Untamed Flame: Winter's Grip

Aurora Immortalis #2

by Candace Blevins

Emmy isn’t the same dragon who arrived in Alaska desperate and defiant. In Mordnik’s endless winter darkness, she’s found something she never expected: two men who see past the chaos to the brilliant scientist beneath. She’s found a home.

In the silo’s hierarchical, decadent world of masked balls and feeding frenzies, Emmy hears her mother’s advice, given consistently since toddlerhood: Never lower your shields. Not for anyone. Especially not around vampires.

Love demands trust. Trust requires a leap of faith. And Emmy’s never been good at either.

Can she open the door? Or will winter’s grip keep her frozen, locked behind walls that protect her but leave her desperately alone?

Winter’s Grip continues The Untamed Flame Trilogy, a scorching paranormal romance featuring a dragon shifter scientist, a powerful vampire, and a submissive omega werewolf forming an unconventional triangle in Alaska’s darkest season. Perfect for readers who crave MMF romantacy with co-dominant dynamics, masked balls and decadent feeding frenzies, power exchange with mutual respect and emotional depth, found family, thesis breakthroughs, the terrifying beauty of learning to trust, reverse harem vibes, and open-door spicy scenes with bisexual characters. Cliffhanger ending, but a guaranteed HEA in book three, available April 30, 2026.

Genres: Vampires, Dragons

351 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 8, 2026

About the author

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Candace Blevins writes urban fantasy, paranormal romance, epic fantasy contemporary BDSM romance, and two kick-ass motorcycle club series. She’s published more than fifty books. Candace lives with her husband of twenty-four years and their two teenaged daughters. The family’s beloved, goofy, retired racing greyhounds are usually at her side as she writes, quietly keeping her company. Or sometimes not so quietly.

Her urban fantasy series, Only Human, gives us a world where weredragons, werewolves, werelions, three different species of vampires, and a variety of other mythological beings exist.

Candace's various paranormal romance series are all sister series to the Only Human series, and give some secondary characters their happily ever after.

Her Dark(ish) Faerie Tale series gives us a close-up and personal look at Queen Mab, and her Dark Underbelly series is, as you’d expect, dark and (if you’re a little twisted) oh-so-yummy.

Her contemporary Safeword series gives us characters who happen to have some extreme kinks. Relationships can be difficult enough without throwing power exchange into the mix, and her books show characters who care enough about each other to fight to make the relationship work. Each couple in the Safeword series gives the reader a different take on the lifestyle.

You can visit Candace on the web at candaceblevins.com. Feel free to friend her on Facebook at facebook.com/candacesblevins and Goodreads at goodreads.com/CandaceBlevins. You can also join facebook.com/groups/CandacesKinksters to get sneak peeks into what she's writing now, images that inspire her, and the occasional juicy teaser.

Stay up to date on Candace’s newest releases, and get exclusive excerpts by joining her mailing list at http://bit.ly/cb-new-release.

Only Human series, urban fantasy
• Only Human
• An Unhuman Journey
• Of Humans and Monsters
• Defining Human
• Edge of Humanity
• Infinitely Human
• Unhuman Acts

Rolling Thunder Motorcycle Club
• Duke
• Brain
• Bash Volume I
• Bash Volume II
• Bash Volume III
• Horse
• Gonzo
• Nix
• Ghost
• Bud
• Razor
• Bubbles
• McGyver

The Birmingham RTMC
• Bobcat
• Dementor
• Frost
• Squatch

Cat out of Hell, series, paranormal romance:
• Cat out of Hell Volume I
• Cat out of Hell Volume II
• Cat out of Hell Volume III

The Dark Underbelly of The Chattanooga Supernaturals
• Pride (A short story featuring The Lion King)
• Indentured Freedom: Owned by the Vampire
• Leashed
• An Elegant Weapon

A Dark(ish) Faerie Tale
• Slave
• Lady
• Consort
• Queen

A Paranormal Halloween, paranormal romance
• Hallowed Destiny – Forged by Darkness
• Unhallowed Murder
• Countdown to Murder
• Unholy Murder

Pleasure Times Four Christmas series, ménage/RH paranormal romance
• Unexpected Gifts
• The Gift
• Present Tense
• Imperfect Gifts

Chattanooga Supernaturals series, paranormal romance:
• The Dragon King
• Riding the Storm
• Acceptable Risk
• Careful What You Ask For
• Uncaged
• Cocky Queen

The Safeword series, intense BDSM contemporary romance
• Safeword Rainbow
• Safeword: Davenport
• Safewords: Davenport and Chiffon
• Safeword: Quinacridone
• Safeword: Matte
• Safeword: Matte – In Training
• No Safeword: Matte – The Honeymoon
• No Safeword: Matte – Happily Ever After
• Safeword: Arabesque
• Safeword: Mayday (TBA)

Reviews

[SeekingHEA · Rating 4 out of 5]

What to expect:
-Public torture
- taboo age gap romance, trouple, daddy's best friend
-Intense kink and non monogamous sex
- character growth, emancipation
- breakthrough science
- mouthwatering food

In this sequel, Candace Blevins continues Emmy’s coming-of-age journey, picking up exactly where the first book’s public torture left off, it's not for the faint of heart.

While I typically struggle with the power imbalances of age gaps, this book rationalizes the "trouple" dynamic in a way I could understand. With the author confirming in her newsletter that Emmy was the "endgame" since birth, the pairing remains a bit uncomfortable to me, especially given the "small-world" nature of dating an ancient being, it feels almost incestuous how she is dating her father’s best friend who is also an "Auntie’s" ex. Their relationship also pivots quickly into intense yearning, to insta lust to finally insta-love once the characters stop fighting their feelings.

​The true highlight of this volume is Emmy’s individual growth. Her transition from a "problem child" to a respectable adult and a responsible Top is fantastic. We see her navigating heartwarming new friendships and stepping into her power. Her scientific breakthroughs feel grounded and well researched, especially to me, as someone not in academia, the intellectual depth makes her "genius" label feel earned. Seeing her claim her agency while managing high-stakes professional and personal responsibilities was satisfying.

​The parents make a brief cameo, and while my perspective on them shifted from "cruel" to "foolishly naive," they remain frustratingly hypocritical. It’s a classic case of the pot calling the kettle black, Aaron, who basically groomed his innocent wife, is now scandalized by Emmy’s sex life and Sophia berating Zander and implying that he took advantage of Emmy... It was frustrating to read, I'm totally team Emmy.

​Despite my irritation with the older generation, the world-building shine through. The food descriptions are mouthwatering and made me ravenous, the otherworldly beauty of the auroras and the science adds a layer of realism to the dark fantasy. The ending is a total tease, cutting off right as a vital conversation begins. I am looking forward to the conclusion of this trilogy.

[Evita · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story begins exactly where the last one ended. I have to say that the beginning was hard/harsh to read but was deserved. It’s something that needed to be done so anyone intending any harm to those under Zander, would know what could happen to them.

Emmy, Zander and Spence go all in to possibly figure out a relationship. What I really appreciate in reading their scenes is how much they care, their communication in telling each other how they feel. There is but one thing that may be missing and that is Emmy not letting them in her mind by lowering her shields. That really intrigues me and I can’t wait to find out how Candice tell us all about it.

I wish I could have been as book smart like Emmy, I loved reading about her research and how excited she is about the breakthroughs she’s found. She is so much different than when she was first sent to Zander, we are getting to see her mature and I feel so proud of her.

I am highly anticipating reading the last part of this trilogy!

I voluntarily reviewed an advanced copy of this book.

[Titania · Rating 4 out of 5]

We begin where the previous story ends and it is INTENSE. Ms. Blevins has always shown us that paranormal are different. They require more. And this story lays that out from start to finish.
Untamed Flame Winter's Grip is second in the Aurora Immortalis trilogy. Emma, Spencer and Zander are finding their footing as they navigate whatever it is they are becoming. Spencer knows what he wants and it is both Emma and Zander. Zander knows what he wants and it is Emma and Spencer. Does Emma want both Spencer and Zander? Can she lower her shields and let them in? Can she trust in what they are building together? I love that Ms. Blevins let's us she that while Emma is showing maturity she is still the baby of this relationship and her growing pains will be a bit different. But I also like that Emma is logical and while she doesn't always like her choices, she accepts what she can't change. I enjoyed seeing this throuple navigate their unconventional relationship and am looking forward to where Ms. Blevins will take us next.

