Joining - Softcover

Lindsey, Johanna

3.85

5,531 ratings by Goodreads

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0552147818 ISBN 13: 9780552147811

Publisher: Corgi, 2000

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The betrothal between beautiful, headstrong Milisant Crispin and handsome Wulfic de Thorpe has been announced, joining together two of the most powerful families in England. The combined power of their arranged union will be great enough to rival even the king's - so ambitious King John Plantagenet will do anything to prevent the marriage. Milisant and Wulfric are equally unhappy as they are forced to marry for dynastic reasons - but in spite of the unromantic reasons for their alliance and the political manoeuvrings behind the scenes, a grand passion soon unites them.

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Review:

Wulfric de Thorpe was betrothed at age 13 to six-year-old Milisant Crispin , daughter of his father's best friend--a "good" match for both families--but their first and only meeting was a disaster. They unwittingly injured each other when he was badly bitten by her falcon and Milisant received a broken ankle in the resulting chaos. Needless to say, the two have fiercely disliked each other ever since.

Now 25, Wulfric reluctantly arrives at Dunburh Castle to claim his bride. To his dismay, he finds that although Milisant is now 19 and stunningly beautiful, she is still a sharp-tongued, untamed tomboy who refuses to obey her beloved father, dresses in male clothing, is an expert archer and has a magic touch with animals of all sorts. Wulfric gloomily decides that his hope for a biddable lady wife is doomed. Just as pessimistic, Milisant fears that marriage to the handsome, powerful Wulfric will mean that "he would smother me, try to break me". Neither Milisant nor Wulfric want to wed, but the two can't bring themselves to refuse and disappoint their respective fathers.

Thrust into each other's company, a powerful attraction grows between them, despite their difficult past. But darker forces have political reasons for preventing the wedding, and will stop at nothing to succeed, including murdering Milisant. Will Wulfric be able to keep his new love alive long enough to marry her?

Peopled with complex and often colourful characters, set against the fascinating political background of King John's England and enriched with a healthy dose of intrigue, passion and conflict, Joining is another delightful novel from the prolific Lindsey. --Lois Faye Dyer

Review:

"High-quality entertainment. The charm and appeal of her characters is infectious." (Publishers Weekly)

"First-rate romance" (New York Daily News)

"Delicious, sexy, historical romance with a clever twist." (Booklist)

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