Winter Rising

Coldharbour Chronicles #1

by Richard Amos

It started with a curse. Or was it the murder? No definitely the curse. In mourning after the murder of his husband, and looking for revenge, Jake Winter finds himself in a city that shouldn’t exist. Evil stalks the streets and goblins weave sweet lies, and there’s a curse that, it turns out, only Jake can break. Suddenly, revenge isn’t his only purpose; suddenly Jake is the people’s last hope. Add some new friends sworn to guard him, including a sexy half-fae bloke who has an unwelcome effect on Jake’s pulse, and the stage is set for a new life of danger and death on the British coast. Because Jake has a destiny. Question is, will he live long enough to fulfill it? A dark urban fantasy tale with kick-ass action and slow-burn m/m romance.

Genres: Urban Fantasy, Fantasy, M M Romance, LGBT, Paranormal, Magic, Mystery

374 pages, Paperback

First published September 27, 2018

About the author

Richard Amos is an author from England who is constantly lost in the worlds he writes about, and the ones in the queue yet to be written. He also has more books in his house than anything else, and is never without a book (and chocolate) in his hands when he's not writing. He’s a proud nerd who loves to dance. Hard.

Richard writes M/M Fantasy, Urban Fantasy, and Paranormal Romance, all with tons of kick-ass action, adventure, twisty plots, and yummy times.

🔗 https://linktr.ee/richardamosauthor

Reviews

[Myriam · Rating 1 out of 5]

What a spectactular case of expectation NOT meeting reality. The combination of the cover and the blurb promise a badass urban fantasy hero. The reality of the man we meet in the first couple of chapters could not be further from the truth. He's a pathetic ex-junkie still jonesing for his drug of choice, utterly inept at detective work and he gets his ass handed to him twice before the plot really kicks in. Absolutely NOT what I wanted from this. I feel duped.

[Sandali ♥️ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating - 3.5 stars
The beginning was quite confusing and I felt like I had somehow landed in the middle of a book. Where’s the backstory guys???? Why are we starting from here???? Nevertheless, it was actually interesting and kept me going for some reason. I wouldn’t have finished it within the day if not. I liked the characters and the slow burn is definitely slow burning and somehow the story kept me hooked. It’s not the best story nor would I be rereading it anytime soon but genuinely excited to see how this goes. Probably will finish the series asap

[P Leslie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I saw this book being promoted on Facebook and decided to give it a go and I’m so glad I did because it was absolutely amazing. This is the first book in the series and I’m officially addicted.

Jake is searching for the man that ripped his life apart but following the white eyed man, ends up placing him smack bang in the middle of a war against the beasts. Will he fulfil his destiny?

My heart broke for Jake; his loss, pain and sadness echoed throughout the entire story. There were times I cried and times where I smiled and laughed out loud. There were two scenes that stuck in my mind even after I finished reading: the scene where Jake slips on Dean’s boxers and ends up with his face right in front of Dean’s pierced member lol and where Jake is confronted by a very angry yet jealous Goblin and his very naughty wife who has a thing for Jake’s sexy underwear modelling pictures lol.

I’m keeping my fingers crossed on the sizzling connection between Jake and a certain someone. There were times I felt a spark but then something would happen to make me rethink but damn the suspense is seriously killing me.

The story was written beautifully and flowed very smoothly. There was some repetition but it didn’t hinder my enjoyment.

I’m definitely adding this author to my favourite list and eagerly look forward to the next book which is being released in a few weeks.

[Micah · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’d give rate this book between 2 & 1/2 to 3 stars. Starting off, props to the author for diversity in the characters. This book features a few different skin tones & ethnicity & I’m ALL here for that. Also the plot is mildly interesting. Biggest complaint is that the dialogue between the characters feel super awkwardly & stiltedly written in places. I wasn’t really getting the chemistry between the characters other than the author writing that they have chemistry. Also, I wish this book had more character development. After reading I don’t feel like I have the slightest bit of idea of who any of the characters are, their motivations, etc. one of the main characters in this book turns out to be bad which would’ve been great but since I didn’t feel like that character was developed it kind of just meh.

