Published by Avon on May 27th 2003
Genres: Historical Romance, Regency Era
Length: 18 Hours and 48 Mins
Pages: 533
Format: Audiobook
Source: Self Purchased
ISBN: 0380761327
The Duke of Jervaulx was brilliant - and dangerous. Considered dissolute, reckless, and extravagant, he was transparently referred to as the "D of J" in scandal sheets. But sometimes the most womanizing rakehell can be irresistible, and even his most causal attentions fascinated the sheltered Maddy Timms.
Then one fateful day she receives the shocking news - the duke is lost to the world. And Maddy knows it is her destiny to help him and her only chance to find the true man behind the wicked facade.
But she never dreamed her gentle, healing touch would alter his life and her own so completely - and bind them together in need, desire...and love.
Summary
The Duke of Jervauix, is a Lord of the realm….a rake, but a very brilliant man. He has a love for science. When Maddy Tims meets the man her father works with on certain scientific endeavors, she is very intrigued by this man. But then one fateful day, she learns of some horrible news….that he has passed away. Maddy feels the loss even though she only had one interaction with Jervauix. When she joins her cousin to help with residents of an insane asylum, she is shocked to discovered that the Duke of Jervauix is there…chained and treated like a madman. After some interactions with Christian, she realizes that he is not insane. He is still just as brilliant, but confused and frustrated with unable to get the words he needs to explain himself. Maddie and Christian are brought together by fate, and they both realize, that together they can survive the coming tide of deceit and danger. But the enemy, Christian’s relatives who seek his money, will stop at nothing to get what they want. Christian will do anything to keep from returning back to the asylum which was literal hell for him. He would rather die. But an unsuspecting desire sweeps Christian and Maddie away. Will they have the courage to fight for their love or let it be destroyed?
The Hero
Christian, The Duke Of Jervauix, only knew the life of what he was accustomed to. He was born as the Duke and as such came into titles, wealth and power. Christian’s father died when he was young, and he had to grow up quickly. His mother is a religious zealot of sorts and has always raved at his horrible nature. Christian, although he lives a life of pleasure at times….there is so much more to him than enjoying a woman’s bed. He is talented, smart in the sciences and well learned in politics and takes his own stand.
He liked radical politics and had a fondness for chocolate.
But the true test of wills come for Christopher, is when he suffers from a stroke. Others believe him to be mad…but he knows different.
He didn’t reckon that God owed him anything. He reckoned that he’d had it all, and wasted it. Burning lakes and howling fiends had just never seemed that convincing, perils hardly fit to frighten naughty children.
He turned over, staring up at the darkness.
Damned… having found out now what hell was really like.
He can still think and feel, but he has a hard time communicating. His one savior….Maddy Timms, he knows she is his only chance for survival.
The Heroine
Archimedea Timms is a Quaker, or also known as a “friend”. Maddy has a strong belief in God and doing the right thing, no matter what. She has a honorable reputation for doing good. Maddy helps her father in his work, and since her father is blind, she is his aide especially with her mother having passed away. Maddy has a strict code that she lives by. Maddy in her mind, will do anything for what is right and dutiful to God no matter what others think of her. Now in some ways I really connected with Maddy. Since I am a religious person as well, I felt a kinship to her. She stands on her own, stands for what she really believes, and honestly doesn’t care what others think. She can be a bit too intense at times though, and there are moments that I tended to get frustrated with her character. But in some ways I could understand where she was coming from. She didn’t know any other way of life, and we see in this story the way she works through what she has always known….and going into unknown territory and trying to keep it good with her values.
Plot and Story Line
OH MY GOODNESS!!! Why have I not read this book before?? *head slam against wall* IDIOTA!! haha Like seriously, this is one of those romances that every one must read. Its overwhleming, intense, dramatic, stimulating, and twists every emotion and feeling. But what a story!! This is a book that is a TRUE ROMANCE!! This is not a romance for the faint hearted, and is quite a book in length. But what was so fabulous about this book is their journey to finding love and keeping it. This is what makes it epic and so worth fighting for!! We see their ups and downs, and the way that they find a balance in their relationship. Which is very difficult in making it happen. Many misunderstandings happen mostly because one, these two are so different from each other. Plus we have a hero who has a hard time conveying certain things, so it even makes the situation harder on them. This is a story to cry over, a romance to cheer for and a book that you might at times want to put as a trophy or chuck at the wall. The reader will go through a variation of emotions that you will feel more than overwhelmed.
When I first decided I had to read it and it was on my list for the year to read, I had to decide what format. Which was a very difficult choice, but I knew I wanted to savor each moment of this book, so I decided on narration. Which was a win win in my book. Even though its long—-18 hours—-that is long. Which is why it took so long to read or listen to. But boy so worth the listening, because the narrator is amazing—which I will talk about more below.
