Surrender the Stars

The Raveneau Novels, Book 2

By: Cynthia Wright

Narrated by: Emily Beresford

Renegade sea captain Ryan Coleraine is persuaded to accompany the adventurous Raveneau family to Regency London to spy for America during the War of 1812. The sardonic Coleraine must take the place of their son, who is in the West Indies, and pretend to be a fop. Lindsay Raveneau, a beautiful and independent bluestocking, finds herself with a "brother" who challenges and arouses her in the most unsettling ways...

Danger, intrigue, and forbidden passion mount as Ryan and Lindsay carry their daring masquerade to the elegant drawing rooms of Regency society. Adding to the tensions are Lindsay's parents - Andre and Devon Raveneau from Silver Storm - who must attempt to chaperone their daughter and her " brother" under their own roof!

©1987, 2012 Cynthia Challed (P)2014 Cynthia Challed

Another Exciting and Creative Raveneau Family book

I especially enjoyed this book from the Raveneau family series. The narrator was excellent and I loved the Characters. It was great getting to know more about the older Andre and Devon Raveneau, the lead characters in the first book. I also really enjoyed varied locations and associated descriptions and the twists and turns in the plot we're were very creative. I can't wait for the next book in the series.

Waking up to the skies of love.

Surrender The Stars, is a mesmerizing adventure of Love. Well narrated, the story is not easily put away as you are guided from Connecticut to England in 1814, near the end of the war.
Espionage and intrigue bring bookish school teacher Lindsay Raveneau, her family, and roguish Ryan Coltrain into the fray of politics and war.
I felt drawn into the warmth of the dawning blossom of new love, when Lindsay and Ryan share a kiss under the stars on their way to England. A playful kitchen scene made me smile, truly enjoyable.
I highly recommend Surrender The Stars, by Cynthia Wright.

Historical Romance continues ...

What did you like best about this story?

Again, as with Book 1 (Silver Storm), I enjoyed the way Ms. Wright is able to seamlessly weave the fiction of a romance with the real historical events of the early 1800's.

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

As a fan of Ms. Beresford's I have found her work to be consistently good. She has a flair for accents and the ability to give each character their own unique traits.

Any additional comments?

Surrender the Stars continues the Raveneau family saga. This time the story is centered on Lindsey Raveneau the youngest of Andre and Devon Raveneau's children. As a young school teacher, Lindsey's life is centered around books and therefore she isn't a 'lady about town'. This all changes when the senior Raveneaus are asked by the President to go to London to see who might be giving away the American's war secrets to the British. Helping out in this endeavor is sea captain Ryan Coleraine, one of Andre's ship's captains. By impersonating Nathan Raveneau, Ryan is able to get into the inner circles of London and gather information.

This is a book that I would listen to again and would recommend to others.

The narration built upon a great story.

I really enjoyed the audiobook. Lindsay and Ryan made a great pair. Their love grew despite everything around them and would carry them through some rough spots. When Lindsay thought that she might lose Ryan's love because she had acted against his wishes, her honesty and self reflection made my heart go out to her. The care that Ryan took with Lindsay, both in public and in private, is what most women would like to have. This story is part of a series and is not the first, but it did not take away from the story. It did make me want to go back and read the ones before and the ones after. Thank you, Cynthia Wright, for allowing me to enjoy a story that crossed the Atlantic to London and Ireland and back. I will be looking for your other books.

The narration by Emily Beresford brought these characters to life and added to the story.

Great second book in the series

If you could sum up Surrender the Stars in three words, what would they be?

Ships, romance and history

What did you like best about this story?

I really enjoyed the way this story jumps forward in the timeline of the leads from the first book, Devon and Andre. Thank goodness they both seem to have gained much maturity. I loved having them throughout their youngest daughter's romance. Lindsey is feisty like her mother and a terrific match for Ryan. I really enjoyed their story.

What about Emily Beresford’s performance did you like?

She is a fabulous narrator!! I love her energy and the emotion she adds to the read. Her voices are great and make the characters come alive. I have listened to other reads by her and thoroughly enjoyed them. Really engaging and fun performance.

Any additional comments?

Disclosure - I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts, opinions and ratings are my own.

Story is Good

I loved the story of the first book and the second , I just can not take the narration . I tried speeding it up and slowing it down lord it is HORRIBLE!! I am moving on to another series.

Behave, or You'll Have Children Just Like You!

⌂

This book begins with Andre and Devon from the first book, however they are much older. They have a daughter Lindsay, who is the same age that Devon was when she met her husband to be Andre.

This is set in 1812 and Andre is asked by the US government to move with Devon to England to spy for the colonies. This news does not sit well with Lindsay, who has been a schoolteacher for a few years – an occupation she loves. However, for the sake of country and her family she agrees to go.

Ryan has always looked up to Andre as an apprentice to a master. He eventually wants to work his way up and learn how to own a successful fleet of ships someday. He is chosen to playing the role of Devon and Andre's absent son in this charade.

Lindsey and Ryan do not have to do much acting as they squabble like a brother and sister would. As time goes on, they begin to look at each other in a not so familial way. This is soon noticed by Devon and she tries to 'nip it in the bud' before rumors can start about an "incestuous relationship."

Devon also believes that her daughter is much more pragmatic than she was at that age and sees the behavior is only a minor flirtation – still not appropriate between brother and sister.

As each family member learns more about a possible plot against the US things become more and more difficult. The focus is on the relationship between Brian & Lindsay… will his appreciation for other women drive her away? Does she even want to consider an affair at this time in her life?

The author has built a great set of characters and series of books in an interesting time in history. That is exciting as well as dangerous. I am really enjoying this series.

The narration is very, very good. Emily Beresford has talent, as she must perform an American accent in one minute, a British in the next and several others as the book nears its end.

Note: I cannot remember anything sticking out that would warrant a "warning"

*I received this entire series to listen to in exchange for my thoughts, opinions & all wrapped up in this review.* While I did receive this as a part of a bargain, I confidently recommend it to anyone who is a fan of the historical romance genre. It is well-thought-out and the execution by both the author and narrator deserve high marks, in my opinion.

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Great Story

What did you love best about Surrender the Stars?

The way they had humor even when they found themselves in difficult situations.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Lindsey. She was a fresh as spring flower.

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

No

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

Yes, I love to go on and on.

Any additional comments?

It took me awhile to get used to a ladies voice. After I listen to it awhile, I became used to it.

Another great Raveneau family story

I loved Ryan & Lindsay's story. Following the Raveneau family tradition of passion, danger and spy intrigue adventure makes for many hours of enjoyable listening.
The narrator did a nice job of all the different voices, men and women alike. Cynthia Wright weaves historical figures of the time into the story delivering a delightful surprise that enhances the fictional characters' roles. Highly recommended!!

I very much wish Emily Beresford was not reading

I really enjoy these stories by Ms wright but Emily ruins the story. bland reading.