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A Hint of Frost (Araneae Nation #1)

by Hailey Edwards (Goodreads Author)

3.89 of 5 stars 3.89 · rating details · 388 ratings · 111 reviews

"Hope dangles by a silken thread. "

"Araneae Nation, Book 1"

When the head of the Araneidae clan is found poisoned in her nest, her eldest daughter, Lourdes, becomes their clan s new maven. If her clan is to survive, she has but one choice: she must marry before her nest is seized. All she needs is a warrior fierce enough to protect her city and safeguard her clansmen. Such...more

ebook, 256 pages

Published April 17th 2012 by Samhain Publishing, Ltd.

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Apr 13, 2012 Jill rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy-pnr-sci-fi-romance

Lourdes is the new maven or head of the Araneidae clan. Her parents have been poisoned and with an invasion by the traitorous Theridiidae clan imminent, Lourdes has sent a plea to the Mimetidae clan to come to her aid. For the poor Mimetidae an alliance with the prosperous Araneidae is ideal, but the Mimetidae maven has her stipulations. In exchange for their protection, Lourdes must wed Rhys, her youngest son.

Written in the first person from Lourdes' point of view, this story jumps straight int...more

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Jan 27, 2013 Nancy rated it 4 of 5 stars

Parents both dead, Lourdes becomes the Maven of her clan. She is young to be in charge but what must be, must. In her clan, the Maven is the one who begins the spinning of silken thread with her finger spinnerets. Spider-like silk ten times stronger than metal was her clan’s pride and only real income.
She is no warrior and the people guarding her family apparently were the assassins. Lourdes heads to a neighboring group who are fierce warriors, hoping to make a deal. Armor for assistance. Their...more

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Mar 15, 2013 Christine Myers rated it 4 of 5 stars

My impression of this book from a scan of the description and reviews was that it was pure fantasy with a romantic thread. I found it more of a romance set in a fantasy world. I do not agree with the comparison to "Game of Thrones" by Heroes and Heartbreakers, but I did enjoy the story.

The prose is beautiful without being distracting; the writing drew me into the story instead of pulling me out to admire the sentence construction.

The heroine, Lourdes, was easy to like and I quickly rallied to he...more

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Jan 29, 2013 Emily rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: urban-fantasy

I downloaded this book for free of Bookbub.com not knowing what I would think about it. I love the cover art, it definitely intrigued me enough to pick it up. I was pleasantly surprised to find I could not put the book down. This book is action-packed from the first sentence. The heroin, Lourdes, is a young woman thrust into the position of Maven for her clan after the sudden and tragic death of her parents. In this fantasy the tribes of the Araneae are Matrilineal. Forced to have a protector, s...more

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Jan 07, 2013 Jess Haines rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: adult, fantasy, romance

I'm torn about this book. To be perfectly honest, if someone whose opinion I trust had not told me that it got better, I would have given up within the first few chapters, maybe sooner.

Before you read my issues with it, I do want you to know that it was a compelling story, and most of the characters were very well fleshed out. The fantasy elements were well thought out, the plot was cleverly executed, and the romance between Lourdes and Rhys was sweet. The ending was satisfying, and the journey...more I'm torn about this book. To be perfectly honest, if someone whose opinion I trust had not told me that it got better, I would have given up within the first few chapters, maybe sooner.

Before you read my issues with it, I do want you to know that it was a compelling story, and most of the characters were very well fleshed out. The fantasy elements were well thought out, the plot was cleverly executed, and the romance between Lourdes and Rhys was sweet. The ending was satisfying, and the journey to get there was worthwhile.

In the beginning, my knee-jerk reaction when I realized that the story was about a people who can produce some kind of thread from their hands or fingers and with venomous fangs--spider-like traits--was to "NOPE" right on out to the next book. It wasn't clear to me from the back cover blurb, and spiders are high on my meter of "Things That Squick Me Out".

I did stick it out, and I'll admit that in the beginning my arachnophobia contributed to my desire to find a reason--any reason--not to read to the end. The name soup with the people and their clans made it very confusing and difficult to follow at times, and was another issue I had a hard time overlooking. Araneidae, Mimetidae, Theridiidae, Salticidae... Those are just some of the clan names. Some of the character names are tongue-twisters, too. I won't go into that here, but suffice to say it was enough to make me wish for a guide chart of some kind to refer to now and then.

