Rosanne E. LortzReseñas

William and Margaret grew up living next door to one another in Surrey but grow up and go their separate ways. William went off to fight Napoleon and Margaret became a London debutante, but an injury brings William home and the lifelong friends cross paths once again, and not under the most ideal circumstances.

This is the second novel in the Allen Abby Romance series and I can confidently say that this series gets better and better. I have listened to both the first and second novels on Audible, and love the narrator, Maria Johnson, so much. Her voice helps this Regency world come alive and practically busting in technicolor.

Margaret is a heroine that any progressive-minded person can get behind, with her quick wit and strong will, but she is gracious in nature, and not pushy. I adored the banter between Margaret and the other characters, their impassioned conversations some of my favorite scenes, especially her interactions with William and her sister.

I also loved William’s character, though I did feel like there was a slight gap in his arc. He went from struggling with his injury and the effects of war, often turning to the bottle, to a perfect gentleman who seems to have minimal struggles. I think the growth is believed to be off the page, but I would’ve liked to have seen more authenticity in his conflicts.

If you’re wanting a well-written clean Regency romance full of heart that provides a delicious escape then look no further. If you can, listen to the Audible version as it heightens the experience so much and makes the reading of the novel that much sweeter.

I am a sucker for a good Regency romance and the Allen Abbey Romance series begins with Then Gentleman in the Ash Tree. I loved how this story started. Anytime I read a Regency romance where someone is acting outside of societal norms and gets caught in the act is always so entertaining to me. Too many characters during the Regency era are such stuff shirts that moments like these are a refreshing reminder that these people were human. This is also what first endeared me to Eloise. Her character was easy to love, and from the moment she meets fun-loving Crispin I knew this was going to be an instant favorite.

Honestly, this is one of the most entertaining Regency romances that I’ve had the pleasure of reading. Not only did I read the novel, but I also listened to the audiobook, which added so much to the narrative, in my opinion. I adored the narrator’s voice as it was so incredibly soothing to listen to and the fact that it is paired with such an entertaining story heightened the experience, truly making the novel come alive.

This is an incredible start to what I’m sure is going to be an amazing series.

Lady Maud Worlington has returned after the death of her husband to the family home in London. But she is hounded there by a her step-son who seems to have a hold over her. She is surprised to find that her younger brother, the heir, is to shortly marry. But what secrets have been hidden and will all be discovered when Jacob Pevensey, a Bow Street Runner starts to investigate.
Although this is the third in the Jake Prevensy series it can easily be read as a standalone story as I did.
An enjoyable Regency romance mystery, well-written with the right mix of characters.
A NetGalley Book

I am so pleased that I keep discovering historical fiction authors who really know how to tell a story. Rosanne Lortz has taken the Crusades, which I have to admit I know little about, aside from Richard the Lionheart, and has written a well-researched and captivating account. I'm not much for battle scenes, but she succeeded in adding just enough to show the harsh reality of war and the mettle it took for these men to fight as they did. While many of the men in the story joined the Crusades for personal gain, for many it was a deeply religious experience. A quest to prove their fealty to their Lord and Church. The main character, Tancred, was one of the latter group.

Tancred is a very likable character. It may seem cliche, but I really enjoy characters that have a purpose, a mission to do good, and a character who has principles and honor. Tancred loses his taste for killing in the name of a liege lord, that is, the killing of Christians. He seems to have no qualms in killing Turks or 'Mussulmen' (I'm assuming the name of the time for Muslims?) because they are infidels who have denounced Christianity. Killing is killing, right? But we must remember the time period, when war was common and many wars were fought in the name of the Church. Despite what we might view as hypocrisy, Tancred is a noble man who refuses to swear allegiance to any state, but the Church.

In her author's note, Lortz informs that all the characters are true historical personages, with the exception of a few supporting characters. She has breathed life into history. Something that I continue to stress that is the importance of historical fiction. An engaging book such as this is one that will spark an interest in learning more about the Crusades, even in the most lay of persons. A planned trilogy, with subsequent books with Tancred as protagonist, the second and third books are Flower of the Desert and Prince of the East, set to release in 2012 and 2013. I, for one, cannot wait to read about the further adventures of Tancred.

A history of the life and times of Thomas Becket, written in the typology style of Medieval historians. The author includes some original source matter in the narrative.

