Winter's Edge

Crimson Winter Reverse Harem #1

by Lindsey R. Loucks

The wolf shifters she was sent to kill may be her only hope of surviving the cursed forest.

After her father is shot, twenty-year-old Aika sets out to make an important delivery for him through the dangerous Crimson Forest at the brink of a hard winter. It's either that or starve.

But Aika is almost completely blind.

When her delivery fails, she discovers that the package she carries is meant to kill the two wolf shifters who rescue her and somehow give her sight while in their wolf forms.

Faced with secrets and brutal intent she can feel but not see, as well as blooming fondness for her two wolf protectors, Aika will have to look deep within herself if she wants to survive Winter’s Edge.

Fans of Nalini Singh and Jennifer Ashley will tear through Lindsey R. Loucks’s thrilling, edgy paranormal romance reverse harem series.

Scroll up and one-click Winter’s Edge to start the adventure today!

Genres: Paranormal, Fantasy, Shapeshifters, Romance, Why Choose, Audiobook, Paranormal Romance

154 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 2, 2019

About the author

Lindsey R. Loucks is a USA Today bestselling author of paranormal romance, science fiction, and contemporary romance. When she's not discussing books with anyone who will listen, she's dreaming up her own stories. Eventually her brain gives out, and she'll play hide and seek with her cat, put herself in a chocolate-induced coma, or watch scary movies alone in the dark to re-energize.

Check out her website for more information and to contact her. She would love to hear from you! http://www.lindseyrloucks.com

Reviews

[Coco.V]

🎁 FREE on Amazon today (7/14/2020)! 🎁

[Margo Collins · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVE THIS BOOK! Loucks is one of my favorite authors anyway, and this first entry into a new world is amazing. The heroine pushes herself past her limits, the heroes (wolf shifters, my favorites!) are hot and protective. The story hit me hard and I'm excited to see how it all works out for these characters. Bring on the next one--quickly, please!!

[Jackie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding. Aika’s father is short and she is given an important parcel to deliver. The characters are absolutely fabulous. You just want to hop into the story and help. Can’t wait for the next one.

[Nicole · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was scrolling through some free ebooks and this caught my eye as the heroine is blind. Aika Song (Yay for a poc heroine) has been seen as useless but she is self sufficient knowing how to hunt and uses her other senses to navigate the world around her. She witnesses a violent event where her father is shot and flees to the dreaded Crimson forest to try and complete the task he does to get money to tide them over the winter. She also is responsible for Jade and Lee (has special needs), two teenagers who live in the house beside theirs.

Attacked by a wild wolf pack, Aika thinks she might die but is saved by another pack or the remains of one, Archer, Grady and Sasha are the survivors after their family is poisoned and killed by a rival. Aika can mysteriously see through their eyes and over time, they become a found family of sorts. Grady is very grumpy and closed off and has a limp from a past injury while Archer is more approachable and warm.

This isn't really a reverse harem yet as she does have some moments with the men but separately.

I thought the worldbuilding was interesting but I struggled to get through this and care much about what went on.

Tropes: Found family

[sherri jones-teachout · Rating 5 out of 5]

She might be blind but she isn’t helpless. Aika was blinded at five years old by her own mother. Now it’s just she and her father trying to stay alive as best as they can, selling a concoction they make and sell in another town. But someone wants to cut her father out, shoots him, and Aika has to run for her life. She is attacked by wolves, but is saved by two men, Grady and Archer. She finds out that they are wolf shifters, and the potion that she and her father were selling, the one that blinded her, can also kill the wolves. And she and the wolf shifters are linked somehow. When she is near them in their wolf form she can see through their eyes. They join together to try and save another young wolf, and two friends of Aika’s. But the bad men are always one step ahead. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Rebecca · Rating 3 out of 5]

Aika Song is not your ordinary blind girl. In fact, she seems to have superbly bad luck. Within the first couple of pages, her father is attacked and shot, the only potential income her small family has depends on the delivery of a package to a man in the woods, and she is attacked by wolves while hazardly undertaking this delivery. However, a potential mauling won't keep this girl down. Saved by two men, *ahem* attractive men, Aika learns that her little world is much bigger and more dangerous than she could imagine. With the oncoming harsh winter, Aika is left with few options besides trusting the two strangers she has a growing connection with and their adorable wolf pup. Lindsey Loucks invites us to undertake an adventure of discovery, love, and danger as Aika finds her place in the Crimson Forest.

