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blodeuedd's review against another edition
3.0
Now this was a very hot fairy tale re-telling, but then it is not a fairy tale, it is a Fiery tale.
Sabine has lost almost everything because of aristocrats. Her plan to save her family is damn right stupid, but it does show that she is willing to do anything. She is afraid, but still brave. She is loyal and not afraid of hard work.So even with her foolish plan I like her.
Our hero is Jules de Moutier, a former aristo who wants his title and land back, and now he is a privateer. He may not show it at first but he is still a noble who looks down at the peasants and think they are lazy if they starve. I did like this side of him, the arrogant stupid noble, not because it was a good side, but because it was the true side. of course he would look down at peasants and think that his kind was the best.
And the story is about how Sabine wants to steal from him since it was his family's fault they now can't pay taxes. But as always things do not work out, she has fancied him for ages and passion brews when they meet. This is an erotic historical romance after all. And they waste no time getting to know each other. Passion explodes of the pages so if you are looking for that then you have come to the right place.
There is also the mystery of a missing sister, who ruined de Mouiter family name, and if these two can have a happy ending. And we all know they will get one and I must say I was very happy with the end they got. I shall not say why, but it was very fitting.
It was a hot fiery tale where Cinderella got her prince, there were even glass slippers for those who wondered.
Sabine has lost almost everything because of aristocrats. Her plan to save her family is damn right stupid, but it does show that she is willing to do anything. She is afraid, but still brave. She is loyal and not afraid of hard work.So even with her foolish plan I like her.
Our hero is Jules de Moutier, a former aristo who wants his title and land back, and now he is a privateer. He may not show it at first but he is still a noble who looks down at the peasants and think they are lazy if they starve. I did like this side of him, the arrogant stupid noble, not because it was a good side, but because it was the true side. of course he would look down at peasants and think that his kind was the best.
And the story is about how Sabine wants to steal from him since it was his family's fault they now can't pay taxes. But as always things do not work out, she has fancied him for ages and passion brews when they meet. This is an erotic historical romance after all. And they waste no time getting to know each other. Passion explodes of the pages so if you are looking for that then you have come to the right place.
There is also the mystery of a missing sister, who ruined de Mouiter family name, and if these two can have a happy ending. And we all know they will get one and I must say I was very happy with the end they got. I shall not say why, but it was very fitting.
It was a hot fiery tale where Cinderella got her prince, there were even glass slippers for those who wondered.
hinalovestoread's review against another edition
3.0
It was an enjoyable read with many aww moments.
gigglesbanana's review against another edition
I DNF'd this about halfway through - when the villain is revealed out of nowhere. Nothing resembling Cinderella except a short scene in the first chapter involving shoes with glass beads. The sexy times were frequent, graphic, and yet not interesting. I had issues with consent and power. Very disappointing.
laurenjodi's review against another edition
2.0
A Midnight Dance
2 Stars
Drowning in debt after the death of her father and disappearance of her twin sister, Sabine Laurent is determined to recoup the family fortunes with the only means at her disposal - theft. Upon learning that Jules de Moutier, the man she once worshipped from a far, is transporting several chests of silver, Sabine plans a daring heist. But when things go awry, Sabine will have to decide whether her desire for vengeance is greater than the passion she feels in Jules’s arms.
Any resemblance between this story and the Cinderella tale is superficial at best. Moreover, neither the hero nor the heroine are particularly appealing, and the serial killer plot is woefully underdeveloped.
Jules is an elitist, pompous ass and Sabine is a deceitful manipulator. Their romance is lacking in chemistry despite the erotic sex scenes, and their emotional intimacy is not realistic or believable.
The conspiracy plot has potential, but does a complete U-turn halfway through the book and suddenly morphs into a story about an obsessed sociopath/serial killer targeting anyone who gets in his way. This has absolutely no foundation and although it does increase the tension and suspense, the climax and resolution are anti-climactic and unsatisfying.
The writing is also problematic as there are numerous scenes involving long and detailed conversations that contribute little to the characterization or storyline.
All in all, a disappointing book and there are much better Cinderella retellings available such as A Midnight Kiss by Eloisa James or The Prince Who Loves Me by Karen Hawkins.
