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Shefford's Knights #1
Defy Not the Heart
Reina seethes with rage over her fate: taken captive by the knight Ranulf — a golden giant of a man — who has pledged to deliver her to the nuptial bed of the despised Lord Rothwell. She will never accept such bondage — and Reina offers herself to her kidnapped instead, offering to make Ranulf a great lord...if he agrees to wed her.But the brave knight desires much more than a marriage of convenience from this proud, headstrong lady who treats him with scorn yet makes his blood run hotter than liquid fire. She must come to him of her own free will — or Ranulf will take her. For the passion that consumes them both cannot long be denied — even though gravest peril surely awaits them on the heart's trail to a destines and turbulent love.
432 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1989
689 people are currently reading
4023 people want to read
About the author
Johanna Lindsey
148 books7,263 followersJohanna Helen Howard was born on March 10, 1952 in Germany, where her father, Edwin Dennis Howard, a soldier in the U.S. Army was stationed. The family moved about a great deal when she was young. Her father always dreamed of retiring to Hawaii, and after he passed away in 1964 Johanna and her mother settled there to honor him.
In 1970, when she was still in school, she married Ralph Lindsey, becoming a young housewife. The marriage had three children; Alfred, Joseph and Garret, who already have made her a grandmother. After her husband's death, Johanna moved to Maine, New England, to stay near her family.
Johanna Lindsey wrote her first book, Captive Bride in 1977 "on a whim", and the book was a success. By 2006, with over 58 Million copies of her books have been sold worldwide, with translations appearing in 12 languages, Johanna Lindsey is one of the world's most popular authors of historical romance.
Johanna's books span the various eras of history, including books set in the Middle Ages, the American "Old West" and the popular Regency England-Scotland. She has even written a few sci-fi romances. By far the most popular among her books are the stories about the Malory-Anderson Family, a Regency England saga.
Johanna Lindsey died on Oct. 27, 2019 in Nashua, N.H. She was 67.
In 1970, when she was still in school, she married Ralph Lindsey, becoming a young housewife. The marriage had three children; Alfred, Joseph and Garret, who already have made her a grandmother. After her husband's death, Johanna moved to Maine, New England, to stay near her family.
Johanna Lindsey wrote her first book, Captive Bride in 1977 "on a whim", and the book was a success. By 2006, with over 58 Million copies of her books have been sold worldwide, with translations appearing in 12 languages, Johanna Lindsey is one of the world's most popular authors of historical romance.
Johanna's books span the various eras of history, including books set in the Middle Ages, the American "Old West" and the popular Regency England-Scotland. She has even written a few sci-fi romances. By far the most popular among her books are the stories about the Malory-Anderson Family, a Regency England saga.
Johanna Lindsey died on Oct. 27, 2019 in Nashua, N.H. She was 67.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 307 reviews
July 5, 2012
Ohhhh, you guys. 1989, such an odd time for romance novels - not quite old school, not quite new. To wit:
1. Fabio is on the cover. In purple tights. Because that's totally what men wore in 1192.
2. Seriously awesome, kick ass, take charge heroine, whom we meet wearing armor and defending her keep, which she has been in charge of for a few years. She's 17.
3. Causing marriage by rape is frowned upon.
4. Kidnapping? Go for it!
5. Husband-to-be agrees to write it in their marriage contract that he'll never use his fists on her - he really doesn't want to hurt her.
6. But privately, he wonders, how else can a man keep his wife under control? It's okay. He'll just threaten to spank her to make sure she obeys and follow through as needed.
7. Reina had complete control over who she chose to marry.
8. But she was furious when another woman dared have a preference for her own marriage, too, because women just don't know what was right for them.
9. Ranulf really respects Reina and generally trusts her opinions.
10. But women aren't supposed to like sex, so he doesn't actually respect her thoughts on that matter.
11. Until he realizes maybe she's right, and goes to see the town whore for advice.
12. And then the misunderstanding that arises when she walks in on them is actually discussed! And cleared up!
And, actually, the second half or so of the book is the two of them working at their marriage and growing as individuals and as a couple and really becoming a solid pair. Even when one does something the other disagrees with, they work through it. Kind of novel, really. Does that balance out the fact that working through it occasionally means punishment first? Eh. It was mostly a super fun read. Usually there's so much wrong with an 80s romance that the question can't even be asked, so overall, win. I'm not surprised that she's still writing these days, she's good.
1. Fabio is on the cover. In purple tights. Because that's totally what men wore in 1192.
2. Seriously awesome, kick ass, take charge heroine, whom we meet wearing armor and defending her keep, which she has been in charge of for a few years. She's 17.
3. Causing marriage by rape is frowned upon.
4. Kidnapping? Go for it!
5. Husband-to-be agrees to write it in their marriage contract that he'll never use his fists on her - he really doesn't want to hurt her.
6. But privately, he wonders, how else can a man keep his wife under control? It's okay. He'll just threaten to spank her to make sure she obeys and follow through as needed.
7. Reina had complete control over who she chose to marry.
8. But she was furious when another woman dared have a preference for her own marriage, too, because women just don't know what was right for them.
9. Ranulf really respects Reina and generally trusts her opinions.
10. But women aren't supposed to like sex, so he doesn't actually respect her thoughts on that matter.
11. Until he realizes maybe she's right, and goes to see the town whore for advice.
12. And then the misunderstanding that arises when she walks in on them is actually discussed! And cleared up!
And, actually, the second half or so of the book is the two of them working at their marriage and growing as individuals and as a couple and really becoming a solid pair. Even when one does something the other disagrees with, they work through it. Kind of novel, really. Does that balance out the fact that working through it occasionally means punishment first? Eh. It was mostly a super fun read. Usually there's so much wrong with an 80s romance that the question can't even be asked, so overall, win. I'm not surprised that she's still writing these days, she's good.
September 6, 2022
***SPOILERS***
Sadly, Johanna Lindsey is an author whose time has passed. But for a while--except for maybe Jude Deveraux--there was no other mass market Romance author in the 1980’s-1990’s whose prolific writing achieved such commercial success. Lindsey even reached #1 on the New York Times Best Seller list with “Defy Not the Heart."
During this time period, Lindsey was at her peak, and in a span of 10 to 15 years churned out book after book (with the best covers ever!), that for but a few exceptions, were all great reads or rank among my most beloved romances. For sure, they were not always the best written, often rambling on about unimportant characters and telling more than showing, and so often I wanted to strangle the heroines for their stubbornness and TSTL tendecies. Yet, oddly I loved her plots involving kidnapping and forced marriages and overbearing, handsome men who usually treated the heroine like crap one minute, and then was passionate making lurv to her then brushing her hair as afterplay. I ate her books up like candy and have the emotional cavities to prove it!
In “Defy Not the Heart,” Ranulf Fitz Hugh is a bastard, mercenary knight simply working on another job. He is to kidnap Lady Reina and bring her to her “betrothed,” Lord Rothwell, an elderly man who Reina’s never met. Reina, not being a stupid girl, is sensible and realizes that as an unmarried woman she's in a precarious position. Since Rothwell hasn’t yet paid Ranulf for his services, and Rothwell’s claim to marriage is false anyway, why doesn’t Ranulf wed Reina himself? She’s a wealthy heiress and such a union would make Ranulf a wealthy lord. A marriage of convenience takes place, and the two seemingly different spouses settle into married life.
“Defy Not the Heart” combines some of my favorite tropes to make this book a truffle-bacon-cheese-and-macaroni comfort read:
First the cover: A dazzling Elaine Duillo masterpiece with a pink-purple background featuring a blond Fabio, looking like Prince Adam of Eternia in a white poofy shirt that drapes off his shoulders, baring his massive pecs & biceps, and purple tights that cling to his bulging muscles. There’s that female model who’s always posing alongside Fabio, this time with flowing raven hair, her fingers clutching Fab’s purple thighs, while she sports a sexy red dress that shows more boobies than most infants see their first months of life (Reina’s supposed to have ittie bitty titties so that was a major exaggeration on Duillo’s part!).
Ranulf is a brute, a knight with no time for chivalry: he bangs slutty, fat chicks, parties with his buds, pisses where he likes and is an all-around ill-mannered boor. But he's secretly insecure. He’s remarkably good-looking, so handsome that women chase him wherever he goes. He's never received any genuine affection or love from a woman in his rough life. The illegitimate son of a noble lord, Ranulf has had to fight for his way, and finishing this one job to kidnap an unmarried heiress and bring her to a “fiancée” will enable him to have enough funds to buy a land and show up dad once and for all. But Reina’s offer of marriage is impossible to resist.
Reina's one of Lindsey’s best heroines, not a hard feat to achieve considering how caustic so many of them are. She is short, plain-looking, except for her pretty eyes. Reina’s charms are her brains and ability to lead. She’s no shrinking violet, a no-nonsense girl who'll pull up her sleeves to protect her castle and people. Reina’s witty, and yes, she gets prissy, although she’s no shrew. Some call her a mouse, but Ranulf's pet name is “Little General.” And though not beautiful, she’s not “Woe is me, my looks suck,” but knows it’s her practical qualities that get her the hunkiest man around.
I’ve read other readers complain about how little interaction Ranulf and Reina have with each other, and perhaps because Lindsey has a penchant to make her protagonists constantly fight, this scarcity is a good thing. The scenes with Ranulf and Reina are all the more memorable: from their first interaction, when after waiting hours to meet the Lady whose castle he’s invaded, an impatient Ranulf unknowingly picks up an armor-clad Reina and throws her to the floor, causing Reina to crack jokes about housekeeping, to the sexy bedroom sessions with light bondage and spanking punishments (which, although rather vanilla today, were a bit controversial at the time).
I hate when arranged marriages in historicals are approached with the attitude of “I won’t have sex until you love me.” That’s so phony, and fortunately Reina has no problem looking forward to her marriage bed and Ranulf has no problem performing his duties.
Alas, he’s terrible in the sack.
I love the fact that Ranulf's an oaf in bed.
Plus, I adore cats, and there's something sexy about a man who does, too. Ranulf has a beloved kitty named Lady Ella. If, like me, you own cats, you may be familiar with the experience of waking up to a warm furball laying on your chest, tail up, butt planted directly in your face. This is what Ranulf's jealous queen cat does to Reina, though much worse. It's a riot!
There are so many enjoyable scenes in this one: Ranulf's reaction when Theo, Reina’s gay male attendant, bathes him is priceless and Ranulf’s kindness to a club-footed young boy who is bullied makes me sigh with girlish glee. Behind “Gentle Rogue” and “Secret Fire,” this is my favorite Lindsey. Every year or two, I pull it out and re-read it. Check your brain at the door and just appreciate the ride. Don’t expect literary perfection. If you’re in a goofy frame of mind, have a blast reading about two silly characters that make you fall in love with them just as they do.
