Sun and Moon, Ice and Snow by Jessica George

Sun and Moon, Ice and Snow by Jessica George  328 pages

Blessed—or cursed—with an ability to understand animals, the Lass (as she's known to her family) has always been an oddball. And when an isbjorn (polar bear) seeks her out, and promises that her family will become rich if only the Lass will accompany him to his castle, she doesn't hesitate. But the bear is not what he seems, nor is his castle, which is made of ice and inhabited by a silent staff of servents. Only a grueling journey on the backs of the four winds will reveal the truth: the bear is really a prince who's been enchanted by a troll queen, and the Lass must come up with a way to free him before he's forced to marry a troll princess.

Switched by Amanda Hocking

Switched by Amanda Hocking, 318 pages
(Book 1 of  the self-published Trylle series)

Wendy is a changeling. A creature left in place of a child that has been stolen away. That's what's explained to Wendy when she finds herself nearly kidnapped by brutal strangers. Wendy is shocked to hear this, but at the same time wonders if that's why her life has been so difficult. Her own mother always made it a point to say Wendy was not really her daughter. She even tried killing Wendy at her 6th birthday party. Had it not been for her human brother, Wendy would not have survived.  Learning there is a chance that she can really discover who she is, Wendy follows her "tracker" to seek her new life. What she finds is unimaginable danger and heartbreak around every corner. The story behind the switch of human children with supernatural creatures is an interesting one. The author does an excellent job in presenting this self-published story. Self-published is the keyword. This book is really enjoyable if you can overlook the lack of professional editing.

Sun and Moon, Ice and Snow by Jessica Day George

Sun and Moon, Ice and Snow by Jessica Day George - 328 pages

This is a retelling of the East of the Moon, West of the Sun fairy tale.  The majority of the story focuses on Lass and her times in the ice palace with a polar bear.  It's framed by the story of Lass's childhood and her journey to rescue her prince / bear from the Troll Princess. 
I really enjoyed this audio version of the book.  What was interesting is that while the Norse terminology used in the print book was very obvious and sometimes threw me out of the book, the audio version was very smooth.  In fact, I didn't really notice the terminology in the audio version at all except for the constant use of the "Istbjorn" for polar bear.

"The Hob's Bargain" by Patricia Briggs

Excellent Read For All Ages!

The Hob's Bargain by Patricia Briggs - 288 pgs

In the days of bloodmages,serfs, lords and kings, 30 year old Aren is newly wedded and happily prepping for the day ahead when she has a disturbing vision. Not wanting to alert her new husband to the fact that she has "the sight" (as that would give you a death sentence), she pans it off as newlywed jitters and sends her husband to work with her father and brother in the fields. Later that day, as she prepares to take lunch to her husband, her home is attacked by raiders. Hiding in the cellar, she has another vision filled with the death of her family. At the same moment, magic that has been locked away for hundreds of years is released by a bloodmage bent on anger and revenge. The freed magic takes it's toll on the surrounding mountains, villages and fields - destroying much in it's fury. All the wildlings that once were held by the magic begin to awaken and return to the world of man. Aren's continued visions lead her on a quest to find Caefawn, the Hob of the mountain, and strike a bargain with him to save her village. Through it all, she must battle raiders, ghosts, and all manner of evil creatures that lurk in the shadows.