A), Kiss of Snow (Psy-Changeling Novel

I have been waiting to read this particular book in the Psy-changeling series; and I am glad to say I was not disappointed! A great read, with equal parts romance, action and intrigue, with just enough humor thrown in to make it a truly enjoyable story. If you have read the other books in this series, then you will enjoy this one as well.

I opened and finished in two sitting s after work, before bedtime. I was traveling through the woods and I could smell the trees, feel the emotions of the characters. The writing captures you and takes you into the story. I was there, just amazing and magical.

Wow!! What can I say? This book was so hot. It was hot without being sexually crude. I loved how the author allowed the reader the pleasure seeing Sieena and Hawke's relationship progress. And what is not to love about Hawke. Hawke is the ULTIMATE MAN. If only we can all find us a Hawke.

If you want a heavy dose of the ultimate paranormal romance, get this book; you will not be disappointed. I guarantee you will enjoy it!!!

Nalini Singh did it again....I know you may have heard this about many writers however she is one of the few ones that doesn't disappoint...the story line keeps you hungry for more and the characters make you fall in love all over again adding depth to the series....it is just brilliant

Couldn't put it down. One of the best in a long series. Have read and re-read over. Strong pair and loved how the other characters were folded in without loosing focus on the development. Long enough and yet, left you wanting more.

I LOVED, LOVED, LOVED the book! It was everything expected and MORE!

I along with a million others have been waiting for Hawk's and Sienna's story for what seemed like forever! We have all we have discussed what might happen, what could happen and now we know for sure WHAT happens!

I can't wait to see what is next for all them!

I never write reviews but I thought I would jump on to give my quick thoughts. I loved this book! I was a little disappointed with the last couple of books in the series, I love following the changelings and the whole Pys side only doesn't do it for me as much. Kiss of Snow was similar to the books in the beginning of the story. It is pricey, but it was worth it!

The highly anticipated book totally lived up to my expectations. Thank goodness! I love Nalini's style of writing and she never lets me down. So thank.you Nalini. Can't wait for the next book already!

I've waited a long time for Hawk's story. I found it well worth the wait. Hawk and Sienna's relationship progressed at just the right pace. I really enjoyed Walker and Laura's story as well. The book was jammed packed with action and a really good read.

I like the Psy-Changeling stories and read all books so far... and I think that is where the problem lies with this book. All who have been reading the series must have seen this coming, were in fact waiting for it.
The complaints of many reviewers are correct. There just is not enough Hawke and Sienna in the book, but that is simply because we already knew what was going to happen, and have known since book 1. I suppose that is why we also get the Walker-Lara story. Hawke and Sienna are probably "too important" for a novella, but that's what would have been better.
Having said all that, I'd say the book was probably necessary in the overall story arc. We'll see when the new books come out.

Like the author and follow most of her series, this was anticipated because she mentioned the characters and their developing story several times. The story was predictable and not worth the new hardcover price.

I love this series and have been waiting a long time for Hawke and Sienna's story. The first 3/4's of the book dragged a bit for me, despite being full of character's I love. The angst regarding Hawke's "true love and mate, Rissa" also had me fed up to the point where I felt like Sienna was getting a raw deal. I agree with the other reviewer who thought Kit was dispossed of a little too neatly. The action and true romance for me did not kick in until the last 1/4 of the book. There was a filler romance between Walker and Lara did not particularly hold my interest, but at the time there was not a lot of progress between H&S, so it was okay. We see quite a bit of Judd and the Ghost, which I always enjoy. Definately read it! Lord knows we've waited long enough, but I would approach it with more mid-level expctations than I had.

I have found Singh's books to be hit-or-miss. Her strongest books have been the ones where there is a strong understandable impediment to the characters' relationship, and she allows the plot to work out those differences. The three that come to mind are Branded by Fire, Caressed by Ice, and Play of Passion. In fact, I consider Play the strongest of all her books. The story Mine to Possess was one of the "miss" books. In fact, I haven't read several of the books based on the reviews because I don't want to read another "miss".

I was looking forward to Kiss of Snow based on the buildup in the previous books of the relationship between Hawk and Sienna. But apparently she used all her ideas for tension in the relationship in previous books, because this had none of the give-or-take, will she/he or won't she/he storyline. The question gets resolved pretty early, but the culmination of the relationship, as other reviewers point out, happens wwwway toward the end of the book (70% in according to my Kindle). This is not good suspense; this is just delay.

And Singh uses another writing technique that I found strange. She has the two main characters together, alone, tension building, and then ends the scene, picking up the next day. What? The first time it happened, I even flipped back to see if I skipped a page, but no, I didn't. The chapter ends in the middle of the scene, and the next one picks up with Sienna or Hawk thinking about how the previous night was unexpectedly ended for some reason or another.

If you are a fan and still want to see Hawk and Sienna together, I recommend waiting on the paperback; I wish I had.

We have waited forever for these two to get together and then they get their book and they SHARE IT! What?! Really?! Hawke and Sienna don't even get an entire book? About 20% was devoted to Lara and Walker. Another 25% was war.

And then there were at least two scenes that we get a part of and they suddenly stop and we are stuck with their internal monologues several pages later which tells us what we missed!

It left me feeling cheated.

I love Nalini Singh and this was supposed to be the ultimate book. Hawke and Sienna. OMG. I have waited and waited for this book. I told people to not bother talking to me on 5/31 b/c I would be reading Kiss of Snow. So yeah, I had high expectations but I don't think wanting more scenes between the two characters is unreasonable.

I rarely notice book pacing if I'm caught up in the story, however, with Kiss of Snow, about half way through I was muttering "Just get to the story already!" I felt as if I was treading water waiting on the party boat to arrive.... and when it did, it was a party barge, not a cruise liner and someone had drank all the beer and the band was on 1 hour break.

IOW, in KOS, A lot of cutting that could have been done, with a simple tightening up or combining of scenes, with quicker resolutions to some issues would have kept the romantic tension high and increased the drama instead of slogging it down to a near catatonic stop before the 'boom' that was the rushed and over the top ending. There were easily 100-150 pages that could have been cut with judicious editing and re-arranging of events.

Yes, I know there was a lot of information to impart. Yes, I know there was a lot of loose ends to tie up. Yes, I know the author's intention was to build passion between Hawke and Sienna...but the exact opposite happened. Yes, they needed to have their emotional revelations---but not one or two sentences and then days pass as other events happen. After a dozen confrontations with teensy bits of info given, many that read the same as the other (knock on door, make out, phone rings for emergency-leave, repeat x 2. Dancing on bar-- Hawk comes...dance on bar again, Hawk comes. Romantic tension in dojo x 2. Run in woods x 4 etc) Plus many of the same conversations repeated- instead of building to an emotional climax, you're emotionally drained and wanting it over. Or feeling used. As with anything, dragging the tension out too long, numbness sets in. By the time the two finally have their big moment, in the last quarter of the book, you're simply too tired to care. It was uber-anticlimatic and frustrating and too little too late.

Especially when the undercurrent was a constant state of "we're about to go to war." Yes, I can suspend belief as well as the next guy, but whe you have the leader of the pack taking off to finally rub pelts with his sweetie when the enemy is about to attack at any moment, your eyes roll. Especially when it's clear that the Wild Monkey Sex could have happened much sooner with about a half dozen less of those above mentioned repeated moments which were simply redundant, filler and not building towards anything but reader exhaustion.

When you slog to the middle of battle readiness to suddenly have a party zone happen because the enemy is having a case of Montezuma's Revenge, the 'contrived as heck' bell rings. Your changling soliders that are on battle ready status suddenly pull a Judy Garland-Mickey Rooney moment of "I know, let's build something fun!" that again, was contrived and eyerolling. When you have a scene from X-men suddenly happen in the end of your book, you think "WTF just happened here? I know this chick from the movies!" At this point, I was commited to finish, but so disappointed and frustrated, I had to make myself finish.

I will say that the ending is where all the energy lies and where the pacing is fast and interesting. Yes, there is a bit of a deus ex machina finale with Sienna's gift just fixing every little ole thing that was wrong (or maybe that's a Mary Sue Moment, I don't know). My issue is not only with the story but the manner in which it was delivered-- the story was adequate and could have been stunning in a condensed size with less packing peanuts and a smaller box.

I will re-read the last few chapters to clear up a few questions in my head. I'll probably skim the book again for some scenes that I enjoyed, but re-read the entire thing? No way in heck! I only tread water when I have to.... 3 stars for the story, 2 stars off for feeling water logged at the end.

I gave this 5 stars until I read the next book "Tangle of Need"(book after Kiss of Snow) where Rias said to Hawke" you're the only man I know who found his mate twice" & Hawke responded " If Rissa had lived I'd have been been mated for years before I ever met Sienna".????This contradicts what he said in Kiss of Snow " it's easier to believe that my shot at mating died w Rissa than risk that kind of pain again" what is Singh doing? This made me hate this book because Tangle of Need made a lie out of what Hawke said to Sienna in Kiss of Snow!

I have waited for Hawke and Sienna's story since the beginning. Gah!!! - what a disappointment. The author spends WAY too much time padding her story with other couples. When you do get rare Hawke/Sienna moments, they are repetitive and redundant ("I can't mate bond with you." "I know." and on and on these two circle around the same conversation. BORING!). Because there weren't enough meaningful interactions between them, their chemistry was lacking and subsequently, when they do finally get together, it is such a let-down...ZERO heat...you just don't care by that point.

At $15 a pop...not worth it. Rent it from the library or borrow it from someone instead if you must continue this convoluted series.

Yes!
I did it.
My goal was to reread the 9 and 10 books of the series during the weekend.
Easier to say than to do between groceries, cleaning, kids activities and promised movie shows.
But I did it, now I need awhile to get over it, The Kiss Of Snow always moves me so much.
We had 9 episodes to get ready , and what a conclusion, even if it not the end of the series.
This book is an emotional firework, it is a rollercoaster of the emotions, we go from Charybdis and Scylla.
Hawke is more than intense, he froze me, He left me breathless by the power of his feelings even when he tries to reject his own emotion.
Sienna is the Yin of his Yang, she is burning like magnificent fire, so full of life and hope, she at first rejected any idea of compromises, except for a very special wolf.
Together, they are a true fire of ice, one unable to live without the other, whatever they try themselves to convince about it.
They represent for me the ultimate couple, even if Zaira and Aden get closer to it, nothing seems to me more magnificent these two beings which fate drawn by Nalini Singh connected, being each the future of other one, their everything.
If we add to their story, the romance between Lara and Walter, Judd's self-abnegation for his family, moments stolen from the other protagonists of the series plus the explosive evolution of the thorough intrigue, this book is a masterful turning point in the 1st cycle.
Bravo and a big thank you again to the author for this exceptional novel.
I do not know how I should have managed to wait between every novel all the time that the readers from the very beginning had.
Since the 1st book, I knew that the story between Hawke and Sienna would be blazing, and the author did not absolutely disappoint me.
I shivered, vibrated, trembled for all the characters and I still ask for more of it.
It is the series which I adore, but this narrative deserves far beyond 5 stars which I can give to it.
I’m a verified customer on the store.fr

My obsession continues. I finally got to Hawk's book!

Hawk. Alpha to the SnowDancer wolf pack and full of secrets. Sienna. Psy and full of unbridled power. They are a dangerous combination.

Since the Lauren family defected, Hawk and Sienna have been at each others throats. He doesn't know why she gets on his last nerve. She follows everyones orders but his. These two are so much fun to watch. And their dance? Long and full of emotions with some sexy hot times to be found...repeatedly. After all, they have been resisting each other for a very long time.

This story was a two for one because we also get Walker and Lara's story. Yes, they have a novella after this book but this is where it starts and where a lot of the walls come down. I wasn't expecting that and it was a fun and happy surprise.

I cannot believe I am still so obsessed with this series so far into it. You'd think I'd get bored with it after ten books and want something different but no. Each individual story is powerful and complex but it also moves along the overarching world story. And this one added punch to the conflict. I can't wait to start the next one.

All of the characters make me happy. As they turn up in each new story, it feels like I'm catching up with old friends. A birth happens in this book and I was so excited about it. So happy for the couple and for what it means to the pack. I just love them all and am hungry for details of their lives.

Of course, the main event for this book was Hawk and Sienna. And I wasn't sure they would make it. Talk about "no way out" situations and no hope for a solution, this was it. The one thing I was expecting to save them certainly didn't. And if I had been reading instead of listening, I would have peeked to see if they did. But that doesn't work very well with audiobooks so I just kept listening.

The title? I was so excited when I finally understand why this one is named as it is. Such a fun title. Hehe. Yep, gonna have to read it to find out why it's Kiss of Snow.

The world is complex and dynamic; that's why it can have so many stories and still entertain. There is more to be told and one in particular that I can't wait to hear. And I must know who the ghost is. I have two guesses and with every clue, I doubt it can be either. I must know.

The desire I have to keep reading and re-reading (I have actually listened to all of the books at least twice) is telling. I read books all the time. For one series to grab me as much as this one has speaks volumes as to how good it is.

While the books can stand alone, don't miss a single story. Paranormal is my current favorite and this is some of the best paranormal romance there is to read.

I have been anticipating Hawke and Sienna's story since book one and because of this I was nervous that it would let me down. But no, this one kept me reading and I had no desire to put it down.

From Hawke's determination that he could never have a mate since his intended mate had died young plus he saw Sienna as too young and on through Sienna's own powerful and deadly psy gift that wouldn't be safe and would probably kill her soon enough, this was a captivating match. Talk about fighting for and against and in all that, fighting so hard for love. It was brilliant.

And if that treat were not enough, there is a secondary romance for Walker, Sienna's uncle and the Snow Dancer pack healer, Lara. Loved seeing deserving Lara able to reach through Walker's Silence and his hidden pain.

But see, there's more. We have a certain baby sighting in the Dark River pack. Check ins with other key side stories. And- War! It's finally boiling over. Sides are being forced and its going to be ugly.

I am amazed more than I should be at this point with how much this author packs into her books- romance, setting and world, characters, action, and suspense. I continue to be thirsty for the next installment in the series.

Kiss of Snow is book 10 of Nalini Singhs Psy-Changeling series.

Sienna Lauren has been hopelessly infatuated with Hawke, the alpha of SnowDancer, since they took her and her family in after they defected from the PsyNet. However, Hawke has remained frustratingly at arms length. The internal war within Hawke is about to end as his wolf is fascinated by Sienna and can't leave her alone, whilst the man can't get past her age and her innocence and knows he can't offer her a mate bond after losing his one mate when they were kids.

Then Sienna takes matters into her own hands and closes the distance between them. All that's left is the intimate battle between two people who should never have met. As they discover more about each other, they have a more vicious fight ahead of them.

A deadly enemy is out to destroy SnowDancer, striking at everything they hold dear, but it is Sienna’s darkest secret that may yet savage the pack that is her home…and the alpha who is its heartbeat… and she's losing her own internal battle.

Oh boy, I feel like I waited so long for this story but it was so good and so worth the wait to get to Hawke and Sienna. It has been hinted at in the lead up that this was an inevitable coupling but it was good to finally see why Hawke fought the attraction for as long as he did.