Aside from those issues, the story itself was intriguing. Lourdes made an excellent, strong-willed heroine who used every tool at her disposal, including herself, to solve the murder of her parents and discover whether her sister had turned traitor. The originality and effort that went into the world-building can't be denied. The ending was warm and fuzzy, just right for a sweet romance, and the buildup of sexual tension between Lourdes and Rhys made the ending satisfying.

The road to get to that ending was rocky, with a few stumbles along the way, but once it got going, it was a decent read. I can't in all honesty say that I recommend A Hint of Frost highly, but if you're in the mood for a romance with strong fantasy elements, you might enjoy it.

3/5(less)

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Nov 28, 2012 Katie Cody rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: paranormal

This is a spicy new adventure that Fantasy fans will not want to miss!
There are few creatures that capture the imagination quite like Dragons and Hailey Edwards uses it remarkably. The Dragons in this book are unique and full of life. I really enjoyed getting to know more about them.
Aside from the awesome mythical creatures there is a ton of action in this book that had me on the edge of my seat. Swordplay is one the coolest battles to see or read about in my opinion and this book had some great...more

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Nov 11, 2012 Lady Lioness rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: read-november-2012, subgenre-non-earth-planet, ebook, genre-fantasy-romance, subgenre-non-human-races, 2012-rt-reviewers-choice-nominees

I picked up this book because it's a nominee for a RT Reviewer's Choice award. I dislike spiders rather a lot. I find them to be the sadists of the animal kingdom. The author has created a world where the dominant genus is humanoids who possess spider-like characteristics. It squicked me for about half a second and then I got squicked again that the revelation that one species within the genus is cannibalistic. Despite all that, though, I really liked A Hint of Frost. It reminded me a bit of Ame...more

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Oct 21, 2012 Jacqueline Rhoades rated it 4 of 5 stars

Sometimes when I read, I hear music. The melody is in the author's prose, the rythm in the cadence of her voice. Haily Edwards had me hearing the music in A Hint of Frost. Engaging from the first page to last, I didn't want to put it down.
Thrown into a leadership she isn't quite prepared for, Lourdes must take over as Mavin of her clan after the brutal poisoning of her mother. With little choice, she must turn to another clan for help and must be willing to sacrifice her own happiness for the sa...more

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Aug 12, 2012 Chandra rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: early-reviewer, romance, paranormal, contemporary, fantasy

* Thank you to the author, Hailey Edward, for allowing me to be a Early Reviewer on the JeepDiva Blog http://www.thejeepdiva.com. *

AUTHOR: A Hint of Frost is Book (one) of the Araneae Nation series. By my count, author Hailey Edward has written a total of (7) books. Some Native American tribal traditions were used as an inspiration to the writing of this book.

GENRE: Paranormal, Contemporary fiction, Fantasy

SETTING:
City of Erania and home of the Araneidae clan.

CENTRAL FEMALE CHARACTER: Her fat...more

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Jun 09, 2012 Dark Faerie Tales rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: reviewed-by-sheila

Review Courtesy of Dark Faerie Tales

Quick & Dirty: A love story discovered within the binds of duty.

Opening Sentence: Fear kept my steps nimble.

The Review:

Don’t let the title fool you, A Hint of Frost may start out a little cold, but the characters heat it up fast. It has a nice balance of sexual tension without dipping into porno territory. The two main characters, Lourdes and Rhys, are thrust into a marriage based on alliance rather than love. Though they did not choose one another initial...more

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Apr 30, 2012 Buffy Kennedy rated it 5 of 5 stars

Reading a blurb that leads you to believe the fantasy world holds arachnid-like humanoids sounds interesting and unique, right? I thought so too…and I was not disappointed. I couldn’t put it down! The book opens up to Lourdes fleeing her would-be captors following the sudden demise of her ruling parents and seeking the help of her mother’s best friend, who happens to rule the most feared clan in the region, reputed to be cannibals. Despite the age-old friendship, her rescuer insists Lourdes unit...more

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Apr 21, 2012 Critique de Book rated it 4 of 5 stars

Title: A Hint of Frost
Author: Hailey Edwards
Genre: Fantasy
Publisher: Samhain Publishing (April 17, 2012)
Available: $3.85 at Samhain Publishing
Rating: 4 stars
Rater: Lesleigh

For a novel with such a chill throughout, the author’s lush writing provides an especially warm and welcome counterpoint. I found myself lulled by her rhythmic use of sentences, some long and textured and other short and sparse. Readers who enjoy minimalist writing with few descriptors would do better looking elsewhere for a...more Title: A Hint of Frost
Author: Hailey Edwards
Genre: Fantasy
Publisher: Samhain Publishing (April 17, 2012)
Available: $3.85 at Samhain Publishing
Rating: 4 stars
Rater: Lesleigh

For a novel with such a chill throughout, the author’s lush writing provides an especially warm and welcome counterpoint. I found myself lulled by her rhythmic use of sentences, some long and textured and other short and sparse. Readers who enjoy minimalist writing with few descriptors would do better looking elsewhere for a fantasy fix; Edwards is a devout sensualist.

