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Stitched Crosses: Crusade
Markus is an English lord and Templar fearing God and hiding from his past. The Hospitaller, Sir Charle, and the woman of Markus’s heart, Lady Mairín, desire to end his ruinous descent into despair. A letter from a slain brother-knight is perceived as the calling for Markus to return to the Land of Christ, and his failures. There he expects to discover whether God will set his conscience free from the weight of his burdens and restore him, or if he must offer his life to attain his absolution… Stitched Crusade is a tale of faith in doubt and turmoil. Set in the waning days of the 12th century, Christendom has embarked to rescue Outremer from Saladin’s Muslim armies. These historical events, combined with exciting medieval action, popular romantic legend, and the sense of the Divine, serve as the canvas to this tale of a knight wrestling with his spirit.
226 pages, Paperback
First published July 15, 2014
299 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
February 20, 2016
I picked up this book based upon a recommendation. My understanding, this is the first book in a possible series about the Crusades written from a religious perspective. This series is to focus on the religious aspects as well as the chivalry of the time.
The story was interesting and engaging. The times and events appear to be factual and the events afforded the appropriate accuracy. But I found the story to be disjointed at times, or more appropriately jumpy, leaving me a bit bewildered as to the flow of the story and the main character.
I also found the personal conflicts and religious convictions of the main character also a bit tedious and distracting. The events of the crusade, and the inner conflicts of the main character, his life, his failures, his inner turmoil, were what seems to cause the disjointed flow of the story.
All in all, it was a fairly easy, short, and pleasurable read.
The story was interesting and engaging. The times and events appear to be factual and the events afforded the appropriate accuracy. But I found the story to be disjointed at times, or more appropriately jumpy, leaving me a bit bewildered as to the flow of the story and the main character.
I also found the personal conflicts and religious convictions of the main character also a bit tedious and distracting. The events of the crusade, and the inner conflicts of the main character, his life, his failures, his inner turmoil, were what seems to cause the disjointed flow of the story.
All in all, it was a fairly easy, short, and pleasurable read.
July 26, 2018
This read like a medieval courtly or chivalrous work, even to the dignified and stately language. A Templar knight is brought home with injured mind, ashamed and guilty for running away and not fighting at Hattin and protecting the Cross, goes to the Holy Land again to atone and find redemption. This is his story. A bit disjointed, but still enjoyable. I felt at a distance from the characters as I would with any medieval work. I also felt the earnestness and sincerity of the author but felt the Christianity was pounded into me.
April 1, 2020
This is a great portrayal of a man grappling with the absurdity of grace. Forgiveness is not just for the murderer, the rapist, and the apostate but most unbelievably its also for us
September 23, 2016
This book first strikes you with its language. It is stately, formal. It is purposefully crafted to draw you back to the time of English knights and lords. Yet, make no mistake, each word is chosen with precision to embody the setting and further to tell a tale where words are ultimately life or death.
Markus is an English lord and a Templar in hiding. His adventure in this book takes remarkable turns, and I really admire the adept way the author drew together fact and fiction.
I will admit I had to look up Outremer in a dictionary. It refers to Christian territories held in the Holy Land during the crusades. But other than a few pauses while reading, trying to remember history learned years ago, this book was easy to enjoy. I haven’t read much historical fiction, particularly set in this time frame, but that just means that I can honestly encourage you, no matter what you typically read, to give this book a chance. The higher language gave my brain a jump start and I got used to it by the second or third chapter. Fantastical elements are present just enough to lend pop, and the exploration of Christian doubt and guilt is well worth the read.
Love and honor are certainly involved, but this book addresses issues including the role of God’s Word and what is faith in a probing but non-preachy way. As a Lutheran, I particularly appreciated some of the underlying elements and a few of the plot twists—but I won’t spoil it by giving them away!
This would make for lovely fall reading with a warm beverage at hand!
Markus is an English lord and a Templar in hiding. His adventure in this book takes remarkable turns, and I really admire the adept way the author drew together fact and fiction.
I will admit I had to look up Outremer in a dictionary. It refers to Christian territories held in the Holy Land during the crusades. But other than a few pauses while reading, trying to remember history learned years ago, this book was easy to enjoy. I haven’t read much historical fiction, particularly set in this time frame, but that just means that I can honestly encourage you, no matter what you typically read, to give this book a chance. The higher language gave my brain a jump start and I got used to it by the second or third chapter. Fantastical elements are present just enough to lend pop, and the exploration of Christian doubt and guilt is well worth the read.
Love and honor are certainly involved, but this book addresses issues including the role of God’s Word and what is faith in a probing but non-preachy way. As a Lutheran, I particularly appreciated some of the underlying elements and a few of the plot twists—but I won’t spoil it by giving them away!
This would make for lovely fall reading with a warm beverage at hand!
August 16, 2016
Joshua Rothe demonstrates a clear command over the history and legend in which he plants the seed of his story. As the book progresses the tale blossoms into a rich narrative bearing delightful, and masterfully contextual, fruit. The author's fiction is stitched flawlessly into the fabric of church history with the thread of Arthurian myth. The read propelled me back in time, expanding my imagination while enriching my Christian beliefs through it's powerful delivery of the Gospel.
The way that the author highlights errors in church doctrine and practice exposes and educates, never leaving the reader alone to navigate those waters without guidance. His characters clearly contrast false teachings and the blindness of sin tainted perspectives with the truth. The intensity of this art peaks at the end of the narrative in a climax that drives home the cruciform message of the entire book.
It was a fantastic read that left me ready for more!
The way that the author highlights errors in church doctrine and practice exposes and educates, never leaving the reader alone to navigate those waters without guidance. His characters clearly contrast false teachings and the blindness of sin tainted perspectives with the truth. The intensity of this art peaks at the end of the narrative in a climax that drives home the cruciform message of the entire book.
It was a fantastic read that left me ready for more!
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews