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Daughter of Winter #2

Winter Heiress

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"Please stand for the Daughter of Winter, the Slayer of Demons, the Heir to the Throne, her Royal Highness, the Lady Wynter."


Wyn thought everything would be unicorns and rainbows once she reached her mother's palace.

The last things she expected were assassination attempts, the Summer King readying for war and, worst of all, frilly dresses.

But all of that is pushed to the side when one of her Guardians needs her help. They're hers. And she'll protect them while keeping her vow to protect the Realm. No matter the cost.


***This is the second novel in the Daughter of Winter series. While the bestselling first book, Winter Princess, was released as a serial, this is a full-length novel.***


The Daughter of Winter Series

#0 Prequel: Mother of Gods (Breaking the Myth Anthology, ASIN: B078J4SFJP)
#1 Winter Princess
#1.5 Spin-off: Demon's Revenge (ASIN: B078J8B1M4)
#2 Winter Heiress
#3 Winter Queen

204 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 10, 2018

186 people are currently reading
321 people want to read

About the author

Skye MacKinnon

215 books915 followers
Skye 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

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5 stars
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200 (33%)
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120 (20%)
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34 (5%)
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11 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 98 reviews
959 reviews6 followers
October 15, 2023
I must be missing something here. There were so many good reviews but I had a REALLY hard time with this book. Not because of the storyline or the characters but bc I felt like I was missing so much information. I mean seriously I had to double check this was book 2 bc I felt like I’d missed out on important info. It randomly mentioned that she’s half god/half guardian, like it’s something that has been discussed before even though it hasn’t. Then we get very few reasons why she was shipped off to the human world. 1 sentence really and it makes absolutely no sense why someone would be shipped off without being taught anything about your realm simply bc in the past when they come of age it can be a disaster. Huh here’s an idea have them grow up in the realm but send them to earth for a month before the change. So little explanation and it was just accepted. Then there’s her father. There is conflicting info about him as well. We are told her father and mother were only together a week. That’s all the time they had before he died. Then later in the book it says her father Escaped the castles prison. Did I fall asleep somewhere and not realize it? Cause that is the ONLY time a prison is ever mentioned and again it felt like the author forgot her own storyline. Holes everywhere. And yes I realize at the end the author tells us of another book we can purchase that has the queens love story but I shouldn’t have to read a book (that wasn’t even included in the series list) to understand what is being talked about. I hope the other book doesn’t have so many glaring inconsistencies.
Profile Image for SJ.
2,321 reviews15 followers
February 10, 2018
OMG! Squeal fest! The next instalment is Wyn and her gorgeous guardians and it’s a doozie

Grab your tissues and settle down comfortably as we are going to learn about Crispins past, his past is shocking and sad and explains a lot about why he is the way he his, and he is scared Wyn will see him differently once she knows

Wyn also meets a unicorn, who in my opinion, is the best unicorn ever and who brings some fun and hilarity I to this story. This story is action packed, the story continues on a great pace with some twists and turns along the way. It is also a feel fest with a whole range of emotions evoked

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and am very excited for the next in the series, I highly recommend
Profile Image for Michelle Fritz PA.
1,335 reviews98 followers
February 5, 2018
This was just as wonderfully penned as the first! All the drama, the flirty fun and togetherness of Wyn and her Guardians makes this one exceptional RH series! It's the story, the characters, the sweet moments that are the driving forces behind the plot ♡ This addition had us learning more of the past. Some scenes were utterly heart shattering. We can't help but want to give Wyn a huge hug at the end. Nothing is ever easy for a Demi-Goddess, but she's dealing with such a sad occurrence with heaps of uncertainty. I'm ready to begin book 3, but alas, it's not be released yet.... Major high fives to this brilliant author who not only entertains, but does so flawlessly and with unending flair!!
Profile Image for Jessica Robbins.
2,598 reviews50 followers
August 6, 2018
Poor Wynter thought she would be safer once she entered her mothers realm but it was not meant. Assassins and more do their best to take out not only her but her mother as well. Lots of twists and turns with a lovely library twist that I rather enjoyed. If you loved book one then you have to try this one. I really liked it so I give it 4/5 stars.
1,394 reviews9 followers
December 2, 2021
I love these stories about Wyn and her Guardians. I always am wondering what will happen to the group and who will be the villain in this story. The story is getting even more steamy between Wyn and her Guardians, even Crispin, who was a little nervous and not as touchy feely as some of the others were in the last story. She finally finds out a little about Crispin's past and realizes why he has boon acting the way he has and vows to make the Goddess who caused him his pain to suffer and end. Their are more attempts on the palace and this time, it is Wyn who they target, now her mother is on the warpath to find out who is doing this. This book was so entertaining and I can't wait to see what happens next. I was surprised by what happened to the demon who is on their side in the end now I am eagerly anticipating the next book to find out!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Ola Adamska.
2,881 reviews26 followers
February 5, 2018
This story ends in a Point I could hate Author. So big cliffhanger! You were Warner dear Reader.
Story continue nad we learn a lot about 2 guardians - interesting thing with 2 huge events / wyys I hadnt expected.
My motto after this one: not only in uni forms are SOoooo important.. .
Book 3 can't come soon enaugh!
Profile Image for Ann.
327 reviews5 followers
February 8, 2018
Amazing. I loved every part of this book. Wyn is still trying to get the hang of everything in the winter realm and work on her relationship with each of her four guys. I loved the mystery of the assassins and who is out to get wyn and biera. I was good to see more of crispin's past and storm to show a gentler side. I don't want to say anything too spoilerish but wyn is awesome and the ending was killer.
Profile Image for Amanda  Lee.
1,248 reviews43 followers
July 11, 2019
I have been impatiently awaiting more of Wyn and her Guardians. We learn more about Crispin's heartbreaking past and the person who created him. This story is filled with action and humour, thanks especially to a certain unicorn. The ending is a cliffhanger and I am very excited for the next book.

