Sign in with Facebook
Loading...
13th out of 221 books
—
533 voters
A Lady by Midnight (Spindle Cove #3)
by
Tessa Dare (Goodreads Author)
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...more
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...more
Mass Market Paperback, 374 pages
Published
August 28th 2012
by Avon
Friend Reviews
To see what your friends thought of this book,
please sign up.
Community Reviews
(showing
1-30
of
3,000)
4.5 STARS TO A FRUSTRATING AND HEARTWARMING HISTORICAL ROMANCE READ!
A Lady by Midnight is the 3rd book in the 'Spindle Cove' series. I have read the previous 2, and i absolutely LOVE, LOVE, LOVE them. They are amazing! Even though this book wasn't as good, it was pretty damn close!
I was a tiny bit hesitant to read this because i didn't really like the characters when i first met them in book 1, but now? I'm happy to say my opinion chang...more
Love is composed of a single soul, inhabiting two bodies.
A Lady by Midnight is the 3rd book in the 'Spindle Cove' series. I have read the previous 2, and i absolutely LOVE, LOVE, LOVE them. They are amazing! Even though this book wasn't as good, it was pretty damn close!
I was a tiny bit hesitant to read this because i didn't really like the characters when i first met them in book 1, but now? I'm happy to say my opinion chang...more
19 likes · like · see review
view all 24 comments
For the past year Corporal Samuel Thorne of the local militia has avoided Kate Taylor. Kate is glad for the cold, hard and intimidating Thorne to keep his distance. Until one day Thorne rescues her when she is stranded in a nearby town with no money and unable to return to Spindle Cove.
Having been orphaned and left at Margate School when she was four or five years old and raised as a ward of the school till she was twenty-one, Kate is used to being alone. But for the last two years she's found a...more
19 likes · like · see 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 he...more
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 he...more
10 likes · like · see review
Thorne yang kaku dan dingin itu, diam2 sangat suka menjilat...dan Kate Taylor si guru piano..ehem...sukaaaa sekali di jilat Corporal Thorne...saaat pesta pertunangan mereka...
Hmmm..jangan mikir yang enggak2 dulu2 ya, tapi ini cuma jilat2an jari yg ada cake nya kok, tapi sanggup Kate gak bisa fokus sama pembahasan meeting...sibuk galau,kangen sama....LIDAH Thorne
Gimana sih awal nya sampe mereka yg udah setahun diem2an ini jadi tunangan?
Awal nya sih karena Kate habis dari desa sebelah,mau nany...more
Hmmm..jangan mikir yang enggak2 dulu2 ya, tapi ini cuma jilat2an jari yg ada cake nya kok, tapi sanggup Kate gak bisa fokus sama pembahasan meeting...sibuk galau,kangen sama....LIDAH Thorne
Gimana sih awal nya sampe mereka yg udah setahun diem2an ini jadi tunangan?
Awal nya sih karena Kate habis dari desa sebelah,mau nany...more
4 likes · like · see review
Having just re-read this, I don't know what the hell I was thinking about quibbling over the slips into "Like I said," type modern slang speech. Yes, it's distracting but what a terrific story. Ms. Dare keeps the action taut, the emotion true and the conflict on the whole sincere without stupidities. And her clever solutions to the conundrums in the plot were delightful. She's a flat-out wonder. I cannot think of another author writing today that I have enjoyed more thoroughly than her for rolli...more
4 likes · like · see review
Buddy read with Sandra!
Kate realized she had a grave problem. She was infatuated. Or mildly insane. Possible both.
"That's a very intimidating scowl," she teased. "Do you practice that look in the mirror? I'll be you glare into the looking glass until it shatters."
She had been accustomed to thinking of Thorne as an enemy, but after that incident...
They were on the same side.
The two of them, against the melons of the world.
He looked up, pinning her gaze with his. "I know precisely what you need."...more
Kate realized she had a grave problem. She was infatuated. Or mildly insane. Possible both.
"That's a very intimidating scowl," she teased. "Do you practice that look in the mirror? I'll be you glare into the looking glass until it shatters."
She had been accustomed to thinking of Thorne as an enemy, but after that incident...
They were on the same side.
The two of them, against the melons of the world.
He looked up, pinning her gaze with his. "I know precisely what you need."...more
19 likes · like · see review
I really love the 'Spindle Cove' series from Tessa Dare and 'A Lady by Midnight' is now officially my favorite. There's just something special about this little village on the coast of England filled to the brim with eccentric spinsterish-type ladies and manly militia men that screams "stop here for a good time"! This installment is slightly less fluffy than the previous offerings IMO, but it's still a lighthearted historical romance that delivers - and the gruff Corporal Thorne and Miss Kate Ta...more
11 likes · like · see review
Read this review in its entirety at Fresh Fiction
Tessa Dare has the coveted ability to steal the hearts of readers. Her writing is fluid and strong. It's like stepping into a time machine, she so easily transports readers. She possesses a distinct voice that stands out amongst a sea of already accomplished authors, yet she brings that charm that makes an already polished read sparkle and shine.
