Touch the Sun

Rakes & Rebels: The Beauvisage Family #3

by Cynthia Wright, Tim Campbell (Narrator)

In 1789, on the eve of the first presidential inauguration, charismatic Lion Hampshire aspires to a seat in the first Congress. In an effort to improve his rakish reputation, he agrees to an arranged marriage with Virginia-bred Priscilla Wade. However, his fiancée's headstrong lady's maid, Meagan, is not who she seems to be and Lion's carefully crafted future may be undone by his passion for the wrong woman...

Filled with Cynthia Wright's hallmarks of warm intimacy, sensual romance, humor, adventure, and colorfully-drawn historical characters like George Washington and Benjamin Franklin, Touch the Sun is a shining achievement by a beloved author!

Genres: Historical Romance, Romance, Historical, Historical Fiction, Fiction, Ebooks, Amazon

Audible Audio

First published November 12, 1978

About the author

Cynthia Wright is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, best known for her Rakes & Rebels series, 16 intertwining historical romances starring the irresistible Raveneau & Beauvisage families. Her other acclaimed series are Crowns & Kilts and Rogues Go West. Romantic Times Magazine hails Cynthia's novels as "Romance the way it was meant to be."

Cynthia lives in northern California. She enjoys riding a tandem bike and taking road trips in an airstream trailer with her Colombian-born husband, Alvaro & their corgi, Watson. She is also devoted to her two teenage grandsons who live nearby.

You are invited to visit Cynthia's website (where you can sign up for her newsletter and peruse the Books Page):
http://cynthiawrightauthor.com/

You are invited to join Cynthia's private Facebook reader group here:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/98606...

View her "Behind the Books" boards on Pinterest:
http://pinterest.com/cynthiawright77/

RAKES & REBELS: The Raveneau Family series:
1 - SILVER STORM (André & Devon)
2 - HER HUSBAND, THE RAKE: a sequel novella (André & Devon)
3 - SMUGGLER'S MOON (Sebastian & Julia)
4 - THE SECRET OF LOVE (Gabriel & Isabella)
5 - SURRENDER THE STARS (Ryan & Lindsay)
6 - HIS MAKE-BELIEVE BRIDE (Justin & Mouette)
7 - HER IMPOSSIBLE HUSBAND (Justin & Mouette)
8 - HER SECRET ROGUE (Anthony & Frederica)
9 - HIS FIERY ANGEL (Benedict & Camille)
10 - HIS RECKLESS BARGAIN (Nathan & Adrienne)
11 - TEMPEST (Adam & Cathy)

RAKES & REBELS: The Raveneau Family intertwines with RAKES & REBELS: The Beauvisage Family series:
1 - STOLEN BY A PIRATE: a prequel novella to RESCUED BY A ROGUE (Jean-Philippe & Antonia)
2 -RESCUED BY A ROGUE (Alec & Caro)
3 - TOUCH THE SUN (Lion & Meagan)
4 - SPRING FIRES (Nicholai & Lisette)
5 - HER DANGEROUS VISCOUNT (Grey & Natalya)

CROWNS & KILTS: The St. Briac Family
1 - YOU & NO OTHER (Thomas & Aimee)
2 - OF ONE HEART (Andrew & Micheline)
3 - ABDUCTED AT THE ALTAR (Christophe & Fiona)
4 - RETURN OF THE LOST BRIDE (Ciaran & Violette)
5 - QUEST OF THE HIGHLANDER (Lennox & Nora)

ROGUES GO WEST
1 - BRIGHTER THAN GOLD (Jack & Katie)
2 - IN A RENEGADE'S EMBRACE (Fox & Maddie)
3 - THE DUKE & THE COWGIRL (Geoff & Shelby)
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Reviews

[Andrea · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was so excited to read this when I discovered it was a romance set in America after the Revolutionary War. The beginning was good and I enjoyed the first half of the book.

By the second half I was questioning why Meagan was in love with Lion. He went from being a total ass to being nice to her and then back again too often for me. The almost-rape scene where he refused to take no for an answer didn't work for me. I've read a few that didn't rub me wrong, but this one did. I also couldn't figure out what Meagan could possibly have to gain by maintaining her cover so long. I lost interest once I decided she was a moron and ended up skimming the last 25% of the book.

I enjoyed the first half of the book, the end left me disappointed. I wouldn't recommend this one unless you're bored out of your mind and have nothing else to read.

[Kelly · Rating 1 out of 5]

Once in a while I decide to try to plow through something I got as a Kindle giveaway. This one managed to have a Mammy stereotype and about a hundred head-hops in the first few pages. Life's too short. Next!