[Aelfwina]

Interesting premise, abysmal execution. Stiff dialogue, info-dumps, world-building that resembles Swiss cheese - and that's just the first 25%.

[M · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.75 stars

[Ng · Rating 2 out of 5]

The blurb makes the book sound awesome. I really wanted to love this kickass sounding-urban fantasy (urban fantasies being one of my most favorite genre). But the reality was this book was very difficult to get into. I did not like Jake or Dean (possible love interest) that much. The gang comes across as juvenile sometimes and that doesn't go well with the fact that they were the last ones standing who could prevent utter destruction of the world as they know it. I was actually more fascinated by one of the antagonists (?) the white-eyed-guy. I will certainly read the next few books int eh series at least.

[Shan( Shans_Shelves) 💜]

DNF @50%

I wanted to continue for the slow burn romance but I CANNOT deal with this writing. Everything just reads so flat- from the characters to the world building.

I’m sad because it sounded like a book I’d love- looks like it just wasn’t meant to be.

[Nathan]

read like a JRPG with parallel universes and a Chosen One who could destroy evil. Gave up when the author spent a little too much time describing a ritual to Hecate complete with rhyming chants.

[Teal Wolf · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jake is mourning his husband and seeking vengeance for his murder, when he is suddenly surrounded by things that should only exist in nightmares. Evil lurks in this new land he finds himself in.  He discovers a new purpose, one that involves breaking a curse, gaining new friends and the sexy as sin Fae.  

This book is a fantastic journey into a brilliant world filled with fae, goblins, magic, and evil beasts. With well developed story and characters, I was immersed into a world so unique and intriguing.  Twists and turns fill this  tantalizing tale and keep your interested and anxious for more. I love the interactions between the characters and that there is a satisfying ending to the story because a cliffhanger may have killed me during a wait for a continuation. A slow burn romance mixed perfectly with paranormal elements and lots of action, Winter Rising is the first book in the Coldharbour Chronicles series by Richard Amos. I can not wait to read the next installment.

I received this book as an advanced reader's copy and voluntarily am leaving my honest review and recommendation.

[Kendra T · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really cool fantasy/paranormal story. Looking for vengeance after the death of his husband, Jake finds himself in a hidden city with a lot of spectacular creatures and paranormal beings. This had some great world building and a very strong story line. The writing is very well done also. This is set up to be a really good series, and I’m looking forward to reading more.

I am voluntarily reviewing an ARC provided by LesCourt Author Services

[Ashley Martinez (ilovebooksandstuffblog) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Winter Rising

This one was hard for me to get into. While I enjoyed the unique and interesting concept I had a hard time connecting with the characters and the story in general.

[Andrea Green · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think that this is a fantastic first full solo novel from Richard Amos. I don't do spoilers but this book has a strong lovable main character that you easily empathise with and feel for. A very good nemesis with many other colourful characters that add interest and depth. There is humour, shock, a slow burn m/m romance which just feels so right in this book and is tastefully done so please don't let it out you off if it isn't your thing as it won't matter. The storyline is strong and I was drawn in very quickly, couldn't put it down and can't wait for the sequel to see how the story progresses. Fabulous read which I can highly recommend.

[Gina]

DNF. Not going to rate it, because rating a book I only got 26% through seems unfair. I feel bad DNFing it, because it's not terribly long, and there were definitely things that I liked. The horror-focused scenes, for example, like the hyena things and the black sludge, were excellently written. The writer clearly has a knack for writing horror, which is great. And I did find myself genuinely curious about the white-eyed man. But unfortunately there's a fatal flaw that made me DNF - the dialogue. I found it almost incomprehensible in some places, especially when there were more than three characters in the scene, because it was difficult to tell who was talking without reading back and trying to track who might be responding to who. And with the exception of Karla (at least up until the point I got to), everyone seemed to have a similar "character voice", so I couldn't tell by that. You can't just four or five characters into a scene, three of whom we've only really just met, and then leave out all the parts like "Karla said" or "Jake implied" or "Greg intoned" We need those to tell who is talking! Unfortunately it made it impossible to read, for me. I see other reviewers didn't have that problem, which is great, but I just couldn't make heads or tails of some of the dialogue runs without constantly backtracking. :(

