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The Frost of Springtime
To rescue her was to rescue his own soul.
On a cold Parisian night, Vicomte Aleksender de Lefèvre forges an everlasting bond with a broken girl during her darkest hour, rescuing her from a life of abuse and misery. Tormented by his own demons, he finds his first bit of solace in sheltering little Sofia Rose.
But when Aleksender is drawn away by the Franco-Prussian war, the seasons pass. And in that long year, Sofia matures into a stunning young woman—a dancer with an understanding of devotion and redemption far surpassing her age.
Alongside his closest friend, Aleksender returns home to find that “home” is gone, replaced by revolution, bloodshed, betrayal—and a love always out of reach. Scarred inside and out, he’s thrust into a world of sensuality and violence—a world in which all his hours have now grown dark, and where only Sofia might bring an end to the winter in his heart.
Inspired by the 1871 Paris Commune, The Frost of Springtime is a poignant tale of revolution, redemption, and the healing power of love.
DISCLAIMER: This story contains dark themes and intense subject matter. Discretion is advised for sensitive readers.
On a cold Parisian night, Vicomte Aleksender de Lefèvre forges an everlasting bond with a broken girl during her darkest hour, rescuing her from a life of abuse and misery. Tormented by his own demons, he finds his first bit of solace in sheltering little Sofia Rose.
But when Aleksender is drawn away by the Franco-Prussian war, the seasons pass. And in that long year, Sofia matures into a stunning young woman—a dancer with an understanding of devotion and redemption far surpassing her age.
Alongside his closest friend, Aleksender returns home to find that “home” is gone, replaced by revolution, bloodshed, betrayal—and a love always out of reach. Scarred inside and out, he’s thrust into a world of sensuality and violence—a world in which all his hours have now grown dark, and where only Sofia might bring an end to the winter in his heart.
Inspired by the 1871 Paris Commune, The Frost of Springtime is a poignant tale of revolution, redemption, and the healing power of love.
DISCLAIMER: This story contains dark themes and intense subject matter. Discretion is advised for sensitive readers.
286 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 14, 2014
About the author
Rachel L. Demeter
5 books510 followersThank you for stopping by my Goodreads page!
I live in Sunny California with my dashing husband, who inspires my romance novels every day!
Writing has always been an integral part of my identity. Before I physically learned how to write, I'd narrate stories to my mom and she'd record them for me.
I graduated from Chapman’s film school, where I often received the feedback on my scripts, “Your stories and characters are great, but this reads like a novel!” That’s when I realized my true calling.
I'm passionate about writing stories that explore what it means to be human and to be loved. My books focus on hope, courage, and redemption in the face of adversity.
In my free time, I frequent reptile expos, lift double my body’s weight, and indulge in dinosaur trivia.
My dream is to move readers and leave an emotional impact through my words.♥
Don't be a stranger! I cherish my readers, and I'd love to connect with you:
Official Site | TikTok | Facebook Page | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest | Google+ | Amazon Author Page
I live in Sunny California with my dashing husband, who inspires my romance novels every day!
Writing has always been an integral part of my identity. Before I physically learned how to write, I'd narrate stories to my mom and she'd record them for me.
I graduated from Chapman’s film school, where I often received the feedback on my scripts, “Your stories and characters are great, but this reads like a novel!” That’s when I realized my true calling.
I'm passionate about writing stories that explore what it means to be human and to be loved. My books focus on hope, courage, and redemption in the face of adversity.
In my free time, I frequent reptile expos, lift double my body’s weight, and indulge in dinosaur trivia.
My dream is to move readers and leave an emotional impact through my words.♥
Don't be a stranger! I cherish my readers, and I'd love to connect with you:
Official Site | TikTok | Facebook Page | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest | Google+ | Amazon Author Page
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews
March 20, 2017
4 I am yours and you are mine stars
"You showed me peace, showed me that beauty could be found within darkness. You, Alek, gave me reason to be happy"
So I have to admit, for a debut novel, Rachel L. Demeter KILLED IT. Seriously. Even though it was her first book, it was written beautifully and the story line piqued my interest throughout the entire book. She tied the unrest in Paris at the time into the romance and I thought she did a great job blending the two.
The book revolves around the hero and heroine, Alek and Sofia. Alek is a soldier returning home from war and Sofia is his ward that he saved from a whorehouse when she was very little. When Alek see's Sofia for the first time in years, he realizes that she is no longer the young girl that she was when he left. He is in awe of how beautiful she has become and what an amazing woman she has grown into. He becomes caught between his love for Sofia and his duty as a soldier and as a husband to another woman.
So why 4 and not 5 stars? Well that all boils down to one person- Alek. Truth be told, I didn't like him. The constant 'push and pull' game he played with Sofia throughout most of the book pissed me off. It seemed as though Sofia was more of an adult than Alek was- even though he was much older than her. I feel like he made her weak, and in fact, she was anything but that. Idk. Just my opinion on the matter.
Once again, I would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good Historical romance novel :-)
"You showed me peace, showed me that beauty could be found within darkness. You, Alek, gave me reason to be happy"
So I have to admit, for a debut novel, Rachel L. Demeter KILLED IT. Seriously. Even though it was her first book, it was written beautifully and the story line piqued my interest throughout the entire book. She tied the unrest in Paris at the time into the romance and I thought she did a great job blending the two.
The book revolves around the hero and heroine, Alek and Sofia. Alek is a soldier returning home from war and Sofia is his ward that he saved from a whorehouse when she was very little. When Alek see's Sofia for the first time in years, he realizes that she is no longer the young girl that she was when he left. He is in awe of how beautiful she has become and what an amazing woman she has grown into. He becomes caught between his love for Sofia and his duty as a soldier and as a husband to another woman.
So why 4 and not 5 stars? Well that all boils down to one person- Alek. Truth be told, I didn't like him. The constant 'push and pull' game he played with Sofia throughout most of the book pissed me off. It seemed as though Sofia was more of an adult than Alek was- even though he was much older than her. I feel like he made her weak, and in fact, she was anything but that. Idk. Just my opinion on the matter.
Once again, I would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good Historical romance novel :-)
September 16, 2023
I received the Frost of Springtime as an advanced reader copy in Kindle format from the talented Rachel L. Demeter. I was intrigued by the book's description and got even more excited after exchanging a few messages back and forth with Rachel, which I immediately liked her style.
I was a little hesitant because I expected this to be a romance book. Let me feign ignorance here because my only encounters in the past with romance novels have been in the more harlequin type, and I was pleasantly surprised with the story's content. I would consider this more of a historical fiction novel with romance intertwined. I was slowly drawn into the character of Aleksander and his internal war with PTSD as he finds himself on the path of a love that could heal his very soul if he takes a chance.
My favorite quote: "Amour de ma vie ... ton image hante mes nuits, me poursuit le jour, elle remplit ma vie .. " Love of my life, your image haunts my nights, follows me all the day, fulfills my life."
From what I can tell, this is Rachel's initial breakthrough novel for sale, and she did a fantastic job for an initial piece. I have wrestled back and forth between a four and a 5-star review on this book. I have resolved with a final 4.7. The prologue was excellently written and very vivid and immediately left me with high standards for the rest of the story.
The first two chapters felt slightly choppy after such a fantastic prologue. All of the story elements were there, but I had a hard time with the locations and visuals. It felt like something was missing. I was still intrigued by the story and pushed on, and by the end of chapter 3, I was thoroughly hooked on the story. I felt like the descriptions came across much more clearly, and I have nothing but praise for the remainder of the story barring 2 or 3 grammatical errors in the last chapter. And a few unanswered questions arose with the close of the story.
The Frost of Springtime revolves around a man known as Vicomte Aleksender de Lefèvre and takes place predominantly in Paris, France, during the Franco-Prussian war. This was a very dark and gloomy time for Paris, and Rachel did a superb job of capturing the feeling of desperation and the gloom of the people and settings throughout the story. My praise goes to her portrayal of Aleksander's PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) as he returned from the war. She made you feel like you were inside Alek's head and wrestling with his inner demons and moral dilemmas as he struggled to keep hold of the edge of sanity to make it through life on a day-to-day basis.
Not many fictional writers are brave enough to tackle such a daunting task as PTSD, and she did so beautifully. The romance is a gradual building that allows you to feel the characters' roles in each other's lives take an enormous shift. It is not written as an "in your face" sort of affair, but rather one that is done in a tastefully appealing manner, and yet it is still quite titillating. No matter how many mistakes Aleksander seems to make, he is ever the underdog you want to continue to root for. Rachel did an excellent job personifying his struggle and making him a lovable character.
Overall I would recommend this book to anyone interested in historical fiction laced with romance and a look at the world from the mind of a man with PTSD and the solace he finds in the innocent love of a woman whose scent is that of roses and the frost of springtime. I can't wait to read any of Rachel's future works of art.
I was a little hesitant because I expected this to be a romance book. Let me feign ignorance here because my only encounters in the past with romance novels have been in the more harlequin type, and I was pleasantly surprised with the story's content. I would consider this more of a historical fiction novel with romance intertwined. I was slowly drawn into the character of Aleksander and his internal war with PTSD as he finds himself on the path of a love that could heal his very soul if he takes a chance.
My favorite quote: "Amour de ma vie ... ton image hante mes nuits, me poursuit le jour, elle remplit ma vie .. " Love of my life, your image haunts my nights, follows me all the day, fulfills my life."
