The Greatest Challenge Of Them All (Cynster Next Generation Novels) Paperback – July 7, 2017

“My advice,” Louisa’s far-seeing grandmother stated, “is to never forget what brought you together.” He knew perfectly well she wasn’t referring to the mission. Lady Osbaldestone nodded sagely. “That’s sound and wise counsel, to which I will add”—her black eyes narrowed on Drake’s face—“when aggravation strikes, try harder.” Drake stared at the ancient old lady, and she stared unwaveringly—challengingly—back at him. He didn’t need telling; he already knew—had already accepted—that love and, even more, loving Louisa was and always would be the most exciting, most distracting, most exacting, most scarifying, most satisfying, and inevitably, the greatest challenge he’d ever faced. The greatest challenge of them all. That realization, his acceptance of it, allowed him to smoothly incline his head to both ladies. “I will endeavor to remember.” He glanced at Louisa and reached for her hand. “And if I don’t, I’m sure I can rely on my wife to remind me.” That comment put a glorious smile on all three ladies’ faces. With an elegant bow to the two older grandes dames, Drake looped Louisa’s arm in his and led his own grande dame away—into their future, into whatever adventures and intrigues Fate might send them, into a life ruled by mutual passions and desires, by shared goals and shared challenges, by family, by loyalty, by honor and purpose, presided over by the one immutable power that held sway over all. Love. The old ladies were correct. Life began with, was sustained by, and ultimately was ruled by love.

This book was the third in a trilogy, but it was not necessary to read the earlier two versions as this one did have a pretty good synopsis of the action and characters to bring one up to date. I have all of the Cynster books, and possibly all of Ms. Laurens' books, but her easy familiarity with the British aristocracy and history, along with the dynamic characters and their family ties, really helps bring one into the story. I usually read her novels in one long setting and this one was no different. I was not able to guess the primary villain in advance, but the motives fit the character. I really enjoyed the hints of Louisa's life between her debut and the current time, with a year as lady in waiting turning out to be pivotal at one point. The older generation is also aware of the passing of the torch to their children and handle it in a very sympathetic manner. Devil and Royce are never going to sit quietly back, but you can see their pride and knowledge of both the young men and ladies taking center stage. I highly recommend Ms. Laurens' books. My only regret is the increasing cost of the print books as I still prefer paper to electronic books.

"She'd had enough of playing by his rules."FINAL DECISION: This was the best of the three book trilogy as Drake and Louisa have a battle of wills over her involvement in Drake's investigation. The focus in this series is the mystery and that is true here as well, but the romance was satisfying.THE STORY: Drake Varisey, Marquess of Winchelsea and heir to the Duke of Wolverstone has taken up the reins of trying to unravel the plot to blow something in London up. The one woman he doesn't want to help is Lady Louisa Cynster. For years, there has been something between these two and Louisa is determined to find out if there is any possibility of a future between them and he doesn't intend to allow Drake to avoid her anymore. Recognizing that he needs Louisa's vast social knowledge and connections, Drake allows Louisa to worm her way into his investigation, but he risks the emotional entanglement that he has been avoiding for years.OPINION: This book pulls together the threads from the first two books of the series in both the mystery and the romances (as all three couples make appearances here). In fact, if I have a real complaint it is that it appears that all the real significant action was kept until this book which makes the first two books a little unnecessary.Much of the book is about the mystery of what is going on with the gunpower that the characters have been searching for in the trilogy. There are differing points of view, including the villains in the story. That makes for a weighty story that has many moving parts.Louisa is a woman who might be the strongest willed heroine that I've ever read by Laurens. She is already a mature woman who knows what her roll in life will be. She is giving Drake an audition so to speak. From the beginning she admits that there is no love between them because they haven't been able to interact enough. (Honestly, I thought their beginning a little cold which has been an unfortunate repeated refrain in Laurens more recent books.  Too much intellectual evaluation, too little emotional upheaval). I like how she just does what she wants and doesn't flinch at all from Mr. All powerful Spymaster extraordinaire.Drake is a man who keeps control by avoiding those things that could challenge his control -- namely Louisa. But as he cannot avoid her any longer, Drake is drawn closer and closer to the wonderfully competent and intelligent Louisa. And the closer he gets to her, the closer he wants to be.I thought that these two had the best clashes as Drake is determined to avoid Louisa's charms (but he doesn't hold out well). I thought that this book best interwove the mystery and the romance. I also thought that the mystery was particularly good at the end as the unexpected target and motivations of the villains too center stage at the end of this book.But what I loved most about this book was the extended epilogue which tied all the romances together in a beautiful fashion. That is what made this into a Cynster book for me.WORTH MENTIONING: There is a bit with Devil and Honoria which is my favorite part -- because they remain my favorite Laurens' couple.CONNECTED BOOKS: THE GREATEST CHALLENGE OF THEM ALL is the third book in the Devil's Brood Trilogy. While the trilogy books work together as one mystery is solved, I think a reader could read just this book and not miss any of the mystery since there is a recap in the beginning.STAR RATING: I give this book 4 stars.

What a joy and delicious surprise.After having had as wonderful companion the 6 Cynster Devil, Scandal, Vane, Gabriel,Demon and Lucifer and all the gentlemens of the series Bastion Club short said in total 14 wonderful novels it is really a pleasure to read a trilogy about their sons and daughters and to find again that amazing atmosphere that only Sthephanie Laurens can gracie with us.

I loved that the books in this trilogy hinged together in a delicious and fast-paced plot. You could read each separately but the impact would not be the same.

Ich bin ein großer Fan von Stephanie Laurens und lese ihre Bücher am liebsten im Original - die ersten drei " Cynster next generation"-Bücher haben mich wieder einmal begeistert. Und gerade dieses Buch mit den beiden Hauptcharakteren Louisa Cynster und Drake Varisey war klasse. Schön, dass die Abenteuer der Kinder genauso spannend, aber auch erotisch sind wie die der Eltern!

One of the best although I would have liked each book in trilogy to finish so as not to leave us hanging on a knife edge waiting for the next which can seem a long time. But still classic Stephanie Laurens well done.

There is a thread of excitement that is so missing in this series of books. I think you can't top the last generation books which had larger than life characters and beautifully written stories. All three stories had no cynster mark except for the writer saying they are their children. Wow! What a disappointment.