Rosamund

Rating:
Summary: The Ms. Small I know from her earlier works
Review: "Rosamund" is the first book by Bertice Small that I thoroughly enjoyed since her famed O'Malley series. Of course, Rosamund is no Skye (can't help making the comparison), but her story is strong and intriguing enough to warrant a sequel.

What I enjoy most about Bertrice's novels is her ability to paint history in a fun, three-dimensional way - the strong point of "Rosamund". Rosamund meets a young Henry VIII, befriends Katherine of Aragon and the future Queen of Scots, all in a believable series of events. Each of these characters also has endearing qualities, and I saw them more as actual people than as merely plot devices.

Rosamund herself is a likeable heroine, though she seems a bit bland at times. I was hoping for a bit more fire and spunk, but instead, she came across as cold sometimes. I really liked Owein Meredith - caring, strong, and loyal.

Of course, Bertrice's sex scenes are steamy. But if you're familiar with her previous works, these would seem recycled.

Overall, an enjoyable read. I plan to complete the Friarsgate Inheritance trilogy.

Rating:
Summary: The Ms. Small I know from her earlier works
Review: "Rosamund" is the first book by Bertice Small that I thoroughly enjoyed since her famed O'Malley series. Of course, Rosamund is no Skye (can't help making the comparison), but her story is strong and intriguing enough to warrant a sequel.

What I enjoy most about Bertrice's novels is her ability to paint history in a fun, three-dimensional way - the strong point of "Rosamund". Rosamund meets a young Henry VIII, befriends Katherine of Aragon and the future Queen of Scots, all in a believable series of events. Each of these characters also has endearing qualities, and I saw them more as actual people than as merely plot devices.

Rosamund herself is a likeable heroine, though she seems a bit bland at times. I was hoping for a bit more fire and spunk, but instead, she came across as cold sometimes. I really liked Owein Meredith - caring, strong, and loyal.

Of course, Bertrice's sex scenes are steamy. But if you're familiar with her previous works, these would seem recycled.

Overall, an enjoyable read. I plan to complete the Friarsgate Inheritance trilogy.

Rating:
Summary: The first of a wonderful new series from Bertrice Small
Review: "Rosamund" would be a wonderful introduction for readers who are unfamilar with the works of Ms Small, and a welcome addition to the library of those who believe the classic Skye O'Malley series to be among the best romance fiction produced in the last 25 years. We meet the very young heiress Rosamund at age 6 as she about to marry her second husband, chosen for her by her evil uncle, who is determined to rob her of her inheritance. From the beginning, the reader is engaged by the lively and intelligent Rosamund, her retinue of loyal relatives and servants, and the men who will play prominent roles in her early life. As usual, Ms Small displays a scholarly interest in the clothing, food, manners, economics, and morals of the time period in which the story is set -- this time Tudor England. Rosamund's experiences at the court of Henry VII, where she becomes a friend to the widowed Catherine of Aragon (and meets the future Henry VIII), and is in turn befriended by Henry's daughter Margaret, is a fascinating look at 16th century England. This book will not disappoint! The second book in the series, "Until You," has just been released (October 2003). I rated it a 3 but it is still a fitting companion to the wonderful "Rosamund."

Rating:
Summary: Garbage
Review: I have to say that this is my second and hopefully LAST Bertrice Small novel. I feel as if I was tricked into buying this book, because the first Small novel that I stumbled onto, Skye O'Malley, was so good that it mislead me into thinking that this author might be a treasure. If Rosamund is anything to go by, then I was sorely mistaken.

First, there it is impossible to believe that Rosamund would be as smart as she supposedly is at the age of six years old when we know that she could not even read the alphabet or spell her own name. And yet she understands complicated social politics and what it means to be heiress of her own estate?? And getting a little ahead of myself, the hero apparent for the upcoming sequal FELL IN LOVE WITH A SIX YEAR OLD when he was the mature age (for those times) of sixteen years? Disturbing.

And then the love interests.... I don't even know where to begin! For all intents and purposes Sir Owein Meredith should have been all that Rosamund needed--a grown man, a knight, beautiful and blonde, sought after by all the women of the court. And yet in her reminisence of the man, Rosamund recharacterizes the same as a dry, old bore. I don't think Small knew what she wanted to do with the knight and what she wanted him to represent. One minute he was an angel-haired, smooth knight and the next he was a weak old man with one foot out of the grave. Small vascillated, never deciding whether we (and Rosamund) are to fall in-love with the man...or merely have a fondness for him.

