Hollywood executive Robyn Stafford is back to her old time-traveling tricks in this rollicking sequel to Knight Errant. In the earlier volume, Montana-born Robyn slipped back through the centuries while traveling the English countryside and found herself in 1459, where the plucky former Miss Rodeo Montana remade herself as Lady Robyn Stafford of Holy Wood and became a social success. Here, she continues to be wooed by the handsome knight Edward ("Edward could be ridiculously chivalrous, especially toward women"), who is the son of Richard, duke of York. Richard is itching to replace his dotty uncle, King Henry VI. If he assumes the throne, Edward would be in direct line for succession. But Robyn has no desire to be Edward's queen if it means that their children's lives would be ruled by political imperatives, and she opposes Richard's bid for the throne. She becomes a minor player in the royals' games and must decide if marriage to her beloved is worth the headaches. Wielding such 20th-century devices as spandex underwear, instant coffee crystals and a working knowledge of Shakespeare's history plays, Robyn is a charming and resourceful heroine; Garcia y Robertson deftly plays up the contrast between Robyn's 20th-century sensibilities and the medieval surroundings for comic effect. The well-researched and well-told tale will more than satisfy historical romance fans. (Feb.)
