Stephanie Baynham figures after nine months it’s time to stop being on the run. When she returns to Wales, she is surprised that friends, Matt and Sandy, aren’t the ones to meet her at the airport, but rather Dylan Pryce-Jones, the man she fled from at Matt and Sandy’s wedding celebration. Dylan had bought the Castell Mynydd with his dad as a good investment for his fashion business. His business even included bridal wear as well as catering receptions and honeymoons at the castle. Dylan knew Step had not only run away from him, as a lover, but declined his offer as manager at the castle. Now he waits for her at the airport. Steph is at a loss to see Dylan and wonders why he is there. He will explain if she tells why she ran out on him nine months ago. Finally she admits it was a friend of Matt’s who was holding something over her head. She had seen Matt’s friend commit a murder. Dylan can’t believe the woman he once loved is in danger. When they arrive at the castle, the shock is on Steph when she is introduced to Dylan’s fiancé. For someone who seemed to care for her, he sure didn’t wait long to get engaged. Dylan may be betrothed, but Steph is still fresh in his mind. He’s worried and needs to speak to Matt. Things blow out of the water when Steph leaves the castle and goes to a hotel, only to find a message on the mirror, ‘you’re dead.’ With her life in deeper peril Dylan must do whatever he can to protect the love of his life, but will the consequences be too grave?

Return to Winter is an action-packed story with a good string of events that hooks the reader and takes them on a fast-moving ride that gets better by the minute. I got a feel for the characters. The intrigue and mystery lends great suspense to the storyline. The relationship between Steph and Dylan emit a great deal of emotion that grabbed this reader. Lynette Rees puts her whole self into each of her characters, making the read captivating. She pens sharp dialogue, a fabulous plot and some little jaunts along the way that spring forth with invigorating excitement. She tells a remarkable tale skillfully done. I liked the way she sketches the story so the reader is involved with every movement of the characters. The different characters came into play, each contributing something to the story keeping the reader spellbound until the dramatic conclusion.

Reviewed by: Linda L.