Rebel Warrior

Sometimes it is not easy when a book is really good because life in the middle ages wasn't that easy and people, especially women didn't have many rights, at least not when it came to things like love and marriage. Alright, this was the one thing where the lower classes might have had more choices then those living at court although I don't know enough about that to be sure.

Okay, the hard part here was to feel and to see how much some people mean to each other just to have the king and his queen sweep in thinking that they know much better and that they shgould ignore everybody's wishes just, well, they know better, you know?

It's like everybody else must be a child with no sense of right and wrong and no knowledge of their own mind no matter how old they are and how much they already experienced. It drove me to distraction. First I was so furious that I wanted to rate this book with less stars because of it then I realised that it is not the author's fault that she described things too vividly and made me feel too well with the hero and the heroine, well, of course it is her fault and her intention as well but it's not her fault that life in those times was a bit different. Don't shoot the messenger, right? Obviously the author did a very good job here, describing everything in a very intense and very personal manner, letting us feel with her characters and hope and despair with them. Throughout the book you get a feeling of authenticity, facts are skillfully interwoven with fictional parts, forming a wonderful and delightful story.

I must admit that I was worried because for a rather long time I wasn't sure that there would be a HEA, for a (long) while things didn't looked hat well for Steinar and Catriona and - alright, I was really upset. But believe me, I wasn't upset at all, when she finally got rid of this so-called fiancé of hers, no, not at all. This man...nope. She's definitely better off without him.

This book takes you right back to the middle ages, telling a wonderful story of love and friendship at a time where love wasn't meant to be. A time where a woman was considered not much more than a prize and even a man more often than not had no say in who he wanted to have as a partner for life. A time of war, of hardship, of raids and murder.

Probably that is exactly what makes these times so fascinating for us because it is so much different from our life and Regan Walker does a fine job of evoking those times for us in this book.
I really enjoyed reading this book and can whole-heartedly recommend it!

An interesting historical romance, heavy on the historical with a sweet romance.

OMG REGAN WALKER DOES IT AGAIN, PENS ANOTHER EXCEPTIONAL BOOK READERS WON'T BE ABLE TO PUT DOWN!

This is the third book is Regan Walker's Medieval Warriors series which is absolutely captivating has all the elements readers love the read about being. Rebel Warrior is beautifully layered with with true historic figures, facts and authentic history of Scotland woven into her own creative and intriguing fictional story! These are my favorite combinations in reading Scottish historical romance and I always find some true historical facts I never knew or was not aware of. For me that makes this book even more special and fascinating to read about.

Rebel warrior has lovable and swoon worthy characters that will glide right off the pages and straight into the reader's heart! Besides the main characters Catrìona and Steinar, the secondary characters and their stories were magnificent! The handsome Welsh bard, Rhodri, Cartrìona's cousin Fia, her brother Niall, Queen Margaret, King Malcolm, Colbán, Captain of the Kingsguard, Audra, one the Queen Margaret's Ladies, and adorable orphan Giric and you can't help but fall in love in with! Each character has a story of their own , but they all bring something to the table per say with their own contributions to this fabulous story.

All in all this book is spectacular, riveting adventure quick paced and one of those rare books you can't book down! Absolutely loved Rebel Warrior Warrior!

I highly recommend Rebel Warrior by Regan Walker book 3 in her Medieval Warriors series if you haven't read her previous books it is fine too as you can read as a stand alone book as well.

Scotland 1072-1072

The Story begin as the heroine of the story Catrìona of the Vale of Leven had been out with her guard Angus flying her Falcon when Northman come and murder her parents and devastated and brutally murdered, raped and destroyed every living soul including her father Cormac, Mormaer of the Vale of Leven and her mother had been raped and murdered the only one's that survived were the younger women they kidnapped including her handmaiden Deidre. They took or slaughtered everything and burned her father's ship and their home to the ground. Luckily her younger brother Niall was out with his bow and arrows and was also spared and her Uncle Domnall arrived later that day and took his niece and nephew in as they no longer had anything everything taken or destroyed this brutal attack.

A year later her Uncle brings Fia, Niall and she to Scottish court of King Malcolm where Fia and Catrìona becomes ladies maids to Queen Margaret still having nightmeres fro her families attack and has lost her faith in God. On top of that she is betrayed the man she was supposed to be betrothed to her father had chosen. He chooses the new rich heiress ladies maid who is not very friendly or charitable and won't even listen to the Queen's orders. A match made in heaven as far as Catrìona is concerned, not realizing this man still thinks he can have her in bed!

Even before she see's his true colors Catrìona is attracted to the King's gorgeous golden scribe with a warrior's body who befriends her and is none other, but Serena, from The Red Wolf's Prize brother Steinar. He had been exiled to Scotland while his near death injury is healing he secretly practices with his sword. He is instantly attracted and falls in love with the beautiful spitfire Catrìona and reminding him of his adventurous and independent sister. Also it pains him the know he was once a son of thegn and a warrior, but now as far as classes go he is way beneath her being only the King's scribe! It will break his heart to watch her marry another with nothing to offer her like lands and even a home! Then after a heroic act and he is surprisingly offered lands and a wife by the King, but find out the King has promised Catrìona to the Captain of his Guards. Steinar is heartsick but can't stay away from the lass . The Queen knowing what a forced marriage feels like suggests to her husband they watch her and pick the man she favors, the king still undecided but agrees. To the King it is all about alliance love can come later, but the Queen understands what a forced marriage can feel like.

