If Jane Austen wrote Dracula it would be Winterly by Jeanine Croft. Rather than give a drab overview and review, I wanted to encourage paranormal romance readers to take this book up immediately. In fact, go do it now unless you are as obstinate as Emma and need further coaxing.
Disclaimer: I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for review. This does not effect my review outcome.
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Penny Dreadful meets Northanger Abbey with a dark peppering of Twilight in this sultry odyssey of gaslit underworlds seething with masquerades, mystery, and romance.
Something dark is prowling the gaslit streets of London—a monster with a taste for the blood of young women. When her beloved sister is attacked by an unearthly creature, Emma Rose finds herself in a contract of exchange for her life that defies all laws of heaven. A contract with a vampire.
Her world is torn apart and the reality she had known and believed in is revealed to be a facade, just like the masks of a midnight vampire ball; a mask worn by Markus Winterly, the inimitable viscount and master of Winterthurse. Whether demon, vampire, or monster, Emma discovers that these names are just facets to an ancient being who defies mortal comprehension. Spanning centuries, lifetimes, and the rise and fall of ancient civilizations, Winterly takes her on a journey of self discovery where Emma awakens to the truth of her identity at last, and she comes to learn that the line separating light and dark is as tenuous as her humanity.
When she surrenders to the call of her blood, she finds where she belonged all along. And it was never in London, or even heaven, but in the arms of the devil himself.
5 Reasons to Read Winterly
1.Regency Romance Without the Stuffiness
If you enjoy Jane Austen (I loved her books so much I taught a college class on them) and other regency romances, you’ll enjoy that flavor the covers Winterly like the cookie of a macaron. Emma and her sister Millie are great comparisons to the beloved sisters of Austen’s Sense and Sensibility. However, unlike the careful modesty of Austen’s characters, Emma and Millie are far more human feeling in their longing. That very same longing is given into, sending them tumbling to the road that fate has laid before them. That is the delicious filling of this macaron – regency romance without the stuffy modesty.
2.Dracula as it should have been
We all know who we really wanted to win in the end of Dracula. Croft doesn’t leave us wanting with a love interest like viscount Markus Winterly. He is every bit the immortal tragic hero complete with lost love and centuries of angst. Dark eyes, a knowing look, and a love for bookish maidens with glasses – be still my heart.
The book pays homage to Dracula in one of the bedroom scenes:
“How do you like my bed? It once belonged to a famous Wallachian dragon.”
“It’s rather more like a barbaric tabernacle than a bed.”
3.Masquerade, Ball Gowns, and Gothic Settings
Winterly is what I call a Dress book. These are books that involve the wearing of at least one amazing, whimsical, princess-like dress. The two balls in the book – the themed Full Moon Ball and the Masquerade on Midsummer – have all the feelings of Labyrinth’s dance scene. I have a fondness for masquerades since I met my husband at one but even without that, these scenes will leave you day dreaming for days with their romantic details.
The romance doesn’t stop at the parties. The gothic settings could make a lady swoon even omitting the story. Castles, crypts, inns, and more complete with howling wolves, guttering candles, nightmares, sleep walking, and beds covered in red.
“Tell me, is it the habit of your sex to go about in such rapturous transports, swooning and whimpering as they evade the clutches of the wicked count?”
“I think you mean wicked viscount,” she said, “and I’m sure I wouldn’t know. You see, I have never been to a wicked viscount’s haunted castle.”
“Then we must remedy that.” His smile became positively wolf-like as he leaned back in his chair.
Yes, Winterly, there are a great many of us ladies who would go swooning about haunted castles.
4.Steamy Love Scenes With Flowery Language
Ok, I get this might actually be a turn off for some people, however, I loved it. It was romantic and poetic without being gross with euphemism. Lines like “the swollen peaks that caged her maddened heart” and “With a mighty roar, the denouement came.” Y’all, I am weak for this sort of thing.
5.Villains that We Love to Hate
Trickery, lies, poison, and plot twists. Croft’s villains are good at what they do – event he reader is twisted about wondering who the real good guys are until the truth becomes clear. Even after we know who to direct our hatred towards, these heart thieves continue to twist the tale and lead our beloved couple apart. They make for a story I didn’t want to put down! I had to know what was going to happen to poor Emma, Millie, and Winterly!
Grab Your Copy
Now that you know of all the delights awaiting you, go and grab your copy of Winterly by Jeanine Croft with a warning that it will delight you and leave you with a dreadful book hangover.