[Vintagebooklvr · Rating 2 out of 5]

A fairly typical "chosen one" urban fantasy. Prompts for the diversity of characters but the conversation was stilted and I got annoyed by a character calling people "babe" even if it is a woman character to a male character.

It was described as a slow-burn m/m romance. I would, perhaps, call it glacial movement slow, for the first book.

[Kristy Maitz · Rating 2 out of 5]

Strange start, strange characters, strange story plot.

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Grief and revenge go hand-in-hand for Jake Winter. His world has gone from good chaos to bad chaos with no rest between. When he has his moment of revenge so close to him it's quickly turned on its head and he follows a strange white-eyed man toward a destiny he never could have imagined. As a weapon of the supernatural world meant to break a curse he's thrown head first, ass over tea-kettle into a world he never knew existed. He finds allies and enemies in his new world and a mystery where he's the center and the turning-point, but there are more pieces to the puzzle to find before he can carry out his role.

Well. I certainly wasn't expecting what we got. I was so confused from the first page and that feeling never really went away. While that was pretty annoying, I also found that I kind of grew to like it. As if I were just as flummoxed as Jake at every step. Despite that, I do wish that there were more given to the thinking things through, getting everything out in the open, making connections, and actually attempting to figure things out rather than reacting to everything thrown at them and being forced to find answers.

Jake was an interesting character with his very complicated past and personal motivations. His reactions were a bit heavy on the "act first, think later" and it caused quite a few situations that should have been handled differently, but it added to his jumbled mess of a life which I found believable. That the gift he was given didn't automatically make him a different person, fully in control of his emotions and reactions.

His guardians were compelling in different ways. I really loved Naomi. She was fierce, fun, smart, and loyal. Greg was a comfortable presence as well as a strong ally. Dean, though, has me on the fence, much like Jake. Sure, he's hot and makes Jake's pulse race with his moody, broody ways and randomly affectionate moments, but it doesn't change the whole scene with the detective, the split-personality, and the fact that nothing moves beyond the weird moments for the two men. I'm not really rooting for that non-relationship, to be honest. Let's hope the rest of the series gives me something more there.

Overall the story was confusing as freak, interesting, and it drew me in despite my reluctance. By the end I was totally won over with all the crazy. I really, really want to read more...and soon!

[Luna Cygnus · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF.

I should have turn back after I found out it's written in first POV. I'm not a huge fan of 1st POV but I decided to give it a try anyway. Lets start with the MC. I have a hard time imagining Jake as the same dude on the cover. Cause that's the reason why I read it. I thought it'll be an adult who look he's the top and Dom type ( I know the story isn't explicit and focus more on action but this thing is important to me since I always judge who I think is the dom/top and bottom whenever I read any m/m book so that it'll be easier for me to imagine how they look like as well) I had thought that Jake will be the top.


The Jake that I read have a hot temper and tendency to get himself in trouble which perfectly fit how I imagine him look based on the cover. But that only last for the the first half of the story cause then this hospital scene started and I got this feeling that he's not what I imagine him look like. Then he met Dean and it all crumble down. It got worse from there. His way of speaking and monologued sounds like a college teenagers wish didnt fit how he look like in the cover. And then his back story was mention a bit. I started rethinking about how he actually look like and I found out I can't. Cause I didn't even know how he look like and I usually prefer knowing how the characters look like and usually their look fit how they look in the cover and how they act in the book. But Jake started acting like the sub or a teenage with their first love and it ruin how I view their dynamic. I imagine Dean is the sub/bottom but after reading the book I realize I was wrong. Shouldnt judge the characters from how they look on the cover ):

