By Winter's Light

Cynster, Book 21

By: Stephanie Laurens

Narrated by: Matthew Brenher

Number one New York Times best-selling author Stephanie Laurens returns to romantic Scotland to usher in a new generation of Cynsters in an enchanting tale of mistletoe, magic, and love.

It's December 1837, and the young adults of the Cynster clan have succeeded in having the family Christmas celebration held at snowbound Casphairn Manor, Richard and Catriona Cynster's home. Led by Sebastian, Marquess of Earith, and by Lucilla, future Lady of the Vale, and her twin brother, Marcus, the upcoming generation has its own plans for the holiday season.

Yet where Cynsters gather, love is never far behind. The festive occasion brings together Daniel Crosbie, tutor to Lucifer Cynster's sons, and Claire Meadows, widow and governess to Gabriel Cynster's daughter. Daniel and Claire have met before, and the embers of an unexpected passions molder between them, but Claire - once bitten, twice shy - believes a second marriage is not in her stars. Daniel, however, is determined to press his suit.

Meanwhile, out riding on Christmas Eve, the young adults of the Cynster clan respond to a plea for help. Summoned to a humble dwelling in ruggedly forested mountains, Lucilla is called on to help with the difficult birth of a child, while the others rise to the challenge of helping her. With a violent storm closing in and severely limited options, the next generation of Cynsters face their first collective test - can they save this mother and child - and themselves, too?

Back at the manor, Claire is increasingly drawn to Daniel, and, despite her misgivings, against the backdrop of the ongoing festivities their relationship deepens. Yet she remains torn - until catastrophe strikes, and by winter's light she learns that love - true love - is worth any risk, any price.

©2014 Stephanie Laurens (P)2014 Blackstone Audio

Ladysandra

I miss the passion The Old Cynster Novels have. Wish you would bring a little more passion back in into your books...

The Family of the Centrist Family. Not spelt right!

I enjoy lessen to the Stories. I wish she would Number them. This is when Louise was Young. I have Bought the one where she is in her Twenties, and gets Married. I also have the one with Markus and His Twin a sister Helps people that are sick.

Cynster Christmas at the Vale

Enjoyable story of the Cynster Christmas with Lucila finding Thomas, her future husband, Add a crofters hut, while Lucila was helping a woman with her birth.

Pleasant interlude, good intro to the next generation

Not heavy on plot, a prelude to the next two novels. Good to re-visit the Bar Cynster. Still don’t like Brehner’s female voices much. Oh Simon Prebble, where art thou?

Just blah.

What did you like best about By Winter's Light? What did you like least?

I have listened to nearly all Stephanie Laurens' books and I normally really like them. I had trouble forcing myself to finish this one. It was just boring. The plot just didn't involve much suspense or potential conflict and the characters were not well-developed.

What was most disappointing about Stephanie Laurens’s story?

The plot was disappointingly boring.

Slow start but good setup for next book.

Slow start but good setup for next book. didn't need all the children to be explained at the beginning. but once the story really got started it was good. I have started the next book and this one was a good setup for the next one.

by Winters light

most enjoyable book I've read in a long time. narrator excellent. story awesome. a must read.

Love evolving through generations. Beautiful

Would you consider the audio edition of By Winter's Light to be better than the print version?

Matthew Brenher is getting very good at pronouncing and keeping the voices straight, Helena is French so he is missing that accent, but we get her character, it is such a delight to listen, I do prefer audio to print.

What other book might you compare By Winter's Light to and why?

There are not many books that show three generations and their commitment to love.

What does Matthew Brenher bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

His rich voice for the Cynster males, and determined females.
And the rhythm, there is a beautiful scene he takes us there the winter wonderland, Stephanie describes it with visual detail, but MB is there.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I cried every time children and family scenes were described.

Any additional comments?

Can't wait for the next two, of the twins.

all over

struggled to finish this book. top many story lines top flow and sometimes confusing. over read sho many books from things author but those one I feel she wad trying too hard to st up there characters of hesrt next book.
the narration wasd awesome ad usual

More about the Cynsters please

The story about the tutor and governess is okay but i'm more interested about the next generation Cynsters.