Tomorrow the final book in Stephanie Laurens’ Cynster Sisters trilogy comes out, The Capture of the Earl of Glencrae. We are happy to have Stephanie Laurens stop by and give us a little insight into writing this series.
This is the final volume in the trilogy. What were your thoughts when you sat down to write it?
My principal and most imperative aim was to do justice to the previous two books and then make this final volume something extraspecial, a crowning delight for readers. I wanted the trilogy to end on a high note, so to speak. With such a trilogy, one that contains an overarcing story, each volume has a different job to do with respect to that overarcing storyline. The first book had to introduce it, show it getting underway, and reveal a little bit about that story and its principal protagonist without giving too much away. The second book had much more of that overarcing story in it, with more action, revealing more motivations and character, and ending with a major confounding event – the laird falling off the cliff in order to save Eliza and Jeremy. The third book had to wrap it all up, reveal and bring that overarcing story to a complete and satisfying conclusion – and to achieve that, the overarcing story had to be an integral part of the final romance. The third romance and the overarcing story had to merge so that the motivations from one lead to actions which lead to resolutions of the other. Angelica’s romance and the overarcing story had to essentially become inseparable, and that was a challenge – one I feel very happy about, because I think I pulled it off!
Three heros, three rescues, three weddings is the trilogy tagline. You’ve spoken earlier of the challenge of writing multiple journeys, but were there any challenges associated with writing, one after the other, the tales of three sisters?
My task was made much easier because, by the time I started the trilogy, I had a very clear idea of the differences in the characters of Heather, Eliza, and Angelica. Each had to possess the Cynster traits of courage, inner strength, curiosity, and determination, but beyond that I drew on my experience of siblings. Heather was in many ways the archetypal “oldest” – although she isn’t the oldest child in the family, she is the oldest girl, and both her brothers are quite a few years older again. So Heather presents as outwardly more confident and a touch more serious that her younger sisters – she is also the sister who forges the way, who steps out first on the sisters’ path to find their heros. Eliza meanwhile, is a typical middle sister, less assertive, and quieter all around, while Angelica is…Angelica. She’s an over-the-top youngest child in a brood – she has an unwavering belief in herself, in her ability to bend the world to her cause. And in large measure she’s successful, simply because her enormous self-confidence, backed by her self-belief, carries all before it. She’s intelligent, quick witted, and observant, as many youngest children are – very attuned to the people around them. I had great fun letting these three girls evolve and come alive through their stories, and their different characters are a major part of the reason for the different feel in each of the three romance-adventures.
You’ve chosen to end the trilogy in the highlands – was there any special reason behind that decision?
Yes, and no. As always, my characters lead me into the stories, and this trilogy, and in particular the story that arcs over all three books, starts in a castle in the highlands. Clearly, that overarcing story was going to end in the highlands, most likely at that same castle, as indeed proved to be the case. In addition, I’ve always wanted to write a full-length novel set in the highlands – which is quite possibly why that first opening scene was set where it was (yes, my mind works like that – works to somehow get me to where my story-brain wants to be). My first and only previous story set in the highlands is my novella, Rose in Bloom – I’ve always wanted to return to castle, loch, and glen, and spend more time there, and this trilogy with its atmosphere of sweeping adventure provided the perfect opportunity.
Thanks Stephanie! Today I have the first two books in the series, Viscount Breckenridge to the Rescue and In Pursuit of Eliza Cynster to giveaway plus a $10 gift card to either Amazon or Barnes and Nobles, winner’s choice.
To enter, just leave a comment. Contest open to US/Canada through February 1st.
I am looking forward to reading the last book in the trilogy.
I just finished “The Devil’s Bride” and am looking forward to more from the Cynsters!
I love The Cynster family and I look forward to reading this last novel in the sisters’ trilogy. They are “pure romance” at its best!
I listened to the first two books in two weeks! When the laird went over the cliff, my heart stuttered! I cannot wait to see how he survived. And to find out why his mother is such a whack job! ;)
Love all of S. Laurens work and can’t wait for the next book!! : ) ps: The new cover is GORGEOUS!
