King's Knight

This was a sweet, quick read full of historical drama and passionate romance! Given the time period, I was expecting the hero, Sir Alexander of Talisand, to be very chauvinistic and be abusive towards the heroine, under the guise of love and protection. I was pleasantly surprised that though he began as a man who thinks little of women beyond sex, he quickly turns it around after reuniting with his heroine, a childhood friend.

Merewyn of York is a child born from rape, an orphan taken in by her mother's dear friend and learning to protect herself using a bow and arrow with devastating skill. She has been infatuated with Alexander of Talisand ever since he saved her from a group of boys intent on stealing her virtue, and as a woman grown, she realizes that infatuation has grown into an impossible love. She is a commoner, with a shameful birth in the eyes of others, and Alex is a knight beloved by his king and expected to marry as his king wishes. However, love never follows the rules, and they soon become entwined in a love story which seems can only end in sorrow.

Merewyn and Alex were a lovely couple. I loved how they knew each other for so long, since it allowed them to grow close quickly and see how perfect they were for each other. Alex was concerning at first, given his assumptions regarding Merewyn, but he eventually understood that she wasn't like other women who chase him. He would need to do the chasing instead.

Great read for a rainy day when you're stuck inside and need a pick-me-up! If you love history and romance, you'll love this book.

I particularly enjoyed this book because it is set in one of my favourite time periods, in England in the years following the Norman conquest. The author has clearly done her research and portrays the period accurately, with no historical inaccuracies to jar the reader out of the story.
Merewyn, the heroine, is the illegitimate daughter of a Saxon woman raped by a Norman knight. As such she is seen as fair game to many men despite her birth being no fault of her own. She is lucky enough to be under the protection of powerful Norman noble, the Red Wolf, and his wife the Lady Serena who has taught her some archery skills to defend herself from unwanted advances.
The Red Wolf's son is Alex, now known as the Black Wolf, a knight who has gained some renown campaigning with the English king William Rufus in Normandy. In this time period, knights were often ordered to marry as the king required, to bind alliances, and landholders in England were often required to ally their families with those in Normandy. Merewyn knows that there is no possibility that she could be allowed to marry Alex, but she allows herself to fall in love with him anyway… and you'll have to read the rest of the book to find out how they get to their happy ending.
The author's style reminds me a little of Sharon Penman, whose wonderful books about the last Princes of Wales were really the first thing to actually get me interested in history, considering the history I was taught in school was incredibly dry. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and I will be looking for more of Regan Walker's work.
Five stars.

This was a very good historical romance, I enjoyed reading it and would recommend it to anyone who likes Romances set in the Middle Ages.

I thoroughly enjoyed this novel. I was impressed with the historical accuracy of this story, the way Ms. Walker brought us back into the 1100’s, providing in depth detail regarding different issues between England, Wales and Scotland. Merewyn, is a fabulous heroine, she is strong, talented, intelligent and utterly loveable. The hero, Alex, was just as wonderful a character. The romance between these two develops rather quickly, but the pace feels natural and believable. They have many issues they must overcome to finally reach their HEA, but none are dragged out causing boredom, and all are resolved very satisfactorily. While this is number four in the series, and it can be thoroughly enjoyed if read alone, if read in order, the characters that repeat in each book really come to life.

Sir Alexander of Talisand has been dubbed the Black Wolf. He’s known for is his fierceness on the battlefield and he’s has quite the reputation of a rogue with the ladies. King William Rufus wants further conquer Norman lands through a marriage alliance between the Black Wolf and a Norman Lady.
Merewyn of York, an illegitimate a child born out of brutal rape by a Norman warrior. She was saved from rape as a young girl by Sir Alex and he’s been her hero ever since. Now she’s all grown up and Sir Alex the Black Wolf has returned home and sees the most beautiful woman in the land, Merewyn and he instantly wanted her. Due to the circumstances of her birth Merewyn feels unworthy of love, expressly the love of her heart's hero. Merewyn is an expert archer, intelligent and he knows he she’s not a simply another conquest. The problem is the King’s has already picked a bride for him. A Norman Lady who is known to get rid undesirable husbands under suspicious circumstances and she soon sees Merewyn as a threat to her conquest. Alex and Merewyn have certain challenges to overcome, but the journey is well worth the read!
I received an ARC copy from Net Galley in exchange for my honest opinion and review.

King's Knight by Regan Walker, WOW, what a read! Fantastic story pulling the reader into a different time and place and allowing escape from everyday humdrum. I highly recommend this and any other book written by this author. Regan Walker has earned a place on my read and reread and reread permanent keeper shelf.

Publisher's Description:

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?

My Thoughts:

This was an engrossing tale situated in Medieval times.
Our Hero and Heroine have known each other since childhood but after the hero goes away for fostering which was commonplace in those times the heroine also goes away with the assistance of a Welchman..

Both are away from home for an extended time.

The story takes place after both return to their home.
Is it possible for a bastard child of rape and the son of nobility to become the couple that both wish for?
I found this book to be well written and the characters well developed.
I gave this book 4.25 stars of 5 for storyline and characterization and 3 of 5 flames for heat.
I would read other offerings from this author.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley to read and review.
This in no way affected my opinion of this title.