Laura Kinsale

Flowers from the Storm

Lover of Romance 

This review was originally posted on Addicted To Romance
  

 
  
    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. 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 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. A
 
  
    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. 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.
 
  
    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!!

Shaana Juntunen Cooper

I have mixed feelings about this one.

So many times I was thinking to myself “Is this necessary to the story?” And “This is so long when will it end?”

The answers to those questions are: Yes, it’s necessary and maybe it could have been shorter, but the details of the book really did help pull me into the story. 

The Duke of Jervaux is a rake, a renowned mathematician and about to have a stroke (no diagnosis is actually made in the book). He ends up in an asylum, unable to speak and unable to understand most speech. He struggles with motor skills and has constant fits of rage from frustration and the abuse he endures as a patient. His “family” are trying to have him deemed incompetent so that they can take his money.

Maddie is a Quaker (her speech in the book is annoying but points for historical accuracy). Her father is also a mathematician and has been working on new theorems with Jervaux. Since Maddie’s father is blind, Maddie helps to take papers back and forth. After Jervaux’s mental state is questioned, Maddie believes that God has called her to help him. And he wants to improve for her.

Saayan

There are already so many amazing, in-depth reviews out there, so I'll just keep this short. I loved this book! I plan on devouring all of Laura Kinsale's novels. So far, 2 out of 2 have been instant favorites.

That epilogue though! <3

Flowers from the Storm

Reviews