[GoldenjoyBazyll · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fun book. This is the story of a young girl who is born to wealthy society parents in Virginia. Sadly, they die while she is a teen and she is able to live in her home until she learns that there is no more money and the estate must be sold. (Hisssss) herparents were big spenders and spent the fortune into the ground. What is a young and irreverant girl to do???? She poses as her best friends maid to escape being sent to a spinster aunt in Boston. What comes next is a madap array of events that leads to the innauguration of the first president of the United States... stolen rubies and murder attempts.

I enjoyed this tale of love and deceipt! What does that say about me?????

[Gretchen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm SO enjoying re-visiting all Cynthia's novels. This one has always been one of my favorites. Megan and her feistiness, strength and beauty made me long to be her! The true and pure love that she and Lion share are the reason I read these books.

I loved "seeing" Caroline and Alec in this book and know Cynthia does this throughout the whole Beauvisage series, which I really like!

I rarely read historical fiction anymore, but these books and any new ones Cynthia writes are automatic winners in my book!!!

On to Silver Storm and my fave couple!!

[Debbie · Rating 1 out of 5]

I think I actually lost IQ points reading this piece of junk. Why did I stick with it? It became hilarious to see how many historical inaccuracies the story contained.

[Donna · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the setting of post-revolutionary Philadelphia and enjoyed the period details, especially the clothes and decor descriptions! Sometimes I'd like to get rid of my jeans for just a day and dress how these women did! I could sympathize with the main characters, entangled in the proprieties of their society when their heads and hearts are elsewhere. Lion was a stormy, delectable hero and Meagan a firey, beautiful heroine who wouldn't settle for less than her heart demanded. Thought the cameo appearances by a slew of notable persons of the period was a bit much though. One or two would have been enough. Thought the scheming and desperate Clarissa was a superfluous character who was more annoying than essential to the plot. Take her out and a few cheesy moments would have gone with her. Haven't really read an old bodice-ripper since I was a teenager and found it refreshingly sexy and sensual without the explicit detail of some of the modern romances. In general a pleasant, romantic escape. I'd be open to another of Cynthia's novels.

[Imina Razzaq · Rating 3 out of 5]

He was definitely a Rake!

I don't really like Rakes personally, I enjoy men with honor and who don't just *spoiler* bang virgins and toss them. There were moments I liked, but the dialogue wasn't very believable I couldn't picture people actually saying these things. To much joking and teasing, it was just over the top. Also she skipped a lot of moments I would've wanted to see like when he proposed to her for example and gave her his mother's ring. And I didn't like how they treated Pricilla the writer tried to hard to get you to not like her to make Megan seem more justified in betraying her friend after knowing this guy for a few seconds. Honestly I didn't like either of the leads they were annoying, but I enjoyed the plot and how it progressed. It had the ability to get my heart racing with fear, and screaming for joy when she turned him down. All in all it was a good read, I might have enjoyed it more if I liked rakes.

[Liza · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tough one. The parts of this book I liked, I really liked. The parts I didn't like, I really, really hated.

I ignored the historical aspect because I'm pretty sure that it would've ruined it for me. I put it down at least once because how they spoke and acted drove me nuts, but I wanted to know what happened, so I kept picking it back up. (Plus, being trapped on a plane for seven hours didn't give me a lot of options.) Rape in a romance novel doesn't sit well with me. I know it happens; in fiction, fine, biographies and memoirs, yes. But in light, fluffy, quick-read romance novels, and especially coming from the "hero" (and not one but two women!), that didn't sit well for me. I'm prety sure that's not a trait in a man I'd be willing to live with, no matter how much I liked him.

So, definitely love/hate with this book.

[Mhollie · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absolutely wonderful read. Even the second time around.
Lion is a misguided hero with an ambitious ill choreographed plan to achieve a seat in the budding nations Congress.
Formerly a headstrong free-spirit with wealth to spare, the lovely and destitute Meagan hatches a wild scheme to pose as a lady’s maid to her best friend.
Match one eye on the prize man with one nothing left to lose woman and what do they get…? Electric chemistry…sleepless nights…clandestine meetings…hearts and heads in turmoil.
Meagan steamrolls through Lion’s life and blows it asunder. He begins to question everything he thought he wanted while struggling to stick to his goals.
Poor, poor Lion, luckily he gets his priorities in order after Meagan shows him the way.

[Lesley · Rating 1 out of 5]

I started this book in Oct 2016 but struggled with how obnoxious the so called hero was. Found his rape of the heroine extremely distasteful and put the book to one side. Have decided life’s too short to bother reading any further!

