Garcia Y Robertson, R(odrigo). Knight Errant

Fans of Diana Gabaldon's time-travel romances will also enjoy Knight Errant. The historical details are lush and reverberate with the author's research skills. A 21st century woman, Robyn Stafford, finds herself transported to 15th century Wales and meets the young, virile and ever so charming Edward, Duke of March. After a brief interlude involving running for her life, she is left with only a white rose to remember him by in the modern world. After some investigation, she finds her way back to him and the England of the Middle Ages.

The details are intriguing, as Robyn learns about the ups and downs of witchcraft, the political imbroglios of the War of the Roses, and quickly notices how some of her new acquaintances resemble people she has left behind in the 21st century. Many of the problems Robyn encounters is cleverly explained by plausible resolutions that the author has thought through in great detail, such as her ability to understand and speak any language she hears while under a displacement spell.

Armed with her wit, acting ability, her knowledge of the future, some newly-found allies, Edward's love, a wrist watch, and a Palm Pilot she begins her quest to find Edward and her way home. When she finds Edward, she also needs to decide if Hollywood California is really where she wants to be or will it be with Edward.

This was a wonderful read-not as graphic as Gabaldon's Outlander series, this author left much to the imagination when describing the romantic interludes, and spent far more time on the new emotional and physical worlds Robyn encounters. Some characters are a bit stereotyped at times: the villains mostly; however, others like Jo, Joy, Collin, and Edward are refreshing and surprising. Especially considering they are from and in the Middle Ages where hot water is looked at as a witch's luxury and the menu is riddled with bacteria. Robyn's attempts at keeping herself healthy are both amusing and revealing.

The author is supposedly writing two more in this newly created series. I look forward to them, and highly recommend this to fantasy, romance and historical fiction lovers, one and all.

Leane M. Ellis, January 16,2002.