Wonderful

Another great story from the pen of Jill Barnett. To set the stage - The heroine, Lady Clio has been in a convent two years longer than she was originally led to believe. Having never met her betrothed, she had a young girls dreams of romance, of a hero Knight that would come to woe her, etc. etc. Unfortunately, she has lost that feeling of being wooed and hears that her betrothed is on his way to claim his bride. Insulted and her pride damaged by the embarrassment that it has taken him so long to claim her she decides that she shall teach him a lesson. Lord Merrick, after fighting for so long in the Crusades, is just so happy to finally be coming home to claim his 'calm and peaceful' life along with a biddable betrothed bride, or so he thinks. Well, that isn't about to happen, because Lady Clio is nothing like what he expected and she has a bone to pick with him for being 2 years late. This story is so rich in humor and secondary characters, including brothers Thud and Thwack, a one eyed cat called Cyclops, and a bird that can't fly and hangs and swings along on her long braid. Of course,there are also Lady Clio's attempts to make the legendary `heather ale' - ales that do not come out quite right and do strange things to people. Parts of this book have such outrageous dialog and funny scenes that it had me laughing so hard the tears in my eyes wouldn't let me continue reading. This book was simply WONDERFUL. It deserves the HIGHEST of a 5 Star rating. Definitely a keeper!

Ever read one of those books that have you giggling out loud throughout the entire book? This is one of those books. Lady Clio is so funny that I had to laugh at everything she did.After six years in a convent waiting for her bethrothed to return to wed her, Lord Merrick has finally arrived to retreive Lady Clio. The problem is, Lady Clio has already left for her home. When Lord Merrick finally catches up with Lady Clio, he walks in on her as she's talking to herself, about the fine earl himself. The two clash at first sight. Lord Merrick is expeting a meek woman who will be quiet and have children. Lady Clio has no intension of doing so. She is a mischief maker and enjoys to make Lord Merrick's life miserable. Lady Clio's claim to fame is making ale for the castle. She makes such a fine ale that the entire castle is either giggling or falling asleep. Merrick and Clio clash several times before they finally marry, and each time is guaranteed a laugh. My favorite scene is when Lady Clio decides to sing for castle. What a voice she has!After reading Wicked, another great book in this wonderful series, I had to go back and read the book that started it all. Next I plan to read the second in the series, Wild. I highly recommend this series. Jill Barnett has definetly found a fan in me.

This was my first Jill Barnett book I've read and I loved it! I've read many books but none have ever made laugh out loud until I read this one. I like the fact that Merrick was very tolerate of Chlio and wasn't brutal like some male characters can be. I recommend this book to anyone who wants to read a fun, and romantic story.

I enjoyed this book so much! WONDERFUL is enchanting, uplifting and has enough history to place you in the world she's created but not enough to feel like a boring history lesson. The details of ale making were fascinating. Her characters are lovable, and the secondary characters are well drawn and add to the fun (I can't wait for Roger's story!). Clio teaches Merrick how to laugh and love and their relationship develops slowly from one of irritation, to friendship, to desire and love. It's all done with such a tender hand that I couldn't stop the tears when I got to towards the end. Speaking of which, it takes an abrupt serious turn which may upset some looking for a pure love and laughter read. For me, this part made the love story all the more poignant. Like all the Barnett books I've read I laughed and cried and completely enjoyed myself. *Sigh* Do I really have to wait 6 months or so for the next one?

In 1269, the mischievous fifteen year old Lady Clio of Camrose is betrothed to Lord Merrick de Beaucourt, a knight she has never seen, who is fighting in the Middle East. While waiting for his return, she becomes a ward of the court and sent to a convent. In 1275, Merrick is elated to be traveling through England to his home. Clio worries about his return because she spent so much time at the convent getting into trouble doing what she thought was right. Still, Merrick has to be better than the boring convent. At Camrose, Clio continues to work with ales in an effort to recreate the legendary Heather Ale that healed the sick and gave the ancient Picts extraordinary strength. She also runs the castle in her weird way that soon has everyone, including her besotted spouse, doing her bidding. However, Medieval England is almost as dangerous a place as the Crusades and if the loving couple are not more careful, they may find someone trying to put an abrupt end to their deepening relationship. This novel is a humorous, fun to read Medieval romance due to its varied, eccentric, and exciting characters. The story line dexterously mixes a poignant historical romance with a lovely legend, thereby turning the novel into a WONDERFUL reading experience. Harriet Klausner