5 stars/A
Sadly, Johanna Lindsey is an author whose time has passed. But for a while--except for maybe Jude Deveraux--there was no other mass market Romance author in the 1980’s-1990’s whose prolific writing achieved such commercial success. Lindsey even reached #1 on the New York Times Best Seller list with “Defy Not the Heart."
During this time period, Lindsey was at her peak, and in a span of 10 to 15 years churned out book after book (with the best covers ever!), that for but a few exceptions, were all great reads or rank among my most beloved romances. For sure, they were not always the best written, often rambling on about unimportant characters and telling more than showing, and so often I wanted to strangle the heroines for their stubbornness and TSTL tendecies. Yet, oddly I loved her plots involving kidnapping and forced marriages and overbearing, handsome men who usually treated the heroine like crap one minute, and then was passionate making lurv to her then brushing her hair as afterplay. I ate her books up like candy and have the emotional cavities to prove it!
In “Defy Not the Heart,” Ranulf Fitz Hugh is a bastard, mercenary knight simply working on another job. He is to kidnap Lady Reina and bring her to her “betrothed,” Lord Rothwell, an elderly man who Reina’s never met. Reina, not being a stupid girl, is sensible and realizes that as an unmarried woman she's in a precarious position. Since Rothwell hasn’t yet paid Ranulf for his services, and Rothwell’s claim to marriage is false anyway, why doesn’t Ranulf wed Reina himself? She’s a wealthy heiress and such a union would make Ranulf a wealthy lord. A marriage of convenience takes place, and the two seemingly different spouses settle into married life.
“Defy Not the Heart” combines some of my favorite tropes to make this book a truffle-bacon-cheese-and-macaroni comfort read:
First the cover: A dazzling Elaine Duillo masterpiece with a pink-purple background featuring a blond Fabio, looking like Prince Adam of Eternia in a white poofy shirt that drapes off his shoulders, baring his massive pecs & biceps, and purple tights that cling to his bulging muscles. There’s that female model who’s always posing alongside Fabio, this time with flowing raven hair, her fingers clutching Fab’s purple thighs, while she sports a sexy red dress that shows more boobies than most infants see their first months of life (Reina’s supposed to have ittie bitty titties so that was a major exaggeration on Duillo’s part!).
Ranulf is a brute, a knight with no time for chivalry: he bangs slutty, fat chicks, parties with his buds, pisses where he likes and is an all-around ill-mannered boor. But he's secretly insecure. He’s remarkably good-looking, so handsome that women chase him wherever he goes. He's never received any genuine affection or love from a woman in his rough life. The illegitimate son of a noble lord, Ranulf has had to fight for his way, and finishing this one job to kidnap an unmarried heiress and bring her to a “fiancée” will enable him to have enough funds to buy a land and show up dad once and for all. But Reina’s offer of marriage is impossible to resist.
Reina's one of Lindsey’s best heroines, not a hard feat to achieve considering how caustic so many of them are. She is short, plain-looking, except for her pretty eyes. Reina’s charms are her brains and ability to lead. She’s no shrinking violet, a no-nonsense girl who'll pull up her sleeves to protect her castle and people. Reina’s witty, and yes, she gets prissy, although she’s no shrew. Some call her a mouse, but Ranulf's pet name is “Little General.” And though not beautiful, she’s not “Woe is me, my looks suck,” but knows it’s her practical qualities that get her the hunkiest man around.
I’ve read other readers complain about how little interaction Ranulf and Reina have with each other, and perhaps because Lindsey has a penchant to make her protagonists constantly fight, this scarcity is a good thing. The scenes with Ranulf and Reina are all the more memorable: from their first interaction, when after waiting hours to meet the Lady whose castle he’s invaded, an impatient Ranulf unknowingly picks up an armor-clad Reina and throws her to the floor, causing Reina to crack jokes about housekeeping, to the sexy bedroom sessions with light bondage and spanking punishments (which, although rather vanilla today, were a bit controversial at the time).
I hate when arranged marriages in historicals are approached with the attitude of “I won’t have sex until you love me.” That’s so phony, and fortunately Reina has no problem looking forward to her marriage bed and Ranulf has no problem performing his duties.
Alas, he’s terrible in the sack.
I love the fact that Ranulf's an oaf in bed.
Plus, I adore cats, and there's something sexy about a man who does, too. Ranulf has a beloved kitty named Lady Ella. If, like me, you own cats, you may be familiar with the experience of waking up to a warm furball laying on your chest, tail up, butt planted directly in your face. This is what Ranulf's jealous queen cat does to Reina, though much worse. It's a riot!
There are so many enjoyable scenes in this one: Ranulf's reaction when Theo, Reina’s gay male attendant, bathes him is priceless and Ranulf’s kindness to a club-footed young boy who is bullied makes me sigh with girlish glee. Behind “Gentle Rogue” and “Secret Fire,” this is my favorite Lindsey. Every year or two, I pull it out and re-read it. Check your brain at the door and just appreciate the ride. Don’t expect literary perfection. If you’re in a goofy frame of mind, have a blast reading about two silly characters that make you fall in love with them just as they do.
5 stars/A
Read
December 27, 2022The story was boring, the development was slow and the characters left me indifferent.
Dnf @ 23%
Dnf @ 23%
November 13, 2017
"Defy not the Heart" is the story of Ranulf and Reina.
Since her father passed away an year ago, Reina de Champeney is the lady of her keep in Clydon and does everything to help her people- including making decisions about her marriage, a power which her father left her with. Her life has a hitch when she welcomes Knight Ranulf Fitz Hugh into her home, who later kidnaps her as he has pledged to deliver her to the old Lord Rothwell in exchange for a handsome bounty.
Never agreeing to be sold like a chattel, Reina instead offers her lands and hand to Ranulf in a marriage of convinience, and he unwillingly accepts!
This was a fun read! No insta-love or insta-attraction- the leads are only fascinated by one another, and mostly annoyed. They get married for mutual benefit, and consummate for duty.
Soon proximity leads to attraction, which blooms into love.
I hate the virgin pornstar phenomena, and this didn't have it!
The heroine was a sassy, strong and independent, the hero a gentle giant of a courageous warrior. I loved him getting "lessons" in lovemaking, her being protective of him and their people, and the furry "Lady Ella".
There were many laugh out loud moments in the book. The couple was young (h 17, H 23) and spent their time either tumbling in bed, fighting or managing their lands. Sweet ending.
Safe/ Safe with minor exceptions
4/5
Since her father passed away an year ago, Reina de Champeney is the lady of her keep in Clydon and does everything to help her people- including making decisions about her marriage, a power which her father left her with. Her life has a hitch when she welcomes Knight Ranulf Fitz Hugh into her home, who later kidnaps her as he has pledged to deliver her to the old Lord Rothwell in exchange for a handsome bounty.
Never agreeing to be sold like a chattel, Reina instead offers her lands and hand to Ranulf in a marriage of convinience, and he unwillingly accepts!
This was a fun read! No insta-love or insta-attraction- the leads are only fascinated by one another, and mostly annoyed. They get married for mutual benefit, and consummate for duty.
Soon proximity leads to attraction, which blooms into love.
I hate the virgin pornstar phenomena, and this didn't have it!
The heroine was a sassy, strong and independent, the hero a gentle giant of a courageous warrior. I loved him getting "lessons" in lovemaking, her being protective of him and their people, and the furry "Lady Ella".
There were many laugh out loud moments in the book. The couple was young (h 17, H 23) and spent their time either tumbling in bed, fighting or managing their lands. Sweet ending.
Safe/ Safe with minor exceptions
4/5
June 15, 2021
Re-read was just as good
I honestly did not realize I had read this before but I really enjoyed it. There were some odd things like the gay servant Theo that attended her which I thought odd and the cat Lady Ella which I loved but the hero and heroine were amazing. I didn't like the opening scene with another woman but I liked it after that. He met the heroine and there were no other women after that I loved their interactions and the heroine had a great spine too. He called her the little general and I loved that. Their is a lot going on in here but it was very easy reading. There were several conflicts from neighboring holdings, an ex lover of his makes a short appearance, a reunion between him and his Father and several other small incidents but I just adored it and I am glad I re-read it for sure.
I honestly did not realize I had read this before but I really enjoyed it. There were some odd things like the gay servant Theo that attended her which I thought odd and the cat Lady Ella which I loved but the hero and heroine were amazing. I didn't like the opening scene with another woman but I liked it after that. He met the heroine and there were no other women after that I loved their interactions and the heroine had a great spine too. He called her the little general and I loved that. Their is a lot going on in here but it was very easy reading. There were several conflicts from neighboring holdings, an ex lover of his makes a short appearance, a reunion between him and his Father and several other small incidents but I just adored it and I am glad I re-read it for sure.
May 25, 2021
I was in the mood for an old-school JL re-read, and this one fit the bill. Not as steamy as I generally like (though there were several scenes; they just weren't as detailed), but a good story with a solid plot line, likeable characters, a damaged yet swoon-worthy H, some mystery/who's behind the external conflict, and a solid HEA.
(The only thing I can think of that might be a turn off for some is that the H is gay intolerant (the h's nanny/lady's maid/etc is a gay man - he's hilarious and brings some humor to the story), but the H is not overtly cruel, nor does he ever physically harm the man; he's likely much less aggressive than alpha males of that time were towards gay men, but I point it out in case it might offend someone.)
Plot --- 4.5/5
Main Characters --- 4/5
Supporting Cast --- 4/5
Steam Level* --- 3.25/5
Violence --- nothing graphic
Language --- some
POV --- 3rd
*Note that steam level is not a rating so much as a how hot was it: 0/5 - clean; 1/5 - mild (nothing descriptive); 2/5 - 3rd base action/1 home run; 3/5 - now we're getting somewhere (a couple of full-on steamy scenes); 4/5 - yes please! (erotica territory); 5/5 - they did EVERYTHING in this one, y'all
(The only thing I can think of that might be a turn off for some is that the H is gay intolerant (the h's nanny/lady's maid/etc is a gay man - he's hilarious and brings some humor to the story), but the H is not overtly cruel, nor does he ever physically harm the man; he's likely much less aggressive than alpha males of that time were towards gay men, but I point it out in case it might offend someone.)
