A pilgrimage to the Holy Lands. A chance rescue on the road. The origins of the legendary Order of the Knights Templar…Cristiana must accompany her father and her betrothed on a pilgrimage to the Holy Lands in order for her father to approve her marriage. A sudden attack by highwaymen outside of Jerusalem turns her world upside down. A gallant knight saves her, but also inadvertently does her … does her great harm, and she cannot bring herself to be grateful for his service, no matter how handsome he is.
Terrowin accompanies his father and his lord, the Baron, to Jerusalem to save all their souls. Once there, they find things in the Holy Lands are not as tranquil as most of the world believes. After rescuing the lovely Cristiana, Terrowin finds he can’t stop thinking of her, despite having promised himself to a girl back home in Gascony. Or about the situation on the road to Jerusalem.
Turks and other bandits stalk the roads, looking to rob, rape and slay the Christian pilgrims traveling toward the holy shrines. Though Christians control Jerusalem, Cristiana and Terrowin find themselves caught up in the logistics of a centuries-old religious war that still rages in the Outremer. What draws them together may tear them apart. Then again, what tears them apart may draw them irrevocably together.
Award-winning author K.L. Conger, author of the Kremlins trilogy, brings you the origins of the legendary Knights Templar and the romance that inspired them.
more
I’m on the advanced readers team and received this book free for an honest review. I loved the book. I felt like I was watching a movie while reading it and thought it would make a great movie. The story takes place during Christian pilgrimages to Jerusalem. I loved the main characters and am hoping the author writes a sequel to the book. It’s a stand alone book and it’s packed full of action, danger and suspense. Terrowin, who everyone thinks is a knight but isn’t, goes with his father and his father’s boss, whom has been told his sins will be forgiven if he makes a trip to the Holy lands. Terrowin, who everyone thinks is a knight but isn’t, is providing protection because the Christian pilgrims are often attacked, robbed and/or killed.
They find out that there’s been a large increase of robberies and killings on the narrow trails. You will meet Malik, a very evil man and de Payen and his men, who want to make the trail safer for the Christians. Terrowin also meets Cristiana on the trail and they get to know each other better at the hospital. The hospital is run by monks and nuns and accepts people of all faiths, free of charge. It’s haunting to realize how Christians have been targeted an killed because they are Christian’s, since the beginning of Christianity. Descriptions of the violence is not graphic or gratuitous, the language is clean and there’s a lovely romance. The book is suitable for the ages of teens through senior adults. It was unputdownable, enjoyable and entertaining reading.
This was an amazing telling of the Knights of Templar’s beginnings. I loved how interwoven the historicity was with the fiction. They were integrated seemlessly. I never felt that the historical aspects were textbook-y, nor did the fiction overshadow the historical nature of this book. All of the characters were wonderful and well created and shown out. The storyline – both the historical one and the fiction alongside – was superb. A truly captivating Christian historical romance, and I look forward to what will come next – both in this series and from this author.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This is my first book by the author and it did not disappoint! Excellent writing bringing me right into the story and capturing my attention from the get-go. There’s action, danger and romance all woven together with great descriptions and emotion. Overall, I would recommend this book!
Final Rating: 5 Stars
THE FIRST BOOK IN THE TEMPLAR ROMANCE SERIES TEMPLAR’S LIGHT TOOK ME BACK IN TIME. I REALLY HATED PUTTING IT DOWN TO WORK AND SLEEP. CHRISTIANA IS THE YOUNG FEMALE LEARNING ABOUT HERSELF AND GOD’S PURPOSE FOR HER. TERROWIN IS THE YOUNG MALE DOING THE SAME FOR HIMSELF. READ THEIR TALE OF GROWING AND LEARNING. A GREAT JOB FROM K. L. CONGER
Wow, this is an excellent book. Set in the early 12th century, the story begins with a pilgrimage to the Holy Land. Travel is fraught with danger and horrific attacks by murderous men killing in the name of their god. It’s a compelling story set in the days after the crusades.
Despite the heartbreak, anguish and grief, a seed of love begins to grow in the midst of it all. The characters are complex, fighting their own inner turmoil, trying to find some direction amid the chaotic world surrounding them. The action is vividly portrayed and the scenes are rich with detail.
I received an advance copy from the author. This is my honest review. I highly recommend this book. My copy, however, needed some additional editing which I assume was done before its final release.
Astounding! Very well written. Ms Conger has a great talent with words as evident in this book. Such rich history in the early 1100’s is inspiring. It includes a wonderful, slow burn, budding romance between Cristiana and Terrowin who have both lost family members to Moslem highwaymen who continue attacking Christian Pilgrims traveling to Jerusalem. Lots of action fighting the Moslem highwaymen who are wreaking havoc, killing and robbing the pilgrims on the road, each battle clearly described and easy to follow. There was heartfelt sadness and extreme grief as friends and loved ones were gravely injured or dying. Cristiana endeavors to overcome her grief by taking care of the injured in the hospital. Terrowin, also known by the pilgrims as Sir Knight, continues faithfully to seek out the evil leader of the highwaymen and put a stop to him.
We also learn a lesson in forgiveness and not judging unrighteously. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. I literally could not stop flipping the pages until the end. A very satisfying ending and an enjoyable read, one that I would not hesitate to recommend.