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Red Cross of Gold #1
The Knight of Death: The Assassin Chronicles
No matter what they say about immortality, unless you have been one, don't judge one. Mark Ramsay is a troubled fellow. He is just like you and me only he has made a vow to serve God as a Knight of Christ throughout the world until he reaches Armageddon where he will be called upon to fight on Christ's side. The only trouble is in order to become an initiate into the inner sanctum of the Red Cross of Gold Council of Twelve, he has to be made semi-immortal just in case Armageddon takes too long to occur. A semi-immortal is not quite immortal in the regular sense of the word. He can be set free from his body if his body becomes too damaged for practical purposes. But no matter how he dies, he must have the correct incantation and ceremony or else he will languish in between worlds forever. Therefore, our Immortal Knights of the Council, there are twelve of them, have two really big worries in life. One is to be careful and do not die in a horrible calamity and/or do not lose your life someplace you cannot be found.Generally speaking these worries would seem reasonable enough. But there are many other rules to follow. Mark Ramsay is pretty good at following the rules, though he has slipped a number of times, he has not been without redemption. This time is a wee bit different. A severe bout of amnesia brought on by an alchemical concoction has given him a taste of freedom he has not experienced in over 800 years. How can he possibly follow rules he does not remember? His plight is complicated by some very dodgy characters as they say in the UK.He has to figure out where he is, who he is, why he is there and what the hell he is supposed to do. Of course, his kidnappers do not believe he has amnesia, but neither does he believe what they tell him about himself. He thinks they are crazy and they think he is lying.As if that were not bad enough, his fellow council members are out to bring him home.. with our without his head. His kidnappers plan to kill him as soon as he tells them what they want to know. So he is facing death from two different directions and really does not understand why.Meanwhile, he is breaking all his vows, regaining his memories much too slow and sinking deeper and deeper into a no-win situation.And then there's Merry. She is the icing on the cupcake. She seems to be outside of everything going on. Neither, good nor evil, but certainly no angel. Responsibility is not in her vocabulary. She quickly learns Mark Ramsay is not a toy, he is not anything like she expected or anyone she ever me.In a very short period of time, she goes from living in a rich girl's bubble to facing her own superficiality. She is forced to watch her dreamy little world fall apart as the one person she trusts teaches her a hard lesson.She has to make a decision based not on her wants and her desires, but on what it means to do the right thing because it is the right thing. **This edition is a completely updated version of this eBook first published in 2008. It has been reviewed, re-edited, revised and brought up to date to make it easier to read and a bit more refined.The story remains the same, however, it will soon be released under a new title and a new name. This book is exactly the same content as the new book in production. Soon all the Assassin Chronicles book series will be updated and renewed for a better reading experience. Thank you all.
386 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 1, 2004
17 people are currently reading
376 people want to read
About the author
Brendan Carroll
61 books51 followersBy-Line: Only a Fool can rule the world.
Brendan Carroll is the pen name for Brenda Carol Eaves who started writing books in the 80s. She wrote under a pen name because, at the time her series began, men dominated the genres of action/adventure, SciFi and lore. Having started a long series under a pen name is was almost impossible to change horses in mid-stream.
Since 2016 many major life changes have overtaken and profoundly redirected her life's course.
For six years, she has been unable to write anything new or work on previous novels. The exhausting work and time to promote her books was simply out of the question. But as life surely changes, so has Brendan Carroll's (aka Brenda Carol Eaves) life.
She grew up in Southeast Texas and still considers Texas home, but has recently lived in Maine and Virginia. Her interests have changed, but her love for her characters and her imaginary world she invented for them has not subsided.
With more time on her hands after retirement and several close family members' deaths, she now has the luxury to immerse herself into her beloved writing hobby. In retrospect, she is sad to realize that her books were never really edited or properly marketed. Even though she still cannot afford professional help, what she has learned from trial and error and self-study has improved her ability to write better books immensely.
With that in mind, she has decided to rework her entire book portfolio and release it again with new titles, new covers and much more critical edits than ever before.
She is hoping to garner new fans, reconnect with old friends and fans and carry on as an Indie Writer until she can no longer raise a typing finger in this world.
Thank you for reading.
Brendan Carroll is the pen name for Brenda Carol Eaves who started writing books in the 80s. She wrote under a pen name because, at the time her series began, men dominated the genres of action/adventure, SciFi and lore. Having started a long series under a pen name is was almost impossible to change horses in mid-stream.
Since 2016 many major life changes have overtaken and profoundly redirected her life's course.
For six years, she has been unable to write anything new or work on previous novels. The exhausting work and time to promote her books was simply out of the question. But as life surely changes, so has Brendan Carroll's (aka Brenda Carol Eaves) life.
She grew up in Southeast Texas and still considers Texas home, but has recently lived in Maine and Virginia. Her interests have changed, but her love for her characters and her imaginary world she invented for them has not subsided.
With more time on her hands after retirement and several close family members' deaths, she now has the luxury to immerse herself into her beloved writing hobby. In retrospect, she is sad to realize that her books were never really edited or properly marketed. Even though she still cannot afford professional help, what she has learned from trial and error and self-study has improved her ability to write better books immensely.
With that in mind, she has decided to rework her entire book portfolio and release it again with new titles, new covers and much more critical edits than ever before.
She is hoping to garner new fans, reconnect with old friends and fans and carry on as an Indie Writer until she can no longer raise a typing finger in this world.
Thank you for reading.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
November 28, 2010
Storyline:
The Knight of Death certainly lives up to his name. This story, surprisingly enough, starts off in modern-day Texas after a preface set during the Fall of Jerusalem in 1187 CE and another short scene that takes place in modern Italy. Our hero, Sir Mark Andrew Ramsay, is a grouchy Scotsman with a problem (several of them, in fact!) He is not a very nice fellow, but due to a vicious attack and kidnapping, he has forgotten that fact. While in this state of discombobulation, he falls in love with one of his captors, which is strictly forbidden by the rules of his ancient Order. His original assassin’s mission forgotten, he has to fight for his life on two fronts as his captor’s try to kill him and one of his Brothers of the Order comes after him with blood vengeance in mind. I was impressed by the complexity of the plot and the ease of reading that made me carry this book everywhere I went, unwilling to put it down. I enjoyed the flashback action that told bits and pieces of Mark’s past worked in as memory flashes as his head began to clear up. The ending was surprising and original and left me wanting to know what happens next.
Grammar/Spelling:
Although it does have some grammatical errors and typos sprinkled throughout, I kept forgetting to keep an eye out for them because the story advances so quickly. Another once over with spell-checker/grammar might make it even better for sticklers.
Character Development:
The characters were very well described and developed. There were several characters to hate and some that made me just scratch my head and go hmph! For the most part I ended up hating on the right people and liking the best ones. I loved Meredith Sinclair’s naïveté and Cecile Valentino’s evilness. Mark, of course, is my hero even though he has a number of serious issues. I can imagine in a series this long that there will be many more characters to love and hate and if they are as well developed it will be a pleasure to read about them.
Writing Style:
Mr. Carroll’s writing style is refreshing in that he keeps the action going for the most part in such a way that it is hard to catch a breath before something else happens. He uses dialog and accented speech (spelled out phonetically) that allows the reader to catch the full impact of the scene. I could actually hear them talking in my head. Descriptions of settings, clothing, feelings are included in the story as it progresses. There is a bit foul language where a reader would expect to find it (non-gratuitous in other words), which I personally appreciate, but there are some mildly explicit love scenes that are tastefully executed, which I also appreciate.
Continuance:
I found no problems with continuance. Blue cars stayed blue and time lines were quite realistic and well thought out.
Overall Rating: 5-
I would suggest that the author check once more with a grammar/spellcheck or Beta reader, perhaps. The chapters were not uniform in length and I like to stop at one chapter or two depending on my schedule and some of the chapters were very long. The inclusion of scriptures at the beginning of each chapter really lent an air of ominous doom and I found myself waiting to see how they played into the story, this I liked very much.
I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a different type of Templar fiction than what is normally seen in the bookstore. It is R-rated so mature audiences would be in order. Even if the Templars and Fantasy genre is not generally the reader’s cup of tea, I believe that they might be pleasantly surprised by this novel since it includes action, adventure, mysticism, murder, mayhem, love, hate, humor… well, just everything a reader could ask for.
