Everand Logo

Welcome to Everand!

  • Discover millions of ebooks, audiobooks, and so much more with a free trial

    Only $11.99/month after trial. Cancel anytime.

    Unavailable
    Winterblaze
    Unavailable
    Winterblaze
    Unavailable
    Winterblaze
    Audiobook14 hours

    Winterblaze

    Written by Kristen Callihan

    Narrated by Moira Quirk

    4/5

    ()

    Currently unavailable

    Currently unavailable

    About this audiobook

    Once blissfully in love . . .
    Poppy Lane is keeping secrets. Her powerful gift has earned her membership in the Society for the Suppression of Supernaturals, but she must keep both her ability and her alliance with the Society from her husband, Winston. Yet when Winston is brutally attacked by a werewolf, Poppy's secrets are revealed, leaving Winston's trust in her as broken as his body. Now Poppy will do anything to win back his affections . . .

    Their relationship is now put to the ultimate test.
    Winston Lane soon regains his physical strength but his face and heart still bear the scars of the vicious attack. Drawn into the darkest depths of London, Winston must fight an evil demon that wants to take away the last hope of reconciliation with his wife. As a former police inspector, Winston has intelligence and logic on his side. But it will take the strength of Poppy's love for him to defeat the forces that threaten to tear them apart.
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherHachette Audio
    Release dateFeb 26, 2013
    ISBN9781619694194
    Unavailable
    Winterblaze
    Author

    Kristen Callihan

    Kristen Callihan is an author because there’s nothing else she’d rather be. She has written New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today bestsellers. Her novels have garnered starred reviews from Publishers Weekly and Library Journal. Her debut book, Firelight, received RT magazine’s Seal of Excellence and was named a best book of the year by Library Journal, best book of spring 2012 by Publishers Weekly, and best romance book of 2012 by ALA RUSA. When she’s not writing, she’s reading.

    More audiobooks from Kristen Callihan

    Related to Winterblaze

    Related audiobooks

    Fantasy For You

    View More
    View More

    Related podcast episodes

    Related articles

    • Article

      Books

      Dec 15, 2023

      Books
      4 min read

    • Article

      What To Read

      Jul 29, 2022

      By HAYLEY SCRIVENOR Pan Macmillan Twelve-year-old best friends Esther and Ronnie leave school together one Friday in their small Australian town, but after they part ways only one of them reaches her home. Sydney missing-person police experts Sarah

      3 min read

    • Article

      Book Club

      Apr 7, 2021

      It’s a tense, pacy case for Lynda La Plante’s detective Jack Warr in the second book in the series, following last year’s opener Buried. Now married and a new dad, Warr is called away to work undercover in the countryside to unravel a series of viole

      1 min read

    • Article

      Books

      Jul 30, 2021

      YOUNG ADULT FICTION Tanya Byrne Ashana “Ash” Persaud is a girl reaper. She’s also head over heels in love with Poppy Morgan. From the opening pages of Afterlove by Tanya Byrne, we were left with goosebumps and a deep desire to see what love might be

      2 min read

    • Article

      Power Play: Reading Kristen Roupenian’s ‘You Know You Want This’

      Apr 8, 2019

      It’s important to read characters who are burning down their lives and searching for answers to unknowable questions. The post Power Play: Reading Kristen Roupenian’s ‘You Know You Want This’ appeared first on The Millions.

      7 min read

    • Article

      Lose Yourself

      Jun 16, 2023

      By ASHLEY POSTON BANTAM DOUBLEDAY DELL Florence Day writes romance novels for a living. She’s the ghostwriter for one of the biggest romance writers in the world, but only a handful of people know that it’s her words being lapped up by devoted fans.

      3 min read

    • Article

      Books

      Apr 22, 2022

      Books
      4 min read

    • Article

      Great Reads

      Feb 28, 2024

      By Rebecca Yarros Everyone expected Violet Sorrengail to die during her first year at Basgiath War College, Violet included. But Threshing was only the first impossible test meant to weed out the weak-willed, the unworthy, and the unlucky. Now the re

      2 min read

    • Article

      Book Club

      Feb 17, 2021

      Melanie Blake’s new page-turner sees us on location at the world’s most popular soap opera, Falcon Bay. But ratings are falling and new network owner Madeline Kane will do anything to get the show back on track. Only there are three ambitious women w

      1 min read

    • Article

      Book Club

      May 21, 2020

      Book Club
      4 min read

    • Article

      Book Club

      Aug 3, 2022

      by Elizabeth Noble (£14.99, HB, Penguin) When it comes to writing about family life, Elizabeth Noble is pitch-perfect, and her latest novel is no exception. In it we meet a group of friends who, having met at the nursery gate 20 years ago, have been

      2 min read

    • Article

      Books

      Nov 18, 2019

      Books
      4 min read

    • Article

      Books Of The Month

      Apr 21, 2023

      By Stig Abell Bequeathed an isolated farmhouse “somewhere in one of those anonymous rural counties in the middle of England”, Jake Jackson, formerly of the Met, seizes the opportunity for a fresh start after the demise of his marriage. The villagers

      2 min read

    • Article

      The BONES Of A Story

      Sep 7, 2023

      The BONES Of A Story
      5 min read

    • Article

      Book Reviews

      Mar 31, 2022

      Kyrie McCauley HarperCollins Publishers ISBN: 978-0-0628-8503-6 Tens of thousands of crows invading Auburn, Pennsylvania, is a problem for everyone in town except seventeen-year-old Leighton Barnes. For Leighton, it’s no stranger than her house, whic

      2 min read

    • Article

      Decisions, Decisions . . .

      Nov 10, 2023

      BY SEBASTIAN FAULKS HUTCHINSON It’s 2030 and Talissa Adams is a young American academic who’s looking for a way to fund her PhD. She offers to become a surrogate mom to a childless couple in London under the auspices of an institute run by Silicon V

      3 min read

    • Article

      The Eight Horror Movies You Might Not Have Heard Of

      Oct 1, 2019

      With Halloween fast approaching, horror movies take a front seat during most of October and if like us you’re a bit worn out on the numerous big-budget Blumhouse horror films then you are in luck. We have a list of eight fantastic horror movies you m

      3 min read

    Reviews for Winterblaze

    4/5

    148 ratings18 reviews

    What did you think?

    Tap to rate

    Review must be at least 10 words

    • 3/5
      This is a second chance trope for an already married, and previously in love, couple. A good portion of the story is them kind of just in their own way. An issue came up (at the end of the last book I believe), and they just need to decide 'do they want to work through it or not?'. But instead of just sitting down and having that conversation, they spend ages dancing about. After they finally got (mostly) on the same page, the story picked up a bit. The supernatural adventure was predictable, but fine really.
    • 5/5

      3/2018 reread with Bubu, Isabella, and Joanna. I am always thinking I’ll be able to do better on review on rereads. I can’t. Sigh
      —————

      I could barely read this book it was so perfect. How am I supposed to write a review? This couple is so beautifully balanced and I couldn't decide who I liked more. A romance about married people of 14 years that fills your soul and makes you swoon? I believe I'm near speechless.

