I found this story to be entertaining with well developed characters and a plot that kept me flipping through the pages as fast as possible.

5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

📚Disclosure: I received a review copy of this #book from Dragonblade Publishing via #Netgalley. All thoughts, opinions, comments, and interpretations of the story are my own and bias free. I did not receive any money in exchange for this review. Thank you to the publisher for allowing me the opportunity to review. 🦄 @dragonbladepub
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Action-packed medieval romance

Set in the late 13th century, this romance joins Lady Alyce, determined to save her family estate of Hawkspur, with Sir Grogan, Hawk to his friends, who is sent by the king, along with his diverse band of warrior knights, to protect Hawkspur against the encroaching enemy.

Lots of political posturing here, but it never overshadows the romance at the heart of the story. Alyce is a strong leader and I adored the way Hawk respected both her abilities and her position. Not a lot of surprises along the way, but it's a solid story with a delightful HEA.

This is a new author to me, and I look forward to reading more in this series. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.

What a great book! And this a debut book too?? I am so impressed. I love Alyce, Hawk, little Henry, Edna, Red, Hunter and the sweet pup Ffyddlon.
This book had me crying, starting with dear Edna:
Alyce had never met a woman stronger than Edna, and she was lucky to have her in her life. “I am not making you very proud at this moment, am I?”“Never say that!”“You did not raise me to wallow in self-pity, yet that seems to be what I have been doing for a long time.” The older woman harrumphed. “We all need to wallow at times. Then we need someone to come along and tell us when it is time to stop wallowing. Consider this me telling you.”
What a great writer. I've read a few medieval books but this is first one that explained Marcher Lords in a way I can understand it. So not only book to tug at my heart strings, but educational too!
I'm ready for the rest of the Bastards. Let's do this!!
Thank you to netgalley for the ARC. Opinions are my own.

Heart of the Hawk by Lois Templin is a book about a knight fighting for the English king against the Welsh rebel, Llewellyn. It takes place in a castle on the marches. Marcher lords had a somewhat different set of rules than that of the rest of the kingdom. For one, they chose who would inherit, not the king. Kind of a trait inherited from the Welsh amongst whom they lived while defending the border. The British knight, Hawk, has brought his unique set of warriors to Hawkspur Castle to investigate the rumors that the master there, Cynwulf, was working with the Welsh. His uncle, from whom he and his sister had inherited, was loyal to the king. I cannot tell you how much I liked this book. For one, Hawk was such a unique character. He was the base-born son of a baron. All his men were base-born sons of nobility, shunted aside and ignored in many cases. He had trained them to within an inch of their lives. They were a deadly fighting force and the king’s best. They were beyond reproach in any way, as was Hawk. The lord’s sister, Alyce, was a force of her own. Fiercely loyal to both the king and her brother, she couldn’t imagine her brother working for the Welsh until she saw it with her own eyes.

The king demanded loyalty and respect and got it by bing consistent and fair. Even when it was difficult, and difficult it often was. This was a rapture-inducing romance, the first true love for either Hawk or Alyce and it was often painful. Templin did such a good job plotting that one almost didn’t notice the transition from one thing to the next. Life then was hard and they both had much to learn if they were to meld their loves together. Learn it they did. It was not easy. What a wonderful romance this was. Thanks Lois Templin for this moving story of divided loyalties and how difficult they can be.

I was invited to read Heart of the Hawk by Dragonblade. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #Dragonblade #LoisTemplin #HeartOfTheHawk

Medieval Romance with intrigue

The king sends Hawk to the Welsh Marches to find a traitor. There, he finds Lady Alyce, and sparks, as well as tension, ignite between them. Is there a traitor at Hawkspur Castle?

In this enjoyable, medieval romance, loyalties are tested, and hearts might be broken. Does love stand a chance? Alyce and Hawk are at odds, but their hearts are not. She is a noble lady, and he is illegitimate. The obstacles in their way seem insurmountable. Can love win in the end? For the answer, you might want to pick up this emotional tale. I enjoyed it and would recommend it to lovers of medieval romance.

This is a medieval romance filled with emotion and fabulous characters. Our hero and all the knights in his band have one thing in common. They are all base born. Hawk has their total loyalty and he has sworn to King Edward. Our heroine is the sister of a young Marcher lord. That means he is lord of a castle on the border between England and Wales. This often makes for difficult politics.
Family is important to our heroine, but often those you love hurt you the most.
I really enjoyed this story. I hope we get to follow some more of Hawk's band. There are some great characters among them. You will need the tissues.
I haven't read anything from this author before, but now I will be on the lookout for more.
Great fun.

The suspense in this novel does not let up one bit as Lady Alyce attempts to figure out what secrets her brother is hiding and why the King found it necessary to send his fiercest warriors to Hawkspur Castle. I loved the main characters in this book and the attraction between Hawk and Alyce is electric despite the tension between them. As the plot thickens, Alyce comes to recognize the truth in Hawk's allegations, and she is forced to take a stand to ensure the future of Hawkspur Castle and the villagers in her care. Despite Alyce's dismay when the rebellion reaches a climax, love finds a way, bringing the novel to a good conclusion. I received a copy of this romance as a gift and this is my honest and voluntary review.

The first book in a new series dealing with the historical conflict between England and Wales. Most writers focus on England vs France or Scotland but few step away to focus on Wales or Ireland, this makes the story unique to begin with. Add in the struggle dealing with loyalties for those living on the border of the two counties, deceit, secrets, lies, heartbreak, death and romance and you have a smash hit of a novel.

The characters from Hawk and Alyce to Red, Cynwulf and Hunter are awesome, poignant, endearing, with truly humanized struggles, fears and drama. Once I started, I couldn't put the book down and it's a long book so while I whole heartedly recommend it, I suggest you prepare to set aside enough time to immerse yourself in this story as it will take you back in time in a way very few stories can.

It's one, I'll read again and will be waiting with bated breath for the next one to arrive.

An Emotionally Passionate Love Story
My first time reading this author but after finishing this incredibly emotional love story I can't wait to read another one of Ms. Templin's books.
Hawk the deeply charismatic master of seduction and the very determined and lovely Lady Alyce took me to another time and place that is filled with secrets, desirous passion, betrayals, interesting family dynamics, kings and queens, along with a swooning fan worthy romance story that pulled at my heart strings.
This author had the ability to pull me right into the story and on the edge of my seat until the wonderful unpredictable ending.
I can't say enough how much I enjoyed this story and look forward to adding a new author to my favorites list.
💖Favorite Sub Characters: Hunter and Red part of the king's elite. Each brought much intrigue and humor to the story
📣 Special Mention: Ffyddlon the faithful Wolfhound that captured my heart and added much enchantment to this story.
👀The cover is perfect and gives you good insight to story and character.
💋Passion Level🔥🔥🔥🔥