A Breath of Winter — Hailey Edwards

There's no easy cure for a love of epidemic proportions.

Zuri and her mercenary brothers had a simple mission. Transport a captured harbinger to Erania and collect the bounty. But this job turns out to be anything but easy. Their welcome to the northland is nothing short of frigid. A scuffle with border guards and her prisoner's attempted escape leave Zuri injured--and she and her brothers stuck in quarantine. Worse, the bounty comes with silken strings attached. Strings held by a scientist with a daring, dangerous plan. Because Zuri and her prisoner barged in before his fail-safes were in place, Henri had no choice but to lock them all down until he's sure there's no risk of spreading plague. He'd planned to study the harbinger, but it's the mercenary holding the leash who intrigues him the most. When Henri's experiment goes awry, they learn they've all been pawns in a plan with one goal: bring the Araneae Nation to its knees. Zuri is forced to make a choice that could sign her death warrant--or sacrifice everyone she loves.

Warning: This book contains a chair-bound heroine who won't let anyone--least of all a man--push her around. Expect tea-drinking, net-tossing, and knife-wielding. Should you feel compelled to indulge in a bear ride, please keep your hands on the reins and your feet in the stirrups. Author not responsible for possible maulings.