Veena’s review of Forbidden Legacy (The Forbidden Series, Book 1) by Diana Cosby
Historical Romance published by Lyrical Press 16 Aug 16
Lady Katherine is an intrepid Scottish noble woman who escapes from the English who’ve put her family to death and captured her castle. She heads to court and demands the King help her with men and arms to re-take her castle. Stephan MacQuistan has come to court to ask the Scottish King for a safe haven to hide Templar treasure. Marriage is not something either one desires, but those are the king’s terms. A marriage made in heaven it definitely wasn’t. The twists and turns and surprises as the story unfolds will keep you enthralled till the very end.
History, it appears, has just repeated itself, because once upon a time it was Lady Katherine’s father who put Stephan’s family to death and captured the castle and Stephan, a child, barely escaped with his life from his home. Burning with vengeance, he has finally found a home with the Knights Templar, which is now threatened by the foul actions of the King of France. Ironically, once again life has entrusted Stephan into his rightful role as Lord of Avalon and his childhood home will provide the safe haven that he needs to safeguard the treasure that is entrusted to him.
Katherine is definitely not happy with her marriage, nor is she content to languish as a lady of the court awaiting Stephan and his men after they’ve successfully routed the English from her castle. As she sets sail with Stephan and his men toward her home, she spends her time on board honing her skills with a sword, determined to play an active role in the recapture of her home. The chemistry between the two is apparent to all except the two of them, who do their utmost to resist anything outside of duty.
Unfortunately, their first attack is foiled and Stephan is taken prisoner. As Katherine works with his men to rescue and then nurse Stephan back to health, they find themselves succumbing to the attraction between them. Strangely it appears that Avalon Castle is no stranger to Templars, because the hidden tunnels under the castle are Templar constructs prepared for the eventuality that the Templars now face. As Stephan pores through the meticulous journals left by Katherine’s father, he finds truths that unravel the very fabric of his life.
The secrets keep on coming as the story plays itself out with a great cast of supporting characters, some of whom will be finding their own stories in the series.
Grade:B
Summary:
A betrothal neither wants . . . a passion neither can resist.
When the English murder Lady Katherine Calbraith’s family, she refuses their demands to wed an English noble to retain her home. Avalon Castle is her birthright, one she’s determined to keep. After Katherine’s daring escape, she’s stunned when Scotland’s king agrees to allow her to return to Avalon, but under the protection of Sir Stephan MacQuistan . . . as the knight’s wife. To reclaim her heritage, Katherine agrees. She accepts her married fate, certain that regardless of the caliber of the man, Stephan may earn her trust, but he’ll never win her love.
One of the Knights Templar, Stephan desires no bride, only vengeance for a family lost and a legacy stolen. A profound twist of fate tears apart the Brotherhood he loves, but offers him an opportunity to reclaim his legacy-Avalon Castle. Except to procure his childhood home along with a place to store Templar treasures, he must wed the unsuspecting daughter of the man who killed his family. To settle old scores, Stephan agrees, aware Katherine is merely a means to an end.
The passion that arises between them is as dangerous as it is unexpected. When mortal enemies find themselves locked in love’s embrace, Stephan and Katherine must reconsider their mission and everything they once thought to be true .
Other books in this series:
Forbidden Knight
Forbidden Vow
