Dear Ruth and Books, Chocolate
and Wine
and Wine
Fascinated by
the Knights Templars, I was thrilled at the opportunity to write The Forbidden
series. After hundreds of years, many
questions remain of where the Templars fled, what treasure they took, and how
were so many valiant knights able to disappear without a trace. In The
Forbidden Series, I weave my character’s journey, where they face challenges,
and in end fall in love, around these questions and more.
the Knights Templars, I was thrilled at the opportunity to write The Forbidden
series. After hundreds of years, many
questions remain of where the Templars fled, what treasure they took, and how
were so many valiant knights able to disappear without a trace. In The
Forbidden Series, I weave my character’s journey, where they face challenges,
and in end fall in love, around these questions and more.
Story ideas
come to me in numerous ways. With
Forbidden Legacy, the first book in The Forbidden Series, the hero, Stephan
MacQuistan, Earl of Dunsmore, woke me up demanding I write his story. I spent the next year and a half researching
the Knights Templars, and continued researching while crafting Forbidden
Legacy.
come to me in numerous ways. With
Forbidden Legacy, the first book in The Forbidden Series, the hero, Stephan
MacQuistan, Earl of Dunsmore, woke me up demanding I write his story. I spent the next year and a half researching
the Knights Templars, and continued researching while crafting Forbidden
Legacy.
With an alpha
hero, I knew my heroine needed to be strong, and Lady Katherine Calbraith, a
fierce, independent woman, was born. I
added tension to the story by forcing her and Stephan into a marriage of
convenience, in a setting of Scotland at war.
hero, I knew my heroine needed to be strong, and Lady Katherine Calbraith, a
fierce, independent woman, was born. I
added tension to the story by forcing her and Stephan into a marriage of
convenience, in a setting of Scotland at war.
As a major
plotter, I enjoyed weaving in the fascinating history of the Templars into my
story along with my speculation as to where their fleet and many of the
Brotherhood could have escaped to prior to the arrests beginning in France on
the 13th of October, 1307. In this
myth-rich topic, the question of where they could have hidden their treasures
still intrigues many today.
plotter, I enjoyed weaving in the fascinating history of the Templars into my
story along with my speculation as to where their fleet and many of the
Brotherhood could have escaped to prior to the arrests beginning in France on
the 13th of October, 1307. In this
myth-rich topic, the question of where they could have hidden their treasures
still intrigues many today.
I hope you
enjoy Stephan and Katherine’s journey where they are forced into a union
neither wants, and throughout their danger-ridden adventure, secure the Templar
treasures from prying eyes, and in the end find love.
enjoy Stephan and Katherine’s journey where they are forced into a union
neither wants, and throughout their danger-ridden adventure, secure the Templar
treasures from prying eyes, and in the end find love.
Sincerely,
Diana Cosby
AGC(AW) USN, Ret.
Romance Edged With Danger
A Knights Templar, Sir Stephan
MacQuistan 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 but a pawn in a dangerous game,
not a woman he will ever love.
MacQuistan 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 but a pawn in a dangerous game,
not a woman he will ever love.
Buy Links: Amazon, Barnes&Noble, BAM, Google
Play, iTunes, Kindle, Kobo, Nook, Kensington Publishing
Corp.
Play, iTunes, Kindle, Kobo, Nook, Kensington Publishing
Corp.
Reviews:
“I was totally swept off
my feet by this tale! Fantastic writing, loved Forbidden Legacy!” — Barb
Batlan-Massabrook, Reviewer
my feet by this tale! Fantastic writing, loved Forbidden Legacy!” — Barb
Batlan-Massabrook, Reviewer
“Forbidden Legacy, the first
book in a powerful series…rich with excitement & rewarding conflicts
woven around the ‘falling in love!’” – Cindy Nord, Best-Selling Author, IN,
USA
book in a powerful series…rich with excitement & rewarding conflicts
woven around the ‘falling in love!’” – Cindy Nord, Best-Selling Author, IN,
USA
“I loved loved loved Stephan
& Katherine’s story! Brilliant writing!!! — Barb Batlan-Massabrook,
Reviewer
& Katherine’s story! Brilliant writing!!! — Barb Batlan-Massabrook,
Reviewer
Forbidden Legacy — A total
masterpiece! — Barb Batlan-Massabrook, Reviewer
masterpiece! — Barb Batlan-Massabrook, Reviewer
Excerpt:
After a deep
breath, Stephan stepped across the threshold.
He paused, unsure if he was more stunned to discover the king nae alone,
or to find a beautiful woman with hair gold as the desert sand standing rigid
at his side. Confused by her presence,
more so by her unyielding stance, he closed the door.
breath, Stephan stepped across the threshold.
He paused, unsure if he was more stunned to discover the king nae alone,
or to find a beautiful woman with hair gold as the desert sand standing rigid
at his side. Confused by her presence,
more so by her unyielding stance, he closed the door.
At the soft
thud, the lass turned. Her eyes riveted
on him, flared with anger.
thud, the lass turned. Her eyes riveted
on him, flared with anger.
Far from
intimidated, Stephan held her cool gaze.
His arrival displeased her. Whatever
caused her upset wasna his affair. He
had enough problems without adding hers.
intimidated, Stephan held her cool gaze.
His arrival displeased her. Whatever
caused her upset wasna his affair. He
had enough problems without adding hers.
Paces from the
throne, Stephan halted, and then bowed.
“Your Grace.”
throne, Stephan halted, and then bowed.
“Your Grace.”
“Sir Stephan.”
King Robert Bruce nodded toward the woman. “May I introduce my goddaughter, Lady
Katherine Calbraith.”