There were so many good moments in this story, and I don't want to reveal any spoilers but it was just so good to see after 9 books of fighting their attraction and rubbing each other the wrong (or maybe that's the Right) way, that they finally take the plunge and see where that attraction will lead. However, the road they travel to get there and will continue to travel is not all smooth sailing and is fraught with difficulties, I believe in their relationship and wish them all the best.

One year ago I started on the fantastical journey that is the Psy-Changeling series and I have become thoroughly addicted since that first novella. Nine books have been building up to this one epic story centering around Hawke, the wolf alpa of SnowDancer, and Sienna, the cardinal X-Psy that defected from Psy-Net with her family. Nine books rife with tension, denial, frustration, lust and fear. Nalini Singh did not only deliver a love story to end all love stories with Kiss of Snow, she conveyed a sweeping, powerful, breathtaking journey that captivated me from the first page!

The story opens up with a sexually frustrated Hawke, who is on the verge of doing the unforgivable in the hopes of sating his wolf. No one else but Sienna Lauren will do though, but Hawke has is set in his head that she is too young for him. He also feels that he will never be able to give her all that she needs. Luckily for Sienna though, she is strong and determined, and has no problem showing Hawke (with the help of a few friends) just what he'll be missing out on if he keeps setting her aside.

A lot of events that have been building in the series arc come to culmination in this novel. Not only does Kiss of Snow center on Sienna and Hawke finally coming together, but it also hits on the sizzling tension and blooming relationship between Lara and Walker. As well as Sasha and Lucas, who finally welcome their baby into the world which promises to leave readers smiling big, and the ascension of the Psy and the Changeling facing off in an epic show down. The plot line is fast-paced and heavy hitting, you won't be able to turn the pages fast enough.

There wasn't a thing about this story that I did not love. Sienna and Hawke's relationship has been full of pitfalls from the start and Kiss of Snow continues in that vein. Singh does not make a HEA easy for these two. Hawke has suffered unimaginable tragedies since his youth, and is convinced that he lost his one and only mate as a child. He's despondent that because of this he can never give himself fully to Sienna, but is unable to completely let her go. While Sienna, who is the most dangerous and rare of the Psy - a Cardinal X, not only has to fight an external battle for her love with a stubborn alpha wolf, but also an internal struggle to control her ever increasing powers. Both had such incredible character strength, I know they will be sticking with me for a long time to come. And the fire between them, oy, it will leave you tingling in all of the right places! Between the raw sexual tension, life altering decisions, and explosive dynamics, Singh has woven together a breathtaking and incomparable story here.

Kiss of Snow is brimming with fire and passion, making it into a must read book for paranormal romance lovers everywhere. New readers to the series, do yourself a favor and start at the very beginning with Slave to Sensation, don't start with Kiss of Snow. You don't want to miss a second of this build-up, not to mention all of the amazing characters and stories you'll be missing by skipping ahead. This is my second read through of this book and it was just as good as the first time around. I am eagerly anticipating the June 2nd release of Shards of Hope! Nalini Singh is a gifted writer who has created a paranormal world without equal, and I dare you not to love one of her books.

Why did I want to read this book?

Because it’s Hawke and Sienna! Finally! I’ve watched these two danced around each other within the span of several books in the series and while I don’t begrudge them those time, especially with Sienna who first needed to mature a bit more, I was so excited to get to their book.

What worked for me?

When Nalini Singh makes you wait for a pairing, she knows how to reward you for your patience. Hawke and Sienna’s story was lovely as it was deadly: lovely in a poignant and yet raw and powerful way and deadly in a high-stakes turn of events with the series story arc.

We finally get more back story for Hawke, who has mesmerized me since his appearance in book 1, as well as for Sienna and an in-depth look and understanding to her rare sub-designation X. We get to witness first-hand their interactions, full of tension of all kinds and longing, just lots and lots of agonized longing. These poor two. As always with Nalini Singh’s books in the series, there’s no short supply of FEELS. And when they finally do get together, it’s as hot as the X fire and full of relief and anticipation still when you get to say, finally and at last. Need I still mention about the age-gap between this two? Because not once did I think it an issue for their story. Yes, Hawke may have thought about it before Sienna turned eighteen and I appreciated that about him. Some readers have faulted Sienna for being a little childish still but I think, as explained by Judd and Warner in the book, Sienna hasn’t been a child since she became useful as a weapon to Councilor LeBon. I actually think that for her age, she’s particularly mature in the way she thinks, in the way she cares, in the way she loves.

And as this is book 10 in the series, we really get to see the wheels turning in the series story arc front. More and more characters come into play and Nalini Singh just masterfully weaves everything into place, answering questions readers might have had in previous books but at the same time creating new ones that would leave readers wanting to know the answers but we all know the answers can only be found in the succeeding novels. But no worries for me. More Nalini Singh is always good in my book.

What did not work for me?

My only misgiving about the book was the little excess when it came to the push and pull between Hawke and Sienna. I wish there was less or at least variations to this effect so that it wasn’t as monotonous on that front as I’ve come to discover. But nevertheless, this is still a 5-star rated book for me.

My over-all take on it?

This was another wonderfully crafted addition to the Psy-Changeling series. Those who have been waiting for Hawke’s story will not be disappointed. I know I wasn’t. Hawke and Sienna are combustible together; as a pair they’re truly a force to be reckoned with. And their story is one I’ll be happy to re-read many times over.

My rating:

5 stars

I feel like I've been waiting forever for Hawke's book, I think I pretty much fell for him the moment he was first introduced and every little snippet we've seen of him since then has only cemented him as a firm favourite. So you could definitely say I had high expectations for Kiss of Snow before I read it. Happily it was everything I could have dreamed of and more and it's now my favourite book of the series (until I read the next one anyway!).

As the SnowDancer alpha Hawke has always put his people first. He has lieutenants he can rely on for help but when it comes down to it he shoulders all the responsibility of the pack's safety on his own. The girl who should've been his mate died when they were still children and since then he has always steered clear of proper relationships because he knows he'll never give another woman his heart. Sienna has fascinated both him and his wolf ever since she came to live with the pack but not only is she much younger and less experienced than he is he is also scared that he could hurt her by never being able to give her what she needs.

Sienna is a powerful Psy with an unusual ability, one which comes with a high risk of causing her to self destruct. She has become better at controlling her powers but being around Hawke is the one thing that is guaranteed to cause a flare up. Sienna has wanted Hawke for such a long time but he seems determined to ignore the attraction between them, it's reached a point where Sienna has had enough though and she is determined to push the boundaries and rile him up a bit.

I can't even begin to tell you how much I loved seeing their relationship develop. It's been building for a looooooong time now and their chemistry is absolutely off the charts. I loved seeing Sienna start to really fight for Hawke's attention, she's always pushed his buttons but now she's deliberately poking him with a sharp stick just to get a reaction. Hawke is taken by surprise by how far she is willing to push him but he needs a woman who is capable of standing up to him and Sienna is determined to prove that's her. Their's is a slow build romance, Sienna wants Hawke but is understandably nervous since she's so inexperienced and once Hawke decides to pursue her he pulls out all the stops to make sure she is with him every step of the way. I think I could have died of frustration waiting for them to finally give into temptation but I mean that in the best possible way and it was so, so worth the wait. Hawke was everything I thought he would be and then some which makes Sienna a lucky, lucky girl!

Alongside the fantastic relationship between Hawke and Sienna Kiss of Snow has a lot more to offer. There are some utterly adorable moments between Lucas and Sasha, a wonderful side romance between Lara and Walker and some wonderful Lauren family moments that allow us to spend more time with Judd, Brenna, Drew, Indigo and the Lauren children. Don't even get me started on what the Psy Council are up to and the absolutely heart stopping, action packed final quarter of the story - I was on the edge of my seat and almost too scared to breathe in case I missed something! Nalini Singh is hands down the best author I can think of when it comes to blending multiple plot threads and points of view into a story that is impossible to put down. She manages to include just the right amounts of sweet romance, caring friendships, down and dirty sex, fun banter and almost unbearable tension to create the ultimate reading experience and once again I loved every minute of it!

In the world of the Psy, being anything other than cold and emotionless can get you killed - or worse. Sienna Lauren's family defected from the PsyNet when she was a teenager, seeking refuge with the powerful SnowDancer pack. In Sienna's case, life free of the Silence Protocol is both a precious gift and an incredible threat. For Sienna is an X-Psy, a rare designation whose powers leave her a ticking time bomb. Sienna can't ever give into her powers, not when doing so would not only kill her, but everyone around her. At nineteen, Sienna is far older than her years. Nothing can shatter her control. Nothing except Hawke.

At fifteen, wolf changeling Hawke became alpha of a broken pack. His history is steeped in bloodshed, pain, and loss, but from that foundation he worked to make SnowDancer into one of the most powerful packs in the world. Though he loves his pack, Hawke is, in many ways, a lone wolf. Wolves only mate once and Hawke lost the girl who would be his mate during childhood. Yet something about the beautiful, brilliant Sienna calls to Hawke in a way he cannot push aside. She knocks him off balance, making him want things he knows he cannot - should not - have. So he puts distance between them, burying his desire for Sienna.

Only Sienna will no longer be ignored. She wants all or nothing and Hawke knows that if he turns her away, he'll lose her forever. One kiss is all it takes for their passion to blaze out of control. But before Hawke and Sienna have a chance to explore what's growing between them, an enemy launches a vicious attack that endangers everything the lovers hold dear. Soon they are in for the fight of their lives as a war unlike anyone has ever seen threatens to consume them all.

Listen up, Psy-Changleing fans: the book you've all been dying for is more than worth the wait! Kiss of Snow is a fast-moving, heart-pounding, sexy-as-hell thrill ride that will have you on the edge of your seat and begging for more.

Sienna and Hawke have been dancing around each other almost from the beginning of the series, so I had high expectations coming into their story. The sexual tension in Kiss of Snow is to-die-for, and when Hawke and Sienna get together the pages of the book burn bright and hot. Yet, despite the couple's sensual appeal, the lighthearted moments between them are equally engaging. I don't want to spoil the fun, but I will say that I wouldn't mind "playing" with Hawke. Individually, Hawke and Sienna are characters you'll fall in love with, even if you haven't already. Both have had to take on the mantles of control, responsibility, and maturity at a very young age. It has shaped them and it also shapes their relationship. Hawke has a loving, fiercely protective nature that makes you swoon, even while you shake your head, knowing those same qualities will cause him to make mistakes with Sienna. Sienna, in turn, has incredible strength paired with a huge heart and I loved her for it. The two are made for each other, made to lead the pack, and made to win readers' hearts.

In many ways, Kiss of Snow is not just Hawke and Sienna's story, but the story of the Lauren family. Throughout the series, you've seen the love that bonds Sienna, her brother, cousin, and uncles together, but in Kiss of Snow you truly see them as a group. Their history is central to the story, as are their relationships with the changelings they've fallen in love with. Readers who loved Caressed by Ice will be thrilled to see more of Judd Lauren and his mate, Brenna. Kiss of Snow also features a romance subplot for Walker Lauren and SnowDancer healer Lara. I sighed and, I must admit, went a bit gooey over Walker and Lara's story, for it was beautiful.

Nalini Singh's talent for mixing romance with world-building continues to be unmatched. She takes this ability to new heights in Kiss of Snow as the war amongst the Psy spills over to that of the changelings and humans. There's so much action, intrigue, and danger in Kiss of Snow that I'd love to talk about. However, I feel like giving anything away would ruin the excitement of the book, so I'll simply say that Ms. Singh seamlessly weaves so much into the story that I was amazed.

Kiss of Snow is the thirteenth story (tenth full-length book) in the Psy-Changeling series. Ms. Singh provides enough information for new readers to follow along, but I wouldn't recommend it. For me, the power of the story stemmed from my connection to all the characters involved and the world that I have come to love over the course of the series. I encourage readers new to Ms. Singh's work to read at least the nine previous full-length books before reading Kiss of Snow. Slave to Sensation, Visions of Heat, Caressed by Ice, Mine to Possess, Hostage to Pleasure, Branded by Fire, Blaze of Memory, Bonds of Justice, and Play of Passion are all such incredible reads that you won't regret holding off just a bit before reading Kiss of Snow.

For those who've already read and loved the previous Psy-Changeling books, you're in for a real treat. Almost all the previous protagonists appear in Kiss of Snow, in addition to secondary characters that you know and love...and will come to love more. I mentioned before the importance of the Lauren family in this book, but don't think that Kiss of Snow is all about the SnowDancer pack and their mates. The DarkRiver leopards are a big part of the book, and not just because of the increasingly close alliance between the two packs. Kiss of Snow features a subplot that continues the story of everyone's favorite leopard alpha and E-Psy, Lucas and Sascha (of Slave to Sensation), as they start the next chapter of their lives.

Kiss of Snow is everything I hoped it would be and more, making it easy to enthusiastically recommend. There's laughter and tears, hope and fear, love and loss. It's such a "full" book that even saying as much as I have about it barely touches the surface. I loved Kiss of Snow, utterly and completely, and I Joyfully Recommend it!

Shayna
Reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed

Like everyone else who reads this series, I was really anticipating this one. Hawke and Sienna's relationship has been brewing in the background of the Psy/Changling series since the very first novel.

Sienna is an X-cardnial Psy. X Psy aren't known for having long life spans, their powers typically cause them to die a fiery death long before they reach their mid-twenties. So, when Sienna feels her powers slowly slipping out of her control, she knows she'll eventually have to leave the SnowDancer pack or risk taking everyone down with her. In the meantime, she's determined to try controlling it, but the angst filled relationship she has with Hawke is not helping matters. Hawke, the SnowDancer Alpha, has always caused Sienna's emotions to erupt into chaos and the confusing signals he's been sending have only added fuel to the fire.

Hawke has been a favorite side character of mine ever since he showed up in Slave to Sensation. I really loved seeing the playfulness of his character expanded on, in this story. However, in the beginning of Kiss of Snow Hawke's stubbornness concerning Sienna was annoying. He had a "kid in the playground" mentality about her. He didn't want to play with her, but no one else was allowed to play with her either. This, combined with their relationship throughout the other books, made me really wish that Singh hadn't gone the virgin route with Sienna. Going into this book, I had hoped that she would've slept with someone before this story. It was such a damper to see Sienna able to match Hawke in everything and then suddenly play the shy and naive virgin in the bedroom. She eventually gets out of that, but it still broke the tone of the story to have to sit through the "first-time" scene. (I HATE first time scenes).

Aside from that aspect, my only other complaint is that Singh decided to cram a secondary romance plot in. This really did not work here, as it felt like Lara and Walker got short changed. Similar to Sienna and Hawke, Lara and Walker's story had been quietly building over the course of the series, but they got slotted as a secondary romance. While their relationship was nicely done, it faded into the background because of the other major plot threads that were going on.( Such as: Hawke and Sienna's relationship, the Psy attacks, and even Lucas and Sasha's baby.) Because of this, I really wish that Singh had put off Lara and Walker getting together until another book or at least given them a novella where their story wouldn't get overshadowed.

Kiss of Snow really needs to be worked up to in order to appreciate the relationship developments and the events that are at the center of this story. So I would recommend you only read this if you have already read a few of the previous books.