Like any good romance writer, Edwards puts the romance front and center and spins everything in the world around its primacy. That said, her story is smart and realistic, introducing characters and situations that she clearly intends to develop further over the course of several books. In this one, Lourdes, the main character, finds her parents poisoned and herself thrust into the role of leading her people during a time of war. Her first act as “maven”? Marrying herself to a clan that will protect hers.

The novel moves forward and derives its narrative tension from the defection/abduction of Lourdes’ sister, Pascale, and Lourdes’ determination to bring her home safely. She and her new consort embark on a journey to distant lands, all the while learning more about one another, a plague spreading across the lands, and the scope of their feelings for one another.

Even without the world-building Edwards does in this book, the story and characters are compelling; it’s comfortingly familiar, as romance novels should be, while introducing enough twists to keep the readers intrigued. Edwards’ strength, however, lies in her world-building. Edwards’ Araneae Nation features several clans, each of which specializes, not only occupationally but physiologically, in producing certain goods or services. The clans are separate but interdependent, each important but hierarchically situated. For examples, Lourdes’ clan, the Araneidae, weave silks and make clothing, while Rhys, her “partisan,” belongs to the cannibalistic warrior clan known as the Mimetidae. This interdependent clan arrangement might fall into a Hunger Games-esque patterns were it not for the very real physiological and cultural differences characterizing clan members. For example, depending on their clan heritage, characters in Edwards’ world may spin silk from their very own bodies or use their bites to inject venom into their prey. Edwards notes in her acknowledgements she researched various Native American tribes for inspiration, and it is most apparent in her choices of names, skills, and relationships among her clansfolk. As a sociologist, I found myself intrigued and impressed by the various traditions (thread-binding, for example) that Edwards constructed as growing organically from the structure of clan relationships.

My concerns with the book are somewhat small since overall, I found myself quite delighted. Edwards’ prose is effusive and her characters bold and vibrant. I was somewhat disappointed when she lapsed into the occasional modern American idioms and clichés. Of course, English is likely her first language, as it is mine, but clichés, colloquialisms, and idioms are verbal shortcuts and should be avoided in most literature; in fantasy realms, they become even more awkwardly visible. Words like “potshots,” “look a gift animal in the mouth,” and so on pulled me from the richness of the words and the story they built. They’re small concerns overall, but I found myself annoyed several times to have my attention yanked from the lushness of her prose.

My rating: Four out of five stars. This is a smartly written novel in the best tradition of romances that also includes enough fantasy staples and uniqueness to keep just about any reader spellbound.

from Critique de Book: web site http://critiquedebook.blogspot.com/20...(less)

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Apr 19, 2012 E_bookpushers rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: e-book, fantasy, own-it, romance, series

Well I never thought I would find myself reading a romance whose characters have some characteristics of spiders. I am used to spiders or were-spiders being used as the bad guys. No these weren't Were but they all had possessed spinnerets in their hands/wrists, not all used them. They all had fangs, some possess venom others didn't. Some were vegetarians, others omnivores, and still others were straight carnivores. Alliances were made and broken, certain animals were domesticated and others fear...more

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Apr 13, 2012 Leigh rated it 4 of 5 stars

I truly enjoyed the new world discovered in Hailey Edward's Everlong, so I was thrilled to see the beautiful cover and synopsis for her new book A Hint of Frost. I was gifted with an ARC from Mrs. Edwards to review and I finished the book today, slightly confused, yet wanting more (and more) of the new world of the Araneae Nation.

The story begins with murder and bloodshed amongst the clan Araneidae people and their leaders and thus leadership is inherited by their firstborn daughter, Lourdes. He...more I truly enjoyed the new world discovered in Hailey Edward's Everlong, so I was thrilled to see the beautiful cover and synopsis for her new book A Hint of Frost. I was gifted with an ARC from Mrs. Edwards to review and I finished the book today, slightly confused, yet wanting more (and more) of the new world of the Araneae Nation.

