What do you think?
Rate this book
Guardians #3.7 - The White Rose of Scotland
Chalice of Roses
Romance and destiny intertwine in four all-new novellas inspired by grail quests-featuring two New York Times bestselling authors!
From the bestselling and award-winning authors of Dragon Lovers comes an anthology of fantasy, romance, and eternal love. In these four novellas, history and destiny spark passion, and everything depends on the fate of one mystical the Holy Grail.
A young woman must find her love to summon the Grail to bring peace to England; a Regency lady must keep it safe from Napoleon's spies; a modern sorceress must keep the Grail from falling into Nazi hands, and an American must put the chalice at risk to rescue her one true love. These are four passionate and enchanting stories of desire and destiny inspired by one of our most powerful legends.
From the bestselling and award-winning authors of Dragon Lovers comes an anthology of fantasy, romance, and eternal love. In these four novellas, history and destiny spark passion, and everything depends on the fate of one mystical the Holy Grail.
A young woman must find her love to summon the Grail to bring peace to England; a Regency lady must keep it safe from Napoleon's spies; a modern sorceress must keep the Grail from falling into Nazi hands, and an American must put the chalice at risk to rescue her one true love. These are four passionate and enchanting stories of desire and destiny inspired by one of our most powerful legends.
389 pages, Paperback
First published November 23, 2009
2 people are currently reading
261 people want to read
About the author
Jo Beverley
143 books1,131 followersMary Josephine Dunn was born 22 September 1947 in Lancashire, England, UK. At the age of eleven she went to an all-girls boarding school, Layton Hill Convent, Blackpool. At sixteen, she wrote her first romance, with a medieval setting, completed in installments in an exercise book. From 1966 to 1970, she obtained a degree in English history from Keele University in Staffordshire, where she met her future husband, Ken Beverley. After graduation, they married on June 24, 1971. She quickly attained a position as a youth employment officer until 1976, working first in Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire, and then in West Bridgford, Nottinghamshire.
In 1976, her scientist husband was invited to do post-doctoral research at Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. When her professional qualifications proved not to be usable in the Canadian labour market, she raised their two sons and started to write her first romances.
Moved to Ottawa, in 1985 she became a founding member of the Ottawa Romance Writers’ Association, that her “nurturing community” for the next twelve years. The same year, she completed a regency romance, but it was promptly rejected by a number of publishers, and she settled more earnestly to learning the craft. In 1988, it sold to Walker, and was published as "Lord Wraybourne's Betrothed". She regularly appears on bestseller lists including the USA Today overall bestseller list, the New York Times, and and the Publishers Weekly list. She has been the recipient of numerous awards including the Golden Leaf, the Award of Excellence, the National Readers Choice, and a two Career Achievement awards from Romantic Times. She is also a five time winner of the RITA, the top award of the Romance Writers Of America, and a member of their Hall of Fame and Honor Roll.
Jo Beverley passed away on May 23, 2016 after a long battle with cancer.
In 1976, her scientist husband was invited to do post-doctoral research at Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. When her professional qualifications proved not to be usable in the Canadian labour market, she raised their two sons and started to write her first romances.
Moved to Ottawa, in 1985 she became a founding member of the Ottawa Romance Writers’ Association, that her “nurturing community” for the next twelve years. The same year, she completed a regency romance, but it was promptly rejected by a number of publishers, and she settled more earnestly to learning the craft. In 1988, it sold to Walker, and was published as "Lord Wraybourne's Betrothed". She regularly appears on bestseller lists including the USA Today overall bestseller list, the New York Times, and and the Publishers Weekly list. She has been the recipient of numerous awards including the Golden Leaf, the Award of Excellence, the National Readers Choice, and a two Career Achievement awards from Romantic Times. She is also a five time winner of the RITA, the top award of the Romance Writers Of America, and a member of their Hall of Fame and Honor Roll.