Brought to you by OBS reviewer Heidi

kiss-of-snow-psy-changeling-nalini-singhSnowDancer Alpha, Hawke, has been fighting his attraction to Psy defector Sienna for years. She was just a child afterall, but she’s grown up in front of his eyes and his wolf will not allow him to ignore her anymore. Both man and beast want her, but he knows he can never give her all that she wants. The girl that was meant to be his mate died when they were children and wolves only mate once. He will never be able to give himself completely to Sienna.

Being in the den with a man she wants with her entire body and soul, but will never be able to have, makes life miserable for Sienna. It also makes it increasingly difficult to control her lethal powers as a rare X-Psy. She and Hawke have an intense attraction to one another, but he refuses to give in to it. But when he comes to pick her and her friends up from the local Changeling bar, his message is loud and clear to everybody around them; Sienna is his. Now nobody dares touch Sienna, knowing how dangerous it can get to poach on an Alpha’s territory. But he still insists there can be nothing between them. It will take Sienna pushing him past his breaking point to override his human objections and give in to the carnal desires of his wolf.

Meanwhile, there is a war brewing, putting all the Changelings in the area on high alert. Everybody assumes the Scotts are behind it, but Sienna recognizes the strategy of Mings’s military expertise at work. And, it just may take the tool that he crafted to defeat him. But Sienna herself is a ticking time bomb as her powers are escalating at a rapid pace, it’s only a matter of time before she blows taking out anybody around her friend or foe. She lives with the horror every day that she might just take out these gentle creatures that took her in and showed her what it was like to love.

I’ve been waiting for Hawke’s book for quite some time and I am excited that I finally got to read it! I knew that it would be a powerful book that I’d love and I wasn’t disappointed! I was, however, worried when it became obvious that Sienna was going to be his love interest. I hadn’t really bought into her character yet going into this book, but she has definitely proven herself now!

We all knew that Hawke’s belief that his mate died when they were children and, that he’d never be able to mate because of it was going to be proven wrong when his book came to pass. But I always thought that Rissa just wasn’t his mate like he thought. But Sienna brings up a valid point and, I think she’s right on the money that it’s probably that after the love so deeply they don’t allow themselves to mate again. I’m sure this theory will probably be tested further later on in the series with someone who loses a mate and manages to keep living by some miracle.

But back to the story. I really enjoyed watching Sienna and Hawke’s relationship take shape. I liked the internal struggles Hawke was having with himself and his wolf. His protectiveness and more prominent, his possessiveness, was quite interesting to see, and I truly enjoyed it. Not to mention their sweet moments like dancing in the moonlit forest and the dinner, complete with dessert, in Hawke’s room!

“You’re in my every breath and every thought, intertwined so deep inside me that love’s not a strong enough word—you have my devotion, your name branded on my soul, my wolf yours to command. A hundred years? It’ll never be enough. I want eternity.”

Also, I ADORED Kit in this one. I’ve always liked him, but he cracked me up playing with Hawke and purposefully inciting his jealous streak! From leaving his Scent on Sienna whenever he could and helping her plot that last pickup from Wild, his reactions to the girly drinks was hilarious, but he definitely showed how far he’d go for his friends! I’m truly seeing him as an Alpha in the making now because this baiting Hawke that he’s been doing reminds me so much of Lucas and the way he ‘plays’ with the SnowDancer Alpha. And, Lucas wasn’t about to let Kit have all the fun, leaving the furry handcuffs in Hawke and Sienna’s love nest…. funny! I was really happy to see all of this in the book because I was worried that Kit was going to end up getting hurt, thinking this was going to be some sad love triangle, but thankfully it wasn’t! Now I’m anxious to see Kit’s own book and love story when he gets a bit older…. I just hope that doesn’t mean an end to Lucas to make him the Alpha though.

Speaking of Lucas…. It was great to see him become a daddy; finally! I thought the birth was handled perfectly, not to mention how nice is it that their females can push their pain to their males? It was fun seeing all these big strong soldiers, sentinels, and just plain bad asses melt over this little baby. It was cute how they were all clamoring to hold her, even if it meant stealing her from their own mates to do so. Minutes after her birth, she had a whole pack of men wrapped around her little finger! Of course you would expect no less from Lucas’s little princess!

I was really surprised to see the bonus relationship in this book in the form of Lara and Walker. The romance took time to build and I did enjoy seeing everything shift for them, but can’t help, but wonder if they got a bit cheated by not getting their own book.

Ultimately this was a really good novel and one of my favorites in the series to date, which is saying a lot. I couldn’t find anything negative to say about it—nothing! But of course I always knew that Hawke’s story would rate high in my book! I’m so glad to see that it lived up to the hype that my mind created for it! This is one of those books you will want to own so you can read it over and over again!

Visit OpenBookSociety dot com for this review and more!

I love both series written by Nalini Singh. Her ability to build worlds that are believable is matched by very few writers. The Psy-Changeling series is a story about a possible alternate reality where changeling, both Dark River and Snow Dancers the main changeling groups exist along with humans, Psy- who are super-humans with a vast array of psychic abilities, as well as the Forgotten. Nalini writes stories that combine beautiful love stories between the main characters while tying each book together with an overall arc story.

This book revolves around the romance between Hawke - leader of the Snow Dancer- the strongest wolf pack and Sienna, a charming yet deadly Psy, a Psy who has fallen in love with someone outside her "race". I love that Nalini adds characters of color as well as changelings and Caucasian Americans the characters are well rounded and many races are represented. In Nalini's world humans know about the other races which for me is a nice change from other books where the paranormal must hide from the humans. I adore the relationship between Hawke and Sienna, and her friendly BFF Dark River cat! The story will make you laugh, make you cry, and make you think! I highly recommend the series. I also recommend her other series Guild Hunters.

Kiss of Snow was one of my favorite books in the series until Heart of Obsidian and Shield of Winter were released. I started with book 10 and read backwards. I would suggest starting earlier though you can understand what is going on in the story if you start in the middle, you just might be a bit confused about where the overall arc is going in relation to the war that is coming. Enjoy!

This is it people! Ever since I knew that Sienna and Hawke would have a chance I've been hungry for it. We all knew it would be a while because Sienna had to grow up, and that time has come! Ahhhhh book ten, and this entry is just more proof that Singh isn't willing to let this series become anything but excellent. It always feels like that "highly anticipated couple" in long running series is watered down by the time it's finally out. Sienna and Hawke were everything I wanted and more!

Sienna has always interested me and I have to confess I desperately wanted more on her. About her family, how her time with Ming went. More-more-more-more. Finally readers get the scoop. Which gives a bigger insight into the Lauren family. It's amazing, and I don't think I can ever convey how wonderful Walker Lauren is. Toby and Marlee are wonderful, Singh is one of the few authors who can write realistic children. This books isn't just about Sienna and Hawke--with Singh it's never "just"--it's also about Walker and Lara falling in love. Toby and Marlee finally get a full family. Everything was so realistic that at a few moments I found myself misty eyed and fanning my eyes.

Sienna and Hawke are amazing together! While I must say I had wished that Sienna would be a bit more self assured, I know she's nineteen and that part of her courtship with Hawke is her growing up and gaining that self assurance. Kit and Sienna's relationship was another sweet addition and they have an amazing friendship--yes, I wish they could have had more. What I loved more was that Sienna is a virgin, but she owns it! She teases Hawke and goes toe for toe with him. Eventually she even owns her X designation. She can go toe to toe with the alpha of SnowDancer and it was wonderful watching her turn the tables on Hawke as she seduced him. Hawke is even more complicated then readers could have imagined and it was wonderful watching Sienna not only heal him, but call him on his crap. They are amazing together.

Kiss of Snow is the true turning point for this series. Nikita and Anthony have openly stated they will no longer support Silence. DarkRiver, WindHaven, SnowDancer, Anthony, and Nikita all join forces as the threat of PurePsy becomes more pressing. It's an interesting bunch and it's amazing seeing more into Nikita. She's a character I have grudgingly come to respect. Part of me hopes she gets a book and can truly break silence. This is the first battle of the war, and it's going to have readers on the edge of their seats hoping that beloved characters are safe.

SnowDancer and Darkrivers' relationship is amazing, transcending an alliance into trust. Readers are going to be so satisfied by this amazing entry. In the end I can rant and rave, but not cover just how much I loved this entry into the series. This was an adrenaline rush, the kind only a great book can give you. Oh, and the sexual tension! Thank you Singh. Thank you.

Sexual Content: Purrrrrr . . . er, I mean grrrrrrrrrrr.

5/5- Fabulous, a beautiful obsession!

Originally reviewed at Book Whispers.

NUMBER OF HEARTS: 4 1/2
REVIEW:
This book had me busting up laughing, crying, and screaming NOOOOOO, so many times I loved it!!! Will after my anxiety levels came down a few notches. I was so excited to finally get to this book. Have been waiting for Hawke’s book since the moment that we met him in Slave to Sensation. My only gripe about this book was that there was not more Hawke & Sienna. While I loved the parts of Walker and Lara I wanted more of Sienna challenging Hawke. But even with that I loved this book.

Hawke & Sienna are so perfect for each other that it really did make the painful wait till book 10 for their story. I really hope that we get to see more of Hawke & Sienna in future books and what lays ahead for them.

Again Angela does an amazing job of bringing Nalini’s characters to life. I am truly in awe of the voices that this girl can do! They are all very different and distinct. Until the next book ladies (which I am starting today)!!!!

If you have not read any of the Psy-Changeling books. I really think that you need to start from the beginning. So much happens over the years to the Packs, the Council, the world that if you just picked up book 10 you may not get the full impact of the story line. So go get yourself a copy of Slave to Sensation, or do what I did and get it on audio. :) But read this series!!!

Disclaimer:
I purchased the book from Audible.com and this review is my own opinion and not a paid review.

I have liked Hawke from the very beginning of this series. He was a worthy adversary turned ally to Lucas and mysterious and sexy. But who knew so much feeling and conflict was going on inside!

I never knew much about Sienna, but I was sooo pleased with her personality in this novel. She is courageous, smart, POWERFUL, loyal, persistent, etc. She is everything a man like Hawke needed in his life.

***Spoiler Alert***

"Except I never had a prayer when it came to you. You're in my every breath and every thought, intertwined so deep inside me that love's not a strong enough word--you have my devotion, your name branded on my soul, my wolf yours to command. A hundred years? It'll never be enough. I want eternity."

Tears, slow and quiet, ran down Sienna's cheeks.

He wasn't finished. "You have the power to tear me to pieces, to wound me so deep and true that I'll never recover. What Rissa's death did to the boy I was? You have the ability to do a thousand times worse to the man I've become. Some part of me knew that was a possibility from the instant you walked into my life--so I tried to keep you at arm's length even as I demanded everything you had. I was a coward."

*********

I probably read the above excerpt about 20 times. Those are very powerful words. They exude vulnerability and honesty and demonstrate just how intelligent Hawke is and how deep feelings can run in seemingly guarded men. This was also exactly what Sienna needed to hear. Sigh.

On another note, I was not disappointed in the Lara/Walker story. It was sweet in its own right. Walker was another one of those no-nonsense, former Silent Psy and it was evident in his every thought and action. Very endearing to watch him set aside his fears and embrace his feelings for Lara. As a matter of fact, I enjoyed reading about the Lauren family in general even little Marlee and Toby.

Finally, outside of Sienna and Hawke's romance (and the birth of Nadiyah Shayla Hunter!--so much happened in this book!), I enjoyed learning about Sienna's power the most. Up until now, all the Psy, even the cardinals almost seemed like a repeat of the same powers just at different levels of strength. Sienna, however, blew all of them out of the water. I loved it and that she survived its power just endears me to her that much more. I never read romance novels more than once, but my eyes were flying over the pages of this book so fast, I can't wait to go back and savor this book a second time!

I cannot wait for the next installment in the Psy/Changling series.

I can't believe it took me so long to read this after reading the previous book in the series. This is by far one of my favorite paranormal romance series of all time! We've all see the interaction and attraction between Hawke and Sienna earlier in the series. Well, finally, it's their story! I was a bit worried about how Nalini Singh will take care of the age difference, but I shouldn't have been worried. It was done amazingly.

If you want the short version, well, I LOVE IT! Nalini Singh couldn't have done a better job in writing this long-awaited story between the alpha of SnowDancer and Sienna Lauren.

I love Hawke! He's the perfect alpha male. Loyal and generous and strong, he is the heart of his pack, having become an alpha at a young age and rebuilt SnowDancer from the brink of destruction. After the death of his mate, he never thought he'd find anyone again. Until Sienna, beautiful and aggravating Sienna who tested his patience at every turn. Honestly, I want to pet Hawke! He's so totally swoon-worthy that I never get tired of reading about him! And he's the alpha male without the bullying tendency. He's used to getting what he wants, but he finds it fascinating that Sienna dares to stand up to him.

As for Sienna, having grown up in Silence, it surprised me just how loving she was. Though she was only nineteen, she'd see and done enough in her life to have the heart and mind of someone much older. Nalini Singh has such a way of writing heroines that I sympathize with. In the last few books, every heroine basically broke my heart, and Sienna is no exception. First, there's the helplessness she felt at her almost impossible relationship with Hawke. Then, there's the problem of her destructive powers that she had no way of surviving. As always, Nalini Singh had me on the edge of my seat wondering what solutions she had at the end of book to solve our heroine's problems.

This book totally led me on an emotional roller-coaster ride, not only with Hawke and Sienna, but with the rest of the characters as well. I love the amount of time the author spent on building up the relationships so that we come to care about every single character. Here's a quote that spoke perfectly of how I fell in love with each and every character:

"A single instinctive thought and the strength of his men and women flowed into him through the alpha-lieutenant blood bonds. Indigo's incredible heart, Riley's solid loyalty, Matthia's quiet determination, Riaz's intensity, Alexei's barely tempered power, Cooper's stubborn tenacity, Jem's wildfire, Kenji's calm will, Tomas's energetic wildness."

The way she summed up the characters was just beautiful.

Lastly, the backstory and the war were merged seamlessly into the story line so that it didn't take away from the romance at all but rather enhanced it, made it more real. The ending was also totally believable. Nalini Singh didn't leave out one detail, and because the way the story was built, the ending didn't feel contrived like it just popped out of thin air. Rather, it flowed naturally from the rest of the story.

As always, whenever I love a book this much, there aren't enough good things I can say about it. Just that - go out and get it! I hope you love it as much as I do!

Ning @ Reading by Kindle Fire

Review Courtesy of Dark Faerie Tales

Quick & Dirty: Truly animalistic. A wild and sexy read.

Opening Sentence: 1979. The year the Psy race became Silent.

The Review:

Kiss of Snow is the 10th installment in Nalini Singh's Psy-Changeling paranormal romance series featuring changelings, a race of shape shifters and the Psy, a race of humanoids with the powers of the mind, telekinesis, telepathy, etc.

I sometimes find it hard to write a review for a book so far along in a series such as this. You see, it's kind of like soap operas. These books feature a whole cast of characters that you have been reading about for months, all their stories are intertwined with each other. It's difficult at times to review when so much of today's stories depend on the knowledge of yesterday's news. So for this review, I will just concentrate on the romance between Hawke and Sienna, and a bit of the general world building.

