Racing With the Wind by Regan Walker – a Review

Racing with the Wind by Regan Walker is the first book in her Agents of the Crown Trilogy.

Description:
The intrepid daughter of an earl leaves Regency London for the Parisian court of Louis XVIII, where she finds adventure, mystery, and above all, love.

THE NIGHTHAWK
Hugh Redgrave, marquess of Ormond, was warned. Prinny had dubbed Lady Mary Campbell “the Swan,” but no ordinary man could clip her wings. She was a bluestocking hellion, an ill-advised match by every account. Luckily, he sought no bride. His work lay on the continent, where he’d become legend by stealing war secrets from Boney. And yet, his memories of Lady Mary riding her stallion were a thorn in his mind. He was the son of a duke and in the service of the Prince Regent…and he would not be whole until he had won her hand.

THE SWAN
It was unheard of for a Regency debutante to postpone her first season, yet Lady Mary had done just that. Far more interested in politics than a husband, she had no time for foolishness or frippery. Already she had assisted her statesman uncle in Paris, and she swore to return to the court of Louis XVIII no matter the danger. Like her black stallion, Midnight, she would always run free. Only the truest heart would race beside her.

Review:
Racing with the Wind takes place in England and France.  Napoleon (Boney) has been overthrown in France and Lady Mary’s uncle Adrian, Lord Baynes, is an integral part of the Prince Regent’s (Prinny’s) diplomatic force that travels abroad to ensure England’s place in world affairs.  Lady Mary’s father died when she was a child and her uncle has been more of a father figure than an uncle.   And she is more than interested in the political climate than she is in attending balls and galas in order to find a husband.  She does give in and attends a gathering where Hugh Redgrave catches her eye, and she catches his.  And, they both have reputations.  She as a hellion who won’t be told what to do, and he as a rake.

Hugh, who also works for the Prince Regent, goes to see Lord Baynes and is fascinated to see a woman riding a black stallion astride and in breeches…… Lady Mary.  Hugh meets with Lord Baynes and is invited to join then for lunch.  When Mary enters the room, she is surprised to see Marquess Redgrave sitting at their table.  They all make polite conversation, which grates on the Lady’s nerves, so she steers the conversation to politics.  Hugh is totally taken aback to see that Lady Mary is very knowledgeable in the political climate of England and France and is even more surprised to learn that she has accompanied her uncle to Paris on a diplomatic mission and was actually involved.  And, somehow, he knows his life will never be the same.

Once Lady Mary and her uncle Adrian arrive in France, she is caught up in political intrigue and the social scene in Paris.  Unbeknownst to her, Hugh Redgrave is in Paris as well.  Once she sees him, things start to happen quickly.  Mary is instrumental in helping gather information against those that would want Napoleon reinstated as ruler of France.  And Hugh is bound and determined to help keep Lady Mary safe.  Little did he know what a job that would be.

This was a wonderfully written story.  There is political intrigue, romance and a bit of mystery.  The descriptions of England and France were refreshing and not overdone.  And what a wonderful character Lady Mary was to read about.  She was determined to be her own person in a time where that sort of thing was frowned upon, but she never wavered from her convictions.  And Hugh Redgrave was the perfect companion for her. 

I have to say that if it were left up to me to read this book based on the description, I probably would not have picked it.  Thank God the author sent it and I had agreed to review it.  The story is intriguing from the beginning and it only grows from there.  There were times when I wasn’t sure who was the good guy and who was the bad guy and times when I could not turn the pages fast enough.  This book grabbed me and didn’t let go.  I loved this book so much that I contacted the author when I found out that it was book 1 in a trilogy and had to know when the next came out.  She was very gracious and humored me.  The next book in the trilogy, AGAINST THE WIND, should be out sometime around the end of this year, to be followed up by WIND RAVEN some time next year.  The next books are definitely on my MUST READ list.  I don’t really know what genre this series would fall in.  Historical romance, mystery…………  But I do know what category it falls in:  GREAT READ!!!

 Reviewed by Vickie    

Copy provided by Author