The Crusader

Andrew J. Offutt

Set in North Africa during Richard the Lionheart's reign, the stories are fast moving and interesting, flavored with a heady dose of spice and politically incorrect correction of the alluring female fatales. I've re-read these several times, and enjoyed the return visits. If only Ridley Scott had known of these books before he started his ill-fated Kingdom of Heaven. It would have been a much more entertaining movie had it been based upon John Cleve's works, that's for sure. One suggestion, if you're searching for the books, is perhaps try the used romance bookshops. They'll be quite a bit more reasonable than the collectible versions.

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