The Spinster and the Spy
Delilah is ready for her "last dance," while Denzil is on a mission to unmask a traitor. Neither expected love to complicate their plans. From the start, Denzil knows Delilah isn’t a spy, and he wastes no time in pursuing her. But with a traitor still at large and a princess in danger, will his delayed confession cost him everything? How will Delilah react when she discovers he once suspected her?
This captivating Regency romance is brimming with adventure and intrigue. A visit to Blackhaven promises excitement, and I highly recommend this story to fans of historical romance with treachery and suspense.

This book was a quick and light read which i enjoyed. The book does draw you in decently quickly and is pretty action packed in terms of all the plots that occur in the book. There were some slight issues i had with the book. Mainly the progression of the relationship between the MC was very quick we went from the 1st kiss to the MMC thinking he loves the FMC within 30% of the book (this could be typical of historical romances i'm not sure), a side plot between the FMC brother was resolved very quickly. Most of the siblings getting engaged out of nowhere in the final couple chapters wasn't needed and didn't add anything to the story in my opinion. Overall the book had an interesting prologue, really descriptive writing that doesn't feel too much and overall a really easy read/good "palette cleanser"

Overall Rating: 3.5/5 stars

I love books about smart girls that fall in love. This one is so good. A must have on your romance shelf!

Delilah Vale is one of the unconventional Vale family members and is thirty years old. While a Vale, she is an illegitimate sibling (her mother is a famous actress) and thus is not be able to settle down to a conventional life. The good news, however, is that, Delilah, having followed her now deceased father around for years while he was on diplomatic service, has skills that can be transferred to her new career as a translator and secretary.

Prior to embracing the life of a spinster though, she plans to have one final waltz just to get a feel for it and to say that she has done it. This takes place at the assembly room in Blackhaven. While there, Denzel Talbot, Baron Linfield who is undercover to try to reel in a traitor who is leading the British allies to be assassinated. He decides to ask Delilah for a dance; neither one is expecting to be attracted to the other.

This was a fun read that I enjoyed and although I have not read the rest of the series, it was possible to read and enjoy this one as a standalone. I received an ARC from the publishers and NetGalley and submit my honest review voluntarily.

Sadly, this entertaining series comes to an end. I loved the bond between the Vale siblings and how their stories intertwined and overlapped. Delilah is not my favorite character, but her story is fast-paced, engaging and full of twists, danger, suspense, lies, misunderstandings, villains, romance and has a "he falls first" trope. I really liked the MMC Denzil. Delilah was a bit too overprotective and unfair at times, but I liked her courage and her dedication and love for her family and her natural mother.
The epilogue that brought all the siblings and their families together was heartwarming. I hope the adorable, meddling twins (my favorites) will reappear in another series to find their own happy ending.

Delilah Vale is the illegitimate eldest daughter of the late Sie George Vale and accompanied her father on his diplomatic missions through Europe for years, together with her siblings and enjoyed her life in diplomatic circles. When her eldest brother Julius inherited the title, they all moved to the run-down country estate Black Hill and Delilah took care of her siblings and the household.
She is now thirty and a spinster. At the assembly ball she is attending with her siblings in Blackhaven, she wants to dance one last time to mark the end of her old life before she starts a new chapter. Her goal is to find a job as a private secretary or translator, as she has a talent for organisation and languages. She already has a client from York.
Denzil Talbot, Lord Linfield is a diplomat and has come to Blackhaven to ensure the safety of a German princess, who visits the town incognito, and to gain more information about the collaborator of the princess's brother, who is planning a possible attempt on his sister's life. He approaches Delilah at the Assembly Ball and is fascinated by her. It is not long before he realises that Delilah has no idea whom she works for and what explosive documents she is translating. But even as their feelings for each other grow stronger, he can't tell her about his mission. But then events come to a head, an attempt is made on the princess's life and Delilah learns the truth about him...

I recommend this book to anyone who likes fast-paced Regency romances with plenty of suspense.

I received a free ARC of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own and left voluntarily.

THE SPINSTER’S LAST DANCE is the seventh novel in the One Night in Blackhaven series by MARY LANCASTER. It is an enjoyable and light read.
I was given a free copy of the book by NetGalley from Dragonblade Publishing. The opinions in this review are completely mu own.

Lovely story about very like-able characters. I thoroughly enjoyed it and will recommend to my romance inclined friends.