      This is straight up romantic. Will add more when I find words.
    • 5/5
      Reviewed by: Rabid ReadsEvery Darkest London installment is truly unique; unlike most romance series that only switch up the main love interest from book to book, Callihan actually reshapes her whole universe to fit each of her characters’ individual perspectives. She does it once again in Winterblaze by rekindling an existing relationship between a married couple instead of the standard budding romance story. The result is a fresh outlook on love, a fun combination of flashbacks vs. current events and some serious conflict!Kristen Callihan has never failed to sweep me away with her phenomenal writing style and the trend continues in Winterblaze. Her world-building skills are unmatched and I loved that she incorporated flashbacks to help readers understand what Poppy and Win’s relationship was like prior to their spat. In a way, this book felt like 2-in-1 because of the different time periods. We get to learn about how they met, their courtship and marriage which really helped add some romance into the mix seeing how they were at odds with each other for a good portion of this novel. It’s basically a love story in reverse!Poppy is a very different kind of heroine compared to her sisters that were featured in previous installments; instead of being a delicate rose she’s the thorns on its stem. Mrs. Lane is a walking contradiction; for society’s sake she appears to be a proper lady but in secret she kicks more butt than her detective husband! The characters in this series are incredibly well rounded and I was glad that I got to learn an equal amount about both halves of this couple because Winston is no less endearing than his wife. Despite all of the lies and secrets that have managed to come between them I never doubted that their love would win out in the end. Plus, the occasional fight can be healthy for a relationship if only because of the make-up sex that usually follows! I loved the diversity of the nookie scenes in this book; they ranged from angry to passionate. Very intense and satisfying!The pacing and the plotting of this novel are as usual, exquisite. Unraveling the layers upon layers of secrets was pure joy; just when you think that you’ve finally reached the heart of the matter you uncover yet another untruth that even the fibbers themselves were unaware of. This installment is the most supernatural one out of the bunch with endless zombie and demon action which makes this book my favourite Darkest London story to date and quite possible one of my top reads of 2013!
    • 5/5
      Reading this book brought in full view the entire story from the previously titled firelight. It is most intriguing and enlighting with the games and deals made with and about demons, powers, and selfishness of man desire. It has a lot of turns and anticipations of what is next. Love the authors works and imagnations with an in-depth contribution of all the details that go with each characters. I give this book five star becuase I love it.

      1 person found this helpful

    • 3/5
      I love this series but married couples aren't really my thing. I appreciate some of the angst but it dragged out a bit. Interesting plot developments and I am excited for Mary and Jack's book!!!

      1 person found this helpful

    • 4/5
      Superintendent Winston Lane has recovered from the injuries he sustained to his body but the fact that his wife, Poppy, has been keeping secrets from him for years is not something he can deal with, he wants to and together they should work to defeat evil, can she convince him that her love for him wasn't a lie.Another couple who seriously need to be locked up in an magic-proof room and forced to talk.

      1 person found this helpful

    • 4/5
      Winterblaze
      4 Stars

      Excellent beginning and wonderful characterization but takes a turn for the worse with the weird Doctor Faustus plot.

      The narrative structure transitions smoothly between the past (1869) and the present (1883), and in this way provides readers with the backstory detailing Win and Poppy’s courtship and early marriage.

      Win and Poppy have a definite Mr. & Mrs. Smith vibe going on and their chemistry, both physical and emotional, makes them a compelling couple. Moreover, the keeping secrets trope is thankfully kept to a minimum and the focus is on Win and Poppy’s reconciliation as they work together to defeat a common enemy.

      Speaking of the enemy, this is where the story encounters some problems. The plot is contrived and the revelations are predictable. Moreover, there are times when the villain is actually quite sympathetic. Yes, he is evil but he has also been wronged. Moreover, the secondary conflict the capture and torture of Jack Talent is underdeveloped and feels tacked on for the purpose of continuing the series.

      The next book, Shadowdance is Jack and Mary’s story and I look forward to learning the reasons for their obvious animosity.

      1 person found this helpful

    • 4/5
      Review
      Oh how Iove missed these characters.  I have adored each of these characters since Firelight.

      I love Poppy's fierce need to protect those she loves.  Everything she tried to keep secret definitely came out after Winston was attacked.  Poppy tries to win back his love without making her seem needy.  She is a force to be reckoned with, expecially when things don't go her way.  I admired the battle that Winston fights with himself.  How can he love a woman who has kept so many secrets from him?

      The tension between these two is insane.  They love each other, and miss each other, but they are both too proud to admit it.  I love seeing them have to work togther to solve the mystery of what is coming at them.  They have a need to protect each other, but each wants to do it in their own way.  There may be some times that they do things the other won't approve of but they do it out of love.

      These two definitely have to figure out if they can trust each other.  Sometimes love isn't enough, but sometimes it is.

