Tag: #Forbidden

The Forbidden Realm by Diana Cosby

On By TracyIn Medieval (1066-1540), Middle Ages / Medieval (476-1454), Tracy's ReviewsLeave a comment

Forbidden Realm (Forbidden, #5)Forbidden Realm by Diana Cosby

Tracy’s rating: 4 of 5 stars

Series: Forbidden #5

Release Date: April 14, 2020

When Sir Ronan O’Connor and Lady Lathir McConaghy meet for the first time – it is certainly not love at first sight. Ronan mistakes her for the wife of his former Knight Templar brethren, Stephan, Earl of Dunsmore, but soon learns that Lathir is nothing like Katherine. Lathir takes him down and proves that she is more than capable of protecting herself.

Ronan is in Scotland to meet King Robert and has been tasked with returning to Ireland with Lathir’s father, Lord Sionn and returning with weapons for the Scots king. They are not thrilled to learn that they will be traveling together – but when the ship is attacked and Lord Sionn is abducted – they will work together to first survive and then save her father.

Neither is looking for love, Ronan believes a family is not for him, raised by an abusive man when he was orphaned, he ran away and never planned to return to Ireland and when Lathir lost her betrothed two years ago, she never expected to find another man that captured her interest. But circumstances force them to rely on each other and they form a friendship that leads to the love of a lifetime.

This was a well written, fast-paced story with strong lead characters, secrets, heartache, sea battles, abductions, surprises, sacrifices, mild love scenes, a heartwarming secondary romance and a HEA that seemed impossible until it wasn’t. This is the fifth book in the Forbidden series, but it could easily be read as a standalone title. While not as steamy as I usually like, I enjoyed the story and happily recommend to medieval fans.

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that was provided to me by NetGalley and the publisher.*

Forbidden Alliance by Diana Cosby

On By TracyIn Middle Ages / Medieval (476-1454), Scottish/Highlander, Tracy's ReviewsLeave a comment

Forbidden Alliance (Forbidden, #4)Forbidden Alliance by Diana Cosby
Tracy’s rating: 3/3.5 of 5 stars

Series: Forbidden #4

Release Date: August 6, 2019

Elspet McReynolds’ life has drastically changed since Gaufrid MacHugh, the Earl of Dalkirk executed her mother and stepfather, seized her stepbrother, Blar, tried to rape her and torched her home. Desperate to save Blar, Elspet turns to friends for her, but is betrayed. When a guard at the castle offers to help her for coin, she turns to theft, but instead of getting what she needs, she ends up needing to be rescued.

Sir Cailin MacHugh is ready to claim his inheritance – a legacy that was stolen from him by his uncle, the man who claims Cailin is dead and has assumed the title of Earl of Dalkirk. He has King Robert’s blessing to reclaim his title and his home, Tiran Castle. But on the way to meet with one of the king’s trusted men, Sir Angus McReynold, he is sidetracked by a woman’s scream and finds Elspet being attacked. He saves her and insists on tending her injury and getting her shelter for the night. Elspet uses his kindness against him, drugging him and stealing his sword.

She finds a merchant known for buying stolen goods and haggles with him, but she overhears him telling his assistant that the sword is proof that Cailin is the rightful Earl of Dalkirk and that the merchant intends to turn him over to Gaufrid – she thinks that he may be able to help her save Blar – she takes the sword and goes looking for him.

The tale that follows is filled with action, betrayal, twists, turns, kisses, evil villains, surprise revelations, life and death moments and of course a HEA. I thought the story was alright, it did drag in places, there were a lot of inconsistencies and I personally found the end to be somewhat anticlimactic and I struggle with these heroes who have been with the Templars since they were children and taken vows as Templars – yet are so sexually experienced – but that is just me  This is the fourth book in the series, but it can definitely be read as a standalone with no issues.

*I am voluntarily leaving a review of an eARC that was provided to me by NetGalley and the publisher.*