What a great story! I'm not a lover of french romance, but this book is definitely interesting. Jean and Joanna's story is a whirlwind full of action, peril and romance! Very entertaining read. I recommend to any romance reader!

I really enjoyed Jean and Joanna's story. After meeting Jean in his daughter's story, I was happy to hear he would be getting his own HEA. Jean wouldn't have settled for a normal society miss and Joanna was perfect for him. Having done his own share of smuggling, the female smuggler was just what he needed. I'm excited to read the last book in the series and see what Walker has in store for us!

I just love pirate story's. A lovely story of Lady Joanna and this dashing sea captain. The author is new to me so I didn't read her first book but never the less I enjoyed this one very nice

Loved the setting of this book! The history of the French Revolution is something I plan to look into after reading Echo in The Wind. A very strong 4.5 stars. The characters were very interesting and likeable as well.

Lady Joanna West always wanted to help her people and the best way how was to smuggle goods to them. Joanna had become quite good at smuggling that she was known as the smuggler’s master of the beach, responsible for getting the cargo ashore and away from inland routes and London markets without the revenue men finding out. On this particular run though Joanna is a little curious about the new stranger she is dealing business with who is he and by the way he is French but still she is able to make a good trade with him. It turns out the Frenchman that Joanna is doing business with is none other than Comte Captain Jean Donet. Joanna is also the earl’s sister and must go to London in doing so she happens to meet the Comte Jean Donet and is entranced by him. To Jean Joanna seems pretty familiar but he can’t figure out who she is and also can’t help but fall for her. Will the attraction between Joanna and Jean when both figure out who the other actually is cause more complications than what it’s worth or will it end up hurting them in the end?
Even though this is part of a series by Ms. Regan Walker I couldn’t wait to read it because I knew it was going to be good. That is the thing with Ms. Walker she just knows how to tell a fascinating intriguing action packed romantic story filled with not only a great story with plot twists/turns abound, great major/minor characters, family, double identities and a sigh worthy romance that sweeps you up and doesn’t let you go until the very end.
Lady Joanna West is truly a heroine after my own heart. She’s plucky, feisty, beautiful, caring and compassionate. She loves her family, takes care of the people around her and loves with her whole self. Just because she is a lady she sure doesn’t act like one there are all these different sides to her one moment she is the daring brave smuggler the next she is the reserved witty lady/earl’s sister or she is the lover of Jean Donet but can’t show it abroad his ship. Jean did bother me a little bit at the beginning. In fact I was pretty apprehensive to even like him at all. Sure the book cover helped sway me but I just didn’t trust his motives. Of course as the book progressed he just kind of grew on me and I couldn’t help but like him. He had this brash stoic sarcasm which just made me think well he isn’t that bad and made me like him too. Plus the way he treated everyone including his daughter Claire, Zoe and especially when he fell hard for Joanna he was full of surprises and turned out to be a good hero. I would hope that Ms. Walker would write more about the other characters because this is definitely a series I want to read more of!

I enjoyed Echo in the wind . A ☆☆☆☆☆ stars rating.

I have discovered that Regan Walker is one of the best authors I have read. The plot, story, characters and romance keep the reader turning the pages. I highly recommend this author to anyone who reads historical romance. I will buy all this author's future releases.

Jean Donet sails the sea as a smuggler, after being disowned for a woman his father considered beneath him. Jean, much to his dismay, becomes the comte de Saintonge, after his brother and father die.
Lady Joanna West has a secret life of her own and leads a smuggling group. This is where she meets Jean.
Jean recognizes Joanna and is smitten despite his vow never to love again. When a smuggling venture goes wrong and they are forced in close proximity, will Jean change his mind and heart?
Surprisingly I enjoyed the history aspect of this book more than the romance. Walker did a great job of setting the scene of the goings on of England, France and the future United States. So much time was spent on this build up that the romance was lost along-the-way but still an good reads for all the parts combined.

This is now within top 8 of books that I have read this year! Awesome story, well researched, handsome, Alpha Male! Love Lady Joanna, good herione, also a real lady! Truly Must Read! I highly recommend today! Thanks! Enjoy!
carolintallahassee 👒

Plot

I enjoyed this book, but I didn't love it. I do have to say that I absolutely loved the writing. Walker really knows how to captivate her audience using imagery, but we'll get to that later. There were some parts of the book that were a little slow and unnecessary. For example, the trial at the courthouse was long and didn't really propel the book forward. I understand that this book is a romance, but I felt like this was insta-love. There wasn't a long enough period between Donet and Joanna meeting and I really wished that they had gotten to know each other before they fell in love. I also didn't really understand how Donet didn't have that much remorse about dating Joanna. He had gone so long without a women because he mourned his wife and now he decides to marry a women without any second thoughts?

