Writing

New Release: The Nymph's Labyrinth--#1 of The Nymph Series

I am so very proud and excited to announce the release of my newest novel, The Nymph's Labyrinth today!  This book has a special place in my heart and I would love it to resonate the same with you!Blurb for The Nymph's Labyrinth:A world shrouded in mystery and intrigue, the Sisterhood of Epione must not be exposed.Shape-shifting nymph Ariadne Papadakis is tasked with keeping the truth of the group’s existence and their ancient mysteries far out of reach of the American archeologist, Beau Morris and his troublemaking son, Kaden. When forgotten and forbidden passions are awakened, Ariadne is forced make a choice - fall in line and continue to be overrun and pushed down by the sisterhood, or follow her heart and put Beau and Kaden’s lives in danger.Can she have the man she loves or will the pressure and secrets of her past keep her from her heart’s desire?Sensuality Level: Sensual What people are saying about The Nymph's Labyrinth:

Review by Mallory Heart Reviews:5 stars
"Multi-published romance author Danica Winters spins a tale of a long-forgotten mythology come to life. Ariadne is a nymph and member of the Sisterhood of Epione, a group which preserves it secrets and has done so for millennia. When an American archaeologist begins to explore too deeply, Ariadne is tasked with stopping his progress. Yet her heart  tells her differently: this is the love of her life. Will she continue to fall in line with the Sisterhood’s directives; or will she throw out caution and surrender to the directives of her heart?
Ms. Winters makes mythology “real”; there is no need for suspension of disbelief, as she makes everything seem natural, possible, and worthwhile. Readers of both paranormal romance and romantic suspense will greatly enjoy “The Nymph’s Labyrinth."

 

Imagine a World

 

4 Stars
"Such a wonderful, Greek mythology inspired book! The Nymph's Labyrinth was fantastic.
I LOVE Greek mythology, so I delight in reading books inspired by it. And this book did not disappoint.
Ariadne, yes the one from the Theseus myth, was a lovely heroine. However, at the beginning, she's kind of a door mat. There was a reason for that, so it didn't bother me too much. Especially toward the ends when she toughened up and refused to let anyone run all over her. She's a likable heroine. I felt that she was easy to relate to. Because of the curse on the nymphs, she can't fall in love without putting anyone in danger, but, after millennium of never being able to be in love, she longs for the one thing that she can't have. That element made her a sympathetic character that anyone can support.
Beau was just as wonderful. His life's dream is to find the labyrinth and prove to everyone that all his research is real and not just some fantasy. Of course, that puts him at odds with Ariadne, whose job it is to make sure no one ever finds the labyrinth. But that doesn't stop either of them from falling in love, though neither admits it at first. Their relationship was complicated, to say the least. But I love how it ended for them-and I won't say any more on that subject :)
 Beau was also a very sweet father to his son and it was absolutely adorable to watch. Honestly, he was just all around amazing. A truly lovely hero.
Kaden, Beau's son, was a rather important secondary character. Though he was resentful at first because he hadn't seen his father since her was 10-and he is now 18-he changes during the course of the book and becomes a lovable boy. I can't say too much about what happens with him without giving away some important parts of the book, but I will say that Kaden will definitely win your heart.
 The plot was a little slow at first, which made me knock off a point, but it picked up after the first quarter or so and kept me hooked. There are definitely a few surprises along the way the keep things interesting. And the ending was brilliant.
 Once again, a wonderful, romantic take on Greek mythology! Any lovers of romance will love this book."

 

Love In a Book Reviews:

 

4 Stars
First I must state I love Greek Myths, so when I saw this offer, I couldn’t say no.
Ariadne runs a museum with a secret the secret labyrinth and she’s a shape shifter on an adventure. She’s not what I expected, but I liked her.
Beau Morris reminds me of Indiana Jones, and what I loved about him. I don’t know the modern day equivalent on Disney, but back in the day, this meant ruggedly sexy and super smart, making him double trouble. Beau reminded me of that hero. He sold me on this story. I’d risk my neck for him, and hey I get the chemistry.
The whole curse because of a no to sex thing… for a second on the first page, I wondered if I signed up to read the wrong thing. Luckily I kept on reading, and enjoyed the story. I’d recommend this book, mostly because the hero hit just the right spot for me.

4 Stars

 What if the myths of ancient Greece weren't myths after all? If you are an American archaeologist you have to find the proof to secure your financing and prove you aren't a nutcase. That is what archaeologist Beau Morris is trying to do with the labyrinth from the myth of the Minotaur.Ariadne is a nymph she and her sisters have been charged with keeping the secrets of the sisterhood and of her Goddess Epione, part of those secrets is a curse against any man that they may love.I loved this take on the mythology of ancient Greece, I love to see more books taking on the more minor gods and goddesses that we don't all immediately know about.Ms. Winters takes the mythological beings and places them in modern society. We are taken on a wild roller coaster of emotions when Ariadne is torn between duty to all she has known and love.I found the characters engaging and there rolls in the story for the most part clear, I enjoyed how the Minotaur was worked into the modern world a great deal.  I also felt that this was an emotionally balanced book all of the weight of the hard decisions isn't just left to the heroine but Beau has some really hard issues of his own to deal with.I am looking forward to the continuation of this series.