Plot --- 4.5/5
Main Characters --- 4/5
Supporting Cast --- 4/5
Steam Level* --- 3.25/5
Violence --- nothing graphic
Language --- some
POV --- 3rd
*Note that steam level is not a rating so much as a how hot was it: 0/5 - clean; 1/5 - mild (nothing descriptive); 2/5 - 3rd base action/1 home run; 3/5 - now we're getting somewhere (a couple of full-on steamy scenes); 4/5 - yes please! (erotica territory); 5/5 - they did EVERYTHING in this one, y'all
July 3, 2018
1st read: 4 /05/2015
Me gusta releer estas cosas porque uno se da cuenta de cuánto uno cambia de un año a otro. Cuando lo leí en su momento yo pensé que tenía los tópicos superados y me encontraba una maravilla pero no es tan así. Es normalita. Entretiene pero hoy en día tiene ciertas escenas que huelen espantosamente a relaciones no consentidas, que son bastante claras; por ahí la autora lo tapa con humor por la gracia que tiene Reina pero objetivamente no dejan de ser lo que son. Tampoco me voy a poner en plan de 'Esto ya no es para mí' porque de hecho me compré este libro. Me gusta, sí y entiendo que fue escrito hace treinta años. Eran otras concepciones de romance. Hoy en día esto está muy superado y se lee esto sabiendo que ya no más. Quiero creer que ya se cae de maduro.
________
Ay Johanna ¿por qué no seguiste escribiendo libros así? Juro que no te reconozco en los últimos libros, tan faltos de emoción y química.
Decir que devoré este libro es poco. Ranulf es todo un bruto por fuera, pero cuando sonríe, ay de mí, pero me encanta. Son tan tontos juntos. Reina es tremenda, en ningún momento cambia su personalidad y sigue tan irreverente como desde un principio.
Me causó gracia porque el contexto político en el que está ambientado es lo que recientemente leí en History channel así que me vino como anillo al dedo. Ricardo Corazón de León, Enrique y Juan, ¡yo sabía de qué hablaban!
Me encanta como se desarrolló la relación entre Reina y Ranulf. Constantes pullas y tire-afloje, bañado de risas ocasionales. Añoraba a esta Johanna que me metió el amor por el romance histórico en primer lugar, y si le pongo *cincoestrellas* es porque me encanta, es una novela muy disfrutable y aunque predecible me hizo reír y suspirar de amor por ambos, que a su manera son perfectos para el otro.
Se me hizo demasiado corta.
PD: Son tan jóvenes (ella 17 y él 23) que puede ser tranquilamente un new adult medieval (?
Me gusta releer estas cosas porque uno se da cuenta de cuánto uno cambia de un año a otro. Cuando lo leí en su momento yo pensé que tenía los tópicos superados y me encontraba una maravilla pero no es tan así. Es normalita. Entretiene pero hoy en día tiene ciertas escenas que huelen espantosamente a relaciones no consentidas, que son bastante claras; por ahí la autora lo tapa con humor por la gracia que tiene Reina pero objetivamente no dejan de ser lo que son. Tampoco me voy a poner en plan de 'Esto ya no es para mí' porque de hecho me compré este libro. Me gusta, sí y entiendo que fue escrito hace treinta años. Eran otras concepciones de romance. Hoy en día esto está muy superado y se lee esto sabiendo que ya no más. Quiero creer que ya se cae de maduro.
________
Ay Johanna ¿por qué no seguiste escribiendo libros así? Juro que no te reconozco en los últimos libros, tan faltos de emoción y química.
Decir que devoré este libro es poco. Ranulf es todo un bruto por fuera, pero cuando sonríe, ay de mí, pero me encanta. Son tan tontos juntos. Reina es tremenda, en ningún momento cambia su personalidad y sigue tan irreverente como desde un principio.
Me causó gracia porque el contexto político en el que está ambientado es lo que recientemente leí en History channel así que me vino como anillo al dedo. Ricardo Corazón de León, Enrique y Juan, ¡yo sabía de qué hablaban!
Me encanta como se desarrolló la relación entre Reina y Ranulf. Constantes pullas y tire-afloje, bañado de risas ocasionales. Añoraba a esta Johanna que me metió el amor por el romance histórico en primer lugar, y si le pongo *cincoestrellas* es porque me encanta, es una novela muy disfrutable y aunque predecible me hizo reír y suspirar de amor por ambos, que a su manera son perfectos para el otro.
Se me hizo demasiado corta.
PD: Son tan jóvenes (ella 17 y él 23) que puede ser tranquilamente un new adult medieval (?
Want to read
May 27, 2020Ebook is just $3.99!!! Wish it had the Fabio cover, though. Search for this one instead
*kisses kindle app*
*kisses kindle app*
February 18, 2025
Рейна дьо Шампани и Ранулф
📣🚨🛑РЕВЮ СЪДЪРЖАЩО СПОЙЛЕРИ🛑🚨📣
Обичам Джоана Линдзи. Обичам исторически роман. Обичам рицарски истории и устати героини и намусени рицари. Обожавам тази книга.
Рейна е млада наследница на огромно имение в Англия. След като баща й намира смъртта си по време на кръстоносните походи тя, тъй като не е нито омъжена, нито сгодена се оказва апетитна хапка за не малък брой мераклии които искат да я направят своя съпруга и да станат господари на всичко, което притежава.
Така един ден крепостта на Рейна осъмва нападната от незнайни войни. Рейна подозира, че мъжете са изпратени от неин съсед, чието предложение за женитба тя е отхвърлила. С малко войни и не особено голям опит в битките съпротивата им е на път да поддаде, когато неочаквано се появяват други рицари и прогонват натрапниците.
Ранулф е незаконен син на лорд. Благодарение на уменията, съобразителността и страховитите си размери, сега е един от най-търсените наемни рицари. Събрал завидно състояние единственото, което младия рицар иска е да купи едно точно определено имение, но винаги когато попита за цената собственика я вдига. Докато събира пари на Ранулф му е предложена нова задача. Един стар зъл благородник го наема да отвлече годеницата му, която се е отметнала от дадената дума. Ранулф е истински изумен, когато намира дома на дамата обграден от врагове, а щом ги побеждава, вместо на свой ред да обсади крепостта той се оказва посрещнат с отворени обятия.
Скоро Ранулф научава, че в действителност Рейна не е била сгодена за мъжа, който го е изпратил да я отвлече и пред него има два пътя. Да изпълни първоначалния си план и да я отведе при благородника или да приеме немислимото. Той, едно копеле използвано и наранявано от изисканите дами, да вземе една дама за своя съпруга и с нея да получи повече земи отколкото някога е мислил, че може да притежава.
Книжката е супер сладурска. Няма много интрига. Само от време на време. Героите са много сладки, като се карат непрестанно. Ранулф постоянно подозираше, че Рейна крои нещо зад гърба му и беше истинско удоволствие да се види как тя му доказва, че е грешал. Имаше интересни моменти с проскубаната му котка или с нейния камериер гей, който въздишаше по Ранулф. Хареса ми епохата в която ни отведе авторката. Привичките, обичаите. Имаше на много места детайлно описана храната. Също и начина по който са работили по онова време феодалните владения. Книгата е превеждана 1996та година и са използвани много забавни изразни средства. Като камериера беше наричан "мъжеложец", пръцкането като "пускане на душичката" и още куп подобни изрази, които правеха самата книга колоритна и интересна. Препоръчвам на всеки който си пада по историческите рицарски романи. 5 звездички.
📣🚨🛑РЕВЮ СЪДЪРЖАЩО СПОЙЛЕРИ🛑🚨📣
Обичам Джоана Линдзи. Обичам исторически роман. Обичам рицарски истории и устати героини и намусени рицари. Обожавам тази книга.
Рейна е млада наследница на огромно имение в Англия. След като баща й намира смъртта си по време на кръстоносните походи тя, тъй като не е нито омъжена, нито сгодена се оказва апетитна хапка за не малък брой мераклии които искат да я направят своя съпруга и да станат господари на всичко, което притежава.
Така един ден крепостта на Рейна осъмва нападната от незнайни войни. Рейна подозира, че мъжете са изпратени от неин съсед, чието предложение за женитба тя е отхвърлила. С малко войни и не особено голям опит в битките съпротивата им е на път да поддаде, когато неочаквано се появяват други рицари и прогонват натрапниците.
Ранулф е незаконен син на лорд. Благодарение на уменията, съобразителността и страховитите си размери, сега е един от най-търсените наемни рицари. Събрал завидно състояние единственото, което младия рицар иска е да купи едно точно определено имение, но винаги когато попита за цената собственика я вдига. Докато събира пари на Ранулф му е предложена нова задача. Един стар зъл благородник го наема да отвлече годеницата му, която се е отметнала от дадената дума. Ранулф е истински изумен, когато намира дома на дамата обграден от врагове, а щом ги побеждава, вместо на свой ред да обсади крепостта той се оказва посрещнат с отворени обятия.
Скоро Ранулф научава, че в действителност Рейна не е била сгодена за мъжа, който го е изпратил да я отвлече и пред него има два пътя. Да изпълни първоначалния си план и да я отведе при благородника или да приеме немислимото. Той, едно копеле използвано и наранявано от изисканите дами, да вземе една дама за своя съпруга и с нея да получи повече земи отколкото някога е мислил, че може да притежава.
Книжката е супер сладурска. Няма много интрига. Само от време на време. Героите са много сладки, като се карат непрестанно. Ранулф постоянно подозираше, че Рейна крои нещо зад гърба му и беше истинско удоволствие да се види как тя му доказва, че е грешал. Имаше интересни моменти с проскубаната му котка или с нейния камериер гей, който въздишаше по Ранулф. Хареса ми епохата в която ни отведе авторката. Привичките, обичаите. Имаше на много места детайлно описана храната. Също и начина по който са работили по онова време феодалните владения. Книгата е превеждана 1996та година и са използвани много забавни изразни средства. Като камериера беше наричан "мъжеложец", пръцкането като "пускане на душичката" и още куп подобни изрази, които правеха самата книга колоритна и интересна. Препоръчвам на всеки който си пада по историческите рицарски романи. 5 звездички.
May 26, 2012
This is another of the "fave" romance novels of my preteen years.
About the COVER:
I don't know how I feel, to be completely honest. Okay I'll admit it. I love this cover.
Yes Fabio is hilarious. Yes he's wearing lavender tights. Yes her hair is blowing in the breeze and her bosom is heaving. Yes his chest is gleaming and grossly oiled and his hair is long.
But it's like a CLASSIC ROMANCE NOVEL COVER. The font in the title is FABULOUS. The metallic shadowing. love it. I swear I even think the composition and colors are great. the crimson, white, gold, black, lavender/violets. gorgeous. Am I crazy? No. fuck it. It's awesome.
