Book Tour for Against the Wind by Regan Walker (Review & GIVEAWAY)

As a fan of the historical genre I'm pleased to bring to you Regan Walker and her latest release, Against the Wind, today.  Keep reading to get a glimpse of this book as well as my impressions of it.  Also make sure to leave a comment for your chance to win books.....

A night in London’s most exclusive bordello. Agent of the Crown Sir Martin Powell would not normally indulge, but the end of his time spying against Napoleon deserves a victory celebration. Yet, such pleasure will not come cheap. The auburn-haired courtesan he calls “Kitten” is in truth Katherine, Lady Egerton, a dowager baroness and the daughter of an earl as elusive as she is alluring. She flees a fate worse than death. But Martin has known darkness, too, and he alone can touch her heart—as she has touched his. To the English Midlands they will steal, into the rising winds of revolution.

EXCERPT:

They stepped into the ballroom just as the orchestra stuck up a waltz—and Martin froze. Standing not twenty feet before him was the object of his long search, shimmering in a silver gown that reflected the lights above, her only other adornments her auburn tresses and a string of pearls. Even here, amidst the ton’s finery, she stood out, once again an ethereal creature.
“Kitten,” he muttered under his breath. She stood with two debutantes and an older man and woman, her back to the dancing couples. She appeared unaware of the attention she was drawing from the men around her, but Martin saw the looks they were giving her and felt a wave of jealousy sweep over him.
“What is it, Martin? Why did you stop? What are you staring at?”
“She is here. Just there.”
Out of the corner of his eye Martin saw Ormond’s head turn toward Kit. At the same time, Kit turned her face to the side and it became a mask of horror. Whatever she saw had shaken her badly.
A man. She was looking at a man.
“Who is that?” Martin said, gesturing for Ormond.
“That,” Ormond informed him, “is the man you have been asking about. The Earl of Rutledge.”

MY IMPRESSIONS OF THIS BOOK:

Against the Wind is a story full of action right from the first page as numerous heartbreaking events occur to set our main protagonists on the mutual road towards a HEA.  Mutual loss bonds Martin and Kit together, as does an unexpectedly steamy encounter at an elite bordello.  From this  memorable encounter their lives become one of danger, both from the government and from enemies closer to home.

After years in service to the government and through the loss of his wife and child, Martin is now home to carry out one last job.  Before undertaking it he pays a visit to a bordello and by a twist of fate ends up in the bed of Kit who stirs his heart after years of it being dormant but loses her in the light of day.  Through a strange twist of fate they end up in each other's arms again where the rocky road to their HEA commences under the specter of danger.  Martin is a good man, an honorable man, who's had his heart broken.  He's loyal and desperate to keep the woman he's just discovered safe from harm which leads to secrets.  It's not that he wants to keep secrets, he just doesn't want another woman he loves to be put in jeopardy.

Kit is a real Lady forced through fate to staying the night at a bordello while trying to decide where she should go after being forced to run from her home.  With nothing to her name because of her vile brother-in-law, Edgar the Earl of Rutledge, who wants to claim her for his own after the death of her sister she's left with few choices.  She's immediately drawn to the stranger who enters her room but runs from Martin before he discovers who she is.  To save her from Edgar though he proclaims her as wife and does anything necessary to keep her safe.  Kit is an admirable heroine in that she's smart, loyal, and caring.  She wants to be an independent woman but the danger that Edgar represents keeps her from acting on her own.  

The journey to a HEA is difficult though as many outside forces work to pull them apart.  It's only through their trust, love, and intense emotions for one another that helps them reach their immensely satisfying conclusion.  Along the way are numerous steamy encounters that further show Martin's devotion to her and made me even more enamored of him.  These scenes were nicely balanced with real life historical events that Ms. Walker presented in a realistic way to draw the reader in completely.  This blending of historical events was one of the highlights as I knew I was learning something but was highly entertained at the same time.

Even though this is the second book in Ms. Walker's Agents of the Crown series it can definitely be read on its own.  Characters from the previous installment show up to assist the protagonists but knowing their background has no bearing on my enjoyment of this release. From its sensual romance to life or death historical events Ms. Walker has created an intensely emotional story that compels the reader to keep turning the pages.  Considering my enjoyment of this story I'm counting down the days until the next installment of this series is released.

My rating for this is an A.

*I received this book from the author in exchange for my honest opinion.

AUTHOR INFO:

As a child Regan Walker loved to write stories, particularly about adventure-loving girls, but by the time she got to college more serious pursuits took priority. One of her professors thought her suited to the profession of law, and Regan realized it would be better to be a hammer than a nail. Years of serving clients in private practice and several stints in high levels of government gave her a love of international travel and a feel for the demands of the “Crown” on its subjects. Hence her romance novels often involve a demanding Prince Regent who thinks of his subjects as his private talent pool.

Regan lives in San Diego with her golden retriever, Link, whom she says inspires her every day to relax and smell the roses.

website: www.reganwalkerauthor.com/
blog: reganromancereview.blogspot.com/
twitter: @RegansReview

**********GIVEAWAY**********

Regan will be awarding either Racing with the Wind OR Lunchbox Romances that tie into the triology, The Holly and the Thistle and The Shamrock and the Rose (winner's choice) to a randomly drawn commenter during the tour.

-To be entered, leave a comment, along with your email addy.

-Winners will be chosen randomly from all comments made throughout the tour, so the more you comment the greater your chances of winning.  A list of all participating blogs can be found here.

-Giveaway ends at 11:59 PM CST on 6/14.