The story begins with murder and bloodshed amongst the clan Araneidae people and their leaders and thus leadership is inherited by their firstborn daughter, Lourdes. Her clan is a peaceful one, known for silk-spinning and being extravagantly wealthy. But, need, desperation, honor, and continued attacks on her clan bring her to to become engaged to Rhys, the son of a rival clan, the Mimetidae, who are known brutal, fierce cannibal warriors. They must marry in order to bring peace to her own clan, and she agrees if she receives aid in exacting vengeance for the death of her parents. The story takes us on their quest for peace, answers in the murder of Lourde's parents and the disappearance of her sister, Pascale, and along the way Rhys and Lourdes discover that their new bond is developing and reaching far beyond that of duty and honor to their clans, and is quickly approaching the realm of love.

The world of Araneae is rich with exciting possibilities. Many clans, with a different species of human than our own, new talents beyond our own, new animals to discover– so many possibilities within the realm, that I can't wait to return there.

My only problems with the book was that first of all, it wasn't long enough, not by half. Secondly – I was left confused by a few things that I feel should be addressed in books to come in some way. Caution, some spoilers ahead....
(view spoiler)

Done with the critical parts, I really enjoyed the book. The characters are awesome. The story is intriguing, it was a fast read and hard for me to put down. I just wish we had a little bit more back story and detail. Keep em coming, Mrs. Edwards!(less)

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Apr 07, 2012 Annmarie rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: loved-these, my-reviews, book-boyfriends, aranea-nation

There are times when reading a story, the originality of the characters, plot, and story line will take me away in to the depths of my own mind where I can actually visualize the world in which the story takes place. The excitement will actually roll off of me when this happens.

A Hint of Frost did that and more.

The building of the Araneanean world as well as the supporting clans was amazing and very believable. These were worlds that on my most induced imaginative day would never come up with it...more

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Feb 21, 2013 Lulu rated it 5 of 5 stars

4.5 stars. This book was a tremendously pleasant surprise, having some of the most original world building I have read in years. This is more fantasy romance, no humans in sight, with a large cast of characters that inhabit Araneae Nation. They look human but have fangs (of varying degrees), venom (of varying degrees), spinnerets in their finger tips for weaving thread, a matriarchal society that live in underground caves or "nests", and, yes, there are those among them who battle their "flesh h...more 4.5 stars. This book was a tremendously pleasant surprise, having some of the most original world building I have read in years. This is more fantasy romance, no humans in sight, with a large cast of characters that inhabit Araneae Nation. They look human but have fangs (of varying degrees), venom (of varying degrees), spinnerets in their finger tips for weaving thread, a matriarchal society that live in underground caves or "nests", and, yes, there are those among them who battle their "flesh hunger". You get the picture. But, no worries, no Shelob here. It was fun and different and the story and setting swept me away.

It starts off with young Lourdes having become Maven of her wealthy Araneidae clan after the murder of her parents. They have been betrayed by their allies, her own father's clan, the Theridiidae, and Lourdes is forced into a new alliance with a brutal and impoverished clan of mercenaries, the Mimetidae. The Mimetidae Maven, Isolde, offers up her 2nd son, Rhys, as husband to Lourdes to seal their new alliance and, without any choice, Lourdes accepts. They are of course attracted to one another from the beginning, but Lourdes worries over their clan's reputed blood thirstiness. Rhys and his mother both have secrets which are a large part of the plot, along with solving the mystery of who within the Araneidae clan betrayed Lourdes' parents and why.

I liked almost everything about this book. Both Lourdes and Rhys are intelligent, attractive and brave. They don't quite have insta-love but admire one another from the beginning. There is a large supporting cast and I particularly enjoyed Lourdes younger brothers (Henri and Armand) and Rhys' older brother, Vaughn, who worked very hard at being an obnoxious jerk. Yes, some of the names of the clans and characters are a mouthful but are based on actual spider species. (For example, Mimetidae are "pirate spiders" who typically feed on other spiders. I looked it up.) Yes, in Typical Heroine Behavior, Lourdes does something Rhys specifically asks her not to do as soon as he turns his back. I didn't care. I still enjoyed it.

