“Diana Cosby is superbly talented.” —Cathy Maxwell, New York Times bestselling author Bound by revenge, a woman turned outlaw and a knight sworn to reclaim his birthright band together to vanquish an enemy of Scotland … Castle, where she resorts to thievery to survive and save her sole remaining kin. There she finds an unexpected protector and ally in Sir Cailin MacHugh, rightful heir to the earldom of Dalkirk—a noble rumored to have perished at sea . . .
Sir Cailin owes his life to the Brotherhood for saving him from a murderous plot. But what is the Knight Templar to do about the fearless, sword-wielding beauty who has enlisted his aid–and awakened his desire? In the face of devastating betrayals and traitorous enemies closing in, can Cailin and Elspet dare claim a love that makes no promises—for a future they may not live to see?
Praise for the novels of Diana Cosby
“Cosby gives you it all—passion, danger, lush history and a touch of magic. Excellent reading.”
—Hannah Howell, New York Times bestselling author
“A sexy new voice in historical romance. Scottish historicals have a bright new star.”
—Sandra Hill, USA Today bestselling author
“Diana Cosby writes wonderful historical romance!”
—Susan King
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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.*
** 3.5 Stars **
Series: Forbidden #4
Publication Date: 8/6/19
Number of Pages: 214
This book was certainly exciting and action-packed. While it is part of a series, you don’t need to have read the other books in order to enjoy this one. It was a good story, but I almost quit reading it before the half-way point because the heroine was so very, very annoying. She was one of the most TSTL, selfish, self-centered, reckless, inconsiderate and foolhardy characters I’ve ever read. I honestly couldn’t understand why anyone, especially our hero, would come to love her. Luckily, there were fewer situations that allowed her to show her TSTL side after the 40% mark or so. She hadn’t changed – just didn’t have the opportunity to show that side of herself.
Elspet McReynolds led a happy life filled with love – until she didn’t. She adored her mother, step-father and step-brother then the unthinkable happened – their Laird, the Earl of Dalkirk, had his knights attack and burn her home, hang her parents, and capture her and her step-brother. He had planned to use her as his mistress, but she managed to escape from Tiran Castle – and now she has to save her beloved step-brother from the dungeon – if he hasn’t already been killed.
It is freezing cold and Elspet is on foot with no money and no resources. She had been to friends she thought would help her, but they were going to turn her over to the Earl. Now, she is even more desperate to save her step-brother – he must be suffering terribly. When she sees two travelers, she decides to steal their coin so she can bribe one of the castle guards to free her brother. Except those travelers discover her and give chase and are about to ravish her when – out of the snow comes a hero to rescue her.
Sir Cailin MacHugh is traveling in stealth. His father was the former Earl of Dalkirk and Cailin is the rightful heir. Both his father and mother were murdered by his evil uncle who also arranged for Cailin’s murder. Luckily, Cailin escaped that fate and soon joined the Knights Templar. Now, after the secret dissolution of the Knights Templar, he has returned to claim his birthright – with the support of Robert the Bruce, King of Scotland.
As Cailin is riding through a nasty winter storm, he hears a scream – then another – and rides to the rescue. He takes the woman, now injured, to the inn in which he is staying so that he can assess her injuries and determine how best to help her. So, imagine his shock and dismay when he awakens from a drugged sleep to find his sword missing – along with the young woman. Furious, he sets out to find the woman and his sword that is the proof of his identity.
Thus began an exciting story filled with betrayal, alliances, friendships – and a matchmaking king.
My rating for this book is 3.5 stars and it could have easily been 4.5 were it not for the TSTL heroine. I guess the thing that disappoints me most is that the author has a military background and should surely know what constitutes a smart, cunning, savvy heroine – and it certainly isn’t acting the way this one did.
I think you’ll enjoy this book if you can get past the heroine in the first 40% of the book.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
A Templar Knight returns to Scotland to take back his home from his evil uncle.
He carries his father’s broadsword to backup his identity. When a young lady drugs him and steals it, what else can he do, but get it back.
This book has a horrible, vile villain, a young lady needing a Knight, whether she wants him or not and a Templar Knight seeking justice and revenge. Mix in romance and the politics surrounding King Robert and you can spend the day and/or night reading as if you’re in Scotland.
Take a Scottish knight, a stubborn and willful lass, an evil uncle, heartbreak, battles, twists and turns, betrayals and loyalty and add a whole lot of steamy passion and you’ve got a story that grabs your attention from start to finish!
