Review: A Woman Ahead of Her Time
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 08 5, 2012
Recently, I've become acquainted with Regan Walker, a new author of historical romance. In Racing With The Wind, I encountered Lady Mary Campbell who, like the famous Scarlet O'Hara, didn't fit into the role expected of her as a young woman of society. In spite of how little room the dictates and expectations of her privileged class allowed her, Mary is able to express her individuality and to be adventurous and strong willed enough to resist being pushed into a mold she considered unacceptable. An interesting heroine, she also has a wild streak that makes her take risks.Her resolve to be her own woman is tested to the max when she meets Hugh Redgrave, the Marquess of Ormond. Considered a rake by some, he is a man of mystery and intrigue who Mary finds irresistible. On the verge of having everything she dreamed of having with Hugh, her sense of honor forces her to give him up.I'm impressed that a first time author of historical romance has accomplished such a high level of storytelling in addition to making the historical aspects within the story authentic. In doing so, she gives the reader an accurate picture of the customs, clothing, social structure and historical events of the time. Into the center of that, she creates a heroine with backbone and a resolve strong enough to hold out for what she wants in life. Walker then weaves a plot that keeps her readers guessing, thus creating a page turner I found difficult to put down. Last of all, she writes in a way that allowed me to feel what her heroine and hero feel, making their choices more believable and understandable--their doubts and weaknesses quite human. I can't wait to read the sequels.