Sienna is a Psy with a power only rumored to exist, at a level that is completely off the charts. For a woman so young, 19, she has been through a tremendous amount of tragedy in her life. Because of her extraordinary gift, she was subject to intense experimentation from a young age, often being forced to do inexplicable, soul altering things. When the lives of her newly found pack family are on the line, she is willing to pay the ultimate sacrifice to keep them safe.

Personally, I had to ignore the references to her age. It is hard when the heroine is the age of your niece and you really do not want to think of your niece doing things of that nature...lol. Otherwise, Sienna is a well written character, as are they all. You really connect with her throughout the story. I admit to wanting to rail a couple of characters upside the head for her, I wanted to cry for her, pray for her.

As for Hawke, well he can be my alpha any day. As a virile changeling male and leader of the SnowDancer pack, he is the stuff of legends, some nightmares and even the occasional daydream. Hawke has always been portrayed as tough as nails, and take no prisoners with the capacity to be sensitive and caring. It's nice that we get to see his light and playful side as well as the side that makes you fan yourself and whisper "oh my."

Aside from Hawke's being such a man (please insert the requisite sarcasm and head shaking), he has always been my favorite wolf. The way he cares for the others, and even those not born wolf just gives you hope for the human race. Though, I guess he really isn't one of us, but the idea is the same. His love for Sienna also makes him willing to make the ultimate sacrifice towards the end of the book, and that dear readers, is positively unimaginable.

Oh and on a side note, I'm so sad to find that Walker's past was such as it was, and love has given him a new lease on life.

These stories take place in the California wilderness and the nearby city of San Francisco, with an occasional trip to South America and elsewhere. With the Psy and the changelings "out of the closet" in this case unlike in other paranormals, there is no need to hide and be secret, so we can imagine the events as if they are happening today, right in our own back yard. It's incredibly realistic.

Overall, this latest piece of the future Ms. Singh sees for the world she has created is as riveting as those that came before it. She is a master at crafting scenes that get you hot and bothered. She is also great at scenes that make you tear up and the ones that have you pumping your fist in the air saying "take that, bad guy!" I read this book through twice, and could not put it down either time. Seriously, I cannot wait to see what happens next.

The Psy-Changeling Series:

1. Slave To Sensation

2. Visions of Heat

3. Caressed By Ice

4. Mine to Possess

5. Hostage to Pleasure

6. Branded By Fire

7. Blaze of Memory

8. Bonds of Justice

9. Play of Passion

10. Kiss of Snow

FTC Advisory: Berkley provided me with a copy of Kiss of Snow. No goody bags, sponsorships, "material connections," or bribes were exchanged for my review.

Kiss of Snow by Nalini Singh is more than I could have hoped for. The tension that has been building between Sienna and Hawke in the previous books comes to a glorious consummation and the other story arcs are galvanizing to the overall plot.

Hawke has always thought that his childhood friend who died was his mate which led him down a desolate path in his personal life when it comes to accepting a permanent, meaningful relationship. However, since Sienna entered his pack, Hawke has felt a passionate connection with Sienna that tugs at his loins and heart.

Their relationship has been contentious from the beginning because they both have been fighting an attraction they are not prepared for. He has been resisting her allure for years since she came into his pack at a very young age. In addition to their age difference, he feels he cannot offer her a relationship she deserves if he were to get involved with her.

In this story, Sienna is all grown-up and is tired of hiding her feelings for Hawke. She has always cared for Hawke but has been fearful of letting him know how she feels. She wages a campaign to gain his attention, affection and heart. By doing this, Sienna ignites feelings in Hawke he never thought he would feel for another woman.

As the reader deals with the relationship between Hawke and Sienna, the Psy are ramping up their efforts to wage war against the Changelings. The situation becomes very tenuous as the Changeling packs in the area try to remain a step ahead of their unknown enemy. To add to the drama unfolding, Sienna is also dealing with her X Psy powers that are growing exponentially. X Psy are very rare and deadly in the close knit Psy Community. So rare, there is no documentation to refer on how to handle the powers. What is known is that most X Psy die a young age from their powers burning out, literally, and they are lethal as fighters.

Sienna's family tries to obtain a long lost document written by a human researcher to unearth any help they can get to aid Sienna in controlling her X abilities better. Meanwhile, they and the pack have to deal with the problems Sienna's powers as they come. Sienna attempts to keep the powers controlled on her own since she does not hurt the people she loves or, for that matter, give away the fact that she is still alive. The Psy community believe she and her family are deceased.

To add to the mix, Walt and Laura's romance is a backstory to the novel. I am telling you this novel was worth the wait. It is full of drama and romance. I highly recommend this book. Nalini Singh weaves a awesome tale that will leave you panting for more. The next book is highly anticipated on my part. Before I conclude, I want to make one more recommendation to you if you have not read any books in this series. You need to start with A Slave to Sensation, the first book in the Psy/Changeling series. The emotional investment you gain will make reading this book all the more significant.

Happy Reading from Bona Fide Reflections!!

Hawke, the Alpha of the SnowDancer Pack and Sienna Lauren, a Psy have been butting heads from the moment her family defected from the PsyNet. Three years later, Sienna has matured and thanks to the SnowDancer pack, she's learned to leave the cold of the PsyNet behind her and embrace her emotions, especially when it comes to the wolves dynamic Alpha. Sienna knows that she's woman enough to be a match for Hawke, however Hawke knows that the wolf who was destined to be his mate died as a child and wolves only mate once in a lifetime. Hawke believes it's in Sienna's best interests if he keeps away from her, despite the desire she stirs inside the wolf and the man. The more he tries to keep away the more destructive he becomes for denying his instincts. With the SnowDancers on the brink of war with the Psy a unhinged Alpha is the last thing his pack needs.

He and Sienna began a destructive game that could not only destroy themselves, but the entire wolf pack.

I've been looking forward to reading Hawke's story since I first began Ms. Singh's Psy-Changeling series last year. Hawke and Sienna have been building up as a couple from the first book and KISS OF SNOW has been my most anticipated read this year. My anticipation has built as word trickled in several months prior to Kiss of Snow's release that Hawke and Sienna's story was the best in the series to date.

Since receiving KISS OF SNOW, I've read it from cover to cover twice and the ending at least four additional times. It gets better with each retelling. I admit I was little confused and disappointed with the ending at first. While Ms. Singh does an awesome job at putting her characters in the worst possible situations for their psyche's and then having them have to figure out how to get out of it, I have to admit, I've seen this type of ending from her before and while it captured me the first couple times, I wished for something different (to be more explicit, how the Psy can connect with each other outside of the contriction of the Net works and how that construct expands). However, the more I read the ending the more I liked it. It felt like pieces of a chessboard coming together and that everything was going to tie in later on down the road in the series.

Hawke and Sienna were great characters. Hawke was as drool worthy as always and I was glad that Sienna was his match despite her age. Hawke needed put in his place several times and I was glad that Sienna was woman enough to do so. Their relationship throughout KISS OF SNOW was one step forward two steps back, but it was done in such a compelling way with interesting plot twists and turns that I had to keep reading to see how it was going to turn out.

The side plot of Walker Lauren's romance was so multi layered that I believed it deserved a book of its own. Despite how complete Walker's romance was, it didn't distract from Sienna and Hawke's romance.

When I read books, I focus more on the characters and their reactions to each other rather than the actual plots, but can I humbly say that with the exception of the one thing that bugged me with the ending, I was constantly surprised with the twists and turns, the real conflict preventing the hero and heroine from achieving their happily ever after (Sienna's unique destructive power, even for a Psy, Hawke's inability to mate, and the war coming to destroy the pack) was the best that I've read this year. What I love about Ms. Singh's Psy-Changling series is how rich the plot is but not at the expense of character development.

Fair Warning: KISS OF SNOW is not a stand-alone book, and would make readers confused if they hadn't read the previous books in the Psy-Changeling series. However, I highly recommend getting the earlier books in the series and reading them. They're great reads

Review courtesy of CK2S Kwips and Kritiques

4.5 stars

I've been wanting Hawke's story since the very beginning when we first met him and Sienna.

I wasn't disappointed in their story at all. I knew Hawke and Sienna would be difficult because Hawke already had his mate and Sienna is not exactly in control of her abilities. My heart ached for these two on several occasions but the love they have for each other is so obviously there, you want everything to be okay even though you think there's no hope. Hawke is so stubborn and forceful that it was funny how Sienna stood up to him. Sienna is just as stubborn, though, so it was like two battering rams sometimes. Still, Hawke knew how to handle Sienna in every situation and Sienna was able to take Hawke as he is, cruel sometimes and tender others.

The plot still revolves around the Pure Psy targeting SnowDancer. We learn so much in this book because just about every Psy that is apart of Pure Psy is revealed which was somewhat shocking at times. How far the Pure Psy go to take out SnowDancer is incredibly baffling but SnowDancer fights back harder. Loyalties are shown and tested and relationships are created. The whole conflict with keeping Sienna's abilities a secret is fascinating because her abilities are so unique but I really enjoyed learning more about them.

While I loved the story very much, I had a few niggles. For one, this is a dual story. You get Hawke/Sienna and Walker/Lara. I was actually a little disappointed with that because I feel like we got cheated out of Walker and Lara's story. I've been wanting Walker's story for so long as well but I didn't feel like we got to know much about him and that made me really sad because if Walker is essentially more dangerous than Judd, can you imagine what mischief he can create with his own book?! Even if it was a novella instead of a novel?! So, that was one thing. Another thing is, Hawke and Sienna had sex a lot. Granted it was hot but I would have liked more interactions outside of groping, kissing and smexing. I was just extremely surprised that this book had way more sex than any other in the series, at least as far as I remember.

Even with that said, I really loved the book. Hawke is so dominating and Sienna is so dangerous, the two are definitely soul mates. Walker and Lara are so cute together and the way Walker was courting Lara when he didn't understand it was adorable. Still love the series and can't wait for more.

I've read this book six times already and going to read it again and again!
I loved Lucas in first book but Hawke got my attention the second he appeared. Is it surprising?! White golden hair like his wolf's pelt and pale blue gorgeous eyes.Surprising? So NOT! I loved Sienna right away too 'cause she made Hawke crazy easily and every single time! I knew that there's something going on between them, we only need to wait a little cause no matter what horror she went through or how awful life Sienna had,seventeen is just too young. BUT! The waiting was SO worth it! I'm in love with this book! The sensuality in it confirmed why i waited for this book that much. They both start to feel frustrated from every problem that appears in oh so wrong time, but finally Hawke understands that kipping Sienna away is like I love to say-mission impossible! Sienna is not an easy prey and puts Hawke in the right place when he tries to intimidate her because of his dominance, no matter how badly she wants to surrender herself to man that hunts her since the day their eyes met, another reminder to me why I love her character so much. The action scenes here are breathtaking and heartbreaking the same time. They made me want to kill those bastards who were responsible to this violence by myself! We have another love story here and I'm really pleased that Nalini wrote it,both deserve it.So yes,I'm a very obsessed fan of this couple from the very beginning, totally pleased with this book and really can't way to have a lot of glimpses into their life in following books.

Kiss of Snow is book ten (I can't believe is already book 10) of the Psy-Changeling series by Nalini Singh.

Since the Lauren family's defection from the Psy Net the SnowDancer wolf pack has offer them refuge and protection.
From the moment Sienna Lauren laid eyes on the alpha of the pack, Hawke, she felt an immediately attraction and connection with him, Hawke felt it too; but Sienna was just a young teenager, not a match or a prospect for man like Hawke.
Years have passed and their attraction hasn't change. The difference in age is still present and the frustration for not acting upon it is growing with an alarming increment. Everyday that passes Hawke is becoming more irascible and jealous and Sienna is acting out as a result of this neglection. Sienna wants Hawke to see her as the woman she has grown to be and needs him to make his mind, to make her his or to let her go. She cannot continue living not knowing what to expect from him. Hawke wants to act upon her feelings but he is afraid of loving her. His mate died at a very young age and he thinks he doesn't have much left to offer Sienna.
Psy council is crumbing, a war is forming on the horizon and the packs are going to be in the middle of all the chaos. Now they need to be more prepared than ever, acting as a whole unit to be able to defect what is coming their way.

Kiss of Snow was one of my most anticipated books of this year. I was literally counting the days for its release and it didn't disappoint me.
I felt in love with Hawke since the first time he made an appearance in this series. While I was waiting patiently for his story to come my love for him grew book by book. I wanted him so badly to have his HEA but I was a little bit afraid of Sienna as his heroine, not because she wasn't interesting or strong enough, but because of her age. I didn't know how Mrs. Singh was going to pull it off for them to work together and was a little bit apprehensive of the idea, but after reading Kiss of Snow all my misgivings were laid to rest. Mrs. Singh did a spectacular job with the development of the characters and now I think Sienna is the perfect mate for Hawke, just the kind of woman he needed.

Talking about Sienna she was so stubbornly strong, don't take me wrong, it was in a good way, she needed to be like that; getting what she wanted from Hawke was not an easy task but she was determined and didn't want to settle for less than what she deserved. The story behind her is a heart breaking one and knowing she survived it with her innocence intact and with fire in her heart proves us what kind of woman our loving alpha is getting settle with.

Hawke, Hawke, Hawke, where can I start? He beautiful, he is sexy, he is strong, he is loyal, he is sex on a stick. He is a man/wolf with a big heart but with many scars in it. We learn about his past, his family, his child mate. He is a strong alpha but at the same time he is a man afraid to love, afraid of feeling too much and getting hurt.

Sienna and Hawke's relationship felt right. I loved how Hawke was patient with Sienna and gave her the time she needed it, but at the same time I loved his possessiveness. The tension between this two was building page by page but every time things were going to go a little bit further something was happening, the phone was ringing, there was a knock at the door or something like that, preventing and distracting them from their "task" at hand. It happened so much, that it felt a little bit too much. I was almost screaming at the book "enough" don't answer the phone or the door, let the world collapse around you but don't stop.

Another character who played a big role was Sienna's uncle Walker Lauren. In this book we see another side of him. He is the pillar of the family, the one who kept them sane and his strength was what helped them escape. We also learn more from him and his life in Silence up to the moment of their defection. A secondary romance occurs between him and Lara, the healer of the pack. Their romance was very sweet, and after learning Walker story I was very glad he got his HEA. This little romance was also a nice addition to the plot.

Another character I loved in this book was Sienna's little brother Toby. He is a very lovely little guy. I loved his connection with Sienna. He may be just a little child but he has the fortitude of an adult.
One of my favorite scenes in the book was between him and Hawke, it was really too cute for words.

Sasha and Lucas also played an important part with their little addition to their family. Lucas is still the over protective Alpha but this time there are more reasons to be like that.

I have always had my doubts about Nikita and "her Silence" and this book proved my suspicious right. I really liked her and my heart aches for her.

We also see other characters from previous books, from the mated couples to the single ones and young ones we love.

Kiss of Snow was what I was expecting it to be and more. As always Mrs. Singh writing had me glued to its pages from beginning to end.
Kiss of Snow is a great addition to this series. I recommend this book to all Paranormal Romance readers. It can be read as a stand alone but there is so much history and build up between the characters and their world that it will be almost a sacrilege to read it like that.

