England, 1269

On the eve of the eighth Holy Crusade, Prince Edward’s army gathers to wait for the dawn tide when they will sail to the Holy Land. Sir Robert Breton, a knight-for-hire in Edward’s wartime service receives bad news; his precious horses are sick, perhaps poisoned. Having heard rumors of a horsewitch present on the beach, and in need of her counsel, he sends word for her to come. If his horses are not fit to walk, he will be unable to fulfill his vow to join the Holy Crusade, his only chance to acquire wealth.

Lady Eldswythe, daughter of Aldrick, Earl of Crenalden, has come to see her father off. The Earl has warned her not to attract attention, and under no circumstances, to lay a hand on a horse. When a soldier comes with orders for her to come with him, she is alarmed, and denies being a horsewitch, a term which raises suspicion among the people and infuriates her father. Her talent, she insists, is as a healer. When Prince Edward sends a clerk with a royal summons to come to the aid of Sir Robert, she must go. Though undeniably attracted to one another, the circumstances of their past make trust and friendship all but impossible. Sir Robert maintains that the earl murdered his father and stole the land that was his birthright as the second son. When Eldswythe discovers that the horses are indeed poisoned, she stays with them all night, saving them.

In the morning, both discover that their world has changed. Prince Edward has issued an endowment writ to Eldswythe, declaring her entitlement to inherit Crenalden Castle and its properties. The purpose of this dubious gift is to make sure there are no disputes over the ownership of Crenalden Castle or its lands during the absence of the earl. Even more surprising to them both, the prince orders that Sir Robert stay behind to guard and accompany her on her return trip to the castle. Word comes from King Henry that John Gilroy, illegitimate brother to Eldswythe and sworn enemy of them both, is on the move, with a plan to take Crenalden Castle and anything else he can get. Sir Robert must stop his plans.

DARK RIDER is an adventurous tale of two outsiders who must stop a powerful enemy. Isolated and fleeing through land struck by The Black Bane, an illness that kills man and beast alike, they seek safety and Robert’s army. Robert is heroic, even wounded; he will fight to the death to protect Eldswythe and his land. Eldswythe is no shrinking violet; she will do her own share of fighting against the evil, disgusting John Gilroy. She has a touch of magic, not only with horses, but with Robert as well. The fast pace of the story continues until the last page. Will Robert and Eldswythe survive and have the chance to love? You will need to read DARK RIDER to find out.

Lisa Baca