Reviewed by Kat
TITLE: A Heart of Winter
SERIES: Fairy Tale Retellings
AUTHOR: Sam Burns
PUBLISHER: Self Published
LENGTH: 93 pages
RELEASE DATE: August 7, 2025
BLURB:
A cold bed never bothered Johannes . . .
Until now.
Johannes is a three-hundred year old witch with a big problem. After twenty years together, the man he thought he’d spend the rest of his life with lashed out at him and walked away. Now, thanks to the emotional disaster, the powers he’s had a firm grip on since puberty are out of control, causing snowstorms wherever he goes.
Minnesota seems like a safe enough place to travel, since the people there are probably expecting snow in January anyway. Less safe is the gorgeous lawyer he meets there, Kai Mori, whose perfect smile threatens to send Johannes right back into teenage infatuation, if not more than that.
While it seems that being back in love should settle his powers, the fact is that it’s getting worse, and drastic measures need to be taken before Johannes accidentally starts a whole new ice age.
A Heart of Winter was originally published chapter by chapter in Sam’s reader newsletter.
REVIEW:
I am really enjoying getting to discover new-to-me authors and their wonderful books this week!
Johannes has a problem. A really, really BIG problem. When his lover of the last twenty years just dumps him, his control over his magic suddenly falters. And flash blizzards in New York City in September are causing quite the commotion. He hasn’t had a situation like this since he hit puberty. So his best friend and fellow witch that he grew up with, Morwenna, sends him off to her cabin in the woods of Minnesota. There a freak snow storm in the fall won’t be so noticeable and out-of-place so he can wallow in his loss. Then he can get himself put back together and in control of his cold magic again. The cabin may have wonderful modern amenities like 5G cell service, WiFi, and electricity but is sorely lacking in heat. Johannes needs to find firewood and fast! So when he hears someone close by chopping wood he goes to investigate. What he never imagined was the buff, shirtless and gorgeous Japaneses man, with flawless skin that really should be a model, to offer to help him out. Or the instant chemistry that flares immediately!
Poor Johannes really did have major self worth issues. And most of them came from the barbs his good-for-nothing ex flicked at him on a constant basis. And Michael, his worthless sponge of an ex, was particularly cruel and brutal when he left. But it was Michael that was the real loser and Morwenna saw right through his sliminess. However, it was the stunning Kai that immediately fell for the beautiful man and made it his quiet mission to make sure he captured the old witch’s heart like his already was. In other paranormal romances I would immediately guess that they were fated mates. They were perfect for each other. And I wonder just how much of Johannes’s magic was left in Kai during that incident???
This enchanting story had some really interesting plot twists that I never saw coming (which is a unique and very welcome event for me in my readings) and several side characters that peaked my interest. The two best friends, Gerda and Morwenna, and their love and protection of their besties was a nice addition. And I would love to hear more about Gerda’s growth under Morwenna’s tutelage. And if, now that her bestie is in a safe and caring relationship, Morwenna can stop watching him and allow herself a more fulfilled life.
What a wonderful short read that warmed my heart.
RATING: 
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