Ladies of St. Jude's Abbey Series by Jocelyn Kelley

For one lady of St. Jude's Abbey, honor is seductive. In twelfth-century England, St. Jude's Abbey is no ordinary sanctuary of prayer and ritual. Established by Eleanor of Aquitaine, it trains young women in the knightly arts, as well as martial arts from the East. In times of trouble, these formidable women are called upon to protect the royal family and England. Avisa de Vere is one such woman.. moreFor one lady of St. Jude's Abbey, honor is seductive. In twelfth-century England, St. Jude's Abbey is no ordinary sanctuary of prayer and ritual. Established by Eleanor of Aquitaine, it trains young women in the knightly arts, as well as martial arts from the East. In times of trouble, these formidable women are called upon to protect the royal family and England. Avisa de Vere is one such woman... Even behind the abbey walls, Avisa has heard of the conflict between the king and the Archbishop of Canterbury. And the queen has commanded her to keep her majesty's cherished godson, Christian Lovell, from entering the fray. When Christian "rescues" a damsel in distress on his way to Canterbury, he has no idea the fair-haired beauty was sent to protect him. He has never before known a woman who carries her own broadsword. And when Avisa asks him to help rescue her sister, he has no choice but to follow her. Avisa soon learns Christian is a knight of great honor and courage — and finds herself weak at his touch. Desire is a battle she was not taught to fight — and the wisest course may be surrender... less

She was trained at St. Jude's Abbey in the knightly arts - but her heart had no such defenses. In twelfth-century England, St. Jude's Abbey is no ordinary sanctuary of prayer and ritual. Established by Eleanor of Aquitaine, it trains young women in the knightly arts, as well as martial arts from the East. In times of trouble, these formidable women are called upon to protect the royal family and England. Elspeth Braybrooke is one such woman... moreShe was trained at St. Jude's Abbey in the knightly arts - but her heart had no such defenses. In twelfth-century England, St. Jude's Abbey is no ordinary sanctuary of prayer and ritual. Established by Eleanor of Aquitaine, it trains young women in the knightly arts, as well as martial arts from the East. In times of trouble, these formidable women are called upon to protect the royal family and England. Elspeth Braybrooke is one such woman. At the behest of the Queen, flame-haired Elspeth leaves St. Jude's Abbey for Wales in search of a cursed rock - the Llech-lafar or "Speaking Stone." For a prophecy warns that if the King should step upon it, he will die. While riding along the coast, Tarran ap Llyr - bastard grandson of Princess Nest — comes upon a strange sight: a red-haired beauty hanging from a castle's arrow slit. But Tarran is shocked to discover that Elspeth is trying to get into the castle rather than falling out of it. Elspeth recognizes in Tarran a kindred spirit. He, like her, is a well-trained warrior — though where she is free-spirited, he is stern and guards his secrets closely. And Elspeth knows that on this quest, any Welshman is not to be trusted — especially one whose very touch blinds her to every other thought. less

In twelfth-century England, St. Jude's Abbey is no ordinary sanctuary of prayer and ritual. Established by Eleanor of Aquitaine, it trains young women in the knightly arts, as well as martial arts from the East. In times of trouble, these formidable women are called upon to protect the royal family and England. Mallory de Saint-Sebastian is one such woman... Summoned in the middle of the night, Mallory must leave the Abbey to protect the Queen's life as a revolt against King Henry rages... moreIn twelfth-century England, St. Jude's Abbey is no ordinary sanctuary of prayer and ritual. Established by Eleanor of Aquitaine, it trains young women in the knightly arts, as well as martial arts from the East. In times of trouble, these formidable women are called upon to protect the royal family and England. Mallory de Saint-Sebastian is one such woman... Summoned in the middle of the night, Mallory must leave the Abbey to protect the Queen's life as a revolt against King Henry rages. With a knight's sense of obligation, she is determined not only to shield Eleanor but to find the enemies threatening her life. Arriving at St. Jude's Abbey, Saxon Fitz-Juste is amazed by the Queen's choice of a female knight as her newest warrior. A troubadour in Eleanor's royal court, Saxon is ostensibly loyal to Her Majesty - but his true mission remains to be seen. Although Mallory knows firsthand how dangerous and destructive lust can be, she and Saxon are drawn to each other. But she may soon discover once again how deceit can turn love into hate... less

In twelfth-century England, St. Jude's Abbey is no ordinary sanctuary of prayer and ritual. Established by Eleanor of Aquitaine, it trains young women in the knightly arts. In times of trouble, these formidable women are called upon to protect the royal family and England. Isabella de Montfort's talents lie not in the knightly arts, but in science... moreIn twelfth-century England, St. Jude's Abbey is no ordinary sanctuary of prayer and ritual. Established by Eleanor of Aquitaine, it trains young women in the knightly arts. In times of trouble, these formidable women are called upon to protect the royal family and England. Isabella de Montfort's talents lie not in the knightly arts, but in science. So she's surprised when Queen Eleanor assigns her the task of retrieving some incriminating papers that could destroy the prince and start a brutal war. To help Isabella on her journey, the abbess of St. Jude's sends along her nephew, Jordan le Courtenay, a knight who lost his lust for battle when his best friend was killed in a joust. But soon Isabella inspires in Jordan a passion for the world around him — and a dangerous longing for her. less