I’ve read every book in this series and can’t wait for this one! The covers of these books are so beautiful. Thanks for the giveaway!
Thank you for the opportunity to win these books! I have read the first in the series and enjoyed it! I look forward to the others!
What a great giveaway. i would love to win and read the first two books of this series. I have not read any of her Cynster series yet. I have heard great things about the books and would love to win and read. Stephanie is a new author for me and always looking for new books and authors to check out. Thanks for the chance to win.
Great giveaway! Great books!! So many exclamation points!!!
I have always enjoyed Stephanie’s books, and this trilogy sounds like another winner. Thanks for the chance to win the first 2 books.
Thanks for the giveaway!
The books I have read by Stephanie Laurens are always fun due to the witty dialogue. I haven’t started this series but looks like I’ll need to meet these Cynster sisters.
I love Stephanie Laurens books! The Devils Bride is still my favorite I still read it at least once a year.
I still have the original Cynster series on my favorite’s bookshelf, and would love to read about these sisters.
The newest cover is gorgeous, thanks for sharing. Would love to be entered for the giveaway! :)
Who loves a castle in the Highlands…….. ME ME ME….
I love discovering a new to me author. I am big fan of historical romances so I am very pleased to have the opportunity to enter. Thank you,
MichelleKCanada @AnotherLookBook
another_look_book_reviews at hotmail dot ca
Awesome giveaway. I am big fan of Stephanie Laurens’ Cynster books.
I’m new to Laurens, but have wanted to pick these up for a while now. They sound so good!
I haven’t had a chance to read these just yet, but I love Stephanie Laurens and would love to win these books.
Wow–thanks for the chance to win. These books have been on my radar for a while now, so I’d be HAPPY to win the first ones in the series to kick-start my adventure.
akbabcock at gmail dot com
I’m just now working my way through the Cynster series (I just finished book #6 and am anxious to see what happens now that I’m past Bar Cynster). It would be lovely to know these are waiting for me when I finish!
I, too, just started reading about the Cynsters (started with Devil’s Bride when it was on sale and couldn’t stop)–nice and relaxing and exactly what I need at the start of the semester!
these are new to me but I look forward to reading them!
Thanks for an interesting interview. I look forward to reading the newest Cynster book.
I love your books and especially when they involve Scotland! The book covers are beautiful too. Enter me in your giveaway please.
I love the Cynster family. I can never put these books down!
Now that I know about this trilogy, I am REALLY looking forward to reading it!
Sounds like a great series. Thanks for they giveaway!
I’ve been reading The Cynster books since the beginning. Stephanie is about the only historical romance writer I follow on a consistent basis other than Lisa Kleypas.
I would love to read this series. It sounds very good.Please enter me in contest. Tore923@aol.com
I adore Stephanie Laurens! Awesome givaway.
Hi Stephanie!
I can’t wait to read the Cynster Sisters trilogy and congrats on the final book coming out!
yadkny@hotmail.com
Wow! I would LOVE to win the first two books in this series! I’ve been wanting to read them but haven’t had the money to buy them so this giveaway is extremely fortuitous! Thanks so much :)
jwitt33 at live dot com
Yes, yes, yes! Love this series! Count me in, please. :)
Great giveaway ! Would love to have these books. Thanks for the chance.
These look awesome!!! Great post and what a wonderful giveaway!!
mljfoland AT hotmail DOT com
The final book, sad and happy at the same time. Guess that means I will have to read the series start to finish! I have always loved your covers, just beautiful. Now I can get excited to be able to read about all three weddings without having to stop! Yay!
I’m trying to figure out the overarching story in a series of five books myself. It’s not easy. Good to know it’s not easy even for as talented a writer as Stephanie. Maybe there is hope for me yet.
I loved both previous books, and can’t wait for the mailperson to deliver the third book so I can find out why the Laird is being blackmailed by his own mother!
Not entering the contest, as I live in Holland.