At risk is his career (and purpose of being) and pride. He wants to prove himself and she wants to protect her town. Right there we have the perfect set-up for the clash of wills between Susanna and Bram. Despite her attraction to Bram, she sees his militia as a threat to the town’s reputation. Spindle Cove is Susanna Finch’s realm…or should I say demesne? She has cultivated the Cove’s reputation to appeal to young women who don’t necessarily fit in with society. Except there doesn’t appear to be any men in Spindle Cove… He is to put together a militia to put on a review for some higher ups. His one chance has taken the form of a militia. He’s mostly healed up (except he’s not) and he’s come to Spindle Cove to ask his father’s friend to put a good word in for him. He wants to return to his post but a shot to the knee has put that at risk. Victor Bramwell needs just one chance to prove himself. This is only the second book I’ve read from Tessa Dare and it’s a good reminder that I should go back and read her other books! I thoroughly enjoyed A Night to Surrender. The scene is set for an epic battle… but who can be named the winner when both have so much to lose? Susanna has no use for aggravating men Bram has sworn off interfering women. It’s a simple mission, made complicated by the spirited, exquisite Susanna Finch-a woman who is determined to save her personal utopia from the invasion of Bram’s makeshift army. But he has no choice, he has orders to gather a militia.

So far as he can tell, there’s nothing in this place but spinsters… and sheep. Victor Bramwell, the new Earl of Rycliff, knows he doesn’t belong here.

Spindle Cove is the destination of choice for certain types of well-bred young ladies: the painfully shy, young wives disenchanted with matrimony, and young girls too enchanted with the wrong men it is a haven for those who live there. Welcome to Spindle Cove, where the ladies with delicate constitutions come for the sea air, and men in their prime are… nowhere to be found. Ames’ review of A Night to Surrender by Tessa Dare.