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A girl with a dark history…

Avery Bresllin took a leap of faith when she changed her name. As Avery Patterson, she is no longer the daughter of a serial killer. No longer the girl who was bullied and abused through high school. A fresh name and a fresh start at Columbia University means Avery can leave all that behind. There’s only one thing marring her dream of a clean slate….

A boy with a past of his own…

Luke Reid has a lot going for him: sex appeal, badass tattoos and insane musical talent. Despite his guitar skills, his calling in life has always been to serve and protect. A NYPD cop by day, singer in rock band D.M.F by night, from the outside Luke seems like he’s got it made. But falling for a girl whose father was accused of deeply sinister acts—a man whom Luke shared a devastating history with, himself—only serves to complicated things.

Pieces of a puzzle….

Four symbols, four methods of destruction.

A trade.

Borrowed wings.

Dark secrets that threaten to destroy.

270 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 3, 2013

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Nikita Rae

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 320 reviews
Profile Image for Patrycja.
639 reviews4,055 followers
February 15, 2015


Title: Winter
Series: Four Seasons #1
Author: Frankie Rose aka Callie Hart
Release Date: January, 2015
Rating: 5 stars
Cliffhanger:. Yes (a big one, but reading it is so worth the pain!!)
HEA:

This review has been rewritten and reposted from my earlier review of not edited/polished version of Winter






What a stellar, wonderful, amazing, fabulous, suspenseful, addicting read!

Winter is one of those books that I wouldn’t have picked up if not a complete accident and I would have missed out on something perfect. This was the best surprise I could’ve ever had and I’m currently on cloud nine, high as a kite, drifting away with those warm, fluffy, fuzzy emotions and fluttering heart. I’m so damn proud of myself for picking Winter up!

My bookworm’s instinct still works well and here I was doubting myself after a few complete disasters that I’m in never ending book funk. Guess what? Winter totally erased my stupid fears and filled me with hope. There are still great books in New Adult genre only waiting to be explored by me! Yay!



Winter is a story about Iris a college freshman who finally left her small home town where she was hated and bullied after her father killed three man and committed a suicide.

For four years of high school Iris was repeatedly humiliated and shamed. As a black sheep in town, she lived with her uncle and tried to survive. Going to college in New York City and changing her name to Avery should help her forget about past. Avery didn’t count on seeing Luke, though.

Luke is four years older than Avery. When he finished high school and started working as a police officer in his and Avery’s hometown, Luke was the one to find bodies of Avery dad’s victims.


Luke and Avery share some painful memories. So when she saw him in his sexy uniform on NYC’s street some wounds were once again opened.

Did I mention Luke plays in a band too? How fucking sexy is a rock star cop?



I freaking loved this book. Every chapter and every page was wonderful mix of everything I adore in New Adult. Winter was perfect blend of romance with suspense; pain with steam, love with heartbreak and oh god I was awed. I was amazed. I was mesmerized by this story and there is only one thing that could make me stop yelling and trashing with need for more – ANOTHER BOOK IN THIS SERIES RIGHT NOW! GIVE IT TO ME, PLEASE!

I won’t be able to wait long for Luke and Avery’s story to continue. I just won’t. It ended right when I needed more and when it made me feel completely addicted to the story. I just need more. The cliffhanger is a killer. That’s for sure, but I can’t say I regret reading Winter now. I will have to reread it one thousands time, though.



Thank you, Frankie Rose for making me feel so much. For opening my eyes to see how special and wonderful of an author you are. You bewitched me. Mesmerized me. Made me fall in love with you. I think I’m deserving Fan Number One T-shirt, because I’m fangirling right now. You totally did create my favorite book boyfriend.

Luke was fantastic. So cute, sexy and loveable. I had a few strong urges to lick my ereader while thinking about him. He was that lickable (fuckable too.)! I have never read about hero that much in love with his other half. It was inspiring, moving and arousing. The idea about making him a rockstar cop? So freaking hot!


Avery was wonderful character too. I quickly related with her and I was with her every step of her way. She was nothing like some other whining, idiotic new adult heroines.

Overall… wait! Why the heck are you still reading my review? You should be grabbing your copy right now! Not reading my rant. There is awesome book and sexy rockstar cop to be loved :)

I NEED MORE NOW!!

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Profile Image for Jennifer Kyle.
2,519 reviews5,358 followers
March 8, 2015
2.75 Stars

"Fly high, Icarus."

description

I’m going to attempt to keep this review short and slightly sweet. The story started out pretty strong and very interesting. Avery is attending college in NYC under a new name hiding from her past. What drove me crazy was Avery’s hot and cold attitude to Luke, the SO not needed side story stuff going on. Why was the Tate story line thrown in? Or her mother and Noah's odd behavior for that matter?

I did like Luke, just not enough to carry on with this series. Overall, there was WAY TOO MUCH going on and somewhere along the way the story started to drag for me. The final reveals left me feeling indifferent about the whole story and not the least bit interested in reading on even if Luke was a super hot cop/rocker.
Profile Image for Patrycja.
639 reviews4,055 followers
November 16, 2014



Title: Winter
Series: Four Seasons
Author: Nikita Rae
Release Date: October 28th, 2013
Rating: 5 stars
Cliffhanger: Yes
HEA:





What a stellar, wonderful, amazing, fabulous, suspenseful, addicting read!

Winter is one of those books that I wouldn’t have picked up if not a complete accident and I would have missed out on something perfect. This was the best surprise I could’ve ever had and I’m currently on cloud nine, high as a kite, drifting away with those warm, fluffy, fuzzy emotions and fluttering heart. I’m so damn proud of myself for picking Winter up!

My bookworm’s instinct still works well and here I was doubting myself after a few complete disasters that I’m in never ending book funk. Guess what? Winter totally erased my stupid fears and filled me with hope. There are still great books in New Adult genre only waiting to be explored by me! Yay!



