I received an advanced copy of this book from the publisher through netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This book is well written and the characters are described well. This is the 6th book in this series. I would recommend reading the first book to get to know the characters better. This is a historical romance series, set in Scotland. I enjoyed this authors writing style. I enjoyed Galeren and Silene's characters. This ebook is in stores for $2.99 (USD).

Thanks to the publishers, Netgalley and the author for an Advance Reader Copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This is the 6th book in the Hearts of Highlands series but the first I have read. When I read the synopsis I knew this was going to be good. A young novice (training to be a nun) is escorted to her uncle by a young warrior who has sworn a vow of chastity. Fighting a powerful attraction they arrive at her uncle’s house only to find that she is to be used as a political pawn for his advancement,

While they both struggle with their emotions they must figure out how to proceed - would it be best to ignore their growing feelings or fight for each other?

This story was much more romantic than I was expecting - I thought there would be mire sexual tension but the emphasis was on the deep abiding love of the two main characters. I really enjoyed that aspect and look forward to more from this author.

Captain Galeren MacPherson of John Stewart, the High Steward of Scotland’s Army, was ordered along with his men, to bring home Stewart’s niece to Scotland. She has spent years in a nunnery, used to the priory and wanting to take her vows. Novice Silene Sparrow has no idea what is waiting for her in the outside world. She finds herself unprepared for the rough deminer of the rowdy Highland escort and she feels the Captain is a savage and does what she can to resist him. There is suspense and fast paced action, skirmishes, and attacks to keep your interest up. This is a beautifully written book that will keep you reading and not wanting to put it down.

𝙁𝙤𝙧𝙗𝙞𝙙𝙙𝙚𝙣 𝙃𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙩 𝙗𝙮 𝙋𝙖𝙪𝙡𝙖 𝙌𝙪𝙞𝙣𝙣
This book is part of a series however can be read as a standalone. 
Galeren MacPherson is honourable, charming and handsome, he can get anything he wants! For his friend John, he is tasked to transport Silene Sparrow to Scotland so that she can speak on John's behalf to the church.

On transit they understand each other and begin to respect and fall for each other. Silene makes friends with a group of knights escorting him. Each brave and honourable. After being locked up in a convent for years, she finally loves the life and people she meets. Her feelings for Galeren grow daily however those feelings threaten the lives of both of them! They have to survive this together with no one to trust.
With spectacular chemistry and tense moments in between, the book kept me hooked. Highlander romance with secrets, traitors and lovable main characters! Best weekend book
Thank you Netgalley and publishers for my copy.

Captain Galeren MacPherson has been tasked to escort Novice Silene Sparrow from her nunnery to Scotland to speak on her uncle's behalf. Silene has been raised in the priory and to give her life to God.
Spending time with Galeren and her highland escorts is all new to her. There is chemistry between Galeren and Silene, but their's is a forbidden love.
Another great book by Paula Quinn!

This is book 6 in the Hearts of the Highlands series and I have not read every books in the series yet but the ones I have read I have loved so I couldn't wait to get my hands on this one.

Such a fantastic story that got me hooked from the first page and I enjoyed the book so very much.

If you are into historical romance books you will most likely love this one.

What a wonderful and captivating storyline the characters are amazing and captivating Captain Galeren was sent by the High Steeard of Scotland John Stewart niece who was to become a nun. To go before the church’s council to get a seat on the council os if King David died with no heirs he could be first in line being the grandson of Robert the Bruce. Silene was months away from taking her vows to become a nun when she was told she was to leave and go to her uncle and go before the council but she didn’t want to leave. Along the way she learns to become friends with her escorts one more than others and her views start to change. Galeren had no intention of falling in love with his charge but when he does can he let her go . Can Silene stay firm in her views or will they both fall in love with each other

Silene Sparrow’s life is not her own. A novice intent on taking her vows, Silene knows that her uncle John is using her to gain power. However, as Silene travels to her uncle with a group of warriors, she can’t help the growing feelings she develops for Galeren, the Captain.

Galeren is tasked with retrieving Silene at the convent and bringing her to John’s castle. Galeren has never failed at his duties. However, when he meets Silene, Galeren is immediately drawn to her and is unsure that he can fulfill his obligations. Unfortunately, he is betrothed to someone else – someone he doesn’t even like. What can he do but bring the lovely Silene to her uncle and forget about her? Of course, this proves impossible.

Galeren and Silene know that John will never allow Silene to break her promises, even if she has changed her mind. With such an uncertain future, can Galeren and Silene find a way to be together, or will John’s threats and influence prove too strong?

Galeren and Silene’s story is sweet and filled with longing glances and tons of yearning. They know that they shouldn’t care for each other. They recognize the impossibility of their situation and the danger that comes with defying John, but that doesn’t change their feelings. Of course, as they are both honorable people who value their word, they both resist their ever-growing fondness for each other. I like that they see past their exteriors and see the person underneath.

