Spring Fires

Rakes & Rebels: The Beauvisage Family Series, Book 4

By: Cynthia Wright

Narrated by: Tim Campbell

Length: 10 hrs and 30 mins

Publisher's Summary

A romantic times "all time favorite" selection. Gold rating!

Beloved characters from Caroline, Silver Storm, and Touch the Sun return as supporting characters in this sensuous, enchanting story that sweeps from 1793 Philadelphia across the ocean to the glittering salons of London.

Hardened and cynical, Nicholai Beauvisage returns to America after risking death during the French Revolution. He lost his heart to a beauty who died at the guillotine and now wants only to amuse himself with adventure and carefree romance.

Lovely and independent, Lisette Hahn pours all her energy into running her Philadelphia CoffeeHouse, a meeting place for figures like Thomas Jefferson. She is proud of her success and has been able to rise above the desires of her heart - until she meets Nicholai Beauvisage. That very night, Lisette finally gives her passions free rein... but what will the dawn bring?

Don't miss the delicious tale of a headstrong woman and an irresistible rogue for whom love is the ultimate challenge!

The Beauvisage Novels* and The Raveneau Novels intertwine, with some characters crossing over. Should you wish to read them in chronological order, this is the sequence:

• Silver Storm
• Caroline*
• Touch the Sun*
• Spring Fires* (A Beauvisage/Raveneau Novel)
• Smuggler's Moon (The Raveneaus in Cornwall, Book 1)
• Surrender the Stars
• Natalya*
• Silver Sea (A Raveneau/Beauvisage Novel)
• Tempest

©1983, 2011 Cynthia Challed (P)2018 Cynthia Challed

Sizzling Romance At The Highest

First of all let me tell you how much I love Cynthia Wright’s novels, but when she has Tim Campbell narrating I am absolutely in heaven. Now to this delicious novel. Nicholai Beauvisage has returned home a man who has had his heart torn out by what has taken place in France. His first night back finds him comforting and I mean, comforting Lisette Hahn who owns and operates a coffeehouse in Philadelphia in 1793. She has the beauty and charm that can charm any of her admirers but because of a broken heart she lacks interest in men. But how did Nicholai break that icy barrier that Lisette has formed and why did she allow Nicholai to breach that barrier but will she allow him to keep it opened. But as we know sometimes blossoming love may have a thorn or two that tries to destroy a relationship that could turn into something beautiful. Inter Marcus Reems who if you remember was a villain in Cynthia’s novel, Touch The Sun, and please read this great book also because many of our characters from this wonderful book is in this one also. Will he succeed to destroy lisette and Nicholai’s future that could mean love and happiness? Please find out by reading, Spring Fires right along with the fantastic voice of Tim Campbell who makes one all melt and feel tingly. You will become a big fan of both Cynthia Wright and Tim Campbell I promise you!!

Wright/Campbell Do Not Disappoint!

SPRING FIRES always holds a special place in my heart because it was the first book I read by Cynthia Wright, found one day on my aunt's bookshelf 25+ years ago. I still haven't given it back to her. Set in post-Revolutionary War America, I was enchanted by the story of Nicholai Beauvisage, back in Philadelphia after spending 10 years in France, and Lisette Hahn, independent woman who runs the local coffee house in Philadelphia. Tragedy first throws them together, then stubbornness pulls them apart. Nicholai and Lisette get off to a bumpy start, but find that they care for each other more than they want to admit and they travel the rocky road to romance with the help of friends and family. Ms. Wright does an outstanding job of weaving the history of the time, with famous figures showing up as secondary characters. Alexander Hamilton, Thomas Jefferson and their in-fighting over the war in France gets several mentions and President George Washington has a cameo. (On a re-read, my inner HAMILTON fan-girl gave many cheers.) Far from detracting to the story, these historical mentions add favor and provide context for the action. Also providing cameos are the heroes/heroines from the previous RAKES AND REBELS books: Alec & Caroline (CAROLINE), Lion & Meagan (TOUCH THE SUN), and even Andre and Devon (SILVER STORM). They provide much meddling into Nicholai and Lisette's story. That being said, SPRING FIRES does stand alone. The first time I read it, I did not have the background of the other stories, but was able to glean enough from the book that I had no problem following the plot. This is a book I have on my keeper shelf and have also bought in ebook form. When I do re-read it every few years, I am sure to read all of the Rakes and Rebels books in order, because it is more fun to follow the families, friends and their intertwining lives as they happen. As a librarian, I don't always purchase my books, but Cynthia Wright is on my "must buy" list, so when a new title comes out, I am sure to purchase it. She is also one of the top authors I recommend to people looking for historical romances. Because of my love for SPRING FIRES (and Tim Campbell’s narration), I was thrilled to listen to him perform SPRING FIRES. In this book, there were many characters from many locations, providing Campbell ample opportunity to show off his range of voices. As a listener, you are drawn into the story through him many voices, all distinct. Plus, I got to hear Andre Raveneau...fans self. As I’ve noted before, Cynthia Wright’s storytelling paired with Tim Campbell’s narration are both engaging and satisfying and I cannot resist Tim Campbell reading Cynthia Wright’s books. I am hoping that he will narrate more of her books, such as SILVER STORM...hint hint! Note: I was given a free copy of the eaudiobook in exchange for an honest review.

