The Queen's Guard: Rose by Traci E. Hall (review)

4 out  of 5 stars

The Queen's Guard: Rose by Traci E. Hall is part of ‘The Queen’s Guard’ series about a group of women who protect Queen Eleanor, who is also Duchess of Aquitaine. This particular story focuses on Lady Mamille de Rou (Mamie), one of the remaining bodyguards, who accompanies her liege on her quest to the Holy Land, despite many setbacks and the loss of her fellow bodyguards. Mamie is known as Rose in the queen’s bouquet of guards, and is adept at using both her warrior skills and her feminine wiles, but she is strangely attracted to the Templar Knight Dominus, and tempts him despite the strictures that forbid any relationship. Each of them must comply with their primary mission directives, but the swirling currents of political maneuverings and danger that overshadow the quest may bring about more than just their personal downfall if they cannot protect their respective charges, it may unbalance the fragile political accord and shift the balance of power with fatal consequences.


This medieval historical romance provides an intriguing portrait of an atypical and powerful woman at the heart of many of the political maneuverings of the time. The vivid descriptions of the machinations of various powerful figures are both enlightening and somewhat dismaying as they show how often the heart and political expediency are in opposition. The author does a wonderful job of evoking the difficulties of the journey, the constant fear of betrayal and chess game of manipulation, and the wonder of women who are just as loyal and adept at protecting their charge as their male counterparts. I am not an ardent fan of history, but these stories have a way of capturing one’s interests and investing one with a desire to see the characters succeed, although there are definitely both highs and lows of the journeys described. This is a story of both a foreign place and time that affected the balance of power in this part of the world and it was fascinating to get a glimpse of some of the players involved. An entertaining read for fans of history and the Crusades who like strong proactive women who are not afraid to fight for what they believe in.

© Night Owl Reviews 

I received a copy of this title in return for an honest review.
 

The other titles in this series are:


                                                                     

 

 The Queen's Guard: Violet
My review is at this link

The Queen's Guard: Peony
My review is at this link