Hi guys! I have the absolute pleasure of being part of the blog tour for Annette Marie's newest book, Red Winter! I loved her Steel and Stone series, plus I love Japanese mythology, so it goes without saying this book is definitely a great one.
A New Series from Amazon Best-Selling Author Annette Marie, RED WINTER is coming…
“Soon all her human fears would become
meaningless. Her future had been written by the kami, and her destiny awaited
her.”
In the enchanting new fantasy RED WINTER by
Annette Marie, Emi Kimura has been
preparing her entire life to become the mortal host of a goddess. When she
discovers the lies surrounding her true fate, she makes a dangerous bargain
with a fox spirit to seek out the truth. As her final days as a mortal
approach, she must choose whether to bow to duty ... or fight for her life.
Synopsis:
Emi is the kamigakari. In a
few short months, her life as a mortal will end and her new existence as the
human host of a goddess will begin. Carefully hidden from those who would
destroy her, she has prepared her mind, body, and soul to unite with the
goddess—and not once has she doubted her chosen fate.
Shiro is a yokai, a spirit of
the earth, an enemy of the goddess Emi will soon host. Mystery shrouds his
every move and his ruby eyes shine with cunning she can’t match and dares not
trust. But she saved his life, and until his debt is paid, he is hers to
command—whether she wants him or not.
On the day they meet, everything Emi believes comes undone, swept away
like snow upon the winter wind. For the first time, she wants to change her
fate—but how can she erase a destiny already wrought in stone? Against the
power of the gods, Shiro is her only hope … and hope is all she has left.
Release Date: October 21, 2016.
Order Red Winter Now:
Excerpt for RED WINTER (Red Winter
Trilogy Book 1)
The yokai didn’t
move, just held her in place with a strength she couldn’t fight. She tipped her
head back to see his face, to gauge his intent. His gaze traveled across her
room, intent and analyzing. Then his eyes flicked down and he appeared almost
surprised to see her staring up at him. His mouth curved into a sly grin,
flashing pointed canines.
His amusement at her terror sparked a tiny surge of anger.
“Let me go!”
“Ah, little miko,
didn’t anyone ever tell you not to run from yokai?” His deep, purring voice
sent a shiver across her skin. He leaned down as his hand on her throat forced
her head back. He brushed his nose along her jaw, from her chin up to her ear.
“It’s the surest way to make us pounce,” he whispered, his breath tickling her
ear.
Goose bumps raced down the back of her neck and she clenched
her jaw. “Get your hands off me.”
He hummed as he pushed his face into her hair, inhaling
through his nose. “But didn’t you put your hands on me first?”
“I was treating your wounds.” She summoned her most
commanding tone, desperately hoping her voice wouldn’t quaver. “You’re proving
that your kind’s reputation is well deserved with such disrespect and
ingratitude toward the person who saved your life.”
His head came up and fear shot through her that she’d
offended him, that he would surely kill her now. Instead, he made a thoughtful
noise, and his hands fell away, releasing her.
She almost leaped out of his lap but remembered his comment
about running from yokai. With more self-control than she’d thought she had,
she carefully stood, walked four steps, and turned to face him. He stayed where
he was, lounging on the bed with his feet on the floor, casually propped up on
one arm. His head tilted to one side as he watched her, and that slight,
knowing grin played about his lips.
She sank down to kneel on the floor, mostly because her legs
were shaking so badly she was afraid he’d notice. As nonchalantly as possible,
she slid her hands into the opposite sleeves of her kimono and pinched her
hidden ofuda between two fingers,
ready to pull the paper talismans out.
“No need for that, little miko,” he remarked, each word
almost caressing her. How could he have such an otherworldly yet still human
voice? “I will not harm you.”
She flushed, embarrassed she’d been so obvious, but didn’t
let go of the ofuda. “What was that—that assault
then?”
“Assault, you call it? That little embrace?”
“You—” She broke off with a small shake of her head. If he
was determined to ignore the inappropriateness of forcefully holding a woman
against him and rubbing his face on her, nothing she said would change his
mind. “You have the manners of a dog.”
“What did you expect? The ritual greetings of the imperial
court?”
“Some respect for the person who saved your life would have
been welcome.”
“Ah, yes, you did save me, and I am very grateful.” He idly
tugged at a lock of his hair as his gaze slid down her and back up again. “I am
in your debt. Tell me your desire and I will fulfill it.”
“My—my desire?”
she choked.
He smirked again. “A favor, little miko. I am saying I owe you a favor.”
Celebrate
the Release of RED WINTER with a Giveaway!
Grand Prize: 1 Winner will Receive a $25
Amazon Gift Card
Runner-Ups: 3 Winners will Each Receive one
$10 Amazon Gift Card Each
Link: http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/b050ef29289/?
Author Bio:
Annette Marie is the author of the Amazon best-selling YA
urban fantasy series Steel
& Stone, which includes the 2015 Goodreads Choice Award nominee Yield the Night. Her first love
is fantasy, a limitless realm of creativity where she can break all the boring
rules of real life, but fast-paced urban fantasy, bold heroines, and
tantalizing forbidden romances are her guilty pleasures. She proudly admits she
has a thing for dragons, and her editor has politely inquired as to whether she
intends to include them in every book.
Annette lives in the frozen winter wasteland of northern
Alberta, Canada (okay, it’s not quite that bad). She shares her life with her
remarkably patient, comparatively sensible husband and their furry minion of
darkness—sorry, cat—Caesar. When not writing, she can be found elbow-deep in
one art project or another while blissfully ignoring all adult
responsibilities.
To find out more about Annette and her books, visit her
website at www.authorannettemarie.com
Find
Annette Marie: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Amazon | Goodreads
I loved her S&S series, too, Erika! I was so happy when I found out Annette Marie is releasing a new series. And, true to form, she did not disappoint with RED WINTER. Hope you have had a chance to read it. It was quite enjoyable. Thank you for your comment on my blog. Hope to hear from you again. =)
ReplyDeleteThank you! I'm actually putting my review up tomorrow. It was such a good read! Annette Marie never disappoints :)
DeleteI haven't read anything by Annette Marie but she does sound very familiar! I don't know much about Japanese mythology, but this sounds really cool! Thanks for the giveaway Erika! :)
ReplyDeleteNo no, thank YOU for dropping by! :)
DeleteI keep on missing your giveaways, aren't I? '^^
ReplyDeleteIt's like a talent of mine.
No no! These actually aren't my giveaways, just giveaways I'm sharing. Don't worry about it!
Delete