Title: Frost Fair
Author: Erastes
Publisher: http://www.lindenbayromance.com
Genre: Historical Romance, GLBT (M/M)
Length: novella (157 pages)
Rating: 5 stars out of 5
THE BLURB
Gideon Frost is willing to do whatever it takes to earn enough money to save the printing shop that was left to him by his father. But when faced with the prospect of having to engage in acts society deems unnatural and the law declares punishable by death, he realized there are limits as to how far he’ll go. Then he meets the privileged and handsome Joshua Redfern, the one man who tempts Gideon to break his own rules.
Joshua Redfern has no title or important relations, but his independent fortune allows him a life that is more than comfortable. And more importantly, it enables him to offer assistance to the unfortunate but beautiful Gideon just when the man needs it most. Joshua realizes his interest in Gideon is far more than charitable, but is the man similarly attracted or merely indebted?
When the Thames freezes over and London hosts the great Frost Fair of 1814, trouble and necessity bring Gideon and Joshua together. But just as ice is destined to eventually crack, will the circumstances break these two men as they learn that life isn’t always fair?
THE REVIEW
Gideon Frost was desperate. He owed everyone, including the suppliers of merchandise for the printing business left to him by his father. It seemed that every day was worse than the one before and he was at his wits end because even with a bit of money he earned occasionally from selling his body he still could not make ends meet. Debt collectors were hounding him constantly and his business was on life support. His last hope was Joshua Redfern, a rich client he was attracted to who had commissioned his services to produce an engraving for his home.
Joshua Redfern wanted Joshua in his life since the first time he saw him, but not knowing about his sexual orientation he felt he could not open himself to ridicule or, even worse, death by hanging, a fate that had befallen his last lover. The only way he could legitimately see Gideon was on business so he settled for purchasing his services, since Gideon was a talented artist, and he fervently hoped that some day Gideon could see him as someone other than a rich patron of the arts.
The sad state of Gideon’s financial affairs continued until one day when his young assistant Mordecai told him excitedly that the river had frozen over and that neighbouring printing presses and other salespeople were setting up on the frozen river to sell their wares. This was a great opportunity for Gideon to make some extra money to help pay his bills so he quite happily agreed to Mord’s request to take his press on to the frozen river. Business exceeded his expectations but there was a new cloud on the horizon. Joshua’s good friend Thouless recognized his interest in Gideon and, armed with the knowledge of Gideon’s other activities, hoped to preempt Joshua by pretending he wanted to commission Gideon’s artistic services. He invited him to visit his house to discuss the matter further but as soon as Gideon arrived Thouless seized the opportunity to proposition him and when he refused, he was determined to seek revenge.
That same evening Gideon’s printing press was the only one found in the frozen water where the ice had been maliciously damaged. For Gideon this was the final death knell to his hopes. Fortunately for him, when Joshua found out about his troubles he offered him the position of his valet and Gideon accepted, but just when the two men were getting to know each other a whole lot better in bed and out of it Thouless shows up and sets Gideon’s fortunes on a downward spiral again.
Erastes created two wonderful characters in Gideon and Joshua who were so real and three dimensional that I thought I really got to know them in the pages of this book. Gideon was a proud man despite his desperate circumstances; he only ever wanted to be a respectful businessman who made enough money for a decent living, with a dash of Joshua thrown into the mix. Joshua was rich but had no title and he had strong feelings towards Gideon whom he respected enough to wait until an opportunity presented itself and not force the issue, even if he saw Joshua’s artistic ability as an opportunity to get to know him better. Their homosexuality was a complication, but although discovery was ever present it was not unduly emphasized in the book to the point where I was constantly bombarded about their likely fate and consequently could not enjoy the romance and love between the two men.
The pace of the story was fast moving and the plot was credible. The growing love between Joshua and Gideon and the villainous activities of Thouless to thwart their romance kept me fully engaged. Mordecai, Gideon’s loyal young assistant who had his employer’s back, was so lovingly portrayed that I felt he was a principal character in the book. I think that the main reason I love Frost Fair is the characterizations – an area where Erastes excels. This Regency romance reinforced my respect for her ability as a writer which I had a glimpse of in her short story Hard and Fast in Speak its Name: Trilogy No.III. The historical background was quite detailed in terms of the speech, dress and mannerisms of the characters, and even the decor. Much effort goes into writing a historical romance and historical writers take pride in ensuring that they maintain the accuracy and ambiance of the period on which their books are based. However, what I admire is when this is done in a way that showcases the beauty of the past and makes me appreciate a more leisurely time in history as was the case in Frost Fair.
Kudos to Erastes for a wonderful story. I wish I could have enjoyed the company of Joshua and Gideon for a little while longer. I highly recommend Frost Fair to any reader who loves a well written, hot romance whether or not you like the historical genre.
I really want to read this one. It does, however, sound just a bit like her story Chiaroscuro in Night Moves I
Same theme, starving artist gets with rich aristocrat, however, I loved, loved Chiaroscuro and wished it were longer than a short story, so I think I will be very happy with this one.
Thanks for reviewing it. Nice review.
Hi Leah
That was quick. I only posted this 5 minutes ago *g*
This is only the second story that I have read which was written by Erastes so I can’t comment on Chiaroscuro. I loved the story very much and I hope you do get it.
Hmmm…this looks like a historical that even I might like. Cool!
Jen
You know you don’t read historicals – not enough sex for you (although this one does have some) *g* Plus you don’t like the genre.
Thank you Jessewave for a lovely review! Happy you liked it.
Leah – apart from the fact that both books have an artist in, there is no other similarities to Chiaroscuro – I hope! I hope that Gideon comes across as being a very different man to Michel! Hope you do enjoy the book if you give it a go.
Wave – I’m trying to be more open minded! lol
This is a terrific story — and it shows why Thouless had such a low reputation in Hard & Fast. (I just hope we see him get his comeuppance eventually…)
I've read both FF and Chiaroscuro, and the two protagonists being artists didn't strike me until leah mentioned it, above. The characters really aren't similar in temperament; Gideon is an entrepreneur, fiercely independent. If he'd just been looking for a patron, Frost Fair would have been a much shorter story.
I'm noticing that Erastes has a knack for "Spocks" — secondary characters who come close to stealing the show. In Standish it was Fleury; in Frost Fair it's Mordecai. I hope we see more of the little guy in a future story.
Jen
Pardon me while I giggle. Can I remind you of our two not so favourite writers!
Interesting. I read about this books somweher else – I actually think it might have been Erastes’ site or LJ or something – and the general feeling I got about it wasn’t the same as the one I get from reading the review. The way you present it actually makes it more appealing to me, maybe because we look for the same things in books? 🙂 Erastes seems to write very well, except after reading a few excerpts I’m not totally sure her style is going to work for me; it seemed a bit … heavier, than I can easily read in English. Slow pace with lots of descriptions and little dialogue require much more concentration than I can usually muster. It’s probably worth tryingn, though :).
Erastes’ style is quite different from Charlie Cochrane’s but then they write about completely different periods in history. Charlie’s book is much more lighthearted even though her characters are investigating murders.
Although both books are character driven they may not appeal to the same type of reader. It’s a matter of personal taste. I enjoyed them both but I had read Speak Its Name, Trilogy No. III which had stories by both authors plus Lee Rowan and knew what to expect.
Yeah, I have SPEAK ITS NAME on my wish list as well, mainly because of Lee Rowan who I would read even if she wrote a grocery list, except the candian dollar went down and the price of the print copy, up. The e-book file is just big enough to make me groan at the sole thought of sitting on my ass staring at a screen for the time it’s going to take to read each story. Anyway. Not like I don’t have other great stories to read until print price goes down or I buy my own computer and install it in a cheerier part of the house (it’s currently in a dark corner of my rather cold basement).
Mary
Speak Its Name gives the reader something you don’t get in historical romances – three different periods in history. The anth. also allows the reader to assess the writing styles of the authors. I liked all of the stories. Btw you could have won a free copy a few days ago *g*
You have to either move that computer from it’s current location or get our own laptop.
Wave
Btw you could have won a free copy a few days ago *g*
Damn. Where was that?????????? **wailling**
Can’t move the computer – it’s the only place where there’s room and since it’s a family computer we can’t put it in any of the bedrooms. I’m not even sure I would have room for a laptop in my own bedroom – hell, the only free spot is the bed, and only at night when I push everything that’s on it on the floor. Plus, don’t you realize how many books I can buy for the price of a computer???? :-DDD
Next time I see a note on Erastes’ LJ of where she’s doing a promo I’ll let you know. *g*
*Weighing the price of a computer vs. the price of new books that you won’t read for at least a year or maybe two* No contest. The computer wins 🙂
LJ? Ah, that explain’s it. I seldom visits LJ’s, since I don’t have an account myself. I have a hard enough time keeping track of my passwords on two dozen sites without adding another to the mix. I’ll see in thE future.
*Weighing the price of a computer vs. the price of new books that you won’t read for at least a year or maybe two*
……………..BUT BOOKS ARE SO NICE TO LOOK AT EVEN IF I DON’T HAVE THE TIME TO READ THEM!!!!
Anyway, I’m not buying books right now either partly because I’m trying not to spend too much money, with Christmas approachign and all. So both books or computer would have to wait after the holidays (I’ll make one sure exception to the no-books buying and it’s the Sherri Kenyon/JR Ward anthology DEAD AFTER DARK on Dec. 2nd. I’m still not over my JR Ward addiction.