I wish that I could write a review that is worthy of this book, but unfortunately I will be unable to. I can’t explain it enough how much I adored this story. Because I will admit, that there were times that I got frustrated, mostly with the heroine. What you have to understand about Maddy is how true she is to herself. Which on the other side of the coin I really admired. But there were some moments, I wanted to tell her what she was doing to Christian without even realizing it. Because Maddy is honest to a fault—like really, she can’t tell a lie. So is super frank especially with Christian, and at times tends to hurt him without even knowing she is doing so. But good ole Christian…sees her as “My Maddy”—his thee and thou Maddy.
“Dost though even know what would become of me? Thou dost not.” She exhaled sharply. “Friends would disown me. It is our way. I would be alone!”
“No,” he said unexpectedly. He turned and held his hand to her, palm upward, empty, a simple masculine offering. “Maddygirl. With…me.”
We see into his mind at moments, we see the turmoil he is going through mentally and emotionally. But heart just about broke for his character. Like really, I would be listening to this at work and just want to break down in tears because of the horrors that he goes through. But we see through the story that its not all bad. No….my friends, there is so much more. There is laughter, friendship and a community that Christian finds again. We get to meet up with his closest friends and boy these two. I LOVED them. One is a military hero and the other is a devilish rake. But both are more worthy to be called Christian’s family than his blood kin do. What is also great is the way they try to keep Christian and Maddy together. Boy did they crack me up…their humor and easy going manners. And once we see Christian meet up with them, we see how much he needs that friendship. Especially with no one believing in him other than Maddy and her father.
From beginning to the VERY end was a wild and crazy story that I couldn’t get enough. A must read for any romance lover, not an easy read, but one of the most satisfying romances I have ever had the opportunity to read.
“I‘m afraid,” she whispered. “I‘m afraid of what thou wilt do to my soul and my heart.”
“Your heart…is precious to me,” he said quietly
The Narrator
Okay…this man is so going on the top of my list for favorite male narrators. He is utterly brillaint and made this story come alive for me. And oh man…his voice, I could keep listening to it. He portrayed the tone and feeling of the story so well. They definitely pick a fabulous narrator for a story like this one. If you have yet to listen to him
The Cover
I love the classic look to this cover…I love the soft tones of colors
Overall View
Flowers From The Storm is a love story that takes you on a roller coaster of emotions, vividly portrayed characters, and a story that will how the true testament to the strength of character and fortitude to overcome the greatest obstacles. A TRUE JEWEL OF A ROMANCE!!
“You…make me…better.”
“Oh, I will try.” She played with a lock at his temple. “But thou art the duke, a bad wicked man, and I love thee too well to make thee something different.”
“Bad wicked…idiot,” he said wryly.
“No,” she said. “A star that I could only look up and wonder at. Thou perceivest my true covetous nature—I’m glad thou fell, and I can hold thee in my hands.”
He gave a hoarse laugh. “Tinsel…star.” He looked down at her lap. “Don’t deserve you, Maddy, but too…reprobate to give you up.”
Wonderful review! I don’t think that I have read anything by Laura Kinsale before but I think I might have a couple of her books in my kindle account. I am going to have take a peek and try to read them soon. I am so happy that you were so moved by this book. I am definitely wanting to read this one.
Yeah she is pretty wonderful. I hope you try this author out soon.
I have the audiobook and must listen to it soon!
oh yes!!! You would like this one. Love this author.
Haven’t heard of this one before, it sounds great!! I think this part of your review sold it for me “This is a story to cry over, a romance to cheer for and a book that you might at times want to put as a trophy or chuck at the wall.”
aww thanks!! It is a older book but a fabulous one.
LOL, she must find him? She sure has an imagination
Oh, you certainly sold me. I want to read Maddie and Christian’s story. Fantastic review, Renee!
oh goody!! You would love this one Sophia. Hope you grab it up soon and looking forward to seeing what you think of it.
Whoa, this book looks totally intense, but in a good way. I’m so glad you loved this so much. And yay for great audiobooks!
yeah it is pretty intense, but what a great romance.
That’s great, seems like a good one to listen to. Warm greetings!
Thank you for stopping by!!! Love a good audiobook
I love your enthusiasm for this title. I have struggled mightily with historicals, especially historical romances, perhaps this is one I might like.
Thanks hun. Yeah you might really like this story. It depends on your issues with historical romance. But in my opinion this is a true romance…not fluffy or sugar coated.
Well he likes chocolate. I’m in! lol That is a long narration! That’s awesome it was so good. He really does have a lovely voice.
Yeah! I’m so glad you loved this. I read it years ago and was just bowled over by the sheer scope of it. I recently bought the audiobook so I could do a re-read and I am really looking forward to that now.