The Crusader's Bride by Claire Delacroix
Love the time frame 1100's and with a Templar knight.
Like how we are taught about Gaston and his life with the Templars.
He's determined now that his older brother is dead that he needs a wife and son and he searches and finds a widow that will suit his needs.
They are both a bit hestiant with love making but scenes are described in detail. Love the march, hwo is on it and those hidden on the journey.
When it comes time to battle Gaston sends the others to the fort and when he knows they will be protected he is able to talk to the leader. Never expectd what happened next.
Totally love the underground tunnels to the sea where he hopes to board the ship the others are on...
Nobody can believe he is not dead...their journey continues through more obstacles and fights.
Yasmine patches him up well enough and he returns to fighting and sticking up for the pilgrimage.
Major kidnapping and burning and you wonder how Yasmine is able to escape...Love when they finally reach her parents home and how they get along with one another.
Hope to read more from this series as I know a few of the characters already. ( )

Audiobook Review:

When I started listening to this story, I was very excited about the historical setting. I lived many years in Tripoli, travelling to many of the places mentioned where the story took place. I was also delighted to read of the Krak de Chevalier. This, castle, was manned and controlled by my husband’s family for approximately 500 years.

Because of this fact, I listened to it a second time. Once I knew the storyline, I was able to spend more attention on events which actually occurred, and other little tidbits of historical significance the author wove into this wonderful story.

Gaston upheld all the virtues a Templar Knight should. He’d been 18 years in service, ever since age 15. These are the years where a boy becomes a man. He was a fine man, with a forthright, low-key manner. He lacked knowledge of the world, particularly where women were concerned which gave him endless grief when he entered the secular world.

It was unusual for a knight to leave the Templar community, but duty as an heir to his family estate took precedent. It was pure delight to be privy to his methodical way he goes about choosing a wife, the reasons he needs to, and the matter of fact way he approaches his new wife in handling the marital debt. THAT gave me a chuckle. Really, is it so tedious it must be called a debt? Ysmaine, although twice widowed, had no experience in the marriage bed. She was yet a maid nor had she anyone to talk to about her new experience abed with Gaston. That, my fellow readers, is a story in itself!

Gaston was charged with one more service to the Templars. He must get a missive to the Priory in Paris. He was also charged to carry an ancient relic. But danger and intrigue snare the group of travelers from the beginning of the journey in Jerusalem to Paris.
As well as being suspenseful, there was a mystery to the storyline. Who was rifling through their baggage? The mystery deepens and the suspense ratchets more tightly as the group continues their travels; one than another of the group are endangered.

One particular Templar Knight, Wulfe, was irritating, short-tempered, and rather obnoxious with a fiery personality, provided grit to the story, humor and, yes, even honorable deeds, although he didn’t give them willingly. He was German, didn’t like the French. He didn’t like he wasn’t the leader of the group, although he was charged to act as if he were. He flaunted some rules of the Templars, yet was a warrior in their service. Narrator Tim Gerard Reynold did an excellent job with this character. In fact, I appreciated him manifold the way he told the story.

Ysmaine is a strong woman, one who wanted to be the best wife she could be to her knight. She was 'used' goods, to some extent, yet ignorant of being a woman to manage a keep and a husband.She wasn’t the demure type-she spoke her mind. She thought a woman should live their true nature. And when demureness is not part of their true spirit, they would live a falsehood. Something she would not tolerate.

There are so many facets to this great story. The squire Bartholomew doesn’t trust Ysmaine. His supposition Ysmaine is preparing to poison Gaston, colors his feelings towards her, eventually sharing his thoughts with Gaston. So Gaston, who wants to trust his wife, could not entirely. After all, she may kill off her third husband as they others had died.

Other themes in this read (very appropriate in our present-day events):
• People, no matter what faith, are very much alike and can be likeable as well as honorable.
• Your enemy is not necessarily bad.
• Just because someone is in a poor situation, doesn’t mean they chose that way of living nor necessarily deserving of it.

I loved this listen. Once you start the series, you’ll want to continue, because author Claire DelaCroix will take you on a journey far larger than the story itself. Her historical settings, rich characterization, and emotional moments where you identify intensely with characters will leave you changed, more tolerant and definitely thoroughly entertained! ( )