To see my full non-spoiler review: https://christianlovingbooks.blogspot.com/2018/08/the-yielding-review.html ( )

The Yielding (Age of Faith, #2) by Tamara Leigh, republished by Tamara Leigh in 2014, is an edgy romance of the middle ages. If you love romances set in this era, then Tamara’s books are not to be missed. Lady Beatrix Wulfrith is bound for a life in the convent until she is accused of killing a man who happens to be the brother of Michael D’Arci, and his family who will do anything to get revenge upon the powerful Wulfriths. On top of it all, she is captured by him, her most vindictive enemy who would like nothing better than to exact justice immediately, but he is holding onto her until he can see her properly brought to trial and hanged. Of course, there are times when it’s uncertain as to who is whose prisoner as Beatrix’s faith leads her to rescue D’Arci when he is injured. He also returns the favor. As he works at keeping her alive and healthy to be hung, he also begins to develop a passion for her that angers him. She, too, wonders if the convent life is meant for her when she finds herself drawn into intimate situations with D’Arci. Ah! The conflicted romance! And Ms. Leigh masterfully keeps us bouncing along on that highwire of romantic tension right up to the dynamic life or death conclusion. I am really enjoying this series. ( )

I'm going to say from the outset- I don't like 'forced marriage' stories. They annoy me, they're usually historically innacurate, and its about the oldest cliche in the book.
So I was rather disappointed to see a mention of this at the beginning. The Wulfrith girls get into trouble when they run away from thier home to escape the King's command that one of them has to marry a neighbouring Lord whose family has long been thier enemy.

I did feel the characters' attitude towards command this was very modern and- frankly rather selfish. At one point Geanor and Beatrix mother complained about her daughter's feelings not being considered.
Come on! King Henry II of England had more important things to worry about then hurting the feelings of a teenage girl, and to be honest, I think a marriage between two feuding families- even an unwanted one is the lesser evil then allowing that feuding to continue.
Yet more often then not, the Kings who give these commands are portrayed as evil incarnate for doing so. Essentially the feelings of X and her not wanting to marry Y is more important then ending a feud which which causes the death of many people and the destruction of property.
Sorry, but I find such ideas atrociously selfish and irresponsible.

After this, the story involved of Beatrix getting into trouble, getting accused of murder and ending up in her enemies' castle, and then being pursued by the brother of the man she is meant to have killed. Its the two characters who initally hate each other discovering thier love and mutal respect formula. As is typical, one is a sweet Christian, and the other a virtual heathen with a lot of emotional baggage and abuse in thier past.
As is also fairly typical from this author, the story was largely plot driven with a lot of drama, action and intrigue occupying much of the book- sadly this usually involves some mention of abuse of women, both physical and sexual. As if this were normal for the times, when I beg to differ especially were noblewomen were concerned.
Frankly, I'm not sure how accurate the whole thing is. Some of the aspects of knights and their dealing with the families who they served or were fostered with ring true, but not other detials or situations, which often result in the whole story coming across as rather Over The Top.
For instance, Michael the hero was called a physician, yet there was no indication that he had any kind of formal training. His training was for knighthood, not medicine, so how could he be a physician?

Towards the end the story did seem to improve slightly, and I was genuinely interested in the sub-plot involving Baron Christian Lavonne, who was torn between loyalty to his increasingly vindictive father and doing the right thing. He reminds me a little bit of Boromir in Lord of the Rings.
The relationships and interactions between the characters were well written and interesting, notwithstanding that the romance got very mushy towards the end. As for Beatrix's behaviour, well it took a total U-turn towards the end which seemed very out of character, and in no way true to her convictions.

Since I purchased the last four titles in this series as audiobooks for knockdown prices I will listen to the rest, and look forward to hearing Christian's story in the next installment. I just don't think I care much for stories that rely on drama, non-stop action and playing to the audience's emotions by throwing every bad thing imaginable (and sometimes implausible) at the characters. ( )

A little slow at times. Boring at times. But overall I did like it. ( )