Velvet Promise

By: Jude Deveraux

Narrated by: Gabra Zackman

Length: 11 hrs and 37 mins

Publisher's Summary

All of England rejoiced on her wedding day. But Judith vowed that her husband would get only what he took from her!

At the flower-bedecked altar, the first touch of their hands ignited an all-consuming passion. Gavin Montgomery looked deep into her golden eyes and burned with desire for her...but his heart had been pledged to another.

Humiliated and alone in a strange castle, Judith resolved to hate this husband who took her body but rejected her love...never admitting her fear of losing him.

But destiny held another fate for Judith...a fate that would keep at last...The Velvet Promise.

©1980 Jude Deveraux (P)1980 Simon & Schuster

Perfect performance for a good story.

Would you consider the audio edition of Velvet Promise to be better than the print version?

The audio edition of Velvet Promise is better than the print version. I read this book many years ago. I was excited to see it come into Audible's library. I honestly think that a narrator can ruin a great story. This was not the case for this book. I was very pleased.

What did you like best about this story?

I enjoy series that follow a family. The brothers were introduced well in this book. A reader is allowed a glimps of them that does not interfere with the main story. I did not feel like the next books were being "set up".

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

I can't explain anything specific. I have listened to many wonderful audiobooks. Gabra Zackman's performance was one of the best.

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

This is a book that I wanted to listen to all in one sitting. I just downloaded the next book in the series so I can start it, and I have 2 books in my library that I was going to read before I continued the series.

Well, can't get back those hours..

Would you try another book from Jude Deveraux and/or Gabra Zackman?

I would listen to another book read by Gabra Zackman, sure. I don't blame the narrator for the utter lack of this book. As for Jude Deveraux, I remember enjoying her romances when I first started reading them. But this one.. just UGH. No. Not this book. Not this series.. NO NO NO NO NO

What could Jude Deveraux have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?

There was so much I HATED about this book. Basically, everything about the 'hero' or 'main male' character. I saw NO redeeming qualities in him. The heroine, for all her 'brains and passion' she was a limp damned noodle to this moron of a male. Please.. no. BLEGH

You didn’t love this book... but did it have any redeeming qualities?

The ONLY redeeming thing about this book was it made me LOVE Raine Montgomery. That's it. NOTHING ELSE. But I fear what I would find in a book she wrote for him with this sort of 'cast' around him. UGH

Any additional comments?

Don't waste the credits. The love story isn't there. This is a story about manipulation, rape, sexist jerks, and gore. NOPE.

Whew! Its over!

Glad this book is over! It wasn’t horrible, but neither was it good. I read reviews that the narrator was oh so wonderful. Uh...not so much so in my opinion! In fact, I am shocked by the rave reviews about her being “one of the best” because to me she was polar opposite! I had to speed the book up to 1:15 just to get through it!
As for the story, I remember absolutely loving Jude Deveraux back in the days before audiobooks. I expected that, based on the reviews, the book would be fairly period accurate which would tick people off in todays modern age. However, some of the things in the story really took it too far, even for me who had expected some time period unpleasant stuff. I am going to go ahead and completely skip this series and try another of JD’s books...when they go on sale. As for thr narrator... I hope I never have to listen to her again, though shes not the worst I’ve ever heard. At least I was able to finish the book!

A hard book to read

Starts out with cruel physical abuse by a Father to a hero that hits his wife and rapes her on their wedding night. There are shallow side love stories thru out and a book filled with cruel men. I listened to the end in hopes the hero's brothers would eventually whip his butt and heroine would end up with one of them! This will be a return. Narration did not help the nasal voiced hero and simpering Alice was almost more than I could bare! I'm shocked that someone in Goodreads compared Judes writing style to Garwood....well certainly NOT this book!!!!!

love!!!

I loved this book, but I am a true suckered for Historical Romance & Jude Devereaux! Gabra, Zack man is a favorite as well!

Really??!!!

I don't comprehend all the four and five stars rating here. What the hell!!! Am I reading a different story from everyone else? What kind of hero is this? He's a Class A JERK, stupid as all get out (really, I'm surprised he has survived till the old age 27 and even managed the estate), till the very end didn't believe his ex-bitch is a manipulative slut. . And the heroine, goodness, why is she still around? Why does she keep putting up with his shit? She doesn't seem stupid... her father's dead and the stupid hero can't really keep her against her will, she had so many chances to leave, why stay?!!! God, even her mom kept telling her to not fall for him and he's just not worth it, just like her dad... worse! Ugh... this is the most pathetic story I've ever read.
This isn't even angst,... this is martyr... or the most pathetic version of it... even that Walter dude is better than that Gavin puppet.

wonderful!

loved it, I've listened and read these books several times, love getting to listen to it, such great excitment!

Audio version disturbing

Read this series in hard cover at least 35 years ago. Remember them fondly. That was why I was so excited to find the audio version. Initial plan was to obtain the entire audio series, but after listening to this will definitely not purchase the rest and not sure I'll get through this one.

True the book is historical and was written during a time when thoughts were different, but the written word did not seem to hilite so much of the violence and brutality. The audio just smacks it in your face making it hard to listen.

"A Classic 1980's Historical At It's Best"

What made the experience of listening to Velvet Promise the most enjoyable?

This was written back when today's woman maybe offended, so check the original published date before making a judgement on this marvelous classic historical novel. For us long time author's fans, we have awaited this wonderful classic to be read by the great Gabra Zackman, AKA Isabelle Gordon (erotica). These velvet saga's were how good 80's books were written and in fact made this author very famous. Her current works are very modern stories, but the classics made the author enough money that she could buy herself her own castle in England.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Judith as she was intelligent as well as compassionate. Gavin was true to his time, and the author knew how to write a story to elicit humor, anger, and to get the reader engaged in this classic tale.

Which scene was your favorite?

When the brothers always come to defend our heroine.

Any additional comments?

note: I use the new 1.25x speed to get the original action the author intended .
This is a wonderful series not to be missed

Great Narrator

I actually enjoyed this book. The chemistry and struggle between the two main characters was interesting to navigate through. Yes the men were brutal but there is nothing like a strong loving character to build a great relationship!