I met this author at a writer’s conference in July 2016. During our conversation Gerri Russell mentioned the magic word– Templars. But, she cautioned me, it was a “historical romance.” I generally would not read a book that calls itself a “romance.” However, any book about the Knights Templar intrigues me. So I decided I would read it. To Tempt a Knight lives up to its genre – romance and history. Several of the characters in the book are real. Some of the events described are real. I checked out the history via the internet and found some of the places and events described.
This is the first of a series (4 books total). I look forward to reading more of the books. This novel centers around William Keith, a lay Templar, who lives a celibate life in a monastery. His parents were murdered by his uncle and his estate was seized by his uncle. Keith made his way to Robert the Bruce’s court in Edinburgh as a young man, eventually becoming a member of The Bruce’s elite bodyguard.
In 1330, after The Bruce died, William was sent on a mission with this elite group to deliver The Bruce’s heart to Jerusalem. In Spain, near the city of Teba, the group met a Moorish army. The Moors routed the Templars but The Bruce’s heart was saved and returned to Scotland. A year later Keith rescues a damsel in distress. Her name is Siobhan Fraser and her father, Sir John Fraser, is the Keeper of the Templar Treasure. Now the adventures begin. Keith and his fellow Templars are trying to keep the Treasure, especially the Spear of Destiny, from falling into the hands of de la Roche (a Frenchman) and his uncle. There are romantic interludes interspersed among sword fights. The latter are really well done. The ending is not what I expected.
If you are a reader of romances, you will enjoy this story. If you are a reader of Templar adventures, you too will enjoy the book. The writing is good. The history seems to be accurate. I recommend this book.
GO! BUY! READ!
–Jim Harris, retired book sales rep
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