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Daughter of Winter #0.5
Mother of Gods
A Winter Princess Prequel
"I've been alive for less than a year, but it's been nothing but trouble. I was born to be someone I'm not, created by a lonely Goddess in the image of a random man she met at a party. No wonder it didn't work out. What I have to decide now is how I want to spend the last few days of my life."
Beira, the Mother of Gods and Queen of Winter, has grown tired and lonely. After millennia of living on her own, she decides it's time to create the perfect lover. But while Colan might look like the man of her dreams, he's not falling in love with her as she'd planned. Can she change his mind or has it all been for nothing?
This tragic prequel to the bestselling reverse harem series Daughter of Winter tells the story of Wynter's parents. It's a stand-alone novella that can be enjoyed without having read the other books in series.
The Daughter of Winter Series
#0 Prequel: Mother of Gods
#1 Winter Princess
#1.5 Spin-off: Demon's Revenge
#2 Winter Heiress
#3 Winter Queen
#4 Winter Goddess
60 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 24, 2018
65 people are currently reading
278 people want to read
About the author
Skye MacKinnon
237 books928 followersSkye 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
Follow her on Twitter ➜ twitter.com/skye_mackinnon
Follow her on Instagram➜ instagram.com/skyemackinnonauthor
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
Follow her on Twitter ➜ twitter.com/skye_mackinnon
Follow her on Instagram➜ instagram.com/skyemackinnonauthor
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews
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August 29, 2018💝FREE on iBooks today (8/29/2018)!💝
Blurb:
"I've been alive for less than a year, but it's been nothing but trouble. I was born to be someone I'm not, created by a lonely Goddess in the image of a random man she met at a party. No wonder it didn't work out. What I have to decide now is how I want to spend the last few days of my life."
Beira, the Mother of Gods and Queen of Winter, has grown tired and lonely. After millennia of living on her own, she decides it's time to create the perfect lover. But while Colan might look like the man of her dreams, he's not falling in love with her as she'd planned. Can she change his mind or has it all been for nothing?
___
This tragic prequel to the bestselling novel Winter Princess tells the story of Wynter's parents. It's a stand-alone novella that can be enjoyed without having read the other books in the Daughter of Winter series.
Blurb:
"I've been alive for less than a year, but it's been nothing but trouble. I was born to be someone I'm not, created by a lonely Goddess in the image of a random man she met at a party. No wonder it didn't work out. What I have to decide now is how I want to spend the last few days of my life."
Beira, the Mother of Gods and Queen of Winter, has grown tired and lonely. After millennia of living on her own, she decides it's time to create the perfect lover. But while Colan might look like the man of her dreams, he's not falling in love with her as she'd planned. Can she change his mind or has it all been for nothing?
___
This tragic prequel to the bestselling novel Winter Princess tells the story of Wynter's parents. It's a stand-alone novella that can be enjoyed without having read the other books in the Daughter of Winter series.
May 14, 2020
DNF
In all honesty for mother of God's 🙏 I expected her to be more mature.
As far as I read the book is for how much horny she is.
I liked that it is based in local myth, and that the author has added it.
Can't say if I will return to it , but for now....no.
Oh! And nice cover!
In all honesty for mother of God's 🙏 I expected her to be more mature.
As far as I read the book is for how much horny she is.
I liked that it is based in local myth, and that the author has added it.
Can't say if I will return to it , but for now....no.
Oh! And nice cover!
January 4, 2021
Awww, cute but sad.
Plot: Beira, Mother of the Gods, is lonely so she creates a Guardian based in the image of the most handsome man, Colan, she saw at a wedding party. However, he does not seem to want her.
Glad I read this short story. Thanks to Paulette for sending me a link to stuff my Kindle as a New Year's promotion. That's how I was able to read this & other books.
Plot: Beira, Mother of the Gods, is lonely so she creates a Guardian based in the image of the most handsome man, Colan, she saw at a wedding party. However, he does not seem to want her.
Glad I read this short story. Thanks to Paulette for sending me a link to stuff my Kindle as a New Year's promotion. That's how I was able to read this & other books.
