Rating: 
Summary: I'm in love with this book!
Review: 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.
Rating: 
Summary: A book that could have been better.
Review: A Rose in Winter is a study in contrasts. Good, even brilliant lines of writing stand out like gems amongst an ocean of "telling" and backstory. Every good author, even a new one, should know how to "show" a story, rather than giving us endless pages of interior monologue and reflection. Lines that read like: He "was" in love with her, He "was the world to her" (for example--these aren't direct quotes) just don't ring a whole lot of response chimes within the reader. Principally, this book suffers from an appalling lack of emotion due to these problems. I consistently felt like a third party throughout the novel. When the love scene finally came--not after any particular buildup of sexual tension, by the way--I felt like a voyeur! It was almost embarassing to read. And hey, I'm not shy! I love a good, steamy romance. But only if the sex scenes are the result of heart-pattering, loving passion. These certainly were not that. The book shows nothing more than a cursory familiarity with the medieval era. Indeed, a conversation where one female explains to another that her marriage was "arranged" is laughable. This was news?? In spite of everything, I think this author has a well of potential, if only she'd study her craft some more, and really get inside her characters instead of just parading them before us. Examples of lovely description abound, and lines of glittering beauty promise a greater talent waiting in the wings.
Rating: 
Summary: We all deserve enchantment!
Review: A ROSE IN WINTER is the story of childhood soulmates, Solange and Damon, who manage to surmount a devastating separation, reuniting as adults in the midst of medieval intrigue and danger. Not even the obsession of true evil could break the ties that unite them, but the journey to their love is perilous and dark.I loved writing this book, and I hope you love reading it! :-)
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful Story
Review: 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!
Rating:
Summary: Keeper!!!
Review: 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!
Rating:
Summary: LOVED IT!
Review: I have read all three of Shana Abe's books and they are all wonderful. I think this was her first one and it is so touching and deep. You would have to have a heart made out of stone not to love this book.
Rating: 
Summary: AN OK BOOK!
Review: I read this book and although there was a good story line, the sexual parts were over done. I belive that an author can realate the depth of love between two people without going to such lengths. ..And If you want to read another book that goes straight to your heart, read Stolen Moments by Barbara Jeanne Fisher. . .It is a beautiful story of unrequited love. . .for certain the love story of the nineties. I intended to give the book a quick read, but I got so caught up in the story that I couldn't put the book down. From the very beginning, I was fully caught up in the heart-wrenching account of Julie Hunter's battle with lupus and her growing love for Don Lipton. This love, in the face of Julie's impending death, makes for a story that covers the range of human emotions. The touches of humor are great, too, they add some nice contrast and lighten things a bit when emotions are running high. I've never read a book more deserving of being published. It has rare depth. Julie's story will remind your readers that life and love are precious and not to be taken for granted. It has had an impact on me, and for that I'm grateful. Stolen Moments is written with so much sensitivity that it made me want to cry. It is a spellbinder. What terrific writing. Barbara does have an exceptional gift! This book was edited by Lupus specialist Dr. Matt Morrow too, and has the latest information on that disease. ..A perfect gift for someone who started college late in life, fell in love too late in life, is living with any illness, or trying to understand a loved one who is. . .A gift to be cherished forever.
Rating: 
Summary: A nice romance worth reading although somewhat lacking.
Review: I thought that Shana Abe's book was fairly well written. I really like the characters and the general plot, although, I think Abe could have enhanced them. The characters didn't really grow on me and even though they might have, it didn't feel as if they developed much. I really would have liked to have more description, I didn't feel as if I was there. My overall feelings at the end were of somewhat disapointment and a feeling that the book could have been so much more. In the end though, I still enjoyed the novel and would recomend it.
Rating:
Summary: We all deserve enchantment.
Review: I wrote A Rose in Winter because I felt compelled to share this story which was whirling around in my head.<BR> It is meant to enchant you, to let you fall into a world where, despite the perils and twists of a medieval world, love will prevail, and sacrifices will be rewarded.<BR> <P> Solange and Damon have been united all their lives, and though fate and men may try to sever that tie, these two hearts could never forget each other.<BR> I hope you enjoy their story as much as I did.
Rating:
Summary: A beautiful romance!
Review: 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!
|