"Kiss of Snow" was an excellent addition to the Psy/Changling series. We finally get to see a pairing that many have been waiting for eagerly - Hawke and Sienna. This was a fun Psy and Changling pairing, with the Psy initiating the chase just as much or more than the Changling, unlike most of the other pairings, where the Psy had to be coaxed into playing. This book also gives us two for the price of one with a second, minor pairing taking place as well.

We also finally find out what exactly an X Psy is. I have to say Sienna is pretty impressive, especially after the ending with the usual miraculous save from certain death (something that is starting to lose power after happening in so many of the other books as well).

The series plot made some major advances as well which were fascinating to read about. It will be interesting to learn if one of the characters who may have died is actually dead or not.

Overall a great book, and one of my favorites.

Surprisingly - happily pleased with Kiss of Snow (The story of Hawke (the Wolf Changeling Alpha) and Sienna(Psy Cardnial X). I read the book twice and its only been out a week!

I was actually scared to read this book. I was afraid of being disappointed. I read alot of series paranormal romance books, and its always the one book that everyone cant wait for that is awful. This was a plesant surprise. I do not do 5 stars often. It this book warned it for me.

Hawke and SiennA are two differnet species, 14 years apart in age and have other personal issues that have keep them apart since the beginnig of the series. I was afraid it would be a cookie cutter of the other books with similar issues and it was not. The progression of their relationship was well written and very interesting and I absoLutely loved the different nuances of their interpersonal interaction with each other, their familes and friends. The changeling Leopard books did NOT have the same level of interaction with other than just the sentinels.

Hawke has always been one of my favorite characters and this book keep him right up for me. I like the Changeling Wolf stories and liked the character of the people and how they interacted with each other. Funny, sad, poignant, loving, sexy...all the right notes were hit for me. Previous books always decribed him as arrogant, I thbink he's just wicked funny! Sienna was always background and she was written very well, and I really liked how she was 3 dimension. Young and powerful but coming into her own, willing to listen and go for her man, but accept and move on if she couldnt! She was smart and willing to listen!!! but not be walked over. Great balance in her charcter.. I went from not knowing how she could possible be written to make me care for her character and I really liked her and her and Hawke together.

It is SO hard to do this review without giving away spoilers but there are so many surprises, I would have been very upset had they been spoiled for me.

The advance of the story in genneral of the upcoming conflict between the psy and changelings and psy/psy escalated in a logical manner and on a larger scale...With some intersting twist..Many twist throughout the book.

Continuation of other chracters was just the right amount and fit in with the story.

Loved it......

OMG!!! This was my fave book in the series! I know I've said that about a couple of the previous books but that's just because this series just keeps getting better and better with every book. I was so excited to read about Hawke's and Sienna's story and the author did not disappoint AT ALL!!!

I also love the continuation of the Psy-Changeling story too. All the previous books were leading up to the inevitable confrontation between the two races and it comes to fruition in this book with the battle that started the war.

Can't wait to find out how the author addresses this in the next book now that the SnowDancer (and all their changeling allies) pack has a secret weapon: Cardinal X-Psy Sienna!!!

I have read all of Ms. Singh's Psy-Changeling series, and while I have enjoyed some more than others, this is one of the best in the series. I really enjoyed the romance between Hawke and Sienna. The author has been developing this story for a while in her previous books. The relationship between Hawke and Sienna could best be described as playful. And Hawke's slow seduction of Sienna was scorching hot. There is also a secondary love story between Dr. Lara and Walker, Sienna's uncle. It was also a sweet, very moving love story. We also get to see many of the characters from previous books. It was fun to catch up with what is going on with this growing group of characters. There's a real sense of family in these books that I love. But where Nalini Singh shines for me, is the emotion she brings to the romances between her characters. You could probably read this book without reading the previous books first. But be forewarned, it will be difficult to really understand what is going on with the characters from the previous books. And some of the plot has been developing book by book. If you do decide to start from the beginning, look for Slave to Sensation.

This long awaited story dealing with the relationship between Hawke , alpha of the SnowDancer wolf pack and Sienna Lauren, Psy and a member of his pack does not disappoint.

Sienna has changed from a young girl who longs for Hawke from afar to a woman who will to do anything to claim her man. She even goes so far to confront Hawke about his lame excuses for keeping them apart.
She has definitely come into her own.

Hawke is fighting his demons where Sienna is concerned. Now that she is home with her pack he is constantly fighting his awareness of her. She is proving herself to be a fearless and intelligent warrior more than capable of being his match. The two parts of him want to make her his but at what cost.

The background of the story is the mounting danger of a confrontation between the bowers to be in the San Francisco area , two predatory changeling packs and their allies and a group called the pure psy.

The story is action packed and the coming together of Hawke and Sienna phenomenal.

I let this story flow into me and savored every moment.

4.5 stars.

Not quite a solid 5, I think I needed a little more Hawke/Sienna and a little less with the other characters to give it a 5 stars, but this was still very good.

I had been reading another book (that I was loving and will go back to now) but Hawke & Sienna were calling out to me, loudly. I had to read their story.

Kiss of Snow was un-put-down-able (don't think that's a word but it works) once I started I could not stop reading. Stayed up till 1 in the morning for a couple nights to read just a little bit more.

Sienna was a great heroine and has become one of my favorites of the series. She has all this power but she is also so vulnerable in a few different ways. Hawke was amazing, to have such a strong male fall so hard for his chosen female is wonderful to read and experience.

I can hardly wait to read the next one and the upcoming Psy-Changeling novels/anthology next year.

I am torn. I waited forever for this story, swam through the mire of the previous books to get to this one, suffering along the way. Thinking that it would be by far the best one yet. An elusive alpha brought down by a slip of a girl, it had to be epic, right? Should have bee full of tug and pull, push and resist, sadly no. Instead Hawke fell "early" like a sky full shooting stars, easy and completely. But… the book finished strong, so I can accept being cheated for ¾ of the book, thats why the four stars, weird I know.

Still, if you haven't read Drew and Indigo's story, pick it up, its the best one yet.

Hawke, alpha of the SnowDancer pack and Sienna, a Psy that has found refuge with the SnowDancers have been dancing around each other for some time now. They both might have acted on their lust for each other but Sienna is just now 19. Sienna is also an extremely powerful X Psy - if her powers get out of control, she can decimate everything around her. Now living outside of Silence, no one knows exactly what is going to happen to her. Her powers are extremely volatile. She may be the only X cardinal ever born. No X-Psy has lives past their 25th birthday. And that was within Silence.

Hawke can't deny the attraction, but he lost his mate when he was very young. Knowing a wolf only mates once, he doesn't know if Sienna can handle the demands his wolf would place upon her. But as he says - Pack is life, and Pack knows these two are meant for each other. With their support (and threats from Sienna's uncle) these two take a chance.

Meanwhile, the Psy Council is disintegrating. Sides are being taken, betrayals are in progress. There are those who want a race of Pure Psy - where Silence is law. While a civil war is on the horizon and some want to take the shifters down with them.

Kiss of Snow is one of my most highly anticipated books of 2011. I fell in love with Hawke many books ago, and we finally get his story with Sienna. First let me say I love how Nalini writes her shifters. So sexy, sensual and physical. And Hawke does not disappoint. Some of the things that come out of his mouth melted me into a puddle of goo. He calls Sienna "baby" a lot and it's hot. He has to learn to walk the line between being Sienna's alpha and her lover. He is of course alpha down to his core, and Sienna soon learns playing with his wolf is more fun than she ever thought. They play games, they dance around one another and in the end, they have a beautiful relationship.

While the sexual tension is off the wall, halfway through the book, maybe even a little farther I was ready for it to progress to more than just tension. There are so many "almost" moments - they almost kiss, they almost embrace, they almost get physical. But Hawke's phone rings, or Psy attack, or someone interrupts them. At a certain point it became a little frustrating and distracting. But by the end of the book I was able to look back on their moments together with fondness.

Sienna is a X-Psy, and kind of in the dark with how to control her powers and what her eventual outcome will be. At a young age, she was taken from her home to be Ming's protégé. She went into silence by the age of nine. There is a lot of unknown for her out in the "real world." There is rumor of an elusive journal written in the 70's that might give her some answers, and this plays in well in the book. I think Nalini Singh does a nice job portraying Sienna - she has inner strength and confidence, but when her power flares up she really loses all control.

I have been disappointed in the past few books with how the Psy war has progressed - or how it has not progressed. In Kiss of Snow I think that storyline has a little more meat. I still want more - maybe just more from the Psy's point of view. But at least in this one, the Psy mean business and it felt more like they are a threat to the shifters.

Walker Lauren, Sienna's uncle has a really nice romance in this one with Lara, the SnowDancer healer. I really liked both of them and thought their romance brought a lot to this story. We also get a lot with Judd, Sienna's other uncle since he is so close with Sienna and helps her with her volatile powers. Oh Judd - you sexy former Psy. He has some great lines and one in particular very smexy scene. It's so nice we get an intimate glimpse into some of the characters that have already had their book.

Sascha and Lucas have a storyline that will make you smile. I really enjoy the relationship the Cats now have with the wolves. It feels like a brotherly relationship with good natured bickering - very entertaining to read.

For such an anticipated book, Kiss of Snow delivers. I even think this one can be read as a stand alone. You might be a bit confused on the Psy war, but overall I think it would read well on it's own. Of course, this entire series is great, and I recommend it to everyone.

I love LOVED LOVED the Hawke and Sienna part of this book. I've been eagerly awaiting it, and also not because when you wait for something for so long it can let you down. I was definitely NOT let down by this storyline, but like another reviewer mentioned I am bummed by the sharing of the story with Walker and Lara. They honestly probably deserved their own story somewhere down the line and maybe we will get one, but I felt that sharing it took away from Hawke and Sienna.

I didn't mind the war aspect of the story because that is a core truth to who they both are as characters, but give us their love story, and don't force another one in the way of it. It doesn't do Walker or Lara justice either. I am interested in who Walker is as a character and what he did with the Arrows he trained and I hope that we will be introduced to the man that Walker was before so that we can see how he's grown into the man he is now.

Hawke and Sienna's story was worth the anticipation and suggestive moments that I've been tortured with since Slave to Sensation! Their relationship was fiery (no pun intended), emotional, and so freaking poignant it brought tears to my eyes more than once! A great battle scene awaits the Psy/Changeling groups..wow..to imagine the power that is unleashed was hard to fathom but Singh delivered spectacularly! Now I just need Kaleb to meet his match..

The lower rated reviews have come from people who aren't familiar with the series and are understandably confused. So start with book one and enjoy! Hawke and Sienna have been among my favorites for a long time. While some reviewers have said they don't like how long it took the relationship between them to reach - well, it's 'conclusion', I found it very refreshing. She's 19 and a Psy and both are scared of the intimacy...give them some time, folks! I did wish the nuances behind the X designation issue were a bit more complex, but I found this to be a great read. And as silly as it sounds, I like the covers that have only bodies and no heads because I have these characters built in MY head and don't like covers with people on them (who usually look nothing like what I have pictured). Can't wait for the next in the series!

In addition to the long awaited pairing of Snow Dancer wolf alpha Hawke and Psy Sienna Lauren, Kiss of Snow offers a big showdown between the Psy and the wolves, the birth of Lucas and Sascha's child and a second romance between Sienna's uncle Walker and pack healer Lara - as well as tons of cameos from the huge cast of the now ten book long series.

As the sum of its parts, I liked Kiss of Snow. The parts where the Snow Dancer's make preemptive strikes against the Psy and the final battle was both climactic and emotionally intense. And I enjoyed seeing Lucas and Sascha, and was thrilled to witness their new arrival and what a powerful nurturing instinct the baby stirs up in all of the predatory Changelings.

Now to Hawke and Sienna, while I wasn't exactly disappointed, their story isn't exactly what I'd hoped for either. Some of the intensity that Singh builds early on (and has been building for several books) is lessened by trying to draw the tension out way too long. Multiple times Singh stokes the fire between Hawke and Sienna and puts them in a situations where emotions (and attraction) are running high and then fades to black, leaving us wonder how they managed to avoid taking the next step when there has always been the feeling that should Hawke ever lower his barriers even for an instant, his wolf would claim Sienna in the most primal way. Add to that frequent interruptions every time that things start to get hot and heavy between them later in the book, plus thread switches to other story lines, and the result is that when they finally do come together it just wasn't as explosive as it could have been had some of the earlier situations been allowed to reach their natural conclusions. I am tempted to go back and read only their story thread and see if I have the same reaction without the thread shifts to chop things up.

One my favorite parts of KoS was the side romance with Walker and Lara, which was sweet and complete and allowed Singh to finally clue us in on all of the details of the Walker family. Although in some ways, I wish that Singh would have saved their story for another book/novella. While the presence of Walker and Lara as individuals was key to this story, their story did take some of the focus from Hawke and Sienna - and some of what Lara goes through mirrors what is happening to Sienna, which had an impact on the emotional dynamic of the book as well.

Still, I wouldn't have missed this installment in Singh's series and when all was said and done, I was happy to find that though Kiss of Snow was supposed to complete the initial Psy-Changeling story arc, the saga doesn't feel at all finished and I've read that there are more novellas and several full length books yet to come.

I've waited ten books for this story and I wasn't disappointed. Singh's characters leap off the page and her world is richly detailed and lush. Hawke and Sienna were perfect and, while some may have wished for earlier intimate scenes, I didn't. The pacing, considering Sienna's youth and inexperience and the war building behind the scenes, fit the story. The side scenes with Walker and Lara were the sprinkles on the icing as far as I am concerned. From book one, Walker's odd metal signature has been noted and now we know the answer to why. I was glad to see that no thread was left dangling nor were the details of the world rushed to focus on more erotic aspects as some authors are wont to do. It adds so much more to the romance for me, that the back story is complete and detailed.

Now eagerly awaiting Archangel's Blade...

Sienna Lauren is an X. Hawke is the Alpha of the SnowDancer pack. Several years ago when the Lauren family defected from the Net, they found safety and anonymity in the SnowDancer pack. Now, hostilities between the changelings and the Psy are coming to a head and Sienna and Hawke must navigate the muddy waters between their races and themselves. Can they do it or will everything they hold dear turn to ash?

I LOVED this installment of Nalini Singh's Psy / changeling series. This particular story had been brewing ever since book one - and it was worth the wait. The only pitfall is that while this is a definite read, it is not necessarily a stand-alone read. There are a lot of details that are mentioned that might get missed if a reader has not read any of the previous books in the series.

Kiss of Snow by Nalini Singh
* I received a copy of this book from Berkley in exchange for an honest review*

Kiss of Snow is the most anticipated book in the Psy-Changing series and Nalini Singh does not disappoint her readers. With each book the relationships built are getting stronger and stronger, whether it's between the changelings, the mate bonds or their psy contacts and this one is no different.

Sienna has been in love with Hawke since she first set eyes on him but she knows that she can never be his mate. All she wants is for him to see her as an adult, not the child he still thinks she is. She is a good solider because of training she received as Ming's protégé but she wants more.

Hawke had to assume the reigns as the alpha of the SnowDancer pack at the age of fifteen. He lost his mate at a young age and he has resigned himself to never have anyone of his own. His wolf wants Sienna but the man will not allow himself to take her. She defies him every chance she gets, she stands up to him and yet he still won't bite.

Sienna is such a complex character. She has learned to live since her family defected from the psynet. She is now nineteen and her powers are becoming more and more unstable with each day that passes but she determined to make Hawke see her as a woman, his woman. She is strong and independent but terrified that she will harm the ones she loves when she loses control of her powers.

Hawke has the weight of the world, or at least his pack on his shoulders. Not only did he have to take over the pack as a teenager but he lost his mate at a young age. He believes that his chance at love died with Rissa but his wolf has other ideas and wants to claim Sienna. He gives so much of himself to his pack that there isn't a lot left over and he can't keep living this way.

Both Hawke and Sienna are about to blow just in different ways. They have been dancing around each other so long; it's time to do something about it. Sienna is the perfect match for the alpha of the pack. She is able to stand up to him and doesn't let him get away with much, while being a strong sounding board regarding strategic plans for the pack.

There are several things going on all at once in this book, yet Hawke and Sienna's story always stays at the forefront. The pack is such an integral part of Hawke that this book would not be complete without including them. Fans will love getting to see what their favorite mated pairs are up to.

There are so many little moments in this book that are special and pull the reader further and further into their world. The near misses between Hawke and Sienna add fuel to the fire threatening to consume them. I believe the issue with the mating bond was handled brilliantly, while not disappointing, and the ending was superb.

Kiss of Snow is without a doubt my favorite book in the Psy-Changeling series to date. Nalini Singh is a wonderful writer that understands what her readers want and is able to deliver time and time again. If you have not read this series, I highly recommend it. I give Kiss of Snow 5 Flaming Hearts.

I have been in love with Hawke since we met him in book one. I do love Lucas, but Hawke has always been the one I have wanted to learn more about. Finally, ten books later we get to see his story. I knew of course, that he was somehow going to end up with Sienna, but I had no idea how it was going to work out. I have also heard quite a bit of talk about her age being awkward since she is only 19, but that never seem to be an issue in this book. Sienna has experienced more than the average Psy in her 19 short years and her maturity level and actions often reflect this. The relationship between her and Hawke also has a slow, almost aggravatingly so, build therefore everything feels natural and not forced. I find it extremely interesting that now SnowDancer and DarkRiver both have Psy women keeping the attention of the alphas.

Speaking of DarkRiver, we do get little glimpses into their lives in this book, which I appreciated. Especially since Sascha is pregnant and has been for a couple of books now. I wanted to see if she actually has her baby and just check in on her and Lucas. The first book has always been one of my favorites and I loved getting updates on the characters from it. Sascha functions as the heart of her pack and this often bleeds over into SnowDancer and their members. They are all interconnected and Nalini has done a great job of weaving their lives together.

Another bonus was the other story being told throughout this one. We got an additional couple finding their way to each other: Lara, the SnowDancer pack healer and Walker Lauren, one of the Psy that lives with the pack. They have a completely different courtship from any other couple we have seen before, but I am glad it was just interwoven into this story and not it's own book. I like watching them bond, but I am not sure an entire book with the two of them would have held my attention.

Alright, back to Hawke and Sienna. If you have read these books before, you know that Hawke lost his mate when he was young and as a result he has never opened his heart to anyone else. Sienna refuses to let that excuse fly. She practically forces Hawke to open his eyes to the possibility of being happy again and uses some very interesting methods to get her point across. The best was the scene in the bar where she lures Hawke to her. I was dying laughing at his reaction to her behavior and watching Kit get in on the action by helping Sienna out was just as amusing. You will have to read to see what I am talking about because any other detail and I will ruin the fun for you.

My favorite scene with Hawke and Sienna though is in the woods when Hawke gives her a 20 minute head start and tells her to run. The chase was on and it was awesome! The playful aspect of their relationship was just as thrilling to watch as their tender moments. This book has become my favorite of the series for so many reasons, but it has also affrirmed my love for Nalini's writing. I am not sure who is up next in the Psy/Changling world but I know I will always be picking these books up to see what Nailini has in store for us next!

For those of you who have no idea what this Psy/changeling series is or who have just never taken the time to try it, well now is your time to get caught up! You will have ten books to feast on. Trust me they are such a delicious read.

Throughout other books we have gotten a taste of who Hawke is but in this book we find out about his past. I loved reading about why his wolf is so close to the surface and the reason he became alpha at fifteen. Even though the story was sad it was necessary for he and Sienna to fit together. After reading Kiss Of Snow I see Hawke in a whole new light. Is it wrong to be jealous of Sienna when she's not a real person?

Sienna had for some reason always come across as snotty to me. I could not have been more wrong! Being taken away at five, going silent by age nine, and the things Ming did to her as a child. It made my heart break for her as she finally broke down and told her story. Sienna is an amazing woman, I knew she was an X-Psy but I honestly had no idea what that would mean. How tormented her life was by that designation.

Most of the story is spent with Hawke and Sienna. I was worried at how she would work out the age difference, but it was handled beautifully. Even though Sienna is nineteen she has had to be an adult for some time. After Hawke caught up with reality no one has a problem with the age gap. I really enjoyed the fact that Nalini Singh wrote their love out slowly, allowing Hawke and Sienna to get to know each other on a different level since he has been her alpha for so long. I loved that they played games because Sienna had never played as a child. There dance was beautiful.

There were a few side stories going on as well. Lukas and Sasha have their baby. As the characters from the first book you always want to know what is happening in their world. Also Walker (Sienna's uncle) and Lauren (the SnowDancer Pack's healer) have a very sweet romance going that end in their own mating Dance.

Through all of this the war that has been brewing between the Changelings and the Psy has begun. Thus the action in this book is high as well. There were just no low points for me.

If you can't tell I loved it!

Happy Reading,

Rebecca
[...]

First off...if you haven't read the first nine books which I have listed below please do.

Slave to Sensation (Psy-Changelings, Book 1)
Visions of Heat (Psy-Changelings, Book 2)
Caressed By Ice (Psy-Changelings, Book 3)
Mine to Possess (Psy-Changelings, Book 4)
Hostage to Pleasure (Psy-Changelings, Book 5)
Branded by Fire (Psy-Changelings, Book 6)
Blaze of Memory (Psy-Changelings, Book 7)
Bonds of Justice (Psy/Changeling Novels)
Play of Passion (Berkley Sensation)

I wouldn't recommend just jumping into this series. The first books up until Kiss of Snow really do build the world and give you an understanding of the relationship between the many wonderful characters.

If you are looking for a detailed synopsis of the book this won't be that type of review...sorry.

I have been anxiously awaiting the arrival of this book. I was not - repeat - was not disappointed. A lot of times you will wait and anticipate a book and feel that it wasn't enough. Either you get too much fighting and struggle between the characters - which leads to the hurry up already feeling, or it was put into a nice little box with a bow too quickly that you don't feel fulfilled when you finish reading the book. I was not left wanting. Nalini Singh did a fabulous job.

The struggle between Hawke & Sienna to be together was great. At times I was rooting for them and the next I was trying to see a way around the obstacles. They kept up with the playful banter and that is something that I have grown to love about these two. She wants him and he wants her, but they each have their own obstacles to overcome and then they have obstacles to overcome as a couple. It was a true whirlwind in that I couldn't put it down. I was sucked in from the first and didn't want to stop until I was done.

I have no complaints about this book. It was easy to follow while keeping me very much in the storyline with the characters every step of the way. There wasn't a time when I needed a break cause it was getting boring or moving to slow. I devoured this book and couldn't stop till the last sentence. She included back characters that most fans want to hear about. I love the world she has created, the characters that I have come to love, and the relationships that have been built.

If you aren't a fan of this series...you should be, and if you are one like me you'll read this book again and again and again. I am anxiously awaiting the next book.

As a longtime fan of the Psy/Changeling series and Hawke and Sienna in particular, I was in heaven when this book hit the shelves. Though I will say that readers MUST read the previous 9 books in this series to be able to truly appreciate this one. Hawke was every bit as intense and sexy as I expected him to be and the loves scenes were *HOT* when they finally arrived toward the end of the book. The action was intense, and catching up with previous characters was a lot of fun. I would agree with readers who call this book Singh's 'love letter to her fans.' My favorite parts include - when Hawke referred to Kit as "that baby cat alpha" and Sienna and Hawke together at the cabin. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone was had read and enjoyed the previous Psy/Changeling novels.

Kiss of Snow was a nice addition to the psy-changeling series. This is Hawke and Sienna's story. At first I thought I wouldn't be into it, because I am not a big fan of these two as a couple, but It wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. I still don't find them totally believable, but I wasn't cringing at every kiss and/or touch. I really enjoyed the secondary stories going on in the novel. Before I really hadn't had an opinion on Walker, he was always just kind of there, however, him and Lara.... I love them. They were such a good match and I have to wonder why they didn't get their own book, I'm not sure if this author is still continuing this series or if she is taking a break and that is why she had two couples mating along with the young ones pairing off as well. The only other thing I had a issue with was the whole deal with Sienna's power. I found it to be confusing. At times she is this ticking time bomb, yet at the same time she can control it and only hurt certain people? And I felt like her cure was too easily wrapped up with her and Hawke being a mated pair and Walker thrown in to the mix. It wasn't my favorite psy-changeling novel by far, but it was one of the better novels that have come out lately in the series. Out of 5 stars I give it 3.5.

Sienna Lauren and her family escaped from PsyNet several years ago. They asked and received refuge amongst the SnowDancer wolf pack. Since joining the pack, X-Psy Sienna and alpha wolf Hawke have been at war with one another. Both respectively know in their gut, their gender battle has become a means to conceal their attraction to one another. Hawke's mate died when he was a child so he fears taking the next step in the relationship with Sienna. She refuses to step out and risk her heart too as she expects her cold fire skill that she struggles to control will kill her before she turns twenty-five.

Meanwhile the Psy Council deploys plans to destroy the SnowDancer and DarkRiver packs. That is the opening gamut to destroy the opposition to the Council. Although this will speed up her death, Sienna vows to use her power to save her clan while Hawke pledges to keep his beloved safe though he is unsure how to stop her from deploying the rare cold fire.

Psy/Changeling fans will love this great entry that contrasts the long anticipated heated relationship against the backdrop of a heated war. The story line is fast-paced and loaded with action on the battle front and romantic fronts (there are actually two loving relationships in Kiss of Snow). Nalini Singh provides what may be the romantic fantasy of the year.

Harriet Klausner

Like all the other books in this series, Hawke's was phenomenal!
I loved Sienna's character, the girl, even at 19 had a spine of steel and acted like the Woman Hawke needed at his side. It was great to see such a powerful Changeling being so tender and loving! Although all changelings are, Hawke has that raw power that makes you think twice before tangling with him! The side story of Lara and Walker was amazing and so tender! I also enjoyed the birth of Naya and how protective Lucas was of his little Psy-Panther!
Overall, the book is everything I expected and more! Very well worth the Hardcover price.

This week, we'll be looking at Kiss of Snow, one of the most memorable, and most anticipated installment of Nalini Singh's Psy-Changeling series.

The romantic pairing that this book features has been hinted at in several book throughout the series, and the story was highly anticipated by many fans. It was absolutely worth the wait! Hawke and Sienna's story is memorable, and worthy of the character's strong personalities.

Hawke is the Alpha of Snowdancer, the most powerful changeling wolf pack in the United States. He became Alpha at a young age when a tragedy wiped out most of the elders in the pack. Sienna is a young Psy woman who, with her family, became an adopted member of Snowdancer in her youth. She holds the rank of novice soldier within the pack. Sienna's situation is unusual. The training she had in her intensely traumatic childhood, paired with constant struggles to manage her destructive Psy power, have strengthened and matured her at an accelerated rate. She often seems older than her true age, but in some things she is very much the inexperienced young girl. There seems to be a huge gap separating the characters, including differences in rank, age, background, and experience. Then there is an added complication: the girl Hawke knew would grow up to be his mate died in a childhood accident, so it is unlikely that Hawke and Sienna will ever formally mate, even if they manage to overcome all of those differences. When you add in the external conflicts that come from the further development of the over-arching series plotline, you are left with a rich, complex series of plots that all have to be fully developed and woven together cohesively-- I believe that the author managed it beautifully.
Throughout the series, Singh has done a remarkable job constructing a believable alternate culture, and the world building is some of the best I have ever seen. The alternate culture and world are constructed through seamless integration with the story in each book, avoiding the bulky chunks of information dump that are so often seen in scifi-fantasy, and paranormal novels. Kiss of Snow continues in the tradition of its predecessors, further building and enriching the world through the natural progress of the story. The elaborate over-arching plot of the series progresses nicely in this installment, significant events taking place, and influencing the behavior of Sienna and Hawke.

One of the memorable features of the Psy-Changeling series is a theme emphasizing the interconnectedness, and interdependence, of life; the three major races in the world (the Psy, the Changelings, and the Humans) are connected in a myriad of ways, even if they don't realize it, and the major conflicts usually arise from a failure to acknowledge this interconnectedness. In addition, the deliberateness of nature, and the importance of balance is another prevalent theme. Psy powers are the most obvious example of this. Powers that are seemingly completely benevolent contain a potential for darkness, and powers that appear to have no purpose other than absolute violence contain the potential for powerful good.

Sienna's power is one of the most destructive. Up until the end of the story, there seems to be no way it can be controlled, or channeled into anything other than absolute destruction; however, when the true function of her power is revealed, the subtly placed hints throughout the story come together beautifully, a web of fine lace finally settling into a satisfying completeness.

The main plot, Sienna and Hawke's love story, is complex. They are powerfully drawn to each other, but they must bridge internal obstacles of power, age, status, and emotional maturity, as well as several external issues: hostile political climate, uncertain future, time constraints due to preparation for war, etc. Also, both characters have deep-rooted fears and past trauma that has affected their development as individuals, and affects the development of their relationship. As the story progresses, the reader sees both characters slowly grow and mature to a place where a functional relationship is possible. In the end, both Hawke and Sienna learn how to forge an equal partnership, despite their differences. Overall, Kiss of Snow was powerful thematically, well-paced and exciting in the overarching series plotline, and emotionally engaging, finely nuanced, and well-structured in the main romantic plotline. The balance between the romantic plotline and the secondary plotline was spot on as well. The grad external conflict of the world was further developed- the events of this book formed a major climax in the series plotline--and a significant part of the story, without overwhelming the romantic plotline, which remained the main focus (exactly as it should in a paranormal romance).

Kiss of Snow was another wonderful example of world building, multi-plot management, and character and relationship development from Nalini Singh.

This review was written by me, and originally posted on [...]

I LOVED this book. I loved how Sienna called Hawke on his cowardice, I loved her stregnth, I loved the evolving war with the psy. I think we have seen that scale down a bit in the previous books and given the lead up and the finale of the last book I'm glad it was given the attention it deserved here. I loved the side romance between lara and Walker ( better than a short story in an anthology) and I cannot wait to see who has cubs next!!! I do miss Faith's character from the series. I feel like she was so strong and as such a strong foreseer she should be a strong advantage in the upcoming war. I am also waiting to see who Kaleb was guarding in the previous book. Still, the depth that is slowly being added to Nikita's character is beautiful and intriguing. It was nice to see that the X-psy designation lived up to its reputation- with Judd flaming out all the time- we needed a new resident Badass. I am waiting to see the roles of vasic and aden continue to develop. The only thing is- I wonder, after this book- who will come next? So many of the original characters are either too young to have their own books- like Kit, or don't really interest me- like Rina and Barker- or are already hooked up- like half the snow dancer lieutenants. I think it is time to involve the psy in some of the romances again. Anyways- Nalini, as usual, does not disappoint and her books- as you can tell from this review, left me completely satisfied, while still begging for more!

If you are a fan of Nalini Singh then like me you've waited for Hawk and Sienna's story since you learned there was something between them. This story was both a joy and somewhat of a letdown. As another reviewer said, the book could have used a better editor 'cause the middle section was around 150 pages too long. By the time they finally got together i was over it. Hawks continued insistance that Sienna was too young and NOT his mate was fine the first 10-15 times but the 40th?! Hawk is a smart man the fact that he and everyone around him are so blindingly oblivious to the FACTS is but just one of the things that bring this book down for me. It's still one of the best series out there so i look forward to the next one, but this was not one of her best.

Yay! Just what I always wanted, to see a fully mature, powerful adult 30-something year old man get pushed into a "relationship" with a nineteen year-old girl who only learned how to have emotions a few years back! Not. There are some spoilers up and coming.

Now let me say, Nalini Singh is one of my favorite authors, and I love the Guild Hunters series, and loved every Psy-Changeling book up until this point. I had read most of the books in the series twice when I read this one. And then I read this, and based on all the other reviews, I kept wondering if I read the same book as everyone else. Because I now I'll never read the rest of the series, nor will I re-read any of the other books in the series (although I can't wait for the next Guild Hunter book to come out!)

1. It is hinted at that Hawk and Sienna will be together from early in the series. And yet there is never any character development on Sienna's part. She started out, and remains through this book, a bratty child who in the end, basically tells Hawke that he can never boss her around because...? Sorry, I don't like the power dynamic between my heroines and heroes to be so unequal that the heroine would have to say something like this to reassure herself of her equality, especially when it's been made so clear that she's not his equal up to that point at the end of the book. It's childish to the max. The only power she has is that she's basically Jean Gray from X-men, but strong super power does not an equal partner make.

2. I don't see the love between these two characters. Hawke basically gives in to Sienna because he's desperate to sleep with her, and only after she makes him jealous by dancing on a bar in front of other men. Yeah, also not into heroes being dragged around by their little heads as a way to force them to realize that the teenager they've been resisting is actually mature because, you know, she proved it by dancing on a bar. He also only bonded with her to save her life, or so it seemed to me, because there was really no love lost as far as I could tell.

3. We have been told repeatedly how alpha changelings are. You really expect me to believe that Kit, whom we've been told is a young alpha all this time, and wants Sienna for himself, would willingly go along with helping her hook up with Hawke? Doesn't fly.

4. Lots of people dislike that Lara and Walker share this story. I liked their story better, and in my opinion, they are the only reason this book deserves even 1 star. Even if I had liked Hawke and Sienna as a couple, I would have disliked it because of how disjointed their story was.

5. Dear Paranormal Romance Story Gods,

If the heroine is young enough to be grounded by the hero and sent away for three weeks because of her immature actions, and he actually does so, well, um, why is he trying to have sex with someone he's also parenting through the last years of her adolescence? This is gross. Please don't let them be a couple.

6. I feel like both Sienna and Hawke got shafted. He deserved to be blindsided by some amazing heroine as alpha as he is (was, he kind of became weird and beta in this book), someone he didn't essentially have to be forced into wanting, and Sienna deserved to get over her stupid crush, grow up, and get a man who actually wanted to give himself to her, instead of being the kind of submissive heroine that was willing for much of the story to settle for what he was wiling to give, which wasn't much.

If you're a Psy/Changeling fan like me you have been waiting for Hawke's own book for what seems like forever. Well, the wait is finally over because the tenth book in the series, Kiss of Snow, is out and it is definitely worth the wait. I'll go right out and say that I'm rating this book 5 out of 5 stars and a fair warning, this review will contain a lot of gushing. Fellow readers, this book is sooo good!! Seriously one of the best romances and the best paranormal romance I've read this year--it met all my high expectations and I wanted to re-read it again when I flipped the last page.

Unlike most fans, I wasn't really a Hawke/Sienna shipper. Sienna did grow up a lot throughout the series but I didn't quite see her as heroine material for super sexy Hawke. But as I started reading Kiss of Snow I totally did a one-eighty and rooted for Hawke and Sienna. She turned out to be a fantastic heroine that stood on her own (which was hard to do with a bigger than life hero in Hawke). Sienna was strong, smart, confident and she didn't let the very dominant Hawke dominate over her. For half of the book, Hawke tried to resist Sienna because having already found and lost the woman who would've been his mate, he knew he was destined to be alone and couldn't give her what she deserved. But Sienna tried to prove him wrong and did all she could to drive him crazy. There was a lot of will they or won't they build up and while that might leave some readers frustrated, I enjoyed the playfulness between them all the while chemistry and tension crackled. Hawke and Sienna are my new favorite couple in the series next to Judd and Brenna.

Besides Hawke and Sienna's story there was a secondary romance between Sienna's uncle Walker and Lara, the SnowDancer's healer that was very sweet and lovely. We also get to see a lot of Judd, Brenna, Lucas, Sascha, Indigo and many of the other characters we love and have come to care for in the series. The overarching storyline of growing tension between the Psy and the Changelings continued with a skirmish towards the end of the novel with some casualties on both sides, which gives us a taste of the inevitable full-out war to come. But despite these secondary plot lines, it was still very much a romance and still Hawke and Sienna's story. Ms. Singh could have easily let the Psy/Changeling war take over the main story but she didn't and that's what I loved about this series--it continues to be a true sigh-inducing romance (take note Ms. Ward, this is how a paranormal romance series is done). The world building was as excellent as always, at every book we learn a little bit more of the world and it doesn't change here.

I most definitely recommend Kiss of Snow to everyone. However, if you are new to the series, you will not want to start with this book. To fully appreciate the characters, the world Ms. Singh has created and to avoid confusion to the few overarching storylines that build at every book in the series, you'll want to start with the first book in the series Slave to Sensation and read up to Kiss of Snow. Trust me, you'll want to read the whole series anyway. And even if you think you're "over" paranormal romances, Ms. Singh's Psy/Changeling series is one you will absolutely not want to miss.

Reviewed by Michelle for Michelle & Leslie's Book Picks book blog

I have been waiting and waiting to get to Hawke's story and am so happy with how it ended! There were a few things I didn't understand that happened that I think could have been better explained, but overall a very good read.

As usual Singh works her magic. Her books are always on my auto-buy list. I loved Hawke's story and felt Sienna was the perfect match for him. the reviewers who have stated they didn't like how some scenes in the book ended and felt they missed a page, I think perhaps it is so the reader can use some imagination, such as when movie scenes fade out and your imagination fills out the rest. I also loved the other side stories in the book as it went along. It was fun seeing previous story characters. I won't go into the whole story as other reviewer's have done that, but . . . . fantastic!

Mostly because of Hawke and his obnoxious, double standard enforcing ways in the first half of the book. “Oh, I can have ALL the sex, but not you Sienna. You attempt to have sex, I’ll punish you and treat you like a child, though you’re 19 years old and old enough to have a say in your sex life. Never mind I’m old enough to be your father or close enough, and I’m acting childish enough for an entire kindergarten! You done all the stuff to earn soldier rank? HAH no, I want you to remain at juvenile rank because I said so!”

No no no. Then when they DO hook up, Sienna has to lead 2 lives... because Hawke is too old to hang out with her and her friends. So no scenes like with Sasha and Lucas, and co. :/

I read the one 1 Star review on the store, and I just had to write my own review. I adored this book! It was so fabulous, it fulfilled all my desires for Hawke and Sienna's relationship! A lot of people have said they didn't like that Walker and Lara's relationship was such a large part of the book, but I want to point out that Kiss of Snow was much longer than any of Nalini Singh's other books. It would've been nice to see that story in its own book, but I do understand. I don't want this series to turn into LKH's Anita Blake series. Plus, Walker and Lara's relationship didn't move the whole story line along, and its unlikely that if they had had their own book this would have changed. Anyway, the story was awesome. The chemistry between Hawke and Sienna was tangible, and Hawke's struggle was completely believable and relatable. Clearly, I'm a fan of this book. It's definitely one of my favorites.

It seems like forever that Singh has teased us with the relationship brewing between Sienna Lauren and Hawke. Now that Sienna is 19 she's tired of waiting and has an overwelling amount of friends and family that are more than willing to help her trap the unwilling Hawke. Yet, even when it looks like Hawke is yielding, there are other problems on the horizon. The wolves are being attacked and Sienna's powers are overloading (for lack of a better term).

The book was action-packed and well worth the read. Singh is always a pleaser.

This book was such a wonderful continuation of the conflicts building in Play of Passion--Singh continues to amaze me with her intelligence & imagination & writing skill. She weaves a beautiful story, and this book is no exception.

It IS slower-paced than some of her earlier works. However, the detail she gives to Hawke's back-story is incredible. She really gave the SnowDancer Alpha his due.

A delightful read, a heart-pounding ending...I cannot wait for her next Psy-Changeling Saga installment!

Let me just say that I LOVE Nalini's Psy-Changeling series.

Her Psy-Changeling series is the ONLY series that I have bought - and kept. I'm reading JD Robb's EVE DALLAS series - but I haven't bought any of the books. I bought most of Suzanne Brockmann's SEAL series but eventually sold them on. I have NO intention of EVER selling on the Psy-Chaneling series - but I've only bought up to book 9.

As there was no way on earth I was going to buy a hardback book to add to my series collection, I checked this one out of my local library. I'm really glad I did. Nalini is a fantastic writer (in my humble opinion) but this book was anti-climatic. I enjoyed the secondary love story, but the main romance, though fantastically written, didn't live up to expectation. Expectation, I might add, that was build up over the previous 9 books. I expected and wanted MORE.

Dear reader of this review, I don't know how to explain what I felt and thought when I read this book. Sienna character was really well written. She came across as exactly the age she was. Hawke, to me, was more interesting in the previous books. There was a couple of times they nearly got intimate then something would happen and they had to abandon their intimate moment. This did get a bit irritating. But really, there wasn't much Hawke & Sienna time and no real romance time. The war arc moves along, which took up book space, and yeh I liked Lara & Walker but not to the detriment of have an interesting romance between H & S. Judd & Brenna didn't share their story with a secondary couple, infact none of the other main characters have. It boils down to the fact that I wanted, hoped for, EXPECTED Hawke & Sienna to be the main and only HEA focus - and they weren't, which made KOS a slightly disappointing read hence the 3 stars.

I wont buy book 11, hopefully my local library will have it. If it's a 4 star read, I'll buy it when it comes out in paperback. If it's a 5 star read and needs KOS to keep the series moving along, I'll buy KOS (in paperback of course) which should be a cheap buy by then.

KOS just did not live up to expectation. Instead of being a spectacular read like others in the series - it was just OK.

If you've just come across this series, there is NO WAY you should start with this book - KOS. This is not a series that can be dipped in at random points. To extract the most enjoyment from this series you do need to start with Book 1 and work your way through. IT's worth it.

5* Book 1 - Slave to Sensation - Lucas DR + Sasch Psy
3* Book 2 - Visions of Heat - Vaughn DR + Faith Psy
5* Book 3 - Caressed by Ice - Judd Psy + Brenna SD (very romantic)
2* Book 4 - Mine to Possess - Clay DR + Talin H - I could wax lyrical about how much I heartily disliked Talin.
4.5* Book 5 - Hostage to Pleasure - Dorian DR + Ashaya Psy - (very romantic)
4* Book 6 - Branded by Fire - Riley SD + Mercy DR
4* Book 7 - Blaze of Memory - Dev FP + Katya Psy
4* Book 8 - Bonds of Justice - Max H + Sophia Psy
3.5* Book 9 - Play of Passion - Drew SD + Indigo SD

SD = SnowDancer - wolves
H = Human
FP = Forgotten mixed race Psy
DR = DarkRiver - Cats, Leopards, Jaguar (hopefully Nalini will intro other 'cats' - Lions? Panthers? who knows?)

This book didn't disappoint. Sure I could have done with less Lara & Walker but as a Hawke and Sienna fan that's been waiting a long time to read their story, I was very satisfied. From the moment I read their exchange in Slave to Sensation, these two stood out to me. Their chemistry is off the charts and they quickly became my favourite couple. Not only do I love them as characters but individually as well. I have a book crush on Hawke and Sienna is wonderful. A very welcome and compelling addition to the series.

This is my second Nalini Singh novel - I've read "Archangel's Blade" - and my first in her psy-changeling series. Although this book is part of a sequence, I did not get too lost or confused, just one part about the way the psynet functioned left me a bit baffled, but not distractingly so.

I was going to say that "Kiss of Snow" was not a paranormal romance. In fact, until I hit page three hundred and something when we FINALLY get some "romance action," I was ready to label it as a Sci-Fi novel. But, alas the anticipated sex scene appeared on page, so the book retains the paranormal romance tag.

The reader finds herself in a world occupied by changelings - some from human to wolf, others to leopards, or rats - and Psy, people with supernatural psychic powers. The changelings are allies and "the good"; the Psy are, for the most part, "the bad." And, of course, war is brewing - the Psy want to rule! And in these troublesome times, a love story, that faces just as many difficulties, blooms - could I get any more cliché ;)?

Hawke - alpha wolf to his pack - exact age not given, finds himself resisting his attraction to nineteen-year-old Sienna Lauren - an X-Psy, basically a very unpredictable, unstable weapon in human form, unless she learns to control her power. Hawke is an emotionally scarred man, having lost his "mate" at a very young age (as a child actually) and is unwilling to subject himself to such vulnerability again - loving, and risking the chance to lose that love; he also detests the Psy, as they experimented on and destroyed not only his father, but a majority of his pack many years ago. Sienna is also a much damaged character - she has been raised in isolation, has almost killed her own mother as a toddler because she couldn't control her X power, and is in general a rather aloof sort of person. She is also stubborn, determined, and at times childish - she is only nineteen after all. And all these characteristics make for a rather tumultuous and this-is-not-a-light-escapist-read love story.

Now, I find that there are a number of things about Nalini Singh's style that don't appeal to me. Don't get me wrong, the woman knows how to write, in fact is a very good writer, it is just that in both of her works that I have read she does the following - she spends too much time developing the action and/or the crime solving aspect of her work, using that to drive the plot; her protagonists, as I already said, have deep emotional scars that create a predictable conflict between the couple (lost love/mate/not willing to commit again); although the tone of her works is dark, the actual sexual attraction is not felt and that is because she writes a very prolonged "prelude" to the love story, using not the attraction but the action and the characters' internal struggles to drive the romance; and, she takes forever to open the bedroom door, writing too many innocuous kissing and touching scenes, and once she does open the door, the sex scenes are too close to one another, that after the first one, I find myself skimming through them.

