Discount Price: $7.99
Price fluctuation possible.
How soon does it ship: Normal ship time within one day
Shipping? Absolutely FREE if you qualify for Super Saver Shipping.
Type of bind: Mass Market Paperback
Dewey Decimal Number: 813
EAN num: 9780380752997
ISBN number: 0380752999
Label: Avon
Manufacturer: Avon
Quantity: 1
Page Count: 432
Printing Date: June 01, 1989
Publishing house: Avon
Release Date: June 01, 1989
Sale Popularity Level: 34336
Studio: Avon
Other books you might be interested in perusing:
Editor's Notes and Comments:
Product 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 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.
User popularity level:
Rated by buyers -
Good characters. Good plot. Events are well done. I had no problems with this. I definitely liked Reina, her sharp wit and directness. She called Ranulf names when appropriate and argued with him. He wasn't used to that. He was a neat character. This book was similar to Lindsey's other well done novels.
Story brief: Reina's father is wealthy. He dies before he can arrange a marriage for his daughter, but he communicates to his overlord that he has agreed to a man Reina chose for herself, without naming him. Therefore, Reina is free to choose her husband. Rothwell is an old, greedy man who hires Ranulf to kidnap Reina so he can marry her for the lands. While traveling to Rothwell, Walter convinces Reina that she would be better off marrying Ranulf than Rothwell. After she realizes this, both she and Walter then convince Ranulf of the same thing. Ranulf and Reina get married and then start getting to know one another. Subplpots involve others attacking Reina's lands and Ranulf's background.
Sexual language: mild. Number of sex scenes: six. Setting: 1192 England. Copyright: 1989. Genre: historical romance.
For a list of my reviews of other Johanna Lindsey books, see my 5 star review of "Gentle Rogue" posted 6/14/08.
Rated by buyers 
-
I love JL's writing style, quick to the point no need for over-zealous descriptions to prove she a great romance novelist
Reina is a feisty hellion, with a sharp tongue, likely to shred you apart with mere words...
She is in dire need of a husband to protect her lands and people
Ranulf a brazen golden giant with looks to stun you into silence , a mercenary by profession ,with no real family or lands to call his own is hired to kidnap the girl and take her to an ogre of a man.
Reina will not submit to life with the old Lord Rothwell and in turns asks Ranulf to marry her offering to make him an even greater lord. He reluctantly agrees and the two are married.
Although Ranulf prefers a more fuller woman than the petite Reina he finds he cannot control his lust for his new bride and in turn leaves Reina unsatisfied in the ways of passion
{ I really liked how that was thrown in the book}
Defy Not The Heart is a true romance, you watch as these two get to know each other in the midst of everyday life, there is no villain plotting a scheme to tear the two part... well maybe the cat.
This book has it all, memorable characters such a gay chambermaid, an advice giving village whore and a farting cat, purely laughable. And the erotic spanking scene might have you wanting to be naughty.
I really enjoyed the book and would suggest it to anyone looking for a fun witty fast paced read
Rated by buyers -
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.
Rated by buyers -
Some of Lindsey's recent novels are real bombs. This is a good ole Lindsey classic, however. You will not be disappointed. Enjoy.
Rated by buyers -
"Defy" rates at the top 5 JL novels along with the notable "Tender Rebel." This book is absolutely hilarious! I love Reina's spunkiness and Ranulf's willingness in learning how to please (or pleasure) his wife. I read this book over 13yrs ago and periodically read it over. I hate authors that's heavy on scenery, food, and wardrobe descriptions along with minimal communication between the main characters. You won't find that in this novel. It's a great read with memorable moments.
Find other books like this one:
