LUCIANNA by Bertrice Small

The Silk Merchant’s Daughters, Book Three
New American Library
October 1^st, 2013
978-0-451-41374-1
Historical Romance
Paperback
Reviewed by Dawn (love2read28@gmail.com )
Obtained by Publisher
2.5 hearts


All Lucianna Pietro d’Angelo wanted to was to not cause the scandals her two older sisters did. Determined to make the best of it, she finds herself married to an older gentleman who wanted the comfort of a young wife in his final years. Widowed, Lucianna is determined to keep her independence even if it makes her mother very unhappy. When she gets the chance to go to Emgland and represent the Silk Merchants guild, she grabs it hoping to see the handsome Englishman, Earl of Lisle, Robert Minton. But Lucianna will have to deal with her feelings for the handsome Earl even as she strives to keep her independence and wealth to herself. The question is can Lucianna find a way to let herself fall in love with the one man who knows her inside and out, who gets who she is in every possible way? The path to love is fraught with twists and turns and for Lucianna, she needs to trust her heart for a change.

I absolutely adore Ms. Small’s writing. Her lyrical writing style delivers vivid stories that capture the reader’s imagination. With that said, I have to admit, LUCIANNA was a bit of a downer for me. One reason was it felt like the author was just checking things off a to do list with this one and while Bianca, the first book in the series, was engrossing as well as quite enjoyable, the third book was a bit of a boring adventure. I loved reading about these places of centuries ago yet it felt like the author just wanted to get things done and over with. This third story in the Silk Merchant’s Daughter is short (around 200 pages) than the first two books and felt a bit rushed. What really got me was how Robert pushed and pushed for Lucianna to marry him even after telling her he would be patient. Those scenes alone made me want to smack some sense into him and for Lucianna for going along with it.

The writing was uneven and many of the historical aspects were glossed over and given scant details. There were hints of the author I have loved for a long time and other times, I was just scratching my head wondering where she went. The fact there was countless mentions to the scandal of Bianca, Lucianna’s older sister and for those who knew what happened, it got boring quick with the repeated mentions of the scandals.

The third book was a miss for me even though I enjoyed it to a degree. The writing held hints of promise and I felt the characters could have been fleshed out a bit more but overall, if you enjoy a light historical romance, you might enjoy LUCIANNA. You don’t need to read book one, Bianca or book two, Francesca, to get the back stories of their adventures that were mentioned several times in LUCIANNA though I would recommend reading them just to get a taste of their adventures. I am really hoping Ms. Small gets back to her wonderful writing self in the last book in the series and gives her readers the stories they have grown to love by her.

This is an objective review and not an endorsement

BOND OF PASSION by Bertrice Small

The Border Chronicles Series, Book Six

Signet Eclipse

May 7^th, 2013

978-0-451-23631-9

Historical Romance

Mass Market Paperback

Reviewed by Dawn (love2read28@gmail.com)

Obtained by Publisher

 

Angus Ferguson, Earl of Duin, is handsome, rich and is determined to have this piece of land abutting his. The catch-Marry the oldest daughter of the laird of Rath, Annabella Baird. With nothing to lose, Angus agrees and expects a demure, obedient woman. What he gets in Annabella is so much more than he bargains for. Annabella always knew she was not the beauty her younger sisters were but grateful to find herself wed to an Earl, she finds herself falling in love with Angus even as they get to know one another after the marriage ceremony. But even as these two fall in love, forces are at work that will divide Scotland and if the Earl and his countess are not careful, their lives will be forfeit in the coming future.

Bertrice Small is the queen of historical romance and a master storyteller though with her Border Chronicles series, I found a few hits as well as a few misses with the stories told. In her final book in the series, we meet Mary, Queen of Scotland, the battle between Catholics and Protestant faith and more within the pages of BOND OF PASSION. The one complaint I had, overall, was the constant plain vs. beauty theme that kept cropping up. Yes, Annabella is plain in face but her beauty comes from being pure of heart. She was the perfect fit for the Earl of Duin who is considered quite handsome. Ms. Small has a way of making history come alive in her historical romance books and I loved reading about Mary, Queen of Scotland and the formidable Queen Elizabeth I, her cousin who is a strong monarch in England. The historical references weave themselves within the storyline seamlessly and the mystery over who will help Mary regain her throne deepens with each twist and turn of the story. The characters are intriguing and I loved how Annabella was quiet yet strong, a heroine with a spine forged of tempered steel.

