Rating: 
Summary: Loved IT !!!
Review: Setting - England, Scotland, Italy 1511 --- UNTIL YOU is the continuation of the Friarsgate saga which began with ROSAMUND, the intrepid heroine from the book bearing that same name. Rosamund Bolton, was the orphaned English beauty who's been married and widowed three times and now at the ripe old age of 22, will live life on her own terms. She had been dutiful, done what was expected of her, mothered three daughters and will now live her life to please herself. IF she marries again it will be for love and a man of her OWN choosing. An invitation to attend court at the side of her childhood friend, Margaret Tudor, Queen of Scotland, was exactly the excuse she needed to flee another mans marriage proposal. It would be here that she would meet an older widower (age 50) Patrick Leslie, earl of Glenkirk and an almost mystical happening of 'love at first sight' occurs from the very first moment their eyes meet. Both Rosamund and Patrick are soul mates yet they both realize that as perfect as their love for one another is, their time would be limited together - both being firmly attached to their individual estates. They astounded the court with their instant affair and when the King of Scotland asked his old friend, Patrick to travel to San Lorenzo on a diplomatic assignment to prevent war between Scotland and England, Rosamund would travel with him to the continent, making love along the way. Upon their return, Rosamund realizes that she could never be separated from Patrick and decides that they would marry within six months - once Patrick apprises his son of their decision. Fate, fickle as it is, would soon render the decision moot as tragedy strikes and memories of a love so pure are all that are left to Rosamund. Heartbroken, and grieving for lost love Rosamund is soon caught up in more court intrigues and fighting to preserve Friarsgate for her heiress daughter Phillipa. Additionally, an old love waits on the sidelines for just the right moment to try and convince her of his love. I had not read the prequel to this -which I surely do plan to remedy - but I can say that this surely stands alone and the reader will thoroughly enjoy this tale and be as eager as myself for the next book, which surely will have Rosamund's daughters as the lead protagonists. For those of you who like their historical romances RICH in historical detail then you surely will enjoy this book from the political intrigues, to the daily life of clothing, food, travel, etc. AND, if you like your books full of very sensual and lusty sexual encounters, then find yourself a comfortable chair to enjoy the continuation of the Friarsgate saga!
Rating: 
Summary: Great Read
Review: This is one of the best of her books!
Rating: 
Summary: The Latest In The Friarsgate Series
Review: This is the second book in the "Friarsgate Series" and again Rosamund Bolton is our heroine and we travel with her through all sorts of intrigue, love, and disappointment that Ms. Small is famous for penning. For the most part I enjoyed this book but as some other reviewers have stated this book was not as good as it could have been. This book basically picks up where "Rosamund" left off and we find ourselves at Scottish court and immediatly after just one meeting Rosamund is in love with Patrick Leslie. Of course this love does seem to be of the "lasting forever" variety until of course a tragedy comes out of nowhere and ends that right away. Fear not though there is a potiential lover waiting off in the wings for when Rosamund sees him as more then just a lover (he has loved her since he first saw her at a market when she was just a young girl) and of course our story ends there with Rosamund possibly falling in love with him. This book was entertaing for me because Ms. Small is such a descriptive writer and I love the time that she takes with details that draw you into the time period. Her lusty characters are also entertaining but I felt that there was just something lacking with this story that I was never fully able to pin-point and as a result was not fully able to enjoy this book as I have enjoyed past stories by Ms. Small. In any event I would not avoid this story but I would suggest that you borrow it from a friend if you are new to Ms. Small or just not fully committed to wanting to purchase the book.
Rating:
Summary: The Latest In The Friarsgate Series
Review: This is the second book in the "Friarsgate Series" and again Rosamund Bolton is our heroine and we travel with her through all sorts of intrigue, love, and disappointment that Ms. Small is famous for penning. For the most part I enjoyed this book but as some other reviewers have stated this book was not as good as it could have been. This book basically picks up where "Rosamund" left off and we find ourselves at Scottish court and immediatly after just one meeting Rosamund is in love with Patrick Leslie. Of course this love does seem to be of the "lasting forever" variety until of course a tragedy comes out of nowhere and ends that right away. Fear not though there is a potiential lover waiting off in the wings for when Rosamund sees him as more then just a lover (he has loved her since he first saw her at a market when she was just a young girl) and of course our story ends there with Rosamund possibly falling in love with him. This book was entertaing for me because Ms. Small is such a descriptive writer and I love the time that she takes with details that draw you into the time period. Her lusty characters are also entertaining but I felt that there was just something lacking with this story that I was never fully able to pin-point and as a result was not fully able to enjoy this book as I have enjoyed past stories by Ms. Small. In any event I would not avoid this story but I would suggest that you borrow it from a friend if you are new to Ms. Small or just not fully committed to wanting to purchase the book.
Rating:
Summary: Until You
Review: Until You is my first Bertrice Small book, and I was introduced to her talent for blending history and romance together. Although I love both elements, I felt that Until You had too many steamy sex scenes and not enough actual romance.
The beautiful Rosamund Bolton, widowed many times already at twenty-two and the handsome aging Lord Patrick Leslie instantly fall in love at the Scottish court in the early 1500s. The first of many sex scenes appears on page seven - too early for me! I did not buy the "love at first sight" explanation because it was more fancy talk with "lust" than actual love. Later on in the book, Lord Leslie embarks on a journey to the Mediterranean San Lorenzo to deliver a message for King James IV of Scotland, and Rosamund travels with him. More passion erupts between the two lovers, and although Ms. Small writes descriptive scenes - perfect for the readers who love this kind of stuff - once again, I still found it hard to believe there was actual "love" going on between Lord Leslie and Rosamund.
Despite the book's flaws, the historical background is wonderful as King Henry VIII begins to flex his power in Europe and the fragile peace with Scotland is threatened. The characters of the monarchs came to life for me - the just King James IV and his wife Queen Margaret Tudor, Spanish Kate (Queen Katherine of Aragon), and the lusty Henry VIII all have many pages of the book dedicated to them.
Yes, Until You blends history and romance, but in this case, it was more history and repetitive lust...hence the three stars.
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