Winter is a story about Iris a college freshman who finally left her small home town where she was hated and bullied after her father killed three man and committed a suicide.

For four years of high school Iris was repeatedly humiliated and shamed. As a black sheep in town, she lived with her uncle and tried to survive. Going to college in New York City and changing her name to Avery should help her forget about past. Avery didn’t count on seeing Luke, though.

Luke is four years older than Avery. When he finished high school and started working as a police officer in his and Avery hometown, Luke was the one to find bodies of Avery’s dad and his victims.

Did I mention Luke plays in a band too? How fucking sexy is a rock star cop?

Luke and Avery shared some painful memories. So when she saw him in his sexy uniform on NYC’s street some wounds were once again opened.



I freaking loved this book. Every chapter and every page was wonderful mix of everything I adore in New Adult. Winter was perfect blend of romance with suspense pain with steam, love with heartbreak and oh god I was awed. I was amazed. I was mesmerized by this story and there is only one thing that could make me stop yelling and trashing with need for more – ANOTHER BOOK IN THIS SERIES RIGHT NOW! GIVE IT TO ME, PLEASE!

I won’t be able to wait long for Luke and Avery’s story to continue. I just won’t. It ended right when I needed more and when it made me feel completely addicted to the story. I just need more. The cliffhanger is a killer. That’s for sure, but I can’t say I regret reading Winter now. I will have to reread it one thousands time, though.



Thank you, Nikita Rae for making me feel so much. For opening my eyes to see how special and wonderful of an author you are. You bewitched me. Mesmerized me. Made me fall in love with you. I think I’m deserving Fan Number One T-shirt, because I’m fangirling right now. You totally did create my favorite book boyfriend.

Luke was fantastic. So cute, sexy and loveable. I had a few strong urges to lick my ereader while thinking about him. He was that lickable (fuckable too.)! I have never read about hero that much in love with his other half. It was inspiring, moving and arousing. The idea about making him a rockstar cop? So freaking hot!



Avery was wonderful character too. I quickly related with her and I was with her every step of her way. She was nothing like some other whining, idiotic new adult heroines.

Overall… wait! Why the heck are you still reading my review? You should be grabbing your copy right now! Not reading my rant. There is awesome book and sexy rockstar cop to be loved.

I NEED MORE NOW!!


Profile Image for Michelle.
944 reviews220 followers
February 23, 2016
5 I Will Catch You If You Fall Stars!

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I read another version of this book (Winter by Nikita Rae) a few years ago and loved it! It's advised to read this version if you want to continue with the series. I seen that the next book was due to release soon (Summer releasing Sept 18th) so I decided to re-read it. Imagine my shock when I found myself biting my nails again because I couldn't remember who was bad, who was good and if I was going to be left hanging on a cliff at the end. lol I'm happy to say that we are not left hanging. But we ARE left with wanting more of Avery and Luke.

Iris Bresllin is fourteen years old when her world comes crashing down. Her father kills three popular men in their community and then himself. Iris's mother is a very uppity lawyer. She promptly leaves the state and pawns Iris off onto her uncle. Iris goes through 4 years of hell during high school because of what her father did. When she graduates she also changes her name (Avery Patterson) and goes to New York City to attend college at Columbia.

Avery has a brand new start on life. Nobody knows her here. She's happy. She's no longer the killers daughter. Until she's leaving a party her best friend drug her to and runs into one fine ass cop named Luke. Her past that she thought was tucked away comes back at full force when she sees Luke. Luke Reid was one of the cops in her home state that came to her house the day her world came crashing down.

I was probably saying this a lot during this book...

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You know right away that there is some serious electricity flowing between Avery and Luke. Avery does what she does best...runs. Luke has something he needs to tell her about her father. This has Avery spinning out of control. Her dads case also gets re-opened after some new discoveries. Avery is not sure what to believe any more. Avery also is fighting her feelings for Luke. I thought it was really nice to read about a sexy tatted up cop who also is a lead singer of a band and he wasn't a man whore! I loved Luke!

“Just stop pushing me away. I may not know exactly what you mean when you say that you’re falling. The way you said it sounded like it was a bad thing. But you have to know that I’ll catch you. Whatever happens, I’ll catch you.”~Luke

“But we’re both a little broken, you and I. I see you, Avery. I really see you, the places you’re wounded, and I want to be the person to put you back together. I know you still need some time to disassociate me with everything that’s happened here, but I’m willing to wait. I want that so bad.”~Luke

“You’re right. I am broken, and somehow you do see me. I want to see you, too, Luke. I want to be the person to hold you together, too. I don’t just associate you with what happened here anymore.”~Avery

These two were both broken and I couldn't wait for them to finally come crashing together. It took a while. It seemed like every time I thought they were getting some where something happened to set them back. When it finally happens I believe I melted a little. Smexy smexy smexy!

Did Avery's father really kill those men? Is Avery's uncle involved? What's Luke hiding about the night Avery's dad died? What happened to Luke when he was a child? Was Avery's dad really a serial killer who killed a bunch of teenage girls leaving symbols ingrained on their body? Is the new hot ex-change student at Columbia Noah a good guy? What's going on with Avery's best friend Morgan? Will Luke take a leave of absence from being a cop to become a rock star? Will Avery finally tell Luke she loves him? If you want to know the answers to these questions I suggest you read this book. It will have you on the edge of your seat trying to figure everything out!

Winter left me feeling...

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The new version of Winter is free on Amazon and the link is below:))

http://www.amazon.com/Winter-Four-Sea...

If you would like to know more about book 2 Summer by Frankie Rose here's a link I found on Smashwords:))

https://www.smashwords.com/books/view...
Profile Image for Lili Germain.
Author 43 books4,313 followers
January 8, 2014
Holy hell… strap yourself in and get ready for the ride of your life!

This book has it all - sexy guys, a strong female lead, a fascinating backstory, and enough twists and turns to make you feel like you just rode the Space Mountain roller coaster in the dark a bunch of times.

