Theophile Lekas has spent the last seventeen years trying to build a name for himself as an ice sculptor. Ice is his world, but he lives for Dylan Mincer.
But loving from afar isn’t enough, and if Theo wants to win Dylan’s heart, he’ll need to sweep him off his feet. And what better way to do it than with a sculpture that will leave Dylan breathless and the world in no doubt of Theo’s genius?
After an argument leads to murder, Theo is hit with true inspiration. And he has the perfect block to begin his project. For Dylan, Theo will create his masterpiece. And it will be as unique as a snowflake.
Ofelia Gränd is Swedish, which often shines through in her stories. She likes to write about everyday people ending up in not-so-everyday situations, and hopefully also getting out of them. She writes contemporary, paranormal, romance, horror, Sci-Fi and whatever else catches her fancy.
Her books are written for readers who want to take a break from their everyday life for an hour or two.
When Ofelia manages to tear herself from the screen and sneak away from husband and children, she likes to take walks in the woods. She’s recently discovered the miracle of podcasts and spends her strolls listening to wise people talk.
The things we do for love. I’m thinking Theo is a tad obsessed with his muse. It doesn’t begin to cover the extent of the madness. I was shocked and horrified. Sickened, appalled and strangely captivated.
What can I say? Psychosis fascinates me.
Easily the most horrific of the three stories. Kept me on edge, waiting for the big reveal.
One of the coolest most horrific characters, our Theo. I kept thinking this wackadookee would fit right in at a dinner party with Hannibal. He can bring the ice sculpture. More pretty snowflakes.
Cat. For real or make believe? Or perhaps, something more. We may never know. Spine tingling. Unanswered questions to keep you awake long into the night. The best kind. 😈👹👻
Eccentric ice sculpture artist Theophile has a muse... Dylan... for as long as he can remember. He wants to sweep Dylan of his feet by creating to most powerful ice sculpture everrr. A sculpture drenched in love for Dylan.
Dylan never felt so loved before as by Theo... and Theo is one protective badass.
Some special equipment and freezing cold is what he need to create or destroy.
An exceptional, thrilling and dubious story that will melt the heart uhhh the ice, I mean the ice. Love, compassion, deadly thoughts... it’s there.. all there... an ice cold package wrapped in a nice warm red ribbon. I loved this read.. ghaawd did I loved this read <3 !!
A remarkable story about the power of conviction. Every artist needs to believe completely in their visage, their creation, even if to do so means living a life apart from reality. But reality, ah, who needs it? When your days consist of chiselling ice, forming perfect human-like sculptures, the lines between the rifts grow thin. Rifts like good and bad, love and hate. That stuff. Easy to see how a person could get a little wobbly on the morality of a frozen world. You know? It happens to me every Friday night when I swim back from the pub. Do I eat the last tub of spikey peaks ice cream?? Can I sleep in the bath with the dog? Philosophy and ethics, questions everyone must address. The author crawls inside the head of the artist, Theo freezy pants, and revels in what it is to be in love, and to be – what is the word? Narrow-minded? Perhaps. Driven? For sure. Wilful? God, yeah. Brave? My fishy heart is with Theo…And there are other words too, but I don’t want to give too much away. I was chilled to the bone, and delighted, by this book! So awesome to read such a unique love story…
A fun read and really great if you're looking for a scary story to read in October. Although it wasn't as spine chilling as some of the authors other horror romance stories this one was really good.
The story is told from Theophile Lekas POV. He is a ice sculpture artist and he has been in love with Dylan Mincer for the last seventeen years but Dylan doesn't even know Theo exist until they have an encounter in a club. Theo is sure Dylan will become his soon and so pursues Dylan. Dylan has been hurt (several ways) before so he wants to move cautiously with the budding relationship he has with Theo. Theo in his own way to convey to Dylan the depth of his love decides to take matters into his own hands and make a special sculpture just for Dylan. Things may just get a bit bloody but it sure comes from Theo's heart and he'll hope Dylan will see this too.
I liked it, the idea may not be original but the story was entertaining and I liked seeing the inside of Theo's head, his thought process and obsession for Dylan and wanting to make things better for him. Theo's relationship with his cat was cute and a tad bit bonkers but fun. Although I was a just a tad bit creeped out about how far Theo was willing to go I did admire his determination and love for Dylan. The ending was pretty satisfying and readers get a little insight into Dylan's mind and his regard for Theo. I hope there is a continuation for this story coming in the future because I really want to know how Dylan plans to reciprocate his love and what extent if anything he is willing to go. It would be just lovely if readers got to read from his POV.
An ARC was provided to me in exchange for an honest review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
I am avid horror fan so this book was extremely tame for me.
I liked the idea of a psychotic ice sculptor and his muse, but I didn’t enjoy the execution.
I wish we would’ve gotten better descriptions of the kills or at least make them more interesting.
I didn’t like the ending. I kinda wanted something darker. I wouldn’t have minded if the story ended after Theo showed Dylan the sculpture and we are left with his horror shocked reaction.
Or….Maybe even a little fast forward in time to glimpse into a “Dylan sculpture” in the process of being created that leaves the reader not knowing if Theo killed Dylan after he tried to leave him or if Dylan accepted his psycho’s love language and was just posing for him like Theo always dreamed of. I would’ve loved this type of ending.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
“The first fall of snow is not only an event, it is a magical event. You go to bed in one world and wake up in another quite different, and if this is not enchantment then where is it to be found.” JB Priestly. When it snows, you have two choices shovel or make snow angels. Theophile/Theo is an ice sculpture. Theo has liked Dylan for years, keeping tabs on him anonymously. They went to school together at one point in life. Theo and Dylan run into each other at a club however, when Dave the guy Dylan was with was rude Theo takes that as an opportunity to leave. Dylan follows and has to run to catch up and offers to take Theo out. Theo has been anonymously following (stalking) Dylan for about 17yrs on social media.
This book has a different spin on what we would normally see as stalking and obsession as well as the expected outcome of such actions. I found this to be a interesting and crazy read. I loved it as it’s different from the norm and quite entertaining.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Do not be fooled by the somewhat mild title of this story. Snowflakes are pretty. This book is far from pretty. It’s beautifully written, as I would expect from Ofelia. It also has the honour of being the only story to have made me exclaim out loud: “oh my god” on a train full of unsuspecting commuters who had absolutely no idea what is contained within the covers of this book. Snowflake is part of the Buried Desires 3 anthology from Beaten Track Publishing. I have read the other 2 and I advise you all to read this with a defibrillator handy, not only for your own heart but for those sitting next to you on the train.
He has loved him from afar for so long and it is no longer enough. He will prove his love for them by doing the best ice statue he could ever make. Will he finally get them? See how they get on
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Looking first at the title and then, at who had authored this book, I quickly snatched up this story without even reading the synopsis on it. However, even if I had read it, #1 — it would not have changed my mind, and #2 — it would not have prepared me for what was Truly Happening in this story. I love Ofelia Gränd’s books and so, I never gave just snatching it up so quickly, without reading anything about it, a second thought, let alone giving it even a first thought. Actually, the only thought I did have was “Oh, cool! A nice, short, sweet, wintry story!” Very definitely my favorite type of book— especially so if Christmas was involved with it somewhere! (Which, just so you know , it wasn’t — definitely no Christmas in this story, anywhere.) So, I figured, just give me a minute to get myself a cup of nice, hot tea. Let me pull a cuddly, furry blanket onto my lap and put a couple of fluffy pillows under my arms, and I’ll be all set. Plus, there’s the fact that the night is not only cold but it’s also giving us our very first enchantingly, quiet and stunningly, beautiful snowfall of the Colorado winter season. Yup, this entire setup is just about perfect. N.O.T.!!! No . . . this was in no way a short and sweet story. No . . . It felt like I was slowly being pulled down a path that I didn’t really want to go down but, was helpless to stop myself. Like onlookers at an auto accident. They know it’s wrong but, really, they just cannot Not look. It felt like I just couldn’t NOT go down that path! It felt like I was slowly being pulled down an increasingly evil — Evil? No, Not Evil. Insane? Ya. Insane was definitely the word. — An increasingly Insane path, that in no way would ever allow me to veer away from it. That in no way would ever allow me to rescue myself from having to watch what would happen next. Yes, suffice it to say, this “short and sweet story” was positively feeling a lot longer than it should. And, at the same time, was absolutely horrifying the “Oh, cool a wintry story . . . ” right straight out of me! After I did start to read this story, I went back to read the synopsis of it and . . . Oh, my gawd . . . Ya . . . The synopsis mentioned murder but, holy cr@p, how was I to know what was really to come? Plus, oh, my leaping innards, how did Ofelia Gränd get all this insane creepiness into only 77 pages? After all this, I wonder if I’ll ever adopt another “CAT” again, without shuddering every time my mind wonders away from it, and onto Ofelia and her “CAT” in this insanity driven story? After all, one of the last thoughts expressed was, “Sh¡t, what is the stupid cat thinking now?” Ya, every time my new adoptee did one of those oddly cute “CAT” things, I could just hear myself thinking “Ya, just what is my new “CAT” up to, now?” Cue in the spinal shivers, shudders and goosebumps. . . Oh . . . did I mention how much I loved every skin-crawling page of this fantastic and great story? I didn’t? OOPS! YA . . . I POSITIVELY LOVED EVERY SINGLE SHIVER and EVERY BODY-WRACKING SHUDDER THAT CAME WITH EVERY RAISED GOOSEBUMP! FORGET THE TREADMILL — READ THIS BOOK. YOUR HEART WILL GET IT’S WORK OUT!