I must say I thoroughly enjoyed Cailin and Elspet’s story! So much action throughout and a few surprises thrown in for good measure. I thought it was well written and I now look forward to reading more books by this author.
I was given an ARC of this book via NetGallely and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
I have to apologize not only did I not know that this was part of a series and I was so lost I was bored so could not continue, so I dont know if it had to do with the fact that I didn’t know really know that story line, but I couldn’t have cared less about these people.
Rcvd and ARC at no cost to author..(netgalley) Voluntarily reviewed with my own thoughts and opinions
The Forbidden series has some common themes. The heroes are Templar Knights with no intentions of giving up their vows to find love and a wife. They are devoted to Scotland and it’s king, Robert the Bruce. The heroines are strong, stubborn, independent women, who also have no intentions of marrying. Unlike the first three series books, the king did not have an active role as matchmaker in this book four. Sir Cailin MacHugh ( introduced in previous books) is the legitimate Earl of Dalkirk. When he was a youth his uncle murdered Cailin’s parents and sought to kill him as well by selling him to a ship’s captain who was to cause his death. Fortunately for Cailin that led to his becoming a member of the Templar Knights. Elspet McReynolds has witnessed the murders of her stepfather and mother and the capture of her stepfather by Cailin’s uncle. When the two meet, Elspet is desperate to save her stepbrother. Although Fall in saved her, she repays him by stealing his sword to sell. The adventure starts them, bringing them close together in obtaining their goals. This is a wonderful read, full of danger, intrigue, and one setback after another keeping them from reaching what they want. I thought the previous book was my favorite, but this series just gets better and better. I was so happy to see an excerpt from the next book featuring Ronan O’Connor. Looking forward to reading it.
Elspet and Cailin, the main couple, join forces then eventually their hearts and lives as they fight to bring down a mutually hated villain who has taken everything from them. Elspet’s feistiness and determination certainly came in handy at times though on a few occasions caused her to leap before she looked. Cailin seems to always be the calm in the storm/noble voice of reason but has some knucklehead moments of his own, especially in regards to his duty and his attraction towards Elspet.
Fans who like references to Scottish history will appreciate the attention to detail in that area. If you are not one of them, no worries. It is not overly bogged down with it, folks. Just a couple detailed conversations among characters who are wrapped up in the ongoing fighting and politics of the time.
Overall, I enjoyed this addition to the series. The writing flows and stays on the formal side, with not a lot of brogue intermixed. Ronan gets his HEA next in Forbidden Realm. There is a couple teaser chapters at the very end here to give you a brief introduction to his soon to be leading lady love.
Title: Forbidden Alliance, Series: The Forbidden (Book 4), Author: Diana Cosby, Pages: 215, stand-alone but part of a series, good guy hero, feisty/sassy heroine, a few steamy scenes near the end, romance safe, fighting against the same bad guy, reference to previous rape attempt.
Book 1 – Forbidden Legacy
Book 2 – Forbidden Knight
Book 3 – Forbidden Vow
Book 4 – Forbidden Alliance
Book 5 – Forbidden Realm (not yet released)
(I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own. I was not given any payment or compensation for this review, nor is there any affiliation or relationship between this reviewer and the author/publisher/NetGalley.)
Forbidden Alliance by Diana Cosby is book 4 in the Forbidden Series. This is the story of Elspet McReynolds and Cailin MacHugh. I have read the previous books but feel you can make this a standalone book if you wish to do so.
Elspet mother and step-father where killed when they were accused of things they didn’t do, her step-brother placed in the dungeon all because of the Earl of Dalkirk. Now she is on the run but still working to save her step-brother. When she meets Cailin who helped her but she due to her issues steals from him but then moves forward to try and work with him. Cailin parents where killed by accident he first thought and his Uncle sent him off to help with his education but he soon learned that his Uncle had hired someone to kill him too. But they sold him to pirates where he stayed until the Knights Templar came and helped him. Cailin now is loyal to them and has stood by them until they were attacked. Cailin was instructed to return to claim back his rightful seat as the Earl of Dalkirk which leads him to meet Elspect when he is trying to learn about what is going on there to take it back.
But these two start having more feelings than they can ignore.
Exciting story for me.
This immediately reminded me of the tv show Outlander. The Scottish highlander with red hair, seeking his birthright. The strong, independent woman on her own. Ok, minus the time travel. But still, I knew who my imagination was conjuring up for the hero!
This was definitely a must read. It has everything you’re looking for: hero, heroine, evil uncle, heartbreak, betrayal, even a happy ending!
I’m excited for more from this series!!! 5 stars!