From what I can tell, this is Rachel's initial breakthrough novel for sale, and she did a fantastic job for an initial piece. I have wrestled back and forth between a four and a 5-star review on this book. I have resolved with a final 4.7. The prologue was excellently written and very vivid and immediately left me with high standards for the rest of the story.
The first two chapters felt slightly choppy after such a fantastic prologue. All of the story elements were there, but I had a hard time with the locations and visuals. It felt like something was missing. I was still intrigued by the story and pushed on, and by the end of chapter 3, I was thoroughly hooked on the story. I felt like the descriptions came across much more clearly, and I have nothing but praise for the remainder of the story barring 2 or 3 grammatical errors in the last chapter. And a few unanswered questions arose with the close of the story.
The Frost of Springtime revolves around a man known as Vicomte Aleksender de Lefèvre and takes place predominantly in Paris, France, during the Franco-Prussian war. This was a very dark and gloomy time for Paris, and Rachel did a superb job of capturing the feeling of desperation and the gloom of the people and settings throughout the story. My praise goes to her portrayal of Aleksander's PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) as he returned from the war. She made you feel like you were inside Alek's head and wrestling with his inner demons and moral dilemmas as he struggled to keep hold of the edge of sanity to make it through life on a day-to-day basis.
Not many fictional writers are brave enough to tackle such a daunting task as PTSD, and she did so beautifully. The romance is a gradual building that allows you to feel the characters' roles in each other's lives take an enormous shift. It is not written as an "in your face" sort of affair, but rather one that is done in a tastefully appealing manner, and yet it is still quite titillating. No matter how many mistakes Aleksander seems to make, he is ever the underdog you want to continue to root for. Rachel did an excellent job personifying his struggle and making him a lovable character.
Overall I would recommend this book to anyone interested in historical fiction laced with romance and a look at the world from the mind of a man with PTSD and the solace he finds in the innocent love of a woman whose scent is that of roses and the frost of springtime. I can't wait to read any of Rachel's future works of art.
August 10, 2016
WOW!! The Frost of Springtime is a powerful, epic love story unlike anything I've ever read before. The emotional and visual/sensory depth is astounding. I felt Alek and Sofia's connection from beginning to end....and what a profound connection it was. Soulful, heart-wrenching, heartwarming, and yes - forbidden. And it's this forbidden aspect that makes it all the sweeter. Sofia and Alek's love went far beyond lust and took my breath away. Loved how tortured Alek was...I felt his pain, agony, yearnings, and frustration at every step. His path to healing was at times breathtaking and heartbreaking. This is a hero who loves his woman with every last breath, every fiber of his being...and there's nothing he wouldn't do for her. AMAZING cast of secondary characters as well...a "villain" who actually leaves you morally torn! So, so great! Beautifully written, dark, unusual, rich with history, epic scope, and a soul deep love that only comes once in a lifetime... Brava!!!
February 27, 2017
A heartfelt THANK YOU to every person who's read The Frost of Springtime—despite whether it was your cuppa tea or not. Thank you for taking a chance on a new author and an unconventional story. Each of you are an inspiration and have allowed me to realize my dream. Writing this book was an intense, emotional journey, and I'm honored to share it with you. ♥
February 25, 2014
Published on Buried Under Romance
Paris – When Alekander de Lefèvre encountered a young girl being sold into a pleasure house, he felt a moment of compassion and took in young Sofia, whose tenacity at life suddenly filled the emptiness within his heart. No matter that he breathed cynicism, apathy, and the harsh realities of life, she alone brought him back from an abyss of solicitude.
The time is now 1871, a ravaged Paris in political turmoil post its defeat in the Franco-Prussian War (I suggest reading up a bit on this to get a better understanding of the background of this story). Alek came back from the war as cynical as ever, and again greeted by his Sofia – beautiful, vibrant, and still possibly with no idea of his escalating passion for her.
“The man of Sofia’s life.
Those playful words had behaved as a rude awakening. Aleksender
had known he was in terrible trouble. Whether she’d been aware of it or not, they were trudging dangerous grounds. After all — some lines simply could not be crossed.” (Sec1:24)
Their relationship would be taboo, and yet, some things must not be denied. Alek has been the only man in Sofia’s life, a constant force holding her at peace. Overtime, he had changed from her savior into the man she loves, and yet that love is changing too. How would Alek confront the feelings he has for his much younger ward, whom he practically raised? And how would Sofia see Alek not as a white knight, but a dark knight in need of light? Most importantly…what about Alek’s wife, Elizabeth?
In a sea of historical romance, The Frost of Springtime is in fact, far more historical than most others of its genre. The wistful loveliness of the setting paints a picture of a crying France, blending in with the dynamic romance perfectly. Or rather, it does not merely blend in the background as much as glitters like the brightest jewel, shining with a vibrancy that makes one want to relieve the halcyon days of grand old Paris. I was captivated by the setting, the lush writing of Rachel Demeter, and the subtle expressiveness of the characters, which all compelled me to research more of the historical background, of the 1871 Paris Commune, through which this story is made more infinitely dearer.
But perhaps it is the characters that shine the brightest in this story. Alek is like an early existentialist, an intelligent, liberal thinker who decries his vicomte title, his aristocratic responsibilities, and his loveless marriage for his lineage. Central to this story is the theme of identity and freedom; Alek torn between two worlds; he is bound to his chateau, his title, and his wife, yet he craves freedom – to live, to enjoy, and to love, all of which Sofia represents in her life and role as a ballerina.
This is, ultimately, a rather complex novel. The thoughts and motivations of the secondary characters are given ample space to develop, and the closure provided for the novel’s many questions is very well done. I am astonished at this being Rachel Demeter’s debut work, for in form and style, it is very much a tour de force. A riveting story of love and courage in the aftermath of a brutal war, the author brilliantly juxtaposes the hazing splendor of French nobility and the impassioned elegance of two people in love, despite all the world’s oppositions. The title is, in a sense, a representation of change: the beginning of a new spring with La Belle Époque and the transition into a new era, for the world and our protagonists.
*I received a review copy from the author for an honest review
Paris – When Alekander de Lefèvre encountered a young girl being sold into a pleasure house, he felt a moment of compassion and took in young Sofia, whose tenacity at life suddenly filled the emptiness within his heart. No matter that he breathed cynicism, apathy, and the harsh realities of life, she alone brought him back from an abyss of solicitude.
The time is now 1871, a ravaged Paris in political turmoil post its defeat in the Franco-Prussian War (I suggest reading up a bit on this to get a better understanding of the background of this story). Alek came back from the war as cynical as ever, and again greeted by his Sofia – beautiful, vibrant, and still possibly with no idea of his escalating passion for her.
“The man of Sofia’s life.
Those playful words had behaved as a rude awakening. Aleksender
had known he was in terrible trouble. Whether she’d been aware of it or not, they were trudging dangerous grounds. After all — some lines simply could not be crossed.” (Sec1:24)
Their relationship would be taboo, and yet, some things must not be denied. Alek has been the only man in Sofia’s life, a constant force holding her at peace. Overtime, he had changed from her savior into the man she loves, and yet that love is changing too. How would Alek confront the feelings he has for his much younger ward, whom he practically raised? And how would Sofia see Alek not as a white knight, but a dark knight in need of light? Most importantly…what about Alek’s wife, Elizabeth?
In a sea of historical romance, The Frost of Springtime is in fact, far more historical than most others of its genre. The wistful loveliness of the setting paints a picture of a crying France, blending in with the dynamic romance perfectly. Or rather, it does not merely blend in the background as much as glitters like the brightest jewel, shining with a vibrancy that makes one want to relieve the halcyon days of grand old Paris. I was captivated by the setting, the lush writing of Rachel Demeter, and the subtle expressiveness of the characters, which all compelled me to research more of the historical background, of the 1871 Paris Commune, through which this story is made more infinitely dearer.
But perhaps it is the characters that shine the brightest in this story. Alek is like an early existentialist, an intelligent, liberal thinker who decries his vicomte title, his aristocratic responsibilities, and his loveless marriage for his lineage. Central to this story is the theme of identity and freedom; Alek torn between two worlds; he is bound to his chateau, his title, and his wife, yet he craves freedom – to live, to enjoy, and to love, all of which Sofia represents in her life and role as a ballerina.
This is, ultimately, a rather complex novel. The thoughts and motivations of the secondary characters are given ample space to develop, and the closure provided for the novel’s many questions is very well done. I am astonished at this being Rachel Demeter’s debut work, for in form and style, it is very much a tour de force. A riveting story of love and courage in the aftermath of a brutal war, the author brilliantly juxtaposes the hazing splendor of French nobility and the impassioned elegance of two people in love, despite all the world’s oppositions. The title is, in a sense, a representation of change: the beginning of a new spring with La Belle Époque and the transition into a new era, for the world and our protagonists.
*I received a review copy from the author for an honest review
July 23, 2016
I was blown away how Rachel L. Demeter took these two tortured souls, Alek and Sofia and so skillfully put life, passion, blood back into their veins. She knows how to probe the deep, dark recesses to achieve the redemptive qualities she wants to capture. She delivered on all counts, there was good character development, suspense, intrigue, shock, horror and enough ooh la la for a sizzling romance. I love being transported back in time and Paris late 1800's during the revolution/siege definitely made a fine setting for a historical romance fiction. I am certainly looking forward to Ms. Demeter's next book!!! This is the kind of book you can curl up with and not put down until your finished.
August 9, 2014
I’m so excited to have found this talented new author!!! This book is a stunning, unique story of impossible love against a breathtaking historical backdrop. I was hooked from page 1 all the way until the moving conclusion. (*here comes the happy tears*) Alek and Sofia’s connection was so powerful, so heartwrenching and so consuming……ackk!..... This couple will seriously take your breath away. I have a huge thing for flawed heroes.....and Alek was so wonderfully haunted…..so much in need of Sofia’s gentleness and compassion. This is a rich, dynamic tale about sacrifice, true love, and finding inner peace…..and it’ll stay with you long after the last page. Also, the historical part was wonderfully detailed and, IMO, just as titillating as the romance. I burned through the book at record time….and still craved more.
August 20, 2016
Absolutely loved it. Dynamic, complex characters, rich setting, and a killer plot. From each and every character, to the depiction of Paris's ravaged streets, this story is incredibly unique and far from an atypical romance.
I especially appreciated the heartfelt depiction of Aleksender’s PTSD. It’s a difficult topic to tackle, and the author really brings his inner turmoil and despair vividly to life. You can’t help but feel his pain and yearn to see him recover. Sofia is a strong foil to his torment. The way she brings him out of his shell and helps him find hope makes you believe in the power of love.
Side point: Paris’s civil war and chaotic state echoes the main characters’ inner conflicts brilliantly.
If you’re searching for something a bit different that's emotionally charged and full of memorable personalities, look no further.
I especially appreciated the heartfelt depiction of Aleksender’s PTSD. It’s a difficult topic to tackle, and the author really brings his inner turmoil and despair vividly to life. You can’t help but feel his pain and yearn to see him recover. Sofia is a strong foil to his torment. The way she brings him out of his shell and helps him find hope makes you believe in the power of love.
Side point: Paris’s civil war and chaotic state echoes the main characters’ inner conflicts brilliantly.
If you’re searching for something a bit different that's emotionally charged and full of memorable personalities, look no further.
February 7, 2014
This novel is intricately detailed and wonderfully written!
Opening with a heartbreaking scene, I was immediately drawn to the story of Aleksender and his Sofia. Of course, as the story moved on, other enchanting characters helped to make this poignant book complete.
The author has blended historical facts with fiction skillfully, and presented several narratives flawlessly. I was impressed how well Ms. Demeter implemented Oscar Wilde’s tale “The Nightingale and the Rose”; it feels as though they were meant to be published together. I admire this creative approach, because of its foreboding nature, not in spite of it. It’s beautiful! I loved it!
I must warn:
Some may find the age difference, or circumstances, between the hero and heroine offensive.
It’s a historically known fact that older men married younger women, cousins married cousins, and children were betrothed, and then married off to benefit the family. I’m not saying I condone this behavior, I’m just saying that all of this was considered the norm back then.
If reading Historical Fiction is too much like reading a textbook for you, this will not be your cup of tea.
There’s so much more to this story, but I’m not one for spoilers!
I received a copy of this e-book in exchange for an honest and unscripted review.
February 11, 2014
OUR REVIEW
We are in awe. The Frost Of Springtime, written by Rachel L. Demeter is a MUST HAVE!
First off…most Historical Romance books take place in England. Which is perfectly fine, but let´s face it…
England in the 19th century was kind of stiff. France, on the other hand, is and has always been a country
that lived. And to narrow it all even more down…Paris has always been a city that was filled with all sorts of
people. People who would have done everything for their love…the city itself.
We were more than happy the author took on a historical event that that actually happened! How often do any of
you readers / bloggers get to read about the Paris Commune? That was way to cool to find such a brutal and short
war combined with a lovestory. For those who don´t know what the Paris Commune was about…we recommend you
start reading this book because it´s definitely more exciting to read the facts in here than in a history book. The author did
a splendid job describing the event ( in it´s true form ) and even using the actual political participants who had their hands
involved in matters back then. PERFECT! What more can we ask for? :-) Absolutely nothing!!
Despite the fact that we loved the true facts, we fell instantly in love with the story. It was dark, emotionally devastating,
and sensual. The innocence between the two main characters was beautiful and their love grew so strong thoughout the
story with such grace. One of us even cried while reading The Frost Of Springtime.
The main characters, Aleksender and Sofia, had both been through the deepest pits of hell. We fell in love with Aleksender
the moment his character was introduced. He was a God-like handsome man who had a dull, dark life. He wasn´t happy with his wife, Elizabeth,
and he carried more demons on his shoulders than one could imagine. Now….alot of Heros are broken. Yeah….we´ve read about all kinds
of broken men. But, in our opinions, Aleksender was the only man we actually felt deeply sorry for. We felt his pain and we saw a side of a character that hasn´t been
described before. The dark paths he walked made us believe he was on the brink of self- destruction ( which he was!) That was until he found the girl who would change his soul. Sofia was young and damaged when she was rescued by Aleksender. He became her guardian and with that…he took her under his wing and protected the girl who managed to awaken him. Sofia was described as a beautiful young woman who had the soul and beauty of an angel. Her spirit was filled with pure goodness and to top that…she was also a very talented dancer. Her love for her guardian became something different with time and both characters found themselves in an unfortunate situation.
Aleksender was married, Sofia was his ward and so young. What would Paris´society have to say about them? And what about that awful 7 day war?!
Also…if you believe this book is filled with all sorts of naughtly spankings, or with 154 ” best orgasms EVER”..then you´re wrong. There is sex in this book, but it´s ( now please take a seat, people ) true sex. It´s sexy, it´s sensual, but it´s not sex-overload. WHICH IS A GOOD THING!! Let us all be honest here for a moment:
How fat are chances that a couple will screw like bunnies while a war is running outside?
The author made it clear that both the Paris Commune and the lovestory were equally important. We LOVED that! Rachel L. Demeter focused on the facts and turned everything into one huge dramatic, sob worthy, dark, brutal story with just as much love, passion and kindness. The frost Of Sprintime was heartbreaking and heartwarming at the same time. When blood was shed, there was also love to heal the wounds.
This book actually showed us how love and tragic go hand in hand and that love can actually be more powerful than any
other emotion.
We loved the cover, we loved the writing style, and we adored the characters. We fell in love, really hard.
Now…even if you´re not a fan of Historical Romances….you need to read this book. It´s definitely worth it. We can, without a doubt, say that this book and author with not disappoint!
Would be recommend this book?
- What a stupid question. OF COURSE! A lovestory with great characters and real history in it? OH HELL YES!
Would we re-read this book?
- Haha….we´re re-reading it right now! Yes. We will probably never get bored with this story.
The Divas are giving The Frost Of Springtime, by Rachel L. Demeter 5 out of 5 well deserved champagne glasses!
We are in awe. The Frost Of Springtime, written by Rachel L. Demeter is a MUST HAVE!
First off…most Historical Romance books take place in England. Which is perfectly fine, but let´s face it…
England in the 19th century was kind of stiff. France, on the other hand, is and has always been a country
that lived. And to narrow it all even more down…Paris has always been a city that was filled with all sorts of
people. People who would have done everything for their love…the city itself.
We were more than happy the author took on a historical event that that actually happened! How often do any of
you readers / bloggers get to read about the Paris Commune? That was way to cool to find such a brutal and short
war combined with a lovestory. For those who don´t know what the Paris Commune was about…we recommend you
start reading this book because it´s definitely more exciting to read the facts in here than in a history book. The author did
a splendid job describing the event ( in it´s true form ) and even using the actual political participants who had their hands
involved in matters back then. PERFECT! What more can we ask for? :-) Absolutely nothing!!
Despite the fact that we loved the true facts, we fell instantly in love with the story. It was dark, emotionally devastating,
and sensual. The innocence between the two main characters was beautiful and their love grew so strong thoughout the
story with such grace. One of us even cried while reading The Frost Of Springtime.
The main characters, Aleksender and Sofia, had both been through the deepest pits of hell. We fell in love with Aleksender
the moment his character was introduced. He was a God-like handsome man who had a dull, dark life. He wasn´t happy with his wife, Elizabeth,
and he carried more demons on his shoulders than one could imagine. Now….alot of Heros are broken. Yeah….we´ve read about all kinds
of broken men. But, in our opinions, Aleksender was the only man we actually felt deeply sorry for. We felt his pain and we saw a side of a character that hasn´t been
described before. The dark paths he walked made us believe he was on the brink of self- destruction ( which he was!) That was until he found the girl who would change his soul. Sofia was young and damaged when she was rescued by Aleksender. He became her guardian and with that…he took her under his wing and protected the girl who managed to awaken him. Sofia was described as a beautiful young woman who had the soul and beauty of an angel. Her spirit was filled with pure goodness and to top that…she was also a very talented dancer. Her love for her guardian became something different with time and both characters found themselves in an unfortunate situation.
Aleksender was married, Sofia was his ward and so young. What would Paris´society have to say about them? And what about that awful 7 day war?!
Also…if you believe this book is filled with all sorts of naughtly spankings, or with 154 ” best orgasms EVER”..then you´re wrong. There is sex in this book, but it´s ( now please take a seat, people ) true sex. It´s sexy, it´s sensual, but it´s not sex-overload. WHICH IS A GOOD THING!! Let us all be honest here for a moment:
How fat are chances that a couple will screw like bunnies while a war is running outside?
The author made it clear that both the Paris Commune and the lovestory were equally important. We LOVED that! Rachel L. Demeter focused on the facts and turned everything into one huge dramatic, sob worthy, dark, brutal story with just as much love, passion and kindness. The frost Of Sprintime was heartbreaking and heartwarming at the same time. When blood was shed, there was also love to heal the wounds.