This was engaging and interesting reading which illuminated many thought patterns and cultural choices of the time. The author states her bias towards Christianity/Catholicism, but considering the time of the story, I think that is rather more helpful than not.

After seven long years in Devon, Lady Maud Worlington returns to London to reclaim life on her own terms, but a nefarious shadow and the prospect of financial ruin dog her steps. An impulsive and unforgettable kiss under the mistletoe creates a connection with Geoffrey, the handsome, young Duke of Tilbury. Yet as pleasant as it is to have a suitor, Maud is not sure how a boy of one-and-twenty can prove an equal partner in life and the equal of all the forces mounted against her.

The Duke of Tilbury considers himself as adept at managing matters as he is at swordplay, but his beautiful new acquaintance Lady Worlington has other ideas about how to manage her complicated life. Intrigued by their stolen kiss, Geoffrey pursues Lady Worlington’s affections, only to be foiled by the lady’s own doubts, by rivals for her hand, and by a sudden death, that affects both their families. When Jacob Pevensey, the investigator from Bow Street enters the scene, the duke becomes a prime suspect in the murder case. Truths are unearthed that Geoffrey would rather keep hidden, and the twelve days of Christmas race toward a perilous end.





My Thoughts: A story full of mystery, suspense, romance, and some charming characters. I truly enjoyed this story, based on the twelve days of Christmas, in true Victorian style. The characters were well developed and easy to relate to. Some you liked and some you dislike. It was good to see the strengthening of Maude's character, that she was finally able to stand up for herself and to go on with life without being bullied or blackmailed. This story takes many twists and turns and has many surprises for the reader. This is a book for those who like historical fiction. A wonderful read just in time for the Christmas season!

Although this is the third in the series it works as a standalone. I picked it up because it is supposed to be a mystery set in Regency times.
The style of writing and characters reminded me rather vividly of the Jane Austen novels I read as a teenager. The setting and language was authentic. I loved how the chapters followed the 12 days of Christmas.
However, the story was a disappointment in that there was no 'suspense' or real 'mystery' to it - it was basically a romance novel thinly veiled as something else. True mystery / suspense fans will not like this much. The murder took place literally 50% of the way into the book and the investigator Pevensey made an appearance then. Taking half the book to set up the story? And then, Pevensey had very little work to do since the mystery kind of solved itself thanks to the actions of others. He only had to hide behind a windmill and jump out at the correct moment to arrest the villain.
I think the cover is misleading and this should be marketed to readers of Romance as that is the category it best fits.

This is the third book in this mystery series featuring Jacob Pevensey. This was the first book I have read by this author and hope it will not be the last. You do not need to have read the first two to enjoy this read. I enjoyed the romance and the mystery. I really enjoyed Pevensey and the Cecil’s. I received a copy of this book from Celebratelit for a fair and honest opinion that I gave of my own free will.

A Duel for Christmas is the first book I have read by Rosanne E. Lortz so I wasn't sure what to expect but I sure did enjoy it! Even though it is third in a series, it is definitely a stand-alone read. Occasionally I would wonder about something but it was not distracting to the story, in fact, I might just have to go back are read the first two in the set. I loved the characters...strong, evocative, and well-rounded with their flaws apparent as well as their strengths. I especially liked Ralph, the half-brother from the wrong side of the blanket. With a conniving cousin, a self-righteous stepson, and an all too young admirer, the heroine, Maud, has her hands full trying to straighten her life out. The author keeps interest high and the story moves quickly through the twelve days of Christmas with malice, mayhem, and murder. I enjoy trying to figure out how in the world the characters are going to get out of the situations that an author has put them in and there were some interesting twists and turns that I did not see coming. The author gives a wonderful glimpse into the time period of the 1800s of England and even into a bit of the seamier side of life. I enjoyed her occasional use of colloquial terms and a bit of humor ('he likes to see you shaking in your stays'). A Duel for Christmas is an engaging book that lovers of historical romance stories will not want to miss.
I received a complimentary copy of this book via CelebrateLit. A favorable review was not required and the opinions are my own. This review is part of a CelebrateLit blog tour.

I really enjoyed the writing style of the author. This is the first book I've read from her and I loved how she described the setting with grand detail. I could see the clothing they wore during the time period in the book by the vivid accounts of the material. I loved how prim and proper the characters talked and how they seemed to have an uncanny elegance about them. I wasn't sure what to expect from the book but I was very pleased with the story line.

Maud is quite a character with her having lost her husband while she was still young. When she returns to her family home, she must suddenly attend a ball of somewhat for her brother and soon to be bride. I don't think Maude was quite prepared for the festivities but what a trooper she was. What really made me chuckle was the intriguing Geoffrey. He is a gentleman and has a glimmer of hope to have Maude notice him. I had to shake my head at the reason Maude thought it was improper to be with Geoffrey. She found him to be so much younger than her and that would cause a scandal. What I really think is that she doth protest too much. There certainly is not that much difference in their age, so what else is keeping her from the dashing Geoffrey?

One of the things I most enjoyed about the book was that it was not only a romance but a mystery as well . There is a sudden death that will shake the town to its core. It was most unexpected and I had a suspicion of who was behind it. Maude has been hiding something from others that she fears will ruin her reputation. Was that the cause of the mysterious death that accrued? When an unexpected encounter between two characters take place, I was on the edge of my seat as I read about it.

The story takes place twelve days before Christmas and I found it to be refreshing and full of surprises. You must read the book to find out if Maude and Geoffrey become a couple and don't miss out on a mystery that is sure to entice readers.

I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.

Set over the twelve days of Christmas, this book is part romance and part mystery. The romance begins with a not-so-memorable (unless for it’s horribleness) dance followed the next day by a more-than-memorable passionate kiss. The mystery is part what Lady Maud Worlington endured in Devon during her marriage which is intensified about halfway through with a suspicious death.

Lady Worlington has no desire for a repeat of her first marriage. Lord Tilbury is set on proving his age doesn’t matter—he’s more than a young, immature peer of the ton. And Ralph Aldine (Maud’s brother who was my favorite character in this story) is the voice of reason, the steadying presence, and the reliable member of the family. He has not let the circumstances of his birth turn him into a bitter man.

While this is the third book in Rosanne E. Lortz’s Pevensey Mysteries, it stands one hundred percent on its own. There are so many things happening in A Duel for Christmas, it could have been overwhelming, but Lortz balances each aspect so readers are drawn into the story until all is revealed instead of scratching their head in confusion.

Disclosure statement:
I receive complimentary books from publishers, publicists, and/or authors, including NetGalley. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

“A Duel for Christmas” by Rosanne Lortz is a wonderful read, especially for the holidays! Although this is the third book in the “Pevensey Mysteries” series, it’s the first book from the series that I have read. It can definitely be read as a standalone.

I enjoy how “A Duel for Christmas” opens with a ball and how the book is sectioned off into the twelve days of Christmas. One can never go wrong with a ball in my opinion! Scenes at the ball remind me a lot of “Pride and Prejudice,” with a particularly great dance scene including witty banter. The many familiar themes—a couple going from hating each other to loving each other, an annoying cousin who proposes marriage, an absent father, etc.—all brought me smiles with the nods to “Pride and Prejudice.” Ms. Lortz has a special way with words and includes lots of Regency details. However, I did feel the story is a little slow at times and I wanted to see more of Maud, one of the protagonists, in the second half of the story, which focuses more on the murder and investigation.

“A Duel for Christmas” has a great cast of well-written characters. I enjoy the chemistry between the two main characters, Maud and Geoffrey. It does feel a little weird that they have only had a few encounters before they feel they are in love with one another. I understand the hasty marriage proposal and Maud’s dire situation, but the instant love is a little unrealistic for me. I liked meeting Pevensey, who the series is named after, and I suspect he makes an appearance in the other books as well. It is fascinating to see how the investigation surrounding the murder plays out. I am very thankful there are no gruesome details or overly scary scenes.

Overall, “A Duel for Christmas” is a book filled with romance, mystery and history! It’s a “Pride and Prejudice” meets murder mystery type of read, sprinkled with Christmas cheer!

Content: I would give this book a PG-13 rating (but on the lower end of PG-13 spectrum). Some examples of the content are: reference to a woman’s bosom; men gamble; people drink alcohol; the word bastard is used in reference to a man born out of wedlock; people get drunk; the words hussy and trollop are used; a man swears but the word is not actually written; God’s name is taken in vain; a woman talks about giving a man certain liberties; someone is pregnant out of wedlock; mention of sex and a man’s “needs” needing to be met.

Rating: I give this book 3.5 stars.

