By far, Forbidden is Elizabeth Lowell's best historical romance.Brimming with lovely metaphors, great dialogue and simply wonderfully strung words, this novel is in a class by itself.

Amber is a very unique woman, she can detect truth through her touch but this gift comes with a price, she feels pain when she touches others.So when a man is brought to her wearing an amber pendent and she experiences no pain upon touching him she feels that he belongs to her.Amber's birth prompted a prophecy; that a man with no name would come to her and he could bring death or life.She realizes being with this man (she calls him Duncan) could spell danger for her.

Duncan awakens with no memory but he is soothed by Amber's presence.He believes they were once lovers as they have such an affinity to one another that he cannot help but be certain that they have been together for a very long time.He is enchanted with the kind Amber yet distraught over his lack of memories.He feels here is a vow he must fulfill but cannot remember what he forswore or for that matter to whom he is indebted.Duncan is correct in his assumptions about his past; he is to take over the lands held by Amber's dear friend Eric and if Duncan's identity were known it would cause many problems for Amber.

Amber and Duncan have a lovely romance.Amber wants to maintain a strong physical boundary between them but Duncan certainly doesn't and he goes about trying to charm Amber.Duncan does not realize he is on borrowed time with Amber but she is aware that Duncan's past is chasing him and will soon catch up to him forcing him to make some tough choices.

This novel is beautifully penned.The relationship between not only Duncan and Amber is strikingly rich but the other relationships are well defined too.Amber and her older mentor Cassandra have a bond which demonstrates their deep respect for each other.Duncan's inner turmoil is always at the forefront of his actions but his genuine affection for Amber is a guiding force.This is a superb novel that should be on the keeper shelf.

This is the second in Lowell's medieval trilogy set in the time of King Henry after the first crusade when knights are returning to England for their rewards.The 3 in the series are Untamed, Forbidden and Enchanted.I gave the first one 5 stars as well and this one is equally enthralling.This is the story of a legend and a girl named Amber who is one of the Learned ones and has the gift of discerning truth from falsehood.But anyone's touch causes her pain and to discern truth she must touch.The legend says that anameless man will come to her in shades of darkness and she may claim him heart, body and soul...ah but there is the possibility of death there, too.When Amber meets the warrior whose memory was taken from him, she is instantly his as she can touch him with only pleasure as the result.They cannot keep their hands off each other and even as Amber suspects that the warrior is Duncan the Scots Hammer--and her enemy--she cannot help but give him her heart and her body.Duncan, as she calls him, for it means "the dark warrior", struggles with a returning memory all the while he is becoming a part of Amber's world.It's a heart wrenching romance well done by Lowell.And she does a great job of making the unlikely seem plausible.It's well written, historically well placed and the characters rich in development.I do recommend reading the books in order, however, as it's really one long story and well worth the read!

I own all three books in Lowell's Medieval trilogy and have enjoyed reading them a great deal.I purchased this audioversion to listen to, as it was my favorite of the three.I am completely dissappointed, The verbal affect appeared flat, not much, if any, intonnation to differentiate male and female characters.I couldn't get a good feel for the characters or their personalities, not to mention the fact the narrator sounds to young to be reading the book at her home alone, let alone for the public! When purchasing an audiobook that involves Saxons and Scotts, Northern England and Scotland, one would assume they will not hear a contemporary American voice.I couldn't even finish listening.It sounded too absurd.While I know the narrator did her absolute best, unfortunately the person who convinced Lowell to go with a young American voice to represent the voice of the Scots Hammer should have to face him on the battlefield!Someone really wasn't thinking.

Ilost my copy of this book in a move.I have read and re-read this book many times.I was so happy to see it available!I received it in just a few days.Thanks!

I love to listen to books while I get my exercise via a two to three mile walk.
This book was very entertaining.I am considering getting all of Lowell's books

on CD.