Customer Reviews

A Rose in Winter

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

 

 

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.

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!

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 enjoyed this novel, especially as I've been reading too many poor or sub-par romance novels lately. The emotions between the main characters, Solange and Damon were very heartfelt. It is what I'd call a "mature" romance novel, and I guess I'd define that as a romance written a carefully nutured story line and characters (and GEE WHIZ, not a hint of a sequel in sight). This book is obviously the creation of a writer who cares about creating believeable, touching situations, and characters you can believe, too.

I really appreciated the way the story just flowed, but there is -- one rather large flaw -- SPOILER -- why didn't Solange check on whether Redmond was dead before she left his castle? But all that was written before this point was so fine, I could forgive this point.

I also appreciated the fact that the main characters admit they love each other, and that they establish a real marriage/relationship during the story. (There's no "it's-just-a-marriage-of-convenience-while-we-agonize-over-our-feelings-for-each-other-in-secret" nonsense.) The time they take to admit to each other that they love each other seemed reasonable, and at least they don't fight it ad nauseum throughout the book, or leave their "confessions" to the very end, as happens in so many romances.

The book is consistently interesting and involving, yet, I can't quite rate it as 4 stars. The slow pace of some of the story, while I appreciate most of it, did require a little kick now & then. And although I loved the characters' emotions, perhaps there was a little TOO much description/explanation of their deep inner feelings. I might be too hard on the book, but I think a 3.5 or 3.75 is a fair rating. A very solid, enjoyable medieval love story/romance. I would definitely read more by this writer.

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!

wonderful story. i could not put it down until i read the last line. this book was written with much more depth than her "Promise of Rain" book which I sold back to the book store. If she continues to write in the same fashion as in "Rose in Winter" I will buy every one of her books. Ms. Abe has the potential of becoming a great author (as great as deveraux and garwood). Good luck to her.

A Rose in Winter is a beautiful love story. I fell in love with Damon and Solange, I couldn't put this book down. The characters were so completely complex and real, and the writing drew me in and wouldn't let go! Dinner burned for this book because I forgot all about it!

I can't wait for her next book! Shana Abe is going to be a very, very big name in romance.

Late in thirteenth France, sixteen year old Lady Solange and Damon Wolf, a landless aristocratic orphan, declare their undying love to each other. However, Solange's father, Henry, the Marquess of Ironstag, has political needs that supersede any thoughts of love. Henry expects his dutiful daughter to wed the Earl of Redmond. If she fails him, Henry promises to destroy Damon. For the sake of her love, Solange sacrifices her happiness and weds Redmond. The lead characters are wonderfully drawn and the support cast, especially the vile villain, adds flavoring to a moving story line. Shana Abe is a powerful new voice who will be heard and loved by readers of Medieval romance.

Harriet Klausner

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!

This book was completely engrossing! I felt drawn into a wonderful new world while I was reading it. I really felt for Solange and Damon, and what's more, I really liked them! The writing was lyrical and lovely, and the plot was interesting.

I would absolutely recommend Abe's A Rose in Winter to anyone who loves historical romance!

You should read this book!