      1 person found this helpful

    • 5/5
      Just when you think this series can't get any better...
      Great plot with lots of action, but the romance doesn't suffer. On the contrary, it's wonderful to read how Poppy and Winston get back together. What an incredible series and author. I can't wait to get the next book.
      Rating: 10/10

      1 person found this helpful

    • 4/5
      For a paranormal historical romance, I found this book far more enjoyable that I nearly overlook its flaws. Set in two different timeline, the time where Winston Lane fall in love with the fiery red-haired girl Poppy and a decade later where Poppy and Winston became separated after Winston a traumatic accident left him to find out that his wife isn't a demure bookseller and instead all this time she had a double life as one of the member of an underworld society that monitors supernaturals.

      Between the courtship and the subsequent separation, the book explore more on the secrets that these two lovers kept from each other and their eventual reconciliation in the midst of a demon bargain. The story was action packed, emotionally driven and nerve wrecking at the same time and although the story is divided, all came splendidly in the end where we grew to know these characters even more.

      Uniquely as its own, its hard to find any Victorian Paranormal Romance as intriguing as this book. Although I had some problems concerning the world-building around the SOS organization as I didn't start the series from the beginning but the story as a whole compensate all of this. I simply can't wait for the subsequent book where a certain GIM fall in love with a certain shapeshifter who was now betrayed and traumatized by the events in this book.

      1 person found this helpful

    • 5/5
      I need book four! NOW! Can't wait for his story!
      Callihan really knows this time period. Her use of the language and description of the time is as if she lived during that century. I'm blown away with how thorough she is.
      I love how she differs her plotting, her tensions, and even her heated scenes. I've come to appreciate an author who doesn't use the same descriptions and turns of phrase repeatedly.
      I'm a fan. Absolutely. Unequivocally.

      1 person found this helpful

    • 5/5
      I have waited quite a while for this third volume in the series, and I was not disappointed. I loved that this story revolved around an already-married couple. I think that made the relationship and emotions so much intense than those in the previous two volumes, which involved couples meeting, fighting their mutual attractions, and ultimately giving in and finding redemption, salvation, etc. Poppy Ellis and her husband, Winston Lane, have been driven apart by lies, albeit lies that were meant to protect rather than harm. Can they learn to trust one another again while battling a demon who turns out to be much closer to them than they thought (in more ways than one)? I found this volume to be so much more poignant than the first two--I actually shed a tear or two over this one at the turmoil that both Poppy and Winston go through. The one issue that I felt need more explanation was how Poppy, Miranda, and Daisy's father could have been so completely clues (can't reveal more without spoiling it for you!). In the previous books he was not exactly portrayed as a nice guy, but as someone who once had a successful business (until Miranda accidentally destroyed it with her "gift"), he had to at least have had a bit of intelligence. It makes you feel at least a teeny bit sorry for him. I had wondered whether/how the series would continue now that the three stories have been told, and I was happy to see from the excerpt included from the next volume, Shadowdancer, that it will indeed continue with the story of Mary Chase and Jack Talent. Can't wait!

      1 person found this helpful

    • 4/5
      Well, this was definitely the most emotional book of the series. It was like riding a roller coaster with Poppy and Winston. They were so good together through the first two books then the attack happened to Winston and it tore them apart. I was glad to see that they could work through all the drama and half-truths and figure out what their relationship really meant to each other. This is a really good series and I can't wait to see where it's headed with the addition of the new person the sisters just found out about. Recommend this book, but to get the full impact of the story it should be read in order.

