Solange de St. Florent is an intrepid heroine. She won't let the loss of her father and her inept and wicked stepfather stop her. When pushed into marriage with a truly bad man, she plots an escape that takes her to the French court and eventually, to the Holy Lands. Along the way, she is betrayed, so much so, that she no longer knows who she can trust. It is a gripping adventure, one with more action than romance at times, but so much fun to read. The Crusades are not my favorite time period, but the author puts us in the time period and creates a world of passion, excitement and eventually -- happily ever after.