Winterwood

December 14, 2015
Swashbuckling adventure collides with mystical mayhem on land and at sea in this rousing historical fantasy series launch set in a magic-infused England in 1800. Rossalinde Tremayne has done well for herself as a privateer in Mad King George’s service, using her abilities as a witch and the ever-present ghost of her long-dead husband (whose reputation and identity she’s borrowed) to claim other ships for profit and the Crown. Her estranged mother’s dying request is for Rossalinde to take a mysterious box, drawing her into a deadly mystery. In order to harness the power within the box, she has to unravel the secrets of a family she never knew existed, all while eluding those who want her dead. When her quest takes her into the hidden land of the Fae, she’ll be forced to make a choice that could alter the fate of an empire. Bedford (Crossways) adeptly weaves together romance, action, and fantastical elements, all set against a richly realized series of far-flung locations. Conflict both nautical and emotional keeps things exciting. Agent: Amy Boggs, Donald Maass Literary Agency.

January 1, 2016

Life as a privateer going after Napoleon's ships agrees with Rossalinde Tremayne. Taking charge of the Heart of Oak after her husband's death, she uses her wild magic to control the weather and capture her prizes. But when her dying mother summons Ross home and gives her a winterwood box, she learns that she has a half-brother named David. He is half-rowankind, kin of the fae who work as servants in human households. David and Ross seem to be destined to open the box together, and if they do, it could change the shape of English society forever. After meeting a mysterious shapeshifter who both attracts and annoys her, Ross realizes that she and David need allies if they are going to accomplish their task despite obstacles posed by government agents, other pirates, and the fae. Pirate queen Ross is a lovely combination of confidence and vulnerability. She fights as well as anyone on her crew but mourns her beloved so deeply that she keeps his ghost near her. VERDICT Well paced and full of riveting action, this series opener by the author of Crossways and Empire Dust is a great pick for fans of D.B. Jackson's "Thieftaker" series.--MM

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