Dearest Gentle Reader,

This edition of the Teatime Tattler has a treat for you! 

Lest you think gossip is the invention of a more civilized society abundant in idle pastimes, let me remind you that one of our oldest bits of scandal in the archives dates back nearly 800 years to the 13th century. It would seem scandalous ladies, ne’er-do-well lords, and tittering maids are not just a thing of The Ton.

I have it on very good authority that a certain Lord Hawk (leader of a deliciously dangerous band of warriors called the Band of Bastards) tried to charm a lady into spilling her secrets for his own gain! King Edward I of England may have commanded Hawk to find the traitor rumored to be lurking within Hawkspur Castle, but seducing the fair Lady Alyce, sister of the castle lord, in the name of duty is beyond the pale.

Nevertheless, that is exactly what the venerable Lord Hawk tried to do, but he was no match for the lady’s forthright candor and admirable loyalty to her family and the people of Hawkspur village. She may have looked like a shy, demure woman easily manipulated by the machinations of men…but that, dear reader, is exactly the type of woman to turn a man’s world upside down.

Before this scandalous story comes to its unexpected conclusion, bounds will be broken, hearts will be bruised, blood will be shed, a king will be defied, sheets will be twisted, bodies will intertwine, and a surprising victor will emerge from the rubble. Take it from me, this is a story far too titillating to tell in just a few paragraphs. The treason, intrigue, and passion (so, so much passion!) will keep you perched on the edge of your seat while you beg for your corset to be loosened so you may catch your breath.

Lucky for us, the story was captured in all of its glorious detail (thanks to the tittering maid with a penchant for love stories) in a tome titled Heart of the Hawk for your complete enjoyment. Do partake of this book and see for yourself that conniving, collusion, scandal, and scheming have been around since the dawn of time!

Heart of the Hawk

Can the love of a loyal knight and a headstrong lady survive the test of the king’s wrath?

“Hawk” Grogan, the king’s most trusted knight, has never failed a mission. When the king sends him to Hawkspur Castle in the Welsh Marches to uncover suspected treason, Hawk has every intention of getting to the truth at any cost. He soon learns, however, that there’s one factor in his plan that he hasn’t accounted for–Lady Alyce. The lord’s sister is obstinate, an incompetent liar, easily flustered, and completely beguiling.

Lady Alyce is reluctantly drawn to the brooding knight who trusts no one, roams the castle as if it is his own, and pricks her temper at every opportunity. She is desperate to prove to him that everyone at Hawkspur Castle, English and Welsh alike, is loyal to the king of England. As war erupts around her, she will do everything necessary to save her brother and the village she loves from ruin.

But something is amiss at Hawkspur and Lady Alyce is determined to discover what it is before Hawk can, despite her growing attraction to him. As plots are uncovered and alliances forged, the bond between Hawk and Alyce grows stronger, even as they are both forced to question whether the other can be trusted.

Will their opposing loyalties tear them apart? Or are they willing to forsake king and country to be together?

Purchase Links:

Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/p/books/heart-of-the-hawk-lois-templin/21c42abb801fe14d?ean=9781963585223&next=t

Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/heart-of-the-hawk-lois-templin/1145015700?ean=9781963585223

Amazon: https://a.co/d/0aAmD4NH

About the Author

I’ve been making up stories to entertain myself for as long as I can remember and started writing stories soon after graduating college. But the road to becoming a published author has been a long one with many of life’s interruptions (mostly a very demanding day job). But I kept dreaming, and now I am a full-time writer!

I’m obsessed with medieval Great Britain, but especially 13th century England and Wales during the time of the Welsh battles for independence with King Edward I of England. Castles and knights captured my attention early on, so it’s no surprise that my books are medieval romances set in the Welsh March during the 13th century.

You can typically find me in Greece where I live in a seaside village with my own handsome hero. When not indulging in the amazing scenery and history of Greece, I like spending time with our son in Los Angeles, extended family in Minnesota, or exploring castles and countrysides in the UK and Europe.

You can find me at:

Webpage: www.LoisTemplin.com

Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/lois.templin.author/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lois.templin.author1

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@loistemplinauthor