      1 person found this helpful

    • 4/5
      Review courtesy of Dark Faerie Tales.Quick & Dirty: Another strong installment in the Darkest London series.Opening Sentence: Winston Lane could never recall the impetus that prompted him to leave the confines of his first class railway compartment and step back onto the platform.The Review:Kristen Callihan continues her Darkest London series with another strong female character. Poppy Lane has spent most of her life keeping secrets and about half of it running a secret organization. These secrets are threatening to destroy her life as she knows it. Her husband, Winston, has left her and her two sisters, Miranda and Daisy, don’t trust her anymore. Poppy knows how dearly she has hurt her family and that it will take a lot to earn their trust back.A terrible attack left Winston Lane scarred in mind and body. He never imagined his wife was hiding some big time secrets about her life. He thought they shared everything and the last thing Winston wants is to see Poppy back in his life, not because he doesn’t ever want to see her again but because he doesn’t know how he’ll react around her. When she shows up out of nowhere claiming that his life is in danger, Winston doesn’t quite know what to believe. A confrontation with a demon will tear apart what is left of Winston’s vision of his life and leave him not knowing what is truth or a lie.Winterblaze expands on the paranormal world that Kristen Callihan has created with an inside look into the Society for the Suppression of Supernaturals. This world turns ever more supernatural as the series progresses and I love the little twists that Callihan adds to her not quite human characters. The background of some of her supernatural creatures still remains a mystery but the information that is known is not the typical background fare you see in most novels. Her G-I-M’s (ghosts in the machine) are an interesting facet that I still don’t quite feel like I know much about and can’t wait to learn more about them. (I shouldn’t have to wait long for more information in Shadowdance.)Poppy is quite a strong character but I did feel at times that she kind of gives up. When she discovers a huge secret she tells her sisters right away but they just get mad at her like she knew this secret for years and was just now telling them. She was little wishy-washy about when she chose to stand up for herself. But besides this I really had no issues with Winterblaze. All three novels in this series have sucked me in and completely engrossed me in this creative world. There was enough action interspersed with the conversations to keep your attention.Overall, if you like historical romance mixed with paranormal and even a little bit of steampunk then check out this series. The first three novels focus on the sisters and the next, Shadowdance, will focus on the mysterious Mary and Jack. I absolutely cannot wait to learn more about them.Notable Scene:“Why did you pull away?” She hadn’t meant to ask, but now that she had, she would not flinch from it.His expression closed down. “What is it that you want me to say, Poppy?” The scar on his lip was white as he searched her face. “That I am human? You know that all too well.”Her breasts lifted and fell as she fought for breath. “Perhaps that you wanted to kiss me?” That you miss me the way I miss you. So much that it hurts.His expression was so stern that he might have been a marble carving. “I wanted to kiss you.” He backed her up against the stone wall leading onto the Embankment. “I want you every thinking moment I have. I want you near. I want to hear your voice. Feel you.” He leaned in, drowning her in his scent and his heat. “I want to take you hard, slow, every way in between. And the piss of it is, it’s always been this way. From the moment I saw you.”She gaped up at him, and his scowl grew. “I want you always. In all things. I want…” He exhaled unsteadily. “It is pain, this wanting you. And I wish it were gone.”FTC Advisory: Forever/Grand Central Publishing/Hachette Book Group provided me with a copy of Winterblaze. No goody bags, sponsorships, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review.
    • 5/5
      This is the third book in the Darkest London series and features the third of three sisters, Poppy. The fourth book in this series will be titled Shadowdance, and is scheduled for a November 2013 release. This book was absolutely fantastic; the characters and plot were incredibly well done and engaging.Poppy has always been the most resourceful of the three sisters. After all her secrets were revealed to Winston in the second book, Moonlight, her marriage to Winston ended up on the rocks. Little does Poppy know Winston has secrets of his own. With a dangerous demon on the loose; Poppy needs to fill her role as a member of the SOS and hunt it down. When Winston gets pulled into the action, Poppy and Winston are forced to face each other and try to reconcile the new people they have become to each other.This was an absolutely stunning continuation of this series. Not only does this book have an absolutely action packed and engaging plot, but Poppy and Winston are entrancing. The scenes between them sizzle and they are such interesting and complex characters.Poppy has been part of the SOS (Society for the Suppression of Supernaturals) since she was little. When the secret of this comes out she is devastated. When Winstone leaves her she is even worse off. Not only is her family angry at her secrets, her husband has abandoned her too. In this book we see a side of Poppy we have never seen in previous stories. Poppy is a warrior and incredibly intelligent, she is so much more complex than we were lead to believe in past books. Poppy’s one shortcoming is her inability to trust, and it was entrancing to watch her work through this issue with Winston.Winstone has always seemed like the upright lawman in previous books. In this book we are introduced to a leaner and meaner Winston; he returns to the story covered in werewolf scars and much tougher from his months spent training to learn new fighting styles. This is a more dangerous Winston, as Winston’s own secrets are revealed he becomes a character that matches Poppy in complexity. When Poppy and Winston are together in a scene it sizzles with tension and heat. They’ve been married forever, but they each have to relearn the other person because of all the changes and challenges they have recently faced. It was fun to read about a married couple who love each other with so much passion. The plot was also fantastic. There is an old and dangerous demon on the loose and Poppy must figure out how to hunt him down and deal with him. When it comes to light that this demon may be involved in Winston’s past as well; Poppy and Winston realize they must face him side by side. There are lots of wonderful action scenes, a heavy element of investigation, and interesting paranormal danger throughout.The story wraps up well and makes for a very satisfying read. The Epilogue gives a brief lead in to the next book which will feature Mary Chase and Jack Talent.I would like to state that I absolutely hate the cover of this book, it does not do either the characters or the story justice!Overall this was an enthralling story and I had a lot of trouble putting it down. This story was a perfect blend of action packed paranormal danger and sizzling romance. Callihan does an excellent job of balancing plot, action, and romance. This whole paranormal series is high recommended to those who like action packed urban fantasy with a large dash of sizzling romance.
    • 5/5
      **** guest review over at Paranormalhaven.com****

      So if you haven’t read Kristen Callihan’s The Darkest London series as of yet, I would strongly recommend that you give one of her books a try. Dark, suspenseful, and romantic, these books just get better as the series goes on. I was impressed with Firelight, picked up and had a copy of Moonglow signed at RWA last year (it’s my precious) and loved it, but Winterblaze blew those two books out of the water. Winterblaze follows Poppy Lane and her estranged husband, Winston, as they work together to track down a demon by the name of Isley.

      Recovering from a brutal attack, Winston is horrified to learn that his wife is not what she seems. Wounded and betrayed, Winston leaves Poppy, only to have her track him down aboard the ship he is traveling on. While the two lead characters are already married, this is a story of them learning about each other and finding love (again). Poppy and Winston don’t get a lot of page time in the earlier books, so it truly came as a surprise at how much I loved the two of them together. Poppy is logical, matter of fact, and very straightforward when it comes to her dealings with the Society for the Suppression of Supernaturals but not nearly as much so when it comes to matters with her family.

      As Winston nurses his anger at Poppy for keeping secrets, we learn that she’s not the only who has been concealing important information. The book uses flashbacks to illustrate Poppy and Win’s courtship (again, not one of my more favored literary devices), and back to the present with them demon hunting together. The flashbacks are interspersed smoothly and really do an excellent job of demonstrating the feelings between Poppy and Win. As you go through the flashbacks, you learn that Winston made a horrible deal with a demon in order to win Poppy over, albeit unknowingly. When the demon comes to collect, he asks for Winston to find a woman by the name of Moira Darling. The price, should he fail, is unthinkable.

      I only have the slightest beef with how the side characters of Jack Talent and Mary Chase are set up. They’re obviously the couple to be featured in the author’s next book, but I didn’t find their characters to be given any sort of real depth and that left me a little disappointed. On the whole, I really loved Winterblaze. The novel left me wanting more of the Darkest London stories, and that’s how I want every book I read to end.

      My rating 4.5
    • 3/5
      Review courtesy of All Things Urban Fantasy.allthingsuf.comWINTERBLAZE is a complex story, as evidenced by the fact that it took me a a few chapters to feel entirely caught up despite having read read Darkest London books 1 and 2. This orientation was a pleasure, however, as it was accompanied by the witty and sensual introduction of Poppy and Win, a formerly happy married couple, as the hero and heroine.I was dying to read more about this married couple in the aftermath of the devastating events in book 2, and unfortunately, it is just that interest in Poppy and Win’s history that makes certain elements of their story less exciting for me. With so many secret lives and magically altered memories, some of the more far fetched aspects of the plot didn’t spark an emotional response for me. The main conflict in their marriage stems from Poppy’s secret life, and giving Win his own secret was a disappointment when I wanted these two characters to come back to each other from an uneven playing field (forgiveness is most interesting for it’s own sake, rather than quid pro quo). Even worse, the avalanche of changes made Poppy and Win as good as strangers, making WINTERBLAZE much more the usual romance “strangers with chemistry” than I had hoped to find.All of the prior Darkest London books featured a fair amount of magical plot surprises throwing a wrench into things, but that mechanism didn’t work as well for me in WINTERBLAZE. Expecting the romance to hinge entirely on character, Win and Poppy’s reconciliation focuses on physical chemistry and magical events. The nature of these events prevents seeing them (or us) from seeing them coming, which means there was very little of the pleasant anticipation that can accompany a mystery.These minor disappointments on both a magic and a romantic front add up to 3 bats instead of 4, but this is still a good Paranormal Romance on its own (and a superior series). Though this particular story didn’t sweep me off my feet, I’m already poised to pre-order the next Darkest London story, just so I can see more of Jack Taylor and a certain mysterious Ghost in the Machine.Sexual Content: Sex scenes, references to rape.
    • 5/5
      TITLE: Winterblaze (Darkest London #3)AUTHOR: Kristen CallihanRATING: 4.5/5 Stars. Goodreads does not have half stars and the book is too go to knock down to 4 StarsPUBLISHER: Forever an imprint of Hachett BooksISBN: 1455520799SynopsisOnce blissfully in love . . . Poppy Lane is keeping secrets. Her powerful gift has earned her membership in the Society for the Suppression of Supernaturals, but she must keep both her ability and her alliance with the Society from her husband, Winston. Yet when Winston is brutally attacked by a werewolf, Poppy’s secrets are revealed, leaving Winston’s trust in her as broken as his body. Now Poppy will do anything to win back his affections . . .Their relationship is now put to the ultimate test.Winston Lane soon regains his physical strength but his face and heart still bear the scars of the vicious attack. Drawn into the darkest depths of London, Winston must fight an evil demon that wants to take away the last hope of reconciliation with his wife. As a former police inspector, Winston has intelligence and logic on his side. But it will take the strength of Poppy’s love for him to defeat the forces that threaten to tear them apart.ReviewWith book one, Firelight, of the Darkest London Series by Kristen Callihan, Poppy Ellis Lane was introduced as the older, married sister of the heroine Miranda. Poppy was a minor character married to Inspector Winston Lane. Neither character seemed that remarkable, which was fine being that they were both secondary characters in the book. Poppy was introduced as a mother-hen bookseller, likable but nothing remarkable.Then in book two of the series, Moonglow, the book focused on Daisy Ellis Craig more, Miranda’s and Poppy’s flamboyant middle sister. In Moonglow more was revealed about both Winston and Poppy, and both their roles in the series were expanded. Winston’s hunt for the killer in Moonglow and Poppy’s identity were both part of the ongoing story line of the series.Now in Winterblaze by Kristen Callihan, Poppy and Winston get their own book, and what a book it is. These two characters have emerged as my favorites of the series. In a period of arranged marriages, the couple who went against societies mores and actually married for love, have been torn apart by Poppy’s lies and secrets. Winston, who was attacked by a werewolf in Moonglow, is still healing and has left Poppy. Poppy has been left alone, with only her deceit to keep her warm at night.What made this such a fun read for me is that author Kristen Callihan takes the reader back to when Poppy and Winston first met, and their love story is explored in both the past and the present of Darkest London. Their love story is a rich tapestry with strong threads of emotional bonds that sucked me into the dilemma of Winston and Poppy’s marriage. With each thread that is pulled by Poppy’s and Winston’s lies, will the tapestry unravel or are their lives more than a few worn and broken bonds? Can a marriage based on multiple lies survive even in Darkest London? Both Winston and Poppy are the most human of all the couples, and it is this fragile humanity that draws the reader to them, as individuals and as a couple. They may be an old married couple but the romance sparks between them, and it held me captivated.Of course, the urban fantasy aspect of Darkest London is in full swing, as a demon is after Winston, and despite their estrangement, Poppy has arrived to protect him. With each new entry into the series, the world Callihan builds becomes more and more complex and faceted. In her first book, Firelight, the readers and the characters were on the periphery of Darkest London. With Winterblaze the readers are in the bowels of the supernatural world, and I for one delight in the depth of Callihan’s world.(less)