Defy Not The Heart (Medieval Series, Book 1)

by Johanna Lindsey

Defy Not The Heart (Medieval Series, Book 1)

book data

201 ratings, 3.92 average rating, 4 reviews (more data...)

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published

June 1st 1989 by Avon

binding

Mass Market Paperback, 432 pages

isbn

0380752999 (isbn13: 9780380752997)

description

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 ...more

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other reviews (showing 1-20 of 244)

All ratings | 5 stars (66) | 4 stars (65) | 3 stars (56) | 2 stars (13) | avg 3.92

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Brandy

Brandy marked it as to-read

05/09/08

bookshelves: to-read

Read in May, 2008

I picked this book up purely for the comic value of the front cover. It has Fabio on it. It wasn't as great as some of her other works, but I found the hero to be quite humerous in a very serious sort of way. Ranulf contemplates taking a job to collect a reluctant bride, agrees to investigate and may or may not take the job, his decision based only on his own whim. He decides to take the job but hasn't told the groom he would, nor when to expect the job to be completed. The heroine, Reina, ...more

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Kym

Kym rated it:

05/26/08

bookshelves: historical-romance

Read in April, 2008

Lady Reina de Champeney finds herself in a bit of a predicament when, following the death of her betrothed, her father dies as well--leaving Reina without a marriage contract. Reina's home, Clydon, is large enough, grand enough, and rich enough that any number of men would do anything to possess it. That the lady Reina is also a renowned beauty doesn't hurt. After choosing two possible husbands, Reina has sent them both missives requesting their presence at Clydon, when she finds her home under ...more Lady Reina de Champeney finds herself in a bit of a predicament when, following the death of her betrothed, her father dies as well--leaving Reina without a marriage contract. Reina's home, Clydon, is large enough, grand enough, and rich enough that any number of men would do anything to possess it. That the lady Reina is also a renowned beauty doesn't hurt. After choosing two possible husbands, Reina has sent them both missives requesting their presence at Clydon, when she finds her home under attack by a neighbor who has decided not to wait for Reina's consent and to instead kidnap her to make her his bride. In the midst of the scuffle, Reina's men are reinforced by a group of knights led by the proud and strong Ranulf Fitz Hugh.

Ranulf Fitz Hugh is a man accustomed to fighting for what he wants. Born on the wrong side of the blanket, Ranulf has worked as a mercenary for years to earn enough money that he can buy himself a small fief, that will be his to farm and keep. When the aging Lord Rothwell offers him a small fortune to kidnap Lady Reina, Ranulf finds the offer difficult to refuse. When he arrives at Clydon to find that another man has already had the same idea, he sees that Clydon is indeed worth fighting for, and is eager to get the job done so he can return to his life and the future he's planning. But when the Lady Reina makes him a scandalous proposition--marry her and become Lord of Clydon rather than delivering her to the aged Lord Rothwell--Ranulf realizes that the choice might not be so clear.

The story takes place in 1192, and Ranulf is every inch the powerful warlord of the times. He is a man born to fight, who has had to work for everything he's ever had, has been given nothing, and has learned from years of dishonesty that that you never know who you can trust. It is for these reasons that he's initially reluctant to become Reina's husband--he'd rather have a small fief that he'd earned for himself rather than be saddled with a sassy bride who will become more trouble than she's worth. Reina, likewise, is every inch the lady. She runs her home with an iron fist, but is gentle, kind, and well liked. When she sees the giant come to take her away, she makes a devil's bargain to save Clydon and herself from an even worse fate. She doesn't expect to fall in love with Ranulf, and it's all the more delightful to watch it unfold because of it.

I've read a rash of bad romance novels recently, and when I need to have my faith put back in the genre, I always turn to an older Johanna Lindsey (circa 1985-1993). Her books from this era never disappoint me, and Defy Not the Heart was no exception. This is a great book if you're in the mood to curl up with a story about a strong, protective hero and his feisty, yet gentle bride....less

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Diana

Diana rated it:

02/16/08

bookshelves: historical-romance, owned, romance

Ranulf is hired under false pretenses by Lord Rothwell to bring Reina to him. Desperate to avoid the marriage, Reina offers to marry Ranulf instead.

This Johanna Lindsey is different than her other early novels. Although Ranulf is suspicious and a little prickly, he and Reina get along well without misunderstandings or anger.

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Jhayboy

Jhayboy rated it:

10/11/08

Defy Not The Heart by Johanna Lindsey (1989)

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Amber

Amber rated it:

12/03/08

bookshelves: chick-lit

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12/02/08

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12/01/08

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11/30/08

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11/30/08

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11/29/08

bookshelves: historical, romance

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11/24/08

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11/23/08

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Norma marked it as to-read

11/22/08

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