Books, Chocolate and Wine: A Letter from Diana Cosby

Dear Ruth and Books, Chocolate 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.

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. 

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.

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.

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.

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. 

Buy Links:  Amazon,  Barnes&Noble,  BAM,  Google 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

“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  

“I loved loved loved Stephan & Katherine's story! Brilliant writing!!! — Barb Batlan-Massabrook, Reviewer

Forbidden Legacy — A total 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.

At the soft 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.

Paces from the 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.”

 “My Lady,” Stephan said, smothering the wash 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.”

Sapphire blue 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.

 “’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.”

Fulfilled by 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.

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.”

Her face paled.  “But—”

 “Nay,” the king interrupted.  “Earlier this day you agreed to my terms.  Now, you will abide by them.”

Her fingers 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.”

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.

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 looks forward to the years of writing ahead and meeting the amazing people who will share this journey.

www.dianacosby.com

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