Review: Rebel Warrior by Regan Walker

When your destiny lies far from where you began …

Scotland 1072

The Norman Conqueror robbed Steinar of Talisand of his noble father and his lands, forcing him to flee to Scotland while still recovering from a devastating wound. At the royal court, Steinar becomes scribe to the unlettered King of Scots while secretly regaining his skill with a sword.

The first time Steinar glimpses the flame-haired maiden, Catrìona of the Vale of Leven, he is drawn to her spirited beauty. She does not fit among the ladies who serve the devout queen. Not pious, not obedient and not given to stitchery, the firebrand flies a falcon! Though Catrìona captures Steinar’s attention, he is only a scribe and she is promised to another.

Catrìona has come to Malcolm’s court wounded in spirit from the vicious attack on her home by Northmen who slayed her parents and her people. But that is not all she will suffer. The man she thought to wed will soon betray her.

When all is lost, what hope is there for love? Can a broken heart be mended? Can a damaged soul be healed?

A new Regan Walker novel is always a treat. Packed with just the right blend of action, adventure and romance it never takes long before I'm hooked and racing through the pages to find out what happens. I have loved her Medieval Warriors series so far, and happily Rebel Warrior is no exception.

Medieval romance has to be one of my favourite genres of fiction. The costumes, the language, the castles, the noble heroes - it's the ultimate escapism and a world that I love to immerse myself in. Catriona made for a feisty and very likeable female protagonist, and Steinar was just a big softie under his warrior exterior. There's palpable chemistry from the moment they first set eyes on each other, and their bond only grows stronger with all the obstacles thrown their way. I adored little Giric too; he was a wonderful addition to the story and I would love to read more about him as an adult one day!

One thing that I love about Regan's work is how each character, no matter how minor, has an important role in the story. For example, in the case of this story Queen Margaret has many ladies, and yet we are introduced toeach of them in turn. This makes the characters more realistic somehow and makes the reader interested to find out what happens to them all. This book isn't just about Catriona and Steinar, it's also about the life and loves of the other characters.

Regan's stories are always impeccably researched, and this comes across in her writing. From the vast and colourful royal banqueting hall to the barren and Northman ravaged countryside, it's all so well described that you can picture it vividly. I was particularly interested to read the Author's Notes at the end - although the story is grounded in fiction there are some surprising links with real history!

**Thanks to Regan Walker for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for a review!**