Jo Beverley passed away on May 23, 2016 after a long battle with cancer.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
March 2, 2011
This book is an anthology of four romance stories centered around the Holy Grail. They take place in four different time periods, and all revolve around having to find the grail or return it to safety. It was an interesting take on the legends.
In The Raven and the Rose, a 12th century woman about to take holy vows is pressed into a mission to locate a knight so that they can carry the chalice to safety and keep it from the wicked Prince Eustace.
The White Rose of Scotland takes place during World War Two, as a Canadian pilot and a Scottish sorceress hurry to ensure that the Grail stays out of Nazi hands.
The Regency-themed The English Rose: Miss Templar and the Holy Grail sees a young miss chosen to lead an injured Grail Knight to Scotland to find the church where the Grail will be safe from Napoleon.
The oddest of all the stories, Eternal Rose has a Fae slant to it, as a 15th Century man has been swept to the land of the Fae, and enters the dreams of an American woman visiting the small English town to pursuade her to enter the magical realm with the Grail to save him.
It was good, but not amazing. These same four authors also wrote
, and it was also good, but not astounding. I originally bought these because they include stories written by Jo Beverley. But I think I like her other books better.
In The Raven and the Rose, a 12th century woman about to take holy vows is pressed into a mission to locate a knight so that they can carry the chalice to safety and keep it from the wicked Prince Eustace.
The White Rose of Scotland takes place during World War Two, as a Canadian pilot and a Scottish sorceress hurry to ensure that the Grail stays out of Nazi hands.
The Regency-themed The English Rose: Miss Templar and the Holy Grail sees a young miss chosen to lead an injured Grail Knight to Scotland to find the church where the Grail will be safe from Napoleon.
The oddest of all the stories, Eternal Rose has a Fae slant to it, as a 15th Century man has been swept to the land of the Fae, and enters the dreams of an American woman visiting the small English town to pursuade her to enter the magical realm with the Grail to save him.
It was good, but not amazing. These same four authors also wrote
, and it was also good, but not astounding. I originally bought these because they include stories written by Jo Beverley. But I think I like her other books better.
February 14, 2011
I said I wasn't going to review romance, but I enjoyed this collection of novellas so much better than I have any romance I've read in years, that it's just too bad, I'm reviewing it!
What binds these stories together is respect for the mystical traditions of folklore and medieval verse and an understanding of energy.
In a day when negative energy phenomena and a disturbing love for the forces of darkness have come to dominate paranormal writing, it's a joy to find a book that opens us up to wonder and respect for the unseen. And does it in a flawless style.
It's hard to say which story in this collection is the best. As I read each one, I felt it was the best, but on balance, I'd have to say that Mary Jo Putney's WWII story and Barbara Samuel's story linking the Grail and the Fey are the most accomplished. But they are all well worth reading. And for me at least, they offered a brief glimpse of the beauties and holiness of the unseen that was much welcomed in a world where too often darkness does prevail.
What binds these stories together is respect for the mystical traditions of folklore and medieval verse and an understanding of energy.
In a day when negative energy phenomena and a disturbing love for the forces of darkness have come to dominate paranormal writing, it's a joy to find a book that opens us up to wonder and respect for the unseen. And does it in a flawless style.
It's hard to say which story in this collection is the best. As I read each one, I felt it was the best, but on balance, I'd have to say that Mary Jo Putney's WWII story and Barbara Samuel's story linking the Grail and the Fey are the most accomplished. But they are all well worth reading. And for me at least, they offered a brief glimpse of the beauties and holiness of the unseen that was much welcomed in a world where too often darkness does prevail.
September 3, 2010
Chalice of Roses is actually a grouping of four novellas on a single theme, that being the quest for the holy grail. Jo Beverley gives us a traditional medieval romance in "The Raven and Rose." It's quite enjoyable. The talented Mary Jo Putney offers a guardian story set in World War II. In "The White Rose of Scotland," she invokes the 1940's beautifully.
Karen Harbaugh, known for quality Regency, creates a story from a series of letters between the hero and heroine. It's a clever, humorous novelette entitled "The English Rose: Miss Templar and the Holy Grail."