My only complaint is that the book is written in 1st person which I generally dislike (though not as much with this book) and, at 240 pages, it is too short. I wanted more, more, more! At least another 50 pages or so and more Lourdes, Rhys, Vaughn, Henri, Armand, Bram, etc. Yes, I am definitely hooked on Araneae Nation and am definitely reading book 2 A Feast of Souls, and the novella that just came out, A Cast of Shadows.(less)

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Feb 03, 2013 Lina rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: spidy-galore

I read this book with Kerry , who graciously agreed to do a read along with me. It was so much fun, and I am completely biased towards rating this book because the stars I will give are for the whole reading experience: Including our hilarious discussions every 2 chapters.

So let's say 3 stars for the story and 10 for the read-along ! Kerry , you rock!

At a glance:

Its told from the POV of Lourdes, the eldest daughter of the heads of the Aranae clan. The people from these clans are able to create th...more

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Apr 18, 2012 Kiwi rated it 4 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Fans of dark paranormal romances, and dark fantasy

Shelves: arcs-i-own, fantasy, paranormal-romance

I have to say, I really enjoyed this book. It's an enticingly otherworldly paranormal, with all sorts of fantastical creatures, including dragons. Who doesn't love dragons?

We dive straight into the action here, as a battle rages through Lourdes' city. To avenge her parents, and protect her people from further attack, she agrees to marry Rhys the Cold, known for his brutality, and a member of a clan feared because they cannibalise their fallen enemies.

Lourdes, despite being the eldest daughter of...more I have to say, I really enjoyed this book. It's an enticingly otherworldly paranormal, with all sorts of fantastical creatures, including dragons. Who doesn't love dragons?

We dive straight into the action here, as a battle rages through Lourdes' city. To avenge her parents, and protect her people from further attack, she agrees to marry Rhys the Cold, known for his brutality, and a member of a clan feared because they cannibalise their fallen enemies.

Lourdes, despite being the eldest daughter of the wealthiest clan in the world, is shrewd, intelligent and capable. She is a true heroine, a tough woman capable of doing what needs to be done, with no whining.

Likewise, Rhys is a hero I can definitely get behind. He is darkly funny, and tough and caring all at once, and holds the requisite dark secret about his past. The physical descriptions throughout the book are minimal, not just of Rhys and Lourdes, but of the fantastical creatures and the world they inhabit, but it's a minor flaw.

There is a wonderful romance here. It stops and starts, both characters are unsure of the other, things never quite work out, and there is a palpable tension between the two which keeps the reader turning the page.

There is a plot behind all the romance though, and this is the driving force of the book. In the chaos that follows the battle, Lourdes' sister has disappeared, and is feared taken by the enemy. Lourdes offers Rhys a deal- she'll wed him, and give his impoverished clan the money and armour they need, if he returns her sister to her. So off they set, travelling on the backs of bears through this realm, encountering all sorts of mysterious creatures and other clans.

If I were to have another criticism of the book, it would be that I felt it needed a little more world-building. I couldn't describe the worlds, the cities or its various peoples right now.

The romance, the relationship between siblings, the dialogue is all very realistic. This is the first in a series, and I will definitely be keeping an eye out for the next one. (less)

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Mar 24, 2012 Jackie Miller rated it 5 of 5 stars

Where to begin on this one? I was so impressed by this book! It's a wonderful fantasy type Romance. I didn't have to read very far into it to realize I was going to love it.

The relationship between Lourdes and Rhys is super steamy from the beginning, but it's not crude. It's all about the tension between them. He is one of my favorite fictional male types: muscley, manly and possessive of his girl. I realize that's not everyone's favorite, but it's done in such a sweet and yummy way in this one....more

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Jan 24, 2013 Maki Kotone rated it 3 of 5 stars

I didn't really understand this book.

I mean, I got that it's part romance, part fantasy, part murder mystery...but what the hell were the characters? At first I thought they were just some sort of magic race, but then there was mention of fangs, and poison and silk spinning from their fingertips...are they some sort of spiders? Like, half-human, half-spiders? Not all of them can spin, but they all have silk spinners in their fingers...I just...I just don't know.

To be honest, I didn't pay too muc...more

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Oct 10, 2012 Lauren rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy

Note: I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.

Lourdes becomes the new maven of the Araneidae clan after her parents are poisoned. Not only that but she also makes a deal to accept Rhys, a Mimetidae clansman, as her partisan aka husband to protect the safety of her clan.

