Synamon Angelov lost everything in her life the night her mother died and her sisters were separated from her. Hurt by the very people who should have helped the girls, Syn is grown up and back in the town that turned its back on her and her family. Syn has questions about that night and she is going to make sure they are answered. It just might help that she looks like her mother and that magic is on her side.

Matthew Whitefeather is the Chief of Police of Salem, Ohio. While being a virtual newcomer to the town, Matt has always known that something odd surrounds the old house on the hill and he tries to protect both the residents from the house and the house from the residents. Getting a call about someone in the Angelov house leads to a unique meeting between Matt and Syn.

The attraction is instant and affects both Matt and Syn. When Syn convinces Matt to check out the things that happened the night her mother died, Matt finds many things that don't add up and decides to look a bit more. Syn is sending seismic waves through the town and the old prejudices quickly come back up. When Matt and Syn start rocking the long told story of that night, danger comes to call again. Can the trust, love, and magic they have found together keep Matt and Syn safe?

Winter's Daughter is the beginning story in a tale of what fear and prejudice can do. Syn is back to discover just what happened the night her mom died. Matt believes in legal justice and uses everything at his disposal to make sure it happens. Together, Matt and Syn seemed to leap off the pages and found a level of trust to go along with the passion that should not have been easy for them. I read Winter's Daughter one Saturday, totally ignoring everything around me. Engaging, gripping, and page-turning are a few terms I would use to describe Matt and Syn and their path to the truth and lasting love. I will be keeping a close eye on Ms. Wilder's site to see when the next sister's book is going to come out. For all of these reasons and some I can't seem to put words to, I Joyfully Recommend Winter's Daughter.

Jo
reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed

Twenty years ago the tragedy that broke up the Angelov family occurred. The Salem, Ohio police chief McNutt coldly informed fourteen Synnamon Angelov that her mom Victoria was walking when she died in a hit and run car accident just up the road from their home. He also orders her to tell her three younger sisters even as he directs his officers to search for evidence starting with breaking down a locked door. Being underage, the four siblings were violently separated as Syn sees evil emanate from McNutt while she telepathically claims her three younger sisters reminding them what they must do.

Now Synnamon has returned home to Salem as their house has called her and she assumes her sisters. She plans to learn what happened to her mom, why McNutt took "evidence", forcibly split the family apart, and to determine as she suspects whether he and his police force covered up the murder of her mother accused of witchcraft. The locals are unhappy to find an Angelov witch living amidst them in the house that fascinates many bit also terrorizes more; some threaten her life; others try to take her life. Only the present police chief Matthew Whitefeather is there for her, but Syn learned from McNutt not to trust cops.

The first Coven tale is an exciting paranormal thriller with whodunit and romantic elements to enhance the tense drama. Syn is a terrific protagonist as her return to Salem frightens much of the townsfolk especially since she looks just like her late mom did in her mid thirties; her amateur sleuth inquires add to the tension of those who fear her and those who are more frightened she will uncover the truth. Matt is heroic and as he falls in love with the oldest Angelov sister knowing she bewitched him with love. However, what makes this strong witchcraft novel so much fun is the townsfolk's reaction to the return of the next generation witch.

Harriet Klausner