The Red Wolf's Prize by Regan Walker Series: Medieval Warriors #1
Published by Self Published Publication Date: October 1st 2014
Pages: 244
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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 the heiress that goes with them, Lady Serena.
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?
Michelle’s Thoughts
Lady Serena of Talisand has already lost so much. She lost her father to war. She lost her brother when he left to join the rebellion. She lost the only place she’s ever called home, Talisand, when King William gave the land and her hand in marriage to one of his knights Renaud de Pierrepont “The Red Wolf”. The only recourse that will allow her to have some independence is to escape before “The Red Wolf” arrives. However, Serena doesn’t realize that escaping from her destiny is going to much harder than she ever imagined.
Lady Serena is loyal, loving, independent, fearless, and determined to protect the people of Talisand from “The Red Wolf”. I loved her character, and I immediately became vested in her happiness. She was more concerned about others than herself. She didn’t consider herself above the people, and she wasn’t afraid to work and/or walk among them. “The Red Wolf” was not what Serena feared. He was loyal, caring, humble, and fierce in battle. He dealt with Serena in a very sympathetic but firm manner. He was wise in the way he handled King William, but he protected his wife and their people from harm. I loved him as a hero in this story. He had a difficult job, but he readily accepted his lot and made the best of it. The chemistry between the two of them was off the charts. It was definitely a passionate union.
The storyline kept me engaged and entertained. I followed every twist and turn in the plot with great interest. I cheered Serena on as she blended in with the other women and spurned “The Red Wolf’s” advances. I felt her trepidation when it was obvious that there was no way to get away from “The Red Wolf”. I felt conflicted as Serena fell more in love with her husband and sought to protect the interests of her family and the people of Talisand. I literally held my breath as I read the battlefield scene. Each time “The Red Wolf” showed himself to be the consummate gentleman and warrior. The secondary characters also won my heart. I can’t wait to read their stories.
I love Regan Walker’s work. She is author in a class by herself. She goes to great length to remain true to the medieval period an even includes actual historical information. She goes into even more detail at the conclusion of the novel. I’m not a history lover, but Walker’s weaving of history leaves the reader panting for more. Her character development is unparalleled. I enjoyed every aspect of this book, and I hope that the remaining stories are of the same superior quality as this one.
Thanks for the wonderful review! I’m just about to write the 2nd book in the series, ROGUE KNIGHT! It will be Sir Geoffroi’s story.
Regan