Wintertide has been recognized with several "Best Fantasy Novel" awards, which tempted me away from my usual romance genre to sample a bit of the fantasy. This wonderfully developed tale of one woman's coming of age by Linnea Sinclair is certainly deserving of the awards it has been given.

From the first moments, Ms. Sinclair draws us into Khamsin's world and invites us to sit down and hear her story of love and loss.

Khamsin is raised in a home filled with both love and witchcraft. Her childhood is spent preparing her for the fate she does not understand. She has been told that by her eighteenth birthday the most evil force in the world, The Sorcerer, will attempt to contact her. No one has told her why, but she is determined to be prepared. That day dawns with no contact from The Sorcerer. But instead of a feeling of relief, Khamsin is faced with a sense of foreboding and mental confusion. Little did she know what was waiting for her on that day.

As an occasional reader of fantasy stories, I must say that if all fantasy books were written with the detail, creativity, and entrancing language of Wintertide I would certainly read many more of them. This story is a wonderful blend of magic and reality, allowing the reader to believe that such a place might truly have existed somewhere in the eons of time. With a fast-paced storyline, well-developed characters, and a flair for surprise, Linnea Sinclair has provided a delicious escape for all readers.

Reviewed By Sabine Maurier
© February 2005