Iris Breslin suffered through the worst thing possible - her fathers apparent murder / suicide. Only problem is, her father was the accused murderer. She's since moved away from her hometown, changed her name, and started a new life as a college student, but it isn't long before her past comes to visit.

Luke - holy hell! Cop by day (hello, man in uniform!), rock god by night (melts into a puddle), he's everything you've ever wanted in a guy, and hot in the sack to boot.

Noah - He starts out cheeky and innocent, but soon veers into full-on controlling alpha territory. The scene where he shows what he's really like is terrifying.

The book itself has some awesome twists - a few times I was sure I'd figured out what was going to happen, only to be thrown completely! I loved it, it isn't often these days that a book surprises me but this one absolutely did.

I could say more, but I don't want to spoil it, so I'll just say this - buy it, read it, and try to explain to your husband why you're calling out Luke's name in bed….
Profile Image for Christie«SHBBblogger».
987 reviews1,301 followers
January 15, 2015
"Fly high, Icarus."



How many reasons do I have for loving this book?

Unlimited.

First off, is this book a Mystery? Suspense? Emotional romance? Sweet? Sexy? Check all those boxes yes. It's hard to put a specific label on this book because it really has so much of everything and not only that, but it was executed so well.

Plot:

Avery (Iris) experienced something in her childhood that very few people on this earth can claim to. At the age of fourteen years old, her father murdered three men and then committed suicide. The irrevocably changed her and her entire life.

The names of the men my father killed are a mantra, a twisted beat to accompany the throb of my heart and every single step I take through life. Sam O'Brady. Jefferson Kyle. Adam Bright.

She became an outcast in the small town of Breakwater. Everyone turned against her and judged her by her father's sins. Even her mother didn't want to claim her as her daughter anymore. She's left feeling lost and all alone with no one but her Uncle Brandon to take care of her. But did her father really do it? The proof seems ironclad. Avery just can't conceive that her father-the sweet loving man who was always there for her and even mentored young boys from broken homes who needed help could do such an atrocity. When she leaves Breakwater, she's not Iris anymore, she's Avery. She's dying to escape the stigma that's been attached to her name and her life.

I had this dream that once I escaped the confines of Breakwater, things would change for me, things wouldn't be as hard, but I haven't taken any chances. My family name is synonymous with pain and murder no matter where I go, and that's why I've abandoned it. That's why, when I left my past behind in small town Wyoming to come to college, I became Avery Patterson.



Her life seems to be going easier until unexpectedly she runs into the one person she wants to avoid most.
Luke Reid. He's a cop AND singer/guitarist in a band. Could there even possibly be a better combination for a hero? I mean, really. (Loved him!) He was a beloved member from her hometown, a few years older than her in high school and when the murders occurred, he had the unfortunate task of knocking on her door to bring the bad news. He was a cop just starting out who was at the scene and a witness to the aftermath, but he was also personally invested. He was one of the boys who was mentored by her father and had genuine affection and loyalty to. Through the following years, he continued to check on her, to her dismay. To her, seeing him only brings up the pain associated with that horrible night that she only wants to forget. When they run into each other, their lives are intertwined again and a chain reaction starts that brings her back to the question, Did her father really do it? And if not, who did? Are they still out there? How can she begin to piece together this puzzle?



Now, her father is on the verge of being accused of committing the unsolved murders of a string of teenaged girls around the same time.



She has only three clues to exonerate him.

Four symbols

The trade

Fly high, Icarus




The chemistry and emotions between Avery and Luke was palpable and completely consuming. And the anticipation of the two of them owning up to their feelings and desires was almost as good as the culmination. Hot, hot, hot. Some of my favorites...

"Tell me that kiss at the club didn't kill you. Tell me that you haven't been thinking about me like this," he says, his voice rough, full of gravel. Holy shit. "I didn't. I haven't," I say softly, begging him not to hear my voice shake. The corner of his mouth twitches. "Liar."

"Look at me, baby." Luke draws me back with his soft voice, and I do as he asks. He pushes into me again, and my body shudders.
"Oh, God." I can't stop what is building. Nothing can. Luke's intensity only grows as he thrusts again, his shoulders starting to tremble.
"You're mine. Say it!" he growls.
I manage to say it as I came apart in his hands, my body disintegrating into blindly firing nerve endings. "I'm yours, Luke! I'm yours." And I really am.


This book was a crazy ride. I really don't know how I missed this book up until now, but I am so glad I gave it a chance. The characters' backstories and personalities were built extremely well-I was right there along with them. Completely invested in their story and what was going to happen to them. They weren't SO overdone though that it overtook the action of the story. The writing was wonderfully descriptive without dragging down the pace. And the heat between Avery and Luke was achieved with a combination of anticipation, tension, and actual blistering hot sex. Everything had a perfect balance to make the overall package utterly amazing! And let me tell you, I was almost frantically flipping the pages towards the end dying to find out the answer the mystery. It had me guessing for most of the book. Well done! These were two shattered people changed by their pasts who help each other heal and form an indestructable connection. Both trying to heal their broken wings and learn to fly again. It was beautiful!


Profile Image for Jen.
1,655 reviews1,123 followers
January 22, 2015
"Winter" is a romantic suspence book written by an author by the name of Frankie Rose. What some of you may not know, is that Ms. Rose is the alter-ego of our favorite author; Callie Hart! I am very pleased that I gave this book a try, even though it was a bit slow getting started...once it began to pick up it went full speed ahead into hot sex and mystery!! This story is one that was not predictable in the least. In fact, there were more than a few times I was blown away with the reveals, and because of this, I was on the edge of my seat alot towards the end!