The Knight of Death certainly lives up to his name. This story, surprisingly enough, starts off in modern-day Texas after a preface set during the Fall of Jerusalem in 1187 CE and another short scene that takes place in modern Italy. Our hero, Sir Mark Andrew Ramsay, is a grouchy Scotsman with a problem (several of them, in fact!) He is not a very nice fellow, but due to a vicious attack and kidnapping, he has forgotten that fact. While in this state of discombobulation, he falls in love with one of his captors, which is strictly forbidden by the rules of his ancient Order. His original assassin’s mission forgotten, he has to fight for his life on two fronts as his captor’s try to kill him and one of his Brothers of the Order comes after him with blood vengeance in mind. I was impressed by the complexity of the plot and the ease of reading that made me carry this book everywhere I went, unwilling to put it down. I enjoyed the flashback action that told bits and pieces of Mark’s past worked in as memory flashes as his head began to clear up. The ending was surprising and original and left me wanting to know what happens next.
Grammar/Spelling:
Although it does have some grammatical errors and typos sprinkled throughout, I kept forgetting to keep an eye out for them because the story advances so quickly. Another once over with spell-checker/grammar might make it even better for sticklers.
Character Development:
The characters were very well described and developed. There were several characters to hate and some that made me just scratch my head and go hmph! For the most part I ended up hating on the right people and liking the best ones. I loved Meredith Sinclair’s naïveté and Cecile Valentino’s evilness. Mark, of course, is my hero even though he has a number of serious issues. I can imagine in a series this long that there will be many more characters to love and hate and if they are as well developed it will be a pleasure to read about them.
Writing Style:
Mr. Carroll’s writing style is refreshing in that he keeps the action going for the most part in such a way that it is hard to catch a breath before something else happens. He uses dialog and accented speech (spelled out phonetically) that allows the reader to catch the full impact of the scene. I could actually hear them talking in my head. Descriptions of settings, clothing, feelings are included in the story as it progresses. There is a bit foul language where a reader would expect to find it (non-gratuitous in other words), which I personally appreciate, but there are some mildly explicit love scenes that are tastefully executed, which I also appreciate.
Continuance:
I found no problems with continuance. Blue cars stayed blue and time lines were quite realistic and well thought out.
Overall Rating: 5-
I would suggest that the author check once more with a grammar/spellcheck or Beta reader, perhaps. The chapters were not uniform in length and I like to stop at one chapter or two depending on my schedule and some of the chapters were very long. The inclusion of scriptures at the beginning of each chapter really lent an air of ominous doom and I found myself waiting to see how they played into the story, this I liked very much.
I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a different type of Templar fiction than what is normally seen in the bookstore. It is R-rated so mature audiences would be in order. Even if the Templars and Fantasy genre is not generally the reader’s cup of tea, I believe that they might be pleasantly surprised by this novel since it includes action, adventure, mysticism, murder, mayhem, love, hate, humor… well, just everything a reader could ask for.
August 13, 2009
This is the first of 12 in the series from a new author. It certainly doesn't read like a first attempt at all. The story moves along at a good pace. The characters are well written, thought out. There's real history of the Templars Knights with some fantasy.
August 14, 2013
I wanted to read this because I love the Knights Templars - having contacted Brendan, he told me it wasn't what I might be expecting - he was right!
Although it touches on the Templars history and gives brief insights into their past through flashbacks and memories, it doesn't delve as much as I would have liked.
Love the cover, really drew me in.
Liked the main character, mark, but I don't think it needed to 'show' his Scottish brogue, when it could be achieved with a good description and a few Scottish traits thrown in. I spoke with Brendan about his use of the language and how it irritated me so I skipped past it, for me, it wasn't necessary or in some cases, I wasn't sure it was correct?
The story, I know now is the first in many and it introduces the characters in a setting. There are threads and scenes that pulled me back into the story or I think I'd have given up. I did want to find out what would happen between the two lovers.
I didn't particularly like the way the book was set out and thought the writing was a little too small, but that is a personal thing for me!
Over all, I am glad I read something out of my comfort zone. I think Brendan is an imaginative story-teller, but our writing styles are very different. I wish him every luck in the future and it will be interesting for me to see what his review will be of my book?!
