BY WINTER'S LIGHT is Book one in the Cynsters Next Generation series by Stephanie Laurens. Because BY WINTER'S LIGHT focuses on the Cynster family and the inner workings of that family, I think it's best enjoyed by longtime fans of the series like myself, rather than readers unfamiliar with the Cynster saga. Since there are two very distinct stories in BY WINTER'S LIGHT -- the love story between the tutor and the governess, and the story establishing the next generation of Cynsters -- I read them separately.

Though only an employee and not a blood relation to the Cynster family, tutor Daniel Crosbie exhibits many of the traits that make a Cynster man so desirable. He is a man who commits to the decision he comes to and follows through. Daniel comes across as a sympathetic character to me because he doesn't just pursue Claire for convenience, but because he is genuinely smitten. Having the various extended family members play matchmaker adds the right amount of levity to BY WINTER'S LIGHT without distracting from the romance itself.

As a fan of the series, it's interesting reading about the grown up children of the couples from favorite previous books. I wasn't sure, at first, if I would like seeing familiar characters age. Thankfully Stephanie Laurens gets it just right. Yes Honoria and Devil are middle-aged, but Devil Cynster is still Devil Cynster. After reading BY WINTER'S LIGHT, I am excited to read about the next generation of Cynsters in future stories. I loved the way Stephanie Laurens used the Christmas theme to create an interesting story that shows the strong connection the younger Cynster cousins and siblings have with each other. The possibility for romance for Lucilla that Laurens tosses out near the end is tantalizing and succeeds at whetting the appetite for her book to come.

BY WINTER'S LIGHT is full of love in all the forms it takes, and a gift for all longtime Cynster series fans. The intelligence of the characters -- particularly the women - set a Stephanie Laurens book apart from many other historical romances. As always, I look forward to the next book by Stephanie Laurens.