Guardians of Winter

Daughter of Winter #4.6

by Skye MacKinnon

They have waited for her for centuries

When she wakes up in a cave with two invisible men in the remote Scottish Highlands, mountain rescue volunteer Claire thinks she has suffered a head injury. But the two Guardians need her help to lift a curse and time is running out…

A spicy m/f/m fantasy romance set in the same world as the Daughter of Winter series.

48 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 18, 2025

About the author

Skye MacKinnon is a USA Today & International Bestselling Author whose books are filled with strong heroines who don't have to choose.

She embraces her Scottishness with fantastical Scottish settings and a dash of mythology, no matter if she's writing about Celtic gods, cat shifters, or the streets of Edinburgh.

When she's not typing away at her favourite cafe, Skye loves dried mango, as much exotic tea as she can squeeze into her cupboards, and being covered in pet hair by her tiny black cat (who's secretly a demon).


Join her mailing list ➜ ​http://skyemackinnon.com/newsletter

Join her Facebook group ➜ facebook.com/groups/skyesbookharem

Visit her website ➜ skyemackinnon.com

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Reviews

[Kimmylongtime · Rating 5 out of 5]

Claire MacDuff works as a mountain rescue bad mamajamma!! She literally hikes up the side of mountains in all conditions and saves people from harm.
Woah, so on a mission to find a man who just got loss on the mountain just that morning she hears strange voices. The voice is calling her and she is under the impression the missing man in the one approaching her. The problem is she can’t see the missing man.

Claire can hear the crunchy of his feet on the ice the sound of sure steps but something isn’t right then the world goes all black !! When Claire awakes she’s in a cave with two super attractive “men of legend” who need a bit of help.

Will Claire be able to save them and if she does what does she get out of the bargain ?! This was a good quick in between read. I’ve only read book one in this series but it’s not mandatory that you read them all before reading this book. I am now inspired to go back and see how things pan out for our princess Winter and her four smoking hot Guardians!! I would recommend this book to anyone who needs a quick read after a long day. Love, love, everything Skye Mackinnon!!

[Toni · Rating 5 out of 5]

Claire is part of the Cairngorms Mountain Rescue HQ Scotland. She gets a call to come in to search for a missing man. She is teamed with a couple of others and they take off to the top of Ben Macdui. On the way she behind trying to calibrate the walkies when she hears footsteps. She goes to check it out and slips. The next thing she knows she waking up with two men talking.
Mac and Ben are brothers who have been cursed to stay in the mountains. They are Guardians of Beira and the Goddess of Winter and Mother of Gods. They are the man (no can get it right that it's two not one) of the story of the Grey Man of Ben Macdui.She sits with them and they begin their story. It seems an ancestor of hers met these men and fell for them. They felt that she
would be better off in the human realm. They let her go. She was not a happy person and cursed them. How they have no idea because she was human. Now they are stuck on the mountain until someone in her line falls for them and breaks the curse. They are hoping it is her because she has the same last name of the woman who cursed them. She slowly begins to see them. She does feel drawn to them but can she believe them? What will her decision be? Help or not help? Rescue of not Rescue?
A cute legend told beautifully.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[kymagirl · Rating 4 out of 5]

On the unforgiving slopes of Ben Macdui, Cairngorms Mountain Rescue volunteer Claire is called into action during a harrowing winter storm. But when she becomes separated from her team, a simple mission to save a missing hiker transforms into an encounter with the extraordinary. Awakening in a hidden cave, Claire meets Mac and Ben, two ancient and mysterious brothers bound to the mountain by a centuries-old curse. As Guardians of the Winter Realm, they are more than men, immortal beings imprisoned by vengeance and longing for freedom. Claire learns that her lineage makes her unique and holds the key to breaking their curse. As the winter solstice approaches, the three navigate an emotional and physical connection, leading to impossible choices, forbidden desires, and the weight of centuries of pain. As the storm rages outside, Claire has to decide if she is willing to risk her heart and her life to help free Mac and Ben. Hot and steamy MFM ménage fantasy romance, exploring love, connection, sacrifice, suspense, choice, redemption, and ancient magic.

[Nina Diab · Rating 5 out of 5]

“She can’t see us,” the first voice said sadly. “She’s not the one.”
“Maybe we got it wrong.” The second voice sounded like he was grieving someone. So much sadness and despair. It was dripping off every word.'

I loved this book. It was a fun exciting adventure despite being a quick read. I LOVED that Claire is part of a mountain rescue team. Usually in romances, it's the male that works as some form of rescuer. Twin brothers Mac and Ben needed her help. It was definitely a unique first meeting as she could hear them but they were invisible to her eyes. I was fascinated and hooked to the story. I'm sad it's not longer. But I see it's part of a longer series, and I will definitely be looking into it! 5 stars.

'One warm, one cold. One cursed to haunt, one cursed to save. Two tormented men with centuries of pain shimmering in their beautiful eyes.'

