How to Become a Knight

When a knight won his spurs, in the stories of old,
He was gentle and brave, he was gallant and bold,
With a shield on his arm and a lance in his hand,
For God and for valor he rode through the land.

Jan Struthers

Imagine King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table. Whether your favorite is Sir Lancelot, Sir Galahad, or Sir Gawain doesn’t matter. Their greatness shines through the ages—but how do you become a knight?

Every noble’s son learned basic swordplay and archery. They’d ride daily and maybe learn tracking skills. Then, at an age where modern day children are learning their multiplication tables, their family sent them to live with strangers and train as a page.

Homesick and lonely, these boys would run messages or help serve meals. Sounds harsh I know, but in a time of kill or be killed it made sense. As well as attending to his duties, the boy had practice battle skills. In between all that, they learned how to read and write in Latin and French. Then there was the poetry and the dancing. They must have been exhausted. Every night they dreamed of becoming a Knight.

Eventually the boy would become a squire. The word squire comes from the French word for shield-bearer, and that’s exactly what a squire did. He would carry his Lord’s shield, clean his armor, tend his horses, and fight at his side.

Fourteen years after leaving his home and family the boy was ready to become a man. Knighthood loomed, but he still needed to win his spurs. To misquote Shakespeare, Some are born to be knights, some achieve knighthood, and some have knighthood thrust upon them.

Blaxton the Bold had Knighthood thrust on him.

His parents broke with custom and kept him at home until he was twelve. By then he was bigger, stronger, and brighter than any of the other boys. Well trained in etiquette and poetry, he quickly became his master’s favorite page. Even the other boys looked up to him.

At just sixteen, he singlehandedly faced down the mob an anti-semetic mob intent on burning Jews. Unarmored, battle-ax in hand, Blaxton’s courage and fighting prowess won the day.

It was only a couple of weeks after King Henry ordered him to court and dubbed him a knight. Many years later, scholars have suggested Sir Walter Scott based his book Ivanhoe on the legend of Blaxton the Bold.

Blaxton won every tournament he entered, and dominated every battle he fought. Ladies swooned in despair when he joined the Knights Defender—an order of fighting monks who took vows of chastity and charity.

When Blaxton sailed with King Richard the Lionheart on his third crusade, he quickly became the king’s favoured companion. Then his cousin stuck a knife in his back and killed him. That night Blaxton de Ferrers rose as a vampire.

For over eight hundred years, Blaxton has wandered alone and tried to live a good life. He’s forgotten how to laugh or feel, but his current identity is a billionaire property developer with a philanthropic steak.

Underneath the modern veneer, he’s a Knight Vampire

Book Blurb

Betrayed by the Knight Defenders and murdered by his cousin, crusader knight Blaxton de Ferrers rose as a vampire. For nine centuries, he’s preyed on the people he once swore to protect. Gradually, as his emotions leach out of him, he forgets how to feel. Then he meets Harriet.

Harriet Mortlake’s a strong sassy woman who battles her weight and her temper. Her job is to seek out the ancient secrets of the castle that was Blaxton’s childhood home. Instead, she finds the love of her life.

When danger threatens Harriet, Blaxton steps in. Harriet and Blaxton, are a match made in heaven. Except… he’s a vampire and to fully claim her, he’ll have to kill her.

Buy Link

Loose ID                               http://www.loose-id.com/knights-vampire.html

Amazon US                         http://amzn.to/1umoSyY            

Amazon UK                        http://amzn.to/1Ch1LMx

Amazon AU                        http://bit.ly/1BeXhVm

All Romance Books          http://bit.ly/1AOLsm5

Author Links

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Excerpt

Mortified, she realized she’d just asked this stranger for his phone number. He wound her up like a clockwork toy, and when she chased after him, he talked with such authority she almost believed him. Besides, even if he’d made his wild story up, she really wanted to see him again. Who was she kidding? She needed to know if he tasted as great as he smelled—all sandalwood and exotic spices. If he did, she’d surely find him addictive. 

Blaxton grinned, pulled out a business card, and scribbled a cell phone number underneath his business contacts. “Here. That’s my personal number.” 

She studied the card and laughed. “It says here you’re a property developer. I can’t see you being able to do much with a twelfth-century castle, even if it wasn’t grade one listed.” 

He stared out to sea, and for a moment he looked lost. His smile returned so quickly Harriet wondered if she’d imagined his brief withdrawal. 

He finished his coffee and stood up. “Maybe I could demolish the damned temple and replace it with a real chapel. I’m not staying in Yorkshire long, but would you have dinner with me tonight? We can discuss the Knights Defender if you like. How about we meet up in the Italian restaurant by the harbor? I’ll book a table for eight o’clock tonight if you’re free.” 

Harriet blushed, but she smiled back. Tonight she’d be dining with the best-looking guy in the town—if he turned up. She’d been stood up so many times by her ex before she’d stupidly let him share her body and her bed. After the way he’d treated her, dating came hard. 

Blaxton de Ferrers seemed genuine. Part of her wanted to run out and get her nails done right along with her hair. What the hell am I going to wear? She wasn’t some sophisticated London beauty, but she cleaned up okay despite her extra ten pounds. Besides, no way would she miss a chance to pump him for information. And if he wants to kiss me goodnight… Well, I might just let him.