[BookAddict ✒ La Crimson Femme · Rating 5 out of 5]

Picking up right after Cold Authority, the second book in the Aurora Immortalis Trilogy is intense and gripping. This book must be read in order. It is not a standalone book. The start of the book opens up with a bang, punishing the miscreants who put many of the shifters in danger, including Emmy. There are rules in this decadent ever dark playground in Alaska. At least two of the vampires broke the rules and now they must pay. Readers be forewarned, the start of this book is harsh and necessary. After the punishment scene, the book becomes a delicious romance story.

To read the rest of my review, click on the image below to see it on my website.








* I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.

[Melanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Candace Blevins succeeds in pulling you in the story from page one. A word of warning; the first chapter is raw, brutal and highly charged. But it's sending a clear message to everyone involved. Do not mess with a member of Zander's flock...period! However, despite its truly dark tone, the chapter fits well within the framework of Untamed flame. Zander, Spenser and Emmy begin to explore their budding relationship in earnest. At the same time Emmy really doubles down on her Master's thesis and proves her brilliance by finally working out an answers to an age's old dilemma. The Mordnik vampire games and festivities continue but Emmy stays exclusively with her two lovers. Of course,there is friction and a a bit of drama between the Concilio and Senatus Master Vampires that keeps things interesting.

[Irrevocably Salty · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve giggled and laughed and felt the heat of this book right from the start and wow what a start it was! I don’t ever want to be on the wrong side of Kendra lol. And the continuing story of Emmy Zander and Spence is just so flipping good you will be amazed. Right up to the time Emmy has to tell her parents she’s in a relationship with a vampire (who’s very good friends with her parents )! This book is so wonderfully written you will be drawn in and just want more, at least I know I am. The power exchanges and bonding between this thruple is epically beautiful. Absolutely delicious book. Devoured in a day its that good. I received this eARC book and gladly give it my honest review. And can’t wait for book three!

[Dar · Rating 5 out of 5]

You know a story is ridiculously good when you are right there with the characters! I felt all the heat, all the pain, all the worry, and all the uncertainty. I saw the skies, felt the cold, experienced the dampness, and heard the music. There was more, and it was all so clear in my mind and feelings. Emmy has decisions to make, her sense of self to review, and power to exert. All of it made for a crazy ride that only left me wanting more!

[Elisha Siepser · Rating 5 out of 5]

The saga continues with Emmy, Spence, and Zander. I am loving the energy of this thruple they had so many adventures in this book. Candace is such an amazing storyteller. I could hear the music at the balls, see the costumes, feel the cold and see the night sky. The power exchanges and bedroom scenes are just hot hot hot! One of my favorite scenes in the book is when Emmy has to introduce Spence and Zander to her parents as her partners . Once upon a time, Sophia said I think Aaron could forgive anything except for a vampire dating his daughter. The scene with them at dinner just made me kick my feet and giggle. Long time readers of this universe will see so many cameos and I can’t wait for Emmy to finally put her trust in Zander and be ready to lower her shields.

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

As Emmy, Spence and Zander grow ever closer things are great but not perfect. Theres the age and power differences and the fact that Zander is chafing for Emmy to trust him enough to lower Her shields. Then there is telling Emmy’s parents. This is a bridge from the first book to the last and I look forward to seeing how they resolve their issues. Enjoyable.

[FreyaJo · Rating 5 out of 5]

TRUST

Yes, trust is the backbone of every relationship. You require trust but do you give it? Emmy has her desired relationship but can she get everything she wants if she holds back and goes quiet? They love her and trust her but does she really trust them enough to trust them? Already bought book three so I can get the HEA !