Rapture's Dream

Rating:
Summary: It's actually a 4 1/2 stars rating...
Review: This is my first book of Carol Finch & now I am looking forward to read more of her books. I actually haven't heard of her before so I don't know what her books genre... I am a Historical Romance novel reader & coincidentally (& LUCKILY), I saw this book lying around in the library's table. The front picture wasn't really to my liking but since I was waiting for someone, I thought I'd pick it up, simply browse through it to pass the time. Well, whadya know?! I got hooked. I was only in the second chapter yet I couldn't put it down. When the person I was waiting for finally showed up, I had to barrow the book to take home for myself. I finished it that same day too, though it was late at night already! Now, I am looking around bookstores to buy one copy to add in my collection but so far, no luck. This book is out of print! :-(

When Garielle Jarmon's father died, She became the ward of his cruel & treacherous uncle. She is a rich heiress yet her estate & her wealth is on hold until she finds a husband. Her uncle hated her. He believes that Gabrielle is too spoiled & needed a man to put her in the proper place. He was determined to make Gabrielle's life miserable by finding her the cruelest husband there is. Therefore, he signed a marriage contract for Gabrielle to marry Horace Farleigh, who was known for his lechery & wanted a virgin wife. There is no other choice but to ran away & perhaps break her maidenhead so that Horace Farleigh will find her unsuitable. Never knowing her destiny will become even more complicated.

Capt. Dane Hampton was almost dead when Gabrielle found him. She carried him to her uncle's home risking the consequences of being caught riding outside despite her uncle's strict instructions of not leaving the estate. Dane first saw Gabrielle, riding atop a white horse when he was half conscious. He thought the imagine of an angel was simply a dream. But then the angel became somewhat a reality when she kept appearing to him at nights, touching him gently, talking to him in a soothing voice... giving him peace and contentment... YET confusing him at the same time.

Dressed and talked as a boy, Gabrielle became Dane's Valet and more. They became friends. The "young boy" who Dane calls, Gabe, became his confidant, his friend and even his savior from being murdered. Gabe saved his life three more times & boy, does he/she remind him every single time. Gabe's relationship with Dane was touchy & funny. He finds the boy feisty, hot tempered yet intriguingly good hearted. There is something he couldn't put his fingers on, not knowing that the boy with smudge face is actually a beautiful lady. The real Lady Gabrielle who visits Dane's room at night as a faceless angel is certainly exciting & heart warming. I kept hoping she'd tell him the truth but she was afraid to be sent home, knowing Dane's gratefulness for his uncle's hospitality when he was at near death.

Aside from the special friendship of the boy, Gabe & Dane ... and the growing intimacy of Gabrielle & Dane, the suspense of who wanted to kill Dane was also another add-on spice to the book. My favorite part of this book is when Dane finally found out Gabe's secret by accident. Aww! I also laughed at the scenes when Dane visits his paramour for pleasure while Gabe waits outside, furious. The detailed friendship & romance mixed with suspense made this book very entertaining. I enjoyed each page till the end. I wanted to give 4 1/2 stars rating on this book but there is only 1 to 5 stars, no halfs.... The reason why I didn't rate this book a 5 stars was only 'cuz of a teeny tiny self preference, I was hoping Gabrielle would concieved a child at the end of the book. That would have been a perfect ending to this unique story. ---> or perhaps she could become pregnant while she was still the boy, Gabe? Afterall, Gabe becomes Gabrielle most of the nights & make love to Dane. A pregnant boy? Now, that would have been really funny, wouldn't it?

Rating:
Summary: It's actually a 4 1/2 stars rating...
Review: This is my first book of Carol Finch & now I am looking forward to read more of her books. I actually haven't heard of her before so I don't know what her books genre... I am a Historical Romance novel reader & coincidentally (& LUCKILY), I saw this book lying around in the library's table. The front picture wasn't really to my liking but since I was waiting for someone, I thought I'd pick it up, simply browse through it to pass the time. Well, whadya know?! I got hooked. I was only in the second chapter yet I couldn't put it down. When the person I was waiting for finally showed up, I had to barrow the book to take home for myself. I finished it that same day too, though it was late at night already! Now, I am looking around bookstores to buy one copy to add in my collection but so far, no luck. This book is out of print! :-(

When Garielle Jarmon's father died, She became the ward of his cruel & treacherous uncle. She is a rich heiress yet her estate & her wealth is on hold until she finds a husband. Her uncle hated her. He believes that Gabrielle is too spoiled & needed a man to put her in the proper place. He was determined to make Gabrielle's life miserable by finding her the cruelest husband there is. Therefore, he signed a marriage contract for Gabrielle to marry Horace Farleigh, who was known for his lechery & wanted a virgin wife. There is no other choice but to ran away & perhaps break her maidenhead so that Horace Farleigh will find her unsuitable. Never knowing her destiny will become even more complicated.

Capt. Dane Hampton was almost dead when Gabrielle found him. She carried him to her uncle's home risking the consequences of being caught riding outside despite her uncle's strict instructions of not leaving the estate. Dane first saw Gabrielle, riding atop a white horse when he was half conscious. He thought the imagine of an angel was simply a dream. But then the angel became somewhat a reality when she kept appearing to him at nights, touching him gently, talking to him in a soothing voice... giving him peace and contentment... YET confusing him at the same time.

Dressed and talked as a boy, Gabrielle became Dane's Valet and more. They became friends. The "young boy" who Dane calls, Gabe, became his confidant, his friend and even his savior from being murdered. Gabe saved his life three more times & boy, does he/she remind him every single time. Gabe's relationship with Dane was touchy & funny. He finds the boy feisty, hot tempered yet intriguingly good hearted. There is something he couldn't put his fingers on, not knowing that the boy with smudge face is actually a beautiful lady. The real Lady Gabrielle who visits Dane's room at night as a faceless angel is certainly exciting & heart warming. I kept hoping she'd tell him the truth but she was afraid to be sent home, knowing Dane's gratefulness for his uncle's hospitality when he was at near death.

Aside from the special friendship of the boy, Gabe & Dane ... and the growing intimacy of Gabrielle & Dane, the suspense of who wanted to kill Dane was also another add-on spice to the book. My favorite part of this book is when Dane finally found out Gabe's secret by accident. Aww! I also laughed at the scenes when Dane visits his paramour for pleasure while Gabe waits outside, furious. The detailed friendship & romance mixed with suspense made this book very entertaining. I enjoyed each page till the end. I wanted to give 4 1/2 stars rating on this book but there is only 1 to 5 stars, no halfs.... The reason why I didn't rate this book a 5 stars was only 'cuz of a teeny tiny self preference, I was hoping Gabrielle would concieved a child at the end of the book. That would have been a perfect ending to this unique story. ---> or perhaps she could become pregnant while she was still the boy, Gabe? Afterall, Gabe becomes Gabrielle most of the nights & make love to Dane. A pregnant boy? Now, that would have been really funny, wouldn't it?