OH, ya . . . Come on Ms Gränd — LET’S DO THIS AGAIN!
This is, probably, a stand-alone story about an ice sculptor, and it occurred to me, the first time Theo is...erm, struck by inspiration, shall we say, that the line between gifted genius and crazed bloodythirsty psychopath is really, really fragile. Seeing events unfold through Theo's eyes, I kept thinking...I can see why he's done that, his heart's in the right place and then having to remind myself he's actually batsh*t crazy. But my favourite part of this is the ending, which was absolutely not what I expected. Also, Cat.
This story is an interesting mix of horror, weirdness, psychopaths, murders, romance, a bit of twisted humor, and a talking...cat. I wasn't sure how Dylan would take Theo's gift when he finally found out, and his reaction was a bit of a twist. The theme was a little darker than my usual tastes, but the story was well-written and I think true horror fans will enjoy it. I think romance fans will, too. Theo's love, concern, and protectiveness for Dylan, and the lengths he went to to showcase it, reflect true devotion, however darkly expressed.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This is an author I enjoy reading, so I had no problem in wanting to read this book. It is a special little horror book that certainly was quite crazy but so good to read. My favorite character in this book is definitely cat, he was to funny and sarcastic it was perfect. I'm glad Dylan had someone who loved him all be it a little scarily, but at least hs had someone to start bolstering his self-esteem in which everyone over the years has taken from him. This is a definite must read, yes it is a little horror but nothing to scary, so grab it asap.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This was such an entertaining read. It was a perfect fit to its creepy cover (that I also love) without being too scary that I coudn't read it, because I'm not exactly brave when it comes to horror. It was rather funny, in a dark and creepy kind of way, which is something I really enjoy from the author.
The story had some interesting characters. I struggle a little with Dylan because of his low self steem tha sometimes became frustrating, but I did get where it came from. He was really sweet most of the times, but so oblivious that sometimes I feel like screaming at him. Theo was wonderful. I loved his inner dialogue and how much of it he let the other know, with them thinking he was joking. I also loved the way he see Dylan and how much he was willing to sacrifice to show his love to him. Even tough I liked both main characters. the one that got me smiling most of the time was Cat, I loved him so much, he was really fun and every scene he was on was captivating.
I liked the plot. It keep my attention the whole time and kept me worried every time I tought things wouldn't work. I had some nice surprises and I felt really interested on seeing how the piece of art was going to be put on scene. I loved the twist the book had. It was a great experience. I had a fantastic time reading it.