This is not to say that it isn't embarrassing as hell. It is. But it's still fucking fabulous.
Okay, now about the actual story:
It's adorable. I love Reina. I love what's his name, Ranulf I think it was. Love Theo. Love the cat Lady Ella. Love to hate the actual Lady Ella. A lot of this positive feeling is nostalgia, so I don't know if it's trustworthy. But I remember loving this. Of course, I was like 12 when I read it. My BFF and I were somewhat naughty and precocious. We were Johanna Lindsey junkies.
Well, back to the book-
I remember the hilarious expressions Johanna Lindsey always invents in her books: "Christ's toenails!" "God's nightgown!" There's always one. Just thinking of it cracks me up. This book just has to be read.
I just remembered another Johanna Lindsey -uh- trademark, I guess you might call it:
The roar. HEHEHEEHEHEE The hero usually roars when he has an orgasm. I don't know about you, but I think that's just comedic gold right there. When you look at Fabio on the cover, you have to accept that there is going to be a certain level of cheese. You have to embrace it.
About the COVER:
I don't know how I feel, to be completely honest. Okay I'll admit it. I love this cover.
Yes Fabio is hilarious. Yes he's wearing lavender tights. Yes her hair is blowing in the breeze and her bosom is heaving. Yes his chest is gleaming and grossly oiled and his hair is long.
But it's like a CLASSIC ROMANCE NOVEL COVER. The font in the title is FABULOUS. The metallic shadowing. love it. I swear I even think the composition and colors are great. the crimson, white, gold, black, lavender/violets. gorgeous. Am I crazy? No. fuck it. It's awesome.
This is not to say that it isn't embarrassing as hell. It is. But it's still fucking fabulous.
Okay, now about the actual story:
It's adorable. I love Reina. I love what's his name, Ranulf I think it was. Love Theo. Love the cat Lady Ella. Love to hate the actual Lady Ella. A lot of this positive feeling is nostalgia, so I don't know if it's trustworthy. But I remember loving this. Of course, I was like 12 when I read it. My BFF and I were somewhat naughty and precocious. We were Johanna Lindsey junkies.
Well, back to the book-
I remember the hilarious expressions Johanna Lindsey always invents in her books: "Christ's toenails!" "God's nightgown!" There's always one. Just thinking of it cracks me up. This book just has to be read.
I just remembered another Johanna Lindsey -uh- trademark, I guess you might call it:
The roar. HEHEHEEHEHEE The hero usually roars when he has an orgasm. I don't know about you, but I think that's just comedic gold right there. When you look at Fabio on the cover, you have to accept that there is going to be a certain level of cheese. You have to embrace it.
February 5, 2017
The two main charcters made a choice to marry and made the best of the situation. And, actually, the second half or so of the book is the two of them working at their marriage and growing as individuals and as a couple and really becoming a solid pair. Even when one does something the other disagrees with, they work through it.
Ohhhh, you guys. 1989, such an odd time for romance novels - not quite old school, not quite new. I loved Ranulf Fitz Hugh and more so his lady, Reina. Don't know that I'd fully qualify this story as a Bodice Ripper, though it definitely had some elements. There was definitely the build up, which began with contempt that eventually turned to love. But not just love. It's adorable. Love Theo. I had read some reviews about this book before I had started it and some said the the writing of the dialog really bothered them, so I was prepared to not really like the book. However, it didn't bother me at all and I did really enjoy the book. IMO, it is a differnt kind of Johanna Lindsey book in that there really wasn't any emotional drama. Fun, fulfilling and enjoyable romance novel. Good characters. Good plot. Events are well done.
Ohhhh, you guys. 1989, such an odd time for romance novels - not quite old school, not quite new. I loved Ranulf Fitz Hugh and more so his lady, Reina. Don't know that I'd fully qualify this story as a Bodice Ripper, though it definitely had some elements. There was definitely the build up, which began with contempt that eventually turned to love. But not just love. It's adorable. Love Theo. I had read some reviews about this book before I had started it and some said the the writing of the dialog really bothered them, so I was prepared to not really like the book. However, it didn't bother me at all and I did really enjoy the book. IMO, it is a differnt kind of Johanna Lindsey book in that there really wasn't any emotional drama. Fun, fulfilling and enjoyable romance novel. Good characters. Good plot. Events are well done.
March 24, 2015
I've often found Johanna Lindsey's stories to be either lukewarm or heavy on the Rapey McRaperton with not a ton of substance. However, and despite having Fabio on the cover (barf!), this story won me over. I loved Ranulf Fitz Hugh and more so his lady, Reina.
Don't know that I'd fully qualify this story as a Bodice Ripper, though it definitely had some elements. There was definitely the build up, which began with contempt that eventually turned to love. But not just love. Mutual respect, admiration, and tenderness which developed at a pace that felt realistic and made me feel invested in the characters; a sure sign that I'm loving a story. And I did.
Don't know that I'd fully qualify this story as a Bodice Ripper, though it definitely had some elements. There was definitely the build up, which began with contempt that eventually turned to love. But not just love. Mutual respect, admiration, and tenderness which developed at a pace that felt realistic and made me feel invested in the characters; a sure sign that I'm loving a story. And I did.
March 13, 2020
*Reread Review*
I wish I had been in the habit of leaving reviews back in the day when I went through and marked all these Johanna Lindsey books as read. I would love to see how my thoughts differ over the years but I cheated myself out of this. While I can't say with 100% surety.. I think this book was the first Johanna Lindsey book I ever read when I was around 14.. or 15 maybe? Maybe even before that. I feel like it was because after reading this book I went on to experience many different author's works and then later developed a love for Johanna Lindsey and her Malory clan only to many, many years later move out of my parents home into my own place and start unpacking books that had been boxed up for many years to find this book in all its cover torn off spine barely holding it together glory and realize that this book was also written by Johanna Lindsey.. It was hard to tell due to both the front cover and back cover missing. I still have this torn up book though I have long since purchased a newer copy without its fabiotastic cover, since most of the time they don't reproduce those old school bodice ripper covers.
It was like fate had pushed me to loving more of Johanna's works after not knowing I had read her stuff before. Makes sense to me because now adays if I find a writing style I'm clicking with I immediately devour everything the author has ever written books, magazines, interviews, grocery lists.. yea ya'll fell me I know you do lol.
This series takes place in one of the earliest time periods that Johanna wrote about. Not including our brief time traveling stints in some of her other books. This is one of my most favorite FMC's of this author's because "though she is small, she is fierce." Reina is nothing like the typical lady of this time period would be like and I absolutely love the fact that she gives as good as she gets. Her only problem is that she spends more time angry and in a snit about stuff than she does getting even lol. Otherwise she is a bad A of her time, handling her business and everyone else's like a freaking boss. Or at least how a boss of that time would get their stuff accomplished lol. Ranulf is our typical jock type hero with all the goods to go with it but his upbringing has hardened his heart and at the same time gave him a sensitive side.. while very shallow.. it still endears him to me since he can almost be considered "simple" on the emotion scale.
Its hard not to love the detailed nature introduced in this story as the author not only uses known historical events as well as places and people while weaving her own magic in creating fictional characters and wars. Still love this story after all these years. My reread really left me with all the nostalgia as well as warm fuzzies so I'm upping this from 4 stars to 5. There really is nothing better than the feeling of coming home that you get from rereading books you grew up with. No new books can give you that exact feeling the first time around just as I'm sure these books didn't give me that feeling so many years ago, but lucky for me I get to experience it now!
I wish I had been in the habit of leaving reviews back in the day when I went through and marked all these Johanna Lindsey books as read. I would love to see how my thoughts differ over the years but I cheated myself out of this. While I can't say with 100% surety.. I think this book was the first Johanna Lindsey book I ever read when I was around 14.. or 15 maybe? Maybe even before that. I feel like it was because after reading this book I went on to experience many different author's works and then later developed a love for Johanna Lindsey and her Malory clan only to many, many years later move out of my parents home into my own place and start unpacking books that had been boxed up for many years to find this book in all its cover torn off spine barely holding it together glory and realize that this book was also written by Johanna Lindsey.. It was hard to tell due to both the front cover and back cover missing. I still have this torn up book though I have long since purchased a newer copy without its fabiotastic cover, since most of the time they don't reproduce those old school bodice ripper covers.
It was like fate had pushed me to loving more of Johanna's works after not knowing I had read her stuff before. Makes sense to me because now adays if I find a writing style I'm clicking with I immediately devour everything the author has ever written books, magazines, interviews, grocery lists.. yea ya'll fell me I know you do lol.
This series takes place in one of the earliest time periods that Johanna wrote about. Not including our brief time traveling stints in some of her other books. This is one of my most favorite FMC's of this author's because "though she is small, she is fierce." Reina is nothing like the typical lady of this time period would be like and I absolutely love the fact that she gives as good as she gets. Her only problem is that she spends more time angry and in a snit about stuff than she does getting even lol. Otherwise she is a bad A of her time, handling her business and everyone else's like a freaking boss. Or at least how a boss of that time would get their stuff accomplished lol. Ranulf is our typical jock type hero with all the goods to go with it but his upbringing has hardened his heart and at the same time gave him a sensitive side.. while very shallow.. it still endears him to me since he can almost be considered "simple" on the emotion scale.
Its hard not to love the detailed nature introduced in this story as the author not only uses known historical events as well as places and people while weaving her own magic in creating fictional characters and wars. Still love this story after all these years. My reread really left me with all the nostalgia as well as warm fuzzies so I'm upping this from 4 stars to 5. There really is nothing better than the feeling of coming home that you get from rereading books you grew up with. No new books can give you that exact feeling the first time around just as I'm sure these books didn't give me that feeling so many years ago, but lucky for me I get to experience it now!
June 16, 2020
Διαβάζοντας το "Μην αψηφάς την καρδιά", συνειδητοποίησα πως είχα διαβάσει άπειρες φορές μια παρόμοια ιστορία - απλά, από διαφορετικό εκδοτικό. Συνήθως, στα βιβλία των Elxis βρίσκω τα στοιχεία εκείνα που θα με ενθουσιάσουν λίγο παραπάνω. Εδώ βρήκα μια ολοκληρωτική επανάληψη άλλων ιστοριών.
Η Ρέινα είναι αρχόντισσα ενός κάστρου και υποχρεωμένη να παντρευτεί, μετά τον θάνατο του πατέρα της. Η διαφορά της με εκατοντάδες άλλες δεσποσύνες ανάλογων μυθιστορημάτων είναι πως αυτή μπορούσε να επιλέξει τον σύζυγό της και δεν θα της τον επέβαλλαν. Βέβαια, μάλλον ούτε η ίδια δεν υπολόγιζε πως αυτός θα ήταν τελικά ένας δίμετρος, "απολίτιστος" γίγαντας, νόθος γιος άρχοντα που εργάζεται ως μισθοφόρους για άλλους άρχοντες. Όμως, θεωρεί πως είναι η καλύτερη επιλογή για το κάστρο και την περιουσία της (και για την ίδια, κατά βάθος).
Ο γάμος τους αρχικά δεν βασίζεται στον έρωτα, είναι ουσιαστικά μια συμφωνία με κέρδη για αμφότερες τις πλευρές: ο Ράναλφ αποκτά αναπάντεχα μια απροσδόκητα μεγάλη περιουσία και η Ρέινα έναν σύζυγο-προστάτη των συμφερόντων, της κληρονομιάς και του λαού της. Οι δυο τους έχουν μια σχέση εκρηκτική και ελπίζουν σε μια όσο γίνεται πιο αρμονική συνύπαρξη, άντε και λίγο σεβασμό - μέχρι εκεί. Ο πόθος είναι αυτός που εμφανίζεται πρώτος στη σχέση τους, και μετά έρχεται ο έρωτας. Όλα αυτά, με έναν τρόπο που μοιάζει λίγο... άνοστος και άνευρος για ένα αισθηματικό μυθιστόρημα, αλλά εντελώς και τελείως ρεαλιστικός αν αναλογιστεί κανείς το υπόβαθρο της εποχής εκείνης.
Η ιστορία διαβάζεται εύκολα και είναι αρκετά ευχάριστη, με τις αψιμαχίες των νεόνυμφων και τις μικρές στιγμές χιούμορ να δίνουν το απαραίτητο αλατοπίπερο. Δυστυχώς, όμως, δεν υπάρχει αυτό το κάτι παραπάνω. Δεν υπάρχουν εντάσεις, εξάρσεις, ανατροπές. Ουσιαστικά, βλέπουμε το πώς κυλάει η ζωή τους στο κάστρο και πώς βρίσκουν σιγά-σιγά κοινούς κώδικες στην κοινή τους ζωή, αλλά δεν υπάρχει κάτι τόσο "ουάου" που θα ενθουσιάσει τον αναγνώστη. Διαβάζεις το βιβλίο, χαίρεσαι για τους ήρωες -που έχεις ψιλοσυμπαθήσει στο μεταξύ-, τους εύχεσαι τα καλύτερα για το μέλλον και πιθανότατα πολύ σύντομα δεν θα τους θυμάσαι καν. Αυτό.
Η Ρέινα είναι αρχόντισσα ενός κάστρου και υποχρεωμένη να παντρευτεί, μετά τον θάνατο του πατέρα της. Η διαφορά της με εκατοντάδες άλλες δεσποσύνες ανάλογων μυθιστορημάτων είναι πως αυτή μπορούσε να επιλέξει τον σύζυγό της και δεν θα της τον επέβαλλαν. Βέβαια, μάλλον ούτε η ίδια δεν υπολόγιζε πως αυτός θα ήταν τελικά ένας δίμετρος, "απολίτιστος" γίγαντας, νόθος γιος άρχοντα που εργάζεται ως μισθοφόρους για άλλους άρχοντες. Όμως, θεωρεί πως είναι η καλύτερη επιλογή για το κάστρο και την περιουσία της (και για την ίδια, κατά βάθος).
Ο γάμος τους αρχικά δεν βασίζεται στον έρωτα, είναι ουσιαστικά μια συμφωνία με κέρδη για αμφότερες τις πλευρές: ο Ράναλφ αποκτά αναπάντεχα μια απροσδόκητα μεγάλη περιουσία και η Ρέινα έναν σύζυγο-προστάτη των συμφερόντων, της κληρονομιάς και του λαού της. Οι δυο τους έχουν μια σχέση εκρηκτική και ελπίζουν σε μια όσο γίνεται πιο αρμονική συνύπαρξη, άντε και λίγο σεβασμό - μέχρι εκεί. Ο πόθος είναι αυτός που εμφανίζεται πρώτος στη σχέση τους, και μετά έρχεται ο έρωτας. Όλα αυτά, με έναν τρόπο που μοιάζει λίγο... άνοστος και άνευρος για ένα αισθηματικό μυθιστόρημα, αλλά εντελώς και τελείως ρεαλιστικός αν αναλογιστεί κανείς το υπόβαθρο της εποχής εκείνης.
Η ιστορία διαβάζεται εύκολα και είναι αρκετά ευχάριστη, με τις αψιμαχίες των νεόνυμφων και τις μικρές στιγμές χιούμορ να δίνουν το απαραίτητο αλατοπίπερο. Δυστυχώς, όμως, δεν υπάρχει αυτό το κάτι παραπάνω. Δεν υπάρχουν εντάσεις, εξάρσεις, ανατροπές. Ουσιαστικά, βλέπουμε το πώς κυλάει η ζωή τους στο κάστρο και πώς βρίσκουν σιγά-σιγά κοινούς κώδικες στην κοινή τους ζωή, αλλά δεν υπάρχει κάτι τόσο "ουάου" που θα ενθουσιάσει τον αναγνώστη. Διαβάζεις το βιβλίο, χαίρεσαι για τους ήρωες -που έχεις ψιλοσυμπαθήσει στο μεταξύ-, τους εύχεσαι τα καλύτερα για το μέλλον και πιθανότατα πολύ σύντομα δεν θα τους θυμάσαι καν. Αυτό.
September 5, 2022
For a throwback this is definitely a winner. The Middle Ages are hard to make romantic. Brutish men, weeds as flooring, no sanitation. How do you make that sexy?!?! But this one is a winner. Reina is a spitfire to rival any spitfire. She has run her world for years but understands that a mercenary could help her out. Their romantic struggles early and how they were resolved were great. This is just a great enjoyable escape.
April 17, 2016
The gruff and stubborn hero meets his match in his little general.
I’m a huge sucker for a historical romance and medieval is one of my favourite types. So, I put out the call to my Facebook buddies on what was their favourite medieval HR and authors. Wow, seems like I’m not alone in liking these types of books. Johanna Lindsey’s name came up more than once and Defy Not The Heart seemed to be agreed upon, as a good example of her work. Within the first pages, I knew I was hooked. Yes, the language was a little hard to understand at times, but that just makes you pay more attention to the words you’re reading.
A strong and determined heroine who does not hesitate to speak her mind and a hero with a surly attitude, good looks and a dislike of “Lady’s” which by the end of the story you know is well founded. This is a bodice ripper that readers over the years have either loved or loathed. While the disrespect and disregard are abhorrent to our generation, it was a sign of their times. In some respects, those parts to the stories are the parts I love the most. The women know their place and the repercussions they face if they don’t abide by their husband's rules. In Defy Not The Heart my enjoyment stemmed from the heroine’s disregard for the rules and the heroes ability to handle his temper when his blasted “Lady” kept defying him. I loved seeing this couple mesh their lives.
Reina is under attack and her circumstances are looking grim. She knew that being unwed and living on an estate with such huge value would make her susceptible to unscrupulous Lords wanting her lands. She just didn’t realise they would attempt the deception so mercilessly. In dire straits, Reina is surprised to hear that there is someone who is attacking the attackers. She is saved…or so she thinks. Imagine her surprise when the giant of a man who saves her ends up kidnapping her to deliver her to another unscrupulous Lord, for a pittance. Reina working with her kidnappers best friend, manipulates the situation to come out in her favour.
Ranulf is a bastard, literally and figuratively. He’s not led a pleasant life, but he has managed to save a decent amount of money to buy his own property. The way he made his money was by selling his services as a mercenary. In this particular job, instead of taking his payment upfront, he decides to do the job first and get paid on completion. Ranulf’s main reason for doing this is because he does not like his employer and does not want to commit to something he may want to back out of before completion. It was a good decision in the end.
Reina and Ranulf’s first meeting was not ideal and they don’t particularly like each other. With a little coaxing…a touch of kidnapping…and a lot of manhandling, we finally see Reina and Ranulf married. It is not an easy kind of marriage as they have to learn to handle each other while also dealing with outside forces trying to get their hands on Clydon, Reina’s holdings, and now Ranulf’s. There are also parts of both of their histories that pop up and need to be dealt with.
In regards to claims of rape and beatings…hogwash. Geez, every historical romance, unless it’s clean, would seem like rape (slight exaggeration…maybe). Most first beddings are meant to be portrayed as the virginal heroine feeling like she’s being ripped apart. The beatings…well let’s just say I was expecting more than the friendly tap and fondle we got. Maybe it was his threat of using a whip that had everyone in an uproar.
Basically, Defy Not The Heart had enough history, intrigue and drama to keep my attention from beginning to end. I was sucked in and devoured every word. I will definitely be looking to read more from this author.
To buy Defy Not The Heart from Amazon - http://amzn.to/1MBNQZM
I’m an Aussie chick who loves to read and review romance, drink coffee, be a Style Setter and stalk David Gandy. To see more of my reviews, fashion, food and pervathons -
March 2, 2019
Fun romp. One of the first of this genre I ever read. Silly fun but I remember being impressed by all the historical detail. So when people rave about Outlander I think posh-tosh.
November 18, 2022
Много сладка и забавна романтика за 12-век, когато едно отвличане не потръгва по план, а една котка си намира нов дом. Да, котката определено беше сладур, заедно с младичките и непресторено грижовни Ранулф и Рейна, и с пълната липса на модерна “чувствителност”. Като се добавят и някоя и друга бълха, скачаща тук-там, малко въоръжени схватки, една сбъркала професията си селска проститутка и една въздишаща по рицарските плочки камериерка от мъжки пол, комедията е пълна. И, да му се не види, Ранулф все пак накрая почти изостави котката в името на любовта! 🤣
January 22, 2022
first of all, i would like to thank the Lord and savior for not giving me the other version of this copy which has a perplexing cover of the hero fondling embracing the heroine. (If I saw that cover instead of this flowery one, god help me)
Despite the other... ahem... concerning cover, I found this one not at all based just on lust alone, unlike the many books I read recently. (Yes I might be a bit dramatic with the cover, it's just that I wouldn't even pick this up if I saw the other cover first)
Anyway, this book was surprisingly pleasant I just couldn't hate it. This is my first time reading Johanna Lindsey and I'm impressed, she has lived up to her name. After many mentions of her books, and me putting off, with my expectations low and all, I was amazed at how well this book has presented itself. And this is after I discovered many tropes that I dislike.
The story is about Reina who is filthy rich and therefore, surprise surprise, has many man fighting for her wealth. One of them is Rothwell, who hired Ranulf (a very skilled mercenary that never failed in his job) to fetch her. The sparks didn't fly right away for Reina and Ranulf.
Ranulf is drop-dead gorgeous and was used to women falling at his feet. Reina isn't one of these women. She isn't smitten at all. Not that I blamed her, really. He literally choked her on the first meeting because of a little misunderstanding. And before you get worried, no, he isn't abusive at all. He literally went out of his way to ask people how to NOT hurt her ( he was worried his size difference might kill her lol)
Reina is a plain girl, not drop-dead gorgeous but not ugly either. Ranulf mistrust high-born women in general, and so at first he didn't like her. But Reina proved she was different. And the process of this realization came gradually (and hilariously, I might add).
This brings me to my next point why this book is worth the read... It's funny. Reina and Ranulf argued a lot mainly because of Reina's sharp tongue and Ranulf's temper. I see their relationship as a more healthy take on hate-love relationship.
There is also a lot of details in the story. We literally get introduced by so many people in the first few chapters that I was beginning to question the quality of the book. BUT I stand corrected and had more fun reading than I had been these past weeks. I'll be reading more of Lindsey's book in the future.
Lastly, I would like to thank myself for not searching the book on the internet before reading it, or else I would've found that horrid cover and lose interest. (yes, I know. Don't judge a book by its cover. But what am I supposed to think? I like covers ok)
Anyway, read this. It's fun.
Despite the other... ahem... concerning cover, I found this one not at all based just on lust alone, unlike the many books I read recently. (Yes I might be a bit dramatic with the cover, it's just that I wouldn't even pick this up if I saw the other cover first)
Anyway, this book was surprisingly pleasant I just couldn't hate it. This is my first time reading Johanna Lindsey and I'm impressed, she has lived up to her name. After many mentions of her books, and me putting off, with my expectations low and all, I was amazed at how well this book has presented itself. And this is after I discovered many tropes that I dislike.
The story is about Reina who is filthy rich and therefore, surprise surprise, has many man fighting for her wealth. One of them is Rothwell, who hired Ranulf (a very skilled mercenary that never failed in his job) to fetch her. The sparks didn't fly right away for Reina and Ranulf.
Ranulf is drop-dead gorgeous and was used to women falling at his feet. Reina isn't one of these women. She isn't smitten at all. Not that I blamed her, really. He literally choked her on the first meeting because of a little misunderstanding. And before you get worried, no, he isn't abusive at all. He literally went out of his way to ask people how to NOT hurt her ( he was worried his size difference might kill her lol)
Reina is a plain girl, not drop-dead gorgeous but not ugly either. Ranulf mistrust high-born women in general, and so at first he didn't like her. But Reina proved she was different. And the process of this realization came gradually (and hilariously, I might add).
This brings me to my next point why this book is worth the read... It's funny. Reina and Ranulf argued a lot mainly because of Reina's sharp tongue and Ranulf's temper. I see their relationship as a more healthy take on hate-love relationship.
There is also a lot of details in the story. We literally get introduced by so many people in the first few chapters that I was beginning to question the quality of the book. BUT I stand corrected and had more fun reading than I had been these past weeks. I'll be reading more of Lindsey's book in the future.
Lastly, I would like to thank myself for not searching the book on the internet before reading it, or else I would've found that horrid cover and lose interest. (yes, I know. Don't judge a book by its cover. But what am I supposed to think? I like covers ok)
Anyway, read this. It's fun.
April 7, 2017
I haven't read this book in forever and ever. I do like these older books from Johanna Lindsey. Even though the sexy scenes are very tame, there is just a really good story with these older books. I love the growing romance between Reina & Ranulf and it's not one of those insta-loves that we read in today's romances (though I do like those as well). Johanna Lindsey books are always a great re-read.
I didn't realize until checking the book in GR that there is a second book after this and for the life of me I can't remember if I've read that book. Hmmm...will have to pick that up on Kindle.
I didn't realize until checking the book in GR that there is a second book after this and for the life of me I can't remember if I've read that book. Hmmm...will have to pick that up on Kindle.
February 20, 2023
Not my favorite Johanna Lindsey book, but I loved both of them together. Even though this is a romance, it seemed kind of lighter for a historical romance. Like equal parts plot and romance and not too heavy which is probably why it wasn’t my favorite.
April 21, 2023
I loved the banter and how H handled the spanking to erotic interlude.
October 1, 2019
Τα ιστορικά ρομαντικά μυθιστορήματα των late 80's και των early 90's είναι λίγο παραπάνω περίπλοκα απ' όσο τα σημερινά. Βρίσκονται ακριβώς πάνω σ' εκείνον τον χρονικό κόμβο όπου δεν μπορούν να χαρακτηριστούν ούτε παλιά, αλλά ούτε και νέα. Δεν είναι ξεκάθαρα επηρεασμένα από την παλιά Σχολή, αλλά ούτε και τοποθετημένα επαρκώς πάνω στις βάσεις της νέας. Με απλά λόγια, ακροβατούν στο μεταίχμιο αυτών των δύο εποχών, εκεί ακριβώς που αυτές συναντιούνται, διασταυρώνουν τα ξίφη τους, συναλλάζονται -έτσι ώστε η νέα να λάβει στοιχεία της παλιάς και να τα προσαρμόσει στα δικά της δεδομένα-, κάτι που δεν οδηγεί πάντα σε ένα ευχάριστο αποτέλεσμα, αλλά σε ένα συνονθύλευμα ιδεών, απόψεων, συγκρούσεων που, εν τέλει, δεν μπορούν να ισορροπήσουν πουθενά. Το "Μην αψηφάς την καρδιά", λοιπόν, δεν είναι μία από τις περιπτώσεις αυτές.
Η νεαρή λαίδη Ρέινα -μόλις δεκαεπτά ετών-, εξαιτίας του θανάτου του πατέρα της έναν χρόνο νωρίτερα, έχει βρεθεί με πολλές ευθύνες, αλλά και με μεγάλη εξουσία και δύναμη στα χέρια της, όχι μόνο απέναντι στους ανθρώπους που βρίσκονται υπό τις διαταγές της, αλλά και απέναντι στον ίδιο της τον εαυτό. Μαζί με όλα τα άλλα, ο πατέρας της τής άφησε την επιλογή να παντρευτεί όποιον εκείνη επιθυμεί και υπό τους δικούς της όρους. Μια επιλογή που προσπαθεί να της στερήσει ο λόρδος Ρόθγουελ όταν αναθέτει στον ιππότη Ράναλφ να την κλέψει για λογαριασμό του και να του την παραδώσει με σκοπό να την κάνει γυναίκα του. Η Ρέινα, όμως, δεν είναι πρόθυμη να παραδοθεί έτσι εύκολα στη μοίρα της, αφού είναι αποφασισμένη να μην αφήσει κανέναν άλλον να την ορίσει για εκείνη, παρά μονάχα η ίδια για τον εαυτό της.
Έτσι, η Ρέινα, κάνει στον Ράναλφ μια πολύ δελεαστική πρόταση. Εκείνη θα του προσφέρει όλα όσα εκείνος μπορεί να έχει λαχταρίσει, δόξα, χρήματα, τίτλους κι εξουσία, με μοναδικό αντάλλαγμα να προδώσει τις διαταγές του Ρόθγουελ και να την παντρευτεί... με τους όρους της. Ο γάμος τους δεν θα είναι τίποτα περισσότερο από μία σύμβαση, και για τους δυο τους, με τον καθέναν απ' αυτούς ν' αποκομίζει τα δικά του οφέλη. Αυτό σημαίνει πως ο Ράναλφ δεν θα έχει καμία εξουσία πάνω της, δεν θα έχει κανένα δικαίωμα ν' απλώσει χέρι πάνω της -με ό,τι αυτό συνεπάγεται, άλλωστε, μιλάμε για 12ο αιώνα-, και παρά που το κάνει εντελώς απρόθυμα, υποκύπτει τελικά στα θέλω της και δέχεται την πρότασή της. Και τώρα, αυτό που μένει, για τον Ράναλφ, είναι να πετύχει αυτό που ήθελε εξ' αρχής. Να κάνει την Ρέινα να παραδεχθεί πως κάτω από την αυθάδειά της και τον υποτιμητικό της τρόπο απέναντί του, υπάρχει μια γυναίκα που τον ποθεί και θέλει να του παραδοθεί... έστω και μεταφορικά.
Τώρα, να εξηγήσω λίγο καλύτερα γιατί το συγκεκριμένο βιβλίο, αν και θα μπορούσε, δεν ανήκει στην κατηγορία εκείνων που περιέγραψα στην πρώτη παράγραφο. Πρώτα απ' όλα, και κόντρα στα συντηρητικά πρότυπα της εποχής όπου υποτίθεται πως διαδραματίζονται τα γεγονότα της ιστορίας μας, έχουμε να κάνουμε με μια ηρωίδα άγρια, δυναμική, ανεξάρτητη και ιδιαίτερα αυθάδη, που ξέρει πολύ καλά ποια είναι, τι θέλει, για το τι είναι ικανή. Από την άλλη, έχουμε έναν ήρωα που αν και είναι λίγο αγροίκος και άξεστος, κυρίως σε ό,τι έχει να κάνει με τα ζητήματα του έρωτα -όπου σύμφωνα με τα πρότυπα της εποχής, οι γυναίκες δεν έχει σημασία να ευχαριστιούνται το σεξ, αρκεί να συμμετέχουν σε αυτό-, κατά τ' άλλα είναι ήπιων τόνων, ευγενικός και πραγματικά ιπποτικός, παρά το άγριο και τραχύ παρουσιαστικό του. Δύο χαρακτήρες εκ διαμέτρου αντίθετοι που, όμως, δένοντας τις ζωές τους και αλληλεπιδρώντας, ξεκινούν μια κοινή πορεία που βήμα βήμα τους οδηγεί σε νέους δρόμους, τους ανοίγει νέους ορίζοντες και τους κάνει να αλλάζουν. Όχι να χάνουν την ταυτότητά τους, ούτε να υποσκελίζουν την προσωπικότητά τους, αλλά να μαθαίνουν να κάνουν λίγο πίσω όταν αξίζει τον κόπο να "δουλέψεις" για να λειτουργήσει κάτι καλύτερα.
