Rhiannon is an indentured servant and believes that she was born a peasant. Her life as a servant in a small village is hard. Her owner, Ada, beats and starves her and Wen, Ada’s son, continually attempts to rape her. Rhiannon’s only solace is her friend, Thay, and the woods and herbs to which she feels so connected. Her mother, Venna, was burned at the stake for being a witch when Rhiannon was a young child. Before she was killed, Venna taught Rhiannon how to use herbs to heal. Now, Rhiannon is a master at using herbs to heal, but there is another power within her; she is carrying the magic blood of her mother and it terrifies her that her healing magic will be the cause of her death.
When a mysterious man buys her from Ada, Rhiannon is terrified, but has no choice but to go with him. Rhiannon feels an attraction to Tristan that she cannot deny. After spending her life protecting her body and virtue, she quickly gives both to Tristan, willingly. She learns that Tristan is a powerful prince and he carries many secrets about her, her mother, and their past.
Once at the castle, Rhiannon learns that her mother was forced to kill her father by an evil man, Cynan. Venna fled Cynan’s castle with Rhiannon and never looked back. Rhiannon also learns that a seer has prophesied that she will kill her father’s murderer, Cynan. She does not think that she can kill anyone because she is a healer, not a killer. Tristan is determined to keep her from her fate, because part of the prophecy is that Rhiannon will also lose her life when she carries out the prophecy.
Rhiannon quickly finds herself amidst many dark secrets, magic, and caught between two men who love her more than life itself. Tristan is dark and almost brutal; and Gareth is kind and sweet. Both love her and she cares deeply for both; and her body responds to each man. Rhiannon must overcome her destiny and fight for her life, all the while losing her heart to the one man that cannot be good for her.

Strands of Sunlight captured my attention from the first page and I could not stop reading until the very last word. Anya Bast has done a phenomenal job of creating complex characters and an intriguing story. This story is set hundreds of years ago in a magical fantasy world. The descriptions of magic, creatures and castles fit so well with the story and each of these characters. Rhiannon is a lovely and extremely strong woman who fiercely fights for what she believes in and loves just as fiercely. Tristan is so dark and strong, yet his emotions and guilt run so deep. I was struck by how much Tristan has suffered and how he punishes him for so much that was never his fault. And then, there is Gareth, the sweet, kind and loving man who is so gentle with Rhiannon, almost to the point of coddling someone who neither wants nor needs it. I was so drawn to these characters and this magical world that I felt the magic and emotions of these people. Anya Bast does not disappoint with this story of deep emotion, magical characters, and dark evil. Any lover of erotic paranormal romance will love this book!

Reviewed by: Melissa C.