As for King Malcolm he often like to play a tug a war with William the Conqueror kind of playing a game of catch me if you can raiding Northumbria often. William wants the King of Scots lands and is furious at Malcolm for taking in all the exiled English rebels. As the Conqueror wanted Scotland no doubt something Malcolm would never give, but it was a dangerous game Malcolm was playing as soon or later William would retaliate and conquer! After all he earned the name William the Conquerer for a reason!

I loved the secondary stories in this book involved secrets, secret identities, unrequited love, betrayal, orphan boys whose family was also murdered, and more. If your an animal lover like me you will love the scenes with Catrìona's trained Falcon and Giric's dog feeding him scraps secret under the Kings table. Also his admiration for Steinar and love for Catrìona.

Now you have to wonder will Catriona and Steinar be forced to marry others and be separated forever? Will Catrìona ever be at peace without finding her parents murderers and will her tormented nightmares and terrors stay with her forever? Will William the Conqueror get his ultimate revenge and ravage and rape Scotland as he has done in England? What will Giric do without having Catriona and Steinar around once they are forced to marry others and move away? Will he feel abandoned once again? Will Catrìona ever find out what happened to her handmaiden Deirdre or will she never know and always wonder? This and so many more questions as you must reads this remarkable story about this star crossed couples destiny set in a beautiful Scottish setting with awesome dialogue and riveting plotlines. Even the secondary characters have their own conflicts and stories that need to be resolved, which I find is rare in most stories only focusing on the two main characters. I fell a little in love with the secondary character of the Welsh bard, and leader of archers Rhodri myself...sigh

A remarkable story that wilł stay with you long after you have read it definitely going on my keeper shelf! I can't recommend it enough!

Medieval Warriors Series by Regan Walker

1.The Red Wolf's Prize 2.The Rogue Knight 3.Rebel Warrior - TBR May 17th 4.King's Knight - TBA 2016

*** I was given a copy of this ARC by the publisher for an honest review through netgalley.com***

Steinar of Talisand has been robbed of his noble lands and home by the Norman Conqueror. He is forced to flee into Scotland where he becomes scribe to Malcom, an unlettered King, while his wounds heal and he secretly regains the use of his sword arm. Catrìona of the Vale of Leven and her brother are the only survivor’s the rest of her was murdered by Norseman raiders has been sent to Malcom’s court to await her marriage. Catronia is not your usual woman, she’s a strong-willed, fiery beauty with a falcon at her side. Steinar is drawn to the flame-haired Catronia. She is a wounded souls waiting for her marriage, only to be betrayed again. She and Steinar become friends and confidants, he becomes her protector. This is a sweet love story of star crossed relationships with early character development.
I received an ARC copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

There was definitely action and adventure in the Medieval times and this story embodied that. It was full of action, battles, and love. The love story was sweet and endeared me to all of the characters. Each have their love story to tell and their heartbreak to get through. The heartbreak was never too far and it had me tearing up from time to time. Especially in the beginning. The author sure does know where to hit you with the emotions, which seem to strike from the page as the story progresses.

Steinar and Catrìona take a while to come the realization that they love each other. It was an instant attraction kind of love, but it grew as they spend time in each others' company. It seemed that it was a doomed love as the King of Scots has the say on whom they should marry. It was a constant worry for me, because I didn’t want them to suffer the unfairness that their world gave them. I knew there would be an HEA, but the anxiety for the characters was forefront in my mind. Part of the tease, was Catrìona’s trust issues towards men, because of the swine she was betrothed to.

However, it was inner monologue like this, that made me sigh at the romantic aspect of it all.

“She watched him go through the door. He takes my heart with him.”

If not the chivalry that is prevalent in the Medieval times, it’s the romantic sigh worthy words and actions.

Since this is book three in the Medieval Warriors series, it can be read as a standalone. But I highly recommend reading the others, just because of the world in which the author introduces the reader to. The research is well done and it feels like the reader is there on the battle field or in the towns interacting with the characters. Who all seem to have a life of their own.

Favorite quote:
“He was only a scribe, a rebel warrior who had been exiled from his country, but she could not want a better man.”
*I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*

The third book in the medieval warrior series brings the reader to Catriona and Steinar's journey to find love . From the first page, the tale ensnared the reader and compels the turning of pages until the final chapter. The reader is swept to a time and place of long ago. Find a comfortable chair and sit back to enjoy.

Ebook from netgalley and publishers with thanks

I am giving an honest review in return for this ARC. You have to love a well written tale of kings, queens, knights and their lady loves. Such is this story. A wonderful read.