And the relationship between Rosamund and the prince, later King Henry was also difficult for me to swallow. Again, here Small did not seem able to make up her mind whether her main character was a weak, malleable obsequious submissive or a strong, independent, self-possessed heiress. The way she reacted to Henry's propositions, arrogance and bad behavior did not show any of the adroitness or diplomacy she supposedly had been born with and cultivated during her time at court. And more importantly, my high regard of Rosamund suffered as her actions increasingly showed a lack of basic integrity and the goodness Small endeavored to encourage us to believe she possessed.

And the ending...the ending.... Well, all I can say is that while Small's imagination must have been bursting with possible love interests for Rosamund, I think that the quality of romance, erotica, plot and character connection in each relationship should be paid more heed than to the quantity of characters. More specifically, while the Scot thrown into the mix and maintaining a position in the background of the story may have been compelling, it was vasty unsatisfying to have him waiting in the wings and then so haphazardly forced into the limelight toward the end and during the epilogue.

For Shame, Miss Small!

Rating:
Summary: Pretty Good!!
Review: I have to say that this is probably the third book that I have read by Bertrice Small. I greatly enjoyed Skye O'Malley. This book was right up their with Skye O'Malley. Once again we have a strong willed heroine. She attracts the eyes of the King of England as well as a few other men in the novel. I enjoyed reading the history and couldn't wait to read what would happen next to Rosamund. I was also extremely happy with the character of her second husband. He saw her nasty uncle for what he was and helped shape Rosamund into the fiery determined lady that she became. BRAVO!!I also loved the character of her cousin Thomas Bolton. He added alot of humor to the book. The only thing that I grew tired of was the constant explanation of the food. I got tired of reading about capons and rabbit meat.I cannot wait to read the second installment in this new series.

Rating:
Summary: Rosamund
Review: I thoroughly enjoyed this book contrary to what many of the other reviews have said. I confess though, this is the first book that I have read from Beatrice Small, so that could be part of it. Either way, this is a book with a strong & intelligent heroine that knows her mind & isn't afraid to speak it. Despite being female in a time when that is considered unfortunate, she continues to fight for what is rightfully hers. As the Lady of Friarsgate, she must defend her right to own her land & run it on her own, without a husband. Good read!

Rating:
Summary: 4.5 stars
Review: Rosamund quickly became one of my favorite of Bertrice Small's books. I am currently reading the sequel, Uintil You, and I think it's even better. Definatly worth reading on. One of the things I love about Small's books are her attention to detial. What they wear, eat, the setting. But what I love most is that there isn't TOO much attention to detail. I have read too many books where the author goes on for pages and pages describing something that doesn't really matter. She pays the details just the right amount of attention. Not too much, not to little. Rosamund is a lovely girl and despite a rocky start to her life actally has some real good luck. I wish my life was as isteresting as hers! Over all, a great book. Pick up the sequal afterwards.

Rating:
Summary: Not quite up to the standard of her other books
Review: The beginning and middle part of the book was really good. But once Rosamund got involved with Henry VIII, it started getting bad! How can a woman who helped her friend, Princess Katherine of Aragon thru her darkest times,...go and have a passionate affair with Henry, after Katherine was wedded to him? Rosamund hardly expressed any remorse or felt any guilt! She has none of Skye O'Malley's integrity. I know I should stop comparing Rosemund to Skye but I can't help it!

I'm more eager to read the upcoming Vixens than the second installment of the Friarsgate Legacy.

Rating:
Summary: Tired out
Review: There is nothing new under the sun with Bertice Small. Maybe her sex scenes are a little less spicy, but that's about it. You've read this one before, ladies. And it's been better. Give this one a pass. I really disliked the ending; I don't like the fact that there's going to be a sequel hitting me on the head! I presume Logan Hepburn will be the hero of the second installment, which is nice, but do I want to buy the second installment??? Not if it reads like this one.

Rating:
Summary: I Want More!!!
Review: This had to be one of Small's best novels ever. I really enjoyed her transformation from naive country girl to Royal court woman.
The fact that it's a trilogy makes it even better but I can't wait until the next one comes out.