[Mary Waldo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun story, good characters. At one point I was skimming the story because I really wanted to see them together! Another easy summer read.

[Sarah Murphy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lion and Meagan's story was delightful to read! I love the Beauvisage Series by Cynthia Wright, and can't wait to read the next one, or any of her works!

[Caroline · Rating 2 out of 5]

So incredibly unbelievable. Nothing rings with any truth, not the setting, characters or the plot--which is ridiculous. Walk away.

[Lilmissmolly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Touch the Sun is an engaging and intriguing post-revolutionary war romance that is interspersed with history and real-life secondary characters. Although this story is the 4th book in the Rakes & Rebels series by Cynthia Wright I did not feel lost or felt like I missed something not having listened to any of the previous stories in the series.

Set primarily in Philadelphia in 1789 on the eve of the first presidential inauguration, the story essentially begins when Benjamin Franklin advises Lion Hampshire -- one bastard son to another -- how to gain respectability and hopefully, a seat in the first Congress. He essentially recommends that Lion improve his rakish reputation by finding a rich wife from a well-respected family, which he does in haste. With little effort, Lion agrees to an arranged marriage with Virginia-bred Priscilla Wade.

It doesn't take long for Lion to realize he doesn't like his fiancée very much; instead, he is inextricably drawn to his fiancée's headstrong lady's maid, Meagan. In truth Meagan is the free-spirited daughter of Virginia high society, who is only posing as a lady’s maid to escape being sent to live with an elderly aunt. As Meagan and Lyon’s attraction grows combustible, he remains steadfast in his decision to marry someone of high society, which leaves Meagan feeling unworthy and disappointed. Thankfully Meagan won’t settle for anything but love and marriage with Lion, and she runs away so as not to jeopardize Lion’s aspiring career. Unfortunately, at the same time Lion’s fiancée, a former lover, and his estranged half-brother plot a scheme to make Lion’s life miserable.

While listening to this audiobook narrated by the exceptional Tim Campbell, I was pleasantly reminded of how I felt while reading several John Jakes novels about 30 years ago, where fictional characters are thrown into stories with famous people from history to help drive the story and make it more believable. Besides Ben Franklin influencing Lion, near the end of the book we learn that soon-to-be President George Washington knows Meagan personally and he helps rescue her after she is kidnapped. Simply put, I can’t wait to listen to the next audiobook in this amazing series!

[Stacey · Rating 4 out of 5]

These days, many, myself included, have turned their eyes to the multitude of stories of the American Revolution and the time immediately following. TOUCH THE SUN takes the reader to that post-revolutionary era to tell the story of Meagan Sayers and Lion Hampshire. When Meagen is suddenly orphaned, despite being the daughter of Virginia high society, she recklessly decides to run away and pose as her neighbor Pricilla's lady's maid. Lion yearns to be a part of the young country's newly formed government, but knows that his past requires that he gain respectability and money through marriage. Meagen and Lion meet when he arranges for a marriage of convenience with Priscilla and they travel to Philadelphia.

It doesn't take long for Lion to realize her doesn't like his fiancee very much, but is quite intrigued by her outspoken lady's maid.

Set against the backdrop of Philadelphia in the late 1780s, Meagen and Lion's story is interspersed with history of the time and real-life secondary characters that help drive the story and provide context.

I originally read TOUCH THE SUN over 25 years ago and re-read it numerous times, including now in 2017. Was a favorite then and has held up against the test of time. In these difficult times that we are now facing, it was fascinating to read about the pomp and circumstance of the first presidential inauguration, where the president-elect was reluctant, yet humble about serving and the multitudes were fully supportive.

I love how Cynthia Wright blends her stories of romance and history so seamlessly and intertwines families and characters from her other books, so you get to revisit old friends. If you enjoyed this third book in her Rakes and Rebels series, be sure to check out her other titles.

[Nathan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cynthia Wright was my first introduction to historical romance back in February of last year, kicking off my love of (and now obsession with) the genre. It’s great to read another of her stories. Her style is comfortable and I love her characters.

As a non-American the political setting doesn’t rouse any romantic notions in me and apart from some big names, George Washington and Benjamin Franklin for example, I don’t know very much about the US’s founding history, so when certain characters are introduced I never know if these are real historical figures I’m expected to know or just characters in the story.

That’s probably the only downside to the book, it expects the audience to know American history and all the key players in it. And of course our leads are best of friends with all these important people which whiffs a bit of self indulgent, wish fulfilment by the author.

