starved-for-family orphan who has a family suddenly appear. H and h are well-written and well-matched, the instant family a little less so. The H and h's journey to love is believably wrenching, with lots of humor. And a great dog.

Kate Taylor always thought she came from something more. Corporal Samuel Thorne has always known from where, and to spare her pain he avoids Kate at every turn. She doesn't remember him, but is still drawn to his avoidance and censure. One moment, one kiss, and then all hell breaks loose. Add in Kate's newly acquired aunt and 3 cousins and there's a big mess in Spindle Cove; especially since one of those cousins has his sights set on Kate saving the family through marriage... to him.

Will Samuel allow the one woman who captivates and inspires him to enter into a marriage for the sake of family that may or may not be hers? Or will he claim this lady for his own?

The best part about this story... oh, that's just about the whole dang book. First we have the heroine. She's like a Marie (from The Sound of Music) mixed with a bit of Cinderella. She's whimsical and has that dreamy, happy outlook on life. Her initial thoughts of Corporal Thorne don't involve romance at all, in fact she'd be completely happy if he went away and never came back. Then just as she once felt indifferent to him, he changed:

The strangest thing happened during their first hour on horseback. Before Kate's eyes, Corporal Thorne transformed into a completely different man. A good-looking one.

She fancied him to look... not so much forbidding as protective. Strong.

From there it's all downhill, especially since Thorne has always felt protective of Kate. When her long lost family shows up he does the only thing he can, fakes an engagement. I love this duel aspect of Thorne's personality. He doesn't want to get close, doesn't want to remind Kate of the past, but he can't help to protect her. He's extremely stubborn and a `less is more' kind of guy. He even thinks it:

Why couldn't a woman let an action speak for itself? If he'd wanted to use words, he would have used them.

The other part of Thorne that grips me in a million ways is his transformation. He's led a hard life, including being involved in a war that's left scars on his person and mind. There's no place to call home, no family for Thorne, and he wants to seek his fortune elsewhere. To see a love grow so strong he's willing to throw his goals aside for a slim chance of happiness with Kate is heartfelt.

But that's not all this novel is packed with. Dare wouldn't let me read something without a belly ache of laughter. We've got a dog that's good at sniffing out the most mischievous of creatures, a contingent of militia testing out the latest in weaponry with watermelons, and the usual horde of Spindle Cove women itching for shooting day. Overall, this is probably my favorite of Dare's Spindle Cove series with the H/H being a so sweet I felt a bit of the ice melt off my heart. My only caveat is that the dialogue isn't as good as A Week to Be Wicked. Regardless, the sweet combination of hardened hero and whimsical heroine is a great way to ring in the fall.

Reviewed by Landra

Heat Level: 4 (Hot)

This review was originally posted on The Season site (theseasonforromance dot com)

I have to admit it took me several books before I warmed to Ms. Dare's writing style. Now I can honestly say that I absolutely love the Spindle Cove series. Ms. Dare crafted an irregular romance from completed characters. It almost appears as if she picked her characters out of different hats and was required to make a romantic comedy. Because her stories are compelling and still seems to work in spite of the impossibility of the relationship.

A Lady by Midnight is such a wonderful story. Tessa Dare is so talented, so creative... her Spindle Cove stories are every bit as funny as they are poignant, and every bit as sexy as they are romantic!

I may write a longer review one day, but trust me on this - just read the series. If you're a fan of historical romance, if you love quirky but compelling characters... just read the series. It's quickly become a favorite, and I am excited to read more!

This. Was. So. Hot.

The characters - the wounded bad boy who believes he's incapable of loving or being loved, the hurt good girl who has never been appreciated and is all alone in the world. Put them together and you've got combustion, people. Sparks fly.

For whatever reason, this was my jams. Maybe it has to do with my own history, my own wounds, but this one resonated with me. I disagree with many of the other reviews here that critique the characters personalities or actions, but I'd rather go back to rereading this story than dispute them all.

Suffice to say: if you've got a serious weak spot for strong, silent types, you'll love Corporal Thorne.

For once, a curt, brooding hero who has good reason for his ill- humor and emotional distance. Heroine is a starved-for-family orphan who has a family suddenly appear. H and h are well-written and well-matched, the instant family a little less so. The H and h's journey to love is believably wrenching, with lots of humor. And a great dog.

Kate Taylor always thought she came from something more. Corporal Samuel Thorne has always known from where, and to spare her pain he avoids Kate at every turn. She doesn't remember him, but is still drawn to his avoidance and censure. One moment, one kiss, and then all hell breaks loose. Add in Kate's newly acquired aunt and 3 cousins and there's a big mess in Spindle Cove; especially since one of those cousins has his sights set on Kate saving the family through marriage... to him.

Will Samuel allow the one woman who captivates and inspires him to enter into a marriage for the sake of family that may or may not be hers? Or will he claim this lady for his own?

The best part about this story... oh, that's just about the whole dang book. First we have the heroine. She's like a Marie (from The Sound of Music) mixed with a bit of Cinderella. She's whimsical and has that dreamy, happy outlook on life. Her initial thoughts of Corporal Thorne don't involve romance at all, in fact she'd be completely happy if he went away and never came back. Then just as she once felt indifferent to him, he changed:

The strangest thing happened during their first hour on horseback. Before Kate's eyes, Corporal Thorne transformed into a completely different man. A good-looking one.

She fancied him to look... not so much forbidding as protective. Strong.

From there it's all downhill, especially since Thorne has always felt protective of Kate. When her long lost family shows up he does the only thing he can, fakes an engagement. I love this duel aspect of Thorne's personality. He doesn't want to get close, doesn't want to remind Kate of the past, but he can't help to protect her. He's extremely stubborn and a `less is more' kind of guy. He even thinks it:

Why couldn't a woman let an action speak for itself? If he'd wanted to use words, he would have used them.

The other part of Thorne that grips me in a million ways is his transformation. He's led a hard life, including being involved in a war that's left scars on his person and mind. There's no place to call home, no family for Thorne, and he wants to seek his fortune elsewhere. To see a love grow so strong he's willing to throw his goals aside for a slim chance of happiness with Kate is heartfelt.

But that's not all this novel is packed with. Dare wouldn't let me read something without a belly ache of laughter. We've got a dog that's good at sniffing out the most mischievous of creatures, a contingent of militia testing out the latest in weaponry with watermelons, and the usual horde of Spindle Cove women itching for shooting day. Overall, this is probably my favorite of Dare's Spindle Cove series with the H/H being a so sweet I felt a bit of the ice melt off my heart. My only caveat is that the dialogue isn't as good as A Week to Be Wicked. Regardless, the sweet combination of hardened hero and whimsical heroine is a great way to ring in the fall.

Reviewed by Landra

Heat Level: 4 (Hot)

This review was originally posted on The Season site (theseasonforromance dot com)

I have enjoyed each book in the Spindle Cove series. Kate, Thorne, and Badger tug at your heart strings and Tessa Dare delivers, again, with her witty banter between the characters. A book you will definitely want to read!

I usually find Tessa Dare's historical romances entertaining and progressive, but the main character in this one was a bit too...swoony and "I'll do anything for this man" after no time at all. The romance was too quick and the ending was kinda cheesy. Oh well.

Witty and sexy and very sweet. I love a guy like Thorne, a man most people think of as unlovable and even ugly. And suddenly the heroine sees him one day, and he's all new to her. He's hopelessly in love, unable to express it, thinking he's not good enough when quite obviously he is. I appreciate how Kate keeps telling him that she loves him, especially when he's being stupid. This and A Week to Be Wicked are my two favorites of this series.

Kate and Thorne's story is great. I love that you don't wait for the action. The passion is immediate and only builds much to the reader's delight. Thorne is an alpha- brutish male but truly a teddy bear. Kate is sincerely likeable, assertive and dear. Their romance is lovely and believable. Well written, satisfying and sweet.

Kate grew up an orphan, having only vague memories of her life before she was left at a girls school at five years old. She was given an education, a place to live, but she was never shown love. From the moment we meet Kate, it's hard to believe this positive, happy person grew up completely alone. She has a birthmark on her temple and has lived with stares and being told she wasn't pretty, she came from nothing and still through it all, she's happy, optimistic and strong. I loved her immediately. She's teaching music in Spindle Cove and on a trip out of her small town to buy sheet music, she misses the last coach home and is stranded with no money and alone on the streets. Until Thorne, the man she's convinced can't stand her, comes to her rescue and escorts her home.

Kate is the type of person who laughingly jokes about her looks but Thorne thinks she's beautiful, period. But getting this man to smile, never mind open up about anything, is a huge task. When Kate finally "sees" Thorne for the wonderful man he tries to hide, she starts to fall in love with him and she doesn't let anything stop her; including Thorne himself. These are two characters who both grew up with nothing and to see how different they each turned out it's heartbreaking to know what they went through, but so sweet to know that they found what they both desired in each other.

Kate is so strong and positive, taking everything as it comes, trying to ignore the mean spirited people who cross her path and she lives by the words she remembers hearing as a young girl, "be brave, my Katie." She kept those words close to her heart and listened to them when she needed to hear them most. She can't recall who said it to her, she suspects it was her mother before she died, but she stays brave and strong through everything and even stays strong for Thorne when he needs her most.

