Customer Reviews

Frost Fair

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Erastes writes a classical Regency romance with some not so classical elements. First of all, the obvious, the main characters are two men, but the second not so obvious, is that the main characters are not the cream of the ton, or some destitute nobleman, but instead common men, even if wealthy or with a business of their own.

Gideon Frost is a printer, but he has not a thriving business, instead he can hardly arrived at the end of the month. And sometime, to make both ends meet, he "sells" himself to men in searching of a friendly hand or mouth; but he never arrived to sell all of himself, not ever for hunger. In his mind probably Gideon still hopes to find a companion, a man with whom share all of him, as an equal partner, not as a kept boy. Gideon, even if poor and with few chance to be better, is still proud to be a free man, a merchant, yes, maybe not noble, but independent.

Joshua Redfern is a wealthy man. His social status allows him to mingle with the Ton, but he is not like all those nobleman. Joshua has a noble "soul" if not a birth. When he meets Gideon, he has not a lot of interest in the skill of the man as printer, he is more interested in him as a possible lover, but he is reluctant to make clear his intentions, since he had a very bad experience in the past: his former lover, an officer, passed through the martial court and then executed for sodomy. It's not clear if Joshua is reluctant since he fears the clutches of law upon him or Gideon, but in a way or another, he probably would never made a move.

It's Gideon that gives him the chance he is waiting, when stirs up against himself the rage of a nobleman he sexually refused; without a job and support, Gideon accepts the apparently friendly hand of Joshua.

As I said it's a classical plot: the proud but poor hero (in a classical romance it would be an heroine), whose only value is now his beauty, but he refuses to sell it to the best offerer; the wealth man, gentle and caring, who judges himself not worthy of real love, since he is not noble (like only the noblemen are allowed to love...). They are perfect together, but obviously a villain will do all his best to part these starry lovers.

I like the use of the middle class as choice for the main characters, it gives a fresh perspective in a maybe worn plot. Plus in a way, Joshua being a not noble isolates him as much as being gay. Plus, as I said, one wonders why an historical romance always has to have noble characters, almost if all the other level of society didn't exist.

The historical details are obviously very accurate, you can always picture the nineteen century London in which is set the story, and I bet that you can still follow the steps of Gideon around the city still now and seeing the same view he saw. The nice description of the Frost Fair, an impromptu fair held on the frozen Thames, is the same you can see in some prints of the time. I'm not an expert, but I believe that also the details on the gay underworld of that age (where one can find sex, more or less dangerous, more or less expensive) are well researched and refuted.

Frost Fair is a nice romance, a bit less angst and less dark of the previous long novel by Erastes, Standish, and so maybe more cup of tea for a wider audience. Not that I sometime didn't like a good angst romance, but in a way, a Regency romance is expected to be lighter.

"Frost Fair" by noted author `Erastes' (Cheyenne Press, 2009) is a love story set against the backdrop of a frozen Thames River, and Dickensian London in 1814. This intriguing setting includes a carnival on ice, described by diarist John Evelyn as a "bacchanalian triumph," thus completing the atmosphere for a superb, period romance. Moreover, Erastes populates this `unique happening' with a fascination array of characters: a handsome, honest tradesman; a kindly and loving patron; and a glib, wealthy cad.

Fiercely Independent tradesman, Gideon Frost, is a talented lithographer and printer struggling to make ends meet (no pun intended), even if this means occasionally selling his body in the courtyard of venerable old St. Paul's Cathedral, or "Lad Lane." Beset by bill collectors, Gideon receives a lucrative commission from a wealthy gentleman-of-leisure, Joshua Redfern, who is secretly enamoured by this beautiful, young artisan. Unknown to Redfern, Gideon is equally smitten by him as well. Meanwhile, as a result of a "Little Ice Age" (c. 1770-1800), the Thames River froze solid to the delight of tradesmen eager to make a pound-or-two--Gideon included. It also attracted the curious of all classes, including one, Finbarr Thouless.

Now, one of the solid pluses of this novel is the well-developed cast of characters, and Finbarr Thouless is no exception. Delightfully `slithery,' he is portrayed as a two-faced, self-centred, foppish cad with a vitriolic vengeful streak. Moreover, given the fact that he exercises considerable sway over Redfern, it does not bode well for him and Gideon. I hasten to add that there is nothing formulaic about this story, for it offers several twists right up to the ending; which is both surprising and gratifying at the same time. That, however, is for the reader to discover for him or herself.

Of particular interest to me, as a writer of historical fiction, is the historically authentic depiction of the `frost fair.' This rare occurrence first came to my knowledge through Helen Humphries ("Frozen Thames"), who dramatized this phenomenon with colourful vignettes--including accounts of birds falling from the air cocooned in a coating of ice. Therefore, from my point of view a bit more descriptive elaboration would not have gone amiss. However, the story does move along delightfully with no unnecessary dawdling, whatsoever.

Not to be overlooked, either, is the stunning front cover art by Alex Beecroft--herself `no slouch' as a writer. Coincidentally, my next scheduled review will focus on her novel "Captain's Surrender."

"Frost Fair" is a definite read for those who enjoy well researched, and well-written historical fiction, romance and a gay perspective.

Gerry Burnie,
Canadian history from a gay perspective series.


Journey to Big Sky

Do you know what the Frost Fair is? I didn't, until I read this book. When the Thames would freeze, merchants set up their stalls on the ice, selling their wares during the festive "Frost Fair."