The fourth piece in this book is Barbara Samuel's "Eternal Rose" which is wonderful fantasy lit. The heroine must find the holy grail and also save the enchanted hero from a malevolent fairy queen. It's quite charming and at the same time suspenseful. I recommend this book to fellow romance readers.
Jacqueline Seewald
TEA LEAVES AND TAROT CARDS, paranormal Regency romance
Karen Harbaugh, known for quality Regency, creates a story from a series of letters between the hero and heroine. It's a clever, humorous novelette entitled "The English Rose: Miss Templar and the Holy Grail."
The fourth piece in this book is Barbara Samuel's "Eternal Rose" which is wonderful fantasy lit. The heroine must find the holy grail and also save the enchanted hero from a malevolent fairy queen. It's quite charming and at the same time suspenseful. I recommend this book to fellow romance readers.
Jacqueline Seewald
TEA LEAVES AND TAROT CARDS, paranormal Regency romance
January 15, 2010
Amazon preorder. I adore all four of these authors, and I'm interested in Grail stuff. I only am giving it a four though.
Part of my problem is that all four of these stories felt -- well -- short. I didn't feel that way with the two previous anthologies they've done but I wanted more out of these.
I also am a little uncomfortable with the whole "fated mates" themes, which are certainly convenient in novellas, but which give me a twinge of discomfort. That said, these stories have some really interesting wrinkles and wonderful images and variations and I still recommend it highly. The use of the WW2 era in particular was very nifty.
I also like the use of the Grail myth stories in a way that felt true to what I know about them.
Part of my problem is that all four of these stories felt -- well -- short. I didn't feel that way with the two previous anthologies they've done but I wanted more out of these.
I also am a little uncomfortable with the whole "fated mates" themes, which are certainly convenient in novellas, but which give me a twinge of discomfort. That said, these stories have some really interesting wrinkles and wonderful images and variations and I still recommend it highly. The use of the WW2 era in particular was very nifty.
I also like the use of the Grail myth stories in a way that felt true to what I know about them.
February 6, 2010
All four of these writers are major talents, and I've enjoyed all the anthologies on which they've collaborated. This was no exception. I was fascinated in the different ways the four employed the Grail story. Mary Jo Putney's WW II setting was especially interesting because it's an unusual choice. Chalice of Roses is joining Faery Magic and Dragon Lovers on my keeper shelves.
July 19, 2012
Pleasant summer read. Don't usually read short stories, but I found connections with each story about the adventure of saving the grail. Plus I found the characters likeable, especially in the last two stories.
March 17, 2010
It isn't often that I like all of the stories in an anthology, but this one is exceptional.
October 9, 2011
Here is a book with 4 different authors and I loved every single story (quite rare). That they were all set in England didn't hurt. :)
September 21, 2022
The Raven and the Rose 5 stars
The White Rose of Scotland 4 stars
The English Rose: Miss Templar and the Holy Grail 2,5 stars
Eternal Rose DNF
The White Rose of Scotland 4 stars
The English Rose: Miss Templar and the Holy Grail 2,5 stars
Eternal Rose DNF
August 15, 2024
Some were a bit contrived, some a bit more entertaining. A light read.
January 1, 2025
Just okay.
December 9, 2019
The Raven and the Rose - Enjoyed it. I always like a glimpse of my favorite Henry. I’ll have to check out Jo Beverley’s other works.
The White Rose of Scotland - Not my favorite but I’m not that interested in WWII stories.
The English Rose: Miss Templar and the Holy Grail - This one started out slow but turned out quite good.
Eternal Rose - Enjoyable. For an American, a rucksack is a backpack. A score (for anyone) is 20 years, not 28. I hate it when little errors take me out of the story.
The White Rose of Scotland - Not my favorite but I’m not that interested in WWII stories.
The English Rose: Miss Templar and the Holy Grail - This one started out slow but turned out quite good.
