I love adventure, and I love Medievals, so To Tempt a Knight was a winner for me in many ways. Though not for those who like their history strictly realistic, this book entertains and tells a very action-packed and romantic story.

Following the dissolution and killing of the Templars in continental Europe, Sir William Keith and some of his brethren have fled to Scotland. However, even Scottish soil does not keep them safe from a zealous Frenchman bent on destroying every heretic Templar he can find. The villain, De la Roche, is also bent on possessing the Spear of Destiny, an artifact believed to allow its holder “to alter the destinies of men and of entire nations.”

William knows he must keep the Templar treasures safe, while also protecting Sir John Fraser, who is trusted with their keeping. When William arrives at Fraser’s home, he finds De la Roche’s men have already been there. Though John has been kidnapped, his daughter, Siobhan, evaded capture and is rescued by William. Through a series of events, William and Siobhan save the guide to the Templar treasure.

The story starts off as a very strong one of adventure and forbidden love. William’s vows as a Templar require his celibacy, so he must fight his attraction to Siobhan. However, the tension between them feels apparent from the moment they flee the Fraser home and ride away together. Siobhan initially views William as “her unwanted protector,” but the time spent on the road with him gives her a greater respect for who William is as a person, as well as causing her to feel her own attraction to him.

The first two thirds of so of this book are a road romance par excellence. The constant dangers of the open road, the wild Scottish countryside, and De la Roche keep the action flowing at a fast clip. The growing attraction between the two leads and the tension over whether William’s vows will be kept feels very real as well. There are some anachronisms, but nothing that really jerked me out of the story. Unfortunately, as matters draw near the final climax, things fall apart just a little.

Though this book has a firmer grounding in history than mere wallpaper, the Medieval world here feels about as authentic as the historical world portrayed in Indiana Jones movies. In other words, the bones of the structure (Templars, religious vows, etc.) are good, but some of the details and the characters’ speech feel a little modern. Still, Russell tells a good story and I was happy to go along for the ride – until the last part of the book.

Toward the end, various plot twists take things a little too far over the top. The reader must suspend a good deal of disbelief for this novel, but there is a limit to what one can set aside and that line gets crossed. In addition, while De la Roche is quite the dark, villainous villain, he becomes a little too eeeevil and this takes away from his effectiveness rather than adding to it.

Still, even with those issues, To Tempt a Knight is an entertaining read. If you like lots of adventure with your romance, this is one you will want to check out.