**********
He put a single fingertip under her chin, tilting her face to his. "Don't ever - ever - think no man wants you. That's all." That's all?

She stared up at the hardened, handsome, impossible man. He would kiss her at sunset in a field of heather, make her feel beautiful and desired, set her whole body throbbing with sensation...only to set her back on her feet and say, "That's all"?

His weight shifted, as though he would retreat.

"Wait." She tightened her grip and held him in place. "What if I want more?"
**********

Thorne is suffering so much inside. He has flashbacks to being in battles and can "check out" with nothing more than a large crash happens around him. It was a form of PTSD and he completely goes to that place in his head, not recognizing anything around him. He does this around Katie once and instead of being scared and running from him, she's frightened but stays with him because he needs her. She realizes the situation for what it is and helps him back. That's what I constantly liked about her. She never overreacted to anything, she never assumed or failed to see the truth of things - she always got it. Not just with Thorne, she's so perceptive and aware of everything, I love seeing that in a heroine. It makes it so easy to love a character when they act and think like Kate. Thorne battles with his belief that he'll never be good enough for Kate. She begs to differ, but it's a struggle for him to let any walls down or let any emotion in. When he finally realizes that Kate feels love for him, he soaks it all in and tries to become a man worthy of her. Seeing their romance grow, watching Kate blossom when she's surrounded by people who care and love her and getting to know the real Thorne when he starts to feel and love himself, it's a completely satisfying and sigh-worthy romance.

The supporting cast was delightful as well, from the pup that Kate and Thorne sort of share, to the family that wants to claim Kate as one of their own. The characters are so varied, no cookie cutter society ladies in this one. I like that Spindle Cove seems to be a town with a collection of people who don't quite fit in for their eccentricities, but that's what makes them all so enjoyable. This was my first Tessa Dare book and I'll most definitely be reading more. This story has it all, humor, depth, emotion and two lead characters that will steal your heart.

Blog rating: 5/5

--A Romantic Book Affairs Review

Rating: A ... Heat: Hot

Kate Taylor has found a home and true friends in Spindle Cove. After a childhood spent at an austere school for young ladies, she has built some measure of peace and happiness for herself at the seaside locale. That peace is transformed into chaos when a kooky family, the Grammercys, come calling upon Kate--claiming her as their long lost cousin.

Corporal Thorne doesn't trust the Grammercys. When it comes to Kate's well-being and happiness, he will do anything to protect her. Even if it means breaking his vow to himself to stay away from her. Becoming betrothed to her, in order to offer her his protection, seems like the natural thing to do. After years of watching out for her, it's the least he can do before departing from her life for good.

Kate was such a delightful heroine. From the very first, she had my heart. And it was tugged and poked and prodded at with each hurtful comment or painful memory she had to endure. Eternally optimistic, with a strength deep within, Kate had me rooting for her. It was gratifying to have a heroine so wholly her own person and not dependent on anyone else. Her desire for a connection, to know someone out there wants her - loves her - was deeply touching. Kate and I clicked immediately.

Corporal Thorne had me with a puppy, a turnpike, a loaf of warm bread, and an even hotter first kiss. A man haunted by his past, he suffers from low self worth. He has seen and done things he believes makes him unworthy of love or affection. Or even capable of love himself. And yet he has such a strong, beating heart buried under many, many protective layers. Thorne is brave and honorable and chivalrous. His need for connection, for someone out there to see him and still want him - to know his darkness and not punish him for it - was so heartrending.

And then there are the Grammercys, a nutty bunch of aristocrats who sweep into Kate's life and shake things up. There is Harry, a fun and modern woman with a sharp tongue... Lark, a sweet young lady who can cut to the quick of the matter... Evan, the patriarch of the family, filled with such turmoil, such fierce devotion... And Aunt Marmoset, full of open arms and pockets full of spice drops.

I also loved Miz Dare's use of tattoos. They were such powerful markers of a rough life, the hardships Thorne had to face. And the epilogue featured such a moving way to transform them into something loving and beautiful.

A Lady by Midnight is a sensational and stirring tale of two people finding themselves and each other. It is fraught with heartache and hope and love and laughs. Kate and Thorne heat the pages hotter than an adder snake venom-induced fever. (Which will make more sense once you've read it.)

In March I declared A Week to Be Wicked (also by Miz Dare) to be my favorite Regency Era Historical Romance of 2012... Well, now I believe I'll revise that statement and declare it a tie!

Favorite Quote:
"Katie." He groaned. "I burn for you."
Just a few husky words, but coming from a man so taciturn, she thought they must equal poetry.
I burn for you.
So hot, those words. So dangerous. Their effect was incendiary.