A Stellar Performance by Tim Campbell

You know your book will have the very best narrative performance when the star is award winner, Tim Campbell 👑. Tim's characterizations give life to the story. He gives each one their distinct personality (especially the French). I am so happy to have Mr. Campbell read for my favorite authors. If only there were more stars. See Amazon for my review of Cynthia Wright's SPRING FIRES

Very Enjoyable

Nicholai and Lisette, what can I say. They are a hot couple. I enjoyed the way the story picked up from book 3 with some of the same characters. I also like the reappearance of the Raveneau family and of course Tim Campbell makes it all worth while.

Taming of a Shrew

I just feel I should warn you...I assumed that with such a gifted narrator and with positive reviews this would be a winner. Wrong! The author makes the most common mistake among romance writers of confusing independence in a woman with neurotic/obsessive, self-defensive/aggressive behavior towards a man interested in romancing her. It took six hours and 27 chapters for this couple to admit they loved each other, and it was in the midst of hot sex. If you want a female protagonist in a romance novel to spend HOURS engaging in ranting, complaining, haranguing, blaming, and temper tantrums then this is the audiobook for you! Very unlikely that a real-life man would tolerate such behavior. But maybe the combination of his passion and tolerance bring her around ( I haven't finished it yet). But how likely is THAT in real life? In your dreams, girls. In fact, I'm thinking it would be interesting for some more enlightened men to set the score straight and start writing romance novels that offer some healthy alternatives. Clearly, we want men to stop abusing and exploiting women, but that shouldn't give license to women to mercilessly vent their hostilities on men either. And certainly, not in my ear! My favorite romance novel female protagonists are intelligent, courageous, independent, resourceful, and compassionate. There aren't many of them and they're NOT in this book. The guy in this book, however, is handsome, masculine, intelligent, protective and mostly tolerant---a dream...a fantasy that such a man would tolerate such a woman. Apparently it's her beauty and sex appeal that keep him coming back to her. If she weren't beautiful he would never have tolerated her verbal abuse. To me that makes this about as immature and shallow a story as you can find out there. Too bad because the author is not a bad writer. Maybe with some therapy she could do better?

My Favorite

I have enjoyed all the episodes of the Raveneau & Beauvisage Family novels, but I think I like thlis one the best. Maybe it was the announcement of triplets to Lion & Megan.

An Enchanting Tale!

I loved Spring Fires when I first read this book. It is a wonderfully passionate and romantic tale about the handsome and honourable Nicholai Beauvisage and the beautiful, independent Lisette Hahn, who are both haunted by the past. But listening to this book, which has been beautifully narrated by Tim Campbell, has taken this adventure to amazingly new and dizzy heights, for this book comes alive in a most delightful way! Loved Characters from different books appear with incredible realness, captivating you as you listen. Tim is certainly a master of his craft, but it is Cynthia Wright's clever and witty story line, her incredible research, the depths of her characters, their personalities and humour that sparkles in this romance. Cynthia's magical tale comes alive as different characters are brought to life through different voices, accents and personalities. I absolutely loved listening to this enchanting tale and I am sure you will too.