Winterblaze

Callihan’s pulse-pounding third Darkest London historical paranormal (after Firelight and Moonglow) spotlights Poppy Ellis Lane, sister to previous heroines Daisy and Miranda and the head of the Society for the Suppression of Supernaturals, an organization “whose sole focus was to keep the world from learning the truth: that the monsters in their fairytales were real.” After a vicious werewolf attack, Poppy’s detective husband, Winston Lane, learns that for the 10 years of their marriage his wife has been hiding her supernatural gifts, and the two become estranged. That doesn’t stop Poppy from doing her best to protect him from the demon intent on stealing his soul and that of their unborn child. Callihan masterfully toggles between Winston and Poppy’s meeting in Victoria Station in 1873 and their present day in 1883, building an intricate world and solid romantic tension. An epilogue will whet reader appetites for future installments. Agent: Kristin Nelson, Nelson Literary Agency. (Feb.)