Setting

One thing that I really enjoyed about this book was the setting. I thought it was beautiful and the imagery was captivating. I really liked how the setting went between England and France. Walker not only let us into Joanna's world, but Donet's as well. I also really loved the era. It just seemed so elegant and graceful and I immediately got swallowed up in this world!

Characters 

I really loved the characters, especially the historical references. I got really excited when Walker mentioned names like John Wesley, Benjamin Franklin, and Lafeyette (nerdy, I know). There really wasn't any character that I disliked, I just couldn't connect with them. I felt like the author could have dug a little deeper into their characters.

So there's my review! Did you like this book? Have you read it? Are you interested in reading it? Let me know in the comments below!

A very good book. I loved Jean, he was definitely a hero and so swoon worthy. In the beginning, Jo irked me a bit for being so judgmental of him. But true love would not be denied as was the case with Jean and Jo. I would love to read more about them. I received this book courtesy of Netgalley.

Product Description:

"Regan Walker sweeps you away to a time and place you'll NEVER want to leave!" ~ Danelle Harmon, NY Times & USA Today Bestselling Author

England and France 1784

Cast out by his noble father for marrying the woman he loved, Jean Donet took to the sea, becoming a smuggler, delivering French brandy and tea to the south coast of England. When his young wife died, he nearly lost his sanity. In time, he became a pirate and then a privateer, vowing to never again risk his heart.

As Donet’s wealth grew, so grew his fame as a daring ship’s captain, the terror of the English Channel in the American War. When his father and older brother die in a carriage accident in France, Jean becomes the comte de Saintonge, a title he never wanted.

Lady Joanna West cares little for London Society, which considers her its darling. Marriage in the ton is either dull or disastrous. She wants no part of it. To help the poor in Sussex, she joins in their smuggling. Now she is the master of the beach, risking her reputation and her life. One night off the coast of Bognor, Joanna encounters the menacing captain of a smuggling ship, never realizing he is the mysterious comte de Saintonge.

Can Donet resist the English vixen who entices him as no other woman? Will Lady Joanna risk all for an uncertain chance at love in the arms of the dashing Jean Donet?

My Thoughts:

This tale is one that is filled with well researched historical details. So much detail became overwhelming in this readers opinion.
I like history and enjoy a vague inclusion of it in historical romance stories but too much tends to bore me. I found parts of this book just that, boring.
Fortunately it is not all like that. I stayed interested enough to continue reading in spite of the segments that bogged down.
The differences in age, the obvious physical attraction and strife between our hero and heroine make for a romantic story which can be read as a standalone title although it is book number two of this series.
I gave this book 4.25 of 5 stars for storyline and character development and a sensual rating of 3.5 of 5 flames.
The attraction between our main characters is palpable and a essential element in this story.
I received a complimentary digital ARC of this book from the author/publisher via NetGalley to read. This in no way affected my opinion of this book which I read and reviewed voluntarily.

4.25 stars
Jean Donet took to the sea after being cast out by his noble father for marrying the woman he loved, he became a privateer & then a smuggler, delivering French brandy and tea to the south coast of England. As Donet’s wealth grew, so grew his fame as a daring ship’s captain, the terror of the English Channel in the American War. When his father and older brother die in a carriage accident in France, Jean becomes the Comte de Saintonge, a title he never wanted.
Lady Joanna West cares little for London Society, which considers her its darling. Marriage in the ton is either dull or disastrous with unfaithful husbands. She wants no part of it. To help the poor in Sussex, she joins in their smuggling. Now she is the master of the beach, risking her reputation and her life. One night off the coast of Bognor, Joanna encounters the menacing captain of a smuggling ship La Noire Reine, never realizing he is the mysterious Comte de Saintonge.
I found the book a little slow to begin with but the pace picked up & by the time an injured Joanna was taken to France I was gripped. The characters are well portrayed & are very likeable. I particularly liked it that Jean & Joanna were older, in fact he’d recently become a grand parent & Joanna is in her mid twenties so no simpering & coyness. The plot takes us from Sussex to London then to Brittany & Paris. The author has obviously well researched the period & the detail & use of real events only add to the book & you are given a real sense of the growing unrest in France.
I enjoyed the book & will be reading more from the author & look forward to the third part of the trilogy

Lady Joanna West cannot abide to see the poverty around her, but instead of attending organised charity events by like-minded members of the ton, Joanna embarks on a far more dangerous pursuit to raise some money — she becomes a smuggler.

Her path crosses with the dashing French, Comte de Saintonge. What she doesn't realise is that the Comte is also the captain of one of the smuggling ships that she trades with.

The Comte de Saintonge, appears to be fearless, but that is not so. He fears to fall in love again. Can Lady Joanna help him conquer this fear?

