HISTORICAL
ROMANCE |
MEDIEVAL
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A Seal of the Knights Templar, with their famous image of two knights
on a single horse, a symbol of their early poverty. The order was
active from 1119 to 1314.
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Medieval Trobaritz:
An example of the Trobaritz (women troubadors), portrait of Comtessa de
Dia
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BOOK
ILLUMINATIONS
From Medieval Book Reviews
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Templar Knight, Forbidden Bride
by Lynna Banning
Suspenseful,
exotic, action-packed with moments of descriptive brilliance!
As
a Knight Templar, Reynaud has sworn a vow of chastity. He is devoted to
God and yet, battle weary from the Crusades, he has seen enough of a
senseless war that appears to be more a land grab pitting Christian
against Christian. Now back in the Emir of Granada, he catches Leonor
out at night. Clearly, she does not know her place as a woman! When he
promises her father to protect her, Reynaud is torn between his
attraction to her and his secret mission as a Templar, either one could
throw him in peril of his life. Reynaud and Leonore have plans they do
not share with the other --- but in one moment, she says words that
will turn their lives upside down, increasing the danger several fold.
Can these two escape with their lives and find love?
Leonor is an intelligent romance heroine, a woman not afraid to take
matters into her own hands in a culture that places restrictions on
women. When challenged by a man as conservative as Reynaud, she does
not cower but rather sees to the integrity of her business. Reynaud is
a Knight Templar, sworn to absolute values whether it be his Templar
vows or his view of women's place in the world. At heart, however, he
has seen enough warfare, greed and corruption to question the
absolutes. Leonor has a few surprises that might complicate his secret
mission and open his heart. Lynna Banning creates several nice twists
in this medieval romance as Reynaud's vow to protect her collides with
his Templar mission.
Lynna Banning gives readers a look into the Arabic culture during the
Middle Ages from the view of a half-Arabic crusader, adding a more
exotic yet moving portrait of the medieval world with its Moors and the
Saracens and the different cultures. I have read countless saints'
lives that are vehemently anti-Saracen but really give no feel for the
Saracens themselves, so for me, I very much appreciated a modern author
giving new insights through the inner conflicts of her characters.
Within TEMPLAR KNIGHT, FORBIDDEN BRIDE, Lynna Banning descriptions and
plot set a geography that readers can easily visualize alongside the
influences between Spain and France on the landscapes during the
characters' journey. TEMPLAR KNIGHT, FORBIDDEN BRIDE creates an
atmosphere of of intrigue as spies and codes enter the picture. The
action packed plot of TEMPLAR KNIGHT, FORBIDDEN BRIDE creates a fast
read with more action than many medieval romances adding an exciting
variety within the genre. Lynna Banning's TEMPLAR KNIGHT, FORBIDDEN
BRIDE combines thrilling emotional drama with moments of brilliant
descriptive detail. A highly recommended medieval romance read!
Publisher: Harlequin Historical
(September 2008)
Reviewed by Merrimon,
Medieval Book Reviews
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