As a long time love for this author’s stories, her strength is in creating strong characters who, fairly brim with life and step out of the pages and into your living room. BOND OF PASSION has those in spades. Yes, there was no heroine gets kidnapped, sold into slavery or other such twist but a nice slow build up of a story that details the plots around Mary’s rise as well as her downfall, the attempts to bring her back onto the throne and more all seamlessly weaving a spell around you as you flip the pages. With each bated breath, I wondered if the Earl and his Countess would be able to ride off into the sunset to have their own happily ever after or was it all for naught. Ms. Small is a talented storyteller who delighted this reviewer with a story that may not be full of pirates or harems or any other items Ms. Small is known for but a story that leaves you, nonetheless, satisfied when you close that last page. Sometimes a reader just needs a simple story that you can enjoy and leave with a smile on your face. I look forward to revisiting the books of Ms. Small in the future and look forward to seeing where else this author will take her beloved readers next.

This is an objective review and not an endorsement

 

Francesca by Bertrice Small

The Silk Merchant’s Daughters, Book Two

New American Library

April 2^nd, 2013

978-0-451-41373-4

Historical Romance

Paperback

Reviewed by Dawn (love2read28@gmail.com)

Obtained by Publisher

 

When Giovanni Pietro d’Angelo’s daughters are beauties in renaissance Florence but with the disaster his eldest daughter, Bianca’s first marriage was, he is determined that his second eldest daughter, Francesca, get to choose her husband this time. But Francesca is making things very difficult. No one catches her eye and she is slowly becoming a laughingstock in Florence and the surrounding areas. When the Duke of Terreno Boscoso writes he is seeking a wife for his heir, Rafaello, Francesca is chosen to go and is given the promise that if she isn’t happy or that the duke’s son doesn’t suit her, then she can come back to Florence. But Francesca is shocked after a few months of finding her way in this little duchy that the choice is taken out of her hands when the duke decides on the spitfire Francesca as his bride. Feeling betrayed and angry, Francesca escapes the castle and finds herself wintering deep in the forest where she finds herself learning the fine arts of inn-keeping as well as finally becoming the woman she is destined to become. But what happens when her secret identity is found out and she is forced back to the castle, ordered to marry Rafaello. Can love bloom between these two strong people when each carries a secret between them?

Author Bertrice Small is a talented storyteller whose vivid stories showcase intriguing characters. In her new series, we meet the second eldest daughter of the d’Angelo family, Francesca, a spoiled, headstrong beauty who is determined to find the love her exiled sister, Bianca, has found. With Francesca, the reader is taken on a wild, madcap ride as she finds her place in the ever changing world, where woman are nothing more than possessions and more. I love this author’s voice and her way with creating characters that were strong, with many layers the reader got to see through the course of the story but in FRANCESCA, I was a bit put off by both the hero and heroine. I can’t say it was just one thing about them that made me wonder where this author’s loves for her characters have gone. It isn’t that they were unpleasant; they weren’t just a bit spoiled, in my opinion. I would have loved for Francesca to figure out the secret her husband was keeping and get really angry with him. Instead she acquiesced rather easily for my taste especially with the few hints the reader got in the story that never went anywhere. Rafaello on the other hand made me want to cosh him on the head. He was wishy-washy one minute then the next, quite dominant. There was no happy medium at times and I felt he needed to choose one or the other. The story is quite a wild ride from start to finish. The author’s lush setting-Florence to the duchy of Terreno Boscoso, the reader is treated to the vividness that this renaissance period held back then.

FRANCESCA is a somewhat satisfying read for lovers of historical romance and I enjoyed this next chapter in the silk merchant’s daughter’s series though I have to admit, I love it when Ms. Small delivers kick butt heroines who can go toe to toe with their men. I am looking forward to seeing where the next book will take the readers with the next daughter, Lucianna. I am hoping this daughter is a bit more complex than Francesca was. If you enjoy a historical romance filled with lush setting, delightful characters and sizzling passion, then you can’t go wrong with a Bertrice Small story.

This is an objective review and not an endorsement

BIANCA by Bertrice Small

The Silk Merchant’s Daughters Series, Book One

New American Library (NAL)

October 2^nd, 2012

978-0-451-23795-8

Historical Romance

Paperback

Reviewed by Dawn (love2read28@gmail.com)

Obtained by Self-Purchase

 

Bianca Pietro d’Angelo is forced to accept the most awful thing: marriage to the one man who is blackmailing her family. Determined to make the best of it, she is shocked by her new husband’s behavior towards her and she finds herself afraid for the first time in her life. When her mother is finally able to see her Bianca, shocked at her daughters condition and Bianca is whisked away from her new husband, hidden as she tries to annul her marriage to Sebastiano Rovere. But forces are in motion and as Bianca finds peace in the countryside, she knows her time is short for Sebastiano is determined to have his new wife back-no matter what. But fate tosses in a man who will show Bianca the sweetness of love shared and as Bianca grows stronger, she finds she will need all her strength for the man she is in love with is none other Prince Amir, grandson to the Ottoman Sultan and an infidel. Can Bianca and Amir find peace and happiness when the Christian world informs them it I s not to be?

