In the early 13th century, in an area of stunning natural beauty that now lies in southern France, a rich and complex culture thrived, the Camelot of its day. Women enjoyed a rare freedom, travelers from many lands came together and learned from each other, and tolerance of different religions and races flourished. But a gathering darkness of political and religious conformity cast an ever-deepening shadow over the peace and prosperity of the region. The Falcon of Anvarre, Alix Parlour's epic work of historical fiction, evokes this halcyon era in all its glory and its turmoil. Anyone who relishes a richly spun tapestry of majestic kingdoms, romance, and transporting plotlines will be enthralled by this well-crafted fable of transcendent love set in times gone by. A world-weary knight, Gregory, known to his loyal band of warriors as the Falcon of Anvarre, has returned home to Languedoc from the Crusades to win back his inheritance from his usurping half-brother, the dastardly Raoul. But when the Falcon takes his brother's new bride hostage, she soon captures his interest and becomes much more than a mere pawn in his quest. For she is Madeleine of Foix, a half-blood Moorish noblewoman, on a dark quest of her own. Fiercely independent and loyal to her lineage, she is determined to avenge the death of her mother at the hands of religious extremists. Soon Gregory and Madeleine are swept up in a daring chase through the fabulous wilds of the Pyrenees mountains as they pursue what lies closest to their hearts and discover more about each other in the process. The Falcon of Anvarre harks back to the ancient art of the troubadours, roving medieval songsters who sang tangled ballads of love and politics. This sweeping, action-packed novel follows the two lovers through life-threatening strife and steamy encounters as they come together for land and love, and along the way mine deeper questions of loss and honor. It's a story for the ages that contains at its core abiding lessons for the modern age.