cover image Knight of Rosecliffe

Knight of Rosecliffe

Rexanne Becnel. St. Martin's Press, $6.5 (336pp) ISBN 978-0-312-96905-9

In the second book of Becnel's medieval trilogy, Englishman Jasper FitzHugh has spent the last 10 years helping his brother clear Welsh loyalists such as Rhonwen ap Tomas from the wild woods of Wales. Jasper remembers Rhonwen as the child who once saved his life. Now she is a beautiful, stubborn temptress who stirs his lust and his ire: she tries to assassinate him, steals his horse and then breaks into his home, kidnapping his niece. In retaliation, he captures her alleged lover, the rebel leader Rhys, and demands the return of his niece--and Rhonwen as well--in exchange. When she reluctantly agrees, Jasper loses no time in bedding Rhonwen, and soon she becomes a pawn in a deadly plot against her new lover. Torn between loyalty and love, Rhonwen flees--straight into the arms of a new and treacherous enemy. Becnel (The Bride of Rosecliffe) brings the Middles Ages to life with an elaborate plot, daring adventures and satisfyingly complex characters. (June)