August 17, 2018
An amazing short story for the beginning of a wonderful story.
April 28, 2018
No spoilers! So all I’m going to say about Mother of Gods is it’s absolutely fantastic!
But then again every book that I’ve read by Skye MacKinnon has been awesome, she is one of my favorite authors! I love her writing style and I love the way she creates her characters and I definitely love how she creates her worlds that they feel so real. Every book I’ve read of hers makes me wish I was able to actually climb into that reality and stay. Which is why I do call her a mad story weaving genius because that is what she is!
I do recommend this book to anyone who’s interested in crawling into this story and getting lost within its pages to escape their own reality at least for a little while.
But then again every book that I’ve read by Skye MacKinnon has been awesome, she is one of my favorite authors! I love her writing style and I love the way she creates her characters and I definitely love how she creates her worlds that they feel so real. Every book I’ve read of hers makes me wish I was able to actually climb into that reality and stay. Which is why I do call her a mad story weaving genius because that is what she is!
I do recommend this book to anyone who’s interested in crawling into this story and getting lost within its pages to escape their own reality at least for a little while.
January 13, 2019
A quick and interesting read that tells the story of Wyn's parents and why Wyn was raised on Earth.
November 13, 2018
Apparently, I'm the minority when it comes to this book as everyone else is giving it glowing reviews.
I actually started reading this first instead of listening. I did not enjoy it in the written format, it felt like reading a 16 year old's diary because of the voice and POV.
Listening to the audio version (Free via ReaderCoin, I do believe author narrated), it was more enjoyable. The 'telling not showing' aspect still was pronounced, but a little less so.
Interesting concept. Not unenjoyable. However... still annoying.
"Traveling with me.... because I'm infinitely entertaining" <-really? Tell us again how entertaining you are, please.
"My dress hugs my slender waist... though I normally wouldn't dress this way unless" <-Well that's a way to remind us that you are gorgeous and thin and about the size of a 15 year old girl.
"Universe bends to my will" next paragraph "there are even some rules I must follow regarding the universe" <-erm... either you got it, or you don't.
"Sleeping with my own creation occasionally makes me feel icky" <- goddess old enough to be the mother of all gods, and uses the word "icky" ?
Name: Colan - Pronounced "colon", as in your bum tube. (This is not just me reading it wrong, listening to the author read it, yup.. it's colon.) "But this time, I want to see my colon being created" <-yeah, I can't help but snigger at that . This is going to be extremely difficult to listen to.
Also found it very repetitive. Literally we were told in the span of however many minutes that he no longer eats rabbits because the rabbit tamed him etc. OVER AND OVER AGAIN.
Author is really bad at narrating. Entire book was read rushed, and tripped over several words. If this was the author reading it at a book signing, I wouldn't be rushing forward to buy the book, because wow...
Book cover: excellent. This is what made me select the book.
I actually started reading this first instead of listening. I did not enjoy it in the written format, it felt like reading a 16 year old's diary because of the voice and POV.
Listening to the audio version (Free via ReaderCoin, I do believe author narrated), it was more enjoyable. The 'telling not showing' aspect still was pronounced, but a little less so.
Interesting concept. Not unenjoyable. However... still annoying.
"Traveling with me.... because I'm infinitely entertaining" <-really? Tell us again how entertaining you are, please.
"My dress hugs my slender waist... though I normally wouldn't dress this way unless" <-Well that's a way to remind us that you are gorgeous and thin and about the size of a 15 year old girl.
"Universe bends to my will" next paragraph "there are even some rules I must follow regarding the universe" <-erm... either you got it, or you don't.
"Sleeping with my own creation occasionally makes me feel icky" <- goddess old enough to be the mother of all gods, and uses the word "icky" ?
Name: Colan - Pronounced "colon", as in your bum tube. (This is not just me reading it wrong, listening to the author read it, yup.. it's colon.) "But this time, I want to see my colon being created" <-yeah, I can't help but snigger at that . This is going to be extremely difficult to listen to.
Also found it very repetitive. Literally we were told in the span of however many minutes that he no longer eats rabbits because the rabbit tamed him etc. OVER AND OVER AGAIN.
Author is really bad at narrating. Entire book was read rushed, and tripped over several words. If this was the author reading it at a book signing, I wouldn't be rushing forward to buy the book, because wow...
Book cover: excellent. This is what made me select the book.
September 27, 2018
Well written short prequel to the Daughter of Winter series, and one of my favourite short stories.
Loved the extra original tale added about Beira aka Cailleach Bhéara.
Loved the extra original tale added about Beira aka Cailleach Bhéara.
March 29, 2019
this book is very good and I like it very much the bad thing is that is very short and the best part is that everyone thinks that the mother of the gods is very mean and cold but the truth is that she is lonely and have nobody with her all the gods she has made all have a wives and she doesn't have anybody she feels very lonely when she went to the party that Lucifer was having she saw a man that she thought that her creation could be a very good company for her but when she made him as a guardian, the guardian did not want to her companion and run away, in the end, the guardian comes back to her but when the guardian comes back it was a very bad time the war was going to begin the enemy sent a troop of people and the man that the mother of good have created saw the guardian fly back to the palace to warn admonish the other guardians and they did not believe him but the queen mother saw his memorie and saw that what he was saying was true so the war begon and he was hurt in the battle and he did not have very much time to live in the end he said that he could like to stay with the mother of gods.
May 29, 2019
Oh Colan
I really enjoyed every aspect of this book. I thought it'd was well developed for a prequel without bring to wordy. We gained just enough insight into the Dynamics of the Winter Realm. I loved the Winter Queen she was Elegance, poise, strength, powerful, and cold all at the same time. I loved the idea of the gods bring "normal" but still powerful. I was so pleased that Colan want submission. That he questioned his identify and despite wanting her didn't succumb to her charm. He gave in on his on terms. When he fell in love with her. Absence makes the heart grow fonder. Then despite knowing his capture would be inevitable he still did the right thing and warned the solider at the gate. This was perfection to me. Very engaging. I felt the cold seep of the page. I loved the imagery and use of descriptive language. It made me feel present. The depth of both characters in such a short time is hard to do, but it was don't very well. I felt the pacing was well. It was a great read and I'm looking forward to starting the next book in the series.
I really enjoyed every aspect of this book. I thought it'd was well developed for a prequel without bring to wordy. We gained just enough insight into the Dynamics of the Winter Realm. I loved the Winter Queen she was Elegance, poise, strength, powerful, and cold all at the same time. I loved the idea of the gods bring "normal" but still powerful. I was so pleased that Colan want submission. That he questioned his identify and despite wanting her didn't succumb to her charm. He gave in on his on terms. When he fell in love with her. Absence makes the heart grow fonder. Then despite knowing his capture would be inevitable he still did the right thing and warned the solider at the gate. This was perfection to me. Very engaging. I felt the cold seep of the page. I loved the imagery and use of descriptive language. It made me feel present. The depth of both characters in such a short time is hard to do, but it was don't very well. I felt the pacing was well. It was a great read and I'm looking forward to starting the next book in the series.
January 12, 2020
I started this series at the last one, Winter Goddess. I wanted a book for Samhain/Halloween and I became hooked and had to go back to the beginning.
In this prequel we meet Beira, Mother of Gods. She is Queen of Winter and in spite of everyone around her she is lonely. As the book opens Thor is whining about having to go to Lucifer's wedding celebration, an event Beira isn't invited to. Having great incite Thor invites her to go with him.
After berating Lucifer for not inviting her, she glimpses a human that takes her breath away. Beira doesn't play with humans, their life span is too short, she does however get an idea. She can create a new guardian in the image of the human. Thus Colan is born, well sort of, and Beira is in for a surprise.
It seems nothing will deter Colan from his refusal to be with her, not even prison.
I love the way this story plays out and even though it is sad there are truly touching and loving moments, and a sizzling connection that is finally realized.
I'm already reading the next book in this series.
