From a master of contemporary fantasy comes an unforgettable tale of heroes, heroines, and rogues whose two rival nations are scarred by suspicion, shadowed by war, and summoned to destiny by a magic that is both gift and curse.In the icy northern realm of Eron, three young artisans bound by an unspeakable act of violence arrive at an isolated gem mine on a special commission for their king. They are the arrogant but talented Eddyn; Avall, his archrival; and beautiful Strynn, newly wed to Avall, but carrying Eddyn's child.Meanwhile, to the south, amid Ixti's scorpion-riddled sands and sensuous cities, a horrible accident has forced Prince Kraxxi into exile with blood on his hands and a price on his head.The four will be drawn together - and torn apart - by a magnificent a gem with magical properties beyond anyone's imagining or control. It is a struggle in which hidden forces pursue a frighteningly sinister agenda. For whoever possesses the gem holds the future of the world . . . and the power to destroy it.Praise for Bloodwinter"Deitz's unusual setting and strong, magnetic characters bode well for this new series." - Publishers Weekly"Deitz's skill at crafting a complex tale of men and women driven by warring emotions and rival ambitions anchors his fantasy visions in the reality of human experience. . . . A solid addition to most fantasy collections." - Library Journal"Both villainy and heroism go beyond stereotype [in] a well-crafted work that explores the nature of art." - Locus"Tom Deitz is a fine storyteller in the tradition of the Southern mountains . . . with all its legends and magic transported from afar. Like his forebears, he can make magic with words." - Sharyn McCrumb, New York Times bestselling author of The Ballad of Frankie Silver"Once again, Tom Deitz has proven himself a master of the fantasy genre. He has created a detailed, realistic world, characters who are both engaging and believable, and a compelling, fast-moving story that draws the reader in from the first page." - John Maddox Roberts"Deitz has always been a superb fantasist, but he's outdone himself in this richly developed, character-driven story!" - Josepha Sherman