The Jewel and the Sword
Marjorie Jones
Medallion, Jul 2004, $6.99, 352 pp.
ISBN: 1932815066

In 1233, Border Lord Devlin Ravenstone volunteers to trade places with King Henry because the sovereign is his best friend and the threat to the monarch comes from his estrange half-brother Morven Douglas. Morven hates Devlin and their father because he gave the symbolic jeweled sword to the younger sibling and this means Devlin is the heir. Devlin, signing a death notice, rides under the king's banner while Henry takes a smaller contingency under a different flag. Devlin's only regret is leaving his wife a widow. He survives but learns that his spouse was the heart of the treason.

Ten years later, Morven Laird of Clan Douglas invades Ravenstone; as he flees with the jeweled sword, the English capture him. Morven's aid takes the sword back to Douglas Keep. Devlin attacks Douglas Keep to regain the sword, but is wounded in the battle and captured by the Scots. Morven's daughter Meghan tends to his wounds. Immediately attracted to one another, he still hides his identity from her. When Devlin escapes, Meghan follows, hoping to free her father and halt the retributions that harm both sides. However, how will she react if she knows that she has fallen in love with her father's enemy, her uncle?

This exciting medieval romance focuses on honor and betrayal that lead to deadly feuds. Marjorie Jones explains that the half-brothers are actually not blood relatives, but Meghan and her father do not know that as good intentions have paved the way to hell. Douglas is a wonderful person who believes women are snakes while Meghan is an idealist pushing for peace. Though readers will doubt Morven's fate, fans will enjoy this colorful historical tale.

Harriet Klausner