The audio is good, I’m not fond of how she does a couple of the voices but it’s clear and easy to follow and distinguish between each of the characters.
Profile Image for Melissa Levine.
1,028 reviews42 followers
December 5, 2018
While I thought book one of this series was a little slow-going and felt there wasn’t that much happening, I really liked book two. But obviously, book one had something to pique my interest enough to go ahead and purchase book two. As I stated in my book one review, who wouldn’t want to be surrounded by a group of attractive men whose job it is to protect you. 😉

The biggest…question I had with book two was regarding Chrispin’s attitude. While in book one he was the least forthcoming of the guardians, he was more likely to keep his distance from Wyn, rarely talked or showed he cared about anything, in book two, he was joking around (right at the beginning and throughout) and seemed to have done a 180. What was going on with him? Did the author forget he wasn’t as outgoing as the other three guardians?

Questions/Comments:

I feel like I missed a big part between the two books also. When/how did Wyn get her magic back? I guess I somehow missed that part. Last I listened to (audiobook version), Wyn’s magical cave had rocks blocking the entrance and her magic was trapped inside, and no one seemed to be able to help her.

The immortality test Wyn took…well, I wasn’t a fan of that part. I guess it’s just that Wyn comes across as dumb or some other negative adjective. It’s like with the mental test, she knows her parents aren’t actually around, and knows that the test will involve someone/something trying to break into her mind barrier. Yet, she freaks out when she sees her parents on the other side and feels she has to get them inside with her. What would she have done had they been bad? Then during the magical test, a version of Bayra appears. Again, this is a test. These aren’t the real people, yet Wyn seems clueless like she’s forgotten what’s going on. It left me feeling annoyed.

Moving on, one of the things that stuck with Wyn when she fought the fake Bayra was when she was told that Bayra had been waiting for her birth, so she could kill her. Um…had Bayra not really wanted Wyn, why would she have waited for Wyn’s birth and not done something about the pregnancy sooner? That part didn’t make sense and left me wondering how Wyn didn’t pick up on that. Although, I’m under the suspicion that the author didn’t fully grasp what she was saying there. No offense to the author!

Bayra ends up telling Wyn that her guardian father hadn’t been magically-inclined. How so? It seems like everyone in Bayra’s world has magical capabilities. Speaking of magic, given Bayra is the Mother of the Gods, how is she not the most powerful? I didn’t understand that. I mean, Wyn seems to have more control over a larger array of elements than her mother does. Or when we’re told that the Moragan has three-times the magic than Bayra. How in the world did Bayra give her that much magic?

One of my pet peeves when it comes to reading/listening to/watching a sex scene is when the main characters don’t clean themselves off afterward, especially the female. Is it just me? It’s like, how do you do that…then just roll over and go to sleep. Sorry, but no! And with Wyn, she has sex with two guardians, one after the other, two times the cum, and afterward just gets her clothes back and goes about her day. HOW? Or what about pregnancy?

When Auk and Wyn send the converted demon to her parents’ house, how did Auk think that was the best of ideas given the situation. The demon might have been recommended, but the demons were after Wyn. It would have made more sense to send another guardian or used some other magical capability.