Paranormal Romance with Lisa Annesley 4 StarsDanica Winters has written a book that stands out from the crowd due to her imaginative use of Greek mythology and snake-shifting nymphs. (Snake-phobics, fear not. Not too much is made of the snake-shifting.) The Nymph's Labyrinth is like no other.Beau and Ariadne are both likable characters that you'll pull for. You'll want Beau to save his reputation and reconcile with his son. You'll want Ariadne to kick some ass and stand up for herself, and that's her journey. You'll want them to circumvent the curse and find their HEA. They both have much to lose, but they belong together.There is much suspense as Beau and Ariadne face jealousy, grief, and danger together. You'll find yourself reading "just one more chapter" again and again.The Nymph's Labyrinth is an original, strong start to The Nymph Series. The next book is Montana Mustangs, followed by Winter Swans.And as some of you know--I am hosting a giveaway!  For your best chance to win send me a picture of you holding your copy of The Nymph's Labyrinth!  a Rafflecopter giveawayHappy Reading and Happy New Year!Danica Winters Website | Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Goodreads | Amazon Author Page | Barnes and Noble | Ravenous Romance | Silver Publishing | Books to Go Now | Book Trailer

Merry Christmas (of Less)!!

Christmas time is coming like a child hopped up on candy canes.  We have our Griswold family Christmas tree firmly planted in its plastic base and every type of ornament somewhat secured to its branches.grinchI would be lying if I told you this is my favorite time of year.  The Christmas season comes in a firm second behind Halloween.  Halloween is simple.   Buy candy.  Make Costume.  Exchange candy.  Eat kid’s excess candy.  Hate that I gained five ‘chocolate’ pounds.Christmas is an entirely different ball of taffy.  First, it’s not just one day or one week.  It’s at least a month of planning, decorating, buying, and talking down children from the ‘When is Santa coming?’ cliff.  Second, the thought of wrapping hundreds of pint-sized gifts, baking enough cookies to feed at least three unfed armies (and let’s be honest, most of the cookies will end up as fat deposits around my bottom), and trying to keep my children’s hands off of the thousands of tiny glass ornaments that sit around our house; well it all makes me want to scream—not much, just enough that the neighbors can hear that I’m losing my mind.  Do you think if I do they will come wrap presents for me?

I’m not the Grinch.  Nope.  Far from it.  Okay, not far from it, but I swear there are things I love about this season.  I love…Hmm…I got it!  I really love Christmas Eve (which is the night our immediate crew unwraps presents and my side of the family comes over). I love watching my kids’ faces perk up when I tell them they finally get to unwrap their presents (which they’ve been begging to do for the last month).  I love the laughter that my family shares as we sip well-spiked drinks and tell old stories.  I love the feeling of being together and the love that we have for each other.I love Christmas day a little less, but almost with equal zest.  This is the day we make the run a few hours north to the in-laws’ house.  If it weren’t for the waking up at 4:00 a.m. to unload our stockings I would love it possibly a little more, but let’s face it—I’m not a morning person and travelling with chocolate-filled heathens makes me want to walk the two hundred miles instead of being cooped up in a car with them.This year, in lieu of becoming the Grinch, I’m rebeling.  I’m not entering a department store to shop.  I’m getting all my shopping done in a matter of days instead of weeks (I hope).  I will buy only thgrinch hearte things necessary to let my loved ones know that I care.  I will not buy a single tie, all-in-one tool, or desk organizer (wait…if anyone has me on their list I could use one of those).  I will buy no animal-shaped chocolates that aren’t intended for my kids.  I will not eat my kids’ candy (or at least not more than three—no, make that four—pieces). I’m starting a new tradition.  I’m thinking about calling it “Christmas of Less.”  There will be no stress.  No unnecessary buying.  No ‘I want that’.  I instead want us all to remember what the holidays mean to us.  Is it about the stuff?  Is it about the million twinkly lights (don’t ask my husband that question—see Griswold above)?  Is it about the consumer-centric attitude that accompanies it?  No.  It’s about the simple things.  Love of children.  Love of Christmas.  Love of family.  It’s about the memories shared and memories made.  It’s the moments we cherish.

The Grinch Philosphy

 So this holiday season I want us all to take it easy, cuddle up with a book, and enjoy the holidays.Merry Christmas (of Less)!

Exciting News...