Tessa Dare has the coveted ability to steal the hearts of readers. Her writing is fluid and strong. It's like stepping into a time machine, she so easily transports readers. She possesses a distinct voice that stands out amongst a sea of already accomplished authors, yet she brings that charm that makes an already polished read sparkle and shine.
9 likes · like · see review
Sep 30, 2012
Carol *Young at Heart Oldie*
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
5-star-books
Ever since I found out that this book was going to be Kate and Thorne’s story, I’ve been counting down the days to its release on 28 August. So imagine my surprise when a mysterious package, postmarked Spindle Cove, popped through my letter box on 26 August. I quickly tore off the brown paper wrapping and inside was an old battered journal. With baited breath I opened the journal and started reading.
Miss Bessie Busybody, Spindle Cove, Summer 1814
It all started a year ago when Corporal Thorne mar...more
Miss Bessie Busybody, Spindle Cove, Summer 1814
It all started a year ago when Corporal Thorne mar...more
3 likes · like · see review
Grade: A
Uptight, conflicted hero. Smart, smartass heroine. I was doomed to love this book.
That was just the opening line, for crying out loud. Let’s take a glimpse at the HEA, shall we?
Uptight, conflicted hero. Smart, smartass heroine. I was doomed to love this book.
Corporal Thorne could make a woman quiver, from all the way across the room.
That was just the opening line, for crying out loud. Let’s take a glimpse at the HEA, shall we?
“It’s all your fault.” His voice was rough with emotion. “You listened when I needed it. Laughed when I needed that. You wouldn’t go away, no matter how I scowled or raged. You loved me despite everything, and you made me look deep insid...more
5 Burning Stars oh wait it should be Glowing Stars or 5 Sizzling Hot Stars oooh I want to hug somebody
this book made me cry...sweet sobbing cry and I still can't get over it.
its all Thorne's fault, this man might not put it on words,but his actions are freaking best ever..love love love:) *squeal;)
"Katie" he groaned "I burn for you"
and those words coming from Corporal Taciturn hahahaha
ohh that's SIZZLING HOT Indeed ;)
this book made me cry...sweet sobbing cry and I still can't get over it.
its all Thorne's fault, this man might not put it on words,but his actions are freaking best ever..love love love:) *squeal;)
"Katie" he groaned "I burn for you"
and those words coming from Corporal Taciturn hahahaha
ohh that's SIZZLING HOT Indeed ;)
8 likes · like · see review
Review originally posted at Ramblings From This Chick
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...more
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...more
"A Lady by Midnight" is the third installment of Tessa Dare's warm and witty Spindle Cove series, technically the fourth if you include the delightful novella, "Once Upon a Chistmas Eve."
"A Lady by Midnight" stars charming, optimistic Kate Taylor, Spindle Cove's music tutor and the formidable Corporal Samuel Thorne of the Spindle Cove militia. The pair were first introduced in "A Night To Surrender," when Thorne spied Kate at the piano in the Blushing Pansy tea shop, and Dare hinted at a meaning...more
"A Lady by Midnight" stars charming, optimistic Kate Taylor, Spindle Cove's music tutor and the formidable Corporal Samuel Thorne of the Spindle Cove militia. The pair were first introduced in "A Night To Surrender," when Thorne spied Kate at the piano in the Blushing Pansy tea shop, and Dare hinted at a meaning...more
1 like · like · see review
Jul 26, 2012
Kelly22
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
Fans of star-cossed lovers/Fans of the series/Fans of cynic vs sweet
Shelves:
2012-releases,
2012-historicals,
advanced-review-copies-arc,
alpha-hero,
brooding-dangerous-hero,
childhood-ties,
cop-lawbody-army-bodygrd-hero,
commoner-hero,
enemy-to-lover,
family-moments,
favorite-hero,
favorite-heroine,
heartbreaking-powerful-romance,
hero-accomplished-lover,
hero-bashful-starchy-silent,
hero-smitten-in-love-in-pursuit,
hh-criminal-con,
hh-illegitimate,
hidden-or-mistaken-identity,
historical-romance,
opposites-attract,
powerful-secondaries,
prim-proper-prudish-heroine,
small-town-setup,
tortured-hero,
virgin-herione,
wallflower-spinster-plain-heroine,
powerful-endings-epilogues,
favorite-series,
hh-aristocrat-peer-royal-nobel
4.00 Stars - Regency/Historical Romance.
Corporal Samuel Thorne has always been on a road to keep a distance from Kate Taylor who in turn is happy with the arrangement since he is a tad bit stiff, uncompromising and reticent for her taste. For some time now, after growing up in a stout orphanage, Kate has found a place and some good friends at Spindle Cove as a music teacher. What happened to her parents and her background was always a mystery to her. Moreover she has a redundant unique birthmar...more
Corporal Samuel Thorne has always been on a road to keep a distance from Kate Taylor who in turn is happy with the arrangement since he is a tad bit stiff, uncompromising and reticent for her taste. For some time now, after growing up in a stout orphanage, Kate has found a place and some good friends at Spindle Cove as a music teacher. What happened to her parents and her background was always a mystery to her. Moreover she has a redundant unique birthmar...more
8 likes · like · see review
Aug 01, 2012
Paula (Romantic Book Affairs Blogspot)
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Shelves:
historical-romance,
ng-edel-arc
I always have the goofiest smiles on my face while reading one of Dare’s books. I adore her writing. She repeatedly writes beautiful and funny love stories that have seduced me with her alpha heroes and delightful heroines. While A Week to be Wicked is my favorite in the series, A Lady by Midnight is another wonderful installment to the Spindle Cove series.
Kate Taylor was orphaned as a child and has lived a lonely life until she found a home in Spindle Cove where she teaches piano lessons and h...more
I had heard that the Spindle Cove books were very entertaining so I thought I had a sure thing in my hands. It was a nice story but not exactly what I was hoping for. Our heroine was very much her own person which was good but I like my hist/rom men to be a bit 'badder' ;)
I have like all of Tessa Dare's Spindle Cove books so far, and I enjoyed this one, too, but not as well as the previous two. Kate is an endearing heroine; despite a childhood of deprivation in an orphanage, and despite her fears that she will never find love or family because of her lack of social standing and especially because of the prominent wine-colored birthmark on her face which she believes makes her unattractive, she is generally plucky, self-sufficient, and of a sunny disposition. Thor...more
Kate is a heroine who's been orphaned at a young age and does not know where she came from. She's got a birthmark on her face and has always felt less than beautiful. Her life will be transformed one day, at midnight no less. Kind of like Cinderella. I liked Kate, her inner monologue would make me laugh.
Thorne is all you need in a hero. He's a gentleman to Kate, always at her rescue, but he's got a dark, tortured past. He thinks he's not good enough for her. Beta hero alert. Both he and Kate sh...more
Thorne is all you need in a hero. He's a gentleman to Kate, always at her rescue, but he's got a dark, tortured past. He thinks he's not good enough for her. Beta hero alert. Both he and Kate sh...more
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...more
I've looked forward to this book for a while. From the first Spindle Cove book, you know something is coming between Kate and Corporal Thorne, but you just don't know what. I was hooked on this book from the very first page and had trouble putting it down. Sadly, I had to stop for things like dinner but I still finished it in one day. Kate can't remember life before the boarding school where she was dropped off at the age of five. She really wants to know about her family and has some idea that...more
Tessa Dare's Spindle Cove series is currently one of my favorites, and this entry did not disappoint.
Our hero is the strong, silent type, not unusual in romance novels, but something about this hero struck me as particularly realistic. I know men who have a hard time expressing themselves, give monosyllabic answers, and don't like to read. This hero has a particularly traumatic background, congruent with his inability to express himself well. He seemed less like a romantic stereotype and more li...more
Our hero is the strong, silent type, not unusual in romance novels, but something about this hero struck me as particularly realistic. I know men who have a hard time expressing themselves, give monosyllabic answers, and don't like to read. This hero has a particularly traumatic background, congruent with his inability to express himself well. He seemed less like a romantic stereotype and more li...more
4 stars
This one started out a little slower than others by Dare. I felt as though I was reading about 2 people who were separate but not together. It didn't have the sparkle and wit of other Dare titles.
Thankfully, it picked up fairly quickly and I could finally recognize Tessa Dare's voice. Charming, witty, beautiful prose. Engaging characters. I would have liked to have seen a little more of the Spindle Cove community we've come to know and love.
The connection between Kate and Thorne is deep...more
This one started out a little slower than others by Dare. I felt as though I was reading about 2 people who were separate but not together. It didn't have the sparkle and wit of other Dare titles.
Thankfully, it picked up fairly quickly and I could finally recognize Tessa Dare's voice. Charming, witty, beautiful prose. Engaging characters. I would have liked to have seen a little more of the Spindle Cove community we've come to know and love.
