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Amid the Winter Snow: The Chosen by Thea Harrison-a review

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AMID THE WINTER SNOW anthology by Grace Draven, Thea Harrison, Jeffe Kennedy, and Elizabeth Hunter- Dual review

Amid the Winter Snow

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO / Chapters Indigo /

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date December 12, 2017

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 (Wraith Kings/Masters of Crows), 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 (Elder Races), 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 (Irin Chronicles), 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 (Twelve Kingdoms), 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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SANDY’S REVIEW: My review is for THE CHOSEN by Thea Harrison.

ABOUT THE BOOK: 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…

Told from dual third person points of view (Lily and Wulf) THE CHOSEN by Thea Harrison is an adult, paranormal/fantasy romance storyline focusing on goddesses, priestesses, witches, The Chosen, psychic abilities, weather mages, seers and war.

Loosely connected to the author’s ELDER RACES series THE CHOSEN follows Lily, a priestess or as we will learn, The Chosen, the leader of her people at The Abbey, and the woman with whom Wulf will fall in love. Wulf and his people are at war, looking for a place to rest during the unnatural violent winter storms when he meets Lily, the woman that calls to his heart. Lily has visions of Y’s doom, at war with the unknown, and soon discovers that Wulf’s warriors are slowly being poisoned, quite possibly by someone within their midst.

Thea Harrison’s THE CHOSEN is a story of fantasy; of darkened realms accessed through hidden pathways; and of two people whose lives with be forever changed by defiance and war. A detailed story line that requires a little more explanation THE CHOSEN reads like a prequel novella or the first in a series of a new ELDER RACES spin off. The premise is entertaining and intriguing; the characters are passionate; the romance is seductive but limited.

As I stated earlier I chose to read and review THE CHOSEN, as Thea Harrison is the only author with whom I am familiar, and like THE CHOSEN, the other novellas as loosely linked to the other author’s established series and I am fearful of my lack of knowledge as it pertains to the other instalments.

 

Barb’s Anthology  Review:

Amid the Winter Snow by Thea Harrison, Grace Draven, Elizabeth Hunter, Jeffe Kennedy is a paranormal anthology taking place during the frozen brutal winter snow. Since these are novellas, I will do a short review on each book.

THE DARKEST MIDNIGHT 

The Darkest Midnight by Grace Draven was the first book I have read by this author. It was set in her Wraith King’s series.  Upon finishing this book, I will have to find time to check out her other books. I really enjoyed The Darkest Midnight.  Draven has created two wonderful characters in Jahna, our wonderful heroine and Radimar, our equally fantastic hero.  What made this different was the period of time in this slow built romance.  When Radimar, a swordmaster, came to teach Jahna’s brother to become a swordsman, she was only 15.

Jahna had a purple birthmark blemish on the side of her face, causing others to not look at her.   Radimar treated her differently, and during his 3 year stay, he also taught her to become stronger and learn how to defend herself.  During those years, he realized that he was falling for her, but felt his life was not meant for her, especially since she was in training to become Kings Chronicler. 8 years later they meet again at her brother’s wedding, and those feelings are rekindled. It was a sweet romance, and a beautiful ending.  Very well done.

THE CHOSEN

The Chosen by Thea Harrison is a novella from her wonderful Elder Races series.  This was a different storyline then the normal Eder Races, and I loved it.  Harrison has created two wonderful heroes in Lily and Wulf, whom I loved,  

Lily is a powerful witch who is the chosen one (by a goddess). She is the leader of a group of witches and defenders who believe in her, and protect her.  In her visions there are two men at war, and Lily must find a way to find the true culprit and stop the war that can destroy their lands.

She meets Wulf who comes to see the chosen one for help in fighting this war.  Despite everyone fearing him as the terrible villain, Lily senses something different. Wulf started off as an angry leader, trying to prove that he was innocent of those rumors of him killing his brother.  Soon Lily sees a sweet funny caring side of him.  I know after a short period, I fell in love with Wulf, and Lily begins to fall too. I also liked many of the secondary characters that Harrison has created, such has both Wulf’s top soldiers and Lily’s witches. 