Not to mention I didn't even know how some of the characters look like. It lack description and I only know their hair color and and for some other characters their outfit. Other than that I found the story to fast pace. And the fact that the action is pretty meh and boring. It surely didn't make me feel the thrill or anticipation that spur me to keep reading.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book was engaging right from the beginning with us joining the chase for the white eye guy already in progress and all the surreal/dream like stuff which we are assured by our protagonist, Jake, a recovering drug addict/former male model, is really happening. Really, really. We end up in Coldharbour, a town under siege by a race of beasts (aliens? demons?) that take on grotesque forms and are being fought by a small group of witches and supernatural creatures under the banner of the goddess Hecate. Jake, is of course, "The Chosen One," and teams up with his fellow guardians to try and figure out what that means. There's Dean, a half fae hottie that Jake is wildly attracted to but presents as straight and Jake also can't seem to move past his grief for the husband who died a year before at the hands of the white eye guy. Greg, a golem and also straight though he seems to be more of a love interest than Dean does. Nay, Naomi, a lesbian witch with blue hair and calls everyone babe. Karla, the blind oracle, who is also a fabulously wealthy old woman with a mansion and ties to the Supernatural Council and government. It's going to be a long road to freeing the town I'm sure, but so far it's been terribly fun. Recommended!

[DMCechak · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant, with Extra Sparks!

Richard Amos explodes into our reading universe with Winter Rising: an MM Urban Fantasy novel. This is book one in his Coldharbour Chronicles series, and it is magnificent.

I loved the action and magic and the deeply hurt and…aaaa, so very many things about this story. Beginning with our hurting weapon, Jacob Winter. Initially I believed he was someone I might not care to read about. (You will understand as you begin this story) But, oh no, Richard Amos quickly moved me along the mystic path, where I will now follow Jake forever.

As Jake is swept into an unknown, and quite dangerous, world-within-a-world, we meet some very important and talented beings who are attempting to keep the evil within, so it cannot move out into the world proper.

Also exciting to read, is the English version of words and their meanings. As an American, it was entertaining, and felt like I was surrounded by ‘mates’ that opened my eyes to a third magical setting.

Do find the time to read this book, and actually all of Richard Amos’ books. I am working my way through his catalog, after reading several of his current ones. I devour urban fantasy, and you will be intrigued and gripped, as you read these wonderful stories!

[Skye Blue ☆*~ﾟლ(´ڡ`ლ)~*☆]

I liked this a lot. And while I think it deserves all kinds of pom poms and hip hip horahs! I'm in a book hangover, and I still haven't switched over.


All of my Pom Poms are still going to Richard Amos other series Four Moons First Moon series.



I shouldn't be comparing the 2. The are very different, and Coldharbour stands very well on it's own.
I need to take a breather, so that I can fully enjoy it.
Great world building. Somethings that I immediately questioned were answered very well.
I like that the romance wasn't a forefront in the first book. I'm looking forward to it developing.
I'll be back for sure. But I need to wash the other characters that Mr. Amos brought to life for me so well, out of the front of my brain before I continue.

[Sarita Chapdelaine · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an interesting and entertaining story with excellent world building. It is fast-paced, has amazing characters, an intriguing storyline, a lot of action and is well-written. I really enjoyed it but to my dismay this isn't a romance as the synopsis indicated. There are a few hints of romance but the main focus is on the group of people banding together to try to save the town and its oblivious residents from the beasts invading it. I love Jake and his ability to accept the world he is thrust into and how easily he adapts to his new circumstances. The surprising twists and turns kept me engaged all the way to the end and the secondary characters are fantastic. There is a lot packed into this book and I found myself a little lost at times trying to keep up with all of the characters. Overall I think it is a great start to a new series and I look forward to reading the next book.

I voluntarily reviewed an advanced copy of this book.

[Angie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dark, Magical, and Chaotic urban fantasy

2.5 stars

This book was not what I expected. It was a strange combination of regular contemporary with a drug fueled revenge plot then shifted into a magical mystery. It wasn't bad but it wasn't what I was expecting. Also there was next to zero in the romance department and only minor talk about a past husband.

