LADY KNIGHT

Author: Blair Bancroft ISBN: 1597051586 9/2007 CONTEMPORARY Publisher: WINGS ePRESS

A Florida Highway Patrol officer is plunged into Medieval life without the aid of time travel. In a story based on the re-enactment events of the Society for Creative Anachronisms, Lt Michael Turco, who is seeking the person responsible for serious injury to his brother in a tournament at a Medieval Fair, falls hard for a Valkyrie-style weekend warrior who can more than hold her own in one-on-one combat. But Kate Knight is celibate since fleeing an abusive relationship, and Michael can't believe he's sharing a postage-stamp-size tent with her in the Florida back woods, nor being forced to dress as a Medieval knight.

RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS:

LADY KNIGHT by Blair Bancroft is a contemporary romance with a twist! Half of this book takes place in present day Florida, while the other half transports you to Medieval times. Well, not really the Medieval period, just events where people dress during the time period and re-enact events. I really enjoyed the unique setting of this book, and found that it definitely gave the story a lot of character.

FHP Michael Turco is on a case to uncover what went wrong during a medieval joust, which left his brother in a coma. The perfect person to help him with the case is Kate Knight, an attorney's assistant and member of the LALOC—Lords And Ladies Of Chivalry. While Kate is uncertain about her involvement with the case, she does know that strange accidents have been happening lately at the medieval events.

While Kate decides to help Michael, there's some things expected of him that he doesn't realize. First of all, he has to dress in period clothing, talk in period language and try really hard not to blow his cover. Kate is harboring her own fears about spending time in such close proximity with him, and they are due to a bad relationship she had when she was younger. However, for her love of LALOC and the people involved, she's willing to suppress her fears and do what she can to help Michael.

It took me quite some time to like Michael. His entrance into the story was a bit rough and tough, and that really turned me off. He wasn't very nice to Kate when he was asking for her help, and if I were she, I would have made him sweat it out a little bit longer! Kate has some serious issues and it takes about three quarters of the book to find out what they are. She's likable, but her fears really hold her back in developing any kind of relationship with a man.

When Michael and Kate are together at the medieval events, it is those times that I really enjoyed the book. Kate is more herself while Michael is a fish out of water. It doesn't take him long to fit in; however, he can't stop trying to take control of emergency situations, which always puts his cover in jeopardy.

While I found LADY KNIGHT to be an interesting read, there was one thing that really bothered me. While at the events, Michael and Kate had to go by period names. Michael was Raven and Kate was Catronia. Well, Bancroft kept switching their names throughout the story. One minute she would call him Raven, the next Michael. I found that incredibly annoying.

Blair Bancroft's LADY KNIGHT was a good read, despite some little issues I had. I really enjoyed when Kate and Michael were at the medieval events. If you like contemporary romances that are a little bit out of the norm, than LADY KNIGHT might be a book for you to read!

Julie Kornhausl