A tale of duty, desire, and the vow that defied an empire.

Edo, Japan – Winter, 1710.
When snow seals the mountain passes and war looms between rival clans, Daimyo Hiro Matsunaga must travel through the blizzards of the north to claim a political bride. But fate intervenes when a deadly ambush leaves him wounded and hunted.

Keiko Tanaka, his loyal onna-bugeshi bodyguard, carries him to safety—into the care of Aiko Nakamura, a widowed herbalist whose healing touch stirs feelings Hiro swore never to feel again.

In the hush of falling snow, beneath paper-lantern light, forbidden desire awakens. Honour demands restraint; the heart demands surrender. As a blizzard isolates them from the world, three souls find themselves bound by longing, courage, and a love strong enough to challenge destiny itself.

When the storm breaks, Hiro must choose between the alliance that will save his province and the two women who have become his soul’s salvation.

Rich in sensual detail and steeped in Japanese legend, Samurai’s Winter Bride is a sweeping tale of love and loyalty—where every heartbeat is a rebellion and every touch a vow.
Fans of Memoirs of a Geisha, The Last Samurai, and The Winter Sea will be captivated by Miriam Blackwood’s evocative prose, lush atmosphere, and unforgettable characters.