Title: Finding Gabriel
Author: Rachel L. Demeter
Synopsis: Colonel Gabriel de Laurent departed for the war intending to die. After a decade of bloodstained battlegrounds while fighting in Napoleon's army, Gabriel returns to the streets of Paris a shattered and haunted soul. Plagued by inner demons, he swallows the barrel of his flintlock pistol and pulls the trigger. But fate has a different plan. Ariah Larochelle is a survivor. Orphaned at twelve and victim to a devastating crime, she has learned to keep her back to walls and to trust no one. But when she finds a gravely injured soldier washed up on the River Seine, she's moved by compassion. In spite of her reservations, she rescues him from the icy water and brings him into her home. Now scarred inside and out, Gabriel discovers a kindred spirit in Ariah—and feelings he imagined lost forever reawaken as he observes her strength in the face of adversity. But when Ariah's own lethal secrets unfold, their new love is threatened by ancient ghosts. Can Gabriel and Ariah find hope in the wreckage of their pasts—or will the cycle of history repeat again? Perfect for fans of Gaelen Foley's Lord of Ice and Judith James's Broken Wing, Finding Gabriel features all the dark romance, searing passion, and historical intrigue of The Phantom of the Opera and Les Misérables.
My Review:
This is the first book I've read by Rachel L. Demeter and I have to say that I am really impressed. I must confess that when Momentum sent me a copy of Finding Gabriel I initially picked it for review for the hot model in the cover xD Don't judge me I'm kind of a cover addict. But after reading the blurb I knew had to dive in its pages. And I am really glad I gave it a chance because its been months since I read such a good historical novel. It is accurate in its historical events and I love that it doesn't focus just on the romance story but also takes her time to, as I said before, made every little fall into place with the historical accuracy.
This story is full of despair, anger and darkness. It deals with PTSD when it wasn't even diagnosed and shows us the struggle of depression but also how a moment or a someone can change everything by bringing light into the darkness. Mental illness or just a traumatic past can influence life in such a way that it's even harder than body scars itself. That's what Rachel L.Demeter tries to show in Gabriel's character who is both physically and mentally scarred after a tough life. Ariah, the female character, has also deep wounds that have marked her as a person. And miraculously both characters together with the help of young Emmaline will help each other shining light in each others darkness, turning despair into hope, anger into happiness and darkness into brightness.
There are really sad parts in this book that made me shed tears uncontrollably for the injustices of life, specially at that time when women rights were practically nonexistent. There were twists and turns in the plot that got me glued to my computer screen for hours wanting to know what will happen. I would really recommend this book to all romance lovers wanting to experience a bit of a change with a rough but lovable war hero that faces his hardest battle till date trying to win his happily ever after with the woman he loves.
Book Trailer:
EXCERPT
“Look at me. Look at what you have saved.”
Gabriel released Ariah’s chin and tore away the bandage in a harsh movement. As his eyes bore into her own, pale moonlight fell upon the deformity, illuminating the twisted flesh and grotesque welts. The sight reminded her of a beautiful chateau . . . a stunning fortress situated along the coastline . . . one that had fallen into ruin and neglect. The skin was concave, destroyed, cavernous – a remnant of former glory. And the surrounding features – his burning eyes, the right side of his face, his powerful body – dwarfed the disfigurement with a striking beauty.
“Look at the monster you have created. Look upon my face, Ariah.”
She shivered at the sound of her name; slightly muffled from the injury to his mouth, it slid from his tongue with equal parts venom and hunger.
“I was supposed to die that night . . .” The last of his words ended in a choked whisper. His face fell forward in despair until his forehead was pressed against her own. He was impossibly close. And he appeared every gram a flesh-and-blood warrior – coarse and ruthlessly untamed. Sweltering heat radiated from his body and engulfed all five of her senses. She was suffocating. Visions of that long-ago night echoed in her mind until she could perceive nothing else. Ariah gave a shallow cry as she struggled to free herself once more.
“Don’t. Don’t leave me. Please.”
Her movements ceased. The words struck a chord deep inside her chest. She connected her gaze with his and was rendered speechless by the naked anguish in his stare. Regret and desire were etched in every line of his face – but what stole her breath was something entirely different. For the second time, it was neither anger nor resentment that radiated from his eyes, but a longing so intense that it nearly overwhelmed her: hope
“Look at me. Look at what you have saved.”