Bertrice Small is one talented storyteller. In the first book of her new series, The Silk Merchants Daughters, we meet the Florentine silk merchant Giovanni Pietro d’Angelo and his large family. In BIANCA, we meet the eldest daughter, the dutiful one who finds her life totally turned upside down by a dangerous first marriage and the fear she holds in her heart over her new husband. With a stroke of her keystroke, the author does a marvelous job in creating a lush background in Florance, Venice and Istanbul, to name a few exotic places mentioned in BIANCA. What really drew me in were the characters and in this first book in the series, we meet Bianca and her siblings. Bianca is a complex young lady hidden behind a pious and dutiful façade. Forced to do the impossible, she gets stronger and I loved how she went against tradition to grab at her happiness with both hands. I have to caution though there are scenes in this book that are not for the faint of heart. It even gave me a shock at times though it set up the storyline as Bianca sought her freedom.

BIANCA is a wonderfully lush story about family duty, falling in love and more. It is about courage to stand up for your heart’s desire even as you go against tradition and your family. It is about finding the strength to leave a world you only know about and settle in one where you know nothing. It is about finding that hidden core of strength and letting yourself enjoy love in all its many splendid forms. With the right amount of tension, passion and more, Ms. Small delivers a wild ride from start to finish. I highly enjoyed meeting the wonderful Bianca and I look forward to seeing the next daughter in the silk merchant’s family to be settled in marriage. I think if they are anything like Bianca, sparks are going to fly fast and furious. If you enjoy a passionate historical romance, than try BIANCA and settle in for an afternoon of reading pleasure. I look forward to seeing what else this author has in store for her beloved readers in the future.

This is an objective review and not an endorsement

PASSIONATE PLEASURES by Bertrice Small

A Pleasures Novel, Book 5
Publisher: NAL
Date published: August 3rd, 2010
ISBN 9780451227003
Contemporary Erotic Romance
Trade Paperback
Reviewed by Dawn
Obtained by Publisher


For librarian Kathryn St. John, keeping up appearances and her private life being practically non-existenant was the norm. She was content with running the library she loved and enjoying privately the secret Channel, where any of her literary heroes can become her lover in fantasies she is sure the town of Egret Pointe would be shocked to discover about her. Then the new principal comes to town. Tim Blair took one look at prim and proper Miss Kathy and finds himself smitten. But trying to woo the reluctant Miss Kathy proves to be harder than he thinks...until Kathy finds herself Channel free. Now Kathy has to live without her fantasies on The Channel and see if reality is much better. Can Tim show her the pleasures two people in love can have if they let their hearts decide?

I love Ms. Small’s Pleasures series very much. They tell wonderfully romantic yet erotic stories that get your blood pumping and your imagination running wild. The stories are imaginative, keep me highly entertained and the characters that populate Ergret Pointe are diverse and intriguing. This is an author who knows how to tell a story, engage her reader’s imagination and steal their hearts with her wonderful cast of characters. The writing is tight, storyline flows nicely and the sex scenes enhance the storyline rather than taking it over, which is what I love about these books in the Pleasures Series.

Ms. Small is one of my absolute favorite authors to read and I could go on and on about how much I adore her books but I won’t bore you on that. If you haven’t picked up the any of the Pleasures Series books, don’t worry, you can read this one as a standalone title but it also ties in nicely with the other books as you meet the other main characters from some of the past books in PASSIONATE PLEASURES. I laughed, smiled and sighed when I read this fifth book and found myself more than once wondering when my honey would be home. Kathryn’s fantasies were erotic, hot and quite delightful. She didn’t take them seriously which appealed to me. She was also self-confidant which made me extremely happy. She enjoyed sex, was independent and to top it off, was not arrogant. Ms. Small hit it perfectly with this heroine in my opinion. I loved the sparks between Tim and Kathy. They had obvious chemistry but they took it slow and the sexual tension building between them was smoking hot. The characters were relatable, enjoyable and I found myself wishing to go to Ergret Pointe just to meet them all and maybe experiencing The Channel myself.

A lighthearted and sexy story, PASSIONATE PLEASURES delivers a hot story to enjoy on a cool autumn night. If you are looking to experience one Ms. Small’s stories, then I highly suggest one of the Pleasures Novels to enjoy. I just recommend keeping the fan on high or a bucket of ice nearby to cool you down. I look forward to the final Pleasures Novel and to see how this talented author ends her enthralling series.

This is an objective review and not an endorsement of this book.

