Joining

Rating:
Summary: Another Disappointment
Review: Unfortunately, it appears that the last few novels of JL's that I've read have been very far from her usual standards. Ms Lindsey takes us back to Reina and Ranulf's world, except that they (and their family) feature very briefly in this novel. It is Guy de Thorpe's son who is the hero in this book, and he has to marry Melisant. An incident when they were both young has coloured their opinion of each other, so much so that they are both unwilling to even entertain the thought.

And this is where the story falls flat. Surely any reasonable person would consider that a meeting 12 years ago between two children would not colour their perceptions to such a degree (Wulfric finds every excuse NOT to see Melisant ever since her falcon tore a bit of skin off his knuckles). Their subjective interpretation of the incident is a plot device contrived to keep them at loggerheads, but it just becomes irritating, and removes any empathy that the reader might feel for either of these characters.

The second problem I had was in invloving King John in a plot to murder Melisant and keep her from marrying Wulfric. This served no purpose except to result in Melisant and Wulfric spending more time together under the guise of protection. The King was used in several other ways as well, but the significance of these incidents was not apparent. In fact, it seemed like a desperate attempt to try to keep the original plot together, and then it fell apart at the seams later on. Likewise, the attempted rape scene and kidnapping just seemed thrown in for added effect, was very brief, and did not help the plot one bit.

Melisant was extremely irritating. I like feisty heroines, and I have no problem with them dressing like men, hunting, etc. But she was dirty, she stank, was impolite and uncaring of her family's image. I could find absolutely no reason for these two to love each other, and remained unconvinced even after I had finished the book.

I know that JL can do better, but her latest offerings give one the impression that she has no time to write the gems that she is capable of.

Rating:
Summary: DON'T BUY THE AUDIO TAPE
Review: I really liked the book. The only thing I would like to see changed is let us know on the end who is plotting against who instead of in the begining.After reading the book I usually buy the tape to listen to the story again and again. Well, I am sorry I bought this tape. It had none of the mystery plotting. That was the essence of the book. The story was bland without it. Johanna, how could you let them destory your book. I like the way you tell a story but not the dry way the audio tape told it.

Rating:
Summary: good book
Review: I know that a lot of people didn't like this book but I personally thought it was really good. It kept my interest and milsant and wulfric had great chemistry together. I gave it four stars because it was not Lindsay's best novel but It was definately not one of her worst. Overall it was a good book and worth the time it takes to read it.

Rating:
Summary: Just Okay
Review: This book was definetly not Johanna's greatest book, but it did keep my interest. I am surprised by her lack of spark in this book. I will probably leave this one on the shelf. Not worth a second read.

Rating:
Summary: This book was awful
Review: I'm usually a big fan of Johanna Lindsey's, ever since I read "Gentle Rogue" and "Once a Princess." However, I couldn't even finish "Joining." I hated the characters and the plot just annoyed me. If you have a good opinion of Ms. Lindsey's work thus far, steer clear of this one. You might want to avoid "Paradise Wild" as well.

Rating:
Summary: Joining
Review: As my first Johanna Lindsey novel, I was very disappointed with her lack of continuity with character definition from one chapter to the next. In Joining, Milisant was a very strong, independent female until the author needed her to be a star-struck no backbone teary female pliable at every need. I was not impressed with this novel.

Rating:
Summary: Not up to her usual standard of romance excellance
Review: I'm a big fan of Johanna Lindsey, but this book is not up to her usual standard of romance excellance. The plot was weak, there was no depth to the characters and the sexual tension between them was missing. It's almost like it was a "hurry up and throw something together" effert.

I think I should have checked the book out of the library and saved the money I spent on it.

Rating:
Summary: A Major Disappointment!
Review: I've been reading this book for the last two weeks and just can't seem to get interested enough to finish it. I have read nealy all of Ms Lindsey's other books and I must say that this one falls very short of the mark. I'm glad that I waited until the paperback came out instead of wasting even more money on the hardcover. As a matter of fact, it seems that Ms. Lindsay's quality of writing and her usual " fire " have also been on a downhill slide since she went to hardcover. Bring back the and passion, Johanna! I'm all for having a strong willed and independent heroine, but Milisant was spoiled, arrogant, obnoxious, totally unfeminine and a total turn off. Wulfric's charachter also seemed to lack depth. I kept waiting for the romance, but it never materialized. In gereral, the entire storyline was lackluster and boring. I have been a big fan of Johanna Lindsay from the very beginning of her career, so I know that she can do better. I'll probably buy her next paperback on past merits alone. I hope that I am not disappointed.

Rating:
Summary: Disappointing
Review: I kept waiting to really love the characters but it never happened. The story was very formulaic and there were really no surprises...even the reason for someone trying to murder Milisant was given away in the prologue. Overall, I'm sorry I wasted the time and money.

Rating:
Summary: Passionate- - NOT!
Review: Amazon has accurately summed up the plot for you, I just want to say that as one of her biggest fans (I've read ALL of her books), I was extremely disappointed. It lacked passion until almost the very end. The dialogue was bland and the former tomboy's metamorphis in to a beautiful lady (considering how she supposedly lived all her life) was not very convincing. I think Johanna whipped this one out with very little thought or interest. I was disappointed. But, everyone gets to have a bomb every now and then. I'll give her another chance!