In the end, I'm very interested in acquiring book three of this series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
2,951 reviews41 followers
December 7, 2021
This is book two of the Daughter of Winter series and the main character is Wyn, daughter of Beira the Queen of Winter and the Mother of Gods, the ruler of the land for six months of the year, the other half of the year meant to be ruled by the King of Summer, Angus. Someone has tried to kill the Queen and Wyn had been sent to the human realm and left with adoptive parents, to be raised as human, to protect her. Her four Guardians, Storm, Frost, Arc and Crispin, brought her back to the royal palace after an assignation attempt was made on her mother, leaving her weakened and her magic not as powerful as before, although she hides that from all but Wyn. She now has to learn all about her role as her mother’s heir and how the palace runs, meet the council, and loads of frilly and scratchy dresses! She doesn’t even have as much alone time with any of her Guardians anymore, with them all back into their normal roles in the palace. It seems the Summer King is sending in spies and gathering his forces to attack the queen again, but demons have attacked the Gates protecting their lands.
Wyn has a lot to learn and in a short time, before she comes under personal danger that not even her Guardians or her mother expected. She has vowed to keep the realm safe and to protect everyone within it, and would lay down her life for any of her four Guardians, as they would for her. She hasn’t bonded with one of her Guardians yet and he is hiding a lot of hurt and damage from his past, things he hasn’t talked to anyone about. She helps him to open up and learns possibly more that she expected. Learning the full depth of depravity that some with the powers of the Gods, will go to, to do as they wish. It has been a few weeks since she saw her parents, as she still thinks of her adoptive parents as, and she wants to see them and talk to them, to make sure they are okay, but it isn’t safe for her to return to the human realm in person! One of her Guardians has an idea of how to allow her to contact them, without causing her any physical harm, but nothing is quite as it seems and it causes a cliffhanger of an ending to this book. Someone evil is coming and wants the power over all the realms and is willing to do anything to get what they want. I can’t wait to see what happens next and if Wyn can control her anger over what happened and listen to her Guardians. I received an ARC copy of this book from BookSprout and I have freely given my own opinion of the book above.
Profile Image for bluepits73.
323 reviews
November 5, 2018
Book 2 picks up right where book 1 leaves off. No dreaded info dump!

We get to see more relationship building between Winter and the guardians, especially Crispin. We learn more about the Winter Kingdom and some other important details. 

The author is still building relationships and filling in important back story details, so there isn't as much movement in the plot as one would hope; however, one is easily ensnared by the writing and you can't help but to hang onto every word.

Enticing cliffhanger at the end. Can't wait for the next installment in this reverse harem!

Fast paced, and is (sadly) over before you know it because you just want to keep on listening. 

Narration was great, and is consistent with book 1. Probably even a smidge better than book 1 (though book 1 was great).
Excellent performance!

I received a review copy of the book and have voluntarily left this unbiased review. 4.5 stars
Profile Image for Mom2three.
2,020 reviews16 followers
February 18, 2018
I'm surprised to say this, but I loved this one even more than I loved Winter Princess. A warning: these books MUST be read in order, but don't let that stop you from picking this one up, because the first book in the series is INCREDIBLE, and you should read it anyway. Wyn is a character that is easily relate-able, and the story has moments of humor mixed in with the suspense and heat. We learn more about her and her guardians, and we get to continue to watch their relationship grow. We also get to meet new characters, which always keeps things interesting. Even if you don't think you are a fan of RH romances I challenge you to pick up this series. It is incredible, and Skye has a wonderful way of making her worlds come alive that shouldn't be missed.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Patty.
4,962 reviews49 followers
October 13, 2018
Book two of the Daughter of Winter continues with Wyn living with her 4 Guardians. She is missing her adoptive parents, getting to know her Guardians better and just when things we going smoothly, an attempt on her life is made! There are a lot of twists and turns in this installment, giving us a look at immortality, lots of magic and dragons. We get a look into Crispin's past, learning how he first was raised and the reasons he views himself as he does. So many things to take in, and the ending leaves us hanging! We need the next book to resolve the mysteries of the demons and if Wyn with the help of her guardians can save all of her loved ones!