This book actually showed us how love and tragic go hand in hand and that love can actually be more powerful than any
other emotion.
We loved the cover, we loved the writing style, and we adored the characters. We fell in love, really hard.
Now…even if you´re not a fan of Historical Romances….you need to read this book. It´s definitely worth it. We can, without a doubt, say that this book and author with not disappoint!
Would be recommend this book?
- What a stupid question. OF COURSE! A lovestory with great characters and real history in it? OH HELL YES!
Would we re-read this book?
- Haha….we´re re-reading it right now! Yes. We will probably never get bored with this story.
The Divas are giving The Frost Of Springtime, by Rachel L. Demeter 5 out of 5 well deserved champagne glasses!
February 27, 2018
The year is 1871.
And Paris is not what it once had been.
For the government is collapsing and the rebels are rising.
The Frost of Springtime is a devastatingly beautiful pas de deux of two star-crossed lovers that were brought together by fate but kept apart by reality.
Act I
“For the first time he inhaled her unique scent. Roses and the frost of wintertime.”
Sophia Rose was merely a child when her despicable mother tried selling her to a brothel and on the very night of this attempted transaction, Aleksender happened to be at the same brothel battling his own inner demons. Aleksender makes haste to save Sophia's innocence and takes her home to his wife, shelters her, educates her and vows to ward her from all that is evil.
Vicomte Aleksender de Lefèvre was born into aristocracy, forced into an arranged marriage, and is suffering from PTSD. Caught between making his father proud, being a dutiful husband, making things right for Parisians, he has lost his own voice and self-identity.
Act II
"The Day of Judgment had arrived and there was no escaping its wrath."
Many moons later, Aleksender realizes that Sophia is no longer the little girl he once cared for and Sophia no longer sees him as just her caregiver.
Sophia, now a young adult, has grown into a beautiful, smart, kindhearted ballerina that is madly in love with Aleksender, and Aleksender is struggling to suppress his undying love for her.
Though he is stuck in a loveless marriage, Aleksender can't bring himself to leave his current wife because he fears he will hurt her more than he already has.
Another war is on the horizon as the rebels continue to rise and Vicomte Aleksender must make a decision, for better or for worse for the people of Paris, for the one he loves most, and for his own tormented soul.
Reverence
"Love of my life, your image haunts my nights, follows me all the day, fulfills my life.”
Both Rachel L. Demeter and The Frost of Springtime deserve a standing ovation! This novel is a finely crafted masterpiece that pulls its reader through a symphony of emotions. I am still suffering from the aftershocks of this heart-clenching journey. The romance and politics were well-balanced, the historical events were thoroughly researched, and the ending is without a doubt as satisfying as Channing Tatum's body. I highly recommend this novel!
Bravo!
...And they lived
August 11, 2016
Demeter has an incredible gift for creating vivid scenes alive to all the senses. She has an equally remarkable ability to recreate with historical accuracy a time and place that actually occurred. Intelligence and passion come together in this gifted writer as she imagines for us a dramatic narrative. We should all breathlessly await her next novel.
December 3, 2021
The Frost of Springtime, the debut novel by Rachel Demeter, is a gorgeous dark historical romance that captured my heart from the very first word. On a cold Parisian night the novel’s tortured hero, Aleksender de Lefèvre, rescues a poor abused girl from being sold to a pleasure house by her own mother thus making a decision that would haunt him and change his life forever. Young Sofia Rose becomes his ward and Aleksender swears to protect, care for and raise the young girl. Unfortunately Aleksender is eventually taken away from home by the Franco-Prussian war and in the year that passes everything changes. Immediately captivated by the tragic brokenness of both the city of Paris and the characters I couldn’t help but fall deeply in love with this novel.
Romance is not a favorite genre of mine but when I do read romance novels I look for romances like The Frost of Springtime. It is highly historical full of rich imagery, accurate details and plenty of narrative to capture the essence of the time. The history in this historical romance is fascinating and I loved that Demeter took such care to develop the history as though the history itself was a character.
The primary characters (Aleksender himself, his wife Elizabeth, his friend Christoph, his ward Sofia and his brother Richard) are all incredible. They are all so real, so developed and so perfectly flawed. I adore flawed heroes and heroines in novels as they become so much more authentic with their heavy imperfections. Aleksender is cynical and bitter; turned cold against a world that has done nothing but let him down. He is married to a kind and beautiful woman that he doesn’t love (through no fault of her own), his father has died leaving him the heir to a title and responsibility he doesn’t want, he fought in a war he wanted no part of and is scarred inside and out. His only joy comes from a beautiful young dancer that he isn’t supposed to love and who refuses to let him go. Sofia is determined to make Aleksender hers and bring an end to the cold winter in his heart. Can she do it? And what will happen to Elizabeth? It’s an amazing journey.
Romance is not a favorite genre of mine but when I do read romance novels I look for romances like The Frost of Springtime. It is highly historical full of rich imagery, accurate details and plenty of narrative to capture the essence of the time. The history in this historical romance is fascinating and I loved that Demeter took such care to develop the history as though the history itself was a character.
The primary characters (Aleksender himself, his wife Elizabeth, his friend Christoph, his ward Sofia and his brother Richard) are all incredible. They are all so real, so developed and so perfectly flawed. I adore flawed heroes and heroines in novels as they become so much more authentic with their heavy imperfections. Aleksender is cynical and bitter; turned cold against a world that has done nothing but let him down. He is married to a kind and beautiful woman that he doesn’t love (through no fault of her own), his father has died leaving him the heir to a title and responsibility he doesn’t want, he fought in a war he wanted no part of and is scarred inside and out. His only joy comes from a beautiful young dancer that he isn’t supposed to love and who refuses to let him go. Sofia is determined to make Aleksender hers and bring an end to the cold winter in his heart. Can she do it? And what will happen to Elizabeth? It’s an amazing journey.
May 25, 2014
This is a positively enchanting story! At times, it leaves you feeling breathless... I absolutely loved every single character! Ms Demeter's writing is beautiful and eloquent. This is one of the most riveting, captivating and seductive love stories I've ever read!
April 23, 2014
I love tales of forbidden or taboo love! Oh, be still my beating heart. And this book is all about the taboo love affair.
Sofia is saved by Aleksender from certain doom. Being sold to a brothel as a child, he saves her from that fate and helps nurture her into a beautiful young woman. Alek goes off to war and is thought to be dead. When he returns, he first goes to Sofia. She’s ecstatic he alive and he can’t deny the feelings he harbors inside for this young woman. There is but one issue, besides the taboo nature of their relationship, Alek’s wife.
I’m not a big historical romance buff, but I was really intrigued by the description of this book. I’m really glad I went outside of my book comfort zone for this, because it was an awesome read. The author not only manages to create an interesting and taboo dynamic between the two main characters, but the back drop in 19th century France is front and center as well. The political unrest there at the time is so well combined and intertwined with the love story that I just couldn’t read it fast enough. I thought it was so cool that a real historical event was detailed along with Alek and Sofia’s story.
Also, the arc of the romance between Alek and Sofia is both devastating and beautiful. Even though their relationship was not traditional, I could not help but want them to be together. Their love story is quite the ride. The story is written beautifully, I was truly blown away.
If you have not read this book yet, you must. Even if you, like me, aren’t that into historical you should branch out for this. Incredible story with incredible writing that I absolutely was taken by. 5 stars.
Sofia is saved by Aleksender from certain doom. Being sold to a brothel as a child, he saves her from that fate and helps nurture her into a beautiful young woman. Alek goes off to war and is thought to be dead. When he returns, he first goes to Sofia. She’s ecstatic he alive and he can’t deny the feelings he harbors inside for this young woman. There is but one issue, besides the taboo nature of their relationship, Alek’s wife.
I’m not a big historical romance buff, but I was really intrigued by the description of this book. I’m really glad I went outside of my book comfort zone for this, because it was an awesome read. The author not only manages to create an interesting and taboo dynamic between the two main characters, but the back drop in 19th century France is front and center as well. The political unrest there at the time is so well combined and intertwined with the love story that I just couldn’t read it fast enough. I thought it was so cool that a real historical event was detailed along with Alek and Sofia’s story.
Also, the arc of the romance between Alek and Sofia is both devastating and beautiful. Even though their relationship was not traditional, I could not help but want them to be together. Their love story is quite the ride. The story is written beautifully, I was truly blown away.
If you have not read this book yet, you must. Even if you, like me, aren’t that into historical you should branch out for this. Incredible story with incredible writing that I absolutely was taken by. 5 stars.
June 5, 2014
Romantic, historical novel about a forbidden love! What a wonderfully written book, I couldn't put it down. The beautiful connection between Alek and Sofia and the dramas that unfolded throughout the story, kept me absolutely captivated. I loved reading this book and would happily read another by Rachel L. Demeter.
*I received a copy from the author for an honest review.
*I received a copy from the author for an honest review.
August 3, 2014
The Frost in Springtime by Rachel L. Demeter is a 2014 Black Lion Publication. I was provided a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
And a delicate flush of pink came into the leaves of the rose,
like the flush in the face of the bridegroom when he kisses the lips of the bride.
But the thorn had not yet reached her heart, so the rose's heart remained white,
for only a Nightingale's heart's-blood can crimson the heart of a rose. - From the Nightingale and
the Rose
by Oscar Wilde
When I first signed up to do the book tour for this book, I had simply presumed this was a historical romance set in France. Well, let me tell you, this is not your ordinary historical romance. Not by a long shot.
Immediately, I was struck by the writer's prose. I knew by the time I had read the first chapter this was going to be one of the best books I had read in 2014, no matter which genre. In our climate today we toss out five star reviews without giving a thought to the impact of the review structure. When a book like this comes along, giving it five stars just doesn't seem to do it justice. This novel is exemplary . Dare I hope that this is the beginning of a new era in historical romance?
Aleksender has entered a brothel only to encounter a disturbance when a woman brings in her abused young daughter attempting to sell her into prostitution. A man not normally moved by too many things in life, feels a deep compassion for this child and takes her in as his ward.
The beautiful Sophia will become the light of his life. Born into aristocracy, Alek has done all that is required of him, including marriage by arrangement to Elizabeth, a woman he respects and cares for but hasn't any feelings of love towards her. Aleksender went away to war and did his duty and has returned to a France he doesn't even recognize. While the affects of war have torn him up and left him
having dreams so vivid he is terrified of losing his very soul, the France he knew no longer exist, his best friend and fellow soldier is bitter and angry with him and his heart cries out for peace but can only find it in the arms of his beloved Sophia who is now a grown women. He struggles to maintain the guardian/ ward relationship, but utterly fails. Their love is a forbidden one, but it will not be denied. Aleksender is being eaten alive with love for this woman, but knows he can not have her. If the war didn't kill him this situation just might.
There appears to be no winners here. Aleksender's brother, Richard pines for Elizabeth, who pines for her husband, who pines for Sophia. But, the moral codes of the day will keep each of them from knowing true love and passion. Elizabeth is not a cold woman, just a woman raised for her duties as the wife of the Comte de Paris.
The Commune in Paris during 1871 is the basis for this story. France is on the brink of civil war, children are dying in the streets while the aristocracy appear to take little notice. This outrages Aleksender's friend, Christophe so much he lashes out at Alek. Alek's response to Chrostophe's rantings only adds fuel to fire.
Meanwhile, horrible memories surface that will go a long way in explaining Aleksender's empathy for Sophia. While Sophia lives in two worlds, one in the strict convent school she was raised in and the other on stage as a premier ballerina, she knows deep down she is meant to be with Alek despite the odds against them. She also knows she is the only one that can provided a healing touch to his wounded and scarred soul.
“For the first time he inhaled her unique scent.
Roses and the frost of wintertime.”
So, with all of the characters trapped in his or her own torment, the escalating tensions in the streets provide an almost unbearable sense of doom.
“Life is pain. Love is a pretty lie. Do not love the world or anything in it. The world and it's desires pass away.”
Heartache, sacrifice, ideals, duty, anger, and frustrations will all collide to bring out about an unexpected climax. Will Aleksender and Sophia pay the ultimate price for their love?
Not since the epic and sweeping love stories written in the 70's faded from view has a book so captured that spirit. Very well drawn characters, none of which we really dislike, even the hard bitten Christophe who is simply bereft by what he is seeing, all of which we feel some sort of respect for. You will hope beyond hope that there will somehow be a way for Sophia and Aleksender, but you wish it wouldn't come with too high of a price. This story has depth and will simply carry you away into the past, to another time where things are bleak, yet there is after all some hope.
As always, when reading a historical novel like this one, having a bit of knowledge about the era of time will enhance the enjoyment of the book. I personally only know the very basics of the French Revolution and was compelled to do a little internet research while reading this book. So, although this is a work of fiction, the atmosphere is quite authentic, plus I learned something I didn't know in the process.
I would love to write lush and lyrical praises for this book that would do it justice, but the best thing I could do is give you- the reader- a sage piece of advice- BUY THIS BOOK!
5.5 stars
And a delicate flush of pink came into the leaves of the rose,
like the flush in the face of the bridegroom when he kisses the lips of the bride.
But the thorn had not yet reached her heart, so the rose's heart remained white,
for only a Nightingale's heart's-blood can crimson the heart of a rose. - From the Nightingale and
the Rose
by Oscar Wilde
When I first signed up to do the book tour for this book, I had simply presumed this was a historical romance set in France. Well, let me tell you, this is not your ordinary historical romance. Not by a long shot.
Immediately, I was struck by the writer's prose. I knew by the time I had read the first chapter this was going to be one of the best books I had read in 2014, no matter which genre. In our climate today we toss out five star reviews without giving a thought to the impact of the review structure. When a book like this comes along, giving it five stars just doesn't seem to do it justice. This novel is exemplary . Dare I hope that this is the beginning of a new era in historical romance?
Aleksender has entered a brothel only to encounter a disturbance when a woman brings in her abused young daughter attempting to sell her into prostitution. A man not normally moved by too many things in life, feels a deep compassion for this child and takes her in as his ward.
The beautiful Sophia will become the light of his life. Born into aristocracy, Alek has done all that is required of him, including marriage by arrangement to Elizabeth, a woman he respects and cares for but hasn't any feelings of love towards her. Aleksender went away to war and did his duty and has returned to a France he doesn't even recognize. While the affects of war have torn him up and left him
having dreams so vivid he is terrified of losing his very soul, the France he knew no longer exist, his best friend and fellow soldier is bitter and angry with him and his heart cries out for peace but can only find it in the arms of his beloved Sophia who is now a grown women. He struggles to maintain the guardian/ ward relationship, but utterly fails. Their love is a forbidden one, but it will not be denied. Aleksender is being eaten alive with love for this woman, but knows he can not have her. If the war didn't kill him this situation just might.
There appears to be no winners here. Aleksender's brother, Richard pines for Elizabeth, who pines for her husband, who pines for Sophia. But, the moral codes of the day will keep each of them from knowing true love and passion. Elizabeth is not a cold woman, just a woman raised for her duties as the wife of the Comte de Paris.
The Commune in Paris during 1871 is the basis for this story. France is on the brink of civil war, children are dying in the streets while the aristocracy appear to take little notice. This outrages Aleksender's friend, Christophe so much he lashes out at Alek. Alek's response to Chrostophe's rantings only adds fuel to fire.
Meanwhile, horrible memories surface that will go a long way in explaining Aleksender's empathy for Sophia. While Sophia lives in two worlds, one in the strict convent school she was raised in and the other on stage as a premier ballerina, she knows deep down she is meant to be with Alek despite the odds against them. She also knows she is the only one that can provided a healing touch to his wounded and scarred soul.
“For the first time he inhaled her unique scent.
Roses and the frost of wintertime.”
So, with all of the characters trapped in his or her own torment, the escalating tensions in the streets provide an almost unbearable sense of doom.
“Life is pain. Love is a pretty lie. Do not love the world or anything in it. The world and it's desires pass away.”
Heartache, sacrifice, ideals, duty, anger, and frustrations will all collide to bring out about an unexpected climax. Will Aleksender and Sophia pay the ultimate price for their love?
Not since the epic and sweeping love stories written in the 70's faded from view has a book so captured that spirit. Very well drawn characters, none of which we really dislike, even the hard bitten Christophe who is simply bereft by what he is seeing, all of which we feel some sort of respect for. You will hope beyond hope that there will somehow be a way for Sophia and Aleksender, but you wish it wouldn't come with too high of a price. This story has depth and will simply carry you away into the past, to another time where things are bleak, yet there is after all some hope.
As always, when reading a historical novel like this one, having a bit of knowledge about the era of time will enhance the enjoyment of the book. I personally only know the very basics of the French Revolution and was compelled to do a little internet research while reading this book. So, although this is a work of fiction, the atmosphere is quite authentic, plus I learned something I didn't know in the process.
I would love to write lush and lyrical praises for this book that would do it justice, but the best thing I could do is give you- the reader- a sage piece of advice- BUY THIS BOOK!
5.5 stars
May 3, 2014
Find this and other reviews at: http://flashlightcommentary.blogspot....
Chance brought them together. A moment of mercy linked their futures. Ardent affection healed their hearts and forever entwined their fates.
Tormented by personal demons, Vicomte Aleksender de Lefèvre, takes passing interest in a kindred spirit and shelters an abused child from the misery and neglect of life in a Parisian brothel. Years later, determined to deliver her savior from the purgatory of his waking nightmares, Sophia Rose dares offer him solace through steadfast and passionate devotion.
Dark, tragic and heavily romantic, The Frost of Springtime is reminiscent of Gaston Leroux’s The Phantom of the Opera. Ideally I might have liked to more emphasis on the historic material, particularly the politics of the 1871 Paris Commune against which the story takes place, but I really enjoyed the intense imagery and thematic scope of Demeter’s debut.
A sensuously gothic tale, The Frost of Springtime isn’t to be missed.
Chance brought them together. A moment of mercy linked their futures. Ardent affection healed their hearts and forever entwined their fates.
Tormented by personal demons, Vicomte Aleksender de Lefèvre, takes passing interest in a kindred spirit and shelters an abused child from the misery and neglect of life in a Parisian brothel. Years later, determined to deliver her savior from the purgatory of his waking nightmares, Sophia Rose dares offer him solace through steadfast and passionate devotion.
Dark, tragic and heavily romantic, The Frost of Springtime is reminiscent of Gaston Leroux’s The Phantom of the Opera. Ideally I might have liked to more emphasis on the historic material, particularly the politics of the 1871 Paris Commune against which the story takes place, but I really enjoyed the intense imagery and thematic scope of Demeter’s debut.
A sensuously gothic tale, The Frost of Springtime isn’t to be missed.
