Taming winter
100 YEARS UNDER HER HEEL, AND I’M READY TO GIVE IN.
Taming Winter is a genderbent retelling of the Greek story of Hades and Persephone, set in a dark dystopian world where the Greek gods are a corrupt ruling class. Perfect for fans of Daggermouth and Neon Gods, this spicy dark romance is both politically immersive and emotionally impactful.
I’ve resisted her for a hundred years, but now I’m ready to give in.
Born alone into a brutal world controlled by immortals that desire nothing but power, Thane grows an icy heart to survive. A legendary assassin, he kills without hesitation and lives without regret. He doesn’t fear death… until it claims him.
When Thane dies, he comes face to face with the very black-hearted immortal he was sent to kill. Hades welcomes him with open arms… and a torture cell made specially for him. His own sins, used against him to warp his mind. The only way out is to sell his soul, and Hades would love nothing more than to own him for the rest of eternity.
The most skilled assassin the world has ever seen was just dropped into Hades lap, and she is not letting go. She will use him to cut down those who wronged her and take back her power in the world of the living. Now Thane is trapped in a dangerous game with an immortal goddess who doesn’t just want to break him. She wants to own him. And the longer he stays under her control, the more he realizes the truth.
Giving in might be his damnation… but it might also be exactly what he was made for.
TROPES N’ TRIGGERS
Tropes
Greek Mythology Retelling
Assassin Romance
True Enemies to Lovers
Dominatrix
Possessive FMC
Morally Black MC’s
Master/Slave Dynamic
Fire Mommy
Ice Daddy
Triggers
Graphic Murder
Graphic Torture
Edging
Domination
Dubious Consent
Slavery
Sadism/Masochism
Religious Corruption
Medical Corruption
Media Corruption
OTHER ARC OPPORTUNITIES
Author SH Clasen has REVAMPED her series How to Face Eternity! If you love the dark and gothic, but want a cozy palette cleanser after Taming Winter, check out her ARC signups for How to Face Eternity: REVAMPED Omnibus! You’re getting an absolute masterpiece of a book for free here!
For more information on SH Clasen and I, and our friendship and teamwork, check out the Vampire Sisters page. This girl is the sweet to my spicy, and we have made a collaboration out of building friendship and community in the bookish space.
Taming Winter is part of a collaborative fairytale retelling effort with The Portland Romance Writers. I founded this club in 2024 and have built it to foster community between romance authors. This is our first collaborative story effort, and I would appreciate your help in supporting them! This collaboration includes authors: Cassia Quinn, Vivian Wood, Cat Devlin, Kim Fielding, Katie Rose Cross, Morgan Vayle, and Dana Shea. I have read work from a number of these authors and can say with confidence they are all phenomenal. If you want MORE dark fairytale retellings, check out our ARC page!
THe down n’ dirty
ARC’s will be sent out July 2nd. Taming Winter releases August 18, and we hope you will find time to read Taming Winter before the release date. If you do not see your ARC email, feel free to reach out to Hypatia at hypatiarhodesauthor@gmail.com. Please note signup does not guarantee an ARC.
Though we hope that you enjoy this book enough to support its release through reviewing and posting, you are not receiving this book in exchange for a review. Any review should be honest. Your acceptance to future ARCs will not be determined based on your rankings of Hypatia’s work.
You will not be notified if you are rejected from this ARC. If you do not receive an ARC email by EOD July 2nd, you are welcome to reach out to confirm if there was an error. We do not look at social media standing or follower count in acceptance of reviews. The reasons listed below are the only reason we decline ARC readers:
The majority of your content on socials was created using AI.
You are a known pirateer listed on our private pirateer list.
You have left reviews for Hypatia’s work in the past with the clear use of AI (EX: leaving a review for the wrong book).
You leave socials and reviewing sites blank in your application.
You do not provide your correct email.
Rules and Logistics of ARCs:
1) You are not permitted to share this work with anyone or on any site. If you are caught pirating this work, your name will be blacklisted and shared to the known pirateer lists. Also Hypatia will cry.
2) Please do not utilize AI in the development of any reviews or marketing content for this work. You will be provided with graphics you are welcome to utilize, and we appreciate all the messy, unhinged reviews that come from the heart!
3) You understand that I am sharing this in the hopes that you will share an honest review of my work on any review platforms you utilize. Reviews help me grow my wings, so I appreciate you so much for reviewing! However, this ARC is not being provided as payment for a review, and all reviews should be honest.
4) I will be contacting you a handful of times in regards to this ARC. This includes reminders and a bonus chapter. However, I will not add you to my general newsletter list unless you explicitly mark that it is okay to do so.
5) You will notice that I am asking for your address–you do not need to provide your address! This is an optional inclusion. If you provide your full mailing address, I will ship you a small gift as a thank you for your time in supporting me! Due to mailing costs, unfortunately this is only available for US residents.
6) It means everything to me that you are entrusting me with your reading experience. I value your mental health, and for that reason I ask that all of my ARC readers check their triggers before signing up. Please check the list above to ensure you feel comfortable reading this story. Mental health always needs to be the priority!