Oh, what is not to like about this book? Set in the year 1784, Regan Walker transports her readers back to pre-revolution France in this most wonderful tale of love, honour and smuggling!

Echo in the Wind grabbed me from the very first page and did not let go of me until I had finished. I was swept away by Ms Walker's descriptive prose. The attention to historical detail in this book is outstanding. Ms Walker has brought this era to life. Kudos, Ms Walker.

I adored the characterisation of both Lady Joanne and Donet. They were both superbly well drawn and believable. As was their love story.

I really can't praise this book enough. A sublime read.

I Highly Recommend.

* I received a copy of this book from the Publishers, via Netgalley for review consideration. *

Echo in the Wind was such a well-developed story with all the necessary ingredients. Ms Walker weaves historical events around a breathtaking romance, whilst managing to draw in some adventure. The story takes place in 1784 when smuggling between the French and the English was at its height, following the American war. Jean Done, comte de Saintonge and a former pirate and privateers, meets Lady Joanna West, who is involved in smuggling. She is also the sister of the Earl of Torrington who is blissfully unaware of her smuggling. Both characters are so well explored but I found that Jean Donet’s story was especially heartfelt. The chance for love again resonates through the novel and I found myself completely immersed. I look forward to the third novel in the series. You won’t be disappointed by this or the first in the series.
I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

As a young man Jean Donet dared to marry the woman he loves, defying his family he ended up being disowned by his domineering father. Jean turned to smuggling to support his young family, but before he knew it the sea had become is mistress. The death of his wife almost destroyed him he’s vowed to never risk his heat and love again.
Lady Joanna West, the sister of the Earl of Torrington, cares little for London Society. She knows marriages in the ton as just business agreements and she wants no part of marring she’s more interested in helping the poor in Sussex. She and her younger brother join in the local smuggling activities risking her reputation and her life.
Lady Joanna meets the fascinating Jean Donet at a ball her brother is hosting and feels an instant attraction to him, unknown to her Jean is the French smuggler she's been dealing with. The authorities are bent on capturing all smugglers and their lives are further entwined when her fate is now in the hands of one very handsome alluring privateer captain. Jean is fascinated by the strong willed beautiful Joanna who has no trouble voicing her beliefs and opinions. Theirs’s is a love story for all time A captivating story filled with action packed adventure, romance and a passionate love story where Jean gets a second chance at love and Joanna finds a love she never dared to dream about.
I voluntarily read this ARC copy from Net Galley and this is my honest opinion and review.

Absolutely loved this romantic adventure on the high seas! This story grabbed my attention from the first paragraph to the last. Author did a tremendous job of weaving all the elements of life in France and England in the 18th century along with the love of family and friends.

Echo in the Wind is book two in the Donet Trilogy. I have not read book one and I had no trouble following the plot. I would like to read book one so that I can gain some background information on Jean Donet.

Jean Donet, a french man, has been a smuggler, privateer, merchant, spy, and a nobleman. He and his crew smuggle products on the coast of England. Lady Joanna West is the sister of the Earl but feels great concern for the poor people in her village. She smuggles products and uses the profits to help the poor. She meets Jean when she boards his ship to inspect the merchandise she is purchasing. Her disguise does not fool Jean, he knows she is a woman. He remains in the dark so she does not know the identity of the captain of the ship.

Lady Joanna is beautiful. She has had many pursuers but none have captured her interest. Jean is a widower that guards his heart out of fear. When Jean meets Lady Joanna at a noble event he is drawn to her. She is also drawn to him. It does not take long for Jean to realize Joanna is the smuggler who was on his ship. He is curious about her. When Joanna's last smuggle attempt goes terribly wrong, she finds herself wounded and in the care of Jean on his ship. As Jean tends to her wounds, he and Joanna get to know one another and soon the two begin a physical relationship. Before long both are in love with each other but fear keeps Jean at a distance. Should he keep Joanna as his mistress or make her his wife.

Jean takes Joanna to his properties across France. Jean has become the comte de Saintonge due to the death of his father and his brother. He has also become guardian of his young niece. Jean soon loses his heart to Joanna and to his young niece but keeping them safe proves difficult.

I loved Echo in the Wind. I loved the characters and the passion that Jean and Joanna share. It held my interest. right up until the end. It was so nice to see what it would be like to be completely spoiled by a very wealthy french man. This is my first book by Walker but it will not be my last.

I received an advance reader copy in exchange for a fair review. The story of Joanna and Jean span part of England and France. Their story involves Joanna's participation in receiving smuggled French goods and in the process is shot and taken to France for her safety. Jean becomes the head of his family after his father and brother are killed in a rigged carriage accident. The story includes smugglers, christening of a grandchild, murder and part of the dissatisfaction of the French poor against the rich. The book is interesting and most of the time keeps your attention. There is a HEA ending to the story. I would recommend this book.