A Rose in Winter [Mass Market Paperback]

Shana Abe (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 5, 1998

A deeply enthralling, richly romantic novel of passion and adventure by a stunning new voice in historical romance. . .

At sixteen, Lady Solange had pledged her love to Damon Wolf, had dreamed they would be together forever. But when her ruthless father threatened Damon's life unless she agreed to marry another, Solange did the only thing she could: she scorned her true love and sent him away. . . never imagining the fate that awaited her, never knowing that one day her destiny would be entwined with Damon's once more.

For nine long years, Solange has lived a nightmare, wed to a wealthy lord whose handsome face hides a soul of darkest evil. Yet now, just as she is poised to finally make good her escape, Damon suddenly appears at the castle gate. Gone is the gentle hero of her childhood, replaced by a fiercely attractive, thunderously angry knight, who makes it clear he has never forgiven her betrayal. Convincing Damon to escort her to safety will take all Solange's ingenuity--but the real challenge lies in breaching the walls that Damon has built between them, to win back his trust. . . and his hardened heart.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Even as a boy, Damon Wolf, the Marquess of Lockewood, knew his destiny lay with Solange, the daughter of his overlord, The Marquess of Ironstag. Raised together after Damon's parents died, their love grew pure and untainted. But a cruel twist of fate would separate them. Solange's father threatens to kill Damon if she refuses to marry his old enemy, Stephen, the Earl of Redmond. Sixteen-year-old Solange knew wedding Redmond would seal a peace and join the lands of both men, but she didn't know her marriage would be a descent into an eight-year hell. For Redmond practiced the arcane arts of Alchemy, and in his twisted mind he thought the secrets of turning lead to gold lay within his bride. After her father dies, Solange asks Damon to help her escape from France back to England. It seems The Earl of Redmond is dead but his servants would keep her prisoner. Damon is angry with Solange for betraying their love, but soon he comes to realize all was not as it seemed in her marriage. The King settles Ironstag's estates on Damon Wolf and orders him to marry Solange. They begin finding their way back past the scars of the past to the love they once shared. But will a shadow of the past threaten their happiness? A Rose in Winter is a deeply entrancing debut novel by Shana Abé. Reading it was like falling into an Old World Fairytale of beauty and enchantment. Despite some inaccuracies with clothing styles, the story, the beautiful writing and the complex characters she created captivated me. I stayed up until three in the morning to finish it! Abé's next book, due in Oct. 98 is entitled, The Promise of Rain. I look forward to following the career of this powerful new voice in romance. A Rose in Winter is dream and enchantment captured and put into words. Reading it was like falling into a legendary world, where anything is possible, and the power of love cannot be denied! Shanna Abé is an astonishing new voice in historical romance! She writes with passion and a true gift for storytelling! Shanna Abé follows such giants as Marsha Canham and Shannon Drake adding her own bold style to historical romance! A masterful debut novel certain to become a favorite with readers everywhere!Phoebe Imel -- Copyright © 1998 Literary Times, Inc. All rights reserved -- From Literary Times

From the Publisher

"A powerfully moving love story from a fresh, exciting voice.
Ms. Abé will leave you longing for more."
--Elizabeth Thornton, nationally bestselling author of The Bride's Bodyguard

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 416 pages
• Publisher: Fanfare (January 5, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0553577875
• ISBN-13: 978-0553577877
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 4.1 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,199,150 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great debut, April 20, 2000

By 

BarkLessWagMore (USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: A Rose in Winter (Mass Market Paperback)

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.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful Story, December 29, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: A Rose in Winter (Mass Market Paperback)

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!

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Keeper!!!, November 3, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: A Rose in Winter (Mass Market Paperback)

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!