Biblical scholar Shulamit Shepher returns from England to her grandparents' house in Jerusalem and gets caught up in a battle between family members and a stranger named Gideon over a treasure found in the attic--an early manuscript of the five books of Moses.
Surveys the history, places of worship, legends, traditions, art and architecture of the great city, in which Christians, Jews, and Muslims live side by side.
After mastering the power of the Board of Air, Jenna Solitaire travels to Jerusalem to find the Board of Water, accompanied by Simon Monk, who is seeking the Boards on behalf of the Vatican, and even though Jenna doesn't trust Simon, she is forced to rely on him to find the Board before it can cause unimaginable destruction.
Princess Melisende of Outremer, the crusader kingdom of Jerusalem, is forced to marry Count Fulk of France who will become king in her place after her father's death. A strong woman, Melisende does not submit to Fulk for long. Assisted by her life-long companions Lady Richildis and Sir Bertrand Melisende rules the exotic land of Outremer.
Examines the history of the Crusades, launched by Christians in an attempt to wrest control of Jerusalem from the Muslims, and discusses the role of Muslim military leader Saladin in reclaiming the city.
Explores life in eleventh-century Jerusalem for the ruling Muslims, as well as "The Peoples of the Book," Christians and Jews, who came as pilgrims or lived there.