2 Stars
Drowning in debt after the death of her father and disappearance of her twin sister, Sabine Laurent is determined to recoup the family fortunes with the only means at her disposal - theft. Upon learning that Jules de Moutier, the man she once worshipped from a far, is transporting several chests of silver, Sabine plans a daring heist. But when things go awry, Sabine will have to decide whether her desire for vengeance is greater than the passion she feels in Jules’s arms.
Any resemblance between this story and the Cinderella tale is superficial at best. Moreover, neither the hero nor the heroine are particularly appealing, and the serial killer plot is woefully underdeveloped.
Jules is an elitist, pompous ass and Sabine is a deceitful manipulator. Their romance is lacking in chemistry despite the erotic sex scenes, and their emotional intimacy is not realistic or believable.
The conspiracy plot has potential, but does a complete U-turn halfway through the book and suddenly morphs into a story about an obsessed sociopath/serial killer targeting anyone who gets in his way. This has absolutely no foundation and although it does increase the tension and suspense, the climax and resolution are anti-climactic and unsatisfying.
The writing is also problematic as there are numerous scenes involving long and detailed conversations that contribute little to the characterization or storyline.
All in all, a disappointing book and there are much better Cinderella retellings available such as A Midnight Kiss by Eloisa James or The Prince Who Loves Me by Karen Hawkins.
dukefn99's review against another edition
4.0
Read my review at http://www.romancing-the-book.com/2011/10/review-and-contest-midnight-dance-by.html
jenniferlovesromance's review against another edition
5.0
Currently only 99 cents! http://amzn.to/1LxHHti
As a lover of fairytales and a true romantic at heart, I was very excited to discover this book, a re-telling of Cinderella. But not just ANY retelling. An EROTIC retelling. ;-) Because as much as I love a romantic story, I love an erotic one even more. *big grin*
On both counts, “A Midnight Dance” did not disappoint.
The story had some elements of Cinderella, but didn’t follow the traditional story exactly, but that’s ok. It was a wonderful story, and kept me interested and entertained, and gave me a beautiful happily ever after ending. *sigh*
The sex was pretty awesome! Wonderfully descriptive, and the first scene happens right out of the starting gate. While sometimes this could ruin a story for me, as I generally prefer to get to know the characters a bit more and feel that sexual tension build, in this case it was an integral part of the storyline and wasn’t gratuitous. It also didn’t kill the tension either, at least in my humble opinion.
While this definitely isn't bdsm, there was a bondage scene that was pretty damn hot and a bit of dirty talking going on. (LOVE me a dirty talkin' man!)
*Important*- Do NOT overlook reading the very, very end!! But don't read it first, either, or you'll spoil the story, lol. ;-)
5 stars for this wonderful story, and I can’t wait to read more of Lila’s work!
As a lover of fairytales and a true romantic at heart, I was very excited to discover this book, a re-telling of Cinderella. But not just ANY retelling. An EROTIC retelling. ;-) Because as much as I love a romantic story, I love an erotic one even more. *big grin*
On both counts, “A Midnight Dance” did not disappoint.
The story had some elements of Cinderella, but didn’t follow the traditional story exactly, but that’s ok. It was a wonderful story, and kept me interested and entertained, and gave me a beautiful happily ever after ending. *sigh*
The sex was pretty awesome! Wonderfully descriptive, and the first scene happens right out of the starting gate. While sometimes this could ruin a story for me, as I generally prefer to get to know the characters a bit more and feel that sexual tension build, in this case it was an integral part of the storyline and wasn’t gratuitous. It also didn’t kill the tension either, at least in my humble opinion.
While this definitely isn't bdsm, there was a bondage scene that was pretty damn hot and a bit of dirty talking going on. (LOVE me a dirty talkin' man!)
*Important*- Do NOT overlook reading the very, very end!! But don't read it first, either, or you'll spoil the story, lol. ;-)
5 stars for this wonderful story, and I can’t wait to read more of Lila’s work!
melodicfate's review against another edition
4.0
I'm a sucker for Cinderella retellings, so I've had my eye on this book for a while. However, I'm also not a fan of characters in disguise because of all the lies and angst it entails, so I've waited quite a long time to check this out. Finally, in search of something different, and because I wanted to read a historical romance as it's been a while, I picked this up. France in the 1600s sounded great.
I really liked both Sabine and Jules. Well, Jules was a bit of a snob at times, but I could kind of see why. And he did change. Still, he was also kind and caring, and I felt bad for him when things were revealed. I loved Sabine, with all her strength, loyalty, and determination. Together, the two were pretty explosive. The steamy scenes started pretty much right from the get-go. Still, watching them evolve from just physical attraction(on Jules' part, since Sabine had always loved him), to love, was great.
