Jocelyn Kelley, One Knight Stands

One Knight Stands

Jocelyn Kelley

Signet, Oct 2005, $6.99, 304 pp.

ISBN: 0451216873

In the twelfth century, Queen Eleanor of Aquitaine, funds St. Jude's Abbey, a place where young women learn to read and write, and receive combat training. Queen Eleanor arrives at the Abbey to assign the task of obtaining and hiding the mythical "speaking stone" of Merlin, "Llech-lafar", to prevent its prophesy from happening. The prophecy claims that if the King steps on the stone he dies from happening. Weapons adept, especially with the quarterstaff, Elspeth Braybrooke is assigned the mission.

Not long afterward Tarran ap Llyr and his soldiers are escorting an elderly woman, when they notice Elspeth hanging from a castle's slit trying to gain entry. Tarran is impressed with Elspeth's fighting skills, and persuades her to join them on escorting Vala; she agrees as they travel a similar path, but must not lose sight of her mission, especially when she finds for the first time in her life the desire to be with a man. Tarran feels exactly like Elspeth as he wants her, but fears she will divert him from his quest to kill his former best friend who murdered his spouse.

ONE KNIGHT STAND, the sequel to the delightful A KNIGHT LIKE NO OTHER, is a terrific medieval romance, that stars two fabulous warriors falling in love with one another, who fear that unwanted emotion will interfere with their respective missions. The story line insures the audience knows that events occur during the twelfth century, but Jocelyn Kelley cleverly interweaves that into her background. Fans of English historical romances, starring a strong female solider and the only male who can somewhat keep up with her, will appreciate this tale and its predecessor. Hopefully Queen Eleanor introduces readers to more competent women warriors soon.

Harriet Klausner