THE BORDER VIXEN by Bertrice Small

The Border Chronicles Book 5
Publisher: NAL
Date PublishedOctober 5th, 2010
ISBN: 9780451231222
Historical Romance
Paperback
Reviewed by Dawn
Obtained by Publisher


The Laird of Brae Aisir, Dugald Kerr, finds he needs to find a husband for his granddaughter, ‘Mad’ Maggie Kerr. A border woman who can outride, outrun and outshoot any man on the border. Maggie doesn’t want just any man for a husband, but one that can beat her in three contests and gain her respect. But when a spurned suitor runs to King James V for aid to gain Maggie, James sends his cousin, Lord Fingal Stewart, Maggie finds that he is no soft man but one able to take on the woman called ‘Mad’ Maggie Kerr. But danger is looming for not just Fin and Maggie but all of Scotland as events are put into place that will end up causing danger and death in one fell swoop. Will Fin and Maggie be able to survive the coming storm as they fall in love?

THE BORDER VIXEN continues the wonderful Border Chronicles series and delivers a feisty, independent woman to enjoy. A woman everyone on the borders fears and gossips about-‘Mad’ Maggie Kerr. Ms. Small delivers two main characters that I actually enjoyed-Maggie and Fingal. They were both strong people and Ms. Small was able to convey that amid the pages of her latest historical romance. The writing was tight and the sex scenes were explicit so it may not be for everyone. There were some intriguing secondary characters that had me grinning at their antics and biting wit. Ms. Small has been my favorite author forever but the last few historical books have been a bit weak in strong, captivating characters. This one delivers such characters that it had me enthralled till the very end. Granted there was one issue I had trouble with-the constant history lessons that are combined within the story. I like history but there seemed a lot of repetitive passages in past books in this series on what was going on from a bunch of people. This time, Ms. Small uses the history of the Sixteenth Century and King James V to help move the story along instead of it being the story itself, which made it a stronger story in my opinion.

THE BORDER VIXEN is a fun, entertaining story that delivers hours of reading excitement. The characters were intriguing, the story flowed smoothly and the sex scenes helped enhance the storyline instead of taking it over completely. Ms. Small is a talented writer who seems to have finally found her way again after a few weaker Border Chronicles books and delivered a story about two people who find that falling in love may be easy; it’s keeping that love alive amid danger on the borders and the time. THE BORDER VIXEN is one story I would be reading again in the future. I highly recommend it if you enjoy strong women, sexy alpha males and a passion that defies the times.

This is an objective review and not an endorsement of this book.

A DANGEROUS LOVE:Book 1 of the Border Chronicles Series by Bertrice Small

Publisher Signet Eclipse
Date published April 2008
ISBN 978-0-451-22048-6
Historical Romance
Mass Market Paperback
Reviewed by Dawn



The English War of the Roses has left Adair Radcliffe an orphan and raised with the royal court, she finds her life has changed when she goes home to Stanton. Taken captive by raiders, Adair finds herself down but not out when Conal Bruce, the laird of Cleit buys her. What he gets is a woman that is full of fire, brashness and so lovely he vows to possess her: heart, body and soul. Not willing to be tamed, Adair finds herself taming the sexy border lord that inflames her lust and steals her heart with one touch. Soon both will find that love doesn’t recognize rank nor borders when it comes calling on their door.

A DANGEROUS LOVE is the first book in Ms. Small’s Border Chronicles series. In this striking new book, Ms. Small introduces a spirited beauty who vows to never be tamed and finds her life totally turned upside down by forces beyond her control. With each page, you get drawn deeper into Adair’s world and the forces that swirl around her. Ms. Small captivates the reader with her intriguing characters, rich storyline full of historical facts and sensual romance that burns the pages. With each page, this reviewer could barely wait to find out what was next for Adair and her mighty laird, Conal.

Meet Adair Radcliffe, a woman who finds her life totally changed when the War of the Roses comes straight to her door. Life as she knew it was over and a new one, full of pitfalls, royal headaches and complications arise. Then the unthinkable happens: she is kidnapped on a raid and sold as a slave in the Scottish Highlands. What she finds is a love worth exploring and learning to let go of a past for a future. Spirited, independent and definitely one my favorite characters from Ms. Small, Adair challenges the reader with her forward thinking, making you guess what is to come with each page turned. I can honestly say that Ms. Small captures Adair’s true essence within the first few chapters and keeps you guessing what is next with this wonderful character.

Add in Conal Bruce and you find yourself rooting for these two to tame the other. Alpha male to the core, set in his ways yet knows that Adair is his one love though being a man, has a hard time finding the words to say so. He made this reader want to either laugh or sigh at his antics and he definitely was Adair’s match in m ore ways than one.

A DANGEROUS LOVE is the start of one mesmerizing series that will keep the reader enthralled with her multifaceted characters, historical rich storyline and a simmering passion that explodes amid the pages. As one of this reviewer’s favorite authors, this is one series that is for the keep pile and to be read a multiple of times.