King Robert Bruce nodded toward the woman. “May I introduce my goddaughter, Lady
Katherine Calbraith.”
“My Lady,” Stephan said, smothering the wash
of irritation her surname wrought. ‘Twas
coincidence her family name matched that of a man he loathed.
of irritation her surname wrought. ‘Twas
coincidence her family name matched that of a man he loathed.
“Lady Katherine,” Robert Bruce said, “may I
introduce, Sir Stephan.”
introduce, Sir Stephan.”
Sapphire blue
eyes narrowed on him, and she gave a slight nod. “Sir Stephan.”
eyes narrowed on him, and she gave a slight nod. “Sir Stephan.”
Her cool tone
prodded Stephan. Between his
participation in the crusades and years in service to the Grand Master in
France, never had he and this woman met.
Yet, the lass acted as if through sheer resolve she tolerated his
presence.
prodded Stephan. Between his
participation in the crusades and years in service to the Grand Master in
France, never had he and this woman met.
Yet, the lass acted as if through sheer resolve she tolerated his
presence.
“’Twould indeed seem a fortuitous day,” the
king said into the thick silence, “as each of your requests to me will be
fulfilled by the other.”
king said into the thick silence, “as each of your requests to me will be
fulfilled by the other.”
Fulfilled by
the other? God’s blade! “Your Grace, Lady Katherine is nae what I
seek.” A fact the king bloody knew!
the other? God’s blade! “Your Grace, Lady Katherine is nae what I
seek.” A fact the king bloody knew!
“Nor I a knight, Your Grace,” she said, ice
carving her words.
carving her words.
A slight smile
touched the sovereign’s mouth. “Your
petitions have been made, entreaties I shall grant.” His hard gaze shifted to the woman. “Sir Stephan is a man of the highest caliber,
a knight who has proven himself many times over on the battlefield, and warrior
who will lead his knights to reclaim your home.”
touched the sovereign’s mouth. “Your
petitions have been made, entreaties I shall grant.” His hard gaze shifted to the woman. “Sir Stephan is a man of the highest caliber,
a knight who has proven himself many times over on the battlefield, and warrior
who will lead his knights to reclaim your home.”
Her face
paled. “But—”
paled. “But—”
“Nay,” the king interrupted. “Earlier this day you agreed to my
terms. Now, you will abide by them.”
terms. Now, you will abide by them.”
Her fingers
clenched the elegant folds of her travel-worn gown. “Aye,” Your Grace.”
clenched the elegant folds of her travel-worn gown. “Aye,” Your Grace.”
Robert Bruce’s
gaze leveled on him. “And you seek a
stronghold, one that I will bestow upon you with your marriage to Lady
Katherine.”
gaze leveled on him. “And you seek a
stronghold, one that I will bestow upon you with your marriage to Lady
Katherine.”
About the Author
A retired Navy Chief, Diana
Cosby is an international bestselling author of Scottish medieval romantic
suspense. Books in her award-winning
MacGruder Brothers series are translated in five languages. Diana has spoken at the Library of Congress,
Lady Jane’s Salon in NYC, and appeared in Woman’s Day, on USA Today’s romance
blog, “Happy Ever After,” MSN.com, Atlantic County Women Magazine, and Texoma
Living Magazine.
Cosby is an international bestselling author of Scottish medieval romantic
suspense. Books in her award-winning
MacGruder Brothers series are translated in five languages. Diana has spoken at the Library of Congress,
Lady Jane’s Salon in NYC, and appeared in Woman’s Day, on USA Today’s romance
blog, “Happy Ever After,” MSN.com, Atlantic County Women Magazine, and Texoma
Living Magazine.
After her career in the Navy,
Diana dove into her passion – writing romance novels. With 34 moves behind her,
she was anxious to create characters who reflected the amazing cultures and
people she’s met throughout the world.
With the release of the third book in The Oath Trilogy and the e Box Set
of the MacGruder Brothers series, she is now preparing for the release of the
first book in The Forbidden Series, Forbidden Legacy, on 16 August 2016!
Diana dove into her passion – writing romance novels. With 34 moves behind her,
she was anxious to create characters who reflected the amazing cultures and
people she’s met throughout the world.
With the release of the third book in The Oath Trilogy and the e Box Set
of the MacGruder Brothers series, she is now preparing for the release of the
first book in The Forbidden Series, Forbidden Legacy, on 16 August 2016!
Diana looks forward to the
years of writing ahead and meeting the amazing people who will share this
journey.
years of writing ahead and meeting the amazing people who will share this
journey.
Social
Media Links:
Media Links:
Love a man in a kilt! A good Templar's story intrigues me and this looks tempting. Now off to check out Diana's books.
Hi Sandy,
Thank you so much for stopping by the Books, Chocolate and Wine blog. I agree, there's something amazing about a man in a kilt. 🙂
The Knights Templar's history is fascinating, and writing Forbidden Legacy was an amazing journey. Thank you for checking out my books. I hope you have a terrific weekend!
Sincerely,
Diana Cosby, AGC(AW), USN, Ret.
Ruth,
My sincere thanks for inviting me on the Books, Chocolate, and Wine blog. For years I've been fascinated by the Knights Templars, and writing Forbidden Legacy, book #1 of The Forbidden Series, was an incredible experience. In addition to crafting an action packed Scottish medieval romantic suspense, my goal was to honor the Knights Templar who were betrayed by a ruthless king.
Take care, and I hope you have a terrific weekend, and I wish you the best!
Sincerely,
Diana Cosby, AGC(AW), USN, Ret.
My pleasure, Diana. I love your stories.