Moved to a chamber in the attic by her stepmother following her father's death, Katherine Daltry has been denied the tutoring and sensitive upbringing of a normal English female. Defying society, most of her time is spent caring for the estate, as well as the families and animals. Now considered a spinster, Kate has been given no opportunity to attend the coming-out balls usually held for marriageable girls. Mrs. Mariana Daltry has frivolously spent most of their money on gowns and hats for her and her daughter, Victoria, rather than maintaining the estate in good repair.

Kate's younger stepsister is in possession of all the amenities Kate herself has been denied. Forced to attend a ball in her sister's stead, Kate meets the dashing foreign prince, Gabriel, who is holding a ball for his betrothed, a Russian beauty with an enormous dowry, which he is in dire straits of needing to support his castle and care for his people. Both witty and determined individuals, their banter and clashes soon turn to love. Both realize the urgency in Gabriel marrying a woman with a large dowry in assuring his responsibilities are met. Both are heartbroken with a burning sexual need only to lose true love so soon after it has been discovered.

A KISS AT MIDNIGHT is not quite the usual Cinderella fairytale. We have the beautiful girl with a terrible stepmother but certainly not the awful stepsister. The tale is inundated with secrets packed with excitement. I truly fell in love with Kate and certainly sympathized with her position. The feisty Kate gave as good as she got from the prince, making them a perfect match! This is a book sure to keep your interest through the very last page!

Book Summary

Miss Kate Daltry doesn't believe in fairy tales . . . or happily ever after.

Forced by her stepmother to attend a ball, Kate meets a prince . . . and decides he's anything but charming. A clash of wits and wills ensues, but they both know their irresistible attraction will lead nowhere. For Gabriel is promised to another woman—a princess whose hand in marriage will fulfill his ruthless ambitions.

Gabriel likes his fiancée, which is a welcome turn of events, but he doesn't love her. Obviously, he should be wooing his bride-to-be, not the witty, impoverished beauty who refuses to fawn over him.

Godmothers and glass slippers notwithstanding, this is one fairy tale in which destiny conspires to destroy any chance that Kate and Gabriel might have a happily ever after.

Unless a prince throws away everything that makes him noble . . .

Unless a dowry of an unruly heart trumps a fortune . . .

Unless one kiss at the stroke of midnight changes everything.