Winter's Edge is a fast-pace paranormal romance with a slow moving reverse harem theme. Loucks keeps the plot and characters moving throughout the story while dragging readers into the book with her quick wit and clever details. Aika's character borders being too childish rather than naive or inexperienced, but her bravery and the strong men certainly help balance this out. While the plot was quick fast, it did lack some of the finer details that a more developed story would have included. Overall, the story teeters closely to being rushed rather than simply fast-paced. While I usually prefer much more detail, Loucks managed to entrap my attention with her dynamic male characters and the intriguing connection between Aika and them. While I wouldn't advocate for dropping everything and picking this title up, I would tell you to put it on your to-read list. You'll be drawn into the world of the Crimson Forest and most likely find yourself purchasing the second book just to see what happens in Aika's quest for love, family, and answers.

[Lene Blackthorn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Survival in cruel, harsh conditions might affect one's choices and decisions crucially. Who's to judge?
Aika lost her sight at five, and now with her sharpened senses, she is able to hunt with bow and arrows even - though she is still being mocked for being blind. Broken. Useless. When her father gets shot, she attempts to make a very important delivery that keeps her family fed during the winter. Only she gets attacked by wolves and ends up saved by strangers. Learning she is literally in a wolves' den, she has to accept the twist of fate and put her trust into two men with whom she has the strangest connection.
A relatively fast read, this YA paranormal RH shifter story with heating up romance has a solid premise and good storytelling, though sometimes I found the plotline underdeveloped and the main character childish rather than inexperienced. On the other side, I found the male characters intriguing and attractive, far more developed than Aika, and the presence of little Sasha was adorable. The open end and unanswered questions are motivating enough to continue reading and see where all the fight for survival and family ends.

[Kenneth Morris · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW, such a ride. Take a blind girl, add Wolf shifters, bitter cold and stir. It gets steamy in parts, and bloody, so be forewarned. Other than that, it's a great story that is fully realized over the 3 books. I liked the way the author didn't expect the characters or the reader to know exactly what was going on for a while. Some books just tell you EVERYTHING and leave nothing to anticipate, or make you want to turn the page.
I was halfway into book one when I realized I needed to read the whole series and jumped on Amazon to get them, pronto! I was sad when book 3 ended, not simply because it was over, but more the fact that I wanted to know how things continued after the last page was turned. IE: I want book 4 and 5!!

[Shirley Bennett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such an unusual story it just sucks you win the characters are really well done you’re a little lost at first there’s a lot going on. I’m not sure if there’s a series before this one or not, but I was a little confused for a while as the characters took shape. Very strong characters & very interesting story.
Aika- The main character has a somewhat tortured childhood, and trying to help her family she runs into two wolf shifters- that save her life- The relationship between them develops very slowly. The book in Santa cliffhanger, not my favorite ending. And of course I had to buy all the rest of the books to find out what happened!!

[Rose Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Winter’s Edge” is a heartfelt, tragic and suspenseful paranormal tale of a blind girl trying to survive and help the ones she cares about after the murder of her baba. This is an excitingly original tale that drew me in and held me, hostage, until I read the last page. It takes you on an emotional rollercoaster as Aika journeys through the Crimson Forest. This is an amazing tale and well worth the read and I am looking forward to the next book.

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

[Deb Barringer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Winter's Edge is a story of grit, determination and survival. Aika is a young woman that must overcome some of the most horrific circumstance if she is to survive. Aided by wolf-shifters Archer and Grady, Aika rises to the challenges. But how much can a person take before they finally break? Will Aika reach that point?

The storyline is fast-paced and well-written, filled will danger, intrigue and budding romance. The characters are well-developed and endearing. I look forward to reading the rest of the story in book two!

[Jo Ann]

I really like the idea of a blind main character and the idea she could see thtrough the wolves' eyes. And I appreciated the fact that the reverse harem wasn't instalove-like (as we see so many times).
But then came Aika and she was really unloveable and unlikable for me. She was strong (which is nice), but in order to be strong, you don't have to be selfish, stubborn and ungrateful. Why do strong female characters have to be b*, putting everyone in danger because she (doesn't) know best?
I skipped through the end.

[Urszula · Rating 4 out of 5]

A young blind girl finds herself in the middle of wolfshifters' war. And discovers her family's part in it. The world she fought she new is changing around her. She also is changing. Is she ready to take part in the war??? Is she ready for her mates? Good and world creating. Complex characters and relationships among g them??? Easy to read.

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

[Myrna Richmond · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is not an easy story to read without shedding a few tears. It is quite harrowing and by no means light reading. It is the journey of a blind human girl and the remains of a wolf shifter pack who join forces and embark on a quest to right some atrocious wrongs. The story is well written and pulls at ones heart strings. hopefully it will get less bleak as time goes on. It is a good read and very original so if you like a darker saga you will love this one.

[T. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received Winter's Edge, book 1 of the Crimson Winter RH series,t as a free copy from the author/publisher. The gifting did not determine the review/rating, which reflects my honest opinion.

