Absolution

by S. Anne Gardner

Games of the rich and famous, love, lust, and forbidden passions weave this tale that play out through decades and the world. The close ties the Alcalas have to the royal house of Spain provide them with an unspoken untouchable policy. Their passions and their secrets are about to come to light with a force that cannot be stopped. In this whirlwind is Cristina Uraca Alacala who is searching for a truth that has been denied to her most of her life and she must find. She is not unlike her family; Cristina does not stop until she gets what she wants. In the fog lies the truth that she must travel through to find.

In this tale wealthy socialite Annais Francesca D’Autremond is a pivotal person of interest in Cristina’s search for the truth. When these two women meet they find themselves drawn together by something greater than themselves. As the truth of a hidden past becomes clearer their passions grow beyond the realm of the no return instead of a status quo. Both tied together by destiny; will both survive the onslaught of past and present passions?

169 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 20, 2014

About the author

With a vast array of varied life experiences S. Anne Gardner has a wide array of story ideas that she often weaves into riveting storylines that takes the reader on some unexpected rides. She has lived all over the world and is now permanently living on the East Coast of the United States although she does still like to travel. She has a love that fills her heart and children who fill her life. She works in the field of finance and is a published author. Her published works include Por Amor, For the Love of a Woman, An Affair of Love and Compensation. She enjoys sailing, horseback riding, art, traveling, reading, and writing. Her family, her friends, and her music fill her life in a world that is her own. (from the publisher’s website)

Reviews

[Cherlyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a Story

I thoroughly loved reading this beautiful twisted love story. I have never read a story with a complex soul. Both characters were complicated and the author led us to the end!

[Velvet Lounger · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tragedy overtook Cristina Uraca Alacala when she was 9 years old. Her socialite parents, linked to the Spanish Royal family, killed in a road traffic accident along with her adored younger sister. Ever since her loving grandmother has shielded her from the world and refused to talk about her family.

But inside she seethes with the need to know what really happened. She knows there was scandal, but nobody will explain why. She knows she has blocked memories – she didn’t speak for a year after the trauma – but nothing has yet triggered her recall.

Eventually she breaks away from her grandmother’s enforced cocoon to search out the answers in America. Her research uncovers just one name, Annais Francesca D’Autremond. So when the opportunity presents to meet the woman who can explain her past Christina cannot resist.

She knows her life will never be the same, but has no idea how far her discoveries will take them both.

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This is the third of S Anne Gardner’s books I have read and reviewed. They are all well written, well crafted and, most unusually – all completely different.

Unlike the more traditional lesbian romance of “The very thought of You” I complained that “Till there was You” was melodramatic and bodice ripping. It was. But now I have read “Absolution” I think there is also a trace of madness in the overwhelming passion.

“Absolution” was an interesting read. Almost the whole book is written in the first person. We only get Grandmother and Francesca’s emotions from Christina’s viewpoint. Inside Christina’s head is not a settled and balanced place to be. As the story unfolds her moods and emotions take increasingly wide swings, which make it heard to follow and sometimes hard to empathize with. As her memories wake she is literally torn between the desire to forget and stay in a cocooned 'here and now' with Francesca, and the history which is dragging her into reality and self realization.

I am not going to discuss the end of the book, not even close, as the concluding chapters take us somewhere I didn’t expect to go. No matter how clever you are you wont have guessed all the twists this plot unfurls.

What I can say is that what we witness is a character unraveling as the truth invades her sheltered mind on all sorts of levels. From her own memories, the poignant reminders Francesca brings, visiting Spain, everything leads her to a tortured place which took me back to the “Yellow Wallpaper” by Charlotte Perkins Gilman. Having spent her life believing she was different from her selfish and uncaring parents she gradually recognises quite how like her family she really is.

What the book left me with was a sense of disquiet. I think I enjoyed it, I was certainly challenged by it. I am glad I read it. And now I can’t quite decide if I am really looking forward to Ms Gardner’s back catalogue or feel like following Christina’s example and walking away from reality.

[Terry Baker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cristina Uraca Alacala has been searching for the truth about her past for most of her life. She keeps hitting a brick wall whichever way she turns. Her grandmother is determined the truth will remain buried. Unfortunately, this means Cristina’s world is filled with deceptions and lies.

Wealthy socialite, Annais Francesca D’Autremond, (Francesca) comes into Cristina’s life like a whirlwind and plays a big part in Cristina’s quest for answers.

Cristina and Francesca find themselves deeply attracted to one another and begin a tumultuous affair. As the truth begins to emerge and their passion is burning brightly, the truth is surpassed. It’s possible that Cristina’s search for the truth and with past and present passions inflamed, they may both be crushed in the turmoil that ensues.

This is a story that I couldn’t put down. Right from the first page through to the last page I was hooked right in. There are so many twists and turns, secrets, lies and deceptions, the book is a veritable hot bed of emotions. The book is fairly short, so I didn’t have to wait too long for the dramatic, climatic ending. I have to say though, although I enjoyed the book all the way through, the ending didn’t sit well with me. I’ve no intentions of putting in any spoilers or putting anyone off of buying this book. You would have to read it yourself and form your own opinion. I’ll just say, that I’m pleased I read the story.

The book is well written, Cristina and Francesca are characters that I won’t be forgetting. I finished the book a few days ago, but the story is still going round in my head. I will definitely re-read this one as I’m sure I’ll get more from it the second time round.

[Becky Rosenson · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn't really like either of the main characters, so this was hard for me to finish.