We are back in the busy town of Blackhaven for this historical romance. The Vale family are having an explosion of adventures in this series. All the books in the series so far are set in the same time line so it doesn't matter which order you read them. Each sibling has their own, very different adventure. I have thoroughly enjoyed all of them. All the characters are fascinating and fun. The twins in particular are sneaky but very loving and protective.
Great fun.

Delilah assisted her deceased father while he was a member of many Diplomatic missions over the course of his career. As the eldest, she was also a mother figure for many of her siblings. Now at 30, she makes plans for her own life as hopefully a translator, secretary, and to have the opportunity to travel. Her family, especially some mischievous young twins, convince Delilah to attned the Blackhaven Ball. Delilah decides maybe one last dance before she starts her spinster life that she wants.
Lord Linfield is in Blackhaven to find a traitor to the crown. When he is introduced to Delilah, he asks her to dance, and wonders if she is involved in any way with the traitor he is searching.
There is great chemistry between Delilah and Lord Linfield as well as many wonderful twists and turns. We have mystery, intrigue, and Delilah's many siblings throughout.
Wonderful series Mary!!
I loved this series, and hope we someday get the twins story!

The Spinster’s Last Dance by Mary Lancaster is another of the One Night in Blackhaven series. What is most intriguing about this series is that of the plethora of siblings, most are falling in love simultaneously, not serially, so in every book there are snippets of what is going on with the other siblings. It is an intriguing way to write a story. This particular point of view is of of Delilah Vale, one of the older of the daughters and the one that had traveled with her father most extensively. She is is now thirty and considers herself a spinster, but she wants to waltz before she starts wearing drab clothing and sitting with the widows and spinsters. As she is waiting for that, she has one of her spells, which, which renders her with diminished sight. A gentleman comes to her aid, Denzil Talbot, Baron Linfield, with whom she later dances and discovers she wishes it were not her last dance.

Delilah has skills: she speaks and writes in several languages and so hopes to expand her small business of interpreting for others, particularly the written word. She wants to be able to support herself and not leech off her brother forever. Her brother doesn’t see it as leeching. This particular job she is doing is not what it seems, but she doesn’t realize that until later. Denzil is a confirmed bachelor at five and thirty and travels extensively in his position as a diplomat. His sister travels with him as his hostess and thus has lost the chance for a husband and family. For this he feels great guilt. The Vales are an interesting group and reading the whole series is the best way to meet them individually and get to know them. Let it just be said, the youngest Vales, twins, are not above arranging things to their own liking. Such a fun series, getting to know all the Vales. I am sorry it has to end. It is so full of humor, pathos, and love. There is also a dark and sinister underbelly to all that is happening. Makes it intriguing

I was invited to read The Spinster’s Last Dance by Dragonblade. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #Dragonblade #MaryLancaster #TheSpinstersLastDance

My heart is saddened that this amazing series is coming to an end but I know I can always reread them, thus began my thoughts as I started to read Delilah's story. Outside of in the twins, she has been my favorite right along as her wisdom and stoic personality has been through much. Convinced to attend the ball with all the other, non twin, siblings she is set on a path of spinsterhood until she dances with Denzel. A full adventure of intrigue, spies, poor communication, assassins, misunderstanding and pushy people, the two have their hands full until the end. Both characters are spectacular, beautifully matched. The Vale family as a whole are beyond fantastic and I'm holding my breath hoping that the twins might be the start of another series to come along. Well crafted in every way. It can be a stand alone but you really don't want to miss the other six adventures before it.

I am so happy that Delilah finally had her chance at romance, in spite of the conflict caused by Denzil's investigation into the plot against a foreign dignitary. Cajoled into attending the Blackhaven ball by the ever-mischievous twins, Delilah is set on one last dance before her spinsterhood becomes final. Little realizing Denzil's interest in her, she accepts his invitation to dance. Denzil has to tread carefully if he wants to uncover the plot that inadvertently involves Delilah, but there is more than one machination afoot, and avoiding a determined mother makes his task even more difficult. As the layers of deceit and intrigue are uncovered, Denzil begins to realize how valuable Delilah is as a person, but together they have to trap an assassin before they can forge their own future. The story comes to a successful and sweet conclusion especially as the twins celebrated their success. I received a copy of this romance as a gift through Dragonblade Publishing and NetGalley and this is my honest and voluntary review.