This book is third in the series but could very well stand alone. While not my favorite book in the series it was enjoyable and I recommend reading it if you've read the others. I also do plan on reading the next one. So far I've enjoyed this author and this series.

I would reccommend reading all of Tessa Dare's (Spindle Cove) series first, starting with "Three Nights with a Scoundrel" before reading this one. It will introduce the characters of this book and will give the reader a better understanding of who Kate and Col.Thorne are. Although, there is good character development and a good story line here too. I loved the tenancity of Kate! I just wish the story had continued on a little longer into their relationship! But Tessa Dare's style is to always keep you guessing about the future of her characters! I'd highly recommend this book and am anxiously waiting for her next one!

This one is my favorite in the series so far. I love heroes who aren't actually noble. I don't want to give too much away, but if you like historical romances, you should read this! Great characters, story, and ending.

There aren't enough words to describe how much I enjoyed this book. Not only did I love this book, but I simply adored it. Tessa Dare has created a world full of characters that not only do I care about but I'm not ready to let go of. The chemistry between not only the hero and heroine but that of their friends was spectacular. I found myself unable to stop reading once I started. I loved both Kate and Samuel so much that I just had to see how things were going to turn out between the two of them.

I just simply loved Kate, she was such a great heroine. I love that she always perseveres and sees the good in others. Kate has had a tough lot in life but she doesn't let keep her down. She just keeps on smiling and figuring out ways to make things better. Yes, she does want love and affection and she wants nothing more that to find out about her origins, but she doesn't let that keep her down.

As for Samuel Thorn, oh my goodness but I love him. His feeling for Kate are genuine and he is in a constant struggle to keep his feelings in check when he is around her. When they were children, Samuel tried to keep Kate sheltered and safe from harm. He took her and sent her off to a school knowing that they would care for her and guide her better than he ever could. He never expected to see her again but imagine his surprise, when he shows up in Spindle Cove and she is living and working as the music instructor.

Samuel has spent the last year in Spindle Cove trying to stay away from Kate even though every fiber of his being wants to claim her and make her his. He finds her beautiful and kind and way too good for the likes of him. When the Grammercy's show up in town claiming to be Kate's long lost relatives, Samuel smells something fishy with their story and just doesn't trust them. In an effort to protect Kate, he steps forward and introduces himself as Kate's fiance'.

What starts out as temporary faux engagement is quickly becoming so much more between the two. Kate is seeing Samuel in a completely different light and she is beginning to realize that she may be falling for the man. He may come across has hard and fierce, but she sees something else all together. She sees a man that will do anything to protect the ones he cares about and a man that is afraid to accept love because he thinks he isn't good enough when it's the farthest thing from the truth. While Samuel is trying his hardest to keep Kate safe and at arms length, he knows he is in a loosing battle. The more they are around each other the more Samuel is realizing that he doesn't want to let her go.

Oh the relationship between these two was so emotional. I honestly felt the love between the two and when they were together it was simply perfect. Not only did these two have great chemistry, but they had smoldering passion and were head over heels for each other. Samuel has got to be one of my favorite heroes that I've read about in a while. I just love his devotion to Kate. The way we are able to see him grow throughout the book is amazing. I loved watching him go from this surly man who hates everyone to someone so head over heels in love. He truly deserved to get his HEA.

This book is definitely going on my keeper shelf and has definitely made my list of top books of 2012. I just can't get over how much I loved it.

This is a typical romance novel. It is all about the sex, not the love. I really enjoy historical romance novels when they are done well. This one is just a little below average. Though it is supposedly a Regency romance, many of the words and actions used in this novel are not accurate to that period of time. Read it if you must, but it is ultimately one you'll forget about a couple of days after you're done with it.

I jumped right into this one after reading A Week to Be Wicked. That sneak peak just grabbed me. So, I was kind disappointed when it was all said and done. I liked the characters but I felt like the connection was just lacking. Maybe they needed more time together and more conversation. I think that's where I was hesitant to be on the HEA ship. Overall, it was a good story but just a little something missing

I loved all the characters, except the old lady with the cane, I thought it deserved a five star rating, because it kept you in suspense, page turning wondering what would happen next. Every romance reader will love reading it.

I have never written a review before but after slogging through 3/4 of this book I couldn't read it anymore. It seems that everything is just a way to make the story last a lot longer. The delays are tired and it seems like it is just filler to make a longer book. I simply didn't care about the outcome to even read another page. After the 4th obstacle came along (thin and stupid) I was just frustrated. Sorry but I've read thousands of books and this one I couldn't take.

I took a chance on this author as I had not read any books by her previously. Ah, well. Money not wisely spent. I tried and tried. Started this book several times, however, to me this was a badly written book that just could not hold my interest and I never finished it.