|
Publisher:
New American Library (NAL) |
Release
Date: October, 2003 |
ISBN:
0-451-20974-5 |
Awards:
|
Format
Reviewed: Trade Paperback |
Buy
it at Amazon |
Read
an Excerpt |
Genre:
Historical Romance |
Reviewed:
2003 |
Reviewer:Janet
Elaine Smith |
Reviewer Notes: Sexually
explicit
Janet Elaine Smith is the author
of 11 published novels, the latest being Par for the Course,
And They Called Her General Leigh, A Lumberjack Christmas
and A Christmas Dream. She also writes regularly
for many magazines, both print and online.
|
|
Until
You
By Bertrice
Small
If
you have ever doubted "love at first sight," the first
chapter of Bertrice Small's new historical, Until You, will make
a believer out of you.
Rosamund, a three-time widowed mother of three daughters at the
young age of 23, goes to Scotland to visit her dear friend, Queen
Margaret, whom she affectionately calls "Meg."
As
soon as she lays eyes on Patrick Leslie, earl of Glenkirk, sparks
begin to fly. When they come face-to-face, they both feel as if
they have known each other forever.
Before
too long, Patrick is sent to Italy by the king, and Rosamund decides
to accompany him. Both of the duo have agreed that marriage is not
in their future, but the love-making between them is hotter than
a branding-iron on a ranch. As they make their way through Italy,
primarily in San Lorenzo, Patrick proves that an Italian man is
no match for him.
As
they return to Friarsgate, Scotland, Rosamund pursues a more permanent
arrangement with Patrick. For some time she was content to be his
mistress, but she now longs to be his wife. Patrick refuses, and
he suffers a stroke, and while part of his memory returns, his memory
of Rosamund and their time together does not. He returns home to
Glenkirk with his son, where he lives to be an old man.
Meanwhile,
Logan Hepburn is close at hand to comfort Rosamund, and to make
her his wife. The end of the book shows the relationship between
Rosamund and Logan, and one wonders if there is maybe such a thing
as "second best" in love.
This
book is typical Bertrice Small fare; the intricacies of her descriptions
of the time (16th century Scotland and Italy), the manners, the
clothing, every little detail, make you feel like you are actually
living there with Rosamund and her men. Or maybe you just wish you
were there.
An
excellent read, and one I highly recommend.
|