Beloved

Rating:
Summary: If you must read Bertrice Small, read this book
Review: "Beloved" is by far the best book Bertrice Small ever wrote. Its history may be suspect (but hey, it's romance), but the story is highly entertaining and not as sex-driven as a lot of her other works. Better than any of the Skye O' Malley books, I'd recommend "Beloved" and "Adora" to anyone.

Rating:
Summary: A masterpiece of romantic fiction
Review: "Beloved" simply IS the top of its genre. Bertrice Small's typewriter (which she was still using then, I believe) was sprinkled with fairy dust when she wrote this fictionalization of Zenobia's life. Unfortunately, she wasn't able to keep up this pace, and her last truly great book was "Wild Jasmine."

Rating:
Summary: absolutely enchanting
Review: A wonderful book about a woman who did existed. Although the whole book was of BSmall's imagination, isn't that what a fictional novel is? I loved the imagery. Zenobia's growing up years as both her father's daughter and as Odenthaus (sp?) just added to a magnificiant storyline! Once, again, this author has captured my attention and brought me back for more.

Rating:
Summary: Fantastic and very enticing...Beatrice Small does it again.
Review: As a fan of Beatrice Small's books, I came across this book when I was shopping. Just after reading the description on the back cover, I was so intrigued I knew I had to buy this book. The main character Zenobia is very strong like Cailin in "Love Remember, Me". She was lucky to fall in love with two men. I especially enjoyed reading how she became reunited with Marcus after being enslaved by the wicked Aurelian. It seems to me that both Zenobia and Marcus are two soulmates fated to be together. Just reading page after page, you just can't put the book down. This one is defenitley magnificent!

Rating:
Summary: An Historical Masterpiece
Review: As always, Bertrice Small captured my attention and transported me from the 21st century to the later years of the Roman Empire. Zenobia and Palmyra did exist, and Mrs. Small paints for us a stunning and vibrant picture of how it might have been like to live in those times. I did not see Zenobia as being cold. Rather I saw her as a woman before her time who was wise enough to see that Rome was faltering and strong enough to take a chance to defeat them. Mrs. Small showed us that despite the fact that she was queen, Zenobia was still just a normal woman who gave into her feelings and cried on occasion and sought revenge when her lover broke her heart. Kudos, Mrs. Small. Beloved is one of your finest!

Rating:
Summary: An Historical Masterpiece
Review: As always, Bertrice Small captured my attention and transported me from the 21st century to the later years of the Roman Empire. Zenobia and Palmyra did exist, and Mrs. Small paints for us a stunning and vibrant picture of how it might have been like to live in those times. I did not see Zenobia as being cold. Rather I saw her as a woman before her time who was wise enough to see that Rome was faltering and strong enough to take a chance to defeat them. Mrs. Small showed us that despite the fact that she was queen, Zenobia was still just a normal woman who gave into her feelings and cried on occasion and sought revenge when her lover broke her heart. Kudos, Mrs. Small. Beloved is one of your finest!

Rating:
Summary: The title describes it perfectly.
Review: Beloved is an excellent book. I have read many of Bertrice Small's books and truly enjoyed all of them.

Rating:
Summary: You can't put it down once you have started reading it.
Review: Bertice Small portrays the strength that only a woman can have through her charater, Zenobia. Zenobia goes from the daughter of a wealthy nomad to a powerful and respected Queen. She defeats those who said she couldn't and showed strength beyond belief. From her defeat of the Roman empire, to her defeat of her fear of the Roman race itself, she shows courage and insight. She gives woman of today the optimism to continue on through hardship. Zenobia also teaches how to lose the ones you love and still manage to overcome grief. The lose of her mother, through the visciousness of Roman guards, the lose of her husband the King, brought on by jealousy, and the lose of her father to old age. All of these things show woman how to overcome heartache. Through her adventures and courage this book is brought to life. Bertice Small did an amazing job with her book,Beloved.

Rating:
Summary: Love in Roman times
Review: From being the only daughter of the Bedawi lord to the wife of her city's ruling lord, Zenobia is a spoiled, but totally unlike the women of her time. Her mother was killed by Roman centurions when she was a child and so she hates the Romans with all her heart. She wheedles her husband into pushing for freedom from the Roman hand. When her husband dies, her son is yet young, so she rules. She frees her people from the Roman Empire and gathers land all around her. But while doing that she falls in love with a Roman merchant. Can she still rule the empire and love a Roman? Before that question is answered, the emporer of the Romans conquerers her city and captures her. Will she escape to live with her half-British love

Rating:
Summary: Substance, not drivel, in this romance
Review: From the moment of her birth, the stars and signs foretold that Zenobia, descendant of Cleopatra, would be blessed in love and in war.

"Beloved" takes place during the Roman invasions of Palmyra (in the Syrian region of the world). I don't know enough about history to know if this is accurate, but the story was good enough to keep me interested throughout. There are some tactical details which, surprisingly, tie in beautifully with the story of Zenobia's loves. Unlike many books of the romance genre, Zenobia's character is admirable not only for her beauty but for her intelligence. Sex notwithstanding, I would let an older teenager read this book.

"Beloved" surprised me because it was so well-written that it does not fall into a "fluff" category. This was a wonderful gift that was a good investment because I will read it again. I will seek out other books by Beatrice Small because I enjoyed this book so much.