I received this Arc from Netgalley. Thank you for the chance to read this book early. My review is honest and 100% my own thoughts about the book.

This book had me sitting at the edge of my seat. This is like a murder mystery and a romance novel had a baby. I really enjoyed the characters and the story. I liked how the story had a nice balance of romance and suspense that it made sense.

Jaxon was stranded close to McKenna’s cabin which they end up getting snowed in by the blizzard. With the cabin being in an isolated location there was nothing to do except wait the blizzard out. Look at that snowed in trope. Oh and a forced proximity as well. But it doesn’t stop there it seems that some one has messed with the generation causing even more issues. Apparently McKenna has a stalker and she is worried that they had found her. The buildup of suspense keeps you wanting to read more. I loved how the force proximity allows the feeling to flow between Jaxon and Mckenna.

Intrigue and a ton of heat. This book brings on the mystery and spiciness to keep you riveted. An awesome read!!

Normally, romantic suspense novels are not my jam, but I really liked this one from Samantha Wilde! Great pacing and likeable characters, and very steamy! I wish we had a little more background on both main characters - would have fleshed out the story a bit more.

Definitely intrigued enough to look into the next in the series, as well as the author's backlist!

Thank you to NetGalley for offering this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

This was a quick little romance/thriller read and a great way to spend an afternoon. I enjoyed the isolated setting but wasnt a fan of the pure instalove.

Short romance come mystery story. Two people who keep themselves to themself ,a prowling cougar and a stalker. Predictable but ok read.

This was pretty good! I had trouble getting into it slightly, but I enjoyed it once I did.

I'm a fan of epilogues and would have loved to check in with the hero-heroine a little later, but that would be my only complaint.

After reading, and enjoying, the Blood Brothers series, I was happy to see the first book of a new series of Samantha Wilde on Netgalley.

Dead of Winter is a lot shorter than the stories Bound, Unchained and Traced. And truthfully, a lot less intense. Yes, you have some suspense about who is after Mckenna. But it is not the ‘I-will-not-go-to-sleep-until- I-know-the-ending’ suspense I felt from her previous books.

But this was probably partly because of the length of this book. The story was nice though. And Jaxon and Mckenna have a great chemistry. In all, three out of five stars from me and a special thank you to Netgalley for providing the arc

This is book 1 in the Whistlemore series. The blurb for the book made it sound extremely good, but for me it was just ok. Jaxon starts off the book by getting attacked by a cougar and as he is trying to get away he comes across McKenna's cabin. She used to be a nurse and she "doctor's" him up and helps him. And while they have to stay in the cabin to be safe, their attraction to each other is growing. But there is more to everything than just a simple cougar attack. And when strange things start to happen, they have to stay safe and solve the mystery. So, like I said, I was really interested in it based off the blurb. But I had a hard time getting into the story and staying connected to it. The writing isn't bad and I am sure there are some who will really like it. For me though, it was just ok. The hero didn't seem all that much like a hero. The heroine seemed a little too out there for me. I didn't really get their connection-and I really wanted to! I am hoping that it's just the mood I am in while reading it, and that with a reread that maybe I will like it more because it definitely has potential to be something great!

Jaxon is having a rough time. His truck broke down, in the middle of a snowstorm, on the side of a mountain. While walking to town, he is attacked by a cougar, and not the older woman version. When he finds a house, he realizes it is the woman who holds to herself. With hope, he asks if he can come in.
McKenna does not want anyone at her house with her, especially considering what happened during the last snow storm. However, she can see that Jaxon is hurt and lets him in. Right after Jaxon is let in, things start happening and they have to find the culprit.
Opinion
For a shorter story, this book packs a lot of punch. There is never a dull moment from the time the books starts until it ends. With the promise of more books in the series, this is sure to be an interesting series.
I did question why the characters did/did not do something a few times but overall the story was a great read. I do hope to pick up the rest of the series as it comes out.
Many thanks to Net Galley for providing me with an ARC of this book.

Suspenseful, Eerie and Steamy!

Wow, this suspenseful romance was well written and captivated me from page one. Jaxon Murtaugh is having one helluva night! Stranded out in the winter wilderness when his truck dies, suffering from a flu-born virus and injured from a cougar attack! He couldn't be more happy to see a cabin in the distance and that cabin belongs to naturopathic healer, McKenna Winters.

