BLOG TOUR & REVIEW: The Red Wolf's Prize by Regan Walker

Publication Date: October 1, 2014

CreateSpace

Paperback; 245p

ISBN: 978-06-15978-14-7

Genre: Historical Romance

Blurb:

HE WOULD NOT BE DENIED HIS PRIZE

Sir Renaud de Pierrepont, the Norman knight known as the Red Wolf for the beast he slayed with his bare hands, hoped to gain lands with his sword. A year after the Conquest, King William rewards his favored knight with Talisand, the lands of an English thegn slain at Hastings, and orders him to wed Lady Serena, the heiress that goes with them.

SHE WOULD LOVE HIM AGAINST HER WILL

Serena wants nothing to do with the fierce warrior to whom she has been unwillingly given, the knight who may have killed her father. When she learns the Red Wolf is coming to claim her, she dyes her flaxen hair brown and flees, disguised as a servant, determined to one day regain her lands. But her escape goes awry and she is brought back to live among her people, though not unnoticed by the new Norman lord.

Deprived of his promised bride, the Red Wolf turns his attention to the comely servant girl hoping to woo her to his bed. But the wench resists, claiming she hates all Normans.

As the passion between them rises, Serena wonders, can she deny the Norman her body? Or her heart?

MY REVIEW:

The Red Wolf’s Prize by Regan Walker was a great historical romance read. There were definitely some parts that I thought were a little far-fetched, but that’s the good thing about it being fictional! I really liked Serena and Renaud’s characters. I thought they were well written, and I felt like I really got to know them as people. I love book where I am able to “see” what the characters are thinking and feeling. I also liked Maugis’ character quite a bit. He was the voice of reason of the two hot-headed, hot-blooded main characters. He was able to reason with them when they let their passions get too out of control. I liked his stabilizing presence in this novel.

The thing that kind of annoyed me about the book, was that the whole village somehow was able to stay quiet about Serena’s whereabouts. Like, they knew exactly what was going on, but the entire village basically tricked their master, the person in charge of whether they lived or died basically. I get that they adored Serena, but you would think that at least one of the villagers would spill the beans in order to move up in the eyes of Renaud. Plus, they didn’t know the Red Wolf (Renaud) that well. I mean, he could have completely lost it when he found out Serena’s secret. They were risking quite a bit in order to keep her secret from their new master. I just don’t think that it would be plausible in real life that an entire town could keep a secret as huge as that!

Overall I felt that it was a good read. It kept my interest, and the characters were great. I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys historical romance novels.

I give The Red Wolf’s Prize a FOUR out of FIVE stars.

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Excerpt from The Red Wolf’s Prize

The door opened with no warning knock.

Serena gasped and pulled the cloth over her breasts and belly, keenly aware her legs were bare for anyone to see.

The Red Wolf stepped into the chamber, his piercing gray gaze sliding over her body and coming to rest where her breasts strained against the thin cloth. She could feel the heat of her blush as she looked down to see the drying cloth clinging to her wet skin.

Without saying a word, he turned to the side and took off his belt. Then, with a grunt, he pulled his mail over his head and struggled out of his tunic. She would have offered to help had she not been so scantily clad. Had she not been so shy of his disrobing before her.

When his tunic slid to the floor, she nervously asked, “What do you intend, my lord?”

“I should think that was obvious, my lady. I am claiming my bride.”

“Now?” She gripped the drying cloth more tightly to her still damp body. The long strands of her pale hair, wet from the bath, clung to her skin. No man had ever seen her in such a state.

“Yes, now.” His eyes considered her carefully, and he shook his head. “God knows I’ve left it overlong.”

While still staring at her, he shed his spurs and boots and doffed his linen shirt, leaving his chest bare and his lower body clad in only hosen and braies. He was a beautiful man with his bronze skin and muscled chest. Her eyes were drawn to the white cloth circling his upper arm.

“Your wound,” she said, as she focused on the white bandage around his upper arm. The wound from the arrow he took for Jamie. How could she not love such a man?

“Aye.” He glanced down at the bandage. “My token from the siege at Exeter.”

“Does it pain you?”

His gray eyes narrowed intently. “If you are asking if it will impair my performance in our bed, nay.”

Praise for The Red Wolf's Prize

“Ms. Walker has the rare ability to make you forget you are reading a book…the characters become real, the modern world fades away and all that is left is the intrigue, drama and romance.” - Straight from the Library

“An engrossing love story grounded in meticulous research. Regan Walker makes the transition from Regency London to Anglo Norman England with consummate ease.” - Glynn Holloway, author of 1066 What Fates Impose

“Regan Walker has delivered an exciting tale and a passionate love story that brings to life England after the Conquest—medieval romance at its best!" - Virginia Henley New York Times Bestselling Author

“Regan Walker has once again written a story that grabs hold and doesn’t let go. There is intrigue, action and a beautifully developed romance." - Vickie Moore, The Reading Cafe

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About the Author

As a child Regan Walker loved to write stories, particularly about adventure-loving girls, but by the time she got to college more serious pursuits took priority. One of her professors encouraged her to pursue the profession of law, which she did. Years of serving clients in private practice and several stints in high levels of government gave her a love of international travel and a feel for the demands of the “Crown” on its subjects. Hence her romance novels often involve a demanding sovereign who thinks of his subjects as his private talent pool. Regan lives in San Diego with her golden retriever, Link, whom she says inspires her every day to relax and smell the roses. For more information please visit Regan Walker's website and blog. You can also find her on Facebook, Twitter, and Goodreads.

The Red Wolf's Prize Blog Tour Schedule

Wednesday, October 1
Review at Flashlight Commentary
Guest Post at Historical Fiction Connection

Thursday, October 2
Interview at Flashlight Commentary

Friday, October 3
Spotlight at Historical Tapestry

Monday, October 6
Review at Historical Romance Lover

Tuesday, October 7
Review at With Her Nose Stuck in a Book

Wednesday, October 8
Review at Historical Fiction Obsession

Thursday, October 9
Spotlight at Book Reviews by Lanise Brown

Friday, October 10
Review at Unshelfish

Saturday, October 11
Spotlight & Excerpt at The Lusty Literate

Monday, October 13
Review at The Life & Times of a Book Addict

Tuesday, October 14
Interview at Caroline Wilson Writes

Wednesday, October 15
Guest Post & Giveaway at Passages to the Past

Thursday, October 16
Review at Book Marks the Spot

Saturday, October 18
Spotlight at Romantic Historical Reviews

Wednesday, October 22
Review at Princess of Eboli
Spotlight & Giveaway at bookworm2bookworm's Blog