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Title: A Rose in Winter
ISBN: 0553577875
Author:
Shana Abe
Publicate Date: 1998-01-05
Publish: 1998-01-05
List Price: $5.50
Average Customer Rating: 4.5
Format: Mass Market Paperback
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Amazon Lowest New Price: $184.95
Amazon Lowest Used Price: $16.47
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| Customer Review: |
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1: Umm, not worth all the hoopla
The book started out with a bang....then fizzled out. We never really saw what the relationship was between her and Redmond. It would have been interesting to see what she truly had to endure in that marriage. And as for Damon, we never really got to miss him because he was gone in chapter 1 and back again in chapter 2. It would have been nice to have the reader feel the loss of him in her life.
Anyway, I'm glad I didn't spend the money on the book and borrowed it from a friend. It was easy to put down and hard to pick back up again. But it looks like I'm in the minority on this list of reviewers.
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2: Really 3.5 or 3.75 stars (reasons explained)
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.
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3: A Rose Indeed!
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!
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4: Great debut
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.
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5: Beautiful Storytelling
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.
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