Laurel Schroeder is amazing as these characters grow and evolve. Every one with their own voice, multiple accents and incredible personalities, Schroeder keeps the listener engaged and thrilled.
Profile Image for Brianna Belbin.
478 reviews16 followers
May 1, 2019
This book was just as great as the first! I loved that we got to learn about Crispen’s past and find out why he acts the way he does. It really made him seem more realistic and made his actions and personality more reasonable. Wyn’s relationships with her guardians continue to grow along with her relationship with her mom, Biera. This book had so many twists and turns, heartbreaking moments, and suspense. I can’t wait to see what happens next and go on another journey with Wyn and her men!
Laurel did another amazing job with her narration! She puts a lot of emotion into her performance to bring the characters and story to life. It’s always a great experience to listen to her voice and accents that she does for each character!
*I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
@AudiobookObsession
Profile Image for Kathleen Bruce.
259 reviews7 followers
February 13, 2018
Once again another great book from Skye McKinnon and the second book in the Daughter of Winter series, which the first one I read as a serial. What's great about Winter Heiress is that we learn more about the Winter Kingdom, about Beira (you really should read Mother of Gods). But we also learn more about the guys, mainly Storm and Crispin. But there are some real secrets and painful pasts that come to life. So have the tissues ready people.

Oh did i mention there were unicorns? Well there is and he doesn't disappoint. There are laughs, snort worthy moments and sexy times. But heartbreak and sad times too. And a cliffhanger. The author was mean. Particularly with that ending. *glares at author for last chapter* looking forward to Winter Queen. It's going to be fantastic!
Profile Image for Beth C..
1,829 reviews15 followers
February 13, 2018
Exciting, intriguing, heart-wrenching and steamy all at once!

Wow! This book was even better than the first! I am loving all the characters...of course Wyn, Crispin, Arc, Storm and Frost, but also Beira, and OMG, Blaze! Lol!
This second book in the series keeps you on a rollercoaster of emotions. It was exciting and sad and frustrating and infuriating and super steamy and sexy me heartbreaking. It just depends on what chapter you're reading. Loved all of it! And the end was just a great cliffhanger! (Yes, I was upset by it for multiple reasons. But it was a great cliffhanger.)
And one of my very favorite parts of this book was the "dedication" at the beginning! Loved it! You tell 'em Skye!
Profile Image for Jocelyne.
4,789 reviews21 followers
January 31, 2019
This is the second book in this fantastic Series, The Daughter of Winter. The story continues where the first book ended, so you absolutely have to read/listen to the first book before this one. I love Wyn and her guardians Arc, Crispin, Storm and Frost. The other characters are also really interesting. The story is intriguing and captivating, filled with twist and turn, steamy scenes, and also humorous scenes. In this book, we learn more about Cripin's story, and also about Wyn's mother. This book ends with a cliffhanger, and now I can't wait for the next book in the Series! Laurel Schroeder did an amazing job with the narration! I received this free review copy audiobook at my request and I have voluntarily written this review.
Profile Image for Shy Gawerecki.
1,759 reviews12 followers
February 20, 2019
Talk about unexpected twists. This book was chalked full of them right to the very end. Some of them were heartbreaking, some just surprising, but all of it has me desperate for the next book. Skye MacKinnon wasn’t an author I was previously familiar with before having the opportunity to start this series, but she has certainly impressed with her complex characters, her story and world building, and her ability to keep the reader guessing of what’s going to come next. None of this book was predictable for me.



The narrator is one of my favorites and I never have any complaints where she’s concerned. She kept the expectation of awesome going for me with this one. I look forward to more stories by both this author and this narrator and I absolutely cannot wait to get Winter Queen.
Profile Image for Denise.
1,268 reviews5 followers
December 2, 2021
This is a NON-SPOILER REVIEW of Winter Heiress, the second book in the Daughter of Winter series by Skye MacKinnon. I really enjoyed this read. Wyn is in her mother's realm and it is definitely not what she expected. Between the court intrigue, assassination attempts, war becoming inevitable, issues with her guards and (Oh, The HORROR) frilly dresses, Wyn has about had it! The action and drama continue, but so does the witty banter and character chemistry. There are a few storyline hiccups, but the entertainment factor makes up for them. I found myself flipping pages and laughing out loud. Mature Readers Suggested.