Genre: Historical fiction; Mystery; Romance

I want to thank Rosanne E. Lortz, Celebrate Lit and Madison Street Publishing for the complimentary copy of this book for review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I express in this review are my own. This is in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s CFR 16, Part 255.½

I went into this book expecting to learn about the Hundred Years War and to be entertained. This story managed to do one of these things. John Potenhale is telling a very lengthy tale to the widow of a French knight who he met and admired. The entire book is told in a kind of flowery language that makes me think of the great King Arthur stories or Chaucer’s tales. Such manner of telling a tale works good for a Shakespearean play but was rather tiring for a 10+ hour long novel.

I did like that setting was well done. The politics of the day as well as the geography were covered but not in a big hard to swallow lump. I felt like I was learning things as Potenhale was as he worked hard to become a knight and gain esteem. I think this is a good introduction to the Hundred Years War if someone is looking for a way to get interested in that time period and location.

There are very few female characters and this was a disappointment. There are plenty of histories (nonfiction and fiction) for this war that fail to include the ladies so I was hoping this tale would be more inclusive. There’s Margery, a handmaid to the Lady Joan. That might be it… I think Potenhale thinks about his mom from time to time…. and the Virgin is mentioned several times when a knight feels like praying. Joan and Margery are love interests and nothing else. So that let me down.

The tale has a few slumps but then a rousing battle scene at the end. It wasn’t all glory, which I was glad to see. Potenhale takes in the reek and savagery of battle. Then there’s a bit of an epilogue in which we learn the outcome of the romantic pining that has been going on. All told, it wasn’t great but it wasn’t bad. 3.5/5 stars.

The Narration: James Young did a good job with this narration. He maintained a flowery oration all the way through as the story required. His French accent and pronunciations were great. His female voices could have used a touch more femininity. His pacing was just a touch slow for my taste. 4/5 stars.

I received this audiobook as part of my participation in a blog tour with Audiobookworm Promotions. The tour is being sponsored by Rosanne E. Lortz. The gifting of this audiobook did not affect my opinion of it.

I am not sure. I do not care. I had fun with this read. I was able to get immersed right in this one the day I received it. I had no doubts or slow down to take in the time. I was in and then was finished before I realized that I was in deep.

Right from the onset you knew there was just something not quite right about things. The further you get in you begin to suspect. Then you just know deep down that things are off. Especially when there was a murder after all. I found it fun and light and laughs. No excuse for the humor found within. Things were serious when need be, but there was a light heartedness about things that made it less dire and dreary.

Lord Henry had me from the moment we meet him at the club with his friend. I could feel the hints of devilment within him. The hint at a little excitement. All this to be confirmed in many place throughout the read. He did have a serious side and a responsible side. He was my hero from the beginning.

Eliza had parents that I may or may not have wanted to strangle a few time, okay more. She was likeable (amiable) but just not at the top list for me. Other characters attracted my attention more like Jacob Pevensey. The suspense behind the ten-year break between brothers and other things took more center stage. The characters were drawing and wanting to know held me entertained all the way to the end.

I would like to know more about Rosanne E. Lortz works. I do recommend this one to anyone that enjoys a side of humor with their historical/regency suspense/mystery.

Personally, I found it quite a welcome change to discover a book written by an American set during the Hundred Year War which was not anti-English. A pleasant surprise, as I tend to steer clear of books set in this period written by Americans generally, as they tend to not only be biased, but also present a hideously stereotyped view of the English and others, and an inaccurate and oversimplified view of events.

I Serve was not in this mould, it was critical of my country folk at times and sometimes perhaps a little uncritical of the French, but generally presented a balanced and detailed representation of the period. Replete with realistic battle scenes, romance, and the life experiences of a young man at arms the service of his lord.
The style appeared to be emulating the works of Victorian authors such as Howard Pyle, with more pseudo-archaic language towards the end of the book, and a rather narrative style of recounting the major events. This may not be according to everyone’s taste, as it was very much ‘telling’ rather than ‘showing’ but as the work covered and long and complex period, it was in some way necessary.

Many Americans know about Joan of Arc, but perhaps not so many are familiar with England’s great King Edward III, and his famous son Edward, the Black Prince of Wales. Rosanne Lortz book brings these figures and their compatriots to life with a host of colourful characters in a world of knights, tournaments, chivalry, villains and warfare. A world of changing certainties in which the Protagonist, Sit John Potenhale (who was a real person) questions the morality and honour of knighthood, and the worthiness of high position in the wake of the Black Death.