Overall this is not a bad book - it has a well-written setting, well-developed primary and secondary characters (even a secondary love story), good dialogue that is more serious, tactical than witty, a believable resolution to the internal struggles, basically all the characteristics of a good novel; it is simply not a light/escapist read and does not possess the sexual chemistry I expect in a paranormal romance. If you are looking for something light, this is not for you. If you want something more serious, then pick this up.
original on romancecritic

So, the audio version was well done - good narrator and quality.

I have an issue with the cover. Sienna is a red head with "cardinal" eyes (black with pinpoints of light). Hawke has silver/gold hair and is significantly older than 19 year old Sienna.

The models they chose for the cover are.. not Not NOT Sienna and Hawke.

That said, I'm always a little disappointed when authors write two stories into one. I wanted Walker's story and Hawke's stories to be told. Each of these men deserved their own stories. If Walker wasn't the compelling hero Judd and Hawke are, his story could have been told in one of the novellas Singh is fairly good at writing.

Now. The X designation. Ugh. Similiar to the resolution for the E designation, it all seemed a little too "simple". Without giving away too many spoilers, each character had to just let go.. Wait. That's it? At least with Judd, there was a real story for him to break Silence.

Then there's the logic gap in Silence. The Psy are supposed to be this Vulcan-like (but without the cute ears) race. Slender. Logical. I get that. They do some kind of master mind tricky stuff when the kids are little and BAM! no emotions. Some people died? No big. Changlings describe Psy as having a cold, metallic scent.

I like the idea of a Psy mind, linking and providing feedback to each member. I like the idea of having a kind of world wide web of minds with the potential for "hackers" and the challenge of keeping your private life - private. That all allows for some good science fiction stories.

But denying all emotions, all touch, all empathy - is illogical unless it serves a purpose. And Singh seems to ignore the fact that Silence had to have been logical, otherwise it never would have been implemented. Faith's story is the only one which shows the "positive" side of Silence. Maybe Judd's story, to a small degree, since he keeps part of the Protocol.

Silence is a drastic step taken by a panicked people. Rather like cutting the feet off of prisoners to stop them from escaping. There are 100 other ways to get to point X. Why do the Psy take the most drastic step available?

The Psy have their motives and logic shouldn't equal evil and yet, in the Psy-Changling World, it always seems to do just that.

You will see two romantic -- Hawke and Seinna and Walker and Lara. I loved both Stories. Paralleled with the romances, we will see and experience the "war" between the Pure Psy and the changelings. I really enjoy it.

Dear Nalini, please never stop writing the Psy-Changeling series. Each book is so good, there are no words to describe your talent and creativity. You have created such extraordinary and wonderful characters, unique world and beautiful love stories, that I want to continue reading these stories forever. Please write the story of Kit, Kieran, Vasic, Aiden, Toby, Marlee, Rina, and then Julian and Roman and so on and so on....

This is the second Psy installment I’ve read (the other was the first in the series). I would have to say it’s a disappointing read. I find the world building to be strange. I like the idea of the psychic population but I thought the changeling/shifter part was contrived: it’s as if the author/publisher decided that there’s a reader population out there who would read anything involving animal shifters. So the result is a mishmash of humans, psychics and shifters. The story is a little bit of this, a little bit of that: 30% on the main couple, 20% on the secondary couple, 30% on the overarching plot (the upcoming Psy wars), the remaining on previous and future couples. With the pages spread over all the different subplots, the romance is not well developed and poorly paced. The story moves forward ponderously with most of the action occurring in the last 20% or so. There’s a lot of telling and little on the showing. I can’t connect with the main couple: Hawke and Sienna. Others have mentioned the age difference being a problem (she’s 19, he’s 34?). I don’t mind so much the gap in chronological age but the difference in the level of sexual/romantic experience is a concern. The author tries to convince us that the hero is still pining after the girl he had identified as his mate when she was 2 and he was 7 and who had died at age 5. I mean, that’s really, really a stretch. So, because of that sentiment, the hero tells the heroine he can’t be her mate but will have a sexual relationship with her. When she tells him she wants everything or nothing, instead of leaving her be, he still chases her, all the time knowing he’s offering a loveless, sex-only, non-mate (i.e. no progeny) relationship while frightening off eligible males. Throughout the book, the hero keeps talking about the knock-them-dead, love-at-first sight between him and his baby mate, between his parents. I really feel sorry for the heroine. I haven’t read the previous books except for #1 so I can’t really tell from this installment why the heroine is so besotted with the hero. All I see is an inexperienced, troubled 19 yr old, awash in teenage hormones, infatuated with the dominant male of her pack and that same overbearing male is too much of a selfish SOB to stay away from her. I guess I’m not into the dominant male, submissive female trope (even though the heroine is supposed to be such a powerful psychic). I just wish the heroine would come to her senses, learn to respect herself more, not accept second-best, and dump the SOB. The romance between the secondary couple seems to be more of a filler and not particularly well fleshed out. I lost track of how many times the author uses words like predator/predatory, “pale eyes”/”ice-blue eyes”, “panther green eyes”, alpha, etc. etc. It’s just tedious. The author also has this weird way of ending the chapter whenever the hero/heroine make some move or other.

I read this as an audiobook (free on Youtube) with Angela Dawe as the narrator. She delivers her lines in a flat, monotonous tone, sometimes spitting out the dialog without taking a single breath. She certainly does not elevate this book out of the ordinary.

I must say I enjoyed this book because Hawke, the pack leader, is the ultimate Alpha. I loved how he just was constantly in control with his pack. I also liked the play between him and Sienna. It was interesting to see how Sienna developed over time into the young woman portrayed in the novel. This is probably my favorite out of the psy-changeling novels I have read.

This was the best read in s ling time. I just love Hawke and Sienna's story. Some comments stated the readers didn't like how Walker and Lara' s story intertwined. But Nalini did an excellent job with it I thought. I must read SERIES for all paranormal fans!

Ummm...I was really looking forward to this book since we learned that Hawke lost his future mate when he was a child. I had high hopes. I was not entirely disappointed, I just expected a little more. I did like Walker's story but definitely thought he should have gotten a whole book especially if Max and Dev got one. I also thought that Hawke deserved a whole book to himself. I still liked it very much but I just wanted more.

Another amazing addition to the Psy-changeling series: Hawke and Sienna's story!

(along with spies, cubs, delivering a psychic baby, explosions, hot wolf and cat people, mental weapons of the most dangerous kind, and Happily Ever Afters---several, in fact!)

I was looking forward to KoS not because of the characters, but rather as a wrap-up to the series. In this, I was disappointed, at least I assume I was - the Ghost's identity wasn't revealed, the Psy structure hadn't come tumbling down, etc.
The other problem I had was with the editing. The novel was too long, there was a lot of repetition, and I'm still not completely sure how Sienna's power works.
Lastly, a nitpick that I've had with both of Singh's series: if I see one more character "turn the air blue", I swear, I will hurl the book across the room and give up. The expression is repetitive and anachronistic. It breaks me out of the writing.

3.5 stars

Overall a very good addition to the series. Very interesting characters but a few places could have moved along a bit faster. I didn't find the romance as compelling as some of those in the first books of the series, but as always Nalini Singh's fine writing made this one I couldn't put down. This book is only 4 1/2 stars in comparison to the best of this series - it is better than most other books of this type.

I felt about this book the way i felt about G.A Aiken Dragon Kin 6 Eibhear and Izzy's story.There was just a great build-up but when the time came it felt like a big letdown.My least favorite book of the series.

Nalini Siingh is the best author I've read in years! Both her series, Psy-Changling and Guild Hunter, are must reads! And this is the best book in the series. It could have been a total let down after all the buildup but it went beyond expectation! I now own both the hardcover and the kindle versions!

What a lame and weak feminine character for the alpha male. Really, she could not create a stronger personality then the one playing teenage games with an experienced male. "Walk or shoulder", I don't think I have heard that line since the ape man times.

I had read a book of Nalini Singh's a long time ago - I didn't like it. I kept hearing how wrong I was though, and that she is a wonderful author. So after years of refusing, I picked this one up. I just don't get what the fuss is about. I read the other reviews, and some were saying that she can be a hit or miss author, which I get - but I have so far just read her misses. Maybe someone can give me a reccomendation of her hits - though even then is all about perspective.

i have read the whole set of nalini singh's psy-changling books starting with kiss of snow. loved it so much immediately went on line and bought all the other titles in the series. was not dissappointed in one book, all was a great read and the characters fantastic....go nalini singh....bring a new one out soon please!

I've been waiting for this book since we first got a glimpse of Hawk and Sienna and this book did not disappoint. It was amazing!
Hawke and Sienna's chemistry was spot on an beliveable especy given both of their pasts. This was an explosve book for an explosive couple I expected nothing else from the amazingly talented Nalini Singh!!

I love Nalini Singh. I love the Psy-Changeling universe. And when I read all the way through the series and hit this one, I fell in love even more! Not only is it an older man/younger woman romance (which I lurv), Hawk and Sienna truly had amazing chemistry.

One of the most anticipated books this year is Kiss of Snow (book #10) by Nalini Singh. Nalini has come a long way with her Psy-Changeling series. I can still remember the first time I picked up Slave to Sensation back in 2006, knowing I found an author I'd stick with for life. Nalini is an incredibly talented author, and if you're not reading her books, you're missing out on something special.

I read Kiss of Snow a few months ago and was on the fence whether or not I should review it. The reason is there are some things I enjoyed reading, while there were other things I found lacking. Kiss of Snow, from the overwhelming amount of reviews posted, is where everyone is head of heels in love with this book. It seems I'm in the minority here. Honestly, it's hard to review Kiss of Snow because not only have I met Nalini and chatted with her in emails, but as I said before, I've enjoyed the majority of what she's written. Kiss of Snow was missing something for me as a reader. At one point I had to put the book down and read something else, and then come back to it. I think my problem lies with expectation. This happens from time to time and Kiss of Snow is a perfect example of this.

Kiss of Snow is what the Psy-Changeling fans have been waiting for, especially those who adore Sienna, the young X-Psy refugee, and her love for Hawke, the uber alpha wolf of the SnowDancer pack. These two have been dancing around each other since the moment they met. Hawke's desire for Sienna has grown to the point where he's consumed with jealousy and incredible frustration. (The man has a serious case of mega blue balls) Hawke keeps his feeling bottled up inside because he feels Sienna is too young and fragile to take him on. (Sienna is 19 and Hawke is almost 30) Plus Hawke is dedicated to the memory of his mate he lost when he was very young. Very young is the key thing here as in Hawke and the girl he loved never connected on a level together as a grown man and woman. Because of this he feels he can't mate with any other woman, most of all a Psy, like Sienna.

Sienna is tortured in every single way. We've seen this many times with past Psy heroines. She has the ability to be a true unemotional killer, a weapon much like her Uncle Judd once was. But Sienna is not cold and distant, or in control as everyone around her thinks her to be. Sienna is slowly breaking down inside and can barely keep up her defenses because of Hawke. She wants Hawke desperately and longs to be the one he turns to for intimacy.

These two can hardly be around each other without acting out. The way things have been between Sienna and Hawke has come to an end and new beginning is in store for them. Sienna decides to throw herself in Hawke's face by acting as if she doesn't need him. She goes off with her Changeling friends to bars and clubs, while Hawke broods and smolders, his inner beast fighting to break free to claim Sienna as his own. And then finally Hawke can't take it anymore. All bets are off. Hawke unleashes his snarling wolf and Sienna no longer has a chance because Hawke is finished with the games and wants to play on his terms.

Sienna and Hawke's passion for one another is combustible. Hawke doesn't pounce on Sienna right away, but courts her with deadly precision. It's like he's going off to war. Sienna wants Hawke in all his forms, but is scared because of what lies inside her. These two take a long time to come together. Kiss of Snow is one big buildup of foreplay where I was frustrated alongside these two. But when they throw all caution aside, their love scenes will scorch your eyeballs when they finally share their bodies with one another.

The majority of the plot is dedicated to Sienna and Hawke, but we do see another, tender side with Sienna's, innocent in the ways of intimacy, Uncle Walker and the SnowDancer healer, Lara. These two are the complete opposites from their counterparts and their interactions were lovely, so much so I was more interested in them at one point. Also Judd has a great deal of interaction, including Sasha and Lucas, whose happily ever after is in full force. These two are still my all-time favorite couple in the series and I was so happy to see them and their growing family.

With all these wonderful characters and their relationships, you'd think Kiss of Snow would be a perfect novel. It wasn't for me. I found Kiss of Snow to be more surface reading if anything, the depth was lacking and the focus was off. Many sections were shortened and there wasn't much action overall. There was a great deal of talking and internal musing, mainly from Sienna and Hawke. I was disappointed how Sienna's relationship with Kit was played out. I felt that was as cop out, a way to get Kit out of the way so everything could be concentrated on Sienna and Hawke. I was expecting much more with Kit and Sienna, for him to be the catalyst to push Hawke into claiming Sienna, but their relationship was cut off abruptly.

The last fifty pages are explosive. If only this could have been occurred from the very beginning. There's a secondary story with Judd, his Arrows and a big surprise thanks to the Ghost that you won't see coming. I have a good idea the Ghost could be one of two characters, one who is obvious, the other way under the radar, and if Nalini decides to go with the one readers least expects, you can bet it will be shocking to the max.

There's been a great deal of discussion about books being subjective, and for me Kiss of Snow is a perfect example. I realize I'm in the small minority with Kiss of Snow, and although I was less than astounded by what I read, I'm still very much dedicated to this series. Nalini has created a world and a group of characters I'll never forget. I just wish Kiss of Snow had been that book I couldn't stop thinking about. Unfortunately it wasn't. I do look forward to even more Psy-Changeling books in the future and wait with baited breath for her announcement about Kaleb and his book. *gets downs on knees that Kaleb gets his own book*

If you're a diehard fan of Sienna and Hawke you'll want to have babies with this book and will most likely re-read it many times until the next Psy-Changeling book is released.

Katiebabs

I love Nalini's books - all of them, but I must admit I was dreading Kiss of Snow because I didn't think Sienna was right for Hawke - and having finished the book I still don't. Maybe I'm biased against the story because of this but I thought the, will Hawke or won't Hawke, take her was too drawn out and he became less alpha as the book progressed. Not only that, the continuing Psy war bored me - nothing new.

What I did love was Lara and Walkers sub-romance which I would have loved to see in a full book, all on its own. They had real inner torments, motivations and conflict to overcome. I loved their story.

Still a good read, and if you love her series you have to read it, but not one of her best.

I feel like I have said this about the last few books in the series but... The book was too much filler of characters I couldn't make myself care about but I am addicted to the over-all story/plot.

There was about 50 pages of good material here but those 50 pages were very good. I don't want to give any spoilers away so I'll just say I am still on the edge of my seat, dying to see what happens.

I had hoped to read this book as an easy, fun read. But by page 3, I was so overwhelmed with all the "telling" me how alpha he was and submissive she was, and with the umpteenth misused participial phrase, I threw the book across the room. How are we supposed to read this stuff? What happened to editors and copyeditors who know English grammar? They have my money now, but I wouldn't recommend this book unless you don't care about how well it's written. There are cheaper and better written books out there. Editors, get with the program. Edit.