Eternal Rose - Enjoyable. For an American, a rucksack is a backpack. A score (for anyone) is 20 years, not 28. I hate it when little errors take me out of the story.
September 19, 2016
Four historical romance novellas, loosely connected by the theme of the Holy Grail. My favorites were the very funny epistolary Regency romp by Karen Harbaugh and a wonderful version of Tam Lin by Barbara Samuel (how I wish they were still writing).
June 2, 2013
An anthology of 4 stories about the holy grail. There's sex, but not really explicit sex. As an added bonus, 2 stories feature virgin heros (the heroines are virgins too!).
Jo Beverly - 2 stars. Set in medieval times(1153 to be exact). As much as I hate to give a JB story 2 stars,this story was...well, dull. Not up to her usual standard.
Mary Jo Putney - 2 stars.Set in 1941 at the height of WW2. From her guardian series apparently. Not that I've ever read one before, or am likely to read one. Another dull offering.
Karen Harbaugh - 3 stars. A Regency offering, 1806. I would really like to give this story 4 stars. The beginning is deliciously snarky. Unfortunately, the entire story is told from the journal notes of the hero & heroine. If they would cut away from that into the story being told from both POV & not from the journal it would have been a more believable story. I definately don't believe the hero stopped to write in his journal for 6 pages before going after the heroine!
Barbara Samuuel - 4 stars. Now this story is by far the best in the book! In the dragon anthology, BS was the weakest story teller. Here, the strongest. Contemporary (2010), it's a grail story, but the Fey play the biggest role. The ending is also uncertain, which makes it all the more enjoyable.
Jo Beverly - 2 stars. Set in medieval times(1153 to be exact). As much as I hate to give a JB story 2 stars,this story was...well, dull. Not up to her usual standard.
Mary Jo Putney - 2 stars.Set in 1941 at the height of WW2. From her guardian series apparently. Not that I've ever read one before, or am likely to read one. Another dull offering.
Karen Harbaugh - 3 stars. A Regency offering, 1806. I would really like to give this story 4 stars. The beginning is deliciously snarky. Unfortunately, the entire story is told from the journal notes of the hero & heroine. If they would cut away from that into the story being told from both POV & not from the journal it would have been a more believable story. I definately don't believe the hero stopped to write in his journal for 6 pages before going after the heroine!
Barbara Samuuel - 4 stars. Now this story is by far the best in the book! In the dragon anthology, BS was the weakest story teller. Here, the strongest. Contemporary (2010), it's a grail story, but the Fey play the biggest role. The ending is also uncertain, which makes it all the more enjoyable.
March 3, 2015
The Raven and The Rose by Jo Beverly ★★
I liked the premise but it turned out to be way too religious for my tastes. Actually caused me to put this book down for a full week dreading the other three stories which turned out to be not as religious and mostly enjoyable.
White Rose of Scotland by Mary Jo Putney ★★★★
Excellent story with a sweet romance during a dangerous mission to recover the Holy Grail from an evil German sorcerer during WWII.
The English Rose by Karen Harbaugh ★★
I liked the concept of this story but I didn't feel any real connection bewteen Arabella and William. The relationship seemed forced, not a natural progression. But what can you expect from a 100 page story?
Eternal Rose by Barbara Samuel ★★★★
This is a story that could have easily been expanded to full length. I loved poor William and Alice was the perfect heroine, thoroughly caught up in the Ballad of William so when he entered her dreams and later her life, she had no trouble believing in fairies. A sweet love story with an intersting premise.
I liked the premise but it turned out to be way too religious for my tastes. Actually caused me to put this book down for a full week dreading the other three stories which turned out to be not as religious and mostly enjoyable.
White Rose of Scotland by Mary Jo Putney ★★★★
Excellent story with a sweet romance during a dangerous mission to recover the Holy Grail from an evil German sorcerer during WWII.