This wonderful novella takes place during the last Frost Fair in London, 1814. But it's not just about the fair...it's also about Gideon Frost, a printer who is barely managing to survive. As misfortunes pile up, you'll read with your heart in your throat wondering if--and how--everything will work out for him.

I enjoy Erastes' writing very much and this book does not disappoint. Rich with details and vivid characterizations, I read it quickly in one sitting and then went back to re-read, and savor.

Highly recommended.

This is romance and I certainly wasn't expecting fine literature, just a bit of easily digested entertainment. Erastes has a good reputation and I thought I'd try one of her books. It starts well enough, and there's some nice bits of description, especially of the frost fair, but overall it quickly detoriorated into clichés, with absolutely no depth to the characters. The Gideon character acted so much the Damsel In Distress that it made me cringe. I was quite disappointed.

This book has lots of positive reviews, so it clearly suits some people's tastes. However, I personally did not care for it -- in fact, I threw in the towel with twenty pages left because I decided I'd rather do my laundry than deal with more trite cliches trying (vainly) to pass as narrative tension. Additionally, I found the author's research about the period occasionally short of the mark; in a couple spots dialogue intended to capture the historical period is actually completely anachronistic. In an historical novel, this is both careless and easily avoided.

Although parts of the novel truly stand out for their detail and richness of setting, overall, I found the characters so poorly developed as to be silly and the ensuing action lacking any sort of narrative propulsion. In the future, I hope the author will consider spending as much time developing his characters and plot as he does their historical staging.

The main character: Gideon: I can't say enough how much I love his intro in the start of the book. The very first line

"...and I assure you, Mr. Malter, That as soon as I have the money, you will have it, before I've a chance to buy even as much as a pastry."

That sets him up as such a strong character, as man that is trying so hard to keep his shop alive. To keep himself alive and helps us see what he is like. Not only that its just such a killer line that it will stay with me always.

That is why when the badness happens and he sounds so broken it broke my heart and all I could do is hope for it all to be made better again. It is in away but not unbelievable. It's perfect.

As much as Gideon is so strong and on his own I love that Joshua feels like he needs his friends and is so ready to trust them. Even if it gets him into trouble. It shows so much of their class and of Joshua's need to feel that he fits in some where. He in some ways seems a little younger then Gideon but isn't.

The pair, Gideon and Joshua, are so very well matched.

Now as to the villain of our story: Finn is so slick, and is almost middle ground between the two lovers that it works. He is a fighter, a loner, but yet wants to hold on to Joshua's friendship almost in away that he is pushing Gideon away from him. Even if it is in his own arms. I liked him. Evil nasty.

Erastes takes you on on a trip through these people's lives making you see what drives them, their fears and hopes, and by the end up of it. Its just just Mordecai that wants Gideon to be happy with Joshua its you too. You want them to see them happily together.

I prefer longer stories and knew that the double spacing meant that this was not really novel length. However I was pleasantly surprised that Erastes gave the reader a good story.
The characters were interesting. the struggling, beautiful young man and the rich young man who met him and of course, a protagonist. Two men who secretly desired another.

There was a good plot which kept me interested.

Although my only complaint was that it is short and I don't like double-spacing to make a book.

Erastes writing saved it however...as I hoped and knew it would.

I thought the setting in this book was beatifully done and yes I could feel chemistry between two leads, however I expected more in depth portrayal I suppose, especially of Redfern. At least Gideon is proud and wants to work, wants to be independent, nice character trait, something besides being attrached to Redfern. I had no clue who Redfern is as a "person" at the end of the book, besides his attraction to Gideon, which was nice, do not get me wrong, but I wanted more, much more. I guess I am getting more and more spoiled, I want to see three dimensional characters even in romances and Redfern just did not pass the muster for me and Gideon barely barely passed it, more no than yes.

Erastes can do no wrong. This book was absolutely lovely. The characters, the setting, the story - all perfect. I love how the relationship between the main characters was portrayed in such a realistic way. All to often in m/m romances the relationships are unbelievable and unrealistic, but in Frost Fair, the characters struggle with their feelings, fight for their relationship, and get their happy ending - all in a believable way. This book was a pleasure to read. A definite add to any collection.

Most people see "Regency" on a novel and think Georgette Heyer, high-perch phaetons, and a romantic comedy of manners that ends with the heiress married to the man who loves her despite her money--or the genteel but impoverished maiden winning Mr. Well-Endowed Bachelor (Financially endowed, of course! What were you thinking?)

Gideon Frost, Erastes' hero, would have only been admitted to those stories by the tradesman's entrance. He's a young printer who inherited nothing but a press, a mountain of debt, and an artistic talent from his late parents. He's barely making ends meet; when accounts receivable don't equal amount due, he does what he has to to keep a roof over his head. It's not romantic, it's not genteel--it's just grim survival.

When the Thames freezes over, a rare event, Gideon gets not only the chance to raise some much-needed money with his commemorative prints, but a chance at happiness with an appreciative patron...until his career and hopes are shattered by a vindictive, so-called 'gentleman' who has nothing better to do with his time than create misery for others.

But this is a romance, thank goodness, so love does manage to struggle through the tangle of lies and misunderstanding, with the able assistance of -- well, I won't spoil the story. I'll just say that Erastes has created another secondary character as full of life and originality as she did with Fleury in "Standish."

If you like historical fiction, if you like gay romance ... if you like to just sit down with a book and enjoy it without fear of being hit in the eye with anachronisms, you'll enjoy Frost Fair. I hope there's a sequel... there's an interesting young man I want to know more about, and a villain I want to see get his just desserts.