As the main character, Lourdes has a strong sense of duty towards her clansmen and a loyalty to protect them and do whatever she must to save them. Her character attributes help her make the right de...more

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Apr 24, 2012 Ellen rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: romance-series, paranormal-series

This is an excellent new series.

Set in a world different from our the people are Arachnae, part spider. We come into the action straight away, Lourdes' parent have just been killed by a clan that was their long time allies. Her clan are rich but very vulnerable and so she reaches out to a friend of her mothers.

The mother's friend pledges her clan's help in return for clothing and Lourdes marrying her son Rhys.

Rhys belongs to a clan of cannibals. Turns out they only eat the flesh of the people th...more

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May 02, 2012 Dc13 rated it 3 of 5 stars

Well....Hmmm...I liked this. I really did. And I can't wait to hear what some more of ya'll think of it... (K! It's FANTASY! Let me know when ya read it!)
I think maybe it was just a bit to MUCH fantasy for me...I've gotta have a bit more of the Urban thrown in there...pure fantasy usually kind of makes me feel...I don't know...dumb I guess.
Alpha Male...CHECK! (Rhys IS YUMMY SOUNDIN FOLKS!)
Confused-Sheltered-Her-Whole-Life-Female...CHECK! Although she did NOT annoy me. I liked her and felt for he...more

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Jan 23, 2013 Kelly rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: ebooks, free-ebooks, paranormal-romance, read-in-2013

Holy wow, Batman! There is so much world building goodness going on here that my head is spinning. In a good way. This is a world that's created from the ground up and it tickles my fancy in such a big way. SUCH A BIG WAY. Nests and spinning, venomous bites and horrible death, and sweet, sweet lovin' when the sun goes down. <3 <3 <3

My overwhelming love for tortured heroes is in full force here. Rhys has to deal with sly pokes from his family about something he has no control over. He ke...more

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Apr 23, 2012 Van rated it 4 of 5 stars

This book sucked me in from the very first page, the story started immediately after the death of Lourdes’s parents and it never lost steam as it continued that way till the very end. I love the world that Ms. Edwards created, each clan has something different and unique and we get to see how they are through their interactions with Lourdes and Rhys. The two central character of the book Lourdes and Rhys are the types of hero and heroines that readers love to read about. Lourdes is a strong, ind...more

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Jan 31, 2012 Angela Blount rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: favorites, romance

Full version of review for RT Magazine: March 2012 edition

4 ½ Stars!

The author spins an action-packed story of intrigue and betrayal, with an endearing romance at it's heart. I adore a good marriage of convenience tale that ultimately turns into much more – and this one is exceptional. The dialogue is strong, the storyline compelling, and the prose artful. I nearly devoured this book in a single sitting, I was so hesitant to put it down once I'd been caught in it's web.

The fantasy world setting...more

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May 01, 2012 Paranormal Haven rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: reviewed-read-by-stephanie

Lourdes has just become the maven of the Araneidae clan after finding her parents poisoned in their bed. To protect her people and find the person responsible for killing her parents, she has agreed to wed a warrior clan's most dangerous fighter. Rhys the Cold is merciless with his sword and partakes in the flesh of his enemies along with his clansmen. His new bride is beautiful and caring, two things that are not common in his world. As quickly as an attraction begins to develop, it's threaten...more Lourdes has just become the maven of the Araneidae clan after finding her parents poisoned in their bed. To protect her people and find the person responsible for killing her parents, she has agreed to wed a warrior clan's most dangerous fighter. Rhys the Cold is merciless with his sword and partakes in the flesh of his enemies along with his clansmen. His new bride is beautiful and caring, two things that are not common in his world. As quickly as an attraction begins to develop, it's threaten when Lourdes' sister goes missing and the couple must venture through lands that carry a plague that may prove to be more deadly than their enemies poisonous fangs.

More often than not, it takes quite a bit of time for me to like a heroine but that wasn't the case with Lourdes. She could easily have put her desire for justice and revenge for her parents ahead of the needs of her clan but instead she strikes a balance between the two with a logic and understanding that should be beyond her years. When she was with Rhys, I got to see a different side of her that I liked just as much. Lourdes is inexperienced when it comes to being with men and when she's with Rhys, there's a shyness and innocence to her you don't see any other time. I thinking getting the chance to see both the strong leader and the delicate woman behind the tough exterior was great.

