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Rapture
Rapture's Rage
A disastrous marriage that ended in tragedy made attorney Marshall Westlake swear never to care for a woman again. Yet he wanted to protect Renee. Unable to deny the pleasure of desire, he bent her to his will. In a stormy night of ecstasy, his hatred is turned to hunger as her fear is turned to fortune.
480 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1983
107 people are currently reading
121 people want to read
About the author
Bobbi Smith
71 books513 followersAfter working as a department manager for Famous-Barr, and briefly as a clerk at a bookstore, Bobbi Smith gave up on career security and began writing. She sold her first book to Zebra in 1982. Since then, Bobbi has written over 40 books and several short stories. To date, there are more than five million of her novels in print. She has been awarded the prestigious Romantic Times Storyteller of the Year Award and two Career Achievement Awards. Her books have appeared on numerous bestseller lists. When she's not working on her novels, she is frequently a guest speaker for writer's groups. Bobbi is mother of two sons and resides in St. Charles, Missouri with her husband and three dogs.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
July 2, 2024
Rating: 3.5 / 5
To this book's credit, I liked it WAY more than I thought I would. This was a thrift store buy that's been sitting unread on my shelves for at least two years (give or take), and honestly I wasn't sure if it would ever come back from its storage space. But, huzzah and try-everything, I did decide to give it and a chance, and...
...for the FIRST HALF, I didn't regret it, let's just say. In fact, if ONLY the book had kept up the momentum of the first half and focused more on the romance than the obstacles to true love, then I would've liked it a lot more and perhaps even gone up to five stars.
But, sadly...nope. Around the 270 page mark, we got into ANGST territory for the next hundred pages or so, and most of the remainder of the book AFTER that is just spent patching up that angst and bringing the hero and heroine back together again. The summary of this book, needless to say, does NOT do it justice in completely omitting this part of the story.
*sighs* Maybe I'm a bit softie or just prefer my romances to be ONLY romantic, but I didn't enjoy the angsty bits, nor the aftermath of that. I feel like the story would have gone along just as well and accomplished exactly what it did WITHOUT needing to separate our heroes, have them think the other is dead, torture, etc. (and not to mention bullshit misunderstandings that also intrude upon their happiness for a bit). Because, honestly, the first half of the story when they're just falling in love had enough going in terms of conflict and mystery, particularly surrounding the truth behind Marshall's first wife.
But, anyway, all in all this was a great read in the parts that WERE great, and if I ever do a re-read, just a note to myself to fast forward past the 270 page mark and just pick up the pace around the 420 page mark or so again. Kk, thanks!
To this book's credit, I liked it WAY more than I thought I would. This was a thrift store buy that's been sitting unread on my shelves for at least two years (give or take), and honestly I wasn't sure if it would ever come back from its storage space. But, huzzah and try-everything, I did decide to give it and a chance, and...
...for the FIRST HALF, I didn't regret it, let's just say. In fact, if ONLY the book had kept up the momentum of the first half and focused more on the romance than the obstacles to true love, then I would've liked it a lot more and perhaps even gone up to five stars.
But, sadly...nope. Around the 270 page mark, we got into ANGST territory for the next hundred pages or so, and most of the remainder of the book AFTER that is just spent patching up that angst and bringing the hero and heroine back together again. The summary of this book, needless to say, does NOT do it justice in completely omitting this part of the story.
*sighs* Maybe I'm a bit softie or just prefer my romances to be ONLY romantic, but I didn't enjoy the angsty bits, nor the aftermath of that. I feel like the story would have gone along just as well and accomplished exactly what it did WITHOUT needing to separate our heroes, have them think the other is dead, torture, etc. (and not to mention bullshit misunderstandings that also intrude upon their happiness for a bit). Because, honestly, the first half of the story when they're just falling in love had enough going in terms of conflict and mystery, particularly surrounding the truth behind Marshall's first wife.
But, anyway, all in all this was a great read in the parts that WERE great, and if I ever do a re-read, just a note to myself to fast forward past the 270 page mark and just pick up the pace around the 420 page mark or so again. Kk, thanks!
January 28, 2018
This review is of “Rapture’s Rage” by Bobbi Smith.
The book begins with a backstory about the father of Renee Fontaine, the heroine of the book. Cliffs’ Notes version: Roger Fontaine, Renee’s father, meets Anne Chase-Parker. They fall in love and get married. He becomes stepfather to her daughter, Elizabeth. Later, Anne and Roger have a daughter, Renee, the future heroine of the book. Anne dies from fever. Roger goes into deep mourning. Elizabeth is taken away by maternal grandparents. Elizabeth later marries Marshall Westlake, the hero of the book and a prosperous lawyer in St. Louis. Their marriage is not a happy one, due to Elizabeth’s fears. She dies trying to kill their unborn child.
Fast forward several years. Renee is now 16, Roger has passed and she is going to live with her aunt, Elise, in St. Louis. Renee is courted first by Marshall’s brother, James, a ship’s captain (the Westlake’s family business is shipping. Marshall is the outlier), but quickly bows out gracefully upon realizing that she only has eyes for Marshall. (James will get his own love interest in another book).
Renee and Marshall fall in love, marry, and for a spell, are happy. Their happiness is imperiled, however, by three people: Juliana Chandler, Marshall’s ex-lover, who vows to break up the couple, and Wes and Frank Maguire, fwo outlaws who Marshall sent to jail. They break out of prison, and with Juliana’s help, attack Renee and Marshall, injuring her but kidnapping and torturing him. Renee moves back to Louisiana, and discovers she is having Marsh’s baby. He is later rescued, but believes she is dead.
Renee and Marshall reunite, have a few rocky moments but overcome them, have their own child, a son, and have their Happily Ever After.
Upside: Ms. Smith does a good job of exploring her characters emotions, even her minor ones. Ms. Smith made me feel Marshall’s despair when he is kidnapped and isolated in a very small room; she made me feel Renee’s pain when she thinks Marshall is dead, and everything in between.
Downside: “Rapture’s Rage” has a misleading back cover. At no point is Renee afraid of Marshall, nor does he hate her for a significant length of time (Marshall does get upset on a few occasions with Renee, and she with him, but this is nowhere near the “fear” and “hatred” the back cover trailer would lead readers to believe.
A bigger issue for me is Ms. Smith’s use of a trope: jilted ex-lover of hero conspires with evil malefactors to attempt to injure or kill hero and heroine. This is a trope used by Ms. Smith not only in “Rapture’s Rage”, but AT LEAST four other books by Ms. Smith. I do understand it’s difficult to come up with new material every time someone writes something-I find it difficult to come up with new things everytime I write a review, which is why I don't come up with new things!-but it would have been nice to see Ms. Smith not use the same storyline on a frequent basis.
Sex: Ms. Smith is not an erotic author by any stretch of the imagination. Her love scenes are, at best, lukewarm.
Violence: Marshall and Renee are attacked by the Maguire brothers and their gang. Renee is shot, and Marshall is assaulted and imprisoned. Later, the Maguires are shot by a posse. Renee slaps Marshall during an argument. The violence is not graphic.
Bottom Line: “Rapture’s Rage” is not a 5 star book, but it fits solidly into the 4.0-4.25 range.
The book begins with a backstory about the father of Renee Fontaine, the heroine of the book. Cliffs’ Notes version: Roger Fontaine, Renee’s father, meets Anne Chase-Parker. They fall in love and get married. He becomes stepfather to her daughter, Elizabeth. Later, Anne and Roger have a daughter, Renee, the future heroine of the book. Anne dies from fever. Roger goes into deep mourning. Elizabeth is taken away by maternal grandparents. Elizabeth later marries Marshall Westlake, the hero of the book and a prosperous lawyer in St. Louis. Their marriage is not a happy one, due to Elizabeth’s fears. She dies trying to kill their unborn child.
Fast forward several years. Renee is now 16, Roger has passed and she is going to live with her aunt, Elise, in St. Louis. Renee is courted first by Marshall’s brother, James, a ship’s captain (the Westlake’s family business is shipping. Marshall is the outlier), but quickly bows out gracefully upon realizing that she only has eyes for Marshall. (James will get his own love interest in another book).
Renee and Marshall fall in love, marry, and for a spell, are happy. Their happiness is imperiled, however, by three people: Juliana Chandler, Marshall’s ex-lover, who vows to break up the couple, and Wes and Frank Maguire, fwo outlaws who Marshall sent to jail. They break out of prison, and with Juliana’s help, attack Renee and Marshall, injuring her but kidnapping and torturing him. Renee moves back to Louisiana, and discovers she is having Marsh’s baby. He is later rescued, but believes she is dead.