I don't want to get into a lot of details, because I would hate to give anything, or anybody away. I will just give a brief explanation on what our hero and heroine are about. So we have Avery Patterson who is in College living under a name that is not the name she was born with. She has many secrets, and she is hiding who she is; from everyone except her best friend. She feels this need because her father is a known serial killer; and she hates how people judge her when they find out. Avery has a lot of baggage..and I don't want to put Luke Reid in with her "baggage" but really...his is a huge part of her past, and he comes back into her life with some very shocking news regarding her fathers case. You see, Luke was the police officer who found her dad many years ago, and he was the one who told Avery about the murders...Their history goes beyond that though, as they are from a small town, and believe me there is a very tangled web through out this story. If you think you will figure things out...I am counting on it that you won't! I am usually pretty good at guessing during these kinds of stories; but Frankie Rose does a beautiful job of creating a complex maze with many twists and turns. Even better is the fact that the hero and heroine have a love story that slowly unravels...and the heat between these two is sizzling. One thing that this author can do is write a sex scene that will have you fanning yourself for days!!!An added bonus that I should add is that Luke is not only a cop; he is a member in a rock band. So far this band is small scale; but there may be a chance that they could hit it big! We don't get a huge glimpse at the band members; but I'm hoping that there will be future books more focused on them!!!Yummy!

My only complaints that I have when it comes to this story is the fact that it seemed very slow at getting started. I found myself at 30% thinking....SIGH... but once it starts to pick up, you had better hang on to your hat!!! It was well worth the wait for sure. My other complaint would be Avery at times. I felt she was often way too hard on Luke; and it got to be aggravating to me. In fact, at one point I was considering rating this book a 3.5 stars because she got on my nerves a few times. As the end of the story came into play though, there was no way in good conscience that I could rate this any less than four!

So, do I recommend this book?? Absolutely!!! Especially to the readers who love Callie Hart! This is a bit different then her other stories; but it is very well written and like I said; it will keep you guessing. I am very glad I gave this a chance..and I am hoping that more people will give this one a go. There is no cliff hanger; however I am thinking that there might be another book on the horizon..There is still more story to be told I'm sure!
Profile Image for Sara.
733 reviews349 followers
March 8, 2015
Ya you saw that right. I one starred it. It was really all over the place. Had this book been mostly and mainly about a girl with a dad who was accused of horrible crimes trying to move on under that shame, I would have liked it more. But after a while, I wondered who is this really about??
There's Avery (aka Iris) who is trying to maneuver through college in hopes no one finds out about her dad. She's changed her name and made up a storied past. I didn't really care for Avery honestly. She was childish in behavior, often not hearing the whole story and storming off like a brat. Yeah, I really didn't like her.

Let me see if i can break down these characters without spoiling:

Leslie is her roommate who ends up with her own little story at the end
Morgan is her BFF who we come to find out she didn't know so well. She's got big issues that come to surface. An overdose where the attention focuses on her.
Tate is Morgan's boyfriend, who has his own little story line and drama after Morgan's overdose. Actually any part of the book with Tate was useless.
Noah is a transfer student who is interested in Avery. He was strong in his pursuit of Avery, and became like a weird stalker dude who has a big secret. The secret was so stupid and had no purpose in the story.
Amanda is Avery's mom who lays no claim to her, doesn't ever want to see her. She has her own secret that comes out and I thought was cheesy as hell and served no purpose in the book.
Luke is a guy she grew up with and is in love with her. His ex-girlfriend Casey is also in the book. Luke and Casey were together for 5 years, but never slept together (am i supposed to believe that considering he's 23?) and she's crazy. His excuse is she didn't mind they didn't have sex and he hoped she'd just get mad and leave. Wtf?
Oliva is a cop Luke used to be partners with years ago, and she has her own little storyline too.
Max Breslin is her father who was accused post death of killing 3 other men and then himself.

Now, doesnt that seem a bit much? I felt there were too many side stories going on that took away from Avery and Luke. It was really weird that all these 19 year olds frequented bars often, never getting carded, no fake ID's. At one point in the book she refers to Luke as Jake (how could this not get caught?) and also another ooopsie when she says she was from Idaho then later it says Ohio..who's proofing this??
I get this was kinda a case of whodunit? but I needed less players. I felt like I was getting whiplashed with everyones drama. I mean every single person in this book had something revealed. Who the fuck are these people with so many series fucking issues?? It was like watching a Jerry Springer episode with all the secrets and lies exposed.

Anyway, I ended up barely dredging to the last page, hugely disappointed. I honestly have no desire to continue any of story in future books. The buck stops here.
Profile Image for Kelli C .
1,052 reviews357 followers
November 22, 2014
I am so in love with GR's and the many connections I have made for the simple fact that I get to find little gems like this book! Nothing better than a psychotic thriller with the 'who done it moment' completely not what you expect!

I was not prepared to fall into a trap of mystery and suspense and come out a bit shaken and a whole lot in love with the players!

Avery Patterson...or Breslin...as she once was, is trying to move on. She wants to be away from her old life and the notoriety or her father's serial killer label.


She has had one constant in her life and that is the older, somewhat damaged, but uncharacteristically sweet/dark Luke. He has not only been a rock thru her traumatic ordeal but she has no desire to reconnect with that past. Its too bad for her that he is now a presence in her collegiate life a local cop and off hours rock god!


Together they are odd, connected yet withdrawn. This whole book has a sense of darkness and mistrust. There are many subplots all around the story of Avery and Luke reconnecting and discerning whether or not her life has been ruined by a lie. Odd roommates, impulsive friends, and aggressive exchange students all make the story a bit complex, so there are so many questions...Is Avery's dad really a killer? is Luke who he says he is? is Avery's lone family link, Uncle Brandon a bad guy? is Noah just a college bad boy or something else?


I for one was desperate to find out what was happening, how everyone was connected and who was evil. Throughout the story, I was drawn to Luke's mysteriousness and his secrecy...I wanted to crack his code, lol! But, more than Luke, I was so impressed with how well written Avery's character was done. This girl was young, yet showed a maturity and strength that was so refreshing. She sought comfort when offered, she asked for what she needed, yet at the same time she ran when expected.