Scotland 1308 Knight Templar, Sir Callen was determined to oust her vile uncle posing as the Laird, the Earl of Dalkirk, and take back his home. His uncle had killed his father and mother and tried to have him killed. But fortunately he had survived and joined the Templars who really had saved him. Now he wants what is rightfully his and justice done.
Elspet McReynolds had watched her stepmother and father murdered by the hands of their Laird, the Earl of Dalkirk. Burning her house and taking her stepbrother, he almost ravished her but she was lucky to escape. Desperate to get her brother out of his clutches, she ends up robbing a man who helped her of his broadsword and tried to sell it for coin.
Wow, this was a great story tht held me from the beginning. Murder, betrayals, angst and a journey to a happy ever had a few twists and turns.
I highly recommend this exciting tale and cannot wait for more in this series! I read this through NetGallery and the publisher!!
This is a story of two evenly matched people, both fighting for what they believe is right when destiny decides their paths to cross.
Elspet seeks to free her brother from the Earl of Dalkirk. The earl is a wicked man and will not stop to get all he wants, yes, even his earldom. Elspet lost her mother and father by his hands. Desperate and naïve she trusts a guard of Tiran Castle to help her free her brother. Her problem? She hasn’t coin to pay him. She turns thief.
Elspet doesn’t have luck stealing. Her first forage ends very close to rape. Her second she pulls off, but has a change of heart. That change of heart changes her life.
Sir Cailin, still very much a Templar Knight, even after the knighthood was dissovled, seeks his birthright, to regain his claim as the Earl of Dalkirk. His uncle has taken the title after killing Cailin’s mother and father and got rid of Cailin.
He meets a fiery lassie with an agenda of her own. His Templar instincts kick in — to protect her when he finds her fending off some men. Elspet doesn’t need to be protected as much as he thinks. She’s quite the warrior. Keeping her out of his bed, however, becomes increasingly difficult as they work together, she to achieve her goal to save her brother and he to regain Tiernan castle.
Author Diana Cosby wields her pen as deftly as Sir Cailin does his sword. She interlaces a historical setting of danger with tender, blossoming love. Her characters and their challenges drive the power of the telling. Scenes of love making don’t get in the way of the story, rather they contribute to the understanding that flows between Sir Cailin and Elspet. Cosby’s choice of words describing the feelings between the two was poetic.
I loved the read with its fast-paced and meaningful dialogue, its boldly descriptive scenes, and its characters, each with difficult and very believable inner conflicts, pulling at my heart strings.
This was an entertaining book. Elspet McReynolds’ family is killed and she goes into hiding. She encounters Sir Cailin MacHugh, who protects her. They agree to become allies and fight their mutual enemies together. Their feelings for each other grow stronger the more time they spend together. The writing style was off-putting to me and I found the heroine to be more heedless and reckless than brave and courageous.
Determined to reclaim his birthright from his conniving, murderous uncle, Sir Cailin MacHugh has returned to his ancestral home to fight for the Earldom of Dalkirk. After his uncle ordered his death at sea, Cailin was saved by, and subsequently joined, the Knights Templar. Now with their support and that of King Robert the Bruce, Cailin can defeat his uncle once and for all. What he doesn’t count on is the beautiful girl who has also demanded his help.
Elspet McReynolds has seen her parents murdered, her home burned, and her stepbrother imprisoned. When she tries to rob the wrong man in an attempt to gain coin to save her stepbrother, she finds an unconventional protector.
But as Elspet and Cailin are betrayed at every turn, it seems likely they won’t even survive, much less be together. Even if they were to succeed, Cailin must still return to fight for Robert the Bruce, leaving them in a dismal situation indeed.
I didn’t care for Elspet much at first, but she grew on me eventually. I loved Cailin and his struggles with his sense of honor and the unfamiliar feelings he develops for Elspet. This one was full of danger and betrayal, plus some great romance, and I enjoyed it.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
3.5 Stars
After her family is slain and her home seized, Elspet McReynolds flees into the forests surrounding Tiran Castle, where she resorts to thievery to survive and save her sole remaining kin. There she finds an unexpected protector and ally in Sir Cailin MacHugh, rightful heir to the earldom of Dalkirk.
Sir Cailin owes his life to the Brotherhood for saving him from a murderous plot.
This is the first book I’ve read by the author & it won’t be the last, I do need to go & read the earlier books in the series as it took me some time to get into this book & there were questions I had that I felt I would have known the answers to if I’d read the earlier books. I found it to be well written with strong characters of depth. The pace varied throughout the book & I must admit I did skip through some of the slower pages.
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read