Renee and Marshall reunite, have a few rocky moments but overcome them, have their own child, a son, and have their Happily Ever After.
Upside: Ms. Smith does a good job of exploring her characters emotions, even her minor ones. Ms. Smith made me feel Marshall’s despair when he is kidnapped and isolated in a very small room; she made me feel Renee’s pain when she thinks Marshall is dead, and everything in between.
Downside: “Rapture’s Rage” has a misleading back cover. At no point is Renee afraid of Marshall, nor does he hate her for a significant length of time (Marshall does get upset on a few occasions with Renee, and she with him, but this is nowhere near the “fear” and “hatred” the back cover trailer would lead readers to believe.
A bigger issue for me is Ms. Smith’s use of a trope: jilted ex-lover of hero conspires with evil malefactors to attempt to injure or kill hero and heroine. This is a trope used by Ms. Smith not only in “Rapture’s Rage”, but AT LEAST four other books by Ms. Smith. I do understand it’s difficult to come up with new material every time someone writes something-I find it difficult to come up with new things everytime I write a review, which is why I don't come up with new things!-but it would have been nice to see Ms. Smith not use the same storyline on a frequent basis.
Sex: Ms. Smith is not an erotic author by any stretch of the imagination. Her love scenes are, at best, lukewarm.
Violence: Marshall and Renee are attacked by the Maguire brothers and their gang. Renee is shot, and Marshall is assaulted and imprisoned. Later, the Maguires are shot by a posse. Renee slaps Marshall during an argument. The violence is not graphic.
Bottom Line: “Rapture’s Rage” is not a 5 star book, but it fits solidly into the 4.0-4.25 range.
March 17, 2013
When I started this book, it seemed to jump around quite a bit, and there were two prologues, which left me wondering what I was getting into. The writing at times seemed a bit choppy, but I must admit that it didn't take me long to get into the story, and I really enjoyed the book. It takes place in Missouri and Louisiana before the Civil War, so if you are interested in that time period, I think you would enjoy this book. I would give it 4½ stars if I could, holding back the other half due to what I felt was a bit of a shaky start. Well worth sticking with it though, another great read. I will look for more of Bobbi Smith's books in future!
May 4, 2021
3.5 Stars
🏕 Western Romance
🏕 Love at first sight
🏕 Damaged Hero
The story starts when Roger Fontaine met a beautiful single mom, Anne Chase-Parker fell in love and gets married. After Anne's Marriage, they moved to Roger's home city with her daughter, Elizabeth.
later Anne had a second daughter, Renne, and died giving birth to her.
Losing her beloved wife, Roger goes into deep mourning, and his stepdaughter, Elizabeth is taken away by maternal grandparents.
After 16 years later, Renee grew up to a beautiful young lady and Roger passed away leading Renne to move to St. Louis to live with her aunt, Elisa.
She met Westlake brothers, James and Marshall who happen to be her aunt's family friends.
At first sight, Marshal stole Renee's, Innocent heart and marshall was shocked to see Renee's resembles his dead wife.
He was everything to her and little did Renne knows that this man holds her future and the family secrets she never knew.
This is my first reading from Bobbi Smith and the story is a mix of romance, thriller, and mystery with twists and turns.
I enjoyed the story a lot and her writing style. Also the setting of the story.
The downside of this story is the misleading synopsis and the pace. It is slow, lengthy and I wish the story could have been a bit shorter, descriptive. Intimacy between two leads was average but no lacking of romance Department. Also, there are a few TW for abortion, Murder, and violence.
Overall I had a very good reading experience and looking forward to reading her other books.
🏕 Western Romance
🏕 Love at first sight
🏕 Damaged Hero
The story starts when Roger Fontaine met a beautiful single mom, Anne Chase-Parker fell in love and gets married. After Anne's Marriage, they moved to Roger's home city with her daughter, Elizabeth.
later Anne had a second daughter, Renne, and died giving birth to her.
Losing her beloved wife, Roger goes into deep mourning, and his stepdaughter, Elizabeth is taken away by maternal grandparents.
After 16 years later, Renee grew up to a beautiful young lady and Roger passed away leading Renne to move to St. Louis to live with her aunt, Elisa.
She met Westlake brothers, James and Marshall who happen to be her aunt's family friends.
At first sight, Marshal stole Renee's, Innocent heart and marshall was shocked to see Renee's resembles his dead wife.
He was everything to her and little did Renne knows that this man holds her future and the family secrets she never knew.
This is my first reading from Bobbi Smith and the story is a mix of romance, thriller, and mystery with twists and turns.
I enjoyed the story a lot and her writing style. Also the setting of the story.
The downside of this story is the misleading synopsis and the pace. It is slow, lengthy and I wish the story could have been a bit shorter, descriptive. Intimacy between two leads was average but no lacking of romance Department. Also, there are a few TW for abortion, Murder, and violence.
Overall I had a very good reading experience and looking forward to reading her other books.
April 17, 2018
A complicated but wonderful story.
Marshall Westlake is still getting over his wife death when he meets someone who resembles her a lot. He tried to stay away from her but realizing that she is nothing like his wife, he falls in love with her. Unfortunately so does his younger brother Jim. She chooses Marshall, the dark brooding one with moods running hot one minute and cold the next which intrigues her further. This is a very good book. Cheek out Rapture's Tempest for Jim's story.
Marshall Westlake is still getting over his wife death when he meets someone who resembles her a lot. He tried to stay away from her but realizing that she is nothing like his wife, he falls in love with her. Unfortunately so does his younger brother Jim. She chooses Marshall, the dark brooding one with moods running hot one minute and cold the next which intrigues her further. This is a very good book. Cheek out Rapture's Tempest for Jim's story.
November 4, 2024
Two sister married the dame Husband..
This is a tale of two sister lost to one another, but looked alike. When both sister look like their mother. One sister learn not to love because she lost her father at five, and one sister was around her father to he passed. Their mother died of yellow fever. You have to read the romance between the characters male handsome and female young beautiful, innocent, kind heart, and also compassionate.. I enjoyed reading this happily ever after... With family.
This is a tale of two sister lost to one another, but looked alike. When both sister look like their mother. One sister learn not to love because she lost her father at five, and one sister was around her father to he passed. Their mother died of yellow fever. You have to read the romance between the characters male handsome and female young beautiful, innocent, kind heart, and also compassionate.. I enjoyed reading this happily ever after... With family.
June 8, 2018
Good read, but
This was a good book, however, it would have been much better had there not been so many typographical errors. The proofreader missed a few mistakes. I have to keep reminding myself of the entertainment available during this time period. Hopping in bed seems to be the popular choice regardless of what the characters seemed to be doing. I did enjoy the underlying theme of the book. Many twists made the book interesting.
This was a good book, however, it would have been much better had there not been so many typographical errors. The proofreader missed a few mistakes. I have to keep reminding myself of the entertainment available during this time period. Hopping in bed seems to be the popular choice regardless of what the characters seemed to be doing. I did enjoy the underlying theme of the book. Many twists made the book interesting.
July 22, 2024
I couldn’t put it down!
It’s a long story over three generations with the majority being concentrated with the last. What these people go through in their lives! Omg! I only thought that at one point it seemed strange that the search for someone was given up so easily. Otherwise a wonderful well written book!
It’s a long story over three generations with the majority being concentrated with the last. What these people go through in their lives! Omg! I only thought that at one point it seemed strange that the search for someone was given up so easily. Otherwise a wonderful well written book!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 6, 2022
Nothing like an old school bodice ripper. Read through a yard sale box of these during uni with my best friend and decided to do a nostalgic re-read. Didn’t disappoint. As ridiculously fluff-for-the-brain as always!
December 30, 2017
great story
I enjoyed the twists and turns of the plot as well as the side characters! I wish Jim would get his own happy ever after
I enjoyed the twists and turns of the plot as well as the side characters! I wish Jim would get his own happy ever after
December 6, 2018
Dragged on and on
This book dragged on and on and the polo was so zzzzzz. It started out engaging but went south real quick. Amazing I managed to finish it
This book dragged on and on and the polo was so zzzzzz. It started out engaging but went south real quick. Amazing I managed to finish it
April 11, 2019
Rapture's Rage
I loved this story, I recommend every one to read her books, I look forward to reading more of her books. KATTIE.
I loved this story, I recommend every one to read her books, I look forward to reading more of her books. KATTIE.
November 4, 2019
Rapture's Rage
I found myself so into this book before I knew what he happened. I have absolutely enjoyed reading this book.
I found myself so into this book before I knew what he happened. I have absolutely enjoyed reading this book.
March 16, 2020
There was so many typos in this book.
I loved the book and I look forward to reading more of her books. I just hope there are less typos.