The plot revolves around Sabine trying to steal some silver Jules had captured. His father had been framed as being part of an uprising and so their family lost all their wealth and their title. Jules wanted to restore it just as much as Sabine wanted her family's finances fixed, since they'd been plunged into debt during said uprising. I was nervous waiting to see Sabine act her plan out, as she'd come disguised. I really didn't want her to steal from Jules, but knew she had to. When he found out who she really was, he became enraged, of course, and followed her home to get his silver back. From there, we followed them through revelations about family, treachery, and ambushes. I have to say, I was pretty blindsided by the main villain. I never would've guessed. And boy, was that guy ever evil and twisted.
Overall, I really enjoyed this. I mean, the angst was pretty heavy all throughout, and I was relieved when things got cleared up where Sabine's identity was concerned, but still. The setting was great, I loved the chemistry between Jules and Sabine, and the mystery of who had framed Jules' father had me guessing. This was a very unique historical, and if you're not opposed to quite a few steamy scenes, I definitely recommend checking it out.
I really liked both Sabine and Jules. Well, Jules was a bit of a snob at times, but I could kind of see why. And he did change. Still, he was also kind and caring, and I felt bad for him when things were revealed. I loved Sabine, with all her strength, loyalty, and determination. Together, the two were pretty explosive. The steamy scenes started pretty much right from the get-go. Still, watching them evolve from just physical attraction(on Jules' part, since Sabine had always loved him), to love, was great.
The plot revolves around Sabine trying to steal some silver Jules had captured. His father had been framed as being part of an uprising and so their family lost all their wealth and their title. Jules wanted to restore it just as much as Sabine wanted her family's finances fixed, since they'd been plunged into debt during said uprising. I was nervous waiting to see Sabine act her plan out, as she'd come disguised. I really didn't want her to steal from Jules, but knew she had to. When he found out who she really was, he became enraged, of course, and followed her home to get his silver back. From there, we followed them through revelations about family, treachery, and ambushes. I have to say, I was pretty blindsided by the main villain. I never would've guessed. And boy, was that guy ever evil and twisted.
Overall, I really enjoyed this. I mean, the angst was pretty heavy all throughout, and I was relieved when things got cleared up where Sabine's identity was concerned, but still. The setting was great, I loved the chemistry between Jules and Sabine, and the mystery of who had framed Jules' father had me guessing. This was a very unique historical, and if you're not opposed to quite a few steamy scenes, I definitely recommend checking it out.
destinugrainy's review
3.0
Kayaknya baru kali ini baca hisrom yang settingannya di Perancis abad ke-17.
Sabine Laurent dan saudari kembarnya Isabelle adalah putri dari pemilik teater. Mereka terbiasa melihat para bangsawan yang datang menonton. Sabine bahkan jatuh cinta pada salah satu bangsawan itu, yang diberi nama Pangeran Berambut Gelap. Kenyataannya Jules de Moutier, putra pertama Marquis de Blainville, tidak berambut gelap. Suatu kali, Sabine terjatuh dan sepatu dengan ornamen kaca miliknya terlepas. Jules membantu memasang sepatunya kembali dan mengomentari rambut indah Sabine. Kejadian itu terus melekat dalam ingatan Sabine.
Beberapa tahun kemudian, kondisi ekonomi di Paris tidak kondusif. Terjadi mosi tidak percaya kepada bangsawan yang dianggap mengkhianati raja. Keluarga Jules adalah salah satu korbannya. Ayahnya dihukum mati sebagai pengkhianat, Jules dan Luc (adiknya) dipenjara. Status kebangsawanan mereka dicabut. Sementara itu, keluarga Laurent juga mengalami kebangkrutan. Teater mereka terpaksa ditutup, dan mereka memiliki hutang yang sangat banyak pada tuan tanah dan kerajaan. Isabelle bahkan menjadi pelayan di rumah keluarga Moutier, dan tewas dalam kebakaran yang mungkin disengaja.
