Little Saint Bride [Death and the Maiden, #1]

~ retelling of Hades and Persephone ~ EVERY TEN YEARS, THE GOD OF DEATH TAKES A BRIDE. In the Kingdom of Minoa, a sacrifice of a virgin girl is given to the God of Death to try and appease the never-ending winter. She's accompanied by a male sacrifice, intended to be her guardian so that she can reach the Underworld safely. THIS TIME, SHE'S NOT A SACRIFICE. SHE'S A RECKONING. When Nerissa, a bold and willful young woman, volunteers to be the bride, she forfeits her human life. Along with her less-than-capable guard, Mercer, they make their way to the palace of the Underworld to meet her husband: the King of the Underworld, and Death himself. BUT AN ANCIENT CURSE IS BINDING THE KINGDOM... Death's bitter foe has cursed him, so that he spends his days awaiting the return of his love, Persephone, who will bring back Spring. One night with Death, and Nerissa will be granted half his power...and the ability to find her brother's killer. ...SHE HAS ONE MONTH TO OUTSMART DEATH. Despite their increasing attraction to one another, her husband insists on keeping her in the dark. Nerissa must use all of her guts and guile to do the one thing he's not used to: people outsmarting him. DEATH IS ABOUT TO HAVE THE (most problematic) TIME OF HIS LIFE.