I felt like this book dragged. The first half was chaotic and we had so many more questions than answers. After 50%, the action picked up and the pace sped up.

What I liked was the plot of this interfering white eye guy. I liked the idea that "fate" could really throw you a bad hand, I felt that was a unique perspective.

Overall, it was an ok book. I think it was personal preference things I really didn't love. I'm not a big fan of drug use and I still feel the book could use less chaos. Mystery is ok but we still need some answers to progress the story. I'm don't think I'll be reading the next book.

[caroline wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantasy glalore

I received this book by the author and this is my honest opinion.
Not knowing if I would enjoy this as this was a new to me author, I really enjoyed this book. I loved that Jake is such a flawed character and unconventional hero. Hes bent on a mission of vengeance of the white eyed man who killed his husband, the man is toying with him in a cat and mouse game and like Alice in wonderland Jake stumbled down the hole or as in this case a cave that leads to a place that for all sakes and purposes doesn't exist with creatures that also shouldn't exist. IN this alternative new world he doesn't quite know what to make of it especially When he seems to be able to blast light out through his hands. This was a good plot and which had good world building that really gave you a picture of all the creatures inhabiting the world. There's a love interest but it's quite a slow burner but I'm looking forward to the next book to see the carry on of this story

[R · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jake follows the white eyed man that killed his husband, straight into a strange place that doesn’t exist. Attacked by odd beings, he discovers he has some unbelievable powers. His new reality giving him a group of new friends.

Very interesting book. So much world building going on it was sometimes hard keeping characters straight. Fae, witches, really interesting demons, create an overall good story. Jake, dealing with sudden unexplained powers, his husbands death, and his addiction, isn’t a typical hero. Which made the story work so well. The blurb said this was a slow burn story, i think it was closer to glacial.

I’m waiting for the next book with anticipation.

I received an arc of this book for review.

[April · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic read

This is a great start to a new series. I love the characters and the plot. Very interesting page turner. There were parts that I laughed so hard that I cried. It has action, love, sadness, and fun. I've not figured out who the love interest is yet. The only part that grated on my nerves was the needaline over and over. At first to establish the addiction I can see but it became to much. Also I we would have really liked a British to U.S. translation guide. There was so many more than what I know it slows my reading down because I have to figure them out on my own.

[Donna · Rating 3 out of 5]

All I can say is, I am glad that I read The Christmas Bones before reading this book or I would be stopping right here, but... I want ALL of the details that lead up to Jake and Dean's life together, so finish this series I shall! Feeling somewhat certain that things will improve, writing-wise, as things progress... lord, give me the patience to get to the end! *grin*

[Denise · Rating 4 out of 5]

Richard Amos's name is one I've seen around quite a bit while browsing Kindle Unlimited titles and had been meaning to give his work a try. This series opener offers fun, fastpaced Urban Fantasy with a bit of M/M romance (an aspect I hope we'll be getting a little more of in the next book) that tosses its reader, much like its protagonist, headfirst into a heap of chaos and weirdness from the get-go - just go with it. The dialogue was a little stilted at times, but on the whole, I found this a pretty entertaining read and will be back for more. 3.5/5

[Joscelyn Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one kickass series starter and some great urban fantasy. Jake, the MC, first came across as a bit sketchy until I realized he was running on a volatile combination of adrenaline and rage. I absolutely loved this rollercoaster ride into a creepy wonderland, the ending left me with so many questions and can't wait to read the next book so I can get some answers. This is keeper-shelf material for sure.

[Kaila · Rating 4 out of 5]

very good story it was very well written and interesting. lots of very good visual writing for me.. it made me feel as if i was watching it in a movie.. it was very well done. i loved it... my only issue i had was sometimes i coudnt keep the characters straight.. thats not the authors fault i dont think though.. i just have a hard time when there are a lot of characters lol. it was all together a good story though.