McKenna is leery when Jaxon bangs on her door for help. Her trust has been betrayed before and she's no fool to let that happen again, but she senses that Jaxon is different. Together they have to hunker down from the storm with no power and a dangerous cougar stalking their every move. And the cougar isn't the only predator after them. It soon becomes apparent that someone is after McKenna and Jaxon is not going to let anything happen to her now that he's gotten to know her and they have a mutual attraction.

I really enjoyed Dead of Winter! It has a suspenseful thrill that keeps you turning the pages. The romance that builds between McKenna and Jaxon is just delicious! The danger adds an erie element that really is intriguing and mysterious. I highly recommend this book and look forward to what is next from Samantha Wilde! Well done!

I received an advanced review copy of this book through Netgalley and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

3.5 stars—DEAD OF WINTER is the first instalment in Samantha Wilde’s contemporary adult WHISTLEMORE romantic suspense series. This is Jaxon Murtaugh, and healer McKenna Winters’ story line.


Told from dual third person perspectives (Jaxon and McKenna) DEAD OF WINTER follows Jaxon Murtaugh as he struggles to escape a winter storm . When his truck breaks down on the side of the road, wondering in the snow, Jaxon finds himself at McKenna Winters’ cabin, battling the flu and the winter elements. Needing a few days to recover at the hands of the woman with whom he would fall in love Jaxon would soon discover that someone is stalking our story line heroine, determined to take down McKenna Winters. What ensues is the building romance and relationship between McKenna and Jaxon, and the potential fall out as McKenna’s stalker gets too close for comfort.

Jaxon Murtaugh left the big city and his brother for the peace and calm of Whistlemore, Colorado but never expected to find himself guardian and protector of the local healer. Waiting out the storm and the winter flu, our couple will encounter a hungry mountain lion, not one but two potential ‘stalkers’, and an attraction that has been growing for close to two years. McKenna Winters is the Whistlemore healer, often with a reputation as the local witch, a woman who uses alternative medicines and processes for healing. Not everyone accepted McKenna’s unorthodox medicine but for Jaxon, McKenna is about to heal his body and soul.


The relationship between McKenna and Jaxon is one of immediate attraction but Jaxon is sick, and the storm is about to trap our couple together in the cabin. Injured and sick, Jaxon finds himself falling for a woman who is about to face the madness of a man determined to take her down. The $ex scenes are intimate without the use of over the top sexually graphic language and text.


The secondary and supporting characters are limited as our couple spend most of the story line trapped in the cabin. We are introduced to Dr.Lots, and McKenna’s neighbors Mr and Mrs Watson.


DEAD OF WINTER is a story of obsession and madness, desire and friendship, relationship and love. The premise is engaging; the romance is insta-lust to love; the characters are dynamic.





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McKenna Winters is considered to be “eccentric” in the town of Whistlemore. They think she is a witch, when in fact she is a former RN who heals her clients naturally, using acupuncture and herbs. Living alone in the forest, she is concerned when someone knocks on her door, late at night. Jaxon Murtaugh, new to the area, has been attacked by a mountain lion and needs her help. Bringing him in to her cabin and treating his injuries brings an awareness to both of them, an attraction that neither one expected. Since the raging snowstorm prevents him from leaving or them from getting help, they realize they are in trouble when her generator stops. Footsteps in the snow reveals that someone tampered with the generator. As other threats are made and no way to contact anyone, who would be targeting McKenna and why? Knowing they only have each other to count on, emotions flare leading to feelings that neither one expected. A great start to this series and I look forward to the next book. I received an advance review copy at no cost and without obligation for an honest review. (paytonpuppy)

A quick novella with some action that grips you, a bit of romance, and a very fast storyline. It doesn't give you a ton of time/info to get deeply invested in the characters, but it is a decent read.

Samantha Wilde is a new to me author. This was a very fast paced well written short story. Enough intrigue in the story that I wasn’t sure who the bad guy was. Jaxon and McKenna had great chemistry. Enjoyable start to the series.

I loved Samantha's Blood Brother series so when I saw she had started a new series it was a no brainer for me This was a shorted read than the previous series but I didn't feel short changed in any way It is the perfect mix of simmering tension both romantic and suspense wise

Jaxon Murtaugh is driving in a winter wonderland not feeling the best thinking he may be coming down with the flu when his life takes decidedly deadly twist the old car he bought breaks down and he knows he will have to try to find shelter or he will die The only thing this puts him in the path of a mountain lion escaping becoming dinner he stumbles onto a mountain cabin. The owner of this cabin is McKenna a local woman who makes living as a healer she at first won't answer the door as she has been having trouble with a local stalking her but when she realises that it isn't Trevor she soon brings Jaxon in and treats him. Soon the romance between them blossoms but with a blizzard keeping them, trapped and sabotage taking out the power will they live long enough to see if their romance can have a future You will have to read to see how this concludes

Great read and a fantastic introduction to this new series. I really enjoyed the characters and the story, the romance and suspense factor is balanced really well.

McKenna and Jaxon’s personalities meshed really well together, I really liked that he was open to her lifestyle and the relationship that grows between them was charming. The suspense aspect, that also builds throughout, was done in such a great way I that I was kept on my toes.

Wish there was a little less internal dialogue but overall it didn’t take too much away, just started at a slower pace and evened out as the book started to hit its stride. I am definitely looking forward to the next in the series.

Dead of Winter is your typical romance novella, with a quirky small town main character, a local best friend who has her own company and makes suggestive comments, and the male lead the typical small town male lead. The story seemed a bit contrived, and didn’t really make any out-of-the norm decisions to stand out in a overly saturated genre.

Samantha Wilde is a new-to-me author, and if this short novel is an example of her work, I'll be coming back for more, and I'm grateful to have gotten in at the beginning of a series for a change, rather than at the end. This well-written, fast-paced, romantic suspense read grabbed me from page one, and it gets 4 stars from this reader.

The novel opens with the hero, Jaxon Murtaugh, already suffering with flu-like symptoms, trudging through a snowstorm because the vehicle he bought in the small, Rocky Mountain town of Whistlemore, Colorado, was a lemon and broke down. As if he's not in enough danger of freezing to death, he's then attacked by a mountain lion, but manages to get away--wandering lost through the woods, sick, frozen and bleeding, until he comes upon a lighted log cabin. When he knocks on the door, the occupant, McKenna, thinks he's Trevor, the man who not too long ago, got into her cabin, got handsy, and wouldn't leave until she managed to get the sheriff to remove him. She's got a shotgun and is ready to use it when Jaxon finally identifies himself, and she finally lets him inside.

McKenna is an herbalist and acupuncturist, and, using her natural remedies, tends to Jaxon's wounds. The two are trapped inside for the duration of the blizzard, but when the power goes out and McKenna heads outside to find out why the generator didn't turn on, Jaxon, still fearing the wildcat, follows close on her heels. He soon discovers that the generator has been sabotaged, and that McKenna's store of fuel to power it has been shot full of holes. Is it Trevor? If not, who could it be? And why would someone be after this mild-mannered, pretty, helpful and caring healer? And there's nothing like danger to hasten the attraction between these two well-drawn characters.

While I would have preferred that the novel be longer and more fleshed out, it was nonetheless a darn good, entertaining, sexy, and suspenseful read, and I'm happy to recommend it.

I voluntarily read an advanced reader copy of this novel. The opinions expressed are my own.

This is book one in The Whistlemore Series and it is Mckenna and Jaxon's story and it is definitely a must read and a great start to a new series. Omg this book was absolutely amazing and I couldn't put it down. The twists and turns along the way is what makes this book a real page turner and so addictive then add in the explosive chemistry, suspense, great characters and it is a action packed read. This is the first book that I have read by Samantha Wilde but definitely not the last as this book pulled you in right from the start and kept your attention right until the end and I definitely recommend you read it.

I Voluntarily Reviewed a Copy of This Book.

3.5/5 stars
Dead of Winter is fast paced, romantic suspense novella. It's quick read and my first read by Samantha Wilde. I loved how the characters just were portrayed as some ordinary people with ordinary lives but finding love and adventure along the way. This really helped the plot. Author introduces some interesting points through McKenna who is acupuncturist & healer living backcountry of the town. One of my favorite was being comfortable in your own witchy ways & you don't have change yourself but you'll find a place and people where you fit right in. Que Jaxon who gets attacked by Mountain lion after his car breaking down and stumbles upon McKenna's home and so the story begins.
I couldn't finish it in one sitting however the plot was good, it had just right amount of creepiness to keep the reader on the edge.
I can't wait to read the next in series!