Although it touches on the Templars history and gives brief insights into their past through flashbacks and memories, it doesn't delve as much as I would have liked.
Love the cover, really drew me in.
Liked the main character, mark, but I don't think it needed to 'show' his Scottish brogue, when it could be achieved with a good description and a few Scottish traits thrown in. I spoke with Brendan about his use of the language and how it irritated me so I skipped past it, for me, it wasn't necessary or in some cases, I wasn't sure it was correct?
The story, I know now is the first in many and it introduces the characters in a setting. There are threads and scenes that pulled me back into the story or I think I'd have given up. I did want to find out what would happen between the two lovers.
I didn't particularly like the way the book was set out and thought the writing was a little too small, but that is a personal thing for me!
Over all, I am glad I read something out of my comfort zone. I think Brendan is an imaginative story-teller, but our writing styles are very different. I wish him every luck in the future and it will be interesting for me to see what his review will be of my book?!
Read
June 23, 2010This review was posted on Amazon.com:
Entrancing...Eagerly Awaiting More!, August 7, 2009
By Abrianna O'hare "eloquent_elocutionist" (Monterrey, CA) -
This review is from: The Red Cross of Gold I:. The Knight of Death (Kindle Edition)
I've always had a interest in everything Templar and when I got this particular book, I was worried it would be more of that cookie cutter crap of the recent Templar revival.
I was BEYOND pleasantly surprised! I can not believe the depth and breadth of this story. I have began reading book II and the story just gets more and more and MORE amazing.
I agree with the other post regarding some editing issues - but that in NO WAY takes away from the glory of this story. (I'm a poet and didn't know it!) I still give it the full 5 star rating and hope that the rest of the books maintain this level of intrigue.
Keep up the great work!
Entrancing...Eagerly Awaiting More!, August 7, 2009
By Abrianna O'hare "eloquent_elocutionist" (Monterrey, CA) -
This review is from: The Red Cross of Gold I:. The Knight of Death (Kindle Edition)
I've always had a interest in everything Templar and when I got this particular book, I was worried it would be more of that cookie cutter crap of the recent Templar revival.
I was BEYOND pleasantly surprised! I can not believe the depth and breadth of this story. I have began reading book II and the story just gets more and more and MORE amazing.
I agree with the other post regarding some editing issues - but that in NO WAY takes away from the glory of this story. (I'm a poet and didn't know it!) I still give it the full 5 star rating and hope that the rest of the books maintain this level of intrigue.
Keep up the great work!
August 7, 2011
I could not stop reading this book. I zoomed through it because the pace is fast and the characters are well defined and developed. The story is entertaining and provides many roads to move forward with these 12 Knights Templar. I love all of the characters with all of there faults and their humor too.
I'm not very good at writing reviews, but I can say that I'm hooked on Brendan Carroll's Red Cross of Gold, The Assassin Chronicles series. I have to read the next one now.
I'm not very good at writing reviews, but I can say that I'm hooked on Brendan Carroll's Red Cross of Gold, The Assassin Chronicles series. I have to read the next one now.
September 15, 2011
You use to call a series like this dime novels. It's a fun read and I will read more of this series. The Red Cross of Gold when I get threw a few others I have left to read.
May 26, 2019
2.75 really. It wasn't quite what I expected. The novel starts in Jerusalem, but the majority of the book is set in Texas. I was a bit confused for a while. I did like the historical parts about the Templars, but the modern setting just didn't do it for me.
October 24, 2011
For a while I thought that there was too much sex in this book...but by the end of the book (and beginning the second book) it really is kind of necessary.
Outside of that, I liked the various historical periods and the action scenes (esp near the end) were very well written.
Outside of that, I liked the various historical periods and the action scenes (esp near the end) were very well written.
July 6, 2010
What! the first of twelve? Oh, boy!
I LOVE this book
I couldn't stop reading and now I'm going with the second one
I LOVE this book
I couldn't stop reading and now I'm going with the second one
January 6, 2013
okay the adventure begins...jan 5 2013...25 books in this series lets settle in
April 21, 2011
Do Not... I repeat, Do Not waste your time with this book.
