Customer Reviews

A Rose in Winter

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This was my first book by Shana Abe, and after this introduction, it will NOT be my last. This was a wonderful story of Lady Solange and Damon her childhood hero and love. She was the daughter of the Marquess and he the ward of a neighboring estate. They were brought up together and were kindred spirits at best. It was unspoken between them but Lady Solange knew that someday they would be together.

One day, at the age of 16, it came as a shock from her father the announcement that she would be wed the next day to the Earl Redmond. Knowing that Damon would fight for her, it was a test of her love for Damon to make him believe that she would wed the Earl of her own free will, otherwise Damon would be killed. What no one knew was the depravities which she would face once she left as the bride to the handsome and evil Earl of Redmond.

This was a very well written book with just the right blend of mystery and romance to keep one interested. I had trouble putting it down... definitely a gauge to rate this a 5* read!

Young, orphaned, Damon is taken in as a ward by the heroine's father and the two grow up together. They become as close as two souls can be and can't fathom the thought of life without the other. Unfortunately, this is medieval times and greedy men rule their daughters, so the two are torn apart and Solange is forced to marry a depraved man or else risk the life of her dear Damon.

After almost a decade of abuse Solange finds the means to escape the hellish man who's kept her prisoner and is reunited with Damon. Because they've both been hurt their reconciliation isn't an easy one and it's a long road before they're able to find bliss because they've got to confront, admit to, and get past their misconceptions and heartache.

I really liked the way the author avoided creating the stereotypical wronged and bitter hero. Damon was a dream hero, he was a lovely blend of contradictions; a powerful warrior and leader but also a tender healer, he was strong but not too strong and arrogant to admit to his love for Solange, even after all of the hell he'd been through. He didn't spend the book denying his feelings and striking out at the heroine. What a breath of fresh air! And I empathized with Solange who was courageous and never let her tortured past overwhelm her. She was abused and understandably scarred and scared but she didn't use her past as an excuse to keep Damon at arms length. Her gradual opening up to Damon's people was real and touching. In a nutshell I liked this book so much because the characters acted like adults who weren't afraid to admit what they felt in their hearts. It was refreshing and I definitely recommend this one, especially if you like strong relationship-based books and terrific character growth.

Ms. Abe spins a wonderful world all her own, drawing the reader well into the romance. It's true that reading her stories are like visiting a place you've never been before. But it's a compelling place, like a dream, and I love to visit.Solange and Damon are rich and deep people caught in a medieval struggle for power, destined to be together. It is easy to identify with each of them, and cheer them on. This is one of the finer romances I have read. Read it if you love strong characters and happy endings.

I thought that Shana Abe's book was fairly well written. I really like the characters and the general plot, although, I think Abe could have enhanced them. The characters didn't really grow on me and even though they might have, it didn't feel as if they developed much. I really would have liked to have more description, I didn't feel as if I was there. My overall feelings at the end were of somewhat disapointment and a feeling that the book could have been so much more. In the end though, I still enjoyed the novel and would recomend it.

Lady Solange of Ironstag and Damon Wolf are childhood companions who, upon pledging their undying love for each other, are cruelly torn apart by the whims of the Marquess of Ironstag, and subsequently, by what Damon considers to be the ultimate betrayal. Now, nine years later, the two are reunited by the same forces that separated them, only this time, they find themselves struggling against their past, and each other, as they journey to the heart of Damon's stronghold, and his very soul...

This is simply a BEAUTIFUL book! It is very poignant and has believable characters that are so real, they seem three-dimensional. You'll fall in love with Damon, and wish you had him for yourself! Shana Abe is a prolific and cogent writer, and this book consequently makes for fast-paced and thoroughly enjoyable reading! This book isn't just a superb romance, it is a classic love story, one my favorites of all time. Highly recommended!

Ms. Abe's A Rose in Winter is deep and dark and thoroughly enjoyable. A fabulous example of romance writing at its best.

First off, that review below is so inappropriate! What kind of person puts a review of another book on one book's page? I mean, who was that, anyway>? Very strange! BUT A ROSE IN WINTER IS FANTASTIC. I fell for Damon because he was vulnerable and strong at the same time and he tried so hard not to love Solange even though she is his soulmate. And she always loved him. It was great when they got together. It was everything a romance should be! Just forget about what that strange person below said! They did not read this book! I DID, and it's great!

I read this book and although there was a good story line, the sexual parts were over done. I belive that an author can realate the depth of love between two people without going to such lengths. ..And If you want to read another book that goes straight to your heart, read Stolen Moments by Barbara Jeanne Fisher. . .It is a beautiful story of unrequited love. . .for certain the love story of the nineties. I intended to give the book a quick read, but I got so caught up in the story that I couldn't put the book down. From the very beginning, I was fully caught up in the heart-wrenching account of Julie Hunter's battle with lupus and her growing love for Don Lipton. This love, in the face of Julie's impending death, makes for a story that covers the range of human emotions. The touches of humor are great, too, they add some nice contrast and lighten things a bit when emotions are running high. I've never read a book more deserving of being published. It has rare depth. Julie's story will remind your readers that life and love are precious and not to be taken for granted. It has had an impact on me, and for that I'm grateful. Stolen Moments is written with so much sensitivity that it made me want to cry. It is a spellbinder. What terrific writing. Barbara does have an exceptional gift! This book was edited by Lupus specialist Dr. Matt Morrow too, and has the latest information on that disease. ..A perfect gift for someone who started college late in life, fell in love too late in life, is living with any illness, or trying to understand a loved one who is. . .A gift to be cherished forever.

Got this at the RWA conf. What a great surprise! It is _fabulous_. Deep. Thoughtful. Intense characters, veeerrry sexy, real. I was transported to the medieval world, and I loved it. The story was wrenching and beautiful. I won't get into the plot because others have covered it, but it sounds like that one reviewer had sour grapes or something. Sheesh, lighten up!! Anyone with a working heart and brain will love this book. I totally recommend it, and have to all my friends!

I have read all three of Shana Abe's books and they are all wonderful. I think this was her first one and it is so touching and deep. You would have to have a heart made out of stone not to love this book.