Regan Walker's Blog: Regan's Author Blog, page 5

Summer Warrior is here!

Book 1 in the Clan Donald Saga is here and available for preorder at a discount until release day, October 7.

Somerled’s parentage was noble, of the Kings of Dublin, the royal house of Argyll and the great Ard Ri, the High Kings of Ireland. But when the Norse invaded Argyll and the Isles, his family’s fortunes fell with those of his people. When all hope seemed lost, he rose from the mists of Morvern to rally the Gaels, the Scots and the Irish.

Sweeping across Argyll and the Isles like a fast-moving storm, brilliant in strategy and fearless in battle, Somerled began retaking his ancestral lands, driving away the invaders and freeing the people from the Norse stranglehold. In doing so, he would win the title Somerle Mor, Somerled the Mighty, Lord of Argyll, Kintyre and Lorne and, eventually, Lord of the Isles.

The unforgettable saga of the Norse-Gael who forged the Kingdom of the Isles and won he heart of a Norse king’s daughter. See it on Amazon. Read an excerpt.

Best Historical Romances Set in Exotic Locales!

 It’s the end of August and you’re home and you’re bored. You want an adventure, an around the world trip, or perhaps an ocean voyage—without leaving your living room. And you want a good love story. But you’re tired of those set mostly in England, Scotland, Ireland and America. Well, I have just the list for you!

My mother taught me to read when I was four and told me I could travel the world through books. She was right. And were she still alive, she would love this list I’ve created just for you daydreamers out there who long to travel… historical romances by some great authors set in exotic locales. Though some might begin (or end) in England or America, they will quickly take you to another time and another place! See the list.

Two New Boxed Sets of Regency and Georgian Romance!

The Agents of the Crown series of 5 Regency romances! On Amazon.

“Walker stuns with her gift for storytelling, magically entwining historic fact and fiction to create a thought-provoking, sensual romance, one that will stay with you.” – Chicks, Rogues & Scandals

Racing with the Wind (Hugh, Lord Ormond, and Lady Mary Campbell, set in 1816 in London and the court of Louis XVIII)
Against the Wind (Sir Martin Powell and Katherine, Lady Egerton, set in England 1817, the Pentrich Rebellion)
Wind Raven (Jean Nicholas Powell and Miss Tara McConnell, set in London, the Caribbean and Baltimore, 1817)
A Secret Scottish Christmas (the Powell twin brothers, set in Scotland as spies Robbie and Nash vie for the love of Aileen Stephen, 1819)
Rogue's Holiday (the Cato Street Conspiracy and "the other Powell twin" meets the hoyden, Miss Chastity Reynolds, in Brighton, 1820)
The award-winning Donet Trilogy of Georgian romances set in England and France with ship captain heroes!
On Amazon

“The Donet Trilogy has everything you’d ever want in historical romance. From spies, smugglers and pirates to masked balls and opulent palaces—what more could you ask for? Regan has created an immersive world packed with well-researched historical detail and a cast of characters that you really grow to love.” 
– Reading in Wellies
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Best Western & American Set Historical Romances!

I first discovered Western romances by reading those written by my favorite authors who also wrote stories set in other eras. Since then, I have become a true fan of the subgenre and find myself every now and then reaching for a good romance from the Old West. I love those Indian and gun-slinging heroes. So, it seemed a “best” list was in order to share some of these wonderful stories with you. See the list on Historical Romance Review.

The Wearing of the Plaid!

“It is a coat of arms, the tartan, worn proudly for all men to see and take warning. And the plaid is an admirable piece of invention, serving as a suit of clothes or a blanket for sleeping or a braw protection against the wildest storm.” — Jan Cox Speas, My Lord Monleigh

What Scottish or Highlander historical romance would be complete without men wearing plaid? But did you know that many of the tartans we recognize today were the creations of tailors during the reign of Queen Victoria? Nevertheless, the basic concept of the plaid and the wearing of the kilt have their origin in the early Scottish and Irish clans and families, so we can take heart. Based on my own research, I know the Highlanders were wearing plaid trews in the 12th century. Read more.

Best Scottish Historical Romances!

Geddes MacGregor once wrote, “No one in Scotland can escape from the past. It is everywhere, haunting like a ghost.” Scotland’s past is the subject of this best list, romance novels set in Scotland, most in that magical part of Scotland called the Highlands. Some have a Scot as a hero or heroine. The best are set deep in Scotland’s history. All are rated 4 or 5 stars. See the list here: https://reganromancereview.blogspot.c...

What I'm Writing Now...

Since I've finished three series (The Agents of the Crown, The Donet Trilogy and the Medieval Warriors), I'm heading back to the Medieval Era to begin a new series: The Clan Donald Saga.
Book 1 in the series will be Summer Warrior . It's the story of Somerled, the Norse-Gael who forged the Kingdom of the Isles and became the founder of Clan Donald. See the new book page and read the description:

     His parentage was noble, of the Norse line of the Kings of Dublin, the royal house of Argyll and the great Ard Ri, High King of Ireland. But with the coming of the Northmen, his family fortunes had fallen miserably. The Gaels despaired of ever being free. When all hope was gone, Somerled rose to the fore, sweeping across Argyll and the Isles like a fast-moving storm, drawing the disenfranchised to him in great numbers--the Scots, the Gaels and the Irish who longed for one to lead them.

     Having lost one wife, Somerled had no thought to seek another, much less did he expect to find love. Yet one look at Ragnhild galloping on a magnificent white horse across the green hills of Man and he never forgot her. Olaf the Red, King of Man and the Isles, had plans for his only daughter that did not include marriage to an upstart foreign Gael.

     Brilliant in strategy and fearless in battle, Somerled began retaking his ancestral lands, driving away the invaders and freeing the people from the Norse stranglehold. In doing so, he would win the title Somerle Mor, Somerled the Mighty, Lord of Argyll, Kintyre and Lorne. But could he win the heart of a Norse king's daughter and convince her father to give him her hand?

Coming this summer!

How We Got to Where We Are Today...a Reading List for the Uninitiated

Sometimes when I talk to fellow readers of historical romance, or even authors, and I mention a name from the past, an author who helped shape the genre, like Kathleen Woodiwiss or Rosemary Rogers, I get a blank stare in return. It occurred to me that as lovers of a genre it might be helpful to read some of the classics to see where we’ve come from and to enjoy the greats who have contributed so much to the craft.

Except for several novels of note in earlier decades, I’m starting in the 1970s. And while I may not have included your favorite author, by reading the romances on this list, you’ll have a good idea of our beginnings and what so many wonderful authors have done for the genre. Think of it as a Recommended Reading List for the Uninitiated in modern historical romance.

So, here’s the list of those I recommend, a sampling meant to give you a picture of how the genre has developed. Some may require you to shop online for a used book though many are available as ebooks. Most are novels I’ve rated 5 stars, so I promise you won’t be bored.  See the list HERE.

Favorite Heroes & Heroines...my gift to you!

It’s that time of year when I share my favorite heroes and heroines from the novels I have rated 5-stars. Noble men who overcome tortured pasts, flaws and the odds against them to pursue love and heroines who persist against great obstacles to be with the man to whom they would give their heart—strong, intelligent women of character. Every one a worthy hero and heroine. The best are set deep in history.

This is a list of my favorites, my Christmas gift to you! This just might be your next year’s reading list!

A Christmas Gift for You!

“A tale told with humour and heart; the perfect read for a cold winter's night.”
– Good Friends, Good Books.
The Twelfth Night Wager is FREE on Amazon Dec. 18-22. Grab it!
https://www.amazon.com/Twelfth-Night-Wager-Reg…/…/B0812558M8