Forbidden Realm

What happened to the Templar Knights when they were disbanded? Find out in this riveting read from Author Diana Cosby. She once again engages us 'Highlanders' in her Forbidden Series with FORBIDDEN REALM, book 5. I’ve always enjoyed the setting that Diana Cosby writes her love stories. She brings out a bit of history not all historians agree upon in this series. The Templar Knights were of pure character coming from all walks of life. The order in France came under attack by France’s King Philip IV and were accused of heresy and were arrested. The few who were able to escape scattered, mostly to Scotland or Portugal. The Templar Knights were no more and many men were left to flounder without their anchor, taking up another life. I’m sure the Templars remained true to their natures and continued to help when fairness and justice needed their aid. Notable Quote: Naught about life was safe, there were no assurances, and ‘twas those who took the risks who carved their own destinies. Cosby takes us into the lives of fictitious Templar Knights who made their way to Scotland after King Philip IV accused them of heresy. I always believe a good writer whose setting is of historical value will spur the reader to pursue their history education of that period to further learn about its impact on people’s lives. Cosby has certainly done that for me. She weaves stories about characters in believable circumstances based on a historical setting. Her characters are richly textured, conflicted internally, and fully dimensionalized. They grapple with questions most of us readers do from time to time. What is the right thing to do for others? Am I good enough to pursue this relationship? What is more important, my happiness or another’s? Should duty to country trump duty to my own or to me? I enjoy the pacing of her stories, along with the eloquence of many descriptive parts of the book. Note the following sentences: "Rónán inhaled the tang of salt-rich air as he looked westward. Across the calming sea, the tip of the sun glowed on the cloud-smeared horizon, the sky a blur of angry purples entangled with a mixture of orange and red." "The soft slap of waves against the thin layer of ice upon the hull played in eerie harmony to the ghostly cries of distant gulls." I have read the whole series. It is excellent entertainment completely enjoyable. If you haven’t started reading Diana Cosby, you’ll find she has written two other series, equally enjoyable. MacGruder Brothers and The Oath Trilogy.