This review may contain spoilers, so fair warning, upon reading the review. Also my tags may have spoilers in them so be forewarned before checking out full review.

Book Evaluation:
Plot: 🎞️🎞️🎞️🎞️🎞️
World Building:🌎🌎🌎🌎
Cover:📔📔📔📔
Hero: 🦸🏻🦸🏻🦸🏻🦸🏻🦸🏻
Heroine:🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️
Intimacy Level: 🔥🔥🔥
Relationship Building: 💒💒💒💒
Heart & Feels:💞💞💞💞
Witty/Banter/Reaction of Laughter: 😂😂😂😂
Page Turner Level:📖📖📖📖
Ending:🧧🧧🧧🧧🧧
Overall View: ✨✨✨✨


First Impressions
Dead of Winter is the first book in the newest series by Rebecca Zanetti. I was really excited to see her get back to just some regular romantic suspense (not that I have an issue with her thrillers, but I need more romance in my books lol ). The Knife's Edge Alaska series is a series about 4 brothers, and seeing them each get a book. These men are tortured with military and secret ops backgrounds, and I was intrigued to see how this story would be handled. I will be honest, I just jumped into this one, I didn't even read the blurb. And I was okay with that lol The author really brings likeable characters into the story very quickly so that you become invested in their story. I found the danger elements mixed with the romance to be a true win here.

First Line
A brutal sun cut across the icy Alaskan landscape with a defiant glare, brightening instead of warming the frozen runway outside.

The Main Protagonists
The Hero: Brock Osprey
The Heroine: Aphelia Spilazi

Summary
Ophelia has come to the wilderness of Alaska to investigate a murder, a close friend of her boss. She runs into the Osprey brothers, specifically, Brock, who is the assumed Sheriff of the area, although he is constantly denying the title. The Osprey brothers are at the top of her list, as they are the boys that were fostered with the man who was murdered. But she is drawn to Brock, who is her escort of sorts. When she arrives, there are a string of mysterious deaths that seem connected and she is determined to make sense of what is happening while also trying to make sense of her chemistry with the sexy Osprey brother. Brock is alpha, possessive and commanding. And even though Ophelia can take care of herself, she is drawn to that strength and presence. But Ophelia and Brock will need to work together to find who the killer is...

What I Loved
This book was wild, rugged, sexy and plain fun!!! Rebecca Zanetti definitely delivered on this one. I am more used to read her through audio though, and so that might have been why I didn't connect with this story as I normally do. Her romantic suspense can be more suspense than romance sometimes though. But what we received from the romance was really wonderful. I loved the chemistry between Brock and Ophelia, and we see how well they get along here. I was so easily drawn into their love story. And surprisingly I enjoyed Ophelia's character very much despite her kick ass nature. I loved her vulnerability that is showcased in the story and you see her drive and determination but I also liked how she responded to Brock in many ways. Brock was the epitome of the perfect hero. I love a good alpha male and Zanetti writes them so deliciously. All of these brothers I am so eager for because they are full of mystery and I can't wait to see what evolves in their stories. The banter in this book was edgy and fun and evoked bursts of laughter constantly. The plot kept me on the edge of my seat, and if you love Alaska for a setting, then I highly recommend this one here.

What I Struggled With
The pacing of this book wasn't the best at times. Some of her suspense can be hard sometimes. I also wish the romance had been a bit more focused if I am being honest. I felt like the suspense plot was a bit more focused and I would have liked some more relationship focus as it felt a bit lacking at times in parts. This wasn't an issue I had, but some readers might struggle with the lack of number of spice in this book. So keep in mind its not as heavy as some of her other romances and is closer to the level she had in her thrillers.

Overall View
Dead of Winter is an edgy story to keep your toes curled from beginning to end with thrills, passion and laughter!

Book Details (also in my shelves)
Sub Genre: Romantic Suspense, Contemporary Romance
Character Types: Alpha Hero and Heroine, Kick Ass, Law Enforcement
Themes: Danger/Suspense, Laughs/Giggles, Family Saga, Band of Brothers
Tropes: Forced Proximity

Book Perspective
3rd POV

Relationship Conflict vs Plot Conflict
Both but more plot conflict

If you like these authors, I recommend This Book
Pamela Clare
Melinda Leigh
Anna Hackett

Song This Book Inspires
True Colors-Glee Cast

Recommendation For Reading Order
Yes I would say its probably best to read these books in order

Steam/Spice Explanations

Simmering cup of tea---soft warm touches and light intimacy
Warmin' by the fire- a medium level of sexual tension, a balance of sexual and emotional intimacy, lighter on the details in the sexual moments.
Steamin' up the room -the sexual content is more explicit in the language and tone, heavier amount of sexual scenes.
Blazing fire to the building-The prime focus is the sex scenes, scorching hot, and could burn one. Less focus on the emotional intimacy to the relationship.