Other than that the story was very engaging. I liked how it was clear the hero was very much into the heroine right from the beginning, not just physically but intellectually as well, with only time needed to transform his feelings into love. So many of these stories have cold, indifferent leads, or leads that only want a physical relationship until their icy heart is thawed by the heroine, it was nice to read something a little different. There were some shenanigans trying to keep them apart as you would expect, though most of it didn’t really hold much actual tension. Not that these kinds of romance stories ever do. It’s nice to see a heroine get herself out of trouble for once.

Overall I really enjoyed this book and am looking for to the next one I read from this author.

[AmazingJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

To read a Wonderful Story which includes George Washington,
James Madison & Edmund Randolph
2nd United States Secretary of State to name a few people. The History of parts of The Inauguration of George Washington in April 1789 was Absolutely Amazing & Wonderful.
Meagan a Young Lady who has lost her Parents & soon her Home disguises herself as a Lady's Maid to her Friend Clarissa who was a Arrogant, Naive, Ignorant Young Lady.
They travel to Philadelphia so Clarissa can marry Lion Hampshire who was trying for a Political Career. After spending more & more time with Meagan he end up falling hard for Meagan.
After time he finally gets some good news that Priscilla cose to marry Marcus Reems so Lion was extremely Happy to be free from the Engagement from Priscilla and be able to have a Relationship with Megan.
He is in for a shock when he arrived at Home to find out Megan left then was presumed dead.
He chose to leave to New York for the Inauguration of George Washington.
He is completely miserable so Some Friends of George Washington had Megan stay with them in New York until Megan could figure out what she was going to do.
The people Jay & Sally decided to ask Lion to entertain their houseguest Miss Sayers which Lion didn't know that Megan's last name was Sayers until he runs into Priscilla's Brother James mentions how Megan was escorted by George Washington & was staying with the Jay's.
He set up a plan to meet up with the Jay Family & Reunite with Megan.

[Lillian Cummings · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is your only way out. Megan Sayers has no choice but to move away from everything that she has ever known after her partners are killed. She knows that she has one chance at a new life so she gets her friend Priscilla to agree that she will be her maid. So she lands up travelling with Priscilla and her husband to be, Lion Hampshire but nothing goes to plan. Lion enjoys spending time with Megan just a pity that he can't marry a serving girl and he dislikes Priscilla.
He hopes that once they are settled that things will change and that he can concentrate on getting into Congress as he will be married soon and that should help but he can't stop thinking about Megan.
She hopes that he will change his mind and not marry Priscilla as she is in love with Lion and she can't be his mistress no matter how much she wants to stay, will she be able to change his mind? Lion has no choice but to tell Priscilla the truth but it is too late as Megan is gone and he has no idea where she has gone. Megan has no choice but to carry on she misses Lion so very much but this is for the best. Will Lion be able to forgive her once he learns the truth about her family? Do they stand a chance at a new beginning? A good read.

[Chrisangel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first Cynthia Wright book I've read, and it won't be the last, as it's written very well, with an entertaining storyline that doesn't go over the top, characters with strong personalities that don't go overboard (Megan's spirited and independent, without being spoiled and argumentative, while Lion's a bit rakish and cynical, but lowkey on the alpha arrogance), clever dialog and amusing situations, and some really poignant moments. There's also enough history thrown in to make you feel you're learning something (like all about George Washington's inauguration), as well as historic characters, like Washington, John and Sarah Jay, and Alexander Hamilton.

The only fault I found was toward the end, when the couple's reunion took place in a carriage on a crowded street, rather than where it could have happened, at the Jays' house, which, at least to me, would have been more effective. There's also some criminal activity that seemed too hurriedly resolved, but maybe I'm nitpicking.

Suffice it to say, I doubt you'll be disappointed.

[Leslie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Touch the Sun, by Cynthia Wright, is a wonderful historical romance that transports the reader back in time to 1789 Philadelphia...a time rich with history that is woven into the love story of Meagan Sayers and Lion Hampshire. Meagan and Lion are two strong willed characters that in their own ways are running away from their pasts only to find their futures with each other.
Although Ms. Wright excels at her attention to detail and historical accuracy, this book seemed to take everything to another level. The colorful descriptions of everything from the fashions to the architecture to even the transportation paint such a vivid picture of the times that the reader can easily imagine being there. Add to that visits with the very real secondary characters of George Washington, Benjamin Franklin and John Jay and this historical romance comes alive.
For those who prefer to listen to their stories the audiobook reader is the fabulous Tim Campbell and he does not disappoint.

[Svalora · Rating 4 out of 5]

Full disclosure, I partially listened to this book on Audible. I enjoyed the narration, so that added to my enjoyment of the book!
When reading a historical romance, I truly appreciate when an author does their research and makes things as historically accurate as possible. I don’t mind a liberty taken here or there if the author acknowledges that in some way. I enjoyed the historical accuracy of this story! It was fun to have so many historical figures wrapped throughout the story, and the author did it in a way that it wasn’t unbelievable! This was a long story for me,but I was kept interested by that plot twists and turns. There was at least one major one that I never expected!
I’m not really sure how this was a “Beauvisage Family” book when the only connection was one brief encounter, but I’m still glad it’s part of the series I guess!

[Cynthia A. Call · Rating 5 out of 5]

Meagan and Lion Find True love

Every sweet story about a young lady named Meagan Sayers who grew up in a Virginia Tidewater Plantation, essentially alone except for the slaves that cared for her while her parents traveled. When she was eighteen, her parents died in a shipwreck. Her parents left her penniless so she asked her longtime friend(who was about to be married) if she could pretend to be her maid to get away. Her friends fiancee, Capt. Lion Hampshire, took the two ladies and headed back to his home in Philadelphia. On the way, Lion and Meagan became friends,because she could manage the swooning fiancee. But she always maintained she was a lady's maid. The book tells the story of their times together in he backdrop of George Washington's. election and inauguration. I thoroughly enjoyed the book and recommend it to reader's go like historical romances.

[Paula · Rating 4 out of 5]

A thoroughly interesting story

Once again woven into history is another of Ms. Wright's tales of deceit and disguise. Interesting to read of the budding government in our land when it was new and such fun to have so many characters from that era included in Megan and Lion's story the went so horribly wrong from the start. Strife in love as well as politics is a common theme in this book. It was so interesting to learn about the parents of Gramma Susan from the book "In a Renagades Arms", which is part of another series by this author.

[Diane Mankin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun glimpses of U.S.'s beginnings in 1788-9

Interesting main characters and historical references kept me reading. Though Part 2 dragged a bit, I stuck it out and was rewarded in Part 4 by a satisfying look at the nuttiness of some aspects of the inauguration of the first president plus a satisfying HEA. The author obviously did a lot of research about the events of the time. Loved the hero, Lion, despite wanting to slap some sense into him. Meagan was the consummate spirited heroine. Highly recommend.

[SHERRY]

Enjoying this series

The story is about the time George Washington is to be sworn in as President.
Lion is interested in government and wants to become a member of Congress and decides to remake himself. He decides first step is a wife. Priscilla is the one he chooses, sight unseen.
Meagan is a rich girl that finds out her father has run up debts that when he is lost at sea, nothing is left to save her home.
A good story that is original and well defined characters that you will enjoy.

[Kene · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good but too wordy and long

This was an enjoyable read but the story dragged on for too long and the politics was a bit boring for me because it wasn't detailed or simple just seemed to name drop Benjamin Franklin and George Washington with little substance and too much empty fill.

Megan and Lion story though interesting dragged on for too long and the most important part of finding out her past to leading to marriage happened so quickly, I may have well skipped it.

4 stars because it was engaging and a good story but too wordy and unnecessarily long.

[Freda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Deception, intrigue, spirit, politics, determination, outspoken, testing the limits and much more. Cynthia sets this book in the time of the Presidential inauguration in America in the 18th Century and once again she shows that she's done her research because real-life characters are also evident in the storyline. Brilliant story that kept me reading (as she always does!) I can't wait to read more from this author.

[Lucinda Bean · Rating 5 out of 5]

OH.....M.....G.....I could NOT put this down! The ONLY thing I do NOT like about ANY of her books are the endings or the fact that they HAVE TO END! I just want to continue reading about the character's lives and am SO SAD that the stories end so "abruptly". I feel a part of every detail of each character and of every scene that I am 100% emotionally invested. Absolutely LOVED Rakes & Rebels #1, 2 & 3 and will continue to read all of Cynthia's books.

[Mercedes Salvador-McClellan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love wins

Lovely tale set during the beginning of our nation as a republic. Enthralling love story with many twist and turns, lies, deceits, ambitions, passions but above all there is love shining above all. I felt like I was there, witnessing Washington 's inauguration and the birth of our nation. It was enchanting to also witness Lion and Meagan reunion and acceptance of their love for each other naked, for to see. Historical romance at its best.

[Tracy Riva · Rating 5 out of 5]

Step back in history

I enjoyed Lion and Meghan's story. It was very interesting and offered quite a bit of history without being boring or presenting it as thoughb it were a school lesson.

Meghan and Lion's personalities came across clearly and I was rooting for them almost immediately. I enjoyed watching their relationship unfold on the page and in my imagination. The story is so good I'm really looking forward to reading more of Ms. Wright's novels.