so kind, and I really appreciate everything you do. I count all of you among my family, and I’m grateful to have you in my life.
Thank you to Helen Hoang and Jen DeLuca. Both of you inspire me, and you each had your part to play in making All The Kissing a dream come true. Helen, I honestly don’t even know where to begin. I still tear up when I think of your writing. It’s so beautiful and honest, and I am endlessly grateful to have met you. Jen, you’re so creative and inventive, and I can’t wait to meet your ren faire characters. (Seriously, who comes up with a ren faire romance? That’s brilliant.)
I’d also like to take a moment to thank Michelle Hazen and Heather Van Fleet. I may not have been your mentee during Pitch Wars, but your continued support and enthusiasm have stayed with me throughout this process.
A heartfelt thanks to my agent, Cate Hart. You changed my life. You believed in my work, helped me see the true potential in the story I’d drafted, and fell in love with my characters. You’ve been an amazing resource and mentor throughout this process, and you’ve never once balked at one of my silly questions. Thank you for taking a chance on me.
To Mary Altman, my editor at Sourcebooks—you are a genius. I can’t put into words how much your thoughtful critique and devotion to my work mean to me. You’re a wonderful person, and I’ll never forget meeting you at RWA. You’ve helped me transform this story into something so much bigger, and I couldn’t have done this without you.
And on that note, thank you to the entire team at Sourcebooks. I’ve been so fortunate to have found a publisher who took the time to understand every detail, every nuance of my book, so they could make it into something spectacular. I can’t imagine my story anywhere else. Thank you for all your hard work.
To my family and husband, this book is dedicated to you. Clint, Tab, Jennica, Cori—and all my other relatives—you all know how special you are to me, and having your unconditional support, way before this book even existed in my mind, means more than I could ever express.
And finally, to all my friends who’ve weathered my reclusive stints and stood by my side even when I barely had time for myself—thank you. Kayleigh Stevens, Sarah McMillan, Sarah Muñoz, Jennie Karges, Christine Lezcano, Ali Smith, Ashley Brown, Chelsea Nanette, James Ross, Jace Kenney, Brae Lezcano, Alberto Sanchez, Nate Tucker, John Paul Mendoza, John Hansen—you all have special places in my heart. I’m sure I’m forgetting others, but forgive me, as I can barely see the keys through my tears.
About the Author
Maxym M. Martineau is an article and social media writer by day and a fantasy romance author by night. When she’s not getting heated over broken hearts, she enjoys playing video games, sipping a well-made margarita, competing in just about any sport, and, of course, reading. She earned her bachelor’s degree in English literature from Arizona State University and lives with her husband and fur babies in Arizona. Connect with her at MaxymMartineau or through Twitter and Instagram.
Keep reading for a glimpse into Noc’s past…and a hint of what’s to come for Noc, Leena, and the assassins of Cruor in The Frozen Prince
One
The Frozen Prince
50 years ago
The heavy beat of the approaching army’s drums echoed through my rib cage. My horse shifted beneath me with a nicker, and my grip on the reins tightened. Not for the first time, Rhyne’s forces had crossed the sea between our countries and landed on the flat edge of Penumbra Glades. Our armada had lost, and now the small town of Moeras was counting on me and my men to protect them. The people may have fled for safety, but their homes were here. Their lives were here.
And if I couldn’t save them, then I didn’t deserve to call myself their prince.
“Ready yourselves!” I urged my mare forward, and her hooves churned through the soft muck of the marshy battlefield. Thick cattails battered her legs, and the harsh breeze carried the swampy stench of salt and earth. Flat and treeless, the expanse stretched before us, giving my troops full view of the amassing army. Glinting in the morning sun, their severe jade armor sent a chill running down my spine.
For years now, that color had haunted my dreams. But no matter how many times I tried, no matter