Customer Reviews

Knight's Treasure

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
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I feel like all I write lately are negative or average reviews. That may be, though, because the books I keep getting are, at best, average. Unfortunately, this was one of them. It wasn't bad, don't get me wrong. The story was interesting enough, the characters were okay. It was just kind of plodding and slow.

In fairness I should mention that I have not read the other books that are apparently in this series, so perhaps I'm missing something vital. I do get the whole plot with the treasure. That's easy enough to pick up on. In fact, the whole kidnapping premise was not hard to follow, so I don't think that was it.

The premise of Adela's failed marital attempts was funny and clever. The character of her first husband was kind and I liked him. Sorry he had to go. I liked Rob. He was sweet, honest, and loyal. Adela was a thoughtful, well developed character. But the romance between the two felt almost forced. I could see them as excellent friends, but there was no real sense of passion between them. The sex scenes were... okay. Although to be honest, Adela didn't seem to enjoy them all that much. I got no sense that it was such a wonderful experience for her, except that the author said it was.

Okay, since I'm the kind of person who does this, I'm going to give some details of things I did and didn't like. I am not spoiling things, I promise, but I am going to quote from the book, so if you dislike that, you should stop reading.

First, I find the term "fork of her legs" to be a bit... offputting. Where's her spoon? Is it with the salad tongs? Do I want to know what her salad tongs are??? Secondly, this is the kind of descriptions that you find in the sex scenes:

"Soon he was moving so quickly and so powerfully that she feared he must be hurting himself badly. But instinct and desire banded together to suppress that fear, and Adela savored the moment. When he collapsed atop her..."

That pretty much sums up their sexual encounter(s). I mean, it doesn't have to be porno-level-graphic, but where's the heat? Where's the passion? Is it with the silverware???

Then there's this. This almost blew the book for me entirely. I won't give details on who or when or what, but this particular line just... Well... You know what? I'll let you see for yourself:

"Her arms slid around him and held him tight before she relaxed back against the slope and he opened her bodice and unlaced her shift to feast on those soft breasts of hers. He imagined a child suckling them."

Really? REALLY? He's going to be intimate with her and he's imagining breastfeeding??? Look, I nursed 2 kids. It doesn't skeeve me out, I promise. But it is not sexual and romantic, it's nutrition. So: WTF. That's all I can really say about that.

But it wasn't all bad. The dialogue was fun and clever. Example:

"Don't glwoer at me, lass," Sir Robert murmered in his normal accent as the other three preceded them from the hall. "Some caperwitted dafty will draw his sword to protect you, and I'll have to slay him."

Also, the heroine, despite having been kidnapped, was not TSTL, nor did she act as if nothing had ever happened and a traumatic experience didn't effect her in any way. She was effected by it, and she was able to deal and cope with it. Rob was supportive and understanding.

All in all, it was an okay book. I wouldn't go out of my way to tell people to read it, but I wouldn't warn anyone against it.

Knight's Treasure follows Lady Adela Macleod, surely not a great choice for marriage. She was abducted on the steps of the church before her wedding then after the ceremony was rearranged two weeks later (once she'd been rescued by her abductor) things seemed to go OK... except that her husband keeled over and died at the wedding feast celebration a couple of hours later. Adela is normally a quiet and biddable girl, having kept house for her father and been rather a shadow to her louder and livelier sisters but the disasters of her marriages start her on a new path.

After the unexpected death of her husband, Ardelve, Adela is left in a very unfortunate position. She should probably go with Ardelve's body back to the Highlands but she barely knew him, was younger than Ardelve's own son who would have to take her in, and would probably not get on with her step-son's wife as the two would be occupying the same position, mistress of the house. Adela finds that her friends and relatives all seem to know what's best for her but she wants to make her own decisions now, rather than returning to being under her father's thumb.

It's when she's considering her options whilst having a good cry in the dark that she first talks to a mystery man who listens to her and helps her to make up her own mind. He arranges to meet her a second time in the dark where they talk again - he is a friend she can trust, she believes. She also has a pretty good idea of who he is, a Frenchman cousin to her father's fiancée. However she oversees someone plotting the death of a man who helped rescue her from her abduction and tries to intervene and it's at that point that she realises she has stumbled into a big secret and that her mystery helper might end up meaning more to her.

Sir Robert Logan is a Knight Templar entrusted with two secrets when he was young. He doesn't know exactly what these mean but he has a strong suspicion that it may lead him to very important treasure in Scotland, or perhaps something more important. Unfortunately there are other people who want this mystery treasure, including the very powerful Earl of Fife, and even more troublingly these people believe that Adela may know something about it following her abduction. Sir Robert and Adela find themselves having to work together to secure the treasure and to keep safe from the political machinations of the powers in Scotland.

Although billed as a romance this book wasn't particularly romantic. Perhaps this is a more accurate depiction of life in Scotland in the 1790s... pragmatism was far more important than emotion. Our hero and heroine evidently like each other and have some reasonable verbal sparring but this book lacked that certain something which made the romance come out from the printed page. It seemed as if the book focused more on the treasure hunt and although that was interesting it was also rather a foregone conclusion.

The writing style of this book is good with some excellent period detail, much of which showed the difficulties of life in those times. There were some stray Americanisms in speech but generally I felt that the setting was convincing and that the history was accurate. The book is let down a little on characterisation - I didn't feel that I got to know either hero or heroine particularly well and I did feel their love story was rather disappointing. This book would probably appeal more to those who are interested in the history of these times rather than who want to read a straight romance but it's still a worthwhile read.

Originally published for Curled Up With A Good Book, www.curledup.com. © Helen Hancox 2007

Lady Adela Macleod has no luck at the altar. She was abducted from her first wedding. Then her husband died an hour after their second one. Tired of getting advice from everyone and seeking some quiet time, she goes to the roof of the castle where she comes across a man, well actually the voice of a man, who offers her solace. She doesn't know who the man is, but she knows that she is drawn to him, and that she appreciates his words.

Sir Robert Logan is a Templar Knight. He left his family after a fight with them many years ago. Now he has returned, and his family has been killed. He knows that they are dead because of a secret that he is privy to. A secret that might lead to treasure.

When Adela is accused of murdering her husband, Rob steps in to defend her. He knows that she is in danger from people who want to steal the treasure, and the Scottish crown. Together, they must work to thwart the danger, and find love at the same time.

Knight's Treasure is an interesting blend of history, suspense and love. Particularly fascinating for me was the bond between Adela and Rob. Their love was genuine and heartfelt and it warmed my heart to watch it grow, and to see them together. Also fascinating to me was Ms. Scott's use of history, and the way she wove it into the story.

Lovers of historical fiction can't go wrong with Knight's Treasure.

Amelia
Reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed

Excellent medieval Scottish romances, well researched and easy to fall into the story. I hate when these books end! As always excellent characters that you can believe in - both to love and hate. Makes a cold and drafty Scotland seem so romantic and leaves me feeling I was born in the wrong age and place! Most enjoyable read. Highly recommend all Amanda Scott's books, especially the Scottish romances.

I have been reading Amanda Scotts Knights Templar series since it began with Highland Princess and now after reading the 5th book in the series I am enjoying it as much now as I did in the beginning. Lady Adela is actually a heroine that even though seemingly timid and obedient has a strength and inner steel that truly impressed me. She's been through quite a bit by the time this story starts and then through even more in just the opening chapters and it is all beginning to take a toll on her. She has gotten to a point were she no longer smiles and in her own head she fears that she is going a little crazy. Literally.

Enter the voice in the mist. A man who overhears Adela's despair one night and gives her comfort but no face to put with the voice. Once the voice gets a body and a name the story gets even better as these two well matched personalities battle danger and intrigue side by side.

I enjoyed watching Rob's love and gentle care of Adela bring her back to herself. It was like watching someone restore a beautiful artifact that has been covered in grime. He was calm and endearing in his treatment of her even when she was jumping out of her own skin. Eventually we see her smile return and she gains the courage to fight for herself.

I loved this story and can't wait for Sidony book King Of Storms!!

In 1380 in the Highlands, a masked man with associates rides amidst a wedding party and grabs the bride Adela Macleod before she can exchange "I do" with her much older groom Lord "Pompous" Ardelve Calum Tolmic (see LADY'S CHOICE). However, after her rescue she recovers from her captivity. She marries the kindhearted, older Baron Ardelve at a ceremony hosted by the powerful Sinclairs. Ardelve drinks wine at their wedding party only to collapse and die a victim of poison. Shocked, Adela vows to never marry.

Almost a decade ago, Knight Templar Sir Robert Logan gave up his heritage, which was not hard to do with the way his father and older brother treated him, and perhaps his life to protect a treasure from those who want to use it for evil purposes. Unaware of a Papal agreement with Lord Fife, second in succession to Robert The Bruce's throne, that impacts what he guards, Robert visits his friends the Sinclairs where he meets a grieving Adela. He offers her some minor comfort that leads to a kiss that both know is wrong, but each needs. Still his duty comes before his heart until they merge when his beloved Adela is accused of murdering her spouse.

Readers, who have waited for Adela's saga to be told since her abduction in the previous tale, will feel well rewarded as Amanda Scott provides a fabulous historical romance that sub-genre fans will treasure. The fast-paced story line focuses on Adela, stunned by her loss, her feeling towards Robert, and the accusations. As with LORD OF THE ISLES and HIGHLAND PRINCESS, KNIGHT'S TREASURE is a terrific fourteenth century romantic suspense thriller with sister Sidorny still to follow.

Harriet Klausner