Amid the Winter Snow: A Holiday Anthology

Jeffe Kennedy · Thea Harrison · Grace Draven · Elizabeth Hunter

Dec 2017 · Brightlynx Publishing

About this ebook

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…

 

Ratings and reviews

In the Darkest Midnight – Grace Draven – 3.5 Stars This tale covers several years as Radimar lives with Jahna’s family in order to tutor her brother in swordsmanship. The world/society building here is perfection but perhaps a bit too much for such a short story. Nevertheless, I was lost in this richly drawn world as well as invested in the story of these two characters. My heart hurt for the loneliness Jahna’s disfigurement left her with. I loved that when Radimar looked at her he didn’t see the stain but instead saw only beauty. The Chosen – Thea Harrison – 4 Stars Wulf and Lily’s story was full of action, humor and romance. I absolutely loved the chemistry between these two. The world building was difficult to catch onto in the beginning – obviously built in previous books – but soon enough I caught on and was pulled into the story. Lily is strong and independent but not careless and Wulf is protective and possessive and in the end wants only what is right for Lily. This was an engaging tale and I must check out more from this author. The Storm – An Irin Chronicles Novella – Elizabeth Hunter – 4 Stars Renata and Maxim’s story was fast paced in the beginning but slowed toward the end. I was completely engaged in it and their conflict. I loved that Maxim wanted her above all else, despite the time and distance she put between them. The ending was poignant and poetic. Definitely would’ve enjoyed this more had I read previous books. The Snows of Windroven – A Twelve Kingdoms/Uncharted Realms Novella – Jeffe Kennedy – 4.5 Stars This was definitely my favorite. Angsty and filled with so much emotion. It was fast paced without cutting into the world building. The characters came to life and I especially loved that it was in the hero’s point of view. The relationship between these two must have begun during a previous book but I didn’t feel like I was missing out on anything. There was just so much here I loved. It never felt like I was reading a novella. I absolutely must check out more from this author.

I received an ARC of this book in return for reviewing Thea Harrison’s Novella, The Chosen. I am a long-time fan of Harrison and am amazed at how she continuously puts out stories that draw me in and leave me longing for more. With her novella The Chosen, Harrison returns to the world of the Elder Races but with a twist: this story takes place 100% in the Other Lands. This setting gives the story a medieval feel with that added element of magic. In Wulf, we have an alpha warrior reminiscent of Dragos (Dragon Bound: sexy, intelligent, possessive, vengeful, and take charge), but with more sensitivity and flirtiness. Lily, the heroine, is another great sassy, strong woman with a gift that is a burden and a blessing. Even though the H/H made me think of some of my other favorite characters, they are in no way weak shadows or derivations. They are unique, and their relationship is, too. This book is a testament to Harrison’s abilities as a writer. It is clearly the launch of a new series, and I found the pace and exposition perfect. Harrison packs a lot of detail and info in this short work, but I never once felt confused, bored, or overwhelmed. Amazingly, I also never thought things were happening too fast. She weaves the story threads together in perfect harmony. I cannot wait to read future stories with Lily and Wulf, as well as the other characters introduced. I’m even hoping some Earth-side Elder Races characters pop up. This book is a definite winner.

I'm not generally a fan of anthologies, but when my favourite authors get together? Bring it. In The Darkest Midnight by Grace Draven - three and a half stars Set in the world of Eidolon and the Wraith Kings this is the charming story of Jahna Ulfrida, the daughter of a nobleman, born with a large port wine stain on one side of her face and her brother's teacher, Radimar Velus. Told against the back drop of several annual Deyalda festivities this is a slow blossoming romance told with sumptuous prose and fabulous world-building. Easy to read as a stand-alone if you have never read any of Grace Draven's books before. The Chosen by Thea Harrison - three and a half stars Set in The Elder Races but not on earth. Braugne and Guerlan are at war, threatening the neutrality of the island of Camaeline Abbey. The Chosen of the goddess Camael has to choose which side to align with, her visions tell her that one way will spell disaster for her people - but which? The infamous Wolf of Braugne has brought his army practically to the doors of the abbey, can the Chosen use her psychic gifts to read his aura and determine if he is friend or foe? This was a charming novella about a warlord and a strong priestess, each with their own kingdoms to rule, who find love in a time of war. TBH, I would have liked this to be a full-length novel to explore how the characters got to where they are and expand the story a bit. Easy to read as a stand-alone if you have never read any of Thea Harrison's books before. The Storm by Elizabeth Hunter - three stars Set in the world of the Irin Chronicles. i haven't read this series and I did feel that I missed something not having read the series. From what I gathered there are two groups of half-angel children on earth. One group, the Irin, have magical gifts and are scholars and artists. The other, the Grigori, are encouraged by their sires to take human lives (I think). Renata was the daughter of scholars and intellectuals, when The rending occurred she saw the aftermath of her parents, her mate and everyone she knew being murdered by the Grigori. Later she meets a much younger Irin, Max and they share a brief relationship. But Renata knows that she is broken ,having lost her one true love she can never allow Max to settle for something lesser. I started off not liking this novella and by the end I rather enjoyed it. The Snows of Windroven by Jeffe Kennedy - four stars Set in the world of The Twelve Kingdoms this a novella about the widowed Queen Ami of Avonligh who is travelling to her late husband's castle Windroven with her twin children to celebrate the feast of mid-Winter along with her unofficial consort Ash, a scarred ex-convict and half-shifter. Although I have read some of Jeffe's more recent books I haven't read The Twelve Kingdoms series and didn't have a clue about the characters. No matter, the brief paragraph "About the Book" at the start told me all I need to know. Ash and Ami are in love but he knows she can never marry him and he can't imagine any future King allowing his affair with Ami to continue. As the entourage travel to Windroven the pair decide to part, until a vicious attack by undead creatures forces events to take a different turn. This novella just left me wanting more, more Windroven, more Ash, more Ami, more of Ami's adorable twins. More, more, more. I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review.

About the author

Elizabeth Hunter is a contemporary fantasy, paranormal romance, and contemporary romance writer. She is a graduate of the University of Houston Honors College and a former English teacher. She is the author of the Elemental Mysteries and Elemental World series, the Cambio Springs series, and other works of fiction.