Reviewed by Anna Lynn
TITLE: Cold Winter Nights
AUTHOR: A.E. Via
PUBLISHER: Self-Published
LENGTH: 159 Pages
RELEASE DATE: December 21, 2024
BLURB:
Beauregard Stone lives a life of solitude in the snow-blanketed town of Windeville, Maine. The burly, gruff lumberjack is a man of few words and even fewer smiles. He hasn’t spoken much since his husband died eight years ago. Now, each day bleeds into the next as Stone loses himself in his woodshop and lumber- hauling business. Returning to his empty cabin exhausted is how he survives his achingly lonely nights.
But when Royal Peterson, a burnt-out corporate finance executive from Manhattan, stumbles into Windeville everything changes. Royal has just left his high-pressure job after a medical scare, unsure what his future holds or what kind of life he even wants. In the tiny town, everything feels painfully slow and too peaceful—two things Royal didn’t even know existed. But there’s something about the place, the history, its friendly people, the vibrant winter holiday decorations, that calls to his soul.
Stone isn’t the kind of man who fawns over the strangers who wander into town, especially not ones who look like Royal. Stone’s too rough around the edges, convinced he’s too old, too grizzled, too broken for someone as young and gorgeous as Royal. But when he sees the same sadness in Royal’s warm brown eyes that’s reflected in his own, Stone’s defenses began to crumble. Something about Royal’s vulnerability tugs at his heart in ways he can’t explain.
As Stone and Royal’s paths continue to cross in unexpected ways, they start to realize healing and loving aren’t always as complicated as they seem. But just as their bond begins to grow, Royal faces a difficult choice: does he stay in Windeville, with its peace and simplicity, or does he return to his fast-paced life, leaving Stone to face the cold, lonely winter nights once again?
Stone knows the sting of loss better than anyone, but can he risk letting love in, only to lose it again?
Cold Winter Nights is a heartfelt hurt-comfort story of second chances, and the unexpected healing that comes from opening your soul to someone who’s just as broken as you are.
REVIEW:
What a very sweet love story! I just love it!
Beauregard “Bo” Stone lost his husband eight years ago and ever since he thought he will never feel any attraction to another man ever again, until Royal Peterson came into town. Royal just quit his high-pressured job in the finance/corporate world after a medical scare which really scared him enough to quit the very next day.
Stone has been alone for so many years that he has adapted to it. The townfolk of Windeville, Maine, have set him up on dates a few times but it has never worked. He believes he is too old and too set in his ways that no one will ever find him attractive enough. But when he saw Royal, he started to feel again. He is attracted to the younger man.
At 45 years old, Royal has had a very successful career in the financial world but when a medical crisis occurred it was a wake up call for him. It made him quit his work and he drove out of Manhattan, going to a place that his parents have been to many times before. He was always invited but he always couldn’t make it because of work. The town of Windeville was like a wonderland to him, he never knew such places still exists and the people living there are like “unicorns” to him, they are kind, helpful and all around nice to everyone, even to strangers like him.
Ms. A.E. Via is known for her action-packed stories involving police officers, assassins, but it so great to read something low-angst and really sweet love story from her. It is a great reprieve and delight to read a pure story of just two men falling in love with each other amidst their own personal losses and dilemma.
Congratulations Ms. Via!
RATING: 
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