The Navarre Brotherhood

Author Tammie Wunsch provided me with a print copy of The Navarre Brotherhood for review.

Before writing my review, I Googled: Navarre  Brotherhood to see if this was a real organization or a figment of Ms. Wunsch's imagination. The first page of results were all related to this book and I didn't search any further, so I will proceed with the belief that it is her construction. Although it is well presented enough to be based on a historical group, oh well.

The important part is this book is great! Being as interested in Templar stories as anyone these days, I approached The Navarre Brotherhood with mixed expectations. It would probably be interesting because it was about the Templars. But it could also be a cheesy story taking advantage of the Templar legends to make a buck.

Have no fear readers, it is NOT a cheesy story at all. It is a well written, fast paced adventure in the truest sense of the word. The heroine grabs your sympathy immediately. The hero takes a while to be identified which I found a nice twist. The story takes the reader on a globetrotting adventure with plenty of complications thrown in to keep us on our toes.

There is a nice blend of comedy and drama. The bad guys are really bad! The good guys are not so single minded that they ignore the beautiful locations they find themselves visiting.  If author Wunsch's characterizations are accurate, the Scots are a lusty bunch of people. The characters don't miss an opportunity for adult activities, though not in a graphic or even mildly offensive way. You won't have to be embarrassed for your pastor to see this book on your coffee table.

The nice thing about The Navarre Brotherhood for me is that it isn't just a retelling of Templar legends, it's a character driven adventure story. There is a lot of story line that is not strictly Templar. There is action, adventure, romance, torture, comedy, sex, violence (no rock n roll). It is a fun read all around. Enjoy!


Mike