June 2, 2014
Wow!!!! I was blown away by this beautifully written story of Alek and Sofia's forbidden love!!!! Besides having two riveting main characters, the story was full of interesting secondary characters and rich in history. I enjoyed every minute of this intricately detailed and epic love story unlike anything I've ever read before. This is by far the best historical novel I have read this year.....I can't believe this is a debut novel!! Rachel L. Demeter has set the bar high....I can't wait to read more from this new very talented author.
July 11, 2014
I have just finished reading this book and I must say that it is a beautiful story about love, life and sacrifice. From the first page, I was already lured in. The details of the setting were so beautiful written, I can see, hear and feel everything Aleksender felt, even when walking through the dark streets of Paris! The entire book was beautiful written and captivating. The amazing detail make the story flow so smoothly and realistically, it created beautiful visuals in my mind, just like a film.
The love story between Sofia and Aleksender was such a beautiful one. They completed each other in all possible ways and when they were apart, you can feel the yearning that they felt, even if it wasn't stated. They simply were not complete without the other. Their is quite a gap in age between Sofia and Aleksender but it did not take away from the story for me because it was clear that they were destined for one another from the moment they met, when she was a little girl and he was already a young man. They only had to wait for one another and when they finally could show their love, all was right.
I adore historical romances and this book is probably the most historically detailed book I have ever read! I enjoyed the historical and detailed parts of the story as much as I did the romance. So much detail was given about the state of Paris during the revolutionary uproar in the book. I could feel the chaos and fear as I read each word. The descriptions were realistic and I learned quite a lot about the lifestyle and how war/revolutions in Paris took place and were conducted.
Overall, I very much enjoyed this book and I loved it! I adored the love story and I really wish I could read more about Aleksender and Sofia! The plot of the story is very captivating and it's definitely a page turner. The part of the book was especially captivating and very exciting, I couldn't put it down to see what would become of Aleksender and Sofia. The vivid description of the character's actions, thoughts and feelings, as well as the state of Paris and setting around them, truly brought this story to life and I am very glad that I delved into the world of Aleksender and Sofia!
The love story between Sofia and Aleksender was such a beautiful one. They completed each other in all possible ways and when they were apart, you can feel the yearning that they felt, even if it wasn't stated. They simply were not complete without the other. Their is quite a gap in age between Sofia and Aleksender but it did not take away from the story for me because it was clear that they were destined for one another from the moment they met, when she was a little girl and he was already a young man. They only had to wait for one another and when they finally could show their love, all was right.
I adore historical romances and this book is probably the most historically detailed book I have ever read! I enjoyed the historical and detailed parts of the story as much as I did the romance. So much detail was given about the state of Paris during the revolutionary uproar in the book. I could feel the chaos and fear as I read each word. The descriptions were realistic and I learned quite a lot about the lifestyle and how war/revolutions in Paris took place and were conducted.
Overall, I very much enjoyed this book and I loved it! I adored the love story and I really wish I could read more about Aleksender and Sofia! The plot of the story is very captivating and it's definitely a page turner. The part of the book was especially captivating and very exciting, I couldn't put it down to see what would become of Aleksender and Sofia. The vivid description of the character's actions, thoughts and feelings, as well as the state of Paris and setting around them, truly brought this story to life and I am very glad that I delved into the world of Aleksender and Sofia!
May 20, 2014
Book Review originally published here: http://www.iheartreading.net/book-tou...
I have a soft spot for broken, tortured souls. Even from the moment I first encountered Aleksender de Lefèvre and Sofia Rose in The Frost of Springtime, I knew they’d be the kind of characters that would tickle my soft spot – and they are. Sofia was my favorite of both of them – she was so innocent, so pure, I could not help but like her. Alek is a more troubled character, less black-white, a lot more grey. In a way, this makes him more intriguing. I also liked how he fought his feelings for Sofia, there was a constant struggle going on, and Alek tried to deny his feelings constantly, which made for an interesting dynamic.
I kind of felt sorry for Elizabeth though, Alek’s wife. He didn’t love her, since they were married in an arranged marriage, but he didn’t wish her ill either. He just fell in love with another woman. This makes Alek a more troublesome character to understand – sometimes he acted arrogant and selfish toward his wife. He idolized Sofia, made her into the kind of woman she could never truly be, a goddess, a woman that isn’t real. And by turning her into that, no other woman could ever compete. It makes for interesting character development though.
The setting was France at the time of the Franco-Prussian war. I loved the setting, and found it very intriguing, and well-described. I could picture myself back in the Paris Commune of 1871, alongside the characters. While some might find there’s slightly too much hisotrical information, I didn’t mind – I like books in which I can learn a thing or two, even in fiction.
The Frost of Springtime offers a heart-breaking romance story in an intriguing historical setting with dynamic, interesting main characters. Ideal for fans of historical romance.
I have a soft spot for broken, tortured souls. Even from the moment I first encountered Aleksender de Lefèvre and Sofia Rose in The Frost of Springtime, I knew they’d be the kind of characters that would tickle my soft spot – and they are. Sofia was my favorite of both of them – she was so innocent, so pure, I could not help but like her. Alek is a more troubled character, less black-white, a lot more grey. In a way, this makes him more intriguing. I also liked how he fought his feelings for Sofia, there was a constant struggle going on, and Alek tried to deny his feelings constantly, which made for an interesting dynamic.
I kind of felt sorry for Elizabeth though, Alek’s wife. He didn’t love her, since they were married in an arranged marriage, but he didn’t wish her ill either. He just fell in love with another woman. This makes Alek a more troublesome character to understand – sometimes he acted arrogant and selfish toward his wife. He idolized Sofia, made her into the kind of woman she could never truly be, a goddess, a woman that isn’t real. And by turning her into that, no other woman could ever compete. It makes for interesting character development though.
The setting was France at the time of the Franco-Prussian war. I loved the setting, and found it very intriguing, and well-described. I could picture myself back in the Paris Commune of 1871, alongside the characters. While some might find there’s slightly too much hisotrical information, I didn’t mind – I like books in which I can learn a thing or two, even in fiction.
The Frost of Springtime offers a heart-breaking romance story in an intriguing historical setting with dynamic, interesting main characters. Ideal for fans of historical romance.
April 21, 2014
First off let me clarify that I received a free PDF of this book in exchange for an honest review. Bottom line: amazing. This phenenomal story is set in Paris, post Franco-Prussian War, and Alek, the Comte, is suffering from PTSD. He finds comfort in the arms of a young lady, Sofia. Since he is a noble and she, his ward, he struggles to not succumb to his inner desires. Alek rescued her from an abusive mother and life as a harlot and now Sofia wishes to rescue him from the darkness within him. If you don't like being sucked into books and feeling what the characters are feeling then don't read this book. I had to force myself to put this book down just to make dinner and I thought about it the entire time. Rachel writes such a beautiful tale, you can see Paris, feel what Sofia and Alek feel. Now if you can't get over the age difference or the fact that Alek raised Sofia then this isn't for you. But if you love the balance between romance and tragedy before the beautiful conclusion then this is for you. I look forward to reading more from Rachel in the future!
February 14, 2014
Reviewer: Elaina - Magic Within The Pages
Rating: 5 Stars
I absolutely love this book. The Frost of Springtime shows how love and tragedy go hand in hand and that love can actually be more powerful than anything. I have found that most books do not hit this point right on the nail like this one does. It's a Historical Romance and let me just tell you this is one book I couldn't put done. I also loved how detailed the novel is.
*ARC recevied in exchange for an honest review*
Rating: 5 Stars
I absolutely love this book. The Frost of Springtime shows how love and tragedy go hand in hand and that love can actually be more powerful than anything. I have found that most books do not hit this point right on the nail like this one does. It's a Historical Romance and let me just tell you this is one book I couldn't put done. I also loved how detailed the novel is.
*ARC recevied in exchange for an honest review*
March 1, 2014
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
After finishing The Frost of Springtime by Rachel Demeter I found myself with mixed feelings. Ms. Demeter is obviously a skilled writer but there were definite problems with the book.
From the opening prologue, I was fascinated by the tale of a young, beaten girl dropped off at a brothel by her own mother in order to sell her. The she was rescued by a handsome stranger. Unfortunately, my interest dropped as Ms. Demeter began to focus on the city of Paris and the results of the Commune War. At this point the book began to read too much like a history textbook and I wanted more of the romance.
There was just too much narrative and it seemed to take forever before we saw any action. At one point I realized there were quite a few pages between dialogue exchanges. But don’t think I didn’t appreciate Ms. Demeter’s ability to paint a picture, through her words, of a war-town Paris and it’s beaten down inhabitants. It’s just that for me personally, I prefer the direct contact between characters rather than paragraphs explaining or describing situations.
I also had mixed feelings about the main characters. Sofia is everything I would expect from a romance heroine. She had a tragic childhood but was saved by a handsome man who made her his ward and gave her everything she could need or want. Sofia remained a sweet and loving person who fell head over heels in love with Aleksander. She was determined to bring the same love and happiness to his life that he had given her.
It was Aleksander that left me shaking my head more than once. He is definitely not your typical romance hero. First of all, he was already married. His wife Elizabeth was not a terrible person. She wasn’t evil or mean, and she didn’t cheat on him. Her only crime – he didn’t love her. Theirs was an arranged marriage, which is typical of that time. She did nothing to deserve such callous treatment. Alek should not have strung Sofia along no matter how much he cared for her. I found him to be selfish which prevented me from rooting for the hero and heroine to find their happy ending.
There is an additional storyline featuring Aleksander’s friend and compatriot Christophe. The storyline follows his involvement with the Commune. While this has historical interest, it does not really add to Alek’s and Sofia’s romance. I didn’t really understand Christophe’s motivations and I felt the storyline distracted me.
The Frost of Springtime was Ms. Demeter’s debut novel. Despite my reservations with this book, I was still impressed with her writing style. Her words flowed smoothly and naturally and she obviously thoroughly researched the time period in order to accurately portray Paris at war. It’s because of her writing abilities that I’m curious to see what Ms. Demeter writes next.
After finishing The Frost of Springtime by Rachel Demeter I found myself with mixed feelings. Ms. Demeter is obviously a skilled writer but there were definite problems with the book.
From the opening prologue, I was fascinated by the tale of a young, beaten girl dropped off at a brothel by her own mother in order to sell her. The she was rescued by a handsome stranger. Unfortunately, my interest dropped as Ms. Demeter began to focus on the city of Paris and the results of the Commune War. At this point the book began to read too much like a history textbook and I wanted more of the romance.
There was just too much narrative and it seemed to take forever before we saw any action. At one point I realized there were quite a few pages between dialogue exchanges. But don’t think I didn’t appreciate Ms. Demeter’s ability to paint a picture, through her words, of a war-town Paris and it’s beaten down inhabitants. It’s just that for me personally, I prefer the direct contact between characters rather than paragraphs explaining or describing situations.
I also had mixed feelings about the main characters. Sofia is everything I would expect from a romance heroine. She had a tragic childhood but was saved by a handsome man who made her his ward and gave her everything she could need or want. Sofia remained a sweet and loving person who fell head over heels in love with Aleksander. She was determined to bring the same love and happiness to his life that he had given her.
It was Aleksander that left me shaking my head more than once. He is definitely not your typical romance hero. First of all, he was already married. His wife Elizabeth was not a terrible person. She wasn’t evil or mean, and she didn’t cheat on him. Her only crime – he didn’t love her. Theirs was an arranged marriage, which is typical of that time. She did nothing to deserve such callous treatment. Alek should not have strung Sofia along no matter how much he cared for her. I found him to be selfish which prevented me from rooting for the hero and heroine to find their happy ending.
There is an additional storyline featuring Aleksander’s friend and compatriot Christophe. The storyline follows his involvement with the Commune. While this has historical interest, it does not really add to Alek’s and Sofia’s romance. I didn’t really understand Christophe’s motivations and I felt the storyline distracted me.
The Frost of Springtime was Ms. Demeter’s debut novel. Despite my reservations with this book, I was still impressed with her writing style. Her words flowed smoothly and naturally and she obviously thoroughly researched the time period in order to accurately portray Paris at war. It’s because of her writing abilities that I’m curious to see what Ms. Demeter writes next.
July 25, 2014
After reading so many historicals I've found that the best ones put readers through the emotional wringer through engrossing characters and heart wrenching events. In The Frost of Springtime readers are put through a dramatic saga that covers years in the life of a man haunted by darkness who comes home from war even more scarred than before. His only hope for happiness is in a young girl he saved from prostitution whose relationship with him is considered taboo as he's married and she's considerably younger and seen as his ward. Some readers might take issue with their forbidden love but I found the emotional upheaval engaging and their mutual pain kept me fully engrossed in the story.
At story's start Aleksender is dark, moody, and cynical. He sees a brightness in Sofia, a love of life missing from his and he can't help but be drawn to her. He leaves her happy and safe to go to war and comes back even more damaged and with more obstacles keeping them apart than age and social status. Aleksender is even more dark and angry, scarred inside and out, because of all his responsibilities and he's tired of living his life as expected. Sofia continues to be his shining light and I can empathize with his feelings of being stifled and controlled by his title. She represents escape and carefree living and he's willing to toss away everything for her but is worried she doesn't care for him the way he does for her. It's a heartbreaking journey as they dance around their feelings for each other.
Sofia started out life at the bottom of the social ladder when one moment of compassion changed everything. She suddenly lived in the lap of luxury with her savior the moody and angry Aleksender. She owed him everything and repaid him through her sweetness and light and carefree nature. She came to have a child's love for him but in the intervening years she sees him as a complicated man in need of saving. Their battle to be together is heartbreaking with lots of obstacles along the way that make the ending even richer.
Theirs is a relationship full of sexual tension and sensual yearnings. Their journey to HEA is a tumultuous one with compelling secondary characters affecting their journey every step of the way. The author vividly depicts this unique historical period to make it larger than life but some readers might find it too descriptive. I ultimately applaud this author's debut read for its unique setting and unconventional pairing. The scenes and setting have an almost lyrical feel to them that will fully immerse readers into this forbidden romance and the talent on display here has me excited for what Ms. Demeter crafts next!
At story's start Aleksender is dark, moody, and cynical. He sees a brightness in Sofia, a love of life missing from his and he can't help but be drawn to her. He leaves her happy and safe to go to war and comes back even more damaged and with more obstacles keeping them apart than age and social status. Aleksender is even more dark and angry, scarred inside and out, because of all his responsibilities and he's tired of living his life as expected. Sofia continues to be his shining light and I can empathize with his feelings of being stifled and controlled by his title. She represents escape and carefree living and he's willing to toss away everything for her but is worried she doesn't care for him the way he does for her. It's a heartbreaking journey as they dance around their feelings for each other.
Sofia started out life at the bottom of the social ladder when one moment of compassion changed everything. She suddenly lived in the lap of luxury with her savior the moody and angry Aleksender. She owed him everything and repaid him through her sweetness and light and carefree nature. She came to have a child's love for him but in the intervening years she sees him as a complicated man in need of saving. Their battle to be together is heartbreaking with lots of obstacles along the way that make the ending even richer.
Theirs is a relationship full of sexual tension and sensual yearnings. Their journey to HEA is a tumultuous one with compelling secondary characters affecting their journey every step of the way. The author vividly depicts this unique historical period to make it larger than life but some readers might find it too descriptive. I ultimately applaud this author's debut read for its unique setting and unconventional pairing. The scenes and setting have an almost lyrical feel to them that will fully immerse readers into this forbidden romance and the talent on display here has me excited for what Ms. Demeter crafts next!
August 21, 2015
The Frost of Springtime is an amazing book that takes place during the Franco Prussian War, inspired by the 1871 Paris Commune, before and after and tells of a love that transcends years. This book was very emotional for me as I love reading historical fiction, and this may have been a romance, but it was a historical romance with so much more.
The characters were all well developed and each one had a part in this story, in how they were involved with the main character through war time, or family, or love. The plot was constantly changing as the scenes were in the present or flashing back to years before. There was so much love and so much despair, and so heart wrenching on numerous occasions. Through these pages I found myself actually holding my breath as the author was explaining what was going on at different times. I suggest you have tissues handy.
The main characters in this story are Sofia and Aleksender. Alexsender is 27 years old when he first encounters Sofia, 9 years old, at the brothel he was frequenting on occasion even though he was married. A Mother was trying to unload her daughter on the Madam, and it was quite obvious the little girl had been the victim of extreme violence in the shape of cigar burns, black and blue marks and other scars not to mention, her wrist had been broken and was not seen by a doctor so her hand was just hanging in an awful way.
Aleksender, seeing this was moved to save this little girl, and even though his wife and he had no children, he brought little Sophia home. It was obvious his wife did not like this really and he had a convent built just for her to live in and he supported it and the Sister that took care of them had a deep respect for him and his caring of the girls in this place. Over the years he spent a lot of time with his ward. When she was 16, he left for the war, along with his best friend, Christoph. As for Sofia she became a prima ballerina.
When he returned it was to find his father had died, and he felt lost. The war had been brutal and he along with his friend had been captured and tortured. When he saw Sofia, he could not believe the beautiful young woman she had become, and he realized he loved her. He shortly found out she loved him just as much in a fierce way. he felt so guilty about how he felt as he was married, but it was a loveless marriage, and he needed to be loved just like anyone does. Sofia represented passion and a love that is shared between soul mates, and they were. He tries to stay away from her and let her be with someone that deserves her, but she tells him he is it for her. In the end, he is resigned to his fate, he has to be in her life, no matter what the consequences.
When the war finally reaches Paris, things are crazy and people are murdered right and left in the streets. Aleksender is desperate to find his Sofia, and she is used as a pawn to draw him out. His brother and he have not seen eye to eye for years and Richard does not understand how he could prefer Sofia over his beautiful wife. Aleksender goes to find her and it is terrible what winds up happening. The book ends in a surprising way and I think the author is conveying to us that "no matter what" that love never fails.
This is the debut novel by Rachel Demeter and it is so well written, that one would not know it was her very first book. It is brilliant! I look forward to reading more from this author, this book is jam packed full of history, adventure, hate, violence and murder, war, friends turning on one another and well described situations that happen in the past and in the present. But most of all it is filled with the love between two people that withstands the test of time.
I gave this book 5***** and I also suggest the author's new book that comes out on August 27, Finding Gabriel, which is every bit as good as this one!
The characters were all well developed and each one had a part in this story, in how they were involved with the main character through war time, or family, or love. The plot was constantly changing as the scenes were in the present or flashing back to years before. There was so much love and so much despair, and so heart wrenching on numerous occasions. Through these pages I found myself actually holding my breath as the author was explaining what was going on at different times. I suggest you have tissues handy.
The main characters in this story are Sofia and Aleksender. Alexsender is 27 years old when he first encounters Sofia, 9 years old, at the brothel he was frequenting on occasion even though he was married. A Mother was trying to unload her daughter on the Madam, and it was quite obvious the little girl had been the victim of extreme violence in the shape of cigar burns, black and blue marks and other scars not to mention, her wrist had been broken and was not seen by a doctor so her hand was just hanging in an awful way.
Aleksender, seeing this was moved to save this little girl, and even though his wife and he had no children, he brought little Sophia home. It was obvious his wife did not like this really and he had a convent built just for her to live in and he supported it and the Sister that took care of them had a deep respect for him and his caring of the girls in this place. Over the years he spent a lot of time with his ward. When she was 16, he left for the war, along with his best friend, Christoph. As for Sofia she became a prima ballerina.
When he returned it was to find his father had died, and he felt lost. The war had been brutal and he along with his friend had been captured and tortured. When he saw Sofia, he could not believe the beautiful young woman she had become, and he realized he loved her. He shortly found out she loved him just as much in a fierce way. he felt so guilty about how he felt as he was married, but it was a loveless marriage, and he needed to be loved just like anyone does. Sofia represented passion and a love that is shared between soul mates, and they were. He tries to stay away from her and let her be with someone that deserves her, but she tells him he is it for her. In the end, he is resigned to his fate, he has to be in her life, no matter what the consequences.
When the war finally reaches Paris, things are crazy and people are murdered right and left in the streets. Aleksender is desperate to find his Sofia, and she is used as a pawn to draw him out. His brother and he have not seen eye to eye for years and Richard does not understand how he could prefer Sofia over his beautiful wife. Aleksender goes to find her and it is terrible what winds up happening. The book ends in a surprising way and I think the author is conveying to us that "no matter what" that love never fails.
This is the debut novel by Rachel Demeter and it is so well written, that one would not know it was her very first book. It is brilliant! I look forward to reading more from this author, this book is jam packed full of history, adventure, hate, violence and murder, war, friends turning on one another and well described situations that happen in the past and in the present. But most of all it is filled with the love between two people that withstands the test of time.
I gave this book 5***** and I also suggest the author's new book that comes out on August 27, Finding Gabriel, which is every bit as good as this one!
August 7, 2014
3 and 1/2 Stars - Depressing Story of Forbidden Love in the Time of the Paris Commune
Set in Paris in 1871, this is the story of Aleksender, Comte de Lefevre, and Sophia Rose, a throwaway child he rescued when she was a youth, and their illicit love in the time of the Paris Commune when revolutionaries briefly controlled the city.
Alek returns from the Franco Prussian War with his friend, Christophe, only to discover the city in ruins. Sophia, now 19, has become a prima ballerina, more attractive to Alek than ever. And she is more eager to have Alek as hers. Married to the “perfectly lovely” Elizabeth, Alek, now in his mid 30’s, ignores his wife, preferring instead to lust after his young ward. I have to say the treatment of Elizabeth was a great tragedy. Had she been a less loveable character, I might have felt differently. But as far as I can tell, Alek never really tried to be the husband she needed.
This story is told mostly through narrative and introspection with vivid, if not depressing, descriptions of the chaos in Paris at this bleak time in its history. Alek is a man of privilege, title and wealth, who is haunted by his past and his war experience, yet seemingly set upon his own destruction. Both he and Sophia selfishly pursue each other, all the while he is married to a devoted wife. I found it unbelievable a nun would knowingly bless their relationship, but it happened in this story. While Sophia could be argued to be innocent, and her love for her rescuer understandable, Alek was not so noble. He took her innocence—a girl half his age, who was under his protection.
In some ways, Christophe, who joins the revolutionaries, was Alek’s conscience, urging him to get involved. But Christophe soon became a tragic figure and his end a bit bizarre.
The story is well researched and the characters are interesting. Demeter writes well. (But for the story, I would have given her 4 stars.) However, this story depressed me from beginning to end. I read historical romance to be entertained, informed (regarding history), inspired and uplifted (at least in the end), but not depressed. I’d love to see a novel written by Demeter set in a less depressing time in history and with a nobler hero and heroine.
Set in Paris in 1871, this is the story of Aleksender, Comte de Lefevre, and Sophia Rose, a throwaway child he rescued when she was a youth, and their illicit love in the time of the Paris Commune when revolutionaries briefly controlled the city.
Alek returns from the Franco Prussian War with his friend, Christophe, only to discover the city in ruins. Sophia, now 19, has become a prima ballerina, more attractive to Alek than ever. And she is more eager to have Alek as hers. Married to the “perfectly lovely” Elizabeth, Alek, now in his mid 30’s, ignores his wife, preferring instead to lust after his young ward. I have to say the treatment of Elizabeth was a great tragedy. Had she been a less loveable character, I might have felt differently. But as far as I can tell, Alek never really tried to be the husband she needed.
This story is told mostly through narrative and introspection with vivid, if not depressing, descriptions of the chaos in Paris at this bleak time in its history. Alek is a man of privilege, title and wealth, who is haunted by his past and his war experience, yet seemingly set upon his own destruction. Both he and Sophia selfishly pursue each other, all the while he is married to a devoted wife. I found it unbelievable a nun would knowingly bless their relationship, but it happened in this story. While Sophia could be argued to be innocent, and her love for her rescuer understandable, Alek was not so noble. He took her innocence—a girl half his age, who was under his protection.
In some ways, Christophe, who joins the revolutionaries, was Alek’s conscience, urging him to get involved. But Christophe soon became a tragic figure and his end a bit bizarre.
The story is well researched and the characters are interesting. Demeter writes well. (But for the story, I would have given her 4 stars.) However, this story depressed me from beginning to end. I read historical romance to be entertained, informed (regarding history), inspired and uplifted (at least in the end), but not depressed. I’d love to see a novel written by Demeter set in a less depressing time in history and with a nobler hero and heroine.
August 13, 2016
I’ve been on a huge historical kick – and I’ve been inundated with stories that seem to revolve around the London Season, Demeter went into a different direction and brought us to 1871 Paris, in the midst of the political turmoil and rebuilding after the war.
Paris is, was, and possibly will always be a city that inspires the hedonist in all of us, and those fortunate or unfortunate enough to be in the mix most certainly have stories to tell.
Historically accurate and well-described and written to give a true sense of the day, time and social norms, Demeter weaves several variant narratives into the story and all work to enhance the reader’s sense of being in the moment. More striking is Demeter’s ability to keep the story teetering on the edge of darkness, without artificially constructing moments or situations that would force characters into a more traditional HEA .
Sofia and Aleksander are both the most unlikely of and best suited characters that I have met in a long while. He is her protector, a father-figure who becomes her lover, even when she doesn’t see the need. Other interesting (and less conventional by modern standards) pairings are cousins married to the benefit of family, women used as simple chattel for the same reasons and the historical accuracy of both age differences, callous disregard for society’s censure, and the sights, sounds and feel of Paris come alive in the book.
Demeter has done a wonderful story that, while not being loaded with a feel-good story will still please readers for the honesty of emotion and world building that brings Paris alive.
I received an eBook copy of the title from Enchanted Book Promotions for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility
Paris is, was, and possibly will always be a city that inspires the hedonist in all of us, and those fortunate or unfortunate enough to be in the mix most certainly have stories to tell.
Historically accurate and well-described and written to give a true sense of the day, time and social norms, Demeter weaves several variant narratives into the story and all work to enhance the reader’s sense of being in the moment. More striking is Demeter’s ability to keep the story teetering on the edge of darkness, without artificially constructing moments or situations that would force characters into a more traditional HEA .
Sofia and Aleksander are both the most unlikely of and best suited characters that I have met in a long while. He is her protector, a father-figure who becomes her lover, even when she doesn’t see the need. Other interesting (and less conventional by modern standards) pairings are cousins married to the benefit of family, women used as simple chattel for the same reasons and the historical accuracy of both age differences, callous disregard for society’s censure, and the sights, sounds and feel of Paris come alive in the book.
Demeter has done a wonderful story that, while not being loaded with a feel-good story will still please readers for the honesty of emotion and world building that brings Paris alive.
I received an eBook copy of the title from Enchanted Book Promotions for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility
August 8, 2014
Historical romances that are rich in description are something that I always appreciate. Add delightful characters and a time period that is intriguing and it is definitely a recipe for success. I honestly adored the story, setting, and the historical setting of this book. The profanity was practically nonexistent, but there are plenty of juicy, intimate details that sometimes became a bit much for me. But that does not affect the rating of this deeply touching story.
For me, the story was well-written, and the rich descriptions completely enraptured me. I was not always able to connect with the characters as much as I desired, but I am sure part of that was the relaxation of moral absolutes from the characters themselves and that fact that I was not familiar with this time period in history. In spite of that, the story was engaging and deep.
I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. I was not financially compensated, and all opinions are 100 percent mine.
For me, the story was well-written, and the rich descriptions completely enraptured me. I was not always able to connect with the characters as much as I desired, but I am sure part of that was the relaxation of moral absolutes from the characters themselves and that fact that I was not familiar with this time period in history. In spite of that, the story was engaging and deep.
I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. I was not financially compensated, and all opinions are 100 percent mine.
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January 19, 2014DNF.
I tried. But there is way too much narrative. Virtually nothing happening... then to find out the hero is married and falling for his adopted daughter. I can't.
I tried. But there is way too much narrative. Virtually nothing happening... then to find out the hero is married and falling for his adopted daughter. I can't.
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