Gabriel released Ariah’s chin and tore away the bandage in a harsh movement. As his eyes bore into her own, pale moonlight fell upon the deformity, illuminating the twisted flesh and grotesque welts. The sight reminded her of a beautiful chateau . . . a stunning fortress situated along the coastline . . . one that had fallen into ruin and neglect. The skin was concave, destroyed, cavernous – a remnant of former glory. And the surrounding features – his burning eyes, the right side of his face, his powerful body – dwarfed the disfigurement with a striking beauty.
“Look at the monster you have created. Look upon my face, Ariah.”
She shivered at the sound of her name; slightly muffled from the injury to his mouth, it slid from his tongue with equal parts venom and hunger.
“I was supposed to die that night . . .” The last of his words ended in a choked whisper. His face fell forward in despair until his forehead was pressed against her own. He was impossibly close. And he appeared every gram a flesh-and-blood warrior – coarse and ruthlessly untamed. Sweltering heat radiated from his body and engulfed all five of her senses. She was suffocating. Visions of that long-ago night echoed in her mind until she could perceive nothing else. Ariah gave a shallow cry as she struggled to free herself once more.
“Don’t. Don’t leave me. Please.”
Her movements ceased. The words struck a chord deep inside her chest. She connected her gaze with his and was rendered speechless by the naked anguish in his stare. Regret and desire were etched in every line of his face – but what stole her breath was something entirely different. For the second time, it was neither anger nor resentment that radiated from his eyes, but a longing so intense that it nearly overwhelmed her: hope
AUTHOR BIO
Rachel L. Demeter lives in the beautiful hills of Anaheim, California with Teddy, her goofy lowland sheepdog, and her high school sweetheart of eleven years. She enjoys writing dark, poignant romances that challenge the reader's emotions and explore the redeeming power of love.
Imagining dynamic worlds 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 mother would record them for her. She holds a special affinity for the tortured hero and unconventional romances. Whether crafting the protagonist or antagonist, she ensures every character is given a soul.
Rachel endeavors to defy conventions by blending elements of romance, suspense, and horror. Some 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.
AUTHOR LINKS
Website: http://racheldemeter.net/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rldemeter
Twitter: https://twitter.com/RachelLDemeter
Google+: https://twitter.com/RachelLDemeter
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/RachelLDemeter/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/pub/rachel-l-demeter/40/ba1/9aa
Author Newsletter: http://bit.ly/1JlriXS
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7791305.Rachel_L_Demeter
Amazon: http://amzn.to/1UcJIwW
ALSO BY RACHEL L. DEMETER
The Frost of Springtime
US: http://amzn.to/1NTOde7
UK: http://amzn.to/1PxMTOg
B&N: http://bit.ly/1WRNhwE
Goodreads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/20576331-the-frost-of-springtime
GIVEAWAY
There is a giveaway for 2 ecopies of Finding Gabriel
Rachel L. Demeter lives in the beautiful hills of Anaheim, California with Teddy, her goofy lowland sheepdog, and her high school sweetheart of eleven years. She enjoys writing dark, poignant romances that challenge the reader's emotions and explore the redeeming power of love.
Imagining dynamic worlds 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 mother would record them for her. She holds a special affinity for the tortured hero and unconventional romances. Whether crafting the protagonist or antagonist, she ensures every character is given a soul.
Rachel endeavors to defy conventions by blending elements of romance, suspense, and horror. Some 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.
AUTHOR LINKS
Website: http://racheldemeter.net/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rldemeter
Twitter: https://twitter.com/RachelLDemeter
Google+: https://twitter.com/RachelLDemeter
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/RachelLDemeter/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/pub/rachel-l-demeter/40/ba1/9aa
Author Newsletter: http://bit.ly/1JlriXS
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7791305.Rachel_L_Demeter
Amazon: http://amzn.to/1UcJIwW
ALSO BY RACHEL L. DEMETER
The Frost of Springtime
US: http://amzn.to/1NTOde7
UK: http://amzn.to/1PxMTOg
B&N: http://bit.ly/1WRNhwE
Goodreads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/20576331-the-frost-of-springtime
GIVEAWAY
There is a giveaway for 2 ecopies of Finding Gabriel
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