Like Lourdes, Rhys has two sides to him. There's the battle ready fighter that's earned the name Rhys the Cold and then there's the man who wants more from Lourdes than to fulfill an agreement she made with his clan's leader. Despite the fact he eats the flesh of the enemies he's killed, I really liked Rhys. Physically, he's what you'd expect in a warrior: tall, strong, and skilled with a sword. All that was nice but it was how he was when he was with Lourdes that had me forgiving his cannibalistic tendencies. Rhys respected Lourdes and wanted something permanent and meaningful with her. He really puts himself out there and showed a vulnerable side, something he would have been ridiculed for in his tribe, that only Lourdes gets to see. It was very sweet without being over the top or silly.

The romance in A Hint of Frost is slow building yet intense. Rhys gives Lourdes the space to grieve yet makes himself available for her. Lourdes shows a kindness to Rhys he is unfamiliar with. They're from different worlds but with a sweet gesture here and some heartfelt words there, they work past the barriers that stand in the way of them being happy and in love. They took the time to really get to know one another and to be what the other needs. All that made for their big moment between the sheets that much more meaningful.

The romance and main characters really hit all the right notes, but there were a couple things that bordered the line of creepy for me. Surprisingly, it wasn't the eating of the enemies' flesh that did it because it's shown maybe once and is more talked about than anything else. While everyone looks very human like, it was the spider fangs, venom and silk they'd produce that made my skin crawl at times. I'm not saying I hated it because I found it all to be interesting and very different from what I normally encounter but as someone who shrieks and runs away at the site of a spider, it didn't always set well with me. I read other reviews where the reviewers apparently didn't take issue with this and I don't want this to be the sole reason someone doesn't read the book, but I felt it was worth mentioning.

Solving a murder, finding a missing girl and discovering new love is just the beginning of what you'll find in A Hint of Frost. Despite the spider-like similarities of the characters, I really enjoyed taking a tour of the Araneae Nation, getting to know the different tribes and learning how their matriarchal system worked. But above all, it was Lourdes and Rhys, both as admirable individuals and a dynamic couple, which had me coming back for more. I'll be back for book two in the series.
- Stephanie(less)

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Feb 04, 2013 Vicky rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy, own-nook-epub-pdf, zz-american-author, top-10-of-2013, series-in-progress, romance

I picked this book up for free on my Nook and was pleasantly surprised with how much I liked it - I read it all in one sitting.

I thought the world building was really interesting. The Araneae Nation is a clan based society where each clan is based on a scientific family of spider. The Mimetiade clan is cannibalistic, the Araneidae clan produces the best quality silk. Some clans are venomous and others are not. Aside from their arachnid roots, each clan has a unique culture. My only complaint wa...more

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Apr 26, 2012 Marissa rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: first-in-series, fantasy, romance, ebook

Beautiful, sweet, exciting, fascinating.
I loved the unique world, characters, and its setting. They were all surprisingly easy to envision and become attached to.
This story was about a battle for survival between clans, with a sweet love story that is born from sacrifice, duty, and honor. I was rooting for Rhys and Lourdes ever since their first glimpses of each other in the midst of fierce conflict. However, nothing goes easy for these two, who are forced into a relationship and then expected...more

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Apr 16, 2012 Jess the Romanceaholic rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: paranormal-romance, too-stupid-to-live-moment, forced-marriage, marriage-of-convenience, 2012-read, requested-review, family-issues, betrayal, fantasy, arranged-or-mail-order-marriage, would-buy-it-for-the-cover, virgin-hero, tortured-hero, blame-it-on-your-parents, steam-level-steamy, oh-noes-u-saw-me-nekkid

This is a Quickie Review. For the full review, please visit The Romanceaholic

Expected Release Date: April 17, 2012
Publisher: Samhain
Imprint: N/A
Author’s Website: http://haileyedwards.net/
My Source for This Book: Gift from the Author
Part of a Series: Yes, Book 1, Araneae Nation
Series Best Read In Order: N/A
Steam Level: Steamy

While I admit that I probably would’ve fared better had I had a map of the clans or perhaps a glossary with my copy, I absolutely adored this story. Had it not been for the m...more

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Quotes from A Hint of Frost

“Forgive me, Old One." Vaughn stifled a yawn. "Is there a point to this bedtime story?"

Rhys picked up the fork from Vaughn's plate and drove it into his brother's thigh. "There. I've made four points for him.” — 3 people liked it

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A Hint of Frost (Araneae Nation #1)

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