My newest work, The Vampire's Hope, is to be released September 11, 2012!   I am so glad to bring this work to your e-book reading shelf.  This novella has been an incredibly fun pet project as it has taken me over a year from start to publication.  I've always loved Vampires and couldn't resist the urge to write a Vamp book for all of my loyal fans.  I hope you enjoy The Vampire's Hope as much as I have.In The Vampire's Hope, Ellie Smith, an emotionally stunted dancer, finds more than she bargains for after her human life is taken by the vampire, Master Liam.Once inside the Vampire’s underground lair, the Keres Den, she meets Ian, an immortal Viking warrior, who is infiltrating the soulless prison. As Ellie begins her training, she learns that the dark tunnels around her are filled with even darker secrets.As the truth of her existence come to light, she is faced with a choice—does she let her past dictate her future, or can she begin to feel again?Excerpt from The Vampire's Hope:

CHAPTER ONE

 

The couple in front of her stood under the bar’s lopsided mistletoe, their lips pressed against each other in a gesture of Christmas spirit.  On the man’s lapel was a white rose, smashed against the woman’s full breast. The sight made Ellie Smith laugh.  Ellie was the same age as the two lip-locked party goers, yet they were so much younger.  They wore the white rose of hope—probably hope for love that would undoubtedly turn bad, or hope that the holidays would bring them the gifts of eternal bliss… those naïve fools.The couple parted and their cheeks glowed with the pink twinges of arousal.  The sight was more than she could handle and she looked away.  They were luckier than they knew.  They probably did not have any idea what it was like to be without a bed for the night, without a home, without purpose, and without hope.To her left a thick-set, redheaded man approached.  His shoulders were erect and he walked with a stride that conveyed power.  Catching Ellie’s eye, he smiled the grim smile of subtle manipulation.  Whatever he wanted, he wouldn’t get it from her.  A blonde man with an arched smile stepped out from behind the threatening redhead and sat down at the table.  “Hello, Elpis.  Welcome to The Ravena.”  The way he said her name made her skin crawl.  The blonde waved his hand at the rows of booze and the surly bartender.  “I hope you like the bar.”The bar was like any number of others, just another stop in her constant travel through the dark world of the forgotten.  “Thanks.   I have no idea how you know my given name, but I’d rather you called me Ellie.”“Sorry, Ellie.”“Are you the owner of this place?”  The blonde motioned to the dangerous-looking redhead behind him.  She knew she should fear them, but there was nothing inside of her heart.  “I need a job.  Are you hiring?  I can dance.”The blonde laughed. He looked over his shoulder at the red-headed man.  “She doesn’t have a clue.”He turned back to her as if he had said nothing to the man who was clearly his boss. “My name is Ian.  And this is Master Liam…”  He pointed at the rigid redheaded man. “What are you after?”The club’s music filled the silence between them.  Ian smirked.  “Master Liam would like a dance.”Ellie gazed over Ian’s blonde hair and his features—his eyes were the same blue as the sea, and his face was wide and rugged.  He looked like a portrait of a Viking.  Master Liam extended his hand in a silent command to dance.  She looked back at the handsome Viking.  Liam was a threat, but so was Ian.  Was it better to go after a powerful man who she wasn’t attracted to in hopes of getting a job, or was it better to forget her chance of getting hired and stay with the handsome Viking?  For once Ellie wondered what it was like to feel something—anything. If she was normal, would she blush? Would her lust move her nearer to him?  Instead, she only felt the dull emptiness inside of her breast.  Was there truly life without emotion?  Ellie slipped her hand into Master Liam’s. He led her to the dance floor, but she could sense Ian’s eyes upon her.Master Liam moved in a stiff, archaic way and his hands never strayed from her waist.  Not that she minded.  It was nice not to be groped.  What kind of dancer would Ian be?She looked back at her table.  Ian stared at her with a hunger in his eyes. She dropped her gaze.  If he wanted her, he didn’t act the part.Master Liam said nothing to her as she looked up into his face.  His eyes were filled with lust and they slowly danced their way to the farthest recess of the dance floor.  His cold hands forced her head back and she stared up at the ceiling.    He pushed her against the wall.  He slowly bent down, taking each movement in his own unhurried time.  He inhaled and blew his chilled breath against the skin of her neck.  He wasn’t the man she wanted, but a job was a job—however she had to get it.  Liam leaned in, and instead of kissing her lips, he pressed his face into her neck and caressed her skin with his icy lips.  She drew in a breath and her pulse quickened.  His teeth pierced her skin, and she started to shriek, but his hand clamped down over her opening lips.  She struggled but as he drained her, weakness won.  A fire burned where his teeth dug into her flesh.  Acid filled her veins.With her last thought, she envisioned the white rose on the stranger’s lapel.  No emotion, no hope…