The bibliography in the back of the novel attests to the level of research and author's belief in the importance of reading primary sources. So the book is largely accurate- though I did notice one or two errors-like the comparison of the whipped backs of the flagellants
to the stripes of a skunk, a species indigenous to the Americas which the average 14th century Englishman would have had no idea about the appearance of.
The characters seemed to be very much ‘of their time’ which is, in my view a good thing, but could raise issues for others. Namely, they do believe in revering Relics and praying to Mary. This used to be a real issue for me, however I now accept that is a reflection of the time, without condoning it. For others it may still be an issue which they may find off-putting.

With skilful use of contemporary ideas, introduced by one Geoffroi de Charny, and French knight who wrote a book on knighthood the rights and wrongs of the vocation are explored, and the possibility of just war being compatible with Christian ideals. Did being a knight mean a man could not be saved, as Potenhale feared? The solution raised is both touching and relevant.

There did seem to be a tinge of skepticism, perhaps even bordering on ridicule of those who believed the plague to be the judgement of God. In fact, many people in England believed the Black Death to a judgement, not just a few isolated fanatics or those driven mad by their affliction as seemed to be portrayed.

Overall, I Serve is recommended, although those who are not used the writing style, or who already dislike it may have some issues.

Rosanne Lortz' first book is in danger of bolstering my admiration of Becket. I got interested as I have John Guy's new Biography, and managed to get it as a loan.
Well worth the read as an introduction to Becket's life and career, and for a slightly different view of the enigmatic Archbishop removed from entirely secularized or politicised appraisals.


The use of Medieval typology was clever and well done for the most part- even if the chronicler deliberately sought to portray Thomas in a certain way, it can help the reader appreciate the motives of the fun-loving Chancellor who became a pious prelate, and defied a King to defend the independence of the church from state interference.
It is a legacy that still resonates today, when governments may seek to force the church to implement controversial legislation to perform actions contrary to canon law and biblical teachings.

A knight, Sir John Potenhale, seeks out the widow of a French knight, Sir Geoffroi, and at her request, tells her his story, starting with his knighting by the Black Prince, his years as one of the prince's men-at-arms, his meeting her husband, who had been his captive, then friend, and how influential Sir Geoffroi has been on his life. He fights in the Hundred Years' War and witnesses the Plague. A good evocation of this historical period. The subtitle was a bit misleading; although a major character, the Black Prince was not THE main character. The language was the author's attempt at recreating the stilted language of those days [14th century] but more understandable to us. Interesting to me if these were true: the origin of the Prince's motto "Ich dien" [I serve]] and of the Order of the Garter and its motto "Honi soit que Mal y Pense" [Shame to him who thinks Evil of it].

Recommended.

I received a complimentary copy of this book as a part of a book tour for a fair and honest review and rated it 4.5 out of 5 stars.

During the Regency period in England, one of the worst things a man could do to his family was to leave his financial affairs in disarray and place his wife and children in danger of not only losing their social position but of also losing their home. If the family was lucky, and they had a sought after title, and the oldest child was of age to “marry up”, they could save their family from ruin with an arranged marriage. Such is the sad and perilous situation that Harold Emison finds himself thrust into in To Wed an Heiress by Rosanne E. Lortz. Filled with colorful characters, a solid murder mystery and plenty of suspense and drama, this enjoyable story could easily be transformed into a BBC production for fans of period mystery pieces such as Death Comes to Pemberley, a miniseries I recently had the pleasure of watching.

Already saddened over the death of his father, Harold “Haro” Emison, the new Earl of Anglesford, is distraught to discover his father’s excessive gambling has placed their family in a perilous financial situation. Forced to think of his family’s future, instead of his heart’s desire, Haro is forced to begin searching for a rich wife. Fortunately for Haro, Arabella Hasting, the daughter of a rich and successful cotton industrialist, is looking for a titled husband. Quickly becoming engaged to marry Arabella, Haro’s plans are ruined when Arabella is killed and he finds himself as “the usual suspect”. Forced to rely on help from Eda Swanycke, his cousin and the woman he really loves, Haro and Eda will have to solve Arabella’s murder in order to keep Haro’s neck away from the gallows noose.

