A Rose in Winter by Shana Abe

Challenge: Read a book with a W word for Winter

Rating: 4.5
pages:389

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.

Review: First of all, I have to get on a mini soap box and make a statement: Heroine's should be protected from Very Bad Things. It may not be "real" life, but it's the way a romance should be. It's what I expect. I have to deduct that half point because Solange was not protected. Also for the fact that Solange, her father, and Damon were total idiots for not guessing that her husband, who was CLEARLY evil incarnate, was keeping them all apart. Duh. (I think I might be PMSing. LOL!) ANYway, aside from that annoyance, Shana Abe has crafted yet another highly unusual, lyrical romance that draws you in by slow degrees until you find yourself crying for what the characters have gone through to finally be together. I did appreciate that the Very Bad Things were not graphically detailed. Overall a worthwhile and satisfying story.