In this prequel we meet Beira, Mother of Gods. She is Queen of Winter and in spite of everyone around her she is lonely. As the book opens Thor is whining about having to go to Lucifer's wedding celebration, an event Beira isn't invited to. Having great incite Thor invites her to go with him.
After berating Lucifer for not inviting her, she glimpses a human that takes her breath away. Beira doesn't play with humans, their life span is too short, she does however get an idea. She can create a new guardian in the image of the human. Thus Colan is born, well sort of, and Beira is in for a surprise.
It seems nothing will deter Colan from his refusal to be with her, not even prison.
I love the way this story plays out and even though it is sad there are truly touching and loving moments, and a sizzling connection that is finally realized.
I'm already reading the next book in this series.
December 11, 2019
"Mother of Gods: A Winter Princess Prequel" by Skye Mackinon is a novella based on traditional mythological gods and their relationships to each other. Particularly, the god Beira, who is lonely for companionship.
Beira wants not just a companion, but also a soulmate, and perfect lover. She is brazen in her sexual exploits and takes pleasure in the act of sex, as well as watching it. Now, however, she longs for someone who can satiate her as no exploit has managed to. So she creates one.
There is more to this tale of gods, humans, and demigods, but it is the sexual themes that really stand out to me. It is descriptive without being overly raunchy or erotic.
The ending is bittersweet, as perhaps the end of Beira's final sexual encounter is.
Beira wants not just a companion, but also a soulmate, and perfect lover. She is brazen in her sexual exploits and takes pleasure in the act of sex, as well as watching it. Now, however, she longs for someone who can satiate her as no exploit has managed to. So she creates one.
There is more to this tale of gods, humans, and demigods, but it is the sexual themes that really stand out to me. It is descriptive without being overly raunchy or erotic.
The ending is bittersweet, as perhaps the end of Beira's final sexual encounter is.
January 30, 2018
I read this in the breaking the myth anthology
This is a great prequel novella about the Queen of Winter, Beira who is Wyns (from Winter Princess series) mother
Beira changes her attitude throughout the story, she learns a little about love and feelings and her heart. It’s great to read how it all started. The story flows beautifully and it is actually quite emotional, I highly recommend this read
This is a great prequel novella about the Queen of Winter, Beira who is Wyns (from Winter Princess series) mother
Beira changes her attitude throughout the story, she learns a little about love and feelings and her heart. It’s great to read how it all started. The story flows beautifully and it is actually quite emotional, I highly recommend this read
May 5, 2018
This is a prequel to the Winter Princess series ! It sheds light on Wynter's mother that you can't really see in all the other books. Tells the tale of how Wynter came to be! Even though you could read the series without this short I truly recommend reading! There are questions that will be answered! Awesome story building, characters mesh in a way that most authors can't seem to get ! Mackinnon is an awesome story Goddess!
December 5, 2018
This heartbreaking short story was great background information about Wyn's father, Colan. It's unfortunate that he and Beira didn't discover sooner that they were compatible and would have enjoyed sharing each other's lives. Instead, treachery stole Colan's life leaving Beira to mourn and think about what she could have done differently. A melancholy but enlightening tale that should have ended happier!
September 10, 2019
I read this after "Winter Princess" and enjoyed learning about the events leading up to Wynter's birth. It's short but interesting.
Meet Beira, the Winter Queen, Mother of Gods, lonely for a true love. What to do? Create your perfect mate. This is the story of Beira and Colan, a bittersweet tragic romance. It also explains much of what puzzled Wynter, the Winter Princess, as she was growing up. Although it's a prequel, it's actually fine to read before or after "Winter Princess".
Meet Beira, the Winter Queen, Mother of Gods, lonely for a true love. What to do? Create your perfect mate. This is the story of Beira and Colan, a bittersweet tragic romance. It also explains much of what puzzled Wynter, the Winter Princess, as she was growing up. Although it's a prequel, it's actually fine to read before or after "Winter Princess".
