December 2020 Book of the Month Giveaway

January 17, 2021 05:01 PM Posted by juliannadouglas

I normally read several holiday-themed stories during the month of December, but I think this may be the first time I've spent the whole month reading nothing but. Nearly all of them were enjoyable, but only one rose to the five-star level to be named as my Book of the Month. It’s a paranormal romance that’s the latest release by a huge favorite author of mine who I’ve highlighted a number of times before. It features a fan-favorite couple who’ve been a part of this long-running series since nearly the beginning. They’ve recognized each other as mates, but they’ve never gone through an official mating ceremony. Then after a blizzard hits their home, they have to deal with an unexpected tragedy that brings a great deal of sadness and guilt. But in the end, they come to the realization that their love can conquer this challenge, too, and it’s finally time to make their union official.

I was extremely happy to revisit Qhuinn and Blay and share in this new chapter of their lives together. The story opens with Qhuinn sustaining a serious injury out in the field, although it comes from a bunch of hooligans rather than while fighting their new enemy. This scares the crap out of Blay, but the real challenge doesn’t occur until a tragic discovery is made following the blizzard, which leaves Qhuinn struggling emotionally and shutting Blay out. As he tries to navigate his feelings of guilt and pain, he finds a lifeline in a fellow Brother, and with Blay’s unconditional love and support, he discovers a long-buried secret that makes him realize the importance of having a proper mating ceremony with his hellren. Qhuinn and Blay are so perfect for one another, and their relationship is built on the lasting foundation of a deep friendship that has never died, instead morphing into them becoming true mates. When facing challenges, they’ve always been present for one another. Blay especially has been a positive influence in the tortured Qhuinn’s life and in this new chapter nothing has changed. Even though Blay fears that his actions may have driven Qhuinn away when the other male becomes distant, he quickly realizes that their love goes far deeper than that. I greatly enjoyed finally getting to see the ultimate culmination of their love for one another.

This was another wonderful read in this long-time favorite series. It’s filled with emotion, warmth, drama, and tension that keep the story moving at a nice pace. There’s also a good amount of passionate, steamy scenes for Qhuinn and Blay, as well as heartfelt romance as they stamp paid to their union. My heart also went out to Z, a supporting POV character, who clearly still has issues, but proves that he’s moved forward sufficiently to pay the help he’s received forward. There’s also a peripheral storyline about a human teenage girl and her family, which at first seems rather random, but ties into the main story very nicely. Then there’s Lassiter who in one scene can crack me up with his irreverence and flamboyance, and then in another, he can be totally serious and show just how kind and compassionate he really is. This book took me on a roller-coaster of emotions, bringing a few tears to my eyes over the pain and heartache that our main characters experience. But it also lifted me up with the joy of both the holiday season and seeing a love completed and fulfilled. That’s why I’m naming J. R. Ward’s A Warm Heart in Winter as my December Book of the Month. If you enjoy two sexy heroes who are absolutely perfect together in a passionate, steamy romance that’s equal parts bittersweet and heartwarming, then you should definitely give this book a try. Keep reading to learn how you can win a copy for your own library.

A Warm Heart in Winter Book Cover

Cover Blurb-

#1 New York Times bestselling author J.R. Ward is heating things up this winter with a holiday novel featuring some of her most iconic Black Dagger Brothers.

In this romantic and sexy addition to the #1 New York Times bestselling Black Dagger Brotherhood series, a beloved couple has everything arranged... until it all goes horribly wrong.

Blay and Qhuinn always intended to do a proper mating ceremony, but life has a way of getting in the way. With a pair of young, responsibilities to the King, and a grueling fighting schedule, the two are exhausted and overwhelmed. When Qhuinn gives his male the proposal of a lifetime, however, they are excited for their special night and more in love than ever.

Everyone in the Black Dagger Brotherhood’s mansion gets into the preparations, and the after party takes on epic- and immortal- proportions when Lassiter forms the Party Planning Committee. The celebrations promise to be all that the couple deserves... until a Nor’easter land locks Caldwell in a fierce storm, and things go from lighthearted to deadly dangerous.

Battling nature and responding to emergencies, Blay and Qhuinn get separated, and when a catastrophic chain of events puts one of their lives in jeopardy, the night they had so looked forward could mean the end of everything...

Read my complete review of A Warm Heart in Winter.

Giveaway
If you would like to win a copy of A Warm Heart in Winter to see how wonderful it is for yourself, just enter the Rafflecopter giveaway below. One lucky winner will receive their choice of an eBook or print copy of the book. If the winner chooses an eBook, I will gift it to them via the eBook retailer of their choice (Amazon or B & N). If the winner chooses a print copy, I will have it mailed directly to them via Amazon. Good luck!

International Entrants: You are welcome to enter my contest, but please note that not all eBooks are available in all countries due to copyright restrictions. If this is the case, Amazon does offer an option to trade for a gift card (I'm not sure about B & N). If you choose print, I can mail it to you via the Amazon website that services your country, pending availability and cost. Otherwise I will mail it to you via U. S. Amazon's standard international shipping, but it may take up to 6-8 weeks to arrive, and I may not have the capability of tracking the package.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Categories: Book of the Month, Giveaways

Tags: J. R. Ward