[Curvy Girl Book Nerd (Jen S) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Guardians of Winter is Book 6 of the Daughter of Winter series. It's a very short and steamy, paranormal MMF romance. Claire is on the mountain rescue team in Scotland. When she has to go out with her team looking for a lost hiker, she ends up finding two cursed hunky guardians, hot twin brothers, Mac, and Ben. Will she find love and break the curse that has held them on the mountain for 500 years? The chemistry was hot, and the ending was happy. This was a great short story, but I would love to see it expanded as it ended rather abruptly. I would have loved a little more about this throuple's future.This was my first book by this author but not the last. I loved it.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Kanna Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

A new legend to learn

Loved the connection to the winter realm. The contrast between the two brothers is interesting. Almost like day as nd night difference. Wish this had been after Wynter had taken the crown, then maybe this human could have met her.
The legend is one I had not heard, but then I'm from the US and lack the knowledge many if you may have on Scottish tales.
Always love the HEA but then again the book was not long enough for me. Lol. They never are. Another great read from a fantastic author.

[Lisa Bing · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fun and speedy read that brings Claire, a mountain rescue gal, into contact with mountain legend twins, Mac and Ben. These two have been cursed and Claire might be the special gal they need to break that curse... Expect to get caught up in the mystery, danger, chemistry and steam as they work to show her that their connection is real, and otherworldly ;) Definitely a fun read and I'm hoping for more stories set in this world :D

[Jenn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Spice to Warm Up the Cold Winter

Claire is part of a search team, looking for a list hiker, when she gets separated and then falls down the mountain. She’s rescued by two, Ben and Mac, who are, well, invisible. This story contains elements of The Winter Princess series but beautifully blends the feel of Scottish lore with the excitement of search and rescue. I loved how detailed the curse was, yet so simple and sexy to break. A red hot short winter read.

[Jennifer D · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a cute, VERY short book. Adjacent to Skye MacKinnon’s Daughter of Winter series, in which she introduces you to the world a bit. Otherwise it’s a bit of legend, a very little bit of romance, and a bit of steam. Took less than 30 minutes to read. Definitely enjoyable.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Sara Munoz · Rating 4 out of 5]

This Book 6 of The Daughter of Winter Book Series has a Paranormal, Shifter Romance Story, a well-crafted world, and intriguing characters. These characters have complicated histories, unique personalities and believable interactions. This has a hard to put down story once started because it grabs you and pulls you in. This must read short, story is a steamy, romantic and full of chemistry.

[Carol George · Rating 3 out of 5]

Surprised steamy romance in the midst of a winter mountain rescue provides you with a bit of heat while reading. Rescued by a pair of mystical twin warriors of olde leads to an unlikely trist.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Janet Smith McHardy · Rating 5 out of 5]

While on a mountain rescue mission Claire MacDuff falls and wakes up in a cave. then things really get strange. This is a quick fun read. Claire is a no nonsense girl caught up in a hot adventure.. I loved this story.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Patty · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an entertaining and steamy quick read. With everything happening within a very short time, it almost felt like an introduction to a larger story.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Janet · Rating 5 out of 5]

A short steamy story. A thrill and a dream. Can you think of a better dream? I will sleep very dear tonight. I received a complimentary review copy of the book and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

[Christina Sneeringer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Guardians of Winter was fun to read. I couldn't put it down. Despite this being a shorter story, it is packed with excitement.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Vanessa Sylvia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is book 6 of Daughter of Winter and a standalone story. It is a short novella that held my attention, and I was happy for the happy ever after ending.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[SJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fantastic short read within the daughter of winter series. I love this series and this is a charming addition. Romantic storyline well executed with lovely characters. I need to go back and read the series again as it is one of my favourites

[Kathy Brewster-Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was a good story line. I found that I was so caught up in the story and wanting to find out what happen next. The author is a very good writer. I look forward to reading more from Skye.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Christina Luberts · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very short lunch read. This good read for being so short and hard to write a review without giving much away. That being said, if you want a read you can read at lunch and enjoy, this book will be for you.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jeanne Richardson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've read several books written by Skye MacKinnon; she is becoming one of my favorite authors. I can’t wait to read more of her books.

This is the sixth book in the Daughter of Winters Series; it is a stand-alone short story. The story is about Claire, Ben & Mac.

[Indie · Rating 5 out of 5]

loved it !! love this spin-off story... quick and fast paced drama... perfect for a lunch break... a curse... invisible men ... and a head injury ? so good !!!.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Kathleen T · Rating 4 out of 5]

Claire fears she may have a head injury when she wakes up to 2 invisible men in her cave..,was she dreaming
?
I enjoyed this and look forward to more.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Marianne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a cool MFM fantasy/paranormal romance.. I liked it.. It is steamy, mysterious, and fun-to-read..

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Carolina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very quick read. Perfect, if you have 30 minutes and are looking for some storyline with some spice.

[Debbie Benson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review. I liked how Ben and Mac's curse was broken by Claire.

[Rachael · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute & quick read. Wish there had been an epilogue.

[Rachel Joi Maples · Rating 5 out of 5]

love the Daughter of Winter series … book 6 “Guardians of Winter” by Skye MacKinnon was great and excited for more from this author

[Lisa H · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super quickie…

Like not even a novelette?
While on a search and rescue, this modern gal finds two invisible dudes.
Super suspension of disbelief.
3.5