Ms. Lortz does a good job developing the characters in her story and I easily connected with both Haro and Eda, two young would be lovers who are being forced apart by a father’s bad money management. A man devoted to his family, Haro was willing to sacrifice his own happiness, and the happiness of his cousin, in order to save his family’s financial future. I also easily connected with Eda, while hurt and angry over being pushed aside for a rich heiress, who was practical overall and willing to help Haro when she could have turned her back on him. While I wanted to dislike Arabella, I found it impossible to do so. She was only a daughter helping her father achieve his dream of changing their family’s social status from its position in the “middle class” to becoming a member of the nobility.

The secondary characters are also well developed and I especially liked Haro’s family; his mother Lady Edith and his younger brother Torin, were supportive and understood the sacrifice he was making for all of their futures. I also enjoyed getting to know Inspector Pevensie, the man assigned to investigate Arabella’s murder and whose hobby of sketching played a part in the book. The murder mystery itself was well handled and took several interesting twists and turns, and of course the villain was easily to hate.

Will Haro and Eda prove who the real killer is? Will the love they feel for each other have a chance to grow and lead to their marriage or will the financial situation Haro is in keep him from the woman he loves? You’ll have to read To Wed an Heiress to find out I enjoyed it and look forward to reading more of Ms. Lortz’s work.

I received a copy of and read Road from the West by Rosanne Lortz as part of a tour for Historical Fiction Virtual Blog Tours.

Road from the West is good, solid historical fiction. It isn’t riddled with scandal or or breathtakingly unpredictable. It does, however, feature the sort of hero one can get behind: young and determined, with a moral compass to guide his actions and the smarts to find his way in the world. Its supporting characters are intriguing and individual, providing a colorful context into which Tancred’s story is worked.

My full thoughts are posted on Erin Reads.

This book was very well researched and well written, I enjoyed it immensely.

Tancred is a haunted warrior. Seeking redemption for his past sins, he leaves his family and their battle and journeys to Rome. There the Pope offers him absolution if he will take up the banner on the First Crusade. Tancred humbly agrees. When he joins the Crusaders, including his abandoned family, he is surprised to find that many of the warriors lack his zeal and devotion. On the Road to the West, Tancred faces danger from the enemy, as well as treachery from his companions.
Rosanne Lortz captures the First Crusade with all its glory. From preparations to battles, no detail is left out. Battles are fierce, but not gory. The hardships endured by the Crusaders are harsh, but accurately detailed.
Tancred, our humble warrior, at times seems as stalwart and impregnable as the walls he besieges. Like Tancred, I felt drawn to Erimina. However, Alexandra was my favorite character. This girl has passion and drive!
I didn't know a lot about the First Crusade before I read this book. The Crusades have a bad reputation of sorts, and I just lumped all the Crusades into one. However, this book shows the mechanization of the Crusades and it makes for an interesting story. I would recommend it to anyone seeking to learn about the First Crusade.½

It is obvious from the beginning of this book that Rosanne Lortz loves history. She brought to life the Crusades, but not the "popular" Third Crusade with Richard Coeur de Lion, but instead, starts at the beginning with the First Crusade. This rare treat gives the reader a look at the beginning and the reasons many joined to fight, and because of extensive research that is apparent, also allows the reader to become familiar with Godfrey of Bouillon, Peter the Hermit, and of course main character, Bohemond who was the son of Robert Guiscard. and his nephew Tancred.

Rich with history, this tale is told with a prose that will keep the reader captivated throughout the story, transporting them back to the late 1090's. A time when knight and farmer fought for what they believed in. Some were fighting for God and the Church while others were looking for forgiveness and still others for riches in both wealth and political gain.

With that said, I found this take refreshing. Lortz did not focus so much on the gore of fighting, although there were fights, but on the trek, the lives and survival of large amounts of knights and soldiers. I never fully comprehend the extent these men traveled and what they endured while getting place to place, and then being fit or healthy enough to fight when they were enduring the elements and trying to cope with the lack of food. She created a story that was realistic both in setting and characters. Some, like Tancred, I have grown quite fond of, and was sad to see this book end. I will be impatiently waiting for the for the next book in the series: Flower of the Desert to be published.

Truly a brilliant novel, this book would appeal to both the historical fiction lover as well as the reader that just wants a good story about a flawed hero.With no sex and minimal gore, this book would be a great resource for home school high school students.

In this book of the First Crusade we meet a young, impulsive Marquis by the name of Tancred. He is fighting with his uncle, Bohemund when he realizes that he is killing fellow Christians for mercenary reasons and this does not sit will with him. He impulsively leaves that battlefield and heads to Rome to see Pope Urban. There the Pope convinces him to "take the Cross" and head out to save Jerusalem from the infidel. Tancred returns to tell his Uncle of his decision only to find that Bohemund has decided to head to Jerusalem as well. But Bohemund's motives are far more personal and have nothing to do with helping the Pope.

I was intrigued to read in the author's note that Tancred was a true historical figure. And once I read that little things niggled in the back of my brain and I remembered that I had heard the name before. Ms. Lortz's characterization is fascinating and it is a rare novel of the Crusades that does not have Richard the Lionheart at its center.

I found myself drawn into the world of Tancred and his family from the very first page. While a novel of war it's not a book that is overwrought with scenes of blood and gore. The story progresses at a fast clip with unexpected twists and turns along the way. I am hoping that Tancred matures in the next books in the trilogy. He is a young, brash, impulsive character and he is going to need to develop as time and fate come for him.

Ms. Lortz has a way with words and most definitely has a way with writing about this era in history. I am certainly looking forward to Tancred's future as it's written by this author.

Beginning in 1096, this novel covers the very start of the Pope Urban's First Crusade (the subsequent two novels will play out the rest of it, presumably). Written in a straight-forward manner, Lortz follows the exploits of the young nobleman Tancred, nephew of Bohemond of Taranto.

The characters, sadly, were flat, and I felt very little connection with any of them, including our hero Tancred. Despite having a lightning bolt revelation about his role as a Christian soldier at the beginning of the novel, his development seemed to halt after the first thirty pages. His zest for fighting is clear and we get plenty of that, but his mental state, his feelings about himself or the Crusades, his faith, his friendships, none are considered or explored in anyway that compelled me to care about him or the Crusades. Lortz created two female characters but both felt a bit throwaway and underdeveloped as well.

This book suffers from being too accurate. (I can't believe I'm saying that!) Lortz literally recounts (it felt) every skirmish that occurred historically, but the scenes lacked a frisson of tension and the thrill of daring strategy. To be honest, I started to dread each new city the crusaders arrived at for there would be another siege. While each episode might be differentiated by a quirky historical detail - a betrayal here, a hilarious interlude there - this novel felt interminably long in that sense and the usual payoff, an arc of change in a character, didn't materialize.

One thing that jolted me out of the story was Lortz's use of very specific idioms and phrases that seemed inaccurate or out-of-place in the story. For example, a character says someone 'doesn't give a fig' about something while another utters 'by my troth'; a quick search indicates these phrases both came about in the 1500s. Later, we get 'there's the rub' (16th century) and 'gist' (17th century). Granted, the entire novel is written in Modern English but something about these well-known words and phrases struck me as anachronistic.

Otherwise, I found Lortz's writing quite readable and she doesn't bog the narrative down in lots of explication (no long descriptions of war machines or how to saddle a horse, etc.). There's promise of a great historical novel here and I'm interested in seeing how Tancred's story unfolds. The Author's Note promises that one of the female characters gets more coverage in the second book, which makes me happy. If you're in the market for a new historical trilogy that is detailed without being overwhelming, give this book a try.

Having not read much about the Crusades in either a fiction or a nonfiction context, I wasn't completely sure what to expect from Road from the West. When I think of the Crusades, my brain conjures image of Richard I, Prince John, the Robin Hood legends and, most recently, Eleanor of Aquitane and her first husband, King Louis of France.

In Road from the West, the first book in the new Chronicles of Tancred series by Rosanne E. Lortz, readers are introduced to Tancred, an interesting and seemingly unimportant young man who embarks on the First Crusade. Road from the West traces Tancred's joining the Crusade through his journey to Constantinople and Antioch, taking back many wealthy cities along the way.

From the first page it's obvious that Tancred's world is very thoroughly researched and feels vivid and real -and most importantly, as gritty and dark as it really was, sans much romanticism. Lortz's writing drips with fabulous historical sense and is clear and easy to understand, with well-constructed details.

Aside from the world, I had a little trouble getting into this book. The characters didn't quite come alive to me, and I had trouble fully believing or understanding their motives, or even their relationships to one another. The lack of females characters bothered me a little, even though it made sense in the context of the setting. I do feel like things got a little clearer neat the end of the novel, like the author finally got a stronger sense of who her characters were after their journey began.

While I wouldn't say I was hooked enough to read the sequel, Road from the West is a great book for readers who enjoy historical novels, especially with a heavy dose of the history part.