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Chalice of Roses

by Jo, Mary Jo, Karen, Barbara Beverley, Putney, Harbaugh, Samuel

reviewed by Leanne Davis

January 2010, 392 pages, Publisher: Signet, ISBN: 0451229029

The Raven and the Rose by Jo Beverley tells the story of a young nun who learns that her life is going to take an unexpected twist. Sister Gledys of Rosewell grew up in the nunnery and has never left it's boundaries. She has long dreamed of a young knight. Rosewell is near Glastonbury Tor. Gledys can see the tip of the Tor and she is fascinated by it and the legends that surround it.

One day Gledys learns that she is chosen to call forth the Grail and avert the further possibilities of war. The legendary lance that pierced the side of Christ has been stolen by an evil man who means to rule all of England. Only with the help of her knight will Gledys be able to prevent the plans and return peace to the countryside.

Gledys is to follow the raven, who will lead her to the secret location of the Grail. When Gledys meets Michael, she finds the man of whom she has dreamed. She and Michael will set out on the quest which will lead to a battle for which Michael has prepared a large portion of his life.

The White Rose of Scotland by Mary Jo Putney

Jane Macrae is returning to the Highlands. She mourns the loss of her love and worries about her family serving in the war against Hitler. She is nearly home when she is approached by a pilot who is frantic about something he witnessed. David Sinclair was visiting Rosslyn Chapel when he witnessed an attack on an old man. The old man begged for his help and David finds himself on his way north searching for someone.

That someone is Jane. Jane's family are all Guardians. Many of her family have weather talents but Jane's is in finding the patterns in events. She works for the British government in Military Intelligence. When Jane hears David's story, she knows that the Grail has been stolen by a Nazi.

Together, David and Jane will set off on a journey to prevent the Grail from being taken to Germany. Using the talent transferred to David by the man guarding the Grail and and Jane's abilities, the Grail will be returned to Rosslyn and the care of the new Guardian.

The English Rose: Miss Templar and the Holy Grail by Karen Harbaugh

Arabella Templar is entering Almack's when a masked stranger puts a chalice in her hand telling her she is the guardian of the Grail. Later that man is introduced to her as Mr. William Marstone. He further spoils the evening by starting to bleed on the floor.

Told from both characters perspective, we learn that Napoleon has control of the lance and hopes to get the Grail. Together, the two artifacts will give him all he needs to conquer Russia. Mr. Marstone's wound was inflicted by French agents. When Arabella is kidnapped by the French agents, William Marstone will journey to save her from them.

Once they escape the agents, they will return the Grail to Rosslyn Chapel where they will once again encounter the French agents. As they fight to protect the Grail and the lance, they will learn that their roles are not what they first appeared to be.

Eternal Rose by Barbara Samuel

Alice Magill has come to England to study and teach the ancient songs. The garden that surrounds the flat she has rented are reputed to be haunted. Her neighbor warns her to beware of the cat which hangs around and she has some peculiar students but otherwise, life is good.

Alice meets William of Knotsfield in her dreams. He warns her away from the big tree in the field that she passes on her walk to the school. As time passes, Alice finds herself living the legend in one of her stories.

William was cursed by the Fairy Queen for protecting the Guardian of the Grail. Now, he passes all his time in Fairyland resisting the advances of the Queen. Only occasionally is he allowed to leave. He can only be freed if the Guardian of the Grail falls in love with him and she must be the seventh daughter.

One of Alice's friends from the school disappears and Alice sets out to rescue her and William.

All of the stories were excellent but my favorite was the story by Ms. Harbaugh. There was touches of humor to leaven it and there are some unexpected role reversals to delight the reader. If you loved Dragon Lovers by this quartet of talented writers, you will want to read these stories.

Reviewed by Leanne Davis