I loved the book and I look forward to reading more of her books. I just hope there are less typos.
December 2, 2025
Rapture by Bobby Smith
Wonderful. I couldn't not put it down. Everything has been set aside as I read this enchanting story. Bobbie gets better all the time!
Wonderful. I couldn't not put it down. Everything has been set aside as I read this enchanting story. Bobbie gets better all the time!
want-to-own-for-the-cover
February 10, 2026Not interested -Fmc 16
April 15, 2018
Enjoyed love to read
Very good writer..keep you interested in her books..action pack...romantic...excellent characters...drama..can't put the book down..good story line..love the pictures on front cover
Very good writer..keep you interested in her books..action pack...romantic...excellent characters...drama..can't put the book down..good story line..love the pictures on front cover
May 18, 2016
4 Stars
Bobbi Smith has long been one of my favorite authors since I first picked up one of her historical romances back in the 90's. I was excited when they came out with the electronic versions, especially since they're available through kindle unlimited. Unfortunately this is not one of my favorite books of hers. I struggled with what to rate this. On one hand this is a solid read and a great value, but the book frustrated me on many levels.
First, between the two epilogues- which in itself is not the problem- and the first couple chapters of the book, I found it difficult to figure out who was who and their relation to each other. I read around 4 books a week and this is the first time I've actually gotten a piece of paper and had to diagram who was who and how they were connected. It does eventually become clearer but it made it difficult to get into the story fully. Second, I'm not sure if the issues were because of it being the electronic version and possible formatting problems but there were quite a few editing errors. The book was still very readable but the misuse of pronouns (he instead of she etc), misspelled words and punctuation/capitalization errors were frustrating. In addition, POSSIBLE SPOILER ALERT- .
Even with these issues though I recommend this book and especially this author. The story is rich in imagery (without being over blown) and I came to love the characters. There were not a lot of silly misunderstandings and when there was a misunderstanding the hero and heroine dealt with it quickly and with an honesty that was wonderful. The suspense kept me reading long into the night and I found myself tearing up at times as the hero/heroine dealt with the unimaginable.
Bobbi Smith has long been one of my favorite authors since I first picked up one of her historical romances back in the 90's. I was excited when they came out with the electronic versions, especially since they're available through kindle unlimited. Unfortunately this is not one of my favorite books of hers. I struggled with what to rate this. On one hand this is a solid read and a great value, but the book frustrated me on many levels.
First, between the two epilogues- which in itself is not the problem- and the first couple chapters of the book, I found it difficult to figure out who was who and their relation to each other. I read around 4 books a week and this is the first time I've actually gotten a piece of paper and had to diagram who was who and how they were connected. It does eventually become clearer but it made it difficult to get into the story fully. Second, I'm not sure if the issues were because of it being the electronic version and possible formatting problems but there were quite a few editing errors. The book was still very readable but the misuse of pronouns (he instead of she etc), misspelled words and punctuation/capitalization errors were frustrating. In addition, POSSIBLE SPOILER ALERT- .
Even with these issues though I recommend this book and especially this author. The story is rich in imagery (without being over blown) and I came to love the characters. There were not a lot of silly misunderstandings and when there was a misunderstanding the hero and heroine dealt with it quickly and with an honesty that was wonderful. The suspense kept me reading long into the night and I found myself tearing up at times as the hero/heroine dealt with the unimaginable.
October 4, 2016
Really good
I thoroughly enjoyed this very romantic story. There were numerous subplots, but the main plot was solid and heart wrenching! I'm a Bobbi Smith fan, and this book may not be for everybody due to the additional plots, and at times a bit convoluted.....but I still loved the book. The two main characters were a definite match. I hated that the book ended. I highly recommend to others who like historical romance fiction.
I thoroughly enjoyed this very romantic story. There were numerous subplots, but the main plot was solid and heart wrenching! I'm a Bobbi Smith fan, and this book may not be for everybody due to the additional plots, and at times a bit convoluted.....but I still loved the book. The two main characters were a definite match. I hated that the book ended. I highly recommend to others who like historical romance fiction.
January 16, 2016
Excellent
December 3, 2015
Beautifl
Great reading. Lots of adventure and kept me wrapped up in their world. When he was kidnapped it rocked my world and kept me reading way into the evening
Great reading. Lots of adventure and kept me wrapped up in their world. When he was kidnapped it rocked my world and kept me reading way into the evening
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews