Romance Book Reviews
Page Two of TwoJoining by Johanna Lindsey
Avon Books, May 1999.Hardcover, 377 pages.
ISBN: 0380975351.
Ordering information:
Amazon.com.
In 1214 England, marriages were of utmost importance
in securing political alliances and financial security.
Love rarely entered into the equation in the England
ruled by the despised King John. Arranged by their
fathers, the marriage of Lady Milisant and Wulfric,
the son of the Earl of Sheffield, is not desired by either
of the parties after a disastrous meeting when they
were both children. Now Wulfric is determined to
do his duty and wed the awful she-devil he remembers.
But when Wulfric meets Milisant he is in for a big
surprise. For one thing she's gorgeous -- and for another,
he finds himself powerfully attracted to her. But Milisant,
who would rather be hunting or running around in
a boy's clothes than acting as the lady of the manor,
is determined to get out of the marriage at all costs.
As the couple gets acquainted it looks like they might
find some common ground, only someone seems to want
Milisant dead. Will the couple ever find true love?
The incomparable Johanna Lindsey has done it again with her latest novel. King John's England makes a wonderful backdrop for this story. Milisant and her twin sister Jhone are intriguing characters with great appeal. Wulfric is a strong hero with a sensual side that will take your breath away. The pacing is brisk and the dialogue is delightful; Lindsey fans should flock to bookstores for this one.
Priceless by Mariah Stewart
Pocket Books, June 1999.Paperback, 366 pages.
ISBN: 0380803666.
Ordering information:
Amazon.com.
Rachel Chandler loves her job as an underwater
salvage expert. Working with her successful salvage
expert father Gordon Chandler is wonderful, although
she wishes her father would recognize how grown up she
is. When her father picks her to assist on a salvage operation
to raise a paddle boat which sunk during the Civil War, at
least Rachel is in charge -- although she'd rather be looking
for treasure on a different operation which her father and
brother are working on. Rachel's job is fraught with
difficulties from the beginning. The owner of the wreck
is wealthy, secretive and strange. Then, to make matters worse,
the underwater archaeologist hired for the occasion, Dr. Sam
McGowan, is handsome, talented, and disappointed that
it's Rachel in charge and not her father. The couple
find themselves falling in love, but violence seems to
surround them. What is really buried on the ship?
And will they survive the expedition to find out?
Sam and Rachel make a passionate and entertaining couple, and the danger surrounding them adds spice to the tale. The day to day life of a salvage crew who looks for treasure buried by the sea makes for interesting reading, and the appearance by the McGowan family ghost adds a delightful mysterious touch to the story. Lovers of romantic intrigue will find Mariah Stewart's latest novel to be truly priceless.
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Return to the July 1999 issue of The IWJ.
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