I have to say, I'm very torn when it comes to Winterblaze. On the one hand, I loved a lot of what it accomplished. The world has expanded wonderfully since what we first saw in Firelight and grown in its complexity. I found myself actively engaged in learning more about how the SOS worked and the extent to which supernatural forces have entered our world. I loved the main characters. I loved almost every single thing about this book but there was one nagging issue that nearly ruined everything for me. And unfortunately, the issue comes down to a matter of personal taste and mine does not match up in the slightest. But I'm getting ahead of myself. 
 Obligatory warning before I begin. Although I will endeavor to not spoil anything in regards to Winterblaze, I will by necessity have to mention a few plot points we established in its two preceding books, Firelight and Moonglow. If you have not read those books (and I'm unsure why you'd read a review of book three without first reading the other two) please turn away now or not care about being spoiled. 
 Winterblaze is the third book in the Darkest London series and centers around the third and oldest Ellis sister, Poppy. After the events of Moonglow, Poppy's husband and police inspector, Winston Lane, has left her for all intents and purposes, a fact which leaves Poppy extremely hurt and sorrowful. She can't stew for too long, however, because Poppy is a high ranking member of the Society for the Suppression of Supernaturals (or SOS for short) and information has revealed that a very powerful demon is on the lose. Except that the target of this demon's malice appears to be none other than Poppy's husband and the two must reconcile both their feelings of betrayal while also dealing with the aforementioned demon threat. 
 As mentioned earlier, I liked if not loved a lot of this set up. The change of dynamic when it came to the romance was very refreshing. In the past two books we've had the male and female lead falling from each other from the beginning of their relationship. But Poppy and Winston are already married. They've had their initial romance long before the contents of the books and now have to try to deal with their anger and hurt towards one another while also acknowledge that they do still love and want each other as well. 
 Furthermore, Winston had a legitimate reason for leaving: he and Poppy had built their relationship up on the foundation that they could always be honest with each other and trust one another implicitly. But in Moonglow, he discovered that Poppy not only knew about this supernatural world but was also a major player in the SOS, a player who let me walk basically defenseless into a werewolf attack. Normally in romance novels I would expect the "betrayal" to be this not really difficult issue to resolve that is based around a misunderstanding. But this was an actual betrayal. Poppy's decision to keep her involvement and information secret resulted in Winston being grievously injured. And so the conflict between them feels real and needs to be resolved. 
 I have to say, personality wise Poppy is my favorite of the Ellis sisters. Whereas Miranda had little control over her power and Daisy barely even knew hers existed, Poppy is a force to be reckoned with. The scene where she first confronts Winston and the way she made an entrance was awesome, and I mean that in the literal sense. It inspired awe. Poppy is like Elsa from Frozen in 5 years time after she would get used to her position as Queen and better understand what her ice powers can do. Poppy is capable in ways that Miranda and Daisy never could be. But she also deeply and truly cares for Winston and her choice to keep her knowledge hidden from him came mainly from a need to protect him, not to cause him malice or ill. 
 And thus the dance begins. Both Winston and Poppy have felt hurt by the others actions but years of love are not very easily erased. I loved the struggle between them, the journey they went on to relearn each other and the secrets they both had kept. It was really engaging. 
 ::sighs:: 
 So why do I feel so conflicted about this book? Well, even though the paranormal parts of the paranormal romance are really interesting and engaging, the romance between our male and female leads is what I have loved the most about this series thus far. And to put it simply and as non-spoilery as I can, certain behaviors that Winston exhibited when it came to the bedroom really struck a negative nerve with me. (view spoiler)[During multiple sex scenes, Winston kept saying "there's a good wife." whenever Poppy pleasured him or did something that he liked. This one line has nearly ruined the book for me. It reduces her to basically a dog and makes me despise Winston for this. Poppy is such a strong character capable of so much and to see her reduced down to such a submissive status is a complete and utter turn off for me. I had to put down the book whenever it happened because it upset me. (hide spoiler)] I understand that in this situation it really comes down to a matter of taste and their demeanor is strongly NOT anything I'm into and thus is pretty much ruined my enjoyment of any of the romance scenes in the book. 
 So thus ends my journey with the Ellis sisters. I will have to say, regardless of the missteps along the way, this trilogy has shown me how much I can actually enjoy the paranormal romance genre. I might be very picky when it comes to how women are portrayed and my own tastes on the matter, but when it comes together well the books can be extremely engaging and interesting! I didn't even mention the non romance plot involving why the demon is chasing after Winston and us learning more about how the demons and other supernatural beings work in this world. Ms. Callihan has created a really enjoyable world for all of this to take place in. I am extremely impressed and the world building is most likely the main reason why I kept returning to the books. I probably will read the fourth book, Shadowdance, even though I'm not very invested in Jack Talent and Mary Chase. But given what we've been able to do thus far, I have no trouble believing that Ms. Callihan can create a well crafted and engaging story between them.