Templar Knight, Forbidden Bride

Title: Templar Knight, Forbidden Bride
Author: Lynna Banning
Copyright: 2008 (Harlequin); 271 pgs.
ISBN: 978-0-373-29514-2
Series: Harlequin Historical #914
Sensuality: Warm
Genre: Historical Romance — Medieval

The Lady: Leonor de Balenguer y Hassam of Granada. The 27 year-old daughter of the vizier has dreams of becoming a female troubadour, traveling France, singing, and playing her harp. Though well-educated, Leonor knows nothing of the world outside the emir’s court and her father’s house. She has managed to remain unmarried this long because she refuses to marry a man she cannot love.

The Knight: Reynaud. The Templar knight is all too familiar with the realities of the world. A bastard, he was raised by Hassam’s brother in Granada, making him the best candidate to carry a secret message from the Templar Grand Master to the emir’s adviser. Hassam will deliver his message to the emir, if Reynaud promises to escort Leonor to family in Moyanne.

Their history: Leonor hasn’t seen Reynaud in twenty years, since he left to seek his way in the world. She is surprised to see him, having feared that he had died in the Holy Land. Leonor has adored Reynaud since they were children, but the man she sees now is almost a stranger to her: stern and joyless. For his part, Reynaud remembers the clever, impossible girl — but it’s the woman that will haunt him the rest of his life.

Unrequited: Reynaud is a Templar, a warrior monk. He’s made a vow of celibacy. The knighthood is the only thing he knows, and being a bastard means he has nothing to offer Leonor anyway. And if that wasn’t enough, he is still on a dangerous mission for his Grand Master, and he may die. As for Leonor, she is confused at first by his standoffish and stern behavior. She thinks that he does not like her very much, but it doesn’t take long for her to learn the truth of his feelings. Though it breaks her heart, she acknowledges the fact she loves a man who can never return that love.

What I liked about it: I liked that, though Reynaud falls in love at first sight, it takes Leonor a little longer to realize her true feelings. And once they are known, both exercise restraint. Both accept the fact that they can never be together unless Reynaud is willing to break his vows or leave the Order forever. Though Leonor is naive in some ways, she’s not stupid and doesn’t blunder foolishly about. Reynaud does walk away from the Templars only after he is ordered to do something that he cannot do in good conscience — and getting to marry Leonor is just an added bonus. The author has notes, both in the beginning and at the end of the book, about the warrior monks and troubadours that were interesting.

What I didn’t like: Medievals aren’t my preferred era, but nothing stood out as a turn-off.

Recommended to: Fans of medieval romances, looking for a short read.

Started: 27 January 2010
Finished: 24 February 2010
(I was house hunting in February — some days, only could squeeze in half a page.)

Rating:

Enjoyed it!

Disclaimer: I purchased this book.

Crusader's Lady

Where & When: Jerusalem, 1192
Who: Soraya al-Din and Marc de Valery

Summary: King Richard has chosen Marc de Valery to be his escort/protector on his return trip to England. Accompanying them is Soraya al-Din, disguised as the boy Soray. Marc killed her mentor, a man who was trying to deliver a message to the king. Soraya vows revenge and finds herself accompanying Marc with the hopes of fulfilling that vow. She expects to return to Jerusalem and finally deliver the message to the king, not knowing that the monk Marc travels with is Richard.

Comments: The book blurb is somewhat misleading, so I chose not to use it. It implies that Soraya holds a grudge against Marc throughout the book. Fairly early, Soraya comes to realize that she can’t bring herself to kill Marc when the opportunity arises. The knight is kind to Soray, even when “his” behavior as a servant would have evoked harsh treatment from a master. Marc is a honorable man, and she comes to refer to him in her mind as her knight.

For his part, Marc has grown fond of the mischievous “boy”. Soray’s antics make him laugh, in spite of himself, something that the war-weary knight hasn’t done in a long time. Soray’s slight build and seemingly innocent nature makes Marc protective of “him”, though Marc witnesses Soray standing up to a group of servants — and proves that “he” doesn’t need protecting.

Marc learns the truth and is doubly mad at Soray/Soraya. He feels his lost a friend. Soraya is a woman and it doesn’t occur to him that Soray’s personally was really Soraya, and not an act. The reveal was nicely done and not in the obvious way. They keep the truth from their traveling companions and Marc continues to behave honorably, hence the double sensuality rating. For most of the book, they are traveling as fast as they can to get to England, enduring hardships along the way. They fall in love, but do not act upon it until they are safely in England — which is almost the end of the book.

I really liked Marc and Soraya. Soraya knows, and understands, that she may never be Marc’s. She accepts that Marc must honor his betrothal and doesn’t carry on like a child. Her acceptance and understanding makes him love her all the more. Of course, Marc finds a resolution to their problem.

The author includes a note regarding what historical facts she tampered with, and which characters were fictional and which were real people.

Started: 10 January 2008
Finished: 18 January 2008

Enjoyed it!

Rating: