Flowers from the Storm

By: Laura Kinsale

Narrated by: Nicholas Boulton

Length: 18 hrs and 59 mins

Publisher's summary

He's a duke. He's a mathematical genius. He can't talk and he's locked in a lunatic asylum. Only a modest Quaker girl can reach him, but when she helps him to escape, she's swept into his glittering aristocratic world, her life torn apart by his desperate attempt to save himself.

Laura Kinsale personally chose the exceptional talent of Nicholas Boulton to narrate her classic romance Flowers from the Storm - cited by readers of The Washington Post and Glamour magazine as "one of the greatest love stories of all time" - creating a fresh and unique work that brings all the power and intensity of the original to audio.

©1992 Hedgehog Inc (P)2013 Hedgehog Inc

A Keeper!

Any additional comments?

This was my first Laura Kinsale book and I loved it. I read the print version and then listened to the Audible version. Both were excellent. The narration is wonderful. One of the best historical romances. I hope to see more of her books offered by Audible. Right now it appears only three are available?

A beautiful romance with little words

This is one of the most beautiful love stories I have ever read in my life. The imperfect man and pious woman.

So many romances today really are written all sexual relations, love at first sight and HEAs.

This story was filled with emotion, mishandling of love and understanding. Basically it told the story of a true path to building a marriage right for the individual couple.

This author reminds me of Mary Balough's style of writer. Those stories where the characters aren't drop dead gorgeous, chivalrous with an instant likely for each other. The characters build and work at themselves and their commitment to their union.

Wonderful story and perfect narration.

Gripping, captivating, couldn't stop listening.

Would you listen to Flowers from the Storm again? Why?

This is one of those books that you just can't stop once you start, and it has quickly become one of my all-time favorite period romance novels. I've always enjoyed period romances, but this story isn't all glamorous and fluffy like the rest.

This story has a struggling, tormented hero and a heroine who is torn between her belief, duty, and love, and she's not your typical heroine either. I guess that's why I like this book as much as I did. It's refreshing but at the same time gripping because you cannot wait to find out what is going to happen to the characters. The supporting characters were just as entertaining and added so much value and depth to the entire story line.

The story starts off with the brilliant lascivious duke, who had minimal considerations for the kind of lifestyle that he had grown accustom to. When an illness strikes, he is displaced and forced onto a path where he meets Archimedia (Maddie) Tims, the heroine. While the story is fantastically written, Maddie does frustrate me at times with her indecisiveness. Her lack of decision however, is a result of the struggle between her love for Christian and faith, which subsequently becomes the catalyst for the penultimate chapters of the book.

With the story plot aside, Christian Jervaulx, the flawed-but-beautiful hero does tug at your heartstrings as the story goes on with his tortured soul and those midnight blue eyes...

As for the main heroine, there were parts of the story where I wanted to reach across and slap her silly and at the same time felt sorry for her.

My favorite part of the books though, has to be the fireplace scene, and the ending. Oh what a brilliantly sweet ending!

This book is highly recommended, and HIGHLY worth the credit.

Have you listened to any of Nicholas Boulton’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

My god! Nicholas Boulton is now officially my favorite male narrator. His voice is to die for!

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Absolutely. I couldn't stop listening till the wee hours!

Any additional comments?

I dare you to TRY not to devour it as quick as you can.

Wonderful !

The story and the suburb narration made this hard to put down. Bravo, Encore, Encore !

Too Long

If you could sum up Flowers from the Storm in three words, what would they be?

Too dragged out

Would you be willing to try another book from Laura Kinsale? Why or why not?

I would isn't the motto never judge a book by its cover

What does Nicholas Boulton bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

The difference in words spoken between the duke & Quakers.

Any additional comments?

The book is good, however it's a bit drug out. I think it could've been kept more interesting

A "REAL" powerful & extraordinary romance

I fell in love with this book from the start. I didn't want to put it down and lost A LOT of sleep listening into the wee hours of the night. This is NOT a sappy, sweet romance. There's humanity in this book - struggle in this book - friendship in this book - growth in this book - this is so much more than a historical romance - Flowers from the Storm is a deep wonderfully written dramatic tale.

Laura Kinsale writes serious, intense, & real books. She is highly detailed in her story telling. Normally, with a writer of lesser caliber, this would become more of a filler and fluff - not so with Kinsale's writing. Kinsale is such a good writer that it really paints an elaborate picture and it helps create the story.

Don't listen to this book if you want a simple easy to listen fluffy romance. This book will invoke thought and really make you feel something. I found myself holding ,my breath, near tears, laughing, smiling - my emotions were a mess (in a good way) listening to this book. I will listen to every Kinsale book offered - she is brilliant.

While I usually don't "love" male narrators - Boulton is AMAZING!!!

AMAZING writing, story and plot!! What a surprise!

Would you consider the audio edition of Flowers from the Storm to be better than the print version?

I did not read the print version. This was so worth a listen. This was written by a true writer. No fluff... great plot ... relatable characters. Drama, love and HEA. The perfect well written story ... this is what fiction is all about!!

What was one of the most memorable moments of Flowers from the Storm?

There were so many moments in the story ... I do not have a favorite. If you are looking for a "fluffy" romance this is not the book for you. This is truly a literate book. It has a long drawn out plot, anguish, love, anti-hero, enemies, friendship and above all ... a real story line. I loved Christian and Maddie together. Two opposites trying to find a way in their opposites worlds.

What about Nicholas Boulton’s performance did you like?

He did an amazing job with his performance. He was very easy to listen to. Every detail was believable. He did not over act. He had a calming way of conveying the most difficult of situations, but yet you felt the anguish of the characters.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

It was impossible to listen to in one sitting as it was close to 19 hours or more. But, yes it was an amazing story and I will have to look into other works from this talented author.

Any additional comments?

So worth a credit if you enjoy a real story line. If you are looking for a quick satisfying hot novel this is not the read for you. If you enjoy a more involved plot line, twists and turns, and a very well written story, this is truly a novel, then do not pass this book up.

I wanted to like it...

Any additional comments?

I was predisposed to like this book due to the other reviews and I generally like the genre. The narration was good, but 15 hours of angst is not my kind of listen no matter who narrates. I managed to finish it, but I won't listen to it again.and I won't try any of her other books.

my absolute favorite book of all time

If you could sum up Flowers from the Storm in three words, what would they be?

Best. Book. Ever!

What was one of the most memorable moments of Flowers from the Storm?

Hands down its the kitten scene, and the meeting scene at the end. I read this book about 13 years ago and never forgot it. The scene with the kittens stood out the most in my mind for some reason. I have told all of my friends to read this book.

What does Nicholas Boulton bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

It's a little more difficult to follow the difference between thoughts and speech when this book is being read rather than you reading the actual lines. Since I'd read it before I knew what was going on.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Of course I cry at the end every time I read it

Any additional comments?

This is not a sappy run of the mill romance novel. The story and the way Laura Kinsale writes is far superior to anything in the romance genre

Exceptional performance

I read the copy version of this book years ago and opted to download the audio version for an extensive road trip. Boulton's narration was excellent and I enjoyed every moment of this rediscovery.