Believe by Victoria Alexander is a Timeswept Romance that is part of the Heartspell series.

Tessa St. James is a teacher who specialises in the myths and legends of ancient worlds. Her least favourite time period is that of King Arthur, a character from children's bedtime stories.

Counting the days until her holiday to Greece Tessa is surprised to receive a book from her mother about Merlin, the magician in the Court of King Arthur.  But it is not until the book changes that she realises how authentic it actually is.

At the whim of Merlin himself Tessa finds herself within the Camelot of the book and under the protection of Sir Galahad.

Her knowledge of history is of little use to her however, for she soon discovers that Merlin has used his magic to cloak the history of Camelot and alter the way that people remember it through the ages.  There are some startling differences as she soon discovers, including exactly why the round table was round.  But as she discovers, as the centuries passed Merlin changed his mind about the way things happened and using his magical powers transported Tessa into the past to alter history by helping Galahad find the Grail.

What Merlin does not tell Tessa however is that she is part of a bet between himself and his partner Viviane.  Viviane and Merlin have muddled through together through the centuries until Viviane had finally found the time that she loves, the 1990's.  Merlin however always loved the past, and his days of glory in Arthur's Court.  The players are set and the stakes are high as Merlin and Viviane play with the lives of mortals in the hope of living in their chosen century.

If Tessa succeeds in her quest Merlin and Viviane are to remain in Camelot.  If she fails the meddling duo are destined to reside in the 20th century.  And Viviane will do anything to win the bet for she hates the Middle Ages as much as she loved Monte Carlo.

Once the quest begins Tessa and Galahad are on their own.  There is no help from Merlin and only hinderance from Viviane.  And on their journey Tessa discovers that there are other inconsistancies between the legend and the reality.  Not least of which is that Galahad is not the "Virgin Knight" she read about but an expert lover who could easily persuade her to remain at his side forever.

Galahad had returned to Camelot, a widower of ten years, and finally ready to request permission to search for the Holy Grail for King Arthur.  He is delighted when permission is granted but is shocked to find that Merlin has instructed that only when Tessa accompanies him can he succeed.  But orders are orders and Galahad takes along the mysterious woman with her quick tongue and sharp wit.

This is a wonderful book.  The best dialogue is definitely that between Tessa, Merlin and Galahad.  Tessa's sharp tongue provides much of the humour in this book as she refuses to become a pawn in the games of Merlin.  But Merlin holds his own with some great comebacks.  And while Tessa's wit is sometimes lost on Galahad he is a fast learner and is soon responding to her sarcasm.

A little predictable at the end and I find it difficult to believe that someone who has seen Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade could fail to see the ending to the plot immediately.

Other than that little quibble I found this book a greatly enjoyable read with a dramatic climax suitable to the legendary setting.

RATING : 

(if you need an explanation of the hearts ratings see my homepage)

Also by Victoria Alexander:  The Princess and the Pea; The Perfect Wife; The Emperor's New Clothes; Play it Again, Sam and Yesterday and Forever.

Victoria Alexander has also written 3 novellas for anthologies - Promises to Keep; Shakespeare and the Three Kings and One Magic Moment (October 98)

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