AMID THE WINTER SNOW is an anthology that showcases some of
my very favorite fantasy/paranormal romance authors. The
theme underpinning the anthology is that of romance blooming
during the stark beauty of a snowy winter season. Coming
during the last month of the year, this book quite easily
makes my personal Top 10 Books of the 2017 Year list. Y'all,
get this book and dive into these breathtaking stories
containing lush descriptions, sumptuous worldbuilding, and
satisfying romance.
There are four stories of Midwinter feature here. The first
is THE DARKEST MIDNIGHT by Grace Draven. Jahna was born with
a large red facial birthmark that makes her a target of
others. The handsome man who protects her from her
tormenters turns out to be the swordmaster hired to train
her brother to fight. Over the years, the swordmaster
teaches Jahna to fight as well and teaches her to trust and
believe in herself. It's an empowering story told with an
unbelievable richness of detail and in feeling, too. This is
easily a 5 out of 5-star read.
The second story is THE CHOSEN by Thea Harrison. This is set
in her Elder
Races. The gods and goddesses of the Elder play a part
in this tale, and there is a reference to the Wyr, (beings
that have a human form and a second animal form, many of
whom are immortal). However, no prior exposure to the Elders
Races world is necessary. Lily is the head priestess at the
abbey in Calles. She's had visions showing she must pick
between the tiger and the wolf to save her tiny country.
Then Wulfgar of Guerlan shows up at her gate. Forced to work
with Wulf to defend her abbey, the two are soon beguiled by
each other as dangers surround them at every turn. I adore
Lily, with her quick wit and her keen intelligence. I love
that Wulf gives her the respect she is due and allows her to
do what she needs to do, even if it hurts his heart because
he truly grows to love her. This story blew past my usual
ratings, ranking well above 5 out of 5 stars.
THE STORM by Elizabeth Hunter is set in her Irin
Chronicles world. I have not read any other books in
this particular series of Hunter's, so I did feel a little
lost. Grigori killed Renata's parents and her lifemate
during a wholesale slaughter of an Irin scholar community.
Renata taught herself to kill Grigori, and meets Maxim, a
Watcher. Renata fled Maxim 18 years ago after he asked her
to be his mate, and now Max has finally found her again. Max
is absolutely lovely. He's steadfast and compassionate.
Renata is prickly and closed off, and kudos to Max for
hanging in there with her! I give this story 3.5 out of 5 stars.
The final novella is THE SNOWS OF WINDROVER by Jeffe
Kennedy. This is set in Kennedy's Twelve
Kingdoms world, which I love, so I happily fell into
this tale. New Queen Amelia and her unofficial consort Ash,
hole up to survive a blizzard at their mountain keep. Poor
Ash has PTSD from prior captivity and torture, and Amelia
must heal his wounded heart before he can take a chance on
their love and step up to govern with her. I adore this
whole series, including TSOW. This gets 4.5 out of 5 stars
from me.
AMID THE WINTER SNOW is a fantastic collection of winter
stories that transport us to other worlds and other winters,
where love overcomes all. If you can only buy one more book
this year, this is the one you want to pick up.
As the snows fall and hearths burn, four stories of
Midwinter beginnings prove that love can fight its way
through the chillest night…
THE DARKEST MIDNIGHT, by Grace Draven
The mark Jahna Ulfrida was born with has made her a target
of the cruel and idle all her life. During the long, crowded
festivities of Deyalda, there’s nowhere to escape. Until a
handsome stranger promises to teach her to save herself…
THE CHOSEN, by Thea Harrison
In her visions, Lily sees two men fighting for her tiny
country’s allegiance: the wolf and the tiger, each deadly,
each cunning. One will bring Ys chaos and death, one a
gentler path—but she’s destined to love whichever she
chooses. The midwinter Masque is upon them, and the wolf is
at her door…
THE STORM, by Elizabeth Hunter
When her soul mate died in a massacre of the half-angelic
Irin people, Renata thought she’d never feel happiness
again. She’s retreated to the snowy Dolomites to remember
her hurts—until determined, irrepressible Maxim arrives to
insist on joy, too. And before she can throw him out, they
discover a secret the Irin have to know…
THE SNOWS OF WINDROVEN, by Jeffe Kennedy
As a blizzard threatens their mountain keep, the new Queen
Amelia of the Twelve Kingdoms and her unofficial consort Ash
face their own storm. Ash knows a scarred, jumpy ex-convict
isn’t the companion his queen needs. But when a surprise
attack confines them together in their isolated sanctuary,
the feast of midwinter might tempt even Ash into childlike hope…
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