C2’s review of A Lady by Midnight (Spindle Cove, Book 3) by Tessa Dare
Historical Romance published by Avon 28 Aug 12
Looking for a series that just keeps getting better and better? Filled with smart, funny heroines and strong but sweet heroes? Tessa Dare’s Spindle Cove books might be just the ticket!
Miss Kate Taylor, the local music teacher, spends her free time writing letters and visiting nearby villages trying to find out her family history. Kate was raised in an orphanage and her earliest childhood memories are vague, but she knows she was with her mother for a while, at least. But what happened to her mother? And who was her father? And how did she end up alone in an orphanage? Surely someone knows something about her past.
Corporal Samuel Thorne came to Spindle Cove to help establish a local militia. The last thing he expected to find is a young music teacher with a distinctive birthmark – a birthmark he recognizes from his youth in the slums of London. Thorne is determined to protect Kate from anything that might hurt her – including discovering her secret past…and his feelings for her. Which (mostly) works fine until some visitors arrive in Spindle Cove.
The Grammercys – brother Evan( Lord Drewe), sisters Lark and Harriet, and Aunt Marmoset (not her real name) – have come to town because they suspect Kate is part of their family. Apparently, a cousin fell inappropriately in love with a farmer’s daughter and set up housekeeping with her, ignoring the histrionics of the family. Then, suddenly, the cousin was dead, the farmer’s daughter had disappeared, and no one knew what had happened and didn’t really care. Until a portrait of her was found…a very pregnant her. So the Grammercys decided to investigate and the investigation led to Kate.
All Kate has ever wanted is to have a family and suddenly she does! But there are still mysteries to unravel – where did her mother go, after her father died? And what happened to her? How did Kate end up alone? And what about Thorne? Kate has finally seen glimpses of the man behind the uniform and very much likes what she sees – even if he is resistant. But if she really is a lady, how can she find love with a soldier?
Oh, faithful reader, I am very much enjoying the Spindle Cove books. Each one is better than the last! The world Ms. Dare has built has so much depth and seems so real – I’m sure if I happened to be in that part of England, I could totally find it. 🙂 In this book, I especially like Thorne, of course…so broody and hot! But the Grammerys are SO MUCH FUN! I hope Ms. Dare revisits them at some point (HINT).
Is it necessary to read the previous books? No – this one stands alone quite nicely. Although, of course, the first two are very good…why not read them? If you are looking for an engaging historical romance filled with interesting characters and fun without being silly, look no further.
Grade: A-
Summary:
A temporary engagement, a lifetime in the making…After years of fending for herself, Kate Taylor found friendship and acceptance in Spindle Cove–but she never stopped yearning for love. The very last place she’d look for it is in the arms of Corporal Thorne. The militia commander is as stone cold as he is brutally handsome. But when mysterious strangers come searching for Kate, Thorne steps forward as her fiance. He claims to have only Kate’s safety in mind. So why is there smoldering passion in his kiss?
Long ago, Samuel Thorne devoted his life to guarding Kate’s happiness. He wants what’s best for her, and he knows it’s not marriage to a man like him. To outlast their temporary engagement, he must keep his hands off her tempting body and lock her warm smiles out of his withered heart. It’s the toughest battle of this hardened warrior’s life…and the first he seems destined to lose.
Read an excerpt.
Other books in the series:
