Roses in December

Reviewed by M.E Ellis © 2006

Wild Child Publishing.com © 2006

Title: Roses in December
Author: Fiona Glass
Publisher: Torquere Press
Genre: M/M contemporary erotica
ISBN: 1-933389-87-7

As soon as I started reading the prologue, Fiona Glass' voice jumped off the page. Hooked from the moment I began reading, I knew this novel would be a very good read.

Nathaniel Brook, with his damaged knee and equally damaged self-esteem, leaves the safety of his hospital bed and takes a taxi to the place he is to live for the foreseeable future--a convalescent home called Partington Towers.

A member of the army, Nat is a victim of a bomb blast in Belfast. Though Nat survived with a damaged knee, broken collarbone and injured ribs, depression claimed him regularly. Taking a walk in the grounds and finding a small terraced garden, Nat met Richie, the son of the hospital's estate manager.

Richie fills Nat's mind and they quickly become lovers. Sometimes, when walking through the grounds, Nat can't find the secret terrace where he first met Richie, and other times, he can. At first, he pays no heed to this strange occurrence, but after a time, Nat realises there is more to this garden than he first thought.

An accident ensures Nat is bedridden for six weeks and he can't wait to get back to the garden to see Richie again. Once well, he begins helping out the gardener with the vegetables. Nat takes a trip into the town and visits a bookshop where he picks up a book about the history of Partington House. The next day he finds part of the secret garden to sit in and begins to read and discovers that things are not what he thought, a revelation that shocks him to the core about the garden and Richie.

Nat has further blows to his self-esteem in the form of some bad news, and I rooted for him to get better, and to have a happier life.

When everything falls into place, I couldn't read fast enough! There is so much going on in Roses in December that every single page is interesting. This book gripped me from beginning to end. I read it in one sitting, unable to tear myself away.

I don't think Fiona Glass will ever disappoint me. Every one of her stories has held me spellbound so far. Roses in December is a fascinating story, one that will potter through my mind for the rest of my life. Thank you, Ms. Glass.

Rating: Five cats.

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To find out more about how to purchase Roses in December, visit Torquere Press.