Emerald Silk
The second book in Lane’s Coin Forest medieval romance series set in 15th- century England features Kadriya, a half-English, half-Gypsy orphan who has spent her short life trying to reconcile her conflicting backgrounds. The Gypsy in Kadriya wants to live a nomadic life, and her betrothal to Teraf, a Gypsy tribal king, seems to ensure that her dream will be achieved. When Teraf is suspected of stealing an emerald-encrusted chalice from a monastery, Kadriya sets out to prove his innocence, putting her in the path of Sir John Wynter, a knight who dislikes foreigners—especially Gypsies. Sir John and Kadriya embark on a quest to locate the chalice, and Kadriya finds herself strangely attracted to the brusque knight.
Can she find a way to make John see past his xenophobia and give in to love?
Emerald Silk goes beyond simple romantic suspense by including serious issues such as racism, homophobia, and clerical greed. However, the love story and the quest for the stolen chalice take center stage throughout. The pacing is brisk, and Lane isn’t afraid to give her characters some flaws to overcome. Readers of medieval romances will enjoy Lane’s well-crafted novel.
