Regan Walker

Almost all the storyline happens on a ship so forget the ballrooms and the trips to Gretna Green. The heroine is feisty and not a delicate wallflower so I found some comfort in that. Nicholas while is not a scoundrel, is not an inexperienced man either.

And he acts like a " typical" man when it comes to matters of love. You know what I mean. It's that time when a man thinks that the lady knows his feelings about her and doesn't think that he has to tell them to her or when he proposes to her show more and doesn't think that there has to be love in a marriage. In both cases I want to hit the hero.

I liked Tara more than Nicholas. I feel as if I know her, but Nicholas is still a mystery. The story was good and had some very intriguing surprises. I can't believe that I liked that pirate! The thought of his redemption crossed my mind more than once, but since we can't mess with history, so let him die. show less

“Where now is the warrior? Where is the warhorse? Bestowal of treasure, and sharing of feast? Alas! The bright ale-cup, the mail-clad warrior, The prince in his splendor---- those days are long sped
In the night of the past, as if they had never been!”

From the Anglo- Saxon poem: The Wanderer

Rouge Knight is the second book in the Medieval Warriors series, and gets off to a rousing start and builds upward to a stunning and epic conclusion.

Emma is outraged over the carnage and cruelty she show more has witnessed from the Normans, fully backing her father's alliance with the Danes, who have begun an uprising against King William.

But, it is a French Knight that will come to Emma's aid on more than one occasion, and therefore finds herself in the most heart wrenching and precarious situations one could possibly imagine.

Geoffroi is loyal to William, but sees the same over the top cruelty Emma does. But, he never suspects that Emma is caught in the cross hairs, and her secret could tear apart all the love and trust between them if it ever came to light. Eventually, Emma will have to take a stand. But, which side will she take?

Emma is a strong female protagonist, loyal to her family, but in love with a man who, while very honorable, plays for the other side. I am sure that this happens in real life in any war. It's often a 'no win' situation, and at times, Geoffroi, detested what his fellow warriors did in the name of the king.

So, we have a little bit of forbidden love, a fierce uprising, and divided loyalties, mixed with intrigue and adventure, that makes this a deeply layered tale, one that will stir up your emotions, have your heart racing and then melting.

When historical romance novelist these days use the excuse of “I'm a romance writer, not a historian”, to push aside any inaccuracies or expansive liberties they take, I say “Bah!”

I challenge them to read any novel written by Regan Walker, to get an idea of how to write a great romance within the historical fiction context. Great and epic romances are often told amid the backdrop of real events or are based on real people.

A historical romance can be every bit as sensual, romantic, and filled with passion, and still have accuracy, authenticity, and realistic historical details, without offending the sensibilities of the modern reader.

Regan Walker always goes the extra mile to bring her stories to life, igniting the imagination, transporting you into a long ago era that is endlessly fascinating and absolutely riveting. The writing is excellent, the research impeccable, and the love story is epic. You can't ask for more than that. show less

The Red Wolf's Prize by Regan Walker is a 2014 publication. I was provided a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Has anyone else been wondering what happened to Medieval romance? Are we destined to read of Earls and Dukes forever? Will there never again be a historical romance with depth, true authenticity, emotion, and the guts to portray life in the times that were fraught with war and danger? I for one was past ready to read a historical romance with some meat on its bones. show more If you have been missing these types of romances too, then your wait is over. This book was just what I have been waiting for.

Sir Renaud, aka The Red Wolf, is a Norman Knight rumored to be in King William's favor. Renaud was given the lands of the English Talisand by the king as a reward. The lands were once owned by an Engish Thegn who was slain in battle. He left behind a castle and beautiful daughter named Serena. Serena was promised to Renaud along with the lands and castle.
Before he arrives to claim his stake and his bride, Serena vows she will never wed a Norman. To avoid this fate she will take desperate measures.
When Renaud arrives in Talisand and discovers his intended has fled, he finds a servant girl that captures his interest. He pursues her relentlessly only to be spurned over and over. But, soon Renaud begins to suspect something is going on with the servant girl who is deadly accurate with a bow and knife and can sing like an angel. Then the truth hits him right between the eyes. Now the warrior is more determined than ever to claim his bride- not just her body but her heart as well.

This book has everything you could hope for in a historical romance. It was like a soothing balm to once more read a Medieval tale that took me away to a time long ago where everything around me just fell to the wayside and I was completely absorbed with ladies of honor, pride, boldness and tenacity. Warriors with valor and loyalty who inspired others in their wake. The brutality of war and the emotional tug of war Serena fought within herself as she suffered the loss of her lands and watched helplessly as William tore through English lands burning and pillaging everything in sight. Her heart ached with the loss and fear for her brother , leaving her to feel disloyal to to her people, her brother, and her father's memory as she slowly falls in love with her Norman husband.
This book is so well researched and I am so happy to see an author learn her subject and the era in which she chooses to write. The language was authentic, the actions true to the times, no modern slang or terms, which I absolutely loath, and was as accurately depicted as our modern world will allow.
My eyes stung with tears as I struggled along with Serena and her fight to find a common ground with her warrior husband. How difficult this must have been for her. Renaud was realistically depicted as he made no excuses or apologies for the war to his bride, but was sensitive to her feelings nonetheless. While this was not a likely love match, the two find that despite all the differences between them, each respected the other and the love they shared was the the most powerful weapon of all.
Beautifully written, perfectly paced, action packed, with a passionate and epic love affair...what more could you ask for? 5 stars show less

Whether author Regan Walker sets her story on sea or land, she writes a fascinating and transfixing story. Her choice of descriptive words paints a picture so real, so touchable, I stand within a scene, smelling and reacting to what is described. – quite the mesmerizing read. I was no less delighted with this medieval historical romance than I was when reading her regency romances. Her desire to write her story within accurate historical events staying close to reality brings history to show more life for me.

I felt the despair of the people of York, their hatred of the Normans and their readiness to take back what was theirs. The Norman knights, although only pawns in the bigger picture, had to follow the edits of their king, William the Conqueror. This king was not a gentle king, nor one to use firm persuasion to rule his subjects. He was brutal with his dealings and the people of York felt his hand of death. There were times knights did things they had trouble justifying.

Under such a situation, it was difficult for love to seek its mate. Emma of York knew she shouldn’t be drawn to Sir Geoffroi, a knight who very well may have killed some of her own people. Sir Georffroi felt a protectiveness for Emma which he couldn’t explain and sought out her company whenever he could. He also helped to protect her family. Neither of the two could expect to see this burgeoning emotion have a future. Yet, might it?

It was delightful to see how the two were drawn to each other even when times became more desperate. This claiming of your soul, is one we still experience today – we can not guarantee who we are attracted to. When it is mutual, it is very difficult to avoid. Both Emma and Sir Geoffroi had powerful wills and were independent spirits. Could they override what was expected of them and complete their hearts?

I like the way Ms. Walker has organized the book. She placed the author’s note, along with a list of characters which were many, before the story. This helped me understand the various sides of the conflict and who were its players. I also thought it quite appropriate to put a map of English, Scotland and Wales as it was in 1069 with important points where the story took place.

Bottom line: Regan Walker is a gifted writer who leads you through a time portal to experience the wonders and emotion of the world she so eloquently describes. show less