I also love Galeren’s family, as well as his loyal friends. Galeren’s large and loving family is so warm and accepting, and I love how they welcomed Silene into their fold. The tough as nails warriors that protect Silene also welcome her into their small group. They do everything they can to make Silene happy, protect her, and ease her fears throughout their journey. It is interesting to see such fierce, battle-scarred warriors touched by her gentle spirit. This says so much about the warriors and also about Silene. People are affected by her kindness, compassion, and sincerity. Galeren and his men are honorable and decent, and they stand in stark contrast to John and his allies.

John has an agenda and is very willing to use and manipulate others to gain power. As the King’s nephew, John is certain that having a nun in the family will ensure religious support when he vies for the throne. His thoughtlessness and disinterest quickly turn more ruthless and manipulative, and it’s clear what he will do if he doesn’t get his way. I like that Galeren fought for the woman he loves and stood by his principles.

Though Forbidden Heart is the sixth book in the series, it can easily be read as a standalone. It is a lovely historical romance with well-developed characters, a great love story, and quite a bit of action. Plus, there’s a super cute kitten that I just adored! Thanks so much to NetGalley, Dragonblade Publishing, and the author for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.

4.5 stars - Forbidden Heart by Paula Quinn is a satisfying medieval Scottish romance that will leave readers wanting a man with a brogue for their own. Silene Sparrow (love the name) is a novice. Silene was given to the church when she was a young teenager. Her uncle wanted a member of his extended family in the church to raise his standing in the council. He is high steward while King David is imprisoned. He has hopes to be king and believes that Silene's position in the church will show improve his support.

Galeren and his men are tasked with escorting Silene to her uncle to show her off to the council. He and his men have all taken six-year vows of chastity and is shocked when this quiet, serene novice stirs his deeper passions. Galeren is slowing falling in love with Silene and she with him, but her family's security depends on her devoting her life to the church. Can Galeren and Silene find a way to be together or will her uncle's search for power tear them apart?

Galeren and Silene's story was more sweet than passionate. This was definitely a slow burn romance. There are not a lot of steamy scenes between the two until almost the end of the book, but there is longing and emotional angst. This book is so well written, readers will genuinely feel the characters' love and desire to overcome all obstacles to be together. Well done, I loved this book.

Forbidden Heart by Paula Quinn is the next entry in the Hearts of the Highlands series. Captain Galeran MacPherson and four of his men have been dispatched by John, the King's nephew to transport his niece, Silene Sparrow, from her convent to him at the castle. She is a novice nun, prepared to take her final vows in the spring. Right now she is John's pawn in his quest to be put on a church council, which would bring him great prestige. Having a close connection tot the church will help. It is all about the power. It is a very complicated story that is all about John's quest for power, over everyone and anyone.

Galeran and Silene fall in love but are both determined to do the right thing. Seline is very young and very naive about the world. She has been in the convent for years. She's kind and loving; gentle and compassionate. She brings comfort wherever she goes. People are drawn to her. Galeran is a world-class warrior. he is not particularly interested in marriage despite the fact that John has betrothed him to a virago who he cannot even stand to speak with. Despite the fact they are drawn to one another, they are determined to do their duties. Some of the problem is that the people who should be supporting them have their own agendas and so their advice is not necessarily about what is best for anyone but themselves. Galeran is a good man who does his duty without question. She has pretty much taken over the daily duties of his liege, including raising the man's children. It is quite the situation. And, a charming romance.

I was invited to read a free ARC of Forbidden Heart by Dragonblade, through Netgalley. All opinions contained herein are solely my own. #netgalley #ForbiddenHeart

"He was mad for thinking of her in any other way but a holy one. Not only would God strike him down, but John would never trust him again. She was bonny. So what?"

Thus was the dilemma of Galeren, Captain of John Stewart, who had ordered him and his men bring his niece home to Scotland with an escort from the nunnery she resided at. How hard would that be? Well, very when he began to have feelings for her and she for him.

Another amazing story in this special series I have thoroughly enjoyed!

I enjoyed this book very much. This has been a great series, but can be read alone. Galeren and Silene were well written characters, as were the side characters. This book had betrayal, love, happiness, and sadness. It was a very good and interesting read.

Galeran MacPherson is Captain of the Highland Elite. He's tasked to go to a priory in England and bring John Stewart's niece back to Scotland. Silene is a pawn in the politics of her uncle, The High Steward of Scotland. His obsession to become king is to use her to gain a connection with the church. As Silene isn't yet a nun, but a novice, her time with Galeran on their journey to Scotland will offer challenges. Death from a traitor may take them both. Interesting plot with a warrior who's been chaste for six years and a novice in turmoil in her love for Galeran and her devotion to God.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book.

This story captured me from the start. Galeren is such a good man. Courageous, honest, true. His mission is to bring the novice, Silene to her Uncle. The road is quite beautiful, but bumpy, and her uncle is a bad man.

This tale is well written and I was sad when my time with them was over.

Captain Galeren MacPherson and his men, the Highland Elite, has been sent on a mission to by John Stewart, the High steward of Scotland’s, to bring his niece to him from a nunnery. Novice Silene Sparrow knows her duty or her uncle will harm her family if she doesn’t do his bidding and join the church. When she see Galeren she’s quite attracted to the ruggedly handsome man and he’s trying to control his emotions after all he and his men have sworn a vow of chastity and he only has a few more weeks to keep his vow. She starts wondering what type of woman is she if she is falling for the gloriously handsome who has been nothing but kind and generous to her during their travel to her uncles. Galeren intends to keep his vow, but the she’s everything he could want in a woman and wife. Will she risk everything to be with the man she loves, will Galeren’s honor be at stake and her uncle harm her family or them? I have voluntarily read and reviewed these excellent story filled with adventure, intrigue and romance.

Intrigue, Treachery, and Love

She is a novice, ready to take her vows; he is a fighter, loyal to her uncle. Their destinies are meant to be separate. Silene is a pawn in her uncle’s machinations, and she is willing. She does not count on falling in love. She is ready to dedicate her life to God when Galeren comes into her life, changing her world forever. Will Silene and Galeren defy her powerful uncle? If they do, it will be a fight for their lives. There is intrigue, adventure, and romance in this story. Will Galeren Silene find out who is friend, and who is foe, before it is too late?

This story started a bit slow for me. However, somewhere in the middle of the book, it picked up and went at a faster pace, as the treachery and intrigue began to happen.

Silene lives a quiet life in the Priory but now her uncle has decided she must travel and speak with the church council on his behalf so that he may be in line for the throne. Galeren is ordered to be her escort. What will happen when sparks fly between them but will her uncle’s goals for himself come between them? Fast-paced read with drams, suspense and intrigue. Great characters and an entertaining story. I liked it.

Silene Sparrow is content with her life. Living at the Priory has been satisfying and very peaceful. But her uncle has decided that she will the key to his advancement in power and wealth. He sends Galeren MacPherson to escort his niece to his home and expects him to follow all his directives.
What he, Galeren and Silene do not expect is love. As Silene and Galeren uncover the extent of John’s depravity, they realize that they and their love may be doomed. Will they be forced to sacrifice their happiness or will Silene be forced to sacrifice herself?
Being a history buff, I always notice when there are a few inconsistences with names or when the story’s timeline doesn’t completely match the historical timeline. Marjorie, the daughter of Robert the Bruce, was married once to Walter Stewart and gave birth to one son; Robert II. Robert II was High Steward during the reign of King David and was High Steward at the time of the setting of this story. However, if there was a High Steward with the name of John, it would have been Robert II’s son, who upon becoming King, changed his name: Robert III.

Novice Nun Silene Sparrow has spent years in the Priory and is happily looking forward to taking her vows, until her uncle sends for her. He needs her to persuade the Church council that he's a good man.
Captain Galeren Macpherson and his men are the most trusted in John Stewart the High Steward's retinue. Galeren doesn't expect delivering one novice to make keeping his vow so difficult.
An exciting historical romance full of danger and intrigue. Our hero comes from a family you might have met before in previous books, but this is a stand alone story.
I loved every page.

Forbidden Heart is a story of a young novice on the brink of saying her final vows and the powerful (and powerfully handsome) Scottish warrior charged with bringing her from the convent to her uncle. Silene's devotion to God is supposedly her uncle's ticket to greater power. For his part, Galeren is perfect, beloved by all but a few select villains.

The story itself is fairly unique. There aren't too many novels where the heroine is about to become a nun and is excited about it. She looks forward to prayer and thinks about God more than your average heroine of a romance outside of the inspirational genre. There are even fewer novels where the hero has taken a vow of chastity. For many readers, these traits are probably very welcome. For me, however, the religious component was cloying and dull. The characters themselves were okay, but a little boring. When I read a novel, I want to feel like the heroine, but I couldn't identify with Silene at all. And as nice as Galeren was, I didn't fall in love with him either.

I was very confused and disappointed by this book. It started off fairly strong, but then dragged until the last few chapters. Then, it ended quickly and choppily, as if the writer was asked to cut out a bunch of content and had to summarize chapters into single paragraphs. I wanted to like this book, but the more I read, the more I wanted it just to be over.

I was grateful to receive an ARC of this story from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for my honest opinion.