ARC Review: Winterblaze by Kristen Callihan

 

I’ve fallen so deeply in love with the world she has created. It’s so vibrant, so very lush and when you add such well-developed characters, it only makes for a more amazing story. ~ Under the Covers

WINTERBLAZE is book three in the Darkest London series by Kristen Callihan and it’s the best one yet!

If you’ve read MOONGLOW then you know if the discovery and betrayal that Winston Lane experienced at the end. What’s interesting about this book and this couple in particular is the fact that they are married already but something has torn them apart. The question is, is their love for each other strong enough to surpass this obstacle?

Callihan paints a rich background for this story. Set in Victorian London where the streets are gloomy and gaslights are the only source of light, she sets dark paranormal creatures alongside uplifting themes such as love, hope and fate. I’ve fallen so deeply in love with the world she has created. It’s so vibrant, so very lush and when you add such well-developed characters, it only makes for a more amazing story.

Winston Lane isn’t the man we know him as in the previous books. He’s no longer the curious Inspector who wishes to do good. We learn a bit more of his past and his intentions then and we also see a much more Alpha hero. A brutal, life-threatening attack has physically scarred him and in an effort to regain his health, he has packed on the muscle.

Poppy Lane reveals her powers and I must say, I think hers is the most badass out of all the Ellis sisters! What I loved about Poppy in particular is the fact that she is so strong and independent, yet she isn’t afraid on lean on Win when she needs to. She understands that Win is the one person in her life that she can rely on and despite the angst and the hurt that both of them have caused one another, it doesn’t overshadow the love they still share.

Which leads me to my next point about the romance. It’s very strong in this book. Callihan spends some time with flashbacks where readers get a glimpse of Win and Poppy’s first meeting, their dalliances, and some crucial moments to their relationship. I loved these moments because though they weren’t long, they did bring more insight to their relationship. But what’s more impressive is the fact that Callihan does not take advantage of that and simply allow that to be the romance of the story. She spends considerable time building that trust again once the betrayal is revealed and it makes for a more believable and stronger romance in my opinion.

Then there’s the plotting – wow. Brilliantly crafted and executed. Can we expect anything less from Callihan?

I could go on and on about this book. It literally had all I wanted in a romance novel. I’m going to say it now because I don’t think many books can top this read but WINTERBLAZE may be a favorite of 2013. Callihan is a must read!

Favorite Quote:

He couldn’t think of what to say that would not draw himself closer into her orbit. And that was the problem: he wanted to be in her orbit. To be around her was the difference between going through the motions of the day and feeling every breath.

[about-author author=”Kristen Callihan”]

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