"Stunning and ready for the next in this series!"

After losing her husband to the Zaltanian army and her home, Lily and her ailing daughter, Vina, have lived in the mountains with a small group of villagers trying to survive day to day. Hiding was the only option for the villagers and Lily, as the Zaltanians kill the enemies, rape the men and the women, and take them into slavery. But Lily believes Vina has become ill because of the poor living conditions. She learns that the village of Tanek has managed to fend off the Zaltanian army and that the Knights of the Ruby Order might be the only ones to help keep Vina alive. The Knights of the Ruby Order are known throughout the lands as fine warriors and healers, who fight for just causes, never for profit.

For the first time in months, Lily blossoms with hope and sets out to reach Tanek. But Lily's hope wanes when she reaches Tanek and sees that the village has suffered great loss and ruin at the hands of the Zaltanian army. Lily asks for help and is taken into the village where she and Vina are delivered to Crag, a healer and a Knight in training, whom Lily sees as rude and unfeeling.

Crag is emotionally and physically drained after being in the center of death and destruction for so long. He isn't too sure how much longer he can continue his training to be a Knight. Crag no longer believes in hope, glory and the greater good. He sees Lily as just another mother with a sick child, but the more he comes to know Lily, he finds a wonderful woman who has suffered much loss, but has not yet lost her will to survive and find happiness. Crag is intrigued by Lily and soon comes to care for her, finding a peace with her that he has not felt in a long time. Together, Lily and Crag find solace in each others' arms during a time of so much war and death. But can they have a future together?

KNIGHTS OF THE RUBY ORDER: CRAG is an emotionally gripping and fascinating tale. Kate Hill has created a compelling world that readers are drawn into immediately and flip the pages eagerly to learn the fates of these two wonderful characters. Lily's strength is stunning. After all she has endured, the losses she has suffered, she still holds hope in her heart and knows that happiness is still out there, even though she knows not what the future holds for her. Crag, beneath his rough exterior, has the heart of a healer and also a warrior. He is a compelling, charismatic man whom I was totally infatuated with.

This is an amazing tale that full of passion, danger, loss, determination and love. These two characters make this tale one that I look forward to reading again. Kate Hill has penned a wonderful series and I am eager to read more of it.

Hard-R/Borderline NC-17. Explicit sex.

Reviewed by Tracey West
Courtesy Sensual Romance
Posted September 1, 2003

Summary

With her village destroyed and her child ill, Lily's only hope is to seek the aid of the Knights of the Ruby Order. What she finds is a disillusioned trainee who matches her in desperation.

Crag has learned the hard way that Knighthood isn't about glory. After nearly two years of hellish service, his faith has disappeared. Then he meets Lily, a woman who has lost everything except her will to survive. Touched by her inner strength and seized by passion, Crag learns the true meaning of Knighthood and love.

Sexual Content: Hard-R/Borderline NC-17. Genre: Fantasy.