Gaston battled for duty and honor—until his new wife tempted him to fight for her love.
Gaston has had his fill of war and the Latin Kingdoms when he learns that he has inherited his father’s estate in France. He accepts one last quest for the Templars, the order he has served for fifteen years, and agrees to deliver a package to Paris on his way home. A practical man, Gaston knows he now has … now has need of a wife and an heir, so when a lovely widowed noblewoman on pilgrimage catches his eye, he believes he can see matters solved to their mutual convenience.
But Ysmaine is more than a pilgrim enduring bad luck. She has buried two husbands in rapid succession, both of whom died on her nuptial night, and believes herself cursed. Accepting the offer of this gruff knight seems doomed to result in his demise, but Gaston is dismissive of her warnings and Ysmaine finds herself quickly wed again—this time to a man who is not only vital, but determined to remain alive.
Neither of them realize that Gaston’s errand is one of peril, for the package contains the treasure of the Templars—and some soul, either in their party or pursuing it, is intent upon claiming the prize for his or her own, regardless of the cost. In a company of strangers with secrets, do they dare to trust each other and the love that dawns between them?
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Makes us thankful in western society that marriages are still not arranged. It also shows how greed still causes people to do evil things especially to women who are left by themselves to the mercy of society.
Took a bit to get into, but enjoyed the book.
Really enjoyed this book. I knew very little of the Knights Templar before this, and was surprised at some of the behind the scenes machinations.
This story is set during the Crusades, a time that we don’t see very much of, and the characters are pretty interesting. I’m not so sure that the depiction of daily life is accurate to the period…but I did learn a lot about knightly armaments and armor!
This book is amazing I personally give the author 100% on her thoughts and keeping you from putting this book down.
I really enjoyed the unique perspective of a romance involving a knight Templar. The heroine was also fairly unique in terms of her religious devotion.
Part of a wonderful series.
Interesting plot!
Really good story, especially for a romance novel!
Loved it !
This would make a great movie!
Best medieval romance I’ve read in a long time. Great historical detail on the events leading up to the fall of Acre and Jerusalem. Good mystery, wonderful admirable characters, good development. A joy to read.
Fantastic love story. This writer really knows how to keep a reader captivated!
Gaston, as a knight templar, is not allowed to marry. But when word arrives that his brother has died and he is now the heir, he seeks a bride. He is in Jerusalem where he has been fighting Saladin, and he finds Ysmaine (twice widowed) at the church of the Holy Selpuchre where she is a pilgrim. In short order they are married and on their way to Paris, where Gaston must deliver a Templar treasure. The book is largely about their perilous journey but also about their developing relationship. The book has just enough historical detail, just enough suspense as they try to discover a traitor, and just enough romance.
Lost interest halfway through book.
A definite good read.
More information about the crusades than I knew before.
The romance was not great. the history was informative & interesting
A fun book to read.
I bonded with these characters right away. This is historical romance at its best.