Wild

Ridiculed and stoned by villagers who think she's a witch, Teleri of the Woods has lived for years alone and secluded deep in the forest. Roger FitzAlan, a knight for King Edward, has been sent to the Welsh borderlands to view the site for a new castle stronghold. Catching site of Teleri riding an Arab stallion stolen five years ago from his best friend, he chases her into the woods. Ambushed, hung from a tree and left to die, Roger's only hope for survival is when Teleri finds him barely alive. She takes him into her home to care for him as she does the ill and wounded animals of her forest home. Roger needs to eventually return to his world, and Teleri will be forced to decide if she has the courage to go with him. This is the second installment in a trilogy all set in medieval times. The trilogy is as follows: "Wonderful", "Wild", "Wicked". Unfortunately, I wasn't aware these were a series and now I'm reading them backwards. I really enjoyed this story. Roger and Teleri were both strong, well-developed characters. Most of the book is just the two of them and how their relationship grows. Teleri was a refreshing character, because living outside the constraints of society gave her an innocence, mixed with few inhibitions. And Teleri wanted her relationship with Roger to progress faster than he did. This sheltered young woman ends up teaching him about love, and the simple beauty of things around them so easily taken for granted. I didn't think this book contained quite the humor Ms. Barnett does so well, but I found this story wonderful regardless. Ms. Barnett tends to include something from the paranormal realm in her books, and this story was no exception. All I will say is there's a huge question to whom Teleri's father was. I would really recommend reading this series in order if you think you'll be reading all three. "Wicked" and "Wild" have divulged some of the story in Wonderful, which I've yet to read. I'm a huge fan of Ms. Barnett's work and I've now read most of it. I've yet to be disappointed, so I definitely recommend this book. It's on my keeper shelf, along with all her other books.

Set in Wales 1280 under the reign of King Edward. Roger FitzAlan, an English knight of the realm, catches sight of a young woman galloping off into the woods on a black Arabian horse. He races off after her, only to lose her but walks straight into a trap. Teleri, an orphan brought up in the woods, shunned by the villagers because they believe her to be a witch stumbles upon the half dead knight lying in the woods. She saves the reluctant knight and falls in love with him. But will Roger let go of his past and learn to love Teleri in return? "I leaned my back against an oak thinking it was a trusty tree. But first it bent, and then it broke and let me down as my love did me." Truly a beautiful love story interwoven into its natural surrounding. Roger is the typical handsome knight in shining armour but the heroine, Teleri is a real gem. She is so kind and innocent but at the same time not weak. She's attracted by all wounded souls, be they animals or wounded knights. It was funny imagining this slip of a girl taming her angry knight and heartening to watch him softening under her gentle influence. The "loving" scenes were hot, sensual and daring, maybe too daring for that era but who's complaining! Lealing

I have read this book over and over again. It doesn't grow old on you! It follows Roger FitzAlan, who we were introduced to in Jill's book Wonderful. Don't worry, you don't have to read Wonderful first to enjoy this book. (I read Wild first by accident.)Wild was the first book I read by Jill Barnett, and I was blown away by how real the story and charachters were. Teleri is such a genuine good soul, who lives in the woods and cares for animals because they don't hurt you like humans do. Shunned by her town, she isolates herself in her little house. Roger FitzAlan is almost killed, left to hang in the woods. Teleri finds him and drags him back to her house. She doesn't like him because the last time they met he was chasing her, thinking she stole his friend's horse. But, she knew she had to save him.Roger is quite sick, and thrashes about as Teleri trys to care for him. She binds his hands and legs to keep him from hurting himself or her. When he wakes up, he doesn't know who killed him and doesn't know where he is. He sees animals in cages (animals she resuced and is nursing back to health) and thinks Teleri is holding him hostage. Thus sets the stage for the tug of war between these two. Can they overcome everything and fall in love? Will Roger find out who tried to kill him, even if it means he has to leave Teleri and risk his life to do so?This book gets five stars because you don't feel like you are reading fiction. I feel like I'm reading a story of love from long ago, and it touches me every time I read it. Just writing this makes me want to go read it again now...hmmm..think I will!

Let's face it, when you pick up a historical romance you want to be swept away. You want to read it while the world swirls around you and not have to think too much. You want the sex to be hot and not too unbelievable or strangely described, and you want the characters to have actual chemistry. You will get all of that here.While I usually read more 'book club' type fiction I found I needed the carefree fun of a romance this summer. I got exactly what I wanted when I read this! The chemistry is wonderful, Teleri is interesting and unafraid, and Roger is the smitten, changed man that I will fall for every time. One super positive note; I hate it when in typical romances as soon as the couple realizes they are in love some "conflict" has to tear them apart for at least 50-100 pages. I am happy to report Jill chooses a different path in the book, and I feel it kept in line with the upbeat, fun, lilting pace of the rest of her book.What a deal if you buy it used, but even if you love to crack open the spine of a brand new book, and slip away into good, sexy fun, you will enjoy this book. I give it 5 stars because for it's genre, this is a great read, touching and funny and just dabbled with the right sexiness.I have more Jill Barnett books on my list!

I loved this one. Although not based on a fairy tale, WILD has a beautiful, very romantic, fairy-tale feel to it. The heroine, shunned by the town because they fear she's a witch, lives in a tiny isolated shack and spends her time caring for wounded beasts. When she stumbles across an injured man (who turns out to be a knight), she can't help but drag him back to her home to heal him. Her honesty, gentle ways and lifestyle change him forever and make him look at life differently. This story has some very funny moments as these two very different people get to know each other, but it's also one of the most tender and loving romances I've read in a while and I thought it was extremely sensual. Their love is apparent in every word, touch, look and action they share and there are lots of moments to "sigh" over. An all-around fantastic romance.