Customer Reviews

Wild

5 star:		(18)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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!

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 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.

Thanks to a terrific heroine and a sumptuous hero, Jill Barnett's Wild is a sure keeper. This medieval novel doesn't break new ground, instead it takes the formula of a reclusive healer and world weary knight to a new and better level through great dialogue and sweet romantic interludes.

Roger FitzAlan is literally at death's door when sweet Teleri finds him and his horse in her woods. Roger has rope marks along his neck from an almost hanging and is barely conscious. When he does awaken he finds himself in the middle of the woods in a hut surrounded by injured woodland animals and a beautiful girl tending to him.

Teleri is teased mercilessly by the village children, is unaccepted and has become a recluse and dubbed a witch. She is lovely inside and out and Roger does not stand a chance against her charming manner and kind heart. Their romance is filled with laughter and wonder but also it is very touching and when Roger has to leave the woods to finish the job commissioned to him by the King, Teleri knows she is madly in love with the gruff Englishman.

Roger has never met anyone like Teleri. She is nothing like the noble ladies of court, instead she is calmer, quieter, her world is filled with wonder and her purpose is to heal whether it is a lame rabbit or a wounded man. She is a woman of strong convictions, something that Roger understands and quickly learns to respect. Also unlike the courtly ladies, she does not play courtship games but is direct and honest about her feelings and passions.

Both of these people have to change in order to find lasting true love. Teleri must trust that Roger will not hurt her, something that has never been easy for her and Roger has to trust that Teleri will not put another crack in his broken heart. This is simply a delightfully witty and passionate romance that never loses the central theme of trust and compassion.

What a fresh spin on the typical medieval romance! Roger, one of the King's men, a knight of breeding and wealth, finds himself in the simple world of Teleri, an outcast living in the depths of the forest, with little human contact and few earthly possesions. The humor and sexual tension between the two pulls you into the story. The author does a good job of revealing the depths of yearning each has for something more. The only negative comment I have is regarding the final conflict resolution between Roger and his unknown enemy. I found that to be somewhat melodramatic and unsatisfying. However, the story as a whole is very entertaining and Roger and Teleri are two people that I could care about and wanted desperately to find their happiness. It was a real page turner.

Roger FitzAlan was sent by King Edward to establish a site for another castle, to fortify the Welsh borderlands. While out searching he was ambushed by an unknown assailant and left for dead. Frightening as he was, Teleri happened upon his body, and though he was more dead than alive, she brought him back to her cottage in the woods and nursed him back to health. She doesnt trust the English, or anyone other than the animals who are her sole companions in the woods, yet she wouldnt leave him to die and finds herself drawn to him.

Teleri of the Woods was different from any other woman Roger FitzAlan had ever known or met. Yet she has something elusive that he has never known, and she brings to him, this mighty warrior and knight, a sense of peace.

This is truly a beautiful love story, where an arrogant, stubborn knight is enlightened in the ways of true love. A lovely story, not as much humor as in the first novel (Wonderful) in this trilogy but quite nice and very entertaining.

I've read almost every book Jill Barnett has written. She has an exceptional way to mix romance and humor, which always results in great books. "Wild" does not dissapoint. It has laughter, romance, and intrigue, all combined to make another excellent book by Jill Barnett.

-Read On Kindle-
LOVE this book. I really enjoyed the first one and I hoped this one would be as good. It was actually BETTER! This heroine was more independent and fun, less whiny. It was great to see a different side of Roger from the first book and see him grow and learn about himself. There ARE sex scenes, this is not a book to let a young teen read. GRAPHIC ROMANCE SCENES! Just a warning.

PLOT
Roger, a knight from the first book, is attacked and hung in the forest. A lady, thought by her town, to be a witch, finds him and discovers he isn't dead. She gets him back to her cottage and manages to nurse him back to health. They, of course, fall in love, and learn about themselves and who they are and what they really want through the course of the book. They eventually figure out who tried to kill Roger and the end is happy and wrapped up. You also get to find out what happened to The Arab from the first book.

I laughed out-loud a LOT during this book. I also gave a running summary as I read to my brother because he wanted to know what I was laughing at, and so I kept sharing the story with him. It's engaging and funny and the characters are endearing. GREAT READ!

The one CON I have is that the "'Twas" that she starts lots of paragraphs with is annoying. Paid full price and don't regret it!