Reviewer: Tracy Amid the Winter Snow by Grace Draven, Thea Harrison, Jeffe Kennedy, Elizabeth Hunter
Publisher: Self-Published
Publication Date: December 12th 2017
Genres: Fantasy, Paranormal Romance
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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 HarrisonIn 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…
THE DARKEST NIGHT
Jahna was born with a birthmark on her face (what is now known as a port wine stain) that has made her the victim of severe bullying whenever she wasn’t in her home. Her father refuses to let her stay home when there are festivals to go to at the palace. She never takes part in the festivities but enjoys them none-the-less.
When Jahna is a 16-year-old she meets Sir Velus, the swordmaster who has been hired by her father to teach her brother for the next four years. They become friends but they both harbor deeper feelings for the other that may never come to light.
This was a lovely story that I thoroughly enjoyed. I do wish that we could have seen Velus and Jahna together a bit more as the story does jump time a bit (the novella covers a 4-year span of time). Despite that I really liked it and love Velus for loving this wonderful woman that everyone else ignored.
THE CHOSEN
This story takes place in the same world as the Elder Races but in one of the parallel magical universes. The Goddess has a Chosen one and she has prophetic dreams. She sees violence coming to her country and she’s not sure who she can trust among the warring men. One man, makes his way into her heart and helps her grow as a Chosen.
I really love Harrison’s Elder Races novels and this was a lovely glimpse into the more magical places in that world. I really loved both the hero and heroine in this story – I just wish it was longer! Lol I was totally into it and then it ended. sigh
THE STORM
Maxim fell in love with Renata 18 years earlier but she has been in and out of his life since that time. He’s determined to finally lock her down!
I loved the premise of this book with the half-angelic Irin people and all they were going through. It was sad at times but happy at others. I liked Maxim a lot and was happy when he finally got Renata to agree to be with him forever.
THE SNOWS OF WINDROVEN
Ash is a soldier and knows that he’s not a good enough man to be with the queen, even though he loves her and her children. Ash is seeing them to Windroven where Queen Amelia wants to spend the feast of midwinter. During their travel they argue and agree to part but neither truly wants to be parted from the other. When danger threatens the Queen Ash is there to save her. They finally talk and realize that they never want to be parted.
This was a good story but I felt like I was missing something. It’s obviously part of a series and because of this I didn’t feel that it stood alone well. I liked it but was lost at times. I thought that Amelia and Ash were both hard-headed and needed to talk. When they finally did, all was well. It ended without conclusion so I believe that there will be more to their story in the series to come.
Overall I really liked this anthology a lot. The stories were engaging and I loved the magical/fantasy element that ran through all of the novellas. This is one I definitely recommend.
Rating: 4 out of 5
I have heard this anthology is pretty superb!! And I love GRACE DRAVEN!!! She writes great fantasy romance that is unique. Gotta have her novella so I am going to one click this book.