As always, Thea Harrison gives us a wonderful, romantic story, great couple, exciting action and an enjoyable story line. Even if you have not read the Elder Races series, which you should be reading, The Chosen reads very well as a standalone.
THE STORM

The Storm by Elizabeth Hunter is another author who I have not read before.  We meet our heroine, Renata, in a flash back to when we see how she lost her family, including her soul mate in a massacre of the Irin people by the Grigori.  Many years later, Renata remains broken, and unable to feel anything but hatred for the evil Grigoris, whom she will kill at sight.  She meets our hero, Max, and they begin an affair.  Though she is comfortable with Max, Renata doesn’t feel that she can love him, and there can be no future.  He though knows she is the one for him, and is determined to win her over, though one night she leaves him, telling him to find his true mate.  The story picks up 18 years later, when in the midst of a major storm, he climbs the snowy mountains to find her at her old mansion, where she keeps to herself, still hardened by her tragic loss.   Renata still cannot resist Max, but stubbornly insists he needs to leave and look for his true mate.  Max will try to prove to her that their love is real, and she is his soul mate. 
Stuck in the mansion with the storm, they discover a secret cavern, where they find things hidden from the past, and also someone has been living in those caverns.  The findings and the people hiding in the caverns will open Renata’s eyes, and in time her heart.  She will begin to see that over all these years, things have changed, even her hated Grigoris.  It was really sweet when Renata begins to let her love for Max open and change her life.  I thought the beginning was a bit slow, but overall I did enjoy this story.

THE SNOWS OF WINDROVEN

The Snows of Windroven by Jeffe Kennedy is another author I have not read before.  We meet our heroes, Queen Amelia (Ami) of the Twelve Kingdoms and her guard and lover, Ash.  Being a new to her throne, Ami is determined to go back to her old mansion, where she lived before the death of her husband, despite the fears that she faces danger there.  Ash, loves Ami, but knows that his past as an ex convict is not what is good for the now Queen.  He is determined to get her, and her two children to safety, and leave.  Ami does all she can to try to convince him that they can make it work.  When they arrive, Ash and the Queen’s soldiers will fight for their lives in a surprise attack. 

What follows is somewhat exciting, but slowly Ash will begin to have hope that a future is possible, if only they survive.  I love Ami’s two young children, who are shapeshifters, and it was fun to watch them shift as a wolf or kitten.  This did add a nice element to the story. I did enjoy the story, as well as the main characters created by Kennedy; Ash, Ami and the two children.  Nice quick read.
 

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The Chosen (The Black Dagger Brotherhood #15) by J.R. Ward-a review

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THE CHOSEN (The Black Dagger Brotherhood #15) by J.R.Ward-a review

The Chosen

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO / BAM /

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release date April 4, 2017

Xcor, leader of the Band of Bastards, convicted of treason against the Blind King, is facing a brutal interrogation and torturous death at the hands of the Black Dagger Brotherhood. Yet after a life marked by cruelty and evil deeds, he accepts his soldier’s fate, his sole regret the loss of a sacred female who was never his: the Chosen Layla.

Layla alone knows the truth that will save Xcor’s life. But revealing his sacrifice and his hidden heritage will expose them both and destroy everything Layla holds dear—even her role of mother to her precious young. Torn between love and loyalty, she must summon the courage to stand up against the only family she has for the only man she will ever love. Yet even if Xcor is somehow granted a reprieve, he and Layla would have to confront a graver challenge: bridging the chasm that divides their worlds without paving the way for a future of even greater war, desolation, and death.

As a dangerous old enemy returns to Caldwell, and the identity of a new deity is revealed, nothing is certain or safe in the world of the Black Dagger Brotherhood, not even true love . . . or destinies that have long seemed set in stone.

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REVIEW: THE CHOSEN is the fifteenth installment in J.R.Ward’s contemporary, adult THE BLACK DAGGER BROTHERHOOD paranormal, romance series focusing on an elite group of vampire warriors and their King. This is Xcor, leader of the Band of Bastards and an enemy of the King, and Layla, one of the Chosen whose duty it is to ‘feed’ and nurture the vampire warriors. THE CHOSEN can be read as a stand alone but for backstory and cohesion I recommend reading the series in order especially the last few installments.

NOTE: If you have not read the last couple of installments in the series my review of THE CHOSEN may contain some spoilers.

Told from several third person points of view, including Xcor’s memories of the past, THE CHOSEN, as per Ward’s style of writing, focuses on a number of relationships including the building but forbidden love between Xcor and Layla. Months earlier Xcor unsuccessfully attempted to assassinate Wrath, the King of the vampires, in the hopes of usurping the throne in the name of the Band of Bastards. With a price upon his head, Xcor finds himself targeted by the Black Dagger Brotherhood, and in short order, becomes both their patient and their prisoner until death (or execution) comes to call. The only thing that keeps him alive is the knowledge that the woman that calls to his heart, Layla, is near by but a woman who is off limits to a man like Xcor. What ensues is the breakdown of family, friendship and the BDB in the face of Layla’s revelations about her feelings and relationship with the man convicted of treason against the vampire King.

Once again, as per JR Ward’s writing style, there are several ongoing and developing stories:

LAYLA and XCOR: a forbidden relationship doomed by Xcor’s attempted assassination of the King, Layla and Xcor are drawn to one another without hope for a future-a future that could see Layla alone; ostracized by the Brotherhood; and fighting for custody of the children she loves .

LAYLA and QHUINN: With the revelation of Layla’s friendship and love for the man convicted of treason against the King, Qhuinn becomes a pr*ck of unmentionable and frightening behavior. Not only does Layla suffer at the hands of the man who sired her children, Rhamp and Lyric, but our heroine finds herself on the outside looking in when the BDB take action against her treasonous behavior.

QHUINN and BLAY: Following the revelations about Layla and Xcor, and the subsequent damage by Qhuinn’s ongoing behavior Blay finds himself the target of Qhuinn’s anger and pain so much so that Blay must walk away without looking back. The damage to their relationship comes at a cost; the scars may take years to heal.

VISHOUS and JANE: *sigh * V and Jane’s relationship struggles in the face of professional commitments and V’s ongoing need for suffering and pain. These two are but ships in the night, and any interaction results in little communication and one man’s introspective thoughts about his future and the woman he is supposed to love.

THROE: Once a friend and member of the Band of Bastards, Throe is determined to destroy the King of the Vampires, at any cost. Throe believes himself to be the next King, and ensures he will be victorious through a dark and demented form of magic.

LASSITER: Our beautiful fallen angel’s future has been revealed but he too struggles with the incoming demands and potential fall out of an approaching war.

TOHR and AUTUMN: Tohr and Autumn’s relationship continues to flounder in the face of Tohr’s inability to let go of the past. Two years since the murder of his beloved Wellsie and their unborn son, Tohr’s apparent lack of emotional depth for his mate is compounded by Autumn’s acceptance of her heartbreaking role in Tohr’s life. Autumn’s acquiescence of Tohr’s less than affectionate and compelling behavior is a self-fulfilling prophetic nod to the name she once caller herself-No One.

TREZ and THERESE (Selena): In the book THE SHADOWS Trez lost his mate and in the ensuing time is unable to move forward but our beloved Shadow prays to the deity that governs all things vampire and the supernatural begging for the return of his love-you had better want what you pray for.

ASSAIL: Poor Assail. The once powerful and elegant vampire finds himself a virtual prisoner; a patient in the BDB medical wing trying to detox from years of addiction and drug abuse. Assail and Sola’s story is next in THE THIEF.

Most of the previous couples and Brothers plays secondary and supporting roles if only by way of mention. Vishous, Tohr, Qhuinn and Blay struggle with their roles including Blay’s relationship with the man that he loves. Tohr and Qhuinn are determined to destroy Xcor in the face of their own treasonous acts; and Vishous goes in search of the person hoping to reveal the existence of demons and vampires.

THE CHOSEN is an emotional and heartbreaking story line. Xcor’s survival against the odds proves he is worthy of a second chance; his love for the Chosen is another challenging and courageous step towards a future lined with passion and danger. JR Ward’s THE CHOSEN creates an alliance between the Black Dagger Brotherhood and the Band of Bastards as war approaches with a familiar enemy in the fight for the throne and the crown.

Copy supplied for review/own a copy

Reviewed by Sandy

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