The Falcons of Montabard

I've read quite a few Elizabeth Chadwick novels now, and i have loved them all and would give them all five stars (if i bothered to review them all... i may get around to it eventually!) Falcons of Montabard didn't have as high a star rating as all chadwick's other novels (even so, four stars is still very good!) so i was a bit unsure of what to expect in this novel. I'm very glad i made the effort! i read this book over about three weeks in fits and starts but really enjoyed the whole story line. Sabin is a great character who redeems himself in the Holy land and Annais is a likeable heroine also. There was enough intrigue and adventure to keep me reading and i really liked the realistic love interest and development between Annais and Sabin. It's nice to see a wife who loves her first husband but then finds happiness again with Sabin and i liked the fact that Gilbert (her first husband) was a likeable character rather than a 'villainous tyrant' like they so often are. All in all i thought this was a great book and would recommend it to any hisotrical fans. Some of the other reviewers found it lacking but i can personally say that i found it entertaining and well worth my time

Elizabeth Chadwick is an amazing author. This is the first of her books I have read and it will not be the last. The scenes are well written, right down to the smells -- you can picture every thing in your mind. A wonderful, exciting love story and a refreshing change to read about Outremer (Israel) during the crusades. It was wonderful seeing Sabin grow and mature from a young hellion and womanizer into a caring, loving husband and father, while at the same time being a fierce and noble warrior. The fight between Sabin and the Arab where all Sabin had to defend himself was a wooden shield was heartstopping. The final chapters were some of the most thrilling page turners I have ever read. An incredible rescue, and according to the author based upon true events, except that Sabin and Anais are fictional. An excellent read, I cannot recommend it enough.

This is an engrossing tale with just the right balance of historical detail, action, and romance. Chadwick's characters are well rounded and her writing superb. I've never read any of Chadwick's novels before, and this was a very pleasant surprise.

In THE FALCONS OF MONTABARD, medieval history comes alive. Sabin Fitzsimon, born the illegitimate son of an earl, developed a reputation early on for his dalliances and conquests. Caught literally with his pants down dealing with the king's favorite mistress, Sabin was beaten severely and left for dead by the king's soldiers. Later when the king's mistress is found dead, he blames himself for her death. Sabin is given a new lease on life and a chance to redeem himself when Sir Edmond Strongfist asks him to accompany them on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land, where he intends to offer his sword and services to the king of Jerusalem. His only concern and request is that Sabin stay away from his covenant-raised daughter, Annais. It shouldn't be a problem except that Annais is very beautiful and has more spunk than most men. Annais is also intrigued by Sabin's reputation and good looks. Once in the Holy Land, Sabin works hard to restore his reputation, but meets resistance at every turn. He agreed to stay away from Annais, but Sir Edmond's new wife, Mariamne is another story. She is not playing heed to any such instructions. She intends to have him at any cost and what results is Sabin being sent away again, but this time in service to Annais and her husband, Gerbert, as they travel to Montabard. The politics of the Holy Land will have them all caught up in the maelstrom of war and change that will bring Sabin and Annais a lot closer than Strongfist would ever have imagined. Elizabeth Chadwick is indeed a master storyteller. She weaved an interesting love story around the medieval times that included a pilgrimage to the Holy Land. With her command of the scenery and the history, I found myself truly caught up in this story from start to finish. The character development was so good that the supporting characters were just as interesting as the primary ones. Those of you that are historical romantic buffs, this is an author worth checking out. Reviewed by Brenda M. Lisbon of The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers

In 1120, King Henry's men beat up Sabin FitzSimon for insulting His Royal Highness by having a tryst with Lora, the regally current favorite. Sabin's bruises are nothing compared to Lora being killed since she has no noble kin protecting her like the illegitimate Sabin has. Anticipating repercussions, his aristocratic family arranges for Sabin to go on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land. Believing he should have died instead of the innocent Lora as he caused the incident, Sabin agrees. Reluctantly Scottish warrior Edmund Strongfist allows Sabin to join his group that includes his convent "educated" daughter Annais on a trek to Outremer (Israel). Strongfist knows of Saban's unsavory reputation with women and warns him to stay away from his daughter or die. Still feeling culpability over Lora's death, Sabin tries to stay away from the pretty innocent, but admits to himself he is very attracted to her. Annais is fascinated with Sabin's dark reputation and womanizing scandals, but both keep their wary distance until they reach their dangerous destination and begin to fall in love as they need each other to survive This is a strong tale that brings to life the early twelfth century Holy Land though the novel also contains a powerful romantic subplot that uses historical events to further the relationship between the lead characters. The key to the story line is the secondary players with various backgrounds that enable the audience to obtain a complete vivid picture of a place almost nine centuries ago. The changing relationship between Sabin and Annais is brilliantly handled with this incredible historical panorama so historical fiction and medieval romance fans gain a terrific epic. Harriet Klausner