Sabine bertekad mencari jalan keluar dari kondisi ekonomi yang menghimpit mereka. Dia juga ingin mencari Isabelle yang diyakininya belum meninggal. Suatu kali dia mendengar tentang sekelompok perampok yang membawa jarahan perak Spanyol. Sabine dan dua sepupunya mengatur rencana untuk merampok mereka dengan anggur yang berisi obat bius. Sabine akan menyamar menjadi Elize, dan akan menawarkan diri kepada pimpinan perampok itu, lalu membuat mereka meminum anggur yang berisi obat bius. Sayangnya rencana Sabine tidak berjalan lancar, terlebih saat melihat bahwa Jules adalah pimpinan perampok itu.
Jules yang hidup menjadi perampok di laut memang baru saja menjarah kapal Spanyol dan membawa berpeti-peti perak. Jules berencana akan menebus kembali tanah dan status kebangsawanan mereka. Tapi Jules tidak bisa menolak pesona Elise. Dia tak mampu melewatkan gadis manis yang menawarkan tubuhnya. Tapi Jules berhati-hati tidak meminum anggur tawaran Elise. Rencana Sabine nyaris terbongkar saat Jules mendapati Sabine masih perawan.
Alur cerita novel hisrom ini cukup padat dan cepat, kecuali pada bagian Jules dan Sabine saling mengeksplorasi tubuh mereka. Adegan romantis dan panas antara Jules dan Sabine diceritakan cukup detail, ada yang sampai 2-3 bab sendiri. Mungkin karena itu novel hisrom ini ada yang mengelompokkannya dalam erotica. Tapi di luar itu, ceritanya bagus kok.
Saya suka bagaimana Sabine membela kehormatan keluarganya, juga Jules yang bisa menempatkan banyak hal pada porsinya. Dia tidak semata-mata hanya mementingkan harta keluarganya, tetapi juga berusaha mencari kebenaran tentang apa yang terjadi di masa lalu. Jules juga membantu Sabine mencari Isabelle.
Novel ini merupakan retelling dari dongeng Cinderella. Meski begitu, ceritanya tidak sama persis kecuali bagian sepatu kaca saja. Unsur suspense di dalamnya yang dominan di bagia menjelang akhir cerita menajdi nilai tambah bagi novel ini.
Sabine Laurent dan saudari kembarnya Isabelle adalah putri dari pemilik teater. Mereka terbiasa melihat para bangsawan yang datang menonton. Sabine bahkan jatuh cinta pada salah satu bangsawan itu, yang diberi nama Pangeran Berambut Gelap. Kenyataannya Jules de Moutier, putra pertama Marquis de Blainville, tidak berambut gelap. Suatu kali, Sabine terjatuh dan sepatu dengan ornamen kaca miliknya terlepas. Jules membantu memasang sepatunya kembali dan mengomentari rambut indah Sabine. Kejadian itu terus melekat dalam ingatan Sabine.
Beberapa tahun kemudian, kondisi ekonomi di Paris tidak kondusif. Terjadi mosi tidak percaya kepada bangsawan yang dianggap mengkhianati raja. Keluarga Jules adalah salah satu korbannya. Ayahnya dihukum mati sebagai pengkhianat, Jules dan Luc (adiknya) dipenjara. Status kebangsawanan mereka dicabut. Sementara itu, keluarga Laurent juga mengalami kebangkrutan. Teater mereka terpaksa ditutup, dan mereka memiliki hutang yang sangat banyak pada tuan tanah dan kerajaan. Isabelle bahkan menjadi pelayan di rumah keluarga Moutier, dan tewas dalam kebakaran yang mungkin disengaja.
Sabine bertekad mencari jalan keluar dari kondisi ekonomi yang menghimpit mereka. Dia juga ingin mencari Isabelle yang diyakininya belum meninggal. Suatu kali dia mendengar tentang sekelompok perampok yang membawa jarahan perak Spanyol. Sabine dan dua sepupunya mengatur rencana untuk merampok mereka dengan anggur yang berisi obat bius. Sabine akan menyamar menjadi Elize, dan akan menawarkan diri kepada pimpinan perampok itu, lalu membuat mereka meminum anggur yang berisi obat bius. Sayangnya rencana Sabine tidak berjalan lancar, terlebih saat melihat bahwa Jules adalah pimpinan perampok itu.
Jules yang hidup menjadi perampok di laut memang baru saja menjarah kapal Spanyol dan membawa berpeti-peti perak. Jules berencana akan menebus kembali tanah dan status kebangsawanan mereka. Tapi Jules tidak bisa menolak pesona Elise. Dia tak mampu melewatkan gadis manis yang menawarkan tubuhnya. Tapi Jules berhati-hati tidak meminum anggur tawaran Elise. Rencana Sabine nyaris terbongkar saat Jules mendapati Sabine masih perawan.
Alur cerita novel hisrom ini cukup padat dan cepat, kecuali pada bagian Jules dan Sabine saling mengeksplorasi tubuh mereka. Adegan romantis dan panas antara Jules dan Sabine diceritakan cukup detail, ada yang sampai 2-3 bab sendiri. Mungkin karena itu novel hisrom ini ada yang mengelompokkannya dalam erotica. Tapi di luar itu, ceritanya bagus kok.
Saya suka bagaimana Sabine membela kehormatan keluarganya, juga Jules yang bisa menempatkan banyak hal pada porsinya. Dia tidak semata-mata hanya mementingkan harta keluarganya, tetapi juga berusaha mencari kebenaran tentang apa yang terjadi di masa lalu. Jules juga membantu Sabine mencari Isabelle.
Novel ini merupakan retelling dari dongeng Cinderella. Meski begitu, ceritanya tidak sama persis kecuali bagian sepatu kaca saja. Unsur suspense di dalamnya yang dominan di bagia menjelang akhir cerita menajdi nilai tambah bagi novel ini.
gems_31's review against another edition
4.0
Ok, right off the bat I have to get something off of my chest that really annoyed me about this book, hence the drop to 4 stars.
The back states that the author took insperation from the story Cinderella... Apart from a few references Glass Slippers, stepmother and two stepsisters (who are not all that wicked nor horrid) a ball, and an unpredictable 'fairy godmother' who helps our heroine it was nothing like Cinderlla and it really annoyed me.
I have read Eloisa James [b:A Kiss at Midnight|6957682|A Kiss at Midnight (Happily Ever Afters, #1)|Eloisa James|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1294044185s/6957682.jpg|7193900], which also was inspired by Cinderella and had all the recognisable traites of the cinderella story in them, but James managed to give it an excellent twist which made it fresh but also very recognisable compared to the source material.
DiPasque did not and I kept waiting for the magic and those little recognisable traites from the orginal source material to pop in. When they didn't, it frustrated me.
So in the end I had to divorce myself from the fact that the author states that it is inspired by Cinderella and look at it as a Regency/Historic romance with some erotic elements in it and only then did I manage to see it for what its worth.
A very good story about a young woman who makes the decision to put her good name aside for the sake of her family. This results in her falling into the arms of the man she dreamed about when she was a girl. What starts off as a purely sexual relationship blossoms very well into something much more in a very good and natural way. It never seems forced and both the hero and heroine don't fall into the normal cliches.
I'm not going to spoil it other than say they do get their happily Ever After and the sex scenes sizzle.
Ignore the quote about it being inspired by Cinderella for what litlle references there is are not vital to the story.
I'm not sure if I would read any of the authors other books, but it was a nice distraction.
The back states that the author took insperation from the story Cinderella... Apart from a few references Glass Slippers, stepmother and two stepsisters (who are not all that wicked nor horrid) a ball, and an unpredictable 'fairy godmother' who helps our heroine it was nothing like Cinderlla and it really annoyed me.
I have read Eloisa James [b:A Kiss at Midnight|6957682|A Kiss at Midnight (Happily Ever Afters, #1)|Eloisa James|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1294044185s/6957682.jpg|7193900], which also was inspired by Cinderella and had all the recognisable traites of the cinderella story in them, but James managed to give it an excellent twist which made it fresh but also very recognisable compared to the source material.
DiPasque did not and I kept waiting for the magic and those little recognisable traites from the orginal source material to pop in. When they didn't, it frustrated me.
So in the end I had to divorce myself from the fact that the author states that it is inspired by Cinderella and look at it as a Regency/Historic romance with some erotic elements in it and only then did I manage to see it for what its worth.
A very good story about a young woman who makes the decision to put her good name aside for the sake of her family. This results in her falling into the arms of the man she dreamed about when she was a girl. What starts off as a purely sexual relationship blossoms very well into something much more in a very good and natural way. It never seems forced and both the hero and heroine don't fall into the normal cliches.
I'm not going to spoil it other than say they do get their happily Ever After and the sex scenes sizzle.
Ignore the quote about it being inspired by Cinderella for what litlle references there is are not vital to the story.
I'm not sure if I would read any of the authors other books, but it was a nice distraction.