UPDATE: The winner is…Michelle Willms!
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©Diana Cosby 2020

While attending a writing retreat several years ago, Sir Stephan MacQuistan woke me up, told me that he was a Knights Templar, and demanded that I write his story. Stephan’s story turned out to be, Forbidden Legacy, where he meets the heroine, Katherine, and became the first of five books in The Forbidden Series.

I’ve loved writing each story in The Forbidden Series, the inspiration for each as unique as the characters. In Forbidden Knight, I had the vision of the heroine, Alesone, shooting an arrow a breath’s width before the hero, Sir Thomas, into a tree. The idea made me smile as I knew it’d take a strong heroine to do such an outrageous act, one that’d outrage the hero with her daring, but also leaving him, however much he wished otherwise, to admire her daring. At that moment, I knew I’d found the perfect inciting incident to brainstorm the remainder of the story.

The inspiration from Forbidden Vow came when after I gave a key note speech in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. As we were sitting around the dinner table, the wonderful couple I stayed with told me about how early in the 1900s, women would write to sailors. If the service member had a girlfriend or pen pal, he’d pass the letter to a sailor without either. I found that bit of information interesting, and then thought, what my hero comes across his friend who is mortally wounded, who is now, unknown to his former friend, an enemy, who is carrying a missive to a noble that he’s the man’s daughter’s betrothed. The hero realizes the man’s intended is Lady Gwendolyn, whose castle the hero is trying to infiltrate for information for King Robert Bruce in preparation for an upcoming attack. When his former friend dies, Sir Cailin takes the missive and pretends to be her betrothed with the intent that once he’s gained the necessary information about the stronghold, he will leave. The moment the idea came to mind, I knew it was the perfect base to begin brainstorming for Forbidden Vow.

I’m always trying to think of unique ways for the hero and heroine to meet. A thought came to mind while I was out walking, “What if the heroine, Elspet, robs the hero, Sir Cailin, then due to circumstance, is forced to return to the hero and convince him to help her in her goal?” And, the idea for Forbidden Alliance was born.

I loved writing The Forbidden Series. Each story means so much to me, so when it came time to write the last book, I wanted to ensure it was very special, more so as it’s dedicated to my amazing daughter. I had a lot to achieve in Forbidden Realm, I needed to find a storyline worthy of the series, plus create a strong heroine for Rónán. Hence, Lathir’s character was born. I was blessed in that Lathir came to me a complete character, intelligent, passionate, and determined. The perfect match for Rónán. So, I devised a plot where they faced numerous and at times seemingly impossible odds, but in the end, not only allowed them a happily ever after, but a complex story laden with surprises, that I sincerely hope readers enjoy.

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 have been translated into 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. After the release of the bestselling MacGruder Brothers series, The Oath Trilogy, and the first four books of The Forbidden Series, she’s thrilled with the release of book #5, Forbidden Realm.

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

Contest

***ONE winner will be drawn from everyone who posts on my guest blog post about, ‘Forbidden Realm, The Story, The Series Inspiration,’ on Delilah’s blog between 15 April 2020 – 26 April 2020. The winner will receive a mug and tote.

Diana Cosby, International Best-Selling Author
www.dianacosby.com
The Oath Trilogy
MacGruder Brother Series
Forbidden Series: Forbidden Legacy/Forbidden Knight/Forbidden Vow/Forbidden Alliance/Forbidden Realm