The English Rose by Karen Harbaugh ★★
I liked the concept of this story but I didn't feel any real connection bewteen Arabella and William. The relationship seemed forced, not a natural progression. But what can you expect from a 100 page story?
Eternal Rose by Barbara Samuel ★★★★
This is a story that could have easily been expanded to full length. I loved poor William and Alice was the perfect heroine, thoroughly caught up in the Ballad of William so when he entered her dreams and later her life, she had no trouble believing in fairies. A sweet love story with an intersting premise.
March 23, 2010
Four different takes on The Holy Grail set in Britain. I picked it up because the basic premise sounded interesting, and I usually enjoy reading the different stories authors create from the same basic premise.
Well, I still think the premise is interesting, but the less said about the execution the betters. I'm especially disappointed in Beverley and Putney since I expected the most from their stories. I found the characters to be flat with way too much plot crammed into the stories. Everything felt rushed in every story, except possibly Harbaugh's.
I do think the characters in Karen Harbaugh's story are the least anachronistic that I've read in quite some time.
Well, I still think the premise is interesting, but the less said about the execution the betters. I'm especially disappointed in Beverley and Putney since I expected the most from their stories. I found the characters to be flat with way too much plot crammed into the stories. Everything felt rushed in every story, except possibly Harbaugh's.
I do think the characters in Karen Harbaugh's story are the least anachronistic that I've read in quite some time.
February 7, 2017
more 2.5
August 27, 2010
I saw this book in the library and I usually don't read short stories, but thought it would be fast reading. I read two of the four. Since I've read books by Jo Beverley and Mary Jo Putney, I was interested in just those authors' stories. It was o.k. Short stories have to move so fast that the ideas seem implausible, but the stories were o.k. for the length and genre that it was.
April 27, 2013
I read the first story only. I had to put it down after I read what kind of language was in part of the story. I was thoroughly apalled when I found out what the two main characters had to do to "summon" the Holy Grail. When I read these stories had the Holy Grail in them I thought it would mean with Christian principles. This story has none. I was sadly mistaken.
January 30, 2011
3 1/2 stars - This team of writers did a nice job. I really liked Putney's story set in Nazi era Scotland and Harbaugh's in Napoleonic era England. I'd read Faery Magic, also by this team, and look forward to picking up Dragon Lovers at some point.
March 2, 2011
Nothing earth-shattering, but pleasant enough. I wasn't quite expecting it to be as...um...racy as it is, particularly with the religious undertones in this version of the Grail myth. None of the four short stories or authors particularly stood out, but they fit well together as a collection.
January 19, 2010
A very nice anthology of stories based on the Holy Grail in different eras. All of the submissions were above par (unlike many anthologies.)
February 13, 2010
All 4 stories are wonderful!
June 30, 2011
did i actually read this book? i cant remember? what was it about?? i think i vaguely remember that it was in fact a quest for the chalice, through different stories...
April 2, 2012
Pleasant tales all involving the Holy Grail. Set in differing time periods.
November 10, 2014
Interesting anthology. I liked it.
August 5, 2015
4 little novelettes. Quick summer read.
Want to read
March 10, 2016OVERALL:
The Raven and The Rose by Jo Beverly
White Rose of Scotland by Mary Jo Putney
The English Rose by Karen Harbaugh
Eternal Rose by Barbara Samuel
The Raven and The Rose by Jo Beverly
White Rose of Scotland by Mary Jo Putney
The English Rose by Karen Harbaugh
Eternal Rose by Barbara Samuel
April 8, 2017
This book had four novella’s all centering around the Holy Grail. I’ve always been intrigued by grail lore and knights. All four novellas were well written and thought provoking. The characters were complex and relatable. In each story, I was pulled in immediately and loved where the story took me. There were some imaginative plot twists and surprising moments in each story. Each novella explored the setting in its story beautifully and vividly. I was transported to that time and place with ease. Since these were novellas, the stories were fast paced and short. I enjoyed it, but I did feel, at the end of two of the novellas, underwhelmed. There needed to be something more in my opinion.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews