Tempest

By: Cynthia Wright

Narrated by: Emily Beresford

Length: 12 hrs and 23 mins

Publisher's Summary

An all new full-length Raveneau Novel.

"Cynthia Wright is a gem among writers!" (Literary Times)

A marriage of convenience in the Gilded Age....

Newport heiress Catherine Beasley Parrish has been groomed all her life to marry an English duke. However, when she meets Adam Raveneau, the latest in a long line of Raveneau rakes and a newly created viscount, Cathy awakens to a destiny worth fighting for.

Although Raveneau insists that he is not marriage material, he is in desperate need of funds to restore Tempest Hall, his crumbling family estate on Barbados. And when Cathy begs him to save her from the toad-like duke her mother intends her to marry, Adam realizes that they may be able help each other.

Following a passionate honeymoon voyage on the high seas, Cathy and Adam arrive at their island home to find legends of pirate treasure and face the realities of their complicated marriage of convenience.

Can two people who wed for all the wrong reasons discover that a lasting love is the greatest treasure of all?

©2012 Cynthia Challed (P)2014 Cynthia Challed

Critic Reviews

" Tempest is Cynthia Wright at her best, and I savored every delightful page! I was swept away by sinfully sexy Adam Raveneau, wondering how he and Cathy could ever untangle their problems, and thrilled to find myself in the midst of adventures with pirates, buried treasure, and a romantic abduction. I believe Cynthia Wright will make a lifelong fan out of every person who reads Tempest." (Lauren Royal, best-selling author of Amethyst)

Loved the ending great plot

Any additional comments?

Cynthia Wright takes us back into the late 1800’s spinning a story of control, dream, hopes, fears, mystery along with dashing men who are alpha and a little on the wild side. As with all of this author books the settings our vivid, clean, crisp and spellbinding I loved this island and all it bright colors. Her men might be a little rough around the edges but they capture your heart taking you on a very romantic journey. What do you get when you put a dashing rough man with a hot tempered headstrong woman? One delightful adventure filled with meaning, learning, finding one’s self and learning to start over.

Ms. Beresford as the narration did a delightful job brings the story to life with her many different character voices. You have no trouble knowing who was talking or what emotion they were feeling. I did think some of her male character voices where a little close to others but I still knew who was talking. There are no background noises or any places where the audio was higher or lower than the chapter before. If breaks were taken you could not tell. The audio was clean, clear and crisp with true emotion being giving to each character. Her male voices were as lovely as her female ones. She has put a lot of thought and energy into making a delightful audio. I could really feel the pain in Catherine from the lost of her brother, how her father and husband hurt her as well as the pain her mother caused. This was an audio I had trouble putting down first because of the author and second because of the narrator really brings the story to life for me. I had no trouble picturing the scenes as they unfold the narrator really gave a whole hearted structure to really make me see what the author wanted us to. I very much look forward to listening to more of her work.

There is no doubt Adam was pushed in to marrying Cathy there is little doubt he wanted to or he would not have. Cathy comes with a lot of money which really hurt his male pride. He has a hard time getting over this in return he pushes her way for that and a few other reasons. Cathy not understanding it pulls father into herself. On Adams return home there are a few surprises waiting for him, some rather shocking to both Adam and Cathy. Cathy being the lady she is takes the bull by the horn and makes the best of it until she said ENOUGH. It doesn’t help when her mother puts up road blocks at every turn. Cathy is going to have to learn to deal with her feelings on many different issues before she can make her marriage work. Adam is still knocked for a loop from his mistress to how bad his home is and all he will have to do to bring it back to life. He is going to have a lot of decisions to make I am really glad I am not in his shoes. Can these two over look the bad and find some common ground that will pull them back into a HAE?

I really didn’t like Cathy’s mother I wasn’t alone not one character likes her. She is a piece of work and I have to totally agree with what Adam yelled at her. You see Paul’s mother a lot in the first part of the story. I do have to wonder what happen to her and how Paul took that. I would have also liked to have known just what Cathy’s mother said about the ending of the story. My heart really went out to Cathy’s father I feel for the most part he made the correct move. I adored the old cook she was a very wise women.

What worked for me was the mystery, how they came together. Working together as a team to restore their home. Cathy is a woman before her own time demanding to be an equal not settling for less. Both Cathy and Adam are strong willed and strong character giving you many smiles as well as sadness. I was glad to see Adam learned to deal with Cathy’s money and solving the mystery was a pleasure to watch. As in all this was a good book you have those you love and those you don’t. You have evil, jealousy always someone wanting what you have. There were a few things left unsaid I would have liked to know more about. I did enjoy the plot the adventure and the arguing. Cathy’s mother really added a lot to the story. There is no way you can read this and not feel sorry for everyone who has to deal with her.

I thought this was well written with delightful characters you can relate to. I enjoyed the little danger they went through. The trip on the ship was a add bonus. Once Adam makes up his mind he sure has a few wonderful moves that would capture any lady. The audio was outstanding it is one I would listen to again. I really enjoyed the story and plot.

4 of 4 people found this review helpful

The Next Generation, Just as Wicked as the Last

Emily Beresford's narration of Cynthia Wright's TEMPEST gave this favorite book new life for me. Although I have read it four times, I felt like I was listening to it for the very first time. Details previously lost in my haste to gulp down the story came into vivid focus as I sat and really listened to the author's beautiful, descriptive language. It was nearly as real as if I were watching a movie instead of just listening to an audio recording.

Of course, the book itself is part of a wonderfully romantic, adventure-packed series marked by their unforgettable heroes. A Raveneau man always has been and always will be swoon-worthy beyond compare. From the beginning of Cynthia Wright's Raveneau Novels, Privateer Captain Andre Raveneau set the tone of these books spanning many generations-- they are men so unfailingly brave, so dashingly handsome, so wickedly bad that they are irresistible. Adam Raveneau, a newly named English Viscount, is the latest tempting morsel in this delicious family.

Set in the Gilded Age, Cynthia Wright's novel is as always a beautiful glimpse into the lifestyle and mindset of people living in that time. Opening with a lavish masquarade ball set at the newly-built seaside estate of an American millionaire intent on seeing his daughter married to a Duke, the book shows a glimpse of what life was like for those who had wealth, but lacked the noble connections they so desired.

Catherine Parrish's mother, although from a wealthy Southern family, had not been thought "good enough" to marry Catherine's prestegious father. As a result, she raised Catherine carefully, grooming her to someday be the wife of a wealth English Duke. Regardless of what Catherine may or may not want, Mrs. Parrish finally has the coveted fish, a toad-like (in Catherine's opinion) English Duke, on the line. She expects that he will propose that very night.

But two strikingly handsome young men come to the door and turn everything upside down. Bryon Matthews (who readers will recognize from the author's books set in the American West) walks in, bringing his friend who is none other than Adam Raveneau. Dressed as a Barbadian pirate, Adam looks so handsome and dangerous that Catherine's breath is taken away.

A chance meeting in a Chinese teahouse in the gardens brings the two together for a few moments alone and they realize they are both people in need -- she needs away to escape the destiny planned by her mother, he needs a wealthy wife to help restore his destitute estate. That night, Catherine begins a plan in her mind that will help them both: a marriage of convenience.

A quick wedding, a delightfully romantic sea voyage, stories of pirate treasure, and the awakening of two wounded hearts follows. As always, Cynthia Wright weaves characters in from her past novels and that adds such a wonderful depth to the story. The author has done quite a bit of research on both the era and the places mentioned in the book, which adds a depth to the story that you won't often find in this genre. The accuracy makes the story seem even more real, if that's possible.

As with all of Cynthia Wright's novels, there are twists and turns, the magic of first love, tragic heartbreak, and love scenes that are absolutely unforgettable--beautiful, never raunchy, but immensely satisfying and glorious to read. Once you start this story, you'll not want to put it down until you've finished. If you haven't read any of this author's other novels you should click right over to Amazon's author page and download Silver Storm (The Raveneau Novels, Book 1) and then make your way through the rest. Each and every one is one to remember and to revisit over and over again! I have read hundreds of historical romances and can truthfully say that I enjoy hers above all others. You won't find a better way to spend an evening than curled up in a comfy chair listening to a book by Cynthia Wright!

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

The Tempest is Tempting ...

What did you like best about this story?

I have listened to the previous 3 books in the Raveneau series and I enjoyed this one also. The story has jumped about 90 years from the last book so we have moved into the early 1900's. I liked how, while we have moved ahead, we also learned some more about the characters that we have come to love in the earlier books. I liked hearing about Andre, Devon, Nathan and especially Adrienne.

Which scene was your favorite?

When Adam took Cathy on their adventure to search for the treasure.

Any additional comments?

The Tempest is a nice addition to the Raveneau family saga. While I'm not the biggest fan of historical romance stories Ms. Wright has done a wonderful job of keeping my interest thru out the entire series. I enjoyed the spirited independence of Cathy once she realized that she had a voice. I liked her way of standing up for herself against her controlling mother. I think Cathy is ahead of her time.

Ms. Beresford has made this series a joy to listen to. She has consistently kept my attention through out. I would love to hear what comes next for the Raveneaus.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Another fantastic hit!

Set back in the late 1800s, we get to know another generation of the Raveneau's. Remembering in the last book with Adrienne and Nathan & Adrienne was with child. In this book, we meet Adam the grand child of Adrienne and Nathan. Adam's parent's died young, so Adam is raised in Barbados by his grand parents.

A young Adam Raveneau ventures out to the United States while Barbados is swamped with Small Pox. It is there that Adam meets Catherine Parrish, who asks him to marry her. Catherine is paired with an old man because he has a title and he doesn't even like her. To get out of marrying him, Catherine proposes to Adam, a total stranger - but she does like him. Adam stirs something up in her every time she sees him and she loves how he calls her Cathy!

Catherine marries Adam, much against her mother's wishes and set sail for Barbados. Cathy has no idea of the lifestyle she will live when she gets there or what condition the home is on.

Cathy also meets Gemma, who turns out to be an old mistress to Adam. Adam learns Gemma gave birth to a son too. We also get to explore for treasure and have picnics and lots of out door fun! Barbados is a wonderful setting for a story! The ending is fantastic too!

I loved this story and this entire series. I love reading about characters I remember from past books and can relate to the story better! The author, Cynthia Wright has had my attention since book 1! What a great series!!! The narrator, Emily Beresford as always did another fine job delivering this story to us with all her voices and accents! Great job ladies!

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

An Unforgettable Series

The situation of this quite humorous story tickles my funny-bone. The characters are of various personalities, most deeply flawed adding to the spirit of the story. Enjoy the falsity of the rich in Rhode Island, sail to Barbados, an island you will feel, taste and smell. The contrast is striking.

The Parrish’s live in Rhode Island, a very American family, and are tremendously rich, thanks to Mr. Parrish’s cleverness in trade. So, what’s the problem? Catherine’s mother, Hermoine, needs her daughter to marry a titled gentleman, priming her daughter for such a moment since birth.

I feel a bit sorry for Catherine Parrish. I suppose more than just a bit. She is such a good-natured young lady and has tried to keep her mother happy through the years. She is a free spirit with kindness and a passion for living.

However, Hermoine is prickly, snippy– a character author Wright portrays superbly. Along with narrator Emily Beresford’s pacing and tone in the dialogue, this woman jumps off the page as someone you would never like to cross! We see how this affects her relationship with her daughter and her husband, let alone Adam Raveneau once he meets her. She coerces, prods, etc. a duke who is basically penniless.

This duke, among other wealthy and titled guests, is invited to a huge ball thrown by the Parrish’s. No expense is too great. She will get her daughter betrothed. This is the moment Hermoine has been waiting for.

Bryon, Adam’s friend, happened to snag an invitation. Bryon dragged him to the ball, a ball where all were in costume, 18th century. Bryon was prettily and appropriately dressed, but Adam, being the renegade, he comes as a pirate. Catherine is transfixed!

Byron works behind the scenes to get Adam to do something about his circumstances. He has an old mansion on the island of Barbados which is falling apart and he also is without money. Adam is titled, however, but if you were to ask him, he’d belittle the title and even his character. I LOVED HIM!

Adam comes to her rescue, but Cathy is no shrinking violet. She is forced to go against her mother’s wishes by a very bold plan! Adam really can’t say how he decided to be her knight in shining armor.

I came to love Cathy’s forthright, positive nature. She is an innocent and strictly schooled about men from her mother. Men are just a means to an end. Cathy shows us how much this affects her actions and reactions.

Just one more remark about Emily Beresford. I have listened to her work before. Her dialogue is easy to follow. In this story she has dialogue for a child, barks like a dog, is a harpy of a woman, dons the tone of the titled with their ennui, contrasting with Cathy’s family American dialect, and makes the Barbados island real with the dialect of its people at Tempest. She captures all the author wants and takes you sailing!

The book is wonderful. The whole series will capture your heart. If you love this historical time with stories set in new America and its colonialist mother, England, you have found yourself a new author!

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

love and adventure in Barbados

Where does Tempest rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Tempest is ranks in the top tier with my other Cynthia Wright audiobook, Silver Storm. There is depth and growth of characters with a vibrant Barbadian background.Definite must have for your audio library.

Who was your favorite character and why?

I have a difficult time choosing a favorite character, with a loving, all knowing older cook who has been in the family for generations. Such s treasure. Adam and Cathy have so much growing and learning to do, so they can truly come together. Both characters endear themselves to the reader, that it is hard to choose between them. Normally I can say I have a definite favorite, but not this time, in a way, they were each others catalyst for growth and healing.

Which character – as performed by Emily Beresford – was your favorite?

Again, I was not able to clearly favor either Adam or Cathy over the other. I felt equal endearment to both and wanted to encourage both.

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

My heart melted completely. This story was so endearing, the characters had so much possible hope within and around them. I felt joy when their flawed, but loving world came together?.

Any additional comments?

At times I wondered , while listening to this book, if Andre and Devon from Silver Storm had not been reincarnated within Adam and Cathy to come together again. The similarities were calling to me. Cathy and Devon both had older brothers who died at sea, they were free spirits, lived in coastal New England towns and were sheltered. Adam was descended from Andre, had his looks, moodiness, was hurt by parental infidelity, knew sailing, how to use swords and had ties to tropical island homes. Such a beautiful story!
I recommend this and any story by Cynthia Wright.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Sigh-Goodbye Ravenea's It Was Fun, Romantic & Exng

⌂
Catherine is getting older (all of 21) and her mother is looking for someone of stature for her to marry. As her mother announces to Catherine that she is to marry a certain English Duke, she panics. Adam Raveneau happens to be in the room and she gives him a panicked look. They get married.

Because of their hasty marriage, each is suspicious of the other… Cathy is wealthy with a good size dowry and Adam was womanizer, as is her father and most men she knows.

They take leave from New England and sale to Barbados, where Adam has a rundown family home, tempest tall.

Kathy gets right to work, restoring the estate as best that she can while Adam attends to business. They become more and more passionate, but those doubts keep each of them from committing their hearts to their marriage.

Cynthia Wright has written a wonderful series in the Raveneau novels. They are rich with descriptions of characters and landscapes, of feelings, heartache and love. It has been a pleasure *listening to this entire series in exchange for my thoughts, opinions & this review.*

Emily Beresford is a gem, perfect for the role in the series. She fits in perfectly.

Historical romances can go really well or not. I'm hesitant to read them for that matter, however this was pure joy the whole way through… I think I did have a complaint about the length of one of the books but other than that a very, very good series.

Notes: Some descriptions of intimacy

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3 of 5 people found this review helpful

My favorite in the series so far

Ms Wright doesn't disappoint. Creative plot, great characters and a nice love story with some unique twists. I loved It.

Contemporary with Historical times

Okay so after reading/listening to this entire series, this book had a lot of really questionable going ons for 1900. How common was divorce and separation and a mistress dropping off her illegitimate son at the door step of the father, who is wed to another woman? It’s a good story and I enjoyed it, but I’m not a big contemporary romance fan, which I felt this was more contemporary then historical. Please do read this series, because they are enjoyable, this one was just unexpected modern

Historical Romance in Barbados in the Gilded Age!

Tempest is a fascinating marriage of convenience romance set primarily in Barbados during the Gilded Age. Although this story is the 4th book in the Raveneau series by Cynthia Wright, I did not feel lost or felt like I missed something not knowing any of the Raveneau history.

The story begins with Newport, Rhode Island heiress Catherine Beasley Parrish bemoaning an upcoming marriage to a horrible duke that her mother picked out for her. Adam Raveneau is a newly created viscount who gambled away the family fortune, with all that remains is Tempest Hall, dilapidated plantation on Barbados. While at a ball, Catherine is introduced to Adam and she almost immediately suggests a marriage of convenience to escape a marriage to the duke (and her overbearing mother), which in turn will provide Adam with sufficient money to restore Tempest Hall.

Like most marriage of convenience books, this marriage in not very convenient as Catherine falls in love with Adam almost immediately on their honeymoon as they sail to Barbados. Adam on the other hand is stubborn and refuses to get too attached to her, treating her worse than anyone else in the household. Catherine eventually gets fed up with being ignored and she moves out of Tempest Hall and becomes a school teacher to the town’s young girls. Despite his valiant attempts to thwart off his feelings for Catherine, Adam eventually succumbs, acknowledging that he admires her independence and talents. Plus, he’s a better man when she is around.

There are several great secondary characters in this story, including all of those who help out around the house. Even a son who Adam didn’t know existed is adorable. I also appreciated the side story involving the pirate Stede Bonnet, who’s mentioned several times throughout the story. And my favorite scene was when Adam borrows the long-departed pirate’s sailing ship for a date with his wife as he tries to woo her back. In summary, I thoroughly enjoyed listening to this audiobook and recommend it to anyone who enjoys historical romance.

Beautiful Story Beautifully Read

What made the experience of listening to Tempest the most enjoyable?

The best part about listening to Tempest as with any of Cynthia's books narrated by Emily, is being able to fully get involved in the story. To be able to close your eyes, and picture the scenes as they are being told.

What did you like best about this story?

I loved everything about this story, but of course the hope that the main characters could overcome the obstacles that were keeping them from true happiness was what kept me listening even when I should have been going to sleep. I had to know if they would have a happily ever after.

What does Emily Beresford bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?

I think Emily brings the emotion to the book, in the funny parts her expressions made you giggle, in the sad parts where she would read with tears in her voice I found myself wanting to cry too. She brings the story and characters to life far more I think than if I was reading the book myself. And I love the voice she used for the little boy Paul, he was so cute. When Emily reads you really forget she is narrating and just listen to the characters speak as if speaking themselves.

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

Yes indeed I both laughed, and cried while listening to this book, I also got angry too. The story was beautifully written and captivating.

Any additional comments?

I am new to audio books, and they are nothing like I expected them to be. They are far better. I am not sure if it's purely down to the book content and the excellent narration by Emily. But I know to keep both Cynthia and Emily in my sites when I think of buying my next Audible book.