I had a difficult time finishing it let alone the entire series.
I had an even more difficult time writing a review for this book.
Not because I didn't have anything to say
But
rather I had too much to say and my thoughts are not coming out the way that I would like them to.
The Red Cross of Gold is about
Immortal Knights, warriors,
That aspect is what drew me in.
After the first chapter, I quickly realized that the
Book Description was better than the actual book.
The original thought was good but
the obstacles were unrealistic.
Fearless Immortal Knights over taken by a non immortal female(with no powers or training) and her one Goon? Really?
A famous Knight, Mark Ramsey,
was sent on a mission to find a missing person and
was taken hostage by Valentino.
She should have had at least Six body guards or security men, that would have made the story more believable.
I can see the first Knight, Mark, being taken by the element of surprise and
dumb luck
BUT
the other Knights that were searching for Mark were also
taken by the same people, come on really?
I was intrigued at first about Mark Ramsey
but
the story line, the dilemmas, and
the other characters quickly became very frustrating.
Things happen to Mark that are beyond his control yet he is punished because of someone else's deceit.
Isn't that how things usually go?
And to make matters worse amongst all of the foolishness,
Mark falls in love with Merry/Meridith.
Merry was sheltered, oblivious, petty and very selfish.
I wanted to smack her on several occasions.
I ran out of fingers counting the ways that she did something stupid and selfish.
I thought the story would have been better but
the good thought/plot came up short.
It was frustrating and disappointing the situations went from unbelievable to just plain dumb.
This book is not exactly what it claims to be,
do not waste your time or you may be disappointed too..
I had a difficult time finishing it let alone the entire series.
I had an even more difficult time writing a review for this book.
Not because I didn't have anything to say
But
rather I had too much to say and my thoughts are not coming out the way that I would like them to.
The Red Cross of Gold is about
Immortal Knights, warriors,
That aspect is what drew me in.
After the first chapter, I quickly realized that the
Book Description was better than the actual book.
The original thought was good but
the obstacles were unrealistic.
Fearless Immortal Knights over taken by a non immortal female(with no powers or training) and her one Goon? Really?
A famous Knight, Mark Ramsey,
was sent on a mission to find a missing person and
was taken hostage by Valentino.
She should have had at least Six body guards or security men, that would have made the story more believable.
I can see the first Knight, Mark, being taken by the element of surprise and
dumb luck
BUT
the other Knights that were searching for Mark were also
taken by the same people, come on really?
I was intrigued at first about Mark Ramsey
but
the story line, the dilemmas, and
the other characters quickly became very frustrating.
Things happen to Mark that are beyond his control yet he is punished because of someone else's deceit.
Isn't that how things usually go?
And to make matters worse amongst all of the foolishness,
Mark falls in love with Merry/Meridith.
Merry was sheltered, oblivious, petty and very selfish.
I wanted to smack her on several occasions.
I ran out of fingers counting the ways that she did something stupid and selfish.
I thought the story would have been better but
the good thought/plot came up short.
It was frustrating and disappointing the situations went from unbelievable to just plain dumb.
This book is not exactly what it claims to be,
do not waste your time or you may be disappointed too..
October 3, 2014
An incredibly ridiculous, stupid, absurd piece of writing. I could not make myself believe and enjoy whatever is written in it. Uh! How could it get published! The publishers deserved to be hanged for making the readers experience such incredibly horrid stupidity as this! If there has been zero stars it would be my joy to rate this book that.
The huge disappointment is compounded by such pretty description for the book. You are all excited and drawn excitedly to the hopefully incredible contents as described only to find an utter insult of your mental abilities inside. Pretty wrapping that enticed you to read such a garbage, such a great transgression!
Hate you! Hate you! Hate you!
The huge disappointment is compounded by such pretty description for the book. You are all excited and drawn excitedly to the hopefully incredible contents as described only to find an utter insult of your mental abilities inside. Pretty wrapping that enticed you to read such a garbage, such a great transgression!
Hate you! Hate you! Hate you!
November 3, 2013
Struggled to get into this book. Had to push thru as there was little context at the outset as the characters and plot jumped from one time to the next and back again. In the end, it started to come together and ended up being enjoyable.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews