Love of his wife, Genevieve, had kept Luc alive. Luc was sent to join the crusades because the Duke that he had been in service to knew that Luc was in love with his daughter. The Duke would never allow their marriage and did not expect Luc to return from the Holy Land. Instead of a quick death, he had spent the last 4 tortuous years in a prison cell, thinking only of the sweet young woman that he had left behind.

Luc has bought home gifts for his much loved bride but he cannot find her. Not one soul has any word that will give him a place to search. He stumbles upon a run down Abbey and begins to restore the castle and farm, hoping that news of his return will reach his hidden bride. After all that he has been through, Luc still cannot image his life without Genevieve.

Genevieve has many secrets and surprises in store for her husband, but she is unsure if he will welcome her or her family back into his life. She does not know whether he has stayed faithful…

This quick tale gives insight into true love and devotion. Passion has kept the spirits of Luc and Genevieve strong, but they still have much to get through. Jennifer Mueller’s retelling of past events establishes a strong foundation for the romance and introduces a few surprises. Many of the secondary characters play an important role in this tale, and their lives are bound up in Luc’s visions for the future. Crusader is an enjoyable historical glimpse of one man’s strength and purpose to recreate the life and love that was stolen from him.

Reviewed by: Naomi