Delilah is part of the unconventional Vale family. While assisting her now dead father in his diplomatic service, she's been the mother to her siblings. At the Blackhaven ball, she meets Denzel Talbot, Baron Linfield, who asks for a dance. As a thirty year old spinster, it will be her last dance before living her life as she wants. Linfield is on a mission to catch an assassin. He wasn't expecting to fall in love with Delilah, but he looks for her innocence in the plot. This is no easy "courtship" when trying to protect a princess. Denzel has a tendency to say the wrong thing at the "right" time. Will he miss his chance to marry Delilah? Member's of the Vale family never have it easy when it comes to affairs of the heart. Kept me hooked from the beginning to the end.
Clean romance
I voluntarily read and reviewed a copy of this book from NetGalley.

Delilah Vale has decided to have one last waltz at the local ball and then give up on ever finding anyone. Denzil, the person she chooses to dance with, feels the mutual attraction. They are on government business, however, and he must keep his priorities straight. Amid all the Vale drama, they must try to stop an assassination attempt. I received an ARC from NetGalley and Dragonblade Publishing for my honest review.

Spinster’s Last Dance
Mary Lancaster

This is the last book in Ms. Lancaster’s popular Blackhavens’ Brides series. I’m afraid I started at the wrong end of the series. I loved it! It was very sweet. What a wonderful huge family. I have 8 siblings, so I the chaos was completely familiar and totally nostalgic. Naturally I’ve already purchased more of the series. Thoroughly enjoyed it. Bravo Mary

This book is a delight. The characters are so endearing and funny and the romance is so cute. This is my first time reading from this author and it has been a blast! I’ll definitely pick up Mary Lancaster’s backlist after this!

This last story in the One Night I'm Blackhaven series was a riveting and exciting love story. It had assassins, intrigue, espionage, and mystery among so much more interest that kept me very entertained. I enjoyed how the characters were portrayed and how interesting and lovely it also was to have its perfect ending to this wonderful series. It definitely didn't disappoint. I highly recommend reading!

At thirty years old, Delilah Vale attends the Blackhaven assembly room ball for only one reason to enjoy a symbolic final waltz before embracing spinsterhood and an independent career as a translator and secretary. Lord Denzil Linfield, distinguished diplomat, handsome, graceful, and charming, is the perfect partner. Unfortunately, Linfield is there for an entirely different reason to reel in the traitor who is leading one of Britain’s allies to assassination. Neither expects to be quite so fascinated by the other.
The final book in the series or is it as the twins still need their HEAs (please) I’ve loved Delilah throughout the series & thoroughly enjoyed her story. I also loved Denzil who fell hard & fast for Delilah. There were spies, assassins, misunderstandings & miscommunication, which all made this one riveting story. I loved how it was Delilah who rescued Denzil & for such a charming distinguished diplomat he was certainly good at putting his foot in his mouth. I loved the epilogue which rounded the series off beautifully but the twins were grown up & Leona had a secret!! I’d love to know that secret
I voluntarily read and reviewed a special copy of this book; all thoughts and opinions are my own

This series has been such a pleasure to read - I have loved seeing how the author would overlap all the different storylines seeing as they all begin on the same night and then run simultaneously to a certain extent. I will admit that Delilah was my least favorite of the siblings, but only because of how she treated Antonia in book 1. I am fully aware that she was working with limited information and as the reader I knew what had actually happened, but Delilah didn't even bother to really listen when Julius tried to talk to her and then she did things to actively work against them as a couple. However, I did come to like has as her story unfolded here in book 7. It was interesting to watch her open up a little with Denzil and turn more into the person she was always meant to be. Her conflicting emotions regarding her mother also helped better explain her as a character and where some of her motivations to keep her family close and cared for came from. As for Denzil, obviously we know he's wrong about Delilah but without his initial suspicions he probably would not have worked so hard to get close to her (even though he was smitten pretty quickly). The mystery/evil plot in this story was also probably the most interesting of any in the series. The assassination and espionage parts kept the stakes high and it was nice to see how Delilah played a part in putting it all together (and we got to flip the script and have her save Denzil rather than the other away around). This book also perfectly wrapped up the series. Now I want two novellas or short stories to wrap up Leona and Lawrence's stories!

This historical fiction romance has a mystery woven into the storyline that kept me reading because I had to discover the hidden secrets. The main characters were well developed and the world building was nicely done.