Επί της ουσίας, το βιβλίο είναι χωρισμένο σε δύο μέρη. Στο πρώτο μέρος, είναι που γίνεται το deal και οι ήρωές μας μάς παρουσιάζουν τα πιο αρνητικά στοιχεία του εαυτού τους, μέσα από μια συνεχή και ασταμάτητη κόντρα μεταξύ τους, όπου ο καθένας με τον τρόπο του προσπαθεί να επιβληθεί και να κερδίσει έναντι του άλλου, όχι επειδή αρνείται τα συναισθήματά του, αλλά το να παραδώσει τα όπλα έτσι εύκολα. Στο δεύτερο μισό, πάλι, βλέπουμε τους δυο τους να κάνουν αμοιβαίες υποχωρήσεις, να παραδέχονται σταδιακά αυτά που αισθάνονται και να προσπαθούν να δώσουν μια ευκαιρία στον εαυτό τους να βελτιωθεί και να γίνει καλύτερος, αλλά και στη σχέση τους να ευωδώσει και να εξελιχθεί σε αυτό που πραγματικά μπορεί να γίνει -κάτι που οδηγεί σε απίστευτα τρυφερές στιγμές, μα και σε άλλες τόσες κωμικές, κάτι που κάνει την ανάγνωση του βιβλίου αυτού μια απολαυστική και άκρως διασκεδαστική εμπειρία.
Η νεαρή λαίδη Ρέινα -μόλις δεκαεπτά ετών-, εξαιτίας του θανάτου του πατέρα της έναν χρόνο νωρίτερα, έχει βρεθεί με πολλές ευθύνες, αλλά και με μεγάλη εξουσία και δύναμη στα χέρια της, όχι μόνο απέναντι στους ανθρώπους που βρίσκονται υπό τις διαταγές της, αλλά και απέναντι στον ίδιο της τον εαυτό. Μαζί με όλα τα άλλα, ο πατέρας της τής άφησε την επιλογή να παντρευτεί όποιον εκείνη επιθυμεί και υπό τους δικούς της όρους. Μια επιλογή που προσπαθεί να της στερήσει ο λόρδος Ρόθγουελ όταν αναθέτει στον ιππότη Ράναλφ να την κλέψει για λογαριασμό του και να του την παραδώσει με σκοπό να την κάνει γυναίκα του. Η Ρέινα, όμως, δεν είναι πρόθυμη να παραδοθεί έτσι εύκολα στη μοίρα της, αφού είναι αποφασισμένη να μην αφήσει κανέναν άλλον να την ορίσει για εκείνη, παρά μονάχα η ίδια για τον εαυτό της.
Έτσι, η Ρέινα, κάνει στον Ράναλφ μια πολύ δελεαστική πρόταση. Εκείνη θα του προσφέρει όλα όσα εκείνος μπορεί να έχει λαχταρίσει, δόξα, χρήματα, τίτλους κι εξουσία, με μοναδικό αντάλλαγμα να προδώσει τις διαταγές του Ρόθγουελ και να την παντρευτεί... με τους όρους της. Ο γάμος τους δεν θα είναι τίποτα περισσότερο από μία σύμβαση, και για τους δυο τους, με τον καθέναν απ' αυτούς ν' αποκομίζει τα δικά του οφέλη. Αυτό σημαίνει πως ο Ράναλφ δεν θα έχει καμία εξουσία πάνω της, δεν θα έχει κανένα δικαίωμα ν' απλώσει χέρι πάνω της -με ό,τι αυτό συνεπάγεται, άλλωστε, μιλάμε για 12ο αιώνα-, και παρά που το κάνει εντελώς απρόθυμα, υποκύπτει τελικά στα θέλω της και δέχεται την πρότασή της. Και τώρα, αυτό που μένει, για τον Ράναλφ, είναι να πετύχει αυτό που ήθελε εξ' αρχής. Να κάνει την Ρέινα να παραδεχθεί πως κάτω από την αυθάδειά της και τον υποτιμητικό της τρόπο απέναντί του, υπάρχει μια γυναίκα που τον ποθεί και θέλει να του παραδοθεί... έστω και μεταφορικά.
Τώρα, να εξηγήσω λίγο καλύτερα γιατί το συγκεκριμένο βιβλίο, αν και θα μπορούσε, δεν ανήκει στην κατηγορία εκείνων που περιέγραψα στην πρώτη παράγραφο. Πρώτα απ' όλα, και κόντρα στα συντηρητικά πρότυπα της εποχής όπου υποτίθεται πως διαδραματίζονται τα γεγονότα της ιστορίας μας, έχουμε να κάνουμε με μια ηρωίδα άγρια, δυναμική, ανεξάρτητη και ιδιαίτερα αυθάδη, που ξέρει πολύ καλά ποια είναι, τι θέλει, για το τι είναι ικανή. Από την άλλη, έχουμε έναν ήρωα που αν και είναι λίγο αγροίκος και άξεστος, κυρίως σε ό,τι έχει να κάνει με τα ζητήματα του έρωτα -όπου σύμφωνα με τα πρότυπα της εποχής, οι γυναίκες δεν έχει σημασία να ευχαριστιούνται το σεξ, αρκεί να συμμετέχουν σε αυτό-, κατά τ' άλλα είναι ήπιων τόνων, ευγενικός και πραγματικά ιπποτικός, παρά το άγριο και τραχύ παρουσιαστικό του. Δύο χαρακτήρες εκ διαμέτρου αντίθετοι που, όμως, δένοντας τις ζωές τους και αλληλεπιδρώντας, ξεκινούν μια κοινή πορεία που βήμα βήμα τους οδηγεί σε νέους δρόμους, τους ανοίγει νέους ορίζοντες και τους κάνει να αλλάζουν. Όχι να χάνουν την ταυτότητά τους, ούτε να υποσκελίζουν την προσωπικότητά τους, αλλά να μαθαίνουν να κάνουν λίγο πίσω όταν αξίζει τον κόπο να "δουλέψεις" για να λειτουργήσει κάτι καλύτερα.
Επί της ουσίας, το βιβλίο είναι χωρισμένο σε δύο μέρη. Στο πρώτο μέρος, είναι που γίνεται το deal και οι ήρωές μας μάς παρουσιάζουν τα πιο αρνητικά στοιχεία του εαυτού τους, μέσα από μια συνεχή και ασταμάτητη κόντρα μεταξύ τους, όπου ο καθένας με τον τρόπο του προσπαθεί να επιβληθεί και να κερδίσει έναντι του άλλου, όχι επειδή αρνείται τα συναισθήματά του, αλλά το να παραδώσει τα όπλα έτσι εύκολα. Στο δεύτερο μισό, πάλι, βλέπουμε τους δυο τους να κάνουν αμοιβαίες υποχωρήσεις, να παραδέχονται σταδιακά αυτά που αισθάνονται και να προσπαθούν να δώσουν μια ευκαιρία στον εαυτό τους να βελτιωθεί και να γίνει καλύτερος, αλλά και στη σχέση τους να ευωδώσει και να εξελιχθεί σε αυτό που πραγματικά μπορεί να γίνει -κάτι που οδηγεί σε απίστευτα τρυφερές στιγμές, μα και σε άλλες τόσες κωμικές, κάτι που κάνει την ανάγνωση του βιβλίου αυτού μια απολαυστική και άκρως διασκεδαστική εμπειρία.
October 17, 2021
England 1192.
Lady Reina, described as not beautiful, not ugly, had
several men vying for her hand. One man initiated a
nr rape but had his nefarious plan foiled. She owned
vast properties.
Mercenary, Ranulf, charged with taking/ abducting Reina
to her elderly intended, Lord Rothwell, learned Rothwell
lied about plans w/ Lady R.
The giant hero & tiny h, Ran & Re (R&R) wed & grew in their
maturity & love. He learned to be more attentive and less
rough in his amorous pursuit of her. Two people emerged
from the past, her duplicitous former suitor, and someone
who offered him joy/ security.
Is that Fabio on the DTB version cover? LOL!!
Lady Reina, described as not beautiful, not ugly, had
several men vying for her hand. One man initiated a
nr rape but had his nefarious plan foiled. She owned
vast properties.
Mercenary, Ranulf, charged with taking/ abducting Reina
to her elderly intended, Lord Rothwell, learned Rothwell
lied about plans w/ Lady R.
The giant hero & tiny h, Ran & Re (R&R) wed & grew in their
maturity & love. He learned to be more attentive and less
rough in his amorous pursuit of her. Two people emerged
from the past, her duplicitous former suitor, and someone
who offered him joy/ security.
Is that Fabio on the DTB version cover? LOL!!
August 10, 2020
High 4.5
Would have been a 5 but I can’t handle a “spanking” scene. Even as minor as the one in this book. Put a spanking scene in a romance and it ... I just... it takes me out of the story.
Would have been a 5 but I can’t handle a “spanking” scene. Even as minor as the one in this book. Put a spanking scene in a romance and it ... I just... it takes me out of the story.
March 4, 2020
Το βιβλίο ήταν εντάξει. Δεν είναι απο τα αγαπημένα μου του είδους αλλά δεν ήταν κακό.
Η Ρέινα και ο Ράναλφ είναι συμπαθητικοί χαρακτήρες αλλά δεν κατάφερα να συνδεθώ μαζί τους και να ταυτιστώ.
Η ιστορία έχει ώς εξείς:
Η Ρέινα προκειμένου να αποφύγει τον γάμο της με τον μισητό λόρδο Ρόθγουελ, προτείνει στον ιππότη Ράναλφ ο οποίος είχε λάβει εντολή από τον λόρδο να τη φέρει ταπεινωμένη μπροστά στα πόδια του, να προδώσει τις διαταγές του κι εκείνη σε αντάλλαγμα θα τον βοηθήσει να αποκτήσει εξουσία και τίτλους τιμής.
Όλα αυτά βέβαια, αρκεί να συμφωνήσει να την παντρευτεί.
Όμως η συμφωνία εξελίσσεται σε έρωτα καιιι.... ζούν αυτοί καλά κι εμείς καλύτερα!
Να πώ την αλήθεια ήθελα κάτι πιό....
Πιό έντονο, πιό δυνατό, πιο ερωτικό.
Η Ρέινα και ο Ράναλφ είναι συμπαθητικοί χαρακτήρες αλλά δεν κατάφερα να συνδεθώ μαζί τους και να ταυτιστώ.