This honest and voluntary review was made possible by reading a copy through Booksprout.
1,576 reviews10 followers
February 17, 2018
Customs of Court Etiquette
This is the third book that I've read by Sky MacKinnon and I'm becoming a real fan of her writing.  She has such a clever way of drawing you into her 'world' and keeping you entertained right to the end.  I do have one confession - I HATE serials and this ends on a cliffhanger so I'm now waiting very impatiently for book 3 of this series.  This is a fabulous series and I didn't think it could get any better than book 1 but she did it.  A fantastic read that I really encourage you to get - obviously get book 1 first!!. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

DEFINITELY RECOMMENDED
1,206 reviews
December 4, 2018
Wyn's anxiety is off the chart in this episode as she finds herself under constant attack by covert assassins while under her mother's protection. The suffering continues as one of Wyn's beloved Guardians relives tragic painful memories. Additionally, Wyn discovers that her adopted parents on Earth have also been placed in danger because of her newly secured position as heir to the Winter throne. Though there was much suffering by many beloved characters in this chapter of this ongoing
saga, the action and intrigue adds so much interest to the developing plot. This stimulating story is becoming so much more engrossing as the enemy closes in on Wyn and her mother's throne.
Profile Image for Rute Teixeira.
125 reviews1 follower
February 23, 2018
I was going for a 5 star review untill the cliffhanger.... I HATE them! That beeing said.... I didn't read the first book but it didn't stop me from understanding the storie. Wyn is so amazing and so down to earth (I felt i was her most of the time). The Unicorn (ups... a spoiler) is a riot. The real vilain is a nice touch and a bit of a twist. All in all a great reading experience (except for the cliffhanger arghhhh)

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Sherry Christenson.
259 reviews5 followers
November 29, 2018
I absolutely love this series! I want to be Winter so I can flirt and spent time with her guardians. This book picks up where the first book leaves off. All though there seems to be just as much danger now that they’ve reached her mothers realm. The story line, character development, suspense and I think I’m in book shock after the ending. Laurel Schroeder’s narration is spot on! She moves in between the characters expertly and brings Winter to life as no one else can. Definitely recommend
Profile Image for CarolKat.
2,280 reviews28 followers
February 1, 2020
I'm not sure whether I got a bigger kick out of the dresses or Wyn's guardians attempts to change them.

We meet a very interesting character in this one, his name is Blaze and he's a unicorn and his 'sparkles' have an interesting effect on Wyn.

Assassination attempts, an interesting visit to a 'library' and a war on the horizon will keep you turning the pages.

We also see Chesca in this one as well as many other characters as they try to figure out who is behind everything.

I am already starting Winter Queen, the next book in the series.
2,309 reviews14 followers
November 28, 2021
Watching Wyn learn more about herself and her place within the winter court drew me further into the story. I really loved the twists, turns and intrigue that surface as threats to Wyn and her mother continue to escalate. The rich world building and descriptions of magical characters and their abilities also amazed me. As well, learning more about Crispin and his history really help me understand him better. With a story ending in a cliffhanger, I can’t wait to see what happens next.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
1,814 reviews7 followers
November 29, 2021
It was meant to be safer for Wyn, once she was with her Goddess mother (Beira), but the trouble seems to be stirring up more. Will her unruly magic keep getting out of hand? Can her 4 sexy Guardians (Storm, Frost, Arc and Crispin) keep her safe and help her train? Will Wyn have time for her men? I loved learning more on the backstory, the sense of danger, all the interesting magic and steam in this supernatural romance. I need the next book asap, please.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
4,579 reviews9 followers
December 2, 2021
This well-written book 2 in The Daughter of Winter Book Series is a fantasy reverse harem romance full of Scottish mythology, sexy alpha guys and explosive magic. Prepare for the story to go more in depth and you learn more about the Characters. I liked this book and this series. I look forward to others in this series. I love these amazingly well-developed characters and community. These characters are unique with interesting personalities and histories.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for TipseyBookReviews.
1,437 reviews52 followers
February 11, 2018
Love this story!

This story has it all - laughter, emotion, action, and a unicorn :) I love that we get to see Wyn and the guys in some down times. I liked that we get to learn more about Crispin, and get to see what life is like as a Princess. I also liked the scenes with the Library of Life and of course Blaze -the unicorn :) The ending is intense and I can’t wait for Winter Queen to come out - my heart is breaking for Wyn!
1,293 reviews8 followers
February 15, 2018
This book is so good I absolutely loved the first book and this one is just as good if not better. The only this that is a downer is the cliffhangers but because it is so good I can forgive that but I need to get the next installment ASAP please. I love that we get to learn so much more about Chrispin and meet so more characters. Drama, action so much fun.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Stephanie Meyer.
46 reviews
May 4, 2018
Just found the newest member of Disney's princesses

Once again this has been an amazing Fairy Tail to follow, Skye McKinnon has managed to intertwine mythology and Fairy Tail to make an everlasting book. Following Wynter, and her for Guardians into the new realm has been a true adventure. This book truly sucks you in till you are left happy, sad, excited, heartbroken, and everything in between. Once again the magic of written words comes to life.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 98 reviews

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