The connection between Kate and Thorne is deep...more
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. Sh...more
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. Sh...more
1 like · like · see review
A Reluctant Corporal
This is the third installment of the Spindle Cove series, and it features by far the most reluctant, stubborn, and haunted hero I have ever read about. His name is Corporal Thorne he is manly, he is handsome, and for Kate he is the most intimidating man she has ever known. Until the faithful day in town where she realizes why so many women quiver just because of his presence. Although our hero is dark and haunted by his past our heroine discovers quite the opposite that bene...more
This is the third installment of the Spindle Cove series, and it features by far the most reluctant, stubborn, and haunted hero I have ever read about. His name is Corporal Thorne he is manly, he is handsome, and for Kate he is the most intimidating man she has ever known. Until the faithful day in town where she realizes why so many women quiver just because of his presence. Although our hero is dark and haunted by his past our heroine discovers quite the opposite that bene...more
An absolutely fabulous romance. I ADORE both the hero and heroine. Goes straight to the top of my favorite of 2012 list.
The heroine Kate has a birthmark on her face, and she was abandoned as a young child, ending up in an orphange type school. While her childhood was not horrid, she has always been lonely, having no true family. She lives in Spindle Cove and teaches music.
For the past year, Thorne has been stationed with the militia in Spindle Cove. He crushes on Kate..from a distance. To her,...more
The heroine Kate has a birthmark on her face, and she was abandoned as a young child, ending up in an orphange type school. While her childhood was not horrid, she has always been lonely, having no true family. She lives in Spindle Cove and teaches music.
For the past year, Thorne has been stationed with the militia in Spindle Cove. He crushes on Kate..from a distance. To her,...more
12 likes · like · see review
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
Jan 27, 2013
edzkie♥§*.*§♥
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Shelves:
historical-romance,
books-i-love-so-so-much
Have you ever known true hunger, Thorne? Not just a missed meal or two, but prolonged deprivation. No proper food for days on end...I don’t know what it is between us, but I know I’ve hungered for it all my life. Maybe other women could walk away, but not me. Never me.”
Maybe not as entertaining and hilariously funny as the first two installment, but this book has its charm. More on my hopeless romantic side..lol
No situation was ever hopeless...For that, she would have to keep searching. And s...more
Maybe not as entertaining and hilariously funny as the first two installment, but this book has its charm. More on my hopeless romantic side..lol
No situation was ever hopeless...For that, she would have to keep searching. And s...more
5 likes · like · see review
I think this was actually 3.5, or 4 stars, but I had very high expectations, so that kind of screwed up my rating. Book 2 in this series, A Week to Be Wicked, was so awesome that I was really excited to read this one. When it came out I almost bought it, but I'm glad I decided to be cheap and wait to borrow it at the library.
I loved Corporal Thorne's character, so gruff and stern. When characters like him do sweet things, it really makes me melt. When he finally smiles and laughs, i thought it w...more
I loved Corporal Thorne's character, so gruff and stern. When characters like him do sweet things, it really makes me melt. When he finally smiles and laughs, i thought it w...more
All Kate has wanted her entire life is to feel loved and to have somewhere where she belonged. She was abandoned at around age five in an orphanage and while she wasn't abused she certainly wasn't made to feel cherished. At age 23 she is teaching music at Spindle Cove and has good friends. Corporal Thorne has been avoiding her for over a year and only comes into contact with her when he must. Then a party of strangers comes to Spindle Cove and claims that Kate is a long lost cousin. Thorne doesn...more
| topics | posts | views | last activity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Q&A with Tess...: * A Lady by Midnight discussion thread - possible spoilers! | 79 | 69 | Sep 18, 2012 01:34am | |
| Q&A with Tess...: Counting down to Midnight! Let's chat! | 596 | 72 | Aug 28, 2012 01:58pm | |
| Q&A with Tess...: Let's party tomorrow! Release Day Eve chat and such | 21 | 23 | Aug 27, 2012 07:57pm |
Note: Tessa has a Goodreads group! All readers welcome.
Tessa Dare is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of nine historical romance novels and three novellas.
A librarian by training and a booklover at heart, Tessa makes her home in Southern California, where she shares a cozy, cluttered bungalow with her husband, their two children, and a big brown dog.
More about Tessa Dare...
Tessa Dare is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of nine historical romance novels and three novellas.
A librarian by training and a booklover at heart, Tessa makes her home in Southern California, where she shares a cozy, cluttered bungalow with her husband, their two children, and a big brown dog.
Share This Book
No trivia or quizzes yet. Add some now »
“Kate realized she had a grave problem. She was infatuated. Or mildly insane. Possibly both.”
—
17 people liked it
“I never thought Greek philosophy could make a damn bit of sense to me. And most of it didn't, but those words just seemed right. '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.”
—
13 people liked it
More quotes…
