Defy Not the Heart

Set in 1192, this is a tale of endurance and strength that takes place in feudal times and is woven around battles, kings, and medieval knights. Reina’s wealthy father dies before he can arrange a marriage for his daughter. Reina is free to choose her husband, but is kidnapped by Ranulf. He plans to take her to his overlord, Rothwell, who is an old, greedy man who wants to marry her for her lands. During the journey Reina realizes she would be better off marrying Ranulf.

The rest of the story is local politics and keep life. I found Reina and Ranulf's relationship and interactions pretty unrealistic. Reina was determined, confident, caring, and intelligent. Ranulf was a bit dull and wasn't the suave lover that is so common in most show more romances. I think the author did a great job of making medieval life seem realistic. Overall, not my favorite Lindsey novel, but not a terrible one either. show less

This is an older bodice burner, but a pretty good medieval romance. Ranulf is hired to escort Raina to her unwanted marriage, but she talks him into marrying her himself as she's a considerable heiress. There's a lot of ups and downs as the two learn how to deal with each other, but it's a good story.

I am not a fan of Johanna Lindsey but from time from time I find myself reading one of her books. (dont know how this comes to be..maybe magic..maybe moment of weakness)


Reina de Champenay has a problem. A big one as she is currently finding herself besieged in her keep.Luckily the attackers are fended off when knight Ranulf arrives in the nick of time and saves the day.

But it turns out his arrival wasnt due to mere luck but rather that he has been hired to abduct Reina and bring her to her betrothed Rothwell.

Reina is incredulous hearing this as she has never heard of this guy before. She does have two suitors but hadnt decided between the two of them yet. They are well enough both of them in their own way but she is in an unique show more sitation to chose any husband she choses.

Her father died while on crusade and told her guardian before he died that Reina had a suitor that he had approved of(even though he didnt know of any suitor)...as a last gift to his daughter.

Through a series of events Ranulf and Reina come to the conclusion that the most sensible thing would be to marry each other.

So they do and settle into marriage well enough if it werent for Ranulf being a very selfish lover (read: he gets off,she doesnt) and Reina loathes having to submit to his constant demands.

Its resolved though.

And also there is the return to the original plotline with Reinas wannabe husband Rothwell.


So what did I think of this book?

This book was pretty mild to other of Lindseys work but it still has some un-PC elements,so I can see that some would like it. But it was just an ok read to me,nothing upsetting but nothing very original either.

Hero and heroine are quite generic,rough but honorable hero and a feisty but beautiful heroine.

I admired the heroines pluck but her stoic attitude started to wear on me after a while.I had a hard time connecting with her because of this.

And hero while being not as bad as others of Johanna Lindseys heroes is still mostly this tough and gruff guy who has this great resentment towards LADIES,because he had bad experiences with high born women.And now he is married to one himself...soo.. yeah

A plus to the author for including a supporting character who is gay,even if it is a stereotypical one. Reinas manservant Theo who has taken over caring for her wardrobe and personal grooming. Oh and who can be quite catty too.

Having an openly gay character in historical times (and medieval era to boot!) goes against everything I know about the medieval era and the the treatment in historical times of LGBT people.

But hey its Romancelandia so I guess it goes. show less

Puntuación: 8.00/10.00

No es lo mejor que he leído, pero es bastante bueno y entretenido. Buena trama y personajes, quizá un poco apresurado el final pero me gustó.

Typical Lindsey historical. Rough but honorable hero and a feisty but beautiful heroine.

This is first JL book I read at 16. It is the one that got me hooked. Since then I have re-read it several times. It is on my top 5 list.

dnf - i may attempt to read this book again. I felt the language was so stiff - like reading the King James Bible.