YES, there is a bit of a CLIFFHANGER, such a dirty word! But honestly, I recommend this little suspenseful tale as it was fabulously entertaining!
Profile Image for AJ.
3,113 reviews1,041 followers
August 23, 2015
3 overwhelming but underwhelmed stars

I was immediately intrigued when I saw the synopsis for this book, and having loved other books by this author (written as Callie Hart) I was eager to dive in. I loved the set up, I thought it was original and interesting, and it started off well, but it didn’t suck me in as much as I wanted, and as the drama unfolded it all felt a bit much at times. But I did appreciate the romance (eventually), and thought that the mystery/suspense storyline was really well done.

Oh, and as a bonus, it is free on Amazon!

Avery is a college freshman at Columbia. She has just moved from her small home town where she was raised as Iris Bresllin, and where her heart was shattered five years earlier when her father killed three men, and then himself. Ever since then she has been mercilessly tormented as the daughter of a killer, and has had to live with the knowledge that her much beloved father was capable of committing such a crime. But now, with a new name she is trying her best to put the past behind her and move on with her life.

But that all changes when Avery runs into Luke. Luke is four years older than Avery, and comes from her home town. He was the Policeman who discovered her father and his victims, and was the one who came to her house to tell her of her father’s death. They have kept in touch over the years, with Luke checking in on Avery whenever he could, and Avery developed a bit of a crush on him. Now that she’s all grown up and they’re both living in the same city, sparks fly.

I love Luke! He’s an absolute sweetheart! He’s a cop, but he’s also a musician who plays in a band and sings in bars. And contrary to most rockers from romantic fiction, he’s not a manwhore! He is a gentleman with manners and a huge heart, and he cares deeply for Avery. He is hiding secrets of his own, but he wants Avery and he makes it clear that he wants to be there for her in every way that he can be.

“I’m always gonna come running, Avery. Whenever you need me. Don’t doubt it.”

Luke’s presence in Avery’s life brings back memories that she is trying hard to forget about, and then when her father is suddenly implicated in a serial killer case and Luke is there for her once again, she realises that she can’t run from him, or from her past, any longer.

From there, the story is a bit all over the place. The romance is there, but it’s angsty, with Avery struggling to let go and embrace all that Luke has to offer. She unnecessarily complicates the whole thing by pushing him away, and though I could sympathise with her, I couldn’t always understand her actions. The love story does develop, and it’s really emotional with a nice amount of steamy time, but it was a bit of a disjointed road to get there. But bravo to Luke for holding on, what a man!

“We’re both a little broken, you and I. I see you, Avery. I really see you, the places you’re wounded, and I want to be the person to put you back together. I know you still need some time to disassociate me with everything that’s happened here, but I’m willing to wait. I want that so bad.”

Woven through the story is the dark and gritty mystery storyline. It’s a big part of the story – as you would expect - and it’s blended in really well with Avery and Luke’s story. The suspense builds nicely to the nail-biting finish that was both expected and not. I knew something was going to happen, but the particulars and the big reveal where both a surprise, and I liked that!

The romance and mystery would have been a great story on its own, but there are a number of sub-plots which are thrown in along the way, most of which have very little to do with the over-arching story and it felt like there was just too much happening. I wonder whether these issues will pop up again later in the series and that’s why they were written in? But for this book it just felt like overkill with so much else going on.

The ending is sort of a cliffhanger. The book ends at a good place , but there is definitely more story to be told. And even though I had some issues with this one, I’m invested enough in the story to continue on. I’m definitely looking forward to the next book in the series.

I didn’t love it, but it was still a good read - 3 stars.
Profile Image for Tobia James.
196 reviews56 followers
January 16, 2014
DAAAAAAAMMMMMNNNNN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


This novel was epic.......mind blowing! What a thrill ride this was! Winter kept me on my toes, itching to see what would happen next. And boy, was I unprepared for what really happened!!!

Winter by Nikita Rae tells the story of one woman's desire for a new identity after a tragedy that struck close to home. Iris Breslin is from the small town of Breakwater in Wyoming, a community that was the gory scene of a murder suicide. The accused murderer? Her own father, Maxwell Breslin.

In a bid to escape the bad memories of the horrible day, and to escape the abuse she suffered being the daughter of a man who murdered three people and killed himself, Iris changes her name to Avery and enrolls into college to follow her passion of journalism. Despite everything that happened, Iris still has a never-ending love for her father and has a hard time reconciling the loving father with a man who committed murder. So, too, does Luke Reid, one of the cops who had the task of delivering the news to a 14 year old Iris that her father had died. But Luke was closer to Iris's dad than she knew, and that sends him on a mission to clear her father of those murders, as well as, clear his name as a serial killer.

They both become close and despite Iris denying her feelings for Luke, she falls for him. But Luke has deep, dark secrets of his own. We follow Iris & Luke on a journey to exonerate the dead while trying to liberate their past. But the harshness of "winter" brings with it more challenges: like vengeful, grieving daughters, super bitch exes, crazy Irishmen who "come" before they're called, stupid best friends who make even dumber decisions, shady roommates, messed up mothers who should be punched in the face, and cuckoo-assed lady cops who should live in the looney bin.

Winter kept me guessing at every turn. At no point did I believe Iris's dad committed those murders in that warehouse, least of all the murders of those girls, without reason. I loved the fact that as much as Iris felt like she had to believe that about her father, she didn't.

Iris was so strong and self-sufficient. After all she had been through, for her to still be standing was truly a miracle. Having to go through her critical high school period with no friends, a mother who didn't really want her, being bullied, she really pulled through and tried to make something of herself.

Luke......hottie cop by day & even hotter rocker by night. Luke is amazing! His faith in Iris's father was so strong, deep and admirable. He's the main reason I refused to believe that Max had anything to do with any kind of crime. He was strong-willed, intense, a little sappy when it came to his feelings for Iris, but just such a great guy. He has some secrets and I am just itching to find out what they are in the book to come.

There was a character in the book that I liked at first. Noah. He was great in the beginning. Sweet, silly, flirty, just an all around good guy. There was hope for him. But when his true self came out?


Let's just say, I don't trust the guy.

All in all, this was very well-written, aside from a few name mix-ups and spelling. You will hate some characters, especially when they are so easy to hate. You will fall in love with some characters like Uncle Brandon. He's got a sick sense of humor.....even though I became suspicious of him at some points. Honestly? This novel left me suspicious of EVERYBODY...even those people who weren't from Break.

Winter will mess with your head. It contains some twists that will totally blindside you and some revelations that just boggles the mind. If you're looking for a romantic suspense/mystery (the tags say thriller), well Winter is certainly the book to mess you up. This is definitely a re-read for me. Can't wait to see how Nikita Rae spins the rest of the seasons; because what she did with Winter???

August 10, 2014
TWO AND A HALF TO THREE STARS!

After noting the glowing reviews from a few people that I'm following, I decided to give this book a shot. Sadly, this book didn't quite hit the mark for me, and if it wasn't for the last 10%, I definitely would have rated this a measly two stars instead.

The Good:
* I really liked the idea behind the book. Just imagining the heavy emotional content that would arise from being associated with a serial killer, I absolutely couldn't wait to dive into this story. I felt like the author did give us a little taste of that emotional torment, and it really helped me to connect with the heroine, but it ultimately fell short for my tastes as there just wasn't enough content for me.

* Luke Reid was such a lovely surprise. He pretty much had me from the get go, but I was pleasantly surprised with how much his character developed into a swoon worthy guy for me. He's sexy, not afraid to speak about his feels and dedicated to the heroine (even though she honestly doesn't deserve it). And if you have any doubts of how dedicated he is to her, have yourself a quote hidden within a spoiler:

If that doesn't impress you even a tiny bit than you are wrong.

* Did I mention the last 10% of the book? Seriously, my heart was thumping, my adrenalin was spiking and I had a hold on my bed covers that just wouldn't quit.

The Bad:
* I hate love triangles. Bloody hate it with a passion. In fact, I refuse to read them so I was really surprised when this book decided to torment me with a love triangle. The amount of unnecessary drama was enough for me to DNF it, but I persevered simply because I wanted to find out about the mystery behind the murders. Honestly, I didn't understand the need for the love triangle in the first place. I personally didn't think it helped to enrich the story and it just made me hate Noah's character (the other love interest) all the more. I was honestly glad when his little minute man self was gone. Good riddance.

* Iris Breslin/Avery Patterson. Seriously, everything about this girl was just . She's whiny, she's needy, she expects so much from people without giving anything back and all that back and forth between Noah and Luke that she does had me wanting to throttle her. Not to mention, she is such an unbelievably weak character that I don't understand how we're supposed to believe that she had the strength and resilience to withstand verbal and physical abuse from the people in her town for the four years while she was in high school. You'd think she'd have a bit of a backbone from that experience but nope, every time something slightly difficult comes up in her life that needs to be talked the hell out, she just up and runs. After the second time, I was over her, so I wasn't all too surprised when she continues the pattern throughout the rest of the book.

* I didn't like her best friend at all. Morgan worked on my last nerve that I just couldn't with her. She had the same effect as Iris/Avery on me. The other support characters didn't make much of an impression on me, though I have to say, Laney was absolutely charming. She definitely fit as Luke's mum.

Would I recommend this book? I guess. If love triangles and weak heroines aren't a big deal for you then go for it. The answers to the mystery, though it takes forever to get there, is so amazing that I was taken by surprise. I've read a lot of mystery/thrillers/suspense books so I can usually pick out the twist, but this one was an amazing surprise. Be warned though, it ends on quite the cliff hanger, and by the end of the book, I was ready to hurl myself over the edge.
Profile Image for lucie.
529 reviews764 followers
March 15, 2017
"Fly high, Icarus."

I didn’t have any expectations of this book. I started to read it because of its cover (yep, I am the one who’s picking up books because of their cover; #sorrynotsorry) and I am surprised that I liked it.

It was a nice read, sometimes the story dragged and the main female character Avery/Iris acted childish, but Luke made everything better. I just don’t understand why the author didn’t write more about Noah and what happend with him after the incident at the police station. I had a feeling that he is a part of the love triangle but suddenly just puff and no Noah. Did he just disappear? Or what?

The first half was slow and boring, but the story in the second half gets a lot of better. And the ending. THE ENDING!! I think I wasn’t even breathing few last chapters.
Profile Image for Bella.
530 reviews220 followers
January 13, 2015
review is coming.. I loved this book :) so very very good!!
Profile Image for Andrea.
211 reviews43 followers
February 22, 2015
I loved this story and can't wait for the next one!
Profile Image for Sammy ⭐️.
925 reviews35 followers
May 14, 2015
So far I've loved every book Callie Hart has written, so when I found out she'd written another series under a different pen name I couldn't wait to get my hands on it.

This isn't as dark and fast paced as we're used to in Callie's world, but that didn't effect how much I liked being in the head of Frankie Rose.

Avery is starting a fresh, with a new name and her past behind her she sets out to make a new life for herself. One that isn't a constant reminder that she's the daughter of a serial Killer.

Luke was the first officer on the scene the night Max Bresllin killed 3 men before taking his own life. Five years later he's still haunted with the images from that Gruesome day, and the look on Max's daughter face, when she heard the news about her father.

A chance encounter brings these two broken soles back together, and feelings that were once buried come rocketing to the surface.

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The quiet life Avery though she could have at collage is blown to bits when everyone finds out who her father is, add in a crazy best friend, growing feelings for Luke and her fathers case being re opened and you've got yourself some serious drama.

I really liked both the main characters in this, Luke's got the tough guy attitude but there's also a really loving side to him that had me swooning a little. Avery is a great strong female lead, with everything she's been though, the fight in her is far from lost.

I did feel a little overwhelmed in parts because there was a lot going on alongside the main plot, but I'm looking forward to hearing more from this series.
Profile Image for Rose  Puls .
1,867 reviews322 followers
January 31, 2016
I'm still guessing what D.M.F. stands for...

Winter was my introduction to Frankie Rose. I admit, it was my rockstar addiction that convinced me to give it a try. A guitar on a cover is irresistible to me. It started out slow, laying the groundwork, as I scratched my head trying to figure out WTF? I was very intrigued, ready to pull out my CSI profiling skills and help to solve the mystery. In the meantime, I waited for a rockstar sighting, ready to pull out my groupie skills.

Iris (aka Avery) is running from her past. She escaped her hometown, changed her name, and attempted to start over at Columbia University without the awful stares and recognition following her every move. She's not happy, but she's content with her studies and her plans for a career in journalism. She plans to do it the way it should be done, not the way it was done to her. She wants no reminders of her old life, but he wouldn't let her forget him.

Luke is sex on legs, with a badge. He's got more offers than he knows what do do with, but he's only got eyes for her . The one that sees him as a reflection of her pain. How's he supposed to deal with that? When an unexpected event throws them together, they are forced to face their 'connection'. But that doesn't stop Avery from denying it. She fights the pull of his magnetism. She tries to avoid him. But somehow, he's always there to catch her when she falls.

My rockstar romance ended up being a nail biting, head scratching adventure full of twists, turns, and surprises. And I still don't know what the band's name, D.M.F. stands for. But I fully intend to keep reading the series to find out. I'm sure I'll eventually get to wear my D.M.F. band t-shirt and get a peek at the tour bus. I'm anxious to spend some more time with Cole too. I bet he's got plenty of pick-up lines that I haven't heard yet.
Profile Image for Tate.
690 reviews50 followers
January 24, 2014
AWESOME!!! LOVED EVERY SECOND OF IT!!!

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I honestly can not wait for next book!!!

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Luke REID!!!
what can be better than bad-ass cop and bad-ass rock star?!

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sometimes I was like Avery come on!! but I understood.

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some thing I would not guess in million years!!!
about her best friend and her roommate and Noah? I mean FOR REAL? and also the other things which I'm not gonna talk about because I would tell too much!!

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and the ending I turn the page and BOOM!! nothing....
I need the next book like now..

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Recommended to all of you!!! :)
Profile Image for Amy.
216 reviews9 followers
January 17, 2015
Such a great book! First book I've read by this author and I am very impressed and eager to see what she has in store for us. This is not a storyline I've ever read before--- a young girl escapes to New York to start a new life, putting behind her a past where she was bullied because she was the daughter of the town's serial killer.

A cop from her hometown has also found his way to New York and he feels a connection to Avery (Iris) and is eager to help her in any way he can. She hates letting in this part of her past but cannot deny the connection she feels to Luke.

Just a really great, gripping story.

Loved it!
Profile Image for V.
367 reviews2 followers
February 5, 2015
New book by Frankie Rose aka Callie Hart!!

This was a rather dark new adult romance, which shouldn't have been a surprise considering the synopsis, but it was for me on more than one level. The author did a great job with both the MCs in this book, with the heroine - Iris or Avery - trying to forget her past and murderer Father, coping with the aftermath of that fateful day five years ago. Not to mention her Mother's response to it all and subsequent abandonment. It's a wonder that she isn't more messed up than she is.

The hero, Luke, is seemingly just another person caught up in the horrific event that took place with Avery's Father. But as the story develops, you realise that he is much more involved, not just as one of the police officers first on the scene, but he is just as emotionally affected as Avery, having been mentored by her Dad as a teenager. In the following years, Luke takes it upon himself to watch out for Avery, making sure she is ok etc. Now you might think this is an easy way to set up the romance between the two, especially now that Avery is no longer the 15 year girl. But no. Whilst Luke wants to see Avery and watch over her, she just wants to forget everything and anyone associated with that part of her life. And who can blame her? Not only did she lose her father, but she suffered from horrendous bullying/scrutiny from the town's residents and then her Mother left her. So Avery's avoidance of Luke, when she crosses paths with him after moving to college, is understandable and didn't come across as playing hard to get.

Luke. Aahh Luke. Just about the perfect book-boyfriend. He's hot (of course), alpha and a little possessive. Oh and he's cop and a singer in a rock band!!

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He is patient with Avery, super sweet and like i said....Alpha. He does his best to protect Avery when her past comes back to haunt her - when her Father's case is reopened for investigation. As time passes, Avery's feelings for Luke develop from someone she wants to avoid because he is a reminder, to someone she wants to avoid because her feelings for him scare her, to eventually someone she loves and cant live without, and it is really, really sweet seeing this happen.

The ending was filled with suspense as the truth surrounding the events of the murders is revealed and equally as shocking, why Luke needed a mentor in the first place. And it is even more f#cked up than Avery's past!
I know this book was originally written a year or so ago, and republished under the new pen name of Frankie Rose, so I'm hoping their story continues, soon even though this one didn't end on a cliff-hanger. I just want more of the two without the drama of their past getting in the way.
4.5 stars!
Profile Image for Kylie The Bookaholick.
278 reviews65 followers
January 14, 2015
Review - 4 Absolute Love Destroying Stars

Avery Peterson has not had the easiest of lives. Her father is a murderer, her mother has abandoned her, the high school has outcasted her. Insistent on moving through her past, Avery has moved across several states to start college to begin a new life. She does not draw attention to her self she just wants to blend into the crowd and finish school.

Luke Reid, is the sexy tattooed full-time cop and part time singer/guitarist of a band. He is sex on a stick with women falling all over over him. Luke has a secret too that he is not ready to share. Luke has always cared for the girl from his home town who father mentored him.

The problem is you can run as far and as fast as you want but you can never outrun your past. Winter is the story of how these two paths cross and how their past not only catch up to them but collide their worlds together. This book will leave you guessing all the way through. Will the romance prevail and who did what to whom and why? Things are not always what they appear to be on the outside. And gossip is not always correct.


Author Frankie Rose will have you glued to each page, there are may twists and turns and hidden phrases that you want to decode. As soon as you think you have figured it all out another clue floats to the surface. This is a true suspense romance and I can not wait for the next book Summer!!!!
Profile Image for Lauren.
580 reviews62 followers
January 10, 2014
I was recommended this book by a author friend - an I must say Lili Saint Germain can recommend books to me anytime!

I loved the characters in this book, and the story was original and totally entrathalling. The amount of secrets that are outed through-out this book by all the characters is just mind-blowing, everyone has so much private stuff going on - really keeps amazing you. Most secrets seem to have been discovered, but the story ends on a cliff-hanger with the one secret we were all dying to hear!! Hopefully there will be another follow-up book soon!! Don't leave us hanging too long Nikita!! We will need a Luke booster shot sooner rather than later!!

The editing and proof-reading could have been a bit better, as names were wrong in places etc - but didnt really affect my reading, or enjoyment of this book.

With all this said - I defintely recommed this one!!
Profile Image for MandaLee.
442 reviews1 follower
January 27, 2015
LIVE!!!

Winter (Four Seasons Series Book 1) by Frankie Rose
Link: http://amzn.com/B00S72QQLK

5 FLYING HIGH STARS!!!!


Two of some of my fav things!! NA/Suspense. And damn this is a suspense read!!!
Loved these two and am looking fwd to more from them ❤️

Profile Image for Coco.V.
50k reviews58 followers
Want to read
April 29, 2018
💝 FREE on Amazon today (4/29/2018)!💝

Blurb:
A girl with a dark history…

Avery Bresllin took a leap of faith when she changed her name. As Avery Patterson, she is no longer the daughter of a serial killer. No longer the girl who was bullied and abused through high school. A fresh name and a fresh start at Columbia University means Avery can leave all that behind. There’s only one thing marring her dream of a clean slate….

A boy with a past of his own…

Luke Reid has a lot going for him: sex appeal, badass tattoos and insane musical talent. Despite his guitar skills, his calling in life has always been to serve and protect. A NYPD cop by day, singer in rock band D.M.F by night, from the outside Luke seems like he’s got it made. But falling for a girl whose father was accused of deeply sinister acts—a man whom Luke shared a devastating history with, himself—only serves to complicated things.

Pieces of a puzzle…. Four symbols, four methods of destruction. A trade. Borrowed wings. Dark secrets that threaten to destroy.

Author's Note: This book was previously released under the pen name Nikita Rae. There have been significant changes to the storyline and voices of the characters. The book has also been re-edited. Please make sure the original book is not already in your kindle library before purchasing! New Adult Romantic Suspense novel.
Profile Image for Rebecca.
2,860 reviews156 followers
January 14, 2015
“Fly High, Icarus.”

For Avery Patterson, that phrase has significant meaning in more ways than one, and it’s a lesson from her father that she keeps struggling to learn because those words are tarnished due to her father’s crimes and a life where’s she’s been forced to rise above one too many times.

Since she was 14 years old, Avery has done her best to free herself from the confines of her past – from the torment she received as the daughter of a monster. She longs to be free from the pain, the neglect, the foul treatment at the hands of others, and she thought she had that at Columbia University until her clean slate became tainted and shattered when someone from the time before she became her new self invades her life, shakes up her control, and vows to break through the cool facade and find the girl who he’s always felt strongly connected to since that fateful night.

Luke Reid’s connection to Avery’s father and the aftermath of his death have bonded him to Avery in a way that he cannot break, and he doesn’t want to, despite the fact that he has his own demons to contend with. But Luke’s going to have to fight for not only a place in Avery’s life but also through his memories and the secrets he holds close to the vest, and with the new information that comes to light, that undisclosed information may be unearthed sooner than he wants and with great repercussions.

Avery and Luke’s story is a great representation of the romantic suspense genre. The attraction and chemistry between them is always there, pulling them together, forcing them both to face the feelings they have for one another, but it’s not at the forefront – it’s not what completely drives the plot line, and it shouldn’t be – unraveling the mysteries surrounding her father’s actions and putting the pieces to get to an outcome that they can both live with is what’s most important, and that is clear once the past and the present collide and new information surfaces.

But just as important as the truth of the past is the idea of freeing oneself from the darkness – from the confines that threaten to bring you down on a daily basis. This is an important theme in the story and one that both Avery and Luke struggle with. But if they want to heed Avery’s father’s advice and “fly high,” decisions are going to have to be made and followed through with, even if they put them in precarious situations and threaten to unravel everything they’ve worked so hard to forget.

Frankie Rose gives readers significant insight into the fragile psyches of her main characters and takes readers on a covert and suspenseful journey in Winter, and I can’t wait to see what the Summer holds.

A complimentary copy was provided in exchange for an honest review.

4.5 Poison Apples (The Fairest of All Book Reviews)
Profile Image for Romance Readers Retreat.
2,346 reviews223 followers
January 14, 2015
Winter is a New Adult Romantic Suspense novel by Frankie Rose
Avery Patterson begins her new life with a new name in a new city to escape her tragic past as a daughter of a murderer in Wycomming.
On the outside Avery is a typical college student studying journalism to become a different type of journalist, one to help not to break people like so many do,but on the inside she struggles day to day with her past and the crime her father committed.
Her past soon catches up to her in the form of Luke Reid a hot, sexy, tattooed cop by day rocker by night, he accidentally comes across Avery during a call out to a house party but has something to tell Avery, we see the attraction they both share with each other but with the twists and turns who knows plus Luke's heart is with performing his music will he make his dreams come true or will they just become a dream that never was?
We see all kinds of twist and turns in the novel,never knowing what we will find out on the next page, I was certainly gripped from the get go, the character development flowed as did the plot and I now can't wait to read the follow up Summer to see what Frankie has in store for us.
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