Amazon.com Review

Jill Barnett claims she got the idea for her 13th-century romance, Wonderful, from a beer commercial, from which she learned that ale-making was one of the few occupations open to medieval women. Lady Clio is a headstrong, independent-minded young woman who would like nothing more than to rediscover the long-lost recipe for "heather ale," which was created by the Picts. Although lovely, Clio has long given up on marriage because her betrothed abandoned her to a convent six years before. When Merrick de Beaucort suddenly arrives to claim his bride, he finds that wooing the beautiful Lady Clio is as difficult and arduous as any battle he has faced. Beneath Clio's placid countenance and seemingly docile demeanor lies a lively and adventurous woman with a lot of ideas that Merrick must accept if he is ever to win her love.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

Lady Clio has been in a convent for six years waiting for her betrothed to return from the Holy Lands, two years longer than originally planned. Bored beyond belief, she manages to get into one scrape or another, all with the best of intentions. Her focus, while waiting for Merrick to claim her as his bride, is to find the ultimate recipe for heather ale. Upon learning that he has finally returned, Lady Clio leaves the convent and heads to Camrose, her family home, to wait for her errant (and yet unseen) husband-to-be. Meanwhile, Merrick, who is tired from his journeys and ready for a quiet, biddable wife, has no idea that while Lady Clio may look angelic, she is actually full of mischief! And she is determined that he will make up every minute of the two years that he made her wait. As Merrick struggles to make Camrose a veritable fortress that would withstand invasion, Clio struggles with learning how to handle a man who lives his life based on success in battle. Her solution? Fits of defiance that not only frustrate Merrick, but make each confrontation sizzle with anticipation! An automatic attraction between Clio and Merrick causes sparks to fly off the pages, especially as they get to know each other. Add some delightfully humorous characters -- Thud, Thwack, Old Gladdys, Sir Roger and Brother Dismas -- and this is one tale that leaves the reader chuckling.Energetic and full of life, Jill Barnett has created characters that are absolutely Wonderful! I laughed throughout the book at the schemes that Lady Clio devised. Ms. Barnett has done a terrific job blending humor into the storyline. This is definitely a keeper!Amy Wilson -- Copyright © 1994-97 Literary Times, Inc. All rights reserved -- From
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.