Regan Walker's Blog: Regan's Author Blog, page 14

Best Medieval Romances!

Who among us ladies hasn’t dreamed of a knight in shinning armor? Or, of living in a time when valor prevailed and honorable men did great deeds and women of character loved them? (I did say we were dreaming, right?) Well, the historical romances on my new BEST MEDIEVAL ROMANCES list will take you back to those medieval times. See the list HERE.

A Knight's Horses... what did horses they really ride?

In the course of my research for my Medieval Warriors series, I learned a lot of surprising things about the horses the Norman knights rode. For example, horses were not so much distinguished by breed as by use. There were highly trained warhorses like destriers, strong coursers, smooth-gaited palfreys for lords and ladies, and general purpose rounceys. Knights did not, for the most part, ride their warhorses around the countryside, at least not very often. So what did they ride? See more.

Color in the Medieval Era... Paint My World Bright~!

One of my readers asked me about the colors of the medieval era (from the 5th through 15th centuries). And this got me to thinking. For my own medieval stories, my research told me the people preferred bright colors and scarlet was often the color of nobility, including the English, French, Scots and Danes. But now I look to the source of those colors. See more.

The Longbow in England... when did it first arrive?

October is Medieval Month on my blog and since I have a new medieval romance, King's Knight, available now on Amazon for preorder (Goodreads giveaway, too!), I thought to begin with a central feature to each of my medieval stories... the Welsh... er, the English longbow. How long has the longbow been in England and where did it come from? See more.

Best Georgian & Regency Romances... the new "best list"!

I have read many Georgian and Regency romances over the years, so it was inevitable that I should have a “best list” to include them. The Georgian era covers the period from 1714 to 1830, with the sub-period of the Regency, 1811-1820, when George, Prince of Wales (‘the Prince Regent”) reigned during the illness of his father George III. See the new list HERE.

Masquerades in the Georgian Era...

King's Knight is here!

Click on cover to order on Amazon HE SEIZED LIFE BY THE THROAT
 
Dubbed the Black Wolf for his raven hair, his fierceness in battle and his way with women, Sir Alexander of Talisand attacked life as he did the king’s enemies. But acclaim on the battlefield and his lusty escapades did not satisfy. King William Rufus would bind him to Normandy through marriage to one of its noblewomen, but the only woman Alexander wanted was a commoner he had saved from a terrible fate.
 
SHE KEPT MEN AT BAY WITH HER BOW
 
The shame of being the child of a Norman’s rape dogged Merewyn’s steps from her youth. Determined never to be a victim of a man’s lust like her mother, in Wales she donned the garb of an archer and developed extraordinary skill with a bow. Despite her fair beauty, men now keep their distance. No longer in need of protection from other men, can Merewyn protect herself from Alexander when he holds her heart yet can never be hers?
 
                                                   Praise for the Medieval Warriors series:
 
“This series captures the medieval era perfectly, creating the true sensation of traveling back in time to experience epic, riveting love stories that ignite the imagination. Beautifully written, perfectly paced and action-packed... What more can you ask?”  —  The Book Review

Empress Josephine's Love Affair with Roses!

Many of us Regency authors and readers know that Napoleon’s wife, the Empress Josephine contributed to establishing the slim, high-waisted, chemise dress as the dominant fashion in Regency England, but did you know that Josephine is also known for her passionate love of roses?
After she married Napoleon and became Empress of France, Josephine spent vast sums of money collecting new varieties of plants, including roses, from all over the world for her garden at Chateau Malmaison outside of Paris. Napoleon complained about the expense but he was off fighting the British in various places, so Josephine pursued her love of roses and expanded her garden. See MORE.

To Tame the Wind & Rogue Knight Final in 4 Contests!

GOOD NEWS! To Tame the Wind is a finalist in three contests: the Aspen Gold, the Heart of Excellence and InD'Tale Magazine's RONE Award. And Rogue Knight has finaled in both the Aspen Gold and the I Heart Indie Contest. Don't miss these great stories. (Click on the covers to order on Amazon.) Here's what reviewers say:

To Tame the Wind:
"Masked balls, handsome sea captains, and a plot that will keep you hooked. What's not to love!? To Tame the Wind is romantic historical escapism at its finest - a historical romance fan's dream of a novel! 5/5 stars." — Good Friends, Good Books  

Rogue Knight:

“Fast paced, action packed, thrill ride of emotions from angst to passion to healing and love. A true storyteller! Another hit!” --My Book Addiction

Rogue Knight on sale!

For a limited time (August 1-5), Rogue Knight will be on sale. It begins at 99¢ for the 1st & 2nd as a Kindle Countdown deal, so grab it!

   “... flawlessly crafted…”  – We Who Write

   “…an example of ‘how to’ in good story building… a multilayered novel adding depth and yearning.   
                        – InD’Tale Magazine

   “Walker’s detailed historical research enhances the time and place of this story without losing sight of what is essential to a romance: chemistry between the leads and hope for the future.” – Publisher’s Weekly

   “Fast paced, action packed, thrill ride of emotions from angst to passion to healing and love. A true storyteller! Another hit!!”  – My Book Addiction
 
The synopsis:

York, England 1069

The North of England seethes with discontent under the heavy hand of William the Conqueror, who unleashes his fury on the rebels who dare to defy him. Amid the ensuing devastation, love blooms in the heart of a gallant Norman knight for a Yorkshire widow.

A LOVE NEITHER CAN DENY, A PASSION NEITHER CAN RESIST

Angry at the cruelty she has witnessed at the Normans’ hands, Emma of York is torn between her loyalty to her noble Danish father, a leader of the rebels, and her growing passion for an honorable French knight.

Loyal to King William, Sir Geoffroi de Tournai has no idea Emma hides a secret that could mean death for him and his fellow knights.

WAR DREW THEM TOGETHER, WAR WOULD TEAR THEM APART

War erupts, tearing asunder the tentative love growing between them, leaving each the enemy of the other. Will Sir Geoffroi, convinced Emma has betrayed him, defy his king to save her?

An excerpt:

Dear God.
She crossed herself and covered her mouth, fighting the urge to spew at the sight of so much blood and so many bodies strewn about the clearing, blood congealed on their clothing, their vacant eyes staring into space. Some of the blood had pooled on the ground to catch the rays of the sun. The metallic scent of it, carried by the wind, rose in her nostrils.

At her side, the hound whimpered.

So many.

Until the Normans had come, Yorkshire had been a place of gentle hills, forests and thatched cottages circling a glistening jewel of a city set between two winding rivers. A place of children’s voices at play, some of those voices now silenced forever, for among the bodies lying on the cold ground were mere boys, their corpses cast aside like broken playthings.

At the sound of heavy footfalls on the snow-crusted ground, she jerked her head around, her heart pounding in her chest.

A figure emerged from the trees, so close she could have touched him.

She cringed. A Norman.

A tall giant of a knight, his blood-splattered mail a dull gray in the weak winter sun, ripped off his silvered helm and expelled an oath as he surveyed the dozens of dead. The sword in his hand still dripped the blood of those he had slain. He was no youth this one, at least thirty. His fair appearance made her think of Lucifer, the fallen angel of light.

A seasoned warrior of death who has taken many lives.

Had he killed people she knew? Her heart raced as fear rose in her chest.

Would she be next?

Buy on Amazon US or Amazon UK.