The Holy Land AD 1185There is an uneasy peace across the Holy Land. King Baldwin IV is on his death bed and nobles across the Outremer jostle for position, each fully aware that his heir, the boy king, Baldwin V, is sick and unlikely to survive. The politics of Jerusalem consume the pretenders to the throne, so much so, that the increasing risk from Saladin goes unnoticed. But to the east of the Dead-sea, the notorious Templar and castellan of Karak Castle, Raynald of Chatillon, sees the danger and continues to campaign against Saladin at every opportunity. His actions are brutal and find little favour from his allies, but he is the Lord of the Oultrejordain and rules it with an iron fist.In the coastal city of Acre, a woman arrives from Cyprus, desperate to find her missing son, but to do so, she has to venture deep into the heart of enemy territory, a place where Christians fear to tread. Despite risking the wrath of Raynald, she forges ahead, seeking help from an old friend and an unlikely ally, but success is far from assured, especially when she faces betrayal from those she trusts the most. With war looming, and the Christian forces still reeling from their overwhelming defeat at Jacob's Ford, there is only one way to defeat the Ayyubid, and that is for the Christian armies to unite under Jerusalem's banner. But with personal gain on many people's minds and treachery around every corner, Jerusalem is under serious threat for the first time in generations.

Its mysterious symbols and rituals had been used in secret for centuries before Freemasonry revealed itself in 1717. But where had this powerful organization come from and why had Freemasonry been attacked by the Roman Catholic Church? Robinson answers those questions and more.

Dungeon, Fire and Sword is a good book for all who enjoy a well-written, well-researched story of stupidity, greed, barbarity, unspeakable cruelty, deception, fraud, treachery and sanctimony... John J. Robinson has written a fascinating history of an incredible time.

The beginning of the Templar Order is shrouded in mystery. Little is known about its foundation, inner workings, or its rapid growth. Such a lack of knowledge can lead to all sorts of speculation and, at times, bizarre theories. This book--the result of a conference on the theme at Emerson College in England--offers new, well-grounded perspectives that utilize both esoteric and exoteric sources. From varying perspectives, the contributors tackle key questions relating to the formation of the Templar Order, as well as its goals and intentions. The authors explore the spiritual and historical background of the Knights Templar, as well as the Order's significance today and its continuing impulse for the future. With its broad scope, this stimulating anthology encourages independent, open-minded enquiry and research. The Knights Templar features contributions from Peter Tradowsky, Gil McHattie, Horst Biehl, Margaret Jonas, Rolf Speckner, Sylvia Francke, Simon Cade-Williams, Jaap van der Haar, Alfred Kon, David Lenker, Peter Snow, Christine Gruwez, Frans Lutters, Walter Johannes Stein, and Siegfried Rudel.

What spiritual or esoteric practices took place within the mysterious, often controversial activities of the Knights Templar? Little is known about this aspect of the Order's history, though speculation and wild rumors persist. Having taken the three vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience, members of the Templar Order were required to live the life of other monastic orders. However, their remarkable rise to a successful elite community--followed by the insidious machinations and slander that led to their spectacular fall and destruction--suggests that they were involved in something more significant than simple medieval religious practices. There have been many theories about whether their "secret" involved material wealth and special treasure. On the other hand, could it have been connected to a science of initiation--knowledge, experience, and understanding of spiritual dimensions that can enlighten students on an esoteric path? In The Templar Spirit, Margaret Jonas penetrates these questions, examining various claims and revealing something of the esoteric practices and beliefs of the order, including influences from other religious traditions. She presents her research on the meaning of the mysterious "head" that the Templars were accused of worshipping, and examines the historical figures that lent their wisdom and guidance to the founding of the order.

An Urban Fantasy series for geeks and history buffs with swords and sorcery, Templar Knights, vampires and more by author Debra Dunbar. *** All that stands between modern Baltimore and the monsters is the black sheep of the Templar Order in this three book set. Dead Rising – Book 1 Guard the Temple. Safeguard Pilgrims on the Path. Record knowledge—both holy and unholy. Those are the three mandates Templar Knights have followed since the twelfth century. But it’s the twenty-first century and Aria is not a Knight. She’s refused to take her oath, and is barely making ends meet as a part-time barista in Baltimore when the local vampires approach her with an offer she can’t refuse. Last Breath – Book 2 What do a dead cosplayer and a ritual murder have in common? Plenty. Is the killer an angel or a demon, or both? Aria can’t ignore the bloodbath happening right under her nose, and she definitely can’t ignore the practice of death magic that has stolen innocent lives and souls. Bare Bones – Book 3 Skinned bodies are turning up in broom closets and garages, but when these bodies are identified, the ‘victims’ are found to be very much alive. Was there a mistake at the morgue? Is the murderer a serial killer with a gruesome fixation on taxidermy? Aria will need all of her friends – both alive and dead – to help catch these killers before they strike again. *** If you like Shannon Mayer, K.F. Breene, Shayne Silvers, Hailey Edwards, or Yasmine Galenorn, you'll love this series.

AD 1177 The threat of war sweeps across the Holy Land and the kingdom of Jerusalem is at imminent risk of invasion from the massed armies of Saladin. Reports of Saracen patrols devastating towns and villages cause panic throughout the Outremer, and Baldwin, the teenage king beset with leprosy, tries desperately to counter the threat. But nobody knows where the enemy forces are and the Christian forces are stretched thinly.With the king's army campaigning in the north and the feared Templar knights defending the border far to the south, only one man has even the slightest chance of finding out Saladin's true intentions, a Templar Sergeant named Thomas Cronin. With time running out and the odds stacked heavily against him, Cronin needs to find the Saracen army and relay the information back to the leper king in time to prevent the fall of Jerusalem, and indeed, the Holy Land itself!

An instant New York Times bestseller, from the author of Crusaders, that finally tells the real story of the Knights Templar—“Seldom does one find serious scholarship so easy to read.” (The Times, Book of the Year) A faltering war in the middle east. A band of elite warriors determined to fight to the death to protect Christianity's holiest sites. A global financial network unaccountable to any government. A sinister plot founded on a web of lies... In 1119, a small band of knights seeking a purpose in the violent aftermath of the First Crusade set up a new religious order in Jerusalem, which was now in Christian hands. These were the first Knights Templar, elite warriors who swore vows of poverty and chastity and promised to protect Christian pilgrims to the Holy Land. Over the next 200 years, the Templars would become the most powerful network of the medieval world, speerheading the crusades, pionerring new forms of finance and warfare and deciding the fate of kings. Then, on October 13, 1307, hundreds of brothers were arrested, imprisoned and tortured and the order was disbanded among lurid accusations of sexual misconduct and heresy. But were they heretics or victims of a ruthlessly repressive state? Dan Jones goes back to the sources to bring their dramatic tale, so relevant to our own times, to life in a book that is at once authoritative and compulsively readable.

★★★★★ FROM AWARD WINNING USA TODAY & MILLION COPY BESTSELLING AUTHOR J. ROBERT KENNEDY ★★★★★ IN AN AGE BEFORE DETECTIVES, ONE TEMPLAR KNIGHT IS CALLED UPON TO DELIVER JUSTICE When wounded Templar Knight Sir Marcus de Rancourt receives word that his sister is dying, he returns to a home he hasn’t seen in twenty years, only to find his sister dead, and her children orphaned. Sir Marcus decides to take on the greatest challenge of his life and remain behind to raise the children, his loyal sergeant and squires insisting on joining him to work the land by his side. But before they can settle into their new lives as farmers rather than soldiers, they are thrust into the middle of a conspiracy that could rock the very foundations of the Templars and the Roman Catholic Church. And it all starts with a simple murder, witnessed by a little boy, who swears Templars killed his parents. Now it is up to Sir Marcus and his men to determine who committed the gruesome murders, and clear the good name of the Templars, before the very balance of power in the region shifts in favor of someone who should never possess it. From award winning USA Today and million copy bestselling author J. Robert Kennedy comes the first in a new series, The Templar Detective, packed with pulse-pounding action, intrigue, and humor, guaranteed to keep thriller fans awake into the late hours. Get your copy today, and meet a new band of war-weary heroes, struggling to reintegrate into society, who are called upon once again to serve their Order, their Church, and their God. USA Today bestselling author J. Robert Kennedy’s novels are ideal for fans of Dan Brown, Clive Cussler, James Rollins, Tom Clancy, and James Patterson, and those who enjoy intense action and intrigue with a healthy dose of humor and a touch of romance. Readers interested in action adventure, archaeological mysteries, historical fiction, men’s adventure, conspiracies and ancient mysteries, will love the James Acton Thrillers. If spies and espionage is your thing, then check out the CIA Special Agent Dylan Kane Thrillers for riveting tradecraft action. And for those who prefer the team approach and Special Forces, check out the Delta Force Unleashed series for exciting military thrills. Or maybe you just feel like a mystery? Check out the Detective Shakespeare Mysteries for dark, intense psychological thrillers. Into the Templars? Then the Templar Detective Thrillers are for you!