Loucks has done a marvelous job with world-building for this new series offering. While Aika seems to over-extend herself in some misguided attempt to be independent, I found her character likeable and her two wolf shifters, protective and steamy. Crimson Winter looks like another winning series.

[Carrie O’Leary · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this story, it was different in many ways to other books I’ve read and is well written. The characters are likeable and I look forward to how the relationships develop in later books. It is a series so expect to need to buy the next book if you want to get past the cliffhanger at the end, probably not suitable for persons under the age of 17 as there is one minor sex scene and adult language in places

[Nilda Cruz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read! Excelent writting with a great storyline and characters. Aika is a blind girl that lives with her father and takes care of two orphans. Her father gets shot. She has to deliver a special moonshine to get paid so they can survive the winter with food. On the way she gets attack by wolves and saved by two men. Who are these men and what secrets they have? A suspense and thrilling story that will keep you turning pages.

[Alice · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the unique aspect of introducing a blind FMC, and I loved the cameos of the little wolf pups, but I didn't find the rest of the plot very compelling and the men introduced to the harem played a little too hot and cold for me. I also didn't really think that the scenarios that the FMC placed herself in as a blind person were super believable, and a lot of them bordered on TSTL, a pet peeve of mine.

I picked up this book because it was free, but I don't think I'll continue with the rest of the books unless they end up on KU.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

I listend to this as an audiobook. This is the first audiobook I have ever listend to so maybe I would have liked this book more or less if I read it physically. The story was interesting and although in the middle I wasn’t sure if I want to read the second one, now I definitely am going to read it.

I’m not the biggest fan of the whole baby werewolf’s stay in wolf form until there are five explanation. I think it’s a little weird.


All in all a good book.

[Hollie Smurthwaite · Rating 3 out of 5]

found family

The action starts right away with Anika’s father being attacked and her flight to escape. She meets a couple of men who turn out to be wolf shifters.

Aika is blind, except when she can see through certain wolves’ eyes. She’s an interesting combination of strong and weak.

The odds are really against her and the stakes really high. The pacing was a bit slow for me, but I liked the found family vibe.

[Kathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an easy to read story that has a great flow but is not a light read emotionally. This has a great premise and plotline. It is very interesting to read the interactions between Aika and her mates. This is a thrilling read that I can wait to read of the series.

I am voluntarily leaving an unbiased, honest review.

[Crystal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Aika is a young blind woman, and when her father is shot she heads out to deliver his package.She is attacked along the way and saved by Archer and Grady. These three are a very interesting group. Grady and Archer seem so different. Aika is sweet, and so much stronger than she thinks. This was one twisty ride, and I am interested to see what happens next.

[Jeanne Richardson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the 1st book I've read written by Lindsey Loucks; she has done a great job at writing a good book; I can’t wait to read more of her books.

The story line caught my attention at the very beginning and kept me interested throughout the entire book.

I loved the chemistry between the characters.

I received a free copy of this book via booksprout and I’m voluntarily leaving a review.

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an arc and the opinions and views are my own. The author has come up with a very unique story. Aika is blind yet she can see through the eyes of her wolves. Aika must find her family and save them and help her wolf shifters find their family. A fast paced, entertaining read. I could not put this book down. I would recommend this book to everyone.

[Lani Herrera · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is incredible how the author could make a book about a blind girl narrating. The details become more difficult thanks to the fact that she cant see, meaning the book needs many more descriptions to make the reader picture the other characters and scenery. I could picture it perfectly!
It took me 2 days to read this book and I enjoyed it very much!

[Maaren · Rating 4 out of 5]

Swept me away

This book swept me away to a fantasy world where there is snow, wolf shifters and darkness. It’s definitely fast paced but still I felt like I had a good grip on the first three main characters.

I also really enjoyed the fact that the FMC was blind but she was in no means helpless. Aika is smart and able and seeing her slowly understand that was amazing.

[Samantha · Rating 3 out of 5]

The plot in this book is pretty engaging, I just wish the world-building was more fleshed out. What we have so far with the world building is really interesting and makes me want more.. like not much is explained, such as the ruby caves being the only place to conceive shifter pups like why is that?
I liked Archer a lot, Grady seemed pretty back and forth with how he felt.

[Elvira · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great read with an awesome storyline that has well developed and engaging characters that have lots of chemistry. The smooth flow of the storyline makes for a good reading time.

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

[Kathleen Bradbury (Bulfon) · Rating 5 out of 5]

It Grabbed My attention and focus so strong I could not put it down. A word of advice when you get your copy. Grab a snack, a comfy seat, kick back and relax. You will not be moving until you finish this bad boy here. Remarkable job. Thanks for sharing.

[Mandy Robitaille · Rating 4 out of 5]

This series sucked me right in. I instantly fell in love with the main character who showed that despite being blind, she was a very capable and formidable opponent! Can't read the next book fast enough!