January 25, 2018
I absolutely loved this novella! It was a wonderful addition to any already addicting series! It was bittersweet in the end and actually made me sad. We saw a huge shift in the determination and willpower of the 2 main characters ♡ I love that Ms. MacKinnon actually wrote this.... it gave valuable insight into a character that may not have been a favorite, the Queen ♡♡♡♡
February 1, 2018
This was such a fantastic prequel to Winter Princess!!! I loved learning about Wyn's parents and where she comes from. It answered questions I had about her parents and why things are the way they are!!
Skye did such an amazing job with this story and I can't wait to get back to The rest of Wyn's story!!!!
Skye did such an amazing job with this story and I can't wait to get back to The rest of Wyn's story!!!!
May 3, 2018
This is a very good prequel to the main storyline. We get to understand more of where a certain character comes from and the life that they have led. I enjoyed reading about the world and the gods more in depth! I do wish it was longer, but I enjoyed getting to know more about this setting.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
May 3, 2018
she was lonely so she want to create a lover. he is only a year old but he had been created to be the lover of a god but he doesn't feel it at all. she feels as if she has failed but she will keep trying to get him to leave her and be hers. see if she can
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
August 29, 2018
Great prelude to this series
This was a great start for this series, showing all the love that Wynter's parents had for one another amidst the the denial they both had and the war they were stuck in the middle of. I thought it was the perfect was to understand the queen and what happened.
This was a great start for this series, showing all the love that Wynter's parents had for one another amidst the the denial they both had and the war they were stuck in the middle of. I thought it was the perfect was to understand the queen and what happened.
January 31, 2019
Beira. Mother of Gods
This tale starts with one of the Celtic creation myths of Biera mother of Gods.
Beira fierce and deadly as she's beautiful but never courted as she's feared.
Her cold countenance hides her loneliness.
Love awaits her but at a very high cost.
This was beautifully written and bittersweet.
This tale starts with one of the Celtic creation myths of Biera mother of Gods.
Beira fierce and deadly as she's beautiful but never courted as she's feared.
Her cold countenance hides her loneliness.
Love awaits her but at a very high cost.
This was beautifully written and bittersweet.
April 9, 2019
Meh!
It felt like reading a PWP story with a dash of angst and yearning.
Perhaps it is influenced because I have not read accompanying series and read this one as standalone short story.
It doesn't really encourage me to read next installment.
An extra star for character development of goddess' lover.
It felt like reading a PWP story with a dash of angst and yearning.
Perhaps it is influenced because I have not read accompanying series and read this one as standalone short story.
It doesn't really encourage me to read next installment.
An extra star for character development of goddess' lover.
December 8, 2019
This is the story of the parents of Wynter (from the Daughter of Wynter series). Beira is the mother of the Gods and is lonely. She creates Colan, but he has a little bit more free will than she was expecting. I like that Colan pushes Beira out of her comfort zone. This is a beautiful but bittersweet story.
March 30, 2022
Really good short. It's good know more about Winter's parents and how they developed thier relationship. I guess we can see how the Winter's Queen was before she have Wyn. :)
You don't need read it for read the other books of series, but I recommend you do it for a better experience in your reading. :)
You don't need read it for read the other books of series, but I recommend you do it for a better experience in your reading. :)
January 23, 2018
I loved this story. It’s nice to know where Winter came from and now I understand better as to why she had to wait so long to meet her mother. The Winter Princess series is amazing.
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
September 2, 2018
Read this story from the Breaking the Myth anthology. This is the prequel to Queen of Winter and is about Wyn's mother, and lets the reader learn a little bit about Beira and understand exactly why things happen the way they do in the Winter Princess Series.
May 1, 2018
Shame on her for thinking she can create someone and force them to love her and shame on him for not giving it a chance. I am glad there was a semi happy ending and they created something great together.
May 3, 2018
This is short even for a prequel. Like most of her books, this is the only thing I didn’t like about it. Ms. MacKinnon is a skilled storyteller and doesn’t disappoint with this one.
I received a free copy of this book and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
May 4, 2018
I dont know that serie yet but it certainly persuade me to read it! I loved the icy queen and all that world of gods. It is well written, thrilling and sad and funny. Good stuff!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews