Customer Reviews

Beyond Temptation: The Templar Knights

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

I found the story BEYOND TEMPTATION to be a thoroughly fascinating and absorbing medieval romance. The story begins on Friday, Oct. 13, 1307 ~ the day King Philip the Fair, of France, ordered the immediate arrest and imprisonment of all men belonging to the Holy Order of the Templar Knights. Following the King's edict, a vile inquisition began that used terrible forms torture to force innocent men to make false confessions of heresy, or die with their righteous denial. Of the thousands of Templars Knights in France at that time, only very few were able to escape the country unharmed...

Frantically forging through a rain soaked forest in France, four desperate horsemen dressed in garb emblazoned with the scarlet cross of the elite Templars Knights are being hunted like animals by the king's men; they stop momentarily to rest and discuss how they will make their way the last few miles to the coast and a chance to board a ship headed for the relative safety of England. The knights agree their best chance to evade capture is to split up and cautiously make their way to Hawksley Manor, Sir Richard de Cantor's home in England; and hopefully a refuge from the dreadful ordeal they were being forced to endure.

When Sir Richard de Cantor arrives home he sadly finds his wife is in very fragile health; and is still suffering from the mental illness that had assailed her before his departure five years earlier. However, he also finds a lovely though unfamiliar woman has taken over the management of his home; someone who has a distinct dislike for Templar Knights and who seems to be annoyed that the Lord of the Manor has returned home unannounced. Meeting Lady Margaret Newcomb causes Richard to feel the stark ache of desire and an unwelcome longing for a women's touch and affections that challenge his most sacred vows.

Lady Margaret Newcomb, youngest daughter of the Earl of Welton, was sent to Hawksley Manor to serve as a nurse companion to her ailing Cousin Eleanor because her father felt the lowly position would teach his daughter obedience and remorse for her past licentious behavior. Meg, although devoted to Eleanor, is willing to perform any menial servant's task so she can stay at the Manor; rather then be forced to return to the life of pain and anguish she was made to suffer when her father sent her to the nunnery. When Meg meets Richard she can't believe how attracted she is to the strong handsome knight with the mesmerizing green eyes, but she knows she must deny her feelings.

Talented author, Mary Reed McCall weaves a powerfully enthralling and heartfelt romantic story around true historical events. She gives her readers an intensely emotional story of the hero, Richard; a tortured soul and a brave and honorable knight who not only must defend himself and the holy order he truly believes in, against a corrupt investigation by the French Inquisition, but who is also forced to return home to confront the heartrending tragedy that caused him to join the Templars in the first place. The author unveils an equally poignant story of our heroine Meg, a gentle caring woman with a strong spirit and a passionate loving nature; whose only sin was to fall in love with a young man below her station, thereby thwarting her father's demand she make an advantageous marriage to a wealthy nobleman.

Ms. McCall skillfully writes a convincing and compelling adventure with many surprising plots twists and turns that keep the reader captivated; as she brings these two emotionally scarred people together, against seemingly unbeatable odds ~ to give them a second chance at a love to last a lifetime.

This was an extremely satisfying story and I heartily look forward to her next book in the series: SINFUL PLEASURES.

The plot was described above. I really enjoyed this book, loved the h/h and their chemistry, the secondary characters, and the incredible tension near the end of the book. I literally bit my nails until I didn't have anymore. I encourage anyone to try this book. I have no idea how any romance lover could dislike it. This is part of a series and I plan on ordering the first book and purchasing the rest.

Beyond Temptation hooked me from the very first page and didn't let me go until the end. The early fourteenth century is depicted with great accuracy and care, the hero Richard is extremely sexy, brave but warm and tender, and the heroine Meg is great too, strong, independent and passionate - none of your wishy-washy heroines here. I don't understand a previous review that said there's no chemistry between Richard and Meg - for me, their attraction to each other blazed right off the page, and I've rarely read a romance where I was cheering a couple on as much as I did in Beyond Temptation. They're meant for each other, despite the seemingly insurmountable obstacles in their way.

Philip IV of France's arrest of the Knights Templar and the terrible treatment they faced is brilliantly portrayed, and I was delighted to see such a sympathetic depiction of Edward II of England, who did his best to help the Templars.

In conclusion, Beyond Temptation is a compelling, exciting, and moving love story, with countless obstacles and problems for the hero and heroine to face. Both of the main characters are very likeable and come across as real people with pasts, and some of the minor characters have their own novels, which I'm now reading. :)

I've never read anything by this author, so I'm not sure if it's just the book, or the author that I took such a dislike to. I'm the kind of person who once I open a book, I need to finish it. Most of the time it takes me 1-2 days. This one however took me over a week. It was boring. It had little to hold my interest. The characters were blah, the plot even more so.

The other reviews told of the entire plot so I'm not going to go into that, but I will share my opinion of the characters. Margaret's whishy washy "Should I, Shouldn't I" continued throughout the whole book and half way through it got very annoying. Sir Richard was a little more interesting, but again it was the "Should I, Shouldnt I" kind of thing. That is not bad if the book has other redeeming qualities, but to me, it didn't. There was no passion or intensity, and no chemistry between the two characters. A good book has you cheering for the hero/heroine and keeps you on the edge of you seat, just waiting till they finally get together. But I was happier that I had actually finished the book, than I was when they finally got together.

I judge the worth of a book by how it draws me in and keeps me there and when reading became a chore, I knew it deserved only one star. A few others liked the book, so I won't tell you not to read it, but to me, it was not worth the time. Hope this helps a little!

In 1307 France, the four Templar knights flee for their lives from the wrath of King Philip who hunts them and their brethren like animals. They agree to split up as each carries Templar treasure. Richard de Cantor suggests they meet at his estate in England Hawksley Manor.

A few weeks later Richard reaches his home to find everyone holds him in contempt for what he did to his wife Eleanor especially after the death of their daughter. He meets Ella's cousin and companion Margaret Newcombe and learns that his wife is still ailing. Richard is shocked that he is attracted to Meg as he has not felt anything towards women since his chastity vow upon joining the Templars five years ago. He thinks on his marriage to Ella who he wed to protect, but failed. Richard realizes his penitence did not help his spouse heal as he is stunned by how thin she is and the vacancy in her eyes. Meg realizes that he is not an abusive animal, but sees his tender concern for his wife. As Richard and Meg fall in love, they must overcome living ghosts, family opposition and powerful opponents to find happiness.

Readers will appreciate the strong lead couple and solid support cast who provide a deep insight into the Templars from differing perspectives, but also cleverly interwoven into the plot. Fans of the author will enjoy the return of Braeden (Richard's older brother) and Fiona stars of THE CRIMSON LADY. Although his spouse is eliminated to easily and her father displays no qualities beyond avarice, fans will receive immense satisfaction with this fine medieval romance.

Harriet Klausner

I thought that this book was okay. I had to force myself to read it because it wasn't that interesting until the very end. The ending was really good but the begining kind of reuined it for me. In the begining he is married and is falling for the woman who is taking care of his wife. And so it progressed from there, but what got me is that he is married and shouldn't been doing such things when he is married. It bothered me but that isn't the only thing that ruined it for me it was just the whole thing. It totally ticked me off when they could finally be together and here a twist of fate happens and it ticks me off. But whatever. I have only read it once and wont read it again. I should have borrowed it from a friend or from the library before buying it. It was a waste of my money.

Well. Nothing very interesting was presented. There was not enough background information to really set the story. So, while it was the classic formula romance, it lacked interest for me.

A tired, tedious read. Very difficult to finish. I finally skipped ahead to see the end.