Book Reviews

Book Blurb

A Tale of the Blessed Epoch

Mage Yarroway L’Estrella decided the Battle of the Starlight Bridge when he summoned fire from the heavens. The blaze decimated much of the vineyard that has been in Alain Lamont’s family for nine generations. Mountain Shadow Winery may no longer be able to support Alain’s family or the dozens of others who call it home, but Alain vows not to fail all those depending on him.

Mercenary Fabrezio Orvina d’Caelus, Breeze to his friends, appreciates Alain taking him in when he’s badly wounded after the battle, but he has no intention of living the dull life of a farmer any longer than necessary. Though he likes the vintner, he sees Alain as soft and sheltered, hardly a man who can understand a warrior’s calling.

As they live and work together, Alain realizes Breeze isn’t exactly the amoral opportunist he suspected, and Breeze sees more strength in Alain than he thought possible of a simple winemaker. Life on the estate is richer and less boring than Breeze first imagined. With ingenuity, courage, and cooperation, they may devise a way to revitalize the vineyard and move beyond the pain and loss of their pasts.

 

Book Review

Wine and Roses is defined in the Urban Dictionary as: “An expression of love for that special guy (girl) in your life. When every time he (she) smiles it clears out every cloud and when you see him (her) happy it makes living worth while...”

Although the above expresses a lovely sentiment, life is not that simple for Alain of 'Wine and Roses' by Augusta Li. His opinion that he is unnatural keeps him from enjoying a loving relationship with another man, although that's what he wants almost as much as his vineyards, which have been in his family for over five hundred years. When Breeze, a wounded mercenary, comes along, Alain feels himself falling in love with the man even though they are worlds apart in almost every way. Breeze finds himself falling in love with Alain too, which causes a conundrum for both of them. Alain won't leave his winery and Breeze won't give up fighting. Even when logic says something is impossible, love always seems to find another way.

Today Alain would be considered socially awkward; yet he is kind, gentle, industrious, loving, and of unquestionably strong moral fiber. Alain loves his land and the people who live and work on it, but he simply thinks too much. He puts everyone and everything before his own happiness. He ties himself up in a Gordian knot of massive proportions when it comes to his feelings. He favors men, but is extremely cautious and guilt-ridden over acting upon his desires. When a fierce battle causes devastation to the winery and surrounding countryside, Alain wants to give up, but he knows that many people will be looking to him for leadership. Although he doesn't feel up to it, Alain has to keep going. In a twist of fate, the same fires that wreak havoc and took so much away, also give him Breeze, a wounded soldier and another chance for love.  Alain can't, in good conscience, leave a wounded man to die, so, against his better judgment, he takes the soldier to his house and cares for him until he recovers. When Breeze gets well enough to ask him why he would help a man with nothing to gain from it, Alain plainly says: “Because it's the right thing to do.”

Although Breeze thinks that Alain's life is boring at first, he soon begins to see the appeal; but is still anxious to get back to his own world. When he is well enough to help out on the farm, Breeze begins to appreciate how hard work can be quite satisfying and the idea of healing the land, and promoting life rather than destroying it, stirs his soul. Breeze enjoys the work a lot more than he wants to admit. As he becomes more involved with Alain and his niece and nephew, it grows increasingly harder to let go, but Breeze doesn't feel worthy of Alain's love; he thinks Alain deserves someone better. He is in love with Alain; there's no denying it, yet he' is still determined to leave. When the time comes for him to go, it's with a heavy heart, but Breeze goes back to where he came from. When he arrives at Rosecairn, the mercenary fortress, his commander, Octavian, notices a change in Breeze and asks him about it. Breeze tries to brush it off, put Alain and everything else behind him, but he's having trouble doing so. He isn't the man he was before he left for battle, and he never will be again. Breeze has to acknowledge this and make a decision about his future. Whichever option he chooses, he can't do it halfway; he has to put his entire being into it.

Although this is different from many of the author’s stories, it's just as intense and awesome. Written in a lyrical style which enhances the feeling of it being in an alternate universe, in a different time. the descriptions of the land and weather help create the mood and support the emotions of the people involved better than actual words could do. The intensity and strength of the love between Alain and Breeze is beautifully displayed in phrasing like this: “If his love for Boyce had been the comfort of a hearth fire, his passion for the exotic mercenary—the capable but kind man, the man who loved his children, who couldn’t resist risking Alain’s ire to tease him—made Yarroway L’Estrella’s fire look like a fleeting flicker.”

Although this book is part of the ‘Blessed Epoch’ series, it can be read alone. The pertinent information is clearly alluded to within. This is a very romantic, sensual romance which combines the passion and grittiness Augusta Li’s stories always contain. It's beautiful in its simplicity and charming in the way it presents the strengths and frailties of life and love. I can't recommend it highly enough to fans of the ‘Blessed Epoch’ series and to those who like fantasy, swords, vineyards, and amazing characters who quickly endear themselves to you. Thanks, Gus, for expanding the horizons of your Blessed Epoch world and allowing me to experience another dimension of this awesome saga.

 

 

 

 

DISCLAIMER: Books reviewed on this site were usually provided at no cost by the publisher or author. This book has been provided by Dreamspinner Press for the purpose of a review.

Additional Information

Format	ebook and print
Length	Novel, 224 pages/78091 words
Heat Level
Publication Date	08-August-2014
Price	$6.99 ebook, $14.99 paperback, $14.99 bundle
Buy Link	https://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/books/wine-and-roses-by-august-li-707-b