I have a real hard time rating this story. I couldn't put it down I laughed, cried and was horrified by events that take place. Theo has been in love with Dylan since high school. He just dreams and fantasizes about him while he carves his ice sculptures. Dylan runs into him in a bar and they go for ice cream and plan to see each other again. This story has romance, dysfunction (Stephan King type of crazy murder art) humor, hope. I COULD NOT PUT IT DOWN, or decide if I wanted to read it but I read it in an hour and a half without stopping.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Theophile Lekas knows becoming a famous and recognised artist is no easy feat. He bids his time until his chance to shine arrives, always focused on creating a masterpiece, and on his muse, of course, sweet and extremely handsome Dylan Mincer. One night, he has the chance to meet his beloved, and almost at the same time an unfortunate incident brings him the inspiration he needs. He Will find a way to show his love for Dylan, and become famous, at the same time. Sooo… this was not what most people would call a cute love story. Nope. But I really find these two sort of sweet… in a very twisted way. I really liked Dylan, and the turned out to be a very resourceful young man. As for Theo, he is willing to do whatever is needed to protect and look after Dylan, and that's real love, isn't it? I think the only real dangerous being in this story is cat... I really enjoyed it!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
This is an entertaining story with strong descriptive characters in Theo and Dylan. It's not the story I expected it to be. It's not a cute romance , however it is an interesting story with surprises and twists and I enjoyed reading it.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book. All opinions in this review are my own and freely given.
I have read some books of Ofelia's and I absolutely loved every and each of them. The one is darker than others but I love it. Theo is a great character. Complex and so much unsettling. But he is ready to do anything for his beloved. I love the last chapter. I have not expected Dylan and Cat plotting to set Theo free.
This book was delightfully unexpected. I loved the cerebral journey this book took me through. Right from the start, the writing style, the dialogue, the narration, and the character quirks were enough to snag my interest and cock my head, because something was just …. vaguely... hmmm. (I can't say more without giving away spoilers.) There were reasonings, justifications, creative liberties, and character flaws that I never would have thought of, yet simply worked beautifully with the plot. I am very impressed by how this book is crafted, and it is one of the most unique love stories I have read.
❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️ This qoute sets the tone of this wonderful, little love/horror story. I guess it can be two sides of the same coin.
5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ — EXCELLENT — INTENSE and SUSPENSEFUL! 5 ♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️ — I ABSOLUTELY, TRULY LOVED THIS BOOK! 5 🤙🤙🤙🤙🤙 — RECOMMEND IT TO ANY HORROR AFICIONADO!
—————————— I’VE PURCHASED THE ORIGINAL EDITION OF THIS BOOK FROM KINDLE. THIS IS THE SAME REVIEW I SUBMITTED ON 11 OCT 2018 FOR THAT FIRST EDITION I’D BOUGHT — IT HAD A DIFFERENT COVER. ——————————
Looking first at the title and then, at who had authored this book, I quickly snatched up this story without even reading the synopsis on it. However, even if I had read it, #1 — it would not have changed my mind, and #2 — it would not have prepared me for what was Truly Happening in this story. I love Ofelia Gränd’s books and so, I never gave just snatching it up so quickly, without reading anything about it, a second thought, let alone giving it even a first thought. Actually, the only thought I did have was “Oh, cool! A nice, short, sweet, wintry story!” Very definitely my favorite type of book— especially so if Christmas was involved with it somewhere! (Which, just so you know , it wasn’t — definitely no Christmas in this story, anywhere.) So, I figured, just give me a minute to get myself a cup of nice, hot tea. Let me pull a cuddly, furry blanket onto my lap and put a couple of fluffy pillows under my arms, and I’ll be all set. Plus, there’s the fact that the night is not only cold but it’s also giving us our very first enchantingly, quiet and stunningly, beautiful snowfall of the Colorado winter season. Yup, this entire setup is just about perfect. N.O.T.!!! No . . . this was in no way a short and sweet story. No . . . It felt like I was slowly being pulled down a path that I didn’t really want to go down but, was helpless to stop myself. Like onlookers at an auto accident. They know it’s wrong but, really, they just cannot Not look. It felt like I just couldn’t NOT go down that path! It felt like I was slowly being pulled down an increasingly evil — Evil? No, Not Evil. Insane? Ya. Insane was definitely the word. — An increasingly Insane path, that in no way would ever allow me to veer away from it. That in no way would ever allow me to rescue myself from having to watch what would happen next. Yes, suffice it to say, this“short and sweet story” was positively feeling a lot longer than it should. And, at the same time, was absolutely horrifying the “Oh, cool a wintry story . . . ” right straight out of me! After I did start to read this story, I went back to read the synopsis of it and . . . Oh, my gawd . . . Ya . . . The synopsis mentioned murder but, holy cr@p, how was I to know what was really to come? Plus, oh, my leaping innards, how did Ofelia Gränd get all this insane creepiness into only 77 pages? After all this, I wonder if I’ll ever adopt another “CAT” again, without shuddering every time my mind wonders away from it, and onto Ofelia and her “CAT” in this insanity driven story? After all, one of the last thoughts expressed was, “Sh¡t, what is the stupid cat thinking now?” Ya, every time my new adoptee did one of those oddly cute “CAT” things, I could just hear myself thinking “Ya, just what is my new “CAT” up to, now?” Cue in the spinal shivers, shudders and goosebumps. . . Oh . . . did I mention how much I loved every skin-crawling page of this fantastic and great story? I didn’t? OOPS! YA . . . I POSITIVELY LOVED EVERY SINGLE SHIVER and EVERY BODY-WRACKING SHUDDER THAT CAME WITH EVERY RAISED GOOSEBUMP! FORGET THE TREADMILL — READ THIS BOOK. YOUR HEART WILL GET IT’S WORK OUT!
OH, ya . . . Come on Ms Gränd — LET’S DO THIS AGAIN!
What a read Theo has always had a thing for Dylan, that started when they were younger, he’s an artist a sculptor he makes the most amazing things out of ice but Dylan is his muse. He is inspiration He makes him want to make more than just swans for banquets. he gets the most amazing ideas when he’s around Dylan. Once he spends more time with Dylan, he will do anything to protect him, keep him safe and give him the world if he could. And this leads him onto a horrific journey. But isn’t until the last chapter that everything just makes your head explode. Oh my gosh this is one of the most bizarre intriguing book that had me puzzled at time. Between Theo, Dylan and the cat my head just wants to explode. I feel so sorry for Dylan this poor man who just had no luck but he had me fooled completely. In a way I want another book about these two and cat Because They got so much more to give. A really good read
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Wow, that was... a ride? Even though I knew Theo had a screw loose from the start, I was still rooting for him and Dylan. Especially because I could tell Dylan has been dealing with a lot of disappointment and other hardships in his life. I can't even say what I'm feeling right now. I wish there would have been more scenes with Theo and Dylan together. I wanted to see Dylan getting to know Theo better. I don't know if it was just me, but I had a hard time imagining/understanding what the ice sculptures looked like and what Theo was doing with his "masterpiece". He said what it was, but every time he was working on it or doing something with it, I just couldn't see what it looked like.
The Snowflake is a disturbing story about Theo, an ice sculpture, and Dylan, the man of Theo's obsession. Theo has been stalking Dylan for years and when it came to be known that people were bullying him Theo took matters into his own hands and got a bit creative. He wanted to create the perfect sculpture for Dylan. Though this book is intense, it's beautifully written. And this author continues to be a favorite of mine. I enjoyed the connection between Theo and Dylan and the way Theo really did care for Dylan. This book might not be for everyone but I'm glad I gave it a chance.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
My review is 3 1/2 stars. This book is quite unusual. Theo was a different sort of character. His mind was definitely clouded in a bizarre way. His obsession with Dylan was equally bizarre. The story was a tad uncomfortable and as I was reading I kept thinking surely this is going to be a dream or possibly a daydream and not real. Well, nope, very real. A little strange to be sure but, though it was uncomfortable, I still finished it. Perhaps my mind is a tad strange as well, 🤣. This author surprised me with this story I have to say. The ending certainly leaves you wondering.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Ice Sculptor Theo has loved a man from a distance for years, Dylan his muse. this story of how they come together is a strange and disturbing story of an Ice Sculptor who will go to any lengths to protect his love. any lengths. disturbing read of a deranged man who is too handy with the chainsaw and baseball bat.
A life means nothing to him apart from Dylan and he avenges those who he feels have wronged his love his muse. you get an insight to a serial killers mind and how he justifies what he does. the ending , i can not say if it is even more disturbing or a HEA.... the jury is out, read it and make your own mind up
True, macabre horror: obsession taken to a morbid extreme😳
Wow! Ice sculptor Theo in the novella is a really twisted piece of work! The author has really created a horrifyingly fascinating character who's gone off the rails in his search for admiration and affection from Dylan, the man he's obsessed about for years.
This one is violent and not really steamy. But, like all of the Ofelia Grand stories I've read, it's imaginative and it's a quick read as well.
I read a complimentary copy supplied through Booksprout; this is my voluntary and honest opinion.