"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."
And now, it's as if...every time we kiss, you give a little piece of it back."
--Tessa Dare, A Lady by Midnight
Genre: Adult Historical Fiction
Genre: Adult Historical Fiction
Publisher: Avon
Pages: 374
Publication Date: August 28th, 2012
Source: Borrowed from Library
Previous Books in Series of Companion Novels: A Week to Be Wicked
Goodreads Description
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 fiancé. 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.
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 fiancé. 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.
The Story
In this book of this series, we get Kate and Thorne's story. Kate is a music teacher in Spindle Cove and Thorne is a Corporal in the militia. These two seem to draw the worst in each other and bump heads whenever the opportunity presents itself. They seem drawn to each other in the worst ways and Kate can't get a read on Thorne and he does his best of avoid her. The 'hate' to love trope is one of my favorites! The tension between the two is high and when we get glimpses of Thorne's sensitive and protective side, watch out. You don't want to mess with him. The plot begins when strangers come to town claiming Kate might be their long-lost cousin and a Lady in society all along. Thorne doesn't trust them and pretends to her her fiancee to be able to protect her interests. *sigh* From there they have an intense tete-a-tete and it is delicious.
The Heroine
Kate is a fantastic character. Orphaned young she never felt love and has yearned for it her whole life. She remembers one phrase said to her as a child, 'be strong, my Katie' and has held on to that one spot of light in her life forever. She knows she was loved at one time but cannot remember it. She seeks it and knows it will come to her. Her reaction to her potential family is endearing and my heart just goes out to her. She wants a place to belong and how she finds it is the best part. THE BEST PART, YOU GUYS! No spoilers, just read it. It really is fantastic!
The Hero
I won't lie to you, Thorne made me swoon so hard with his juxtaposition of outward appearance vs inner thoughts. He scowled at anyone who crosses his path, he is brusk, appears to have no feelings, and isn't all the pleasant to be around. Inside, he is vulnerable (but will never admit it) and has feelings (and will always deny this). He believes he isn't good enough for Kate and is still struggling with his past and indecent beginnings. His journey...wow. One of my favorites EVER! I mean, I so got a Beauty and the Beast vibe and the lengths he goes to for Kate surprised me so much! I never saw it going the way it did and I am SO happy it did. I sat reading looking like a stupid fool because I couldn't stop smiling. Shit is serious between me and Thorne and don't be shocked to see him on some future book boyfriends lists...*swoon*
The Love
Like I touched on above with the story, the hate to love dynamic is amazing. The push and pull, does he or doesn't he love me, and fighting for the ones you love are all common themes. The tension is tight and I loved every second of these two fighting like cats and dogs...and then making up. There are some really beautiful moments between them when they have to step in and intervene for the other. I loved the arc of their story and will definitely be read again by me.
In this book of this series, we get Kate and Thorne's story. Kate is a music teacher in Spindle Cove and Thorne is a Corporal in the militia. These two seem to draw the worst in each other and bump heads whenever the opportunity presents itself. They seem drawn to each other in the worst ways and Kate can't get a read on Thorne and he does his best of avoid her. The 'hate' to love trope is one of my favorites! The tension between the two is high and when we get glimpses of Thorne's sensitive and protective side, watch out. You don't want to mess with him. The plot begins when strangers come to town claiming Kate might be their long-lost cousin and a Lady in society all along. Thorne doesn't trust them and pretends to her her fiancee to be able to protect her interests. *sigh* From there they have an intense tete-a-tete and it is delicious.
The Heroine
Kate is a fantastic character. Orphaned young she never felt love and has yearned for it her whole life. She remembers one phrase said to her as a child, 'be strong, my Katie' and has held on to that one spot of light in her life forever. She knows she was loved at one time but cannot remember it. She seeks it and knows it will come to her. Her reaction to her potential family is endearing and my heart just goes out to her. She wants a place to belong and how she finds it is the best part. THE BEST PART, YOU GUYS! No spoilers, just read it. It really is fantastic!
The Hero
I won't lie to you, Thorne made me swoon so hard with his juxtaposition of outward appearance vs inner thoughts. He scowled at anyone who crosses his path, he is brusk, appears to have no feelings, and isn't all the pleasant to be around. Inside, he is vulnerable (but will never admit it) and has feelings (and will always deny this). He believes he isn't good enough for Kate and is still struggling with his past and indecent beginnings. His journey...wow. One of my favorites EVER! I mean, I so got a Beauty and the Beast vibe and the lengths he goes to for Kate surprised me so much! I never saw it going the way it did and I am SO happy it did. I sat reading looking like a stupid fool because I couldn't stop smiling. Shit is serious between me and Thorne and don't be shocked to see him on some future book boyfriends lists...*swoon*
The Love
Like I touched on above with the story, the hate to love dynamic is amazing. The push and pull, does he or doesn't he love me, and fighting for the ones you love are all common themes. The tension is tight and I loved every second of these two fighting like cats and dogs...and then making up. There are some really beautiful moments between them when they have to step in and intervene for the other. I loved the arc of their story and will definitely be read again by me.
Backstage Pass
If you love beast-type men, hate to love stories, and all the swoon...this book's for you.
If you love beast-type men, hate to love stories, and all the swoon...this book's for you.
I've never read any of Tessa Dare's books! I'm adding this one to my TBR. I really want to get into the historical romance genre :)
ReplyDeleteOooh, if you like historical romance, then Tessa Dare is a MUST! Read them all ♥
DeleteAh! I need to read more of the Spindle Cove series, as I've only read two novels + one novella. This one sounds like a delight, and I LOVE banter/bicker/bang relationships ;)
ReplyDelete