**Blog Tour Review & Giveaway ~ The Frost of Springtime ~ Rachel L. Demeter**

Welcome to my stop on the blog tour for Rachel L. Demeter's The Frost of Springtime. My stop includes all the details on the book, my review, and a giveaway.

This blog tour is presented by Enchanted Book Promotions.

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The Frost of Springtime by Rachel L. Demeter

Genre: Historical Romance 

Release Date: February 14, 2014

Source: I received a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review

Rating: 4 Bookworms

 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.

It's been a little while since I read historical fiction/romance. The Frost of Springtime was a wonderful way to dip back into the genre. Set against the Paris Commune, this story is one of the redeeming power of love.

Aleksender de Lefèvre, the Vicomte of Paris, has returned home from war feeling empty and defeated. He returns home to find the city he once loved in the midst of a brewing revolution. And he returns to find that his ward, Sophia Rose, has grown into an enchanting young woman. But Alek has many demons to fight and believes himself too broken for Sophia.

Sophia Rose had suffered terribly until fate thrust Alek into her life. Being raised from then on in his care, she's grown into a talented ballerina. There has always been a special bond between she and Alek. Sophia's gusto for life brings out the compassion in Alek. When he returns home from the war, they both know things have changed between them.

The love story between Alek and Sophia was touching. It grew so naturally, each giving the other something they needed. They each completed the the other. Their journey wasn't an easy one - there were many obstacles in their way - not the least of which being Alek's belief he was unworthy of Sophia. The brewing trouble in Paris paralleled the love story nicely. The way in which Alek ignored what was going on around him politically matched the way in which he ignored the personal developments. The turmoil roiling in Paris mirrored Alek's inner turmoil. 

I'm ashamed to admit I don't recall learning about this particular time in French history, but I felt Ms. Demeter used it well as a setting. I was a bit confused by Alek's comrade Christophe's role in the Commune and the motives driving him. I'm still uncertain as to whether or not he accomplished his goals where Alek was concerned, but I choose to believe he did.

I delighted in Ms. Demeter's use of The Nightingale and the Rose and The Story of Eros and Psyche in conveying Alek and Sophia's story. As with the revolution, these stories were apt in relation to the obstacles Alek and Sophia faced.

As I have no prior knowledge of these events in history, at least that I can remember, I can only say Ms. Demeter did a brilliant job in conveying the atmosphere of a troubled Paris. I did feel that at times her prose was a bit too flowery - too much metaphor was used. And some of the dialog felt too modern in places. Otherwise, I quite enjoyed this take of star-crossed lovers in a Paris divided.

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Rachel L. Demeter lives in the beautiful hills of Anaheim, California with Teddy, her goofy lowland sheepdog, and high school sweetheart of ten years. She enjoys writing dark, edgy romances that challenge the reader’s emotions and examine the redeeming power of love.

Imagining stories and characters has been Rachel’s passion for longer than she can remember. Before learning how to read or write, she would dictate stories while her mom would jot them down for her. She has a special affinity for the tortured hero and unconventional romances. Whether sculpting the protagonist or antagonist, she always ensures that every character is given a soul.

Rachel strives to intricately blend elements of romance, suspense, and horror. Some common themes her stories never stray too far from: forbidden romance, soul mates, the power of love to redeem, mend all wounds, and triumph over darkness. Her dream is to move readers and leave an emotional impact through her words.

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