Η ιστορία έχει ώς εξείς:
Η Ρέινα προκειμένου να αποφύγει τον γάμο της με τον μισητό λόρδο Ρόθγουελ, προτείνει στον ιππότη Ράναλφ ο οποίος είχε λάβει εντολή από τον λόρδο να τη φέρει ταπεινωμένη μπροστά στα πόδια του, να προδώσει τις διαταγές του κι εκείνη σε αντάλλαγμα θα τον βοηθήσει να αποκτήσει εξουσία και τίτλους τιμής.
Όλα αυτά βέβαια, αρκεί να συμφωνήσει να την παντρευτεί.
Όμως η συμφωνία εξελίσσεται σε έρωτα καιιι.... ζούν αυτοί καλά κι εμείς καλύτερα!
Να πώ την αλήθεια ήθελα κάτι πιό....
Πιό έντονο, πιό δυνατό, πιο ερωτικό.
Want to read
April 21, 2023That OG cover is glorious. I want to read this for that reason alone lol
October 8, 2014
3.5 Stars! This is one of the many books I came away with after our hoard-house clean-out awhile back. Got rid of most of them, but decided to go ahead and keep it since I'd had the second in this set on the TBR for years, and now I know I'll one day read it too.
I wasn't sure if I was ever going to read it, but it turned out I had to read it after all, it was picked as my September pick over in Western and Medieval Romance Lovers. This was my first book by this author, and I was pleasantly surprised. I was imagining it would be some florid, overblown, bodice-ripper, and it turned out to be a funny, entertaining medieval tale with characters I couldn't help but enjoy. I seriously had no idea it would be such an amusing story. I was laughing out loud in many places at the antics of the main couple, and other characters, and even the cat. When I first found out the hero had a beloved pet cat that he spoiled and cared for, I had to smile. I mean, really, how often do you see that? Sure, plenty of heroes have some affection for their horses, and even an occasional dog, but a beloved kitty cat? Ha! I loved it. Lady Ella had Ranulf wrapped around her fluffy tail. When Reina had her little fit of pique after waking up to a cat-butt in her face, I was cracking up. So many of the little arguments between this couple had me giggling. The scene where he tumbles her in the woods, and she gets irritated with him for finishing so fast (which was a problem for their first few encounters of that sort, which I thought was great to see instead of the usual 'oh, he's so awesome in bed at all times' that is the norm for most romances, lol), so she up and leaves, sans her undergarments, and then he returns them to her at an opportune moment in the midst of a spat, for example. Total LOL moment. Reina and Ranulf bickered, for sure, but it was always amusing. They went well together, no doubt. Very opposite of each other, but meshing in a tasty fashion like peanut butter and jelly or peas and carrots or choose your saying. At first, Ranulf seemed cold and intimidating, but he soon turned into a very likable guy with an unexpected sense of humor, and a bit of a soft side. Reina was feisty and determined, strong, but always knowing of her place as the lady, and what her responsibilities were. I liked her. I liked her temper, and how she could quickly realize when she was wrong, or when she pushed too far. She instigated much, but always with good cause, or at least an understandable reason. I liked her fire, she never got too pushy or annoying for me. I thought their love developed very nicely for the situation they were in. It wasn't rushed, and took time to develop for each of them. When Ranulf's father showed up, I thought it was going to be drama, but I enjoyed the way it turned out, how they patched things up and forged a new bond. Hugh was almost as likable as Ranulf, as they were very alike. The surprise twist of who Ranulf's hated half-brother was got me, I wasn't expecting it, but the scene where Ranulf's horrid ex-lover gets her just desserts was almost anti-climactic, though it was ok. Worked to show how little Ranulf cared about her in comparison to what he had found with Reina at Clydon, and gave some closure about the reasons why he had hated that lady so. The end chapter had me smiling with the love declarations and the coming of the baby, it was a nice wrap-up to the story.
So, yes, I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this book. It was definitely not what I had been expecting, and I will try this author again for sure! I have the second in this set on the TBR, along with two other books of hers already, so I can say confidently that I'm not afraid to read them now! 3.5 Stars!
I wasn't sure if I was ever going to read it, but it turned out I had to read it after all, it was picked as my September pick over in Western and Medieval Romance Lovers. This was my first book by this author, and I was pleasantly surprised. I was imagining it would be some florid, overblown, bodice-ripper, and it turned out to be a funny, entertaining medieval tale with characters I couldn't help but enjoy. I seriously had no idea it would be such an amusing story. I was laughing out loud in many places at the antics of the main couple, and other characters, and even the cat. When I first found out the hero had a beloved pet cat that he spoiled and cared for, I had to smile. I mean, really, how often do you see that? Sure, plenty of heroes have some affection for their horses, and even an occasional dog, but a beloved kitty cat? Ha! I loved it. Lady Ella had Ranulf wrapped around her fluffy tail. When Reina had her little fit of pique after waking up to a cat-butt in her face, I was cracking up. So many of the little arguments between this couple had me giggling. The scene where he tumbles her in the woods, and she gets irritated with him for finishing so fast (which was a problem for their first few encounters of that sort, which I thought was great to see instead of the usual 'oh, he's so awesome in bed at all times' that is the norm for most romances, lol), so she up and leaves, sans her undergarments, and then he returns them to her at an opportune moment in the midst of a spat, for example. Total LOL moment. Reina and Ranulf bickered, for sure, but it was always amusing. They went well together, no doubt. Very opposite of each other, but meshing in a tasty fashion like peanut butter and jelly or peas and carrots or choose your saying. At first, Ranulf seemed cold and intimidating, but he soon turned into a very likable guy with an unexpected sense of humor, and a bit of a soft side. Reina was feisty and determined, strong, but always knowing of her place as the lady, and what her responsibilities were. I liked her. I liked her temper, and how she could quickly realize when she was wrong, or when she pushed too far. She instigated much, but always with good cause, or at least an understandable reason. I liked her fire, she never got too pushy or annoying for me. I thought their love developed very nicely for the situation they were in. It wasn't rushed, and took time to develop for each of them. When Ranulf's father showed up, I thought it was going to be drama, but I enjoyed the way it turned out, how they patched things up and forged a new bond. Hugh was almost as likable as Ranulf, as they were very alike. The surprise twist of who Ranulf's hated half-brother was got me, I wasn't expecting it, but the scene where Ranulf's horrid ex-lover gets her just desserts was almost anti-climactic, though it was ok. Worked to show how little Ranulf cared about her in comparison to what he had found with Reina at Clydon, and gave some closure about the reasons why he had hated that lady so. The end chapter had me smiling with the love declarations and the coming of the baby, it was a nice wrap-up to the story.
So, yes, I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this book. It was definitely not what I had been expecting, and I will try this author again for sure! I have the second in this set on the TBR, along with two other books of hers already, so I can say confidently that I'm not afraid to read them now! 3.5 Stars!
January 7, 2024
3.5 stars! Defy Not the Heart has the most beautiful cover and this was a fun one to read for Historical Hellions book club! While not my fav from Johanna Lindsey, I was still having a good time and laughed a few times. This is a medieval historical romance that was published in 1989 and this one held up pretty well and was entertaining for me reading it in 2024!
This is set in England in 1192 and we follow Reina and Ranulf. Reina is an heiress with a lot of land and estates, both of her parents have died and she’s trying to save her castle from a mini attack in the opening scene! I liked how we have a strong, independent heroine who stands up for her people and to her new husband. When she gets abducted in the night to be forced into a marriage, she decides to propose to one of the men abducting her instead to at least have a say in who she marries. I loved how she knows exactly what she wants in the marriage contract and when her husband isn’t pleasing her in the bedchamber, she finally lets him know. Although it takes him a while to really believe that women can enjoy the marital act. 😅
I liked the opening premise and meeting the characters. The plot pretty much slows down towards the middle once they’re married and wasn’t as interesting, but then it picked back up again in the end. I loved his sweet relationship and love he has for his cat Lady Ella, her relationship with Aylmer (a 7-year old she took in and has cared for), her relationship with Theo her chamber servant of sorts, how Ranulf calls Reina “Little General”, and the partnership they form together!
Book club live show discussion linked here: https://youtube.com/live/LP_7XKdCGeM?...
This is set in England in 1192 and we follow Reina and Ranulf. Reina is an heiress with a lot of land and estates, both of her parents have died and she’s trying to save her castle from a mini attack in the opening scene! I liked how we have a strong, independent heroine who stands up for her people and to her new husband. When she gets abducted in the night to be forced into a marriage, she decides to propose to one of the men abducting her instead to at least have a say in who she marries. I loved how she knows exactly what she wants in the marriage contract and when her husband isn’t pleasing her in the bedchamber, she finally lets him know. Although it takes him a while to really believe that women can enjoy the marital act. 😅
I liked the opening premise and meeting the characters. The plot pretty much slows down towards the middle once they’re married and wasn’t as interesting, but then it picked back up again in the end. I loved his sweet relationship and love he has for his cat Lady Ella, her relationship with Aylmer (a 7-year old she took in and has cared for), her relationship with Theo her chamber servant of sorts, how Ranulf calls Reina “Little General”, and the partnership they form together!
Book club live show discussion linked here: https://youtube.com/live/LP_7XKdCGeM?...
October 3, 2018
What a fun read down memory lane! My first job was at a bank and all my coworkers were avid readers of historical romance. We borrowed and traded and ordered from book club newsletters together (remember Doubleday Book Club?). Johanna Lindsey was a universal favorite and I had read her entire pre-1990 backlist. Then at some point I stopped reading HR for a while and while I was away, the New School authors had taken the field, like Julia Quinn and Sabrina Jeffries.
This is classic Lindsey all the way. She subtly pokes at old school tropes by making the hero blond, gorgeous and violet-eyed, whereas the heroine is black-haired and plain but sassy and with a fiery temper. It’s so much fun to watch Ranulf and Reina learn to deal with each other, various relatives, a jealous cat - literal cat, not metaphorical - assorted ill-wishers and evil exes, and fall in love along the way.
There is one scene where Ranulf spanks Reina as punishment, but even then it’s portrayed as at least partly erotic. I don’t find spankings either erotic or proper as punishment for wives, but it’s a minor blip for me.
This is classic Lindsey all the way. She subtly pokes at old school tropes by making the hero blond, gorgeous and violet-eyed, whereas the heroine is black-haired and plain but sassy and with a fiery temper. It’s so much fun to watch Ranulf and Reina learn to deal with each other, various relatives, a jealous cat - literal cat, not metaphorical - assorted ill-wishers and evil exes, and fall in love along the way.
There is one scene where Ranulf spanks Reina as punishment, but even then it’s portrayed as at least partly erotic. I don’t find spankings either erotic or proper as punishment for wives, but it’s a minor blip for me.
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