Rating: 
Summary: Disappointing!
Review: Sky O'Malley was the first time I ever tried a book by Bertrice Small and as a fan of steamy Historical Romances I have to honestly say that I was disappointed with this book but just because I didn't like Skye O'Malley doesn't mean I would avoid anything by this author because I have heard so many good things about Bertrice Small that I will definitely think of trying other books by her.
Rating: 
Summary: Only for the strong hearted
Review: I first discovered Bertrice Small in my grandfather's library. Yes, my grandfather read her books. At first I thought her books were a little too perverted. And then I realized that what they are is REALISTIC!
The first thing anyone wishing to read ANY Bertrice Small books needs to know is THEY ARE NOT TYPICAL ROMANCES! In almost all of her books, the heroine has multiple lovers. Sex scenes are ALWAYS graphic! There are rapes, incest, more than just missionary style, etc. She does not edit. Her characters live lives common for the time period. Her stories do not always have happy endings, just like in real life. There is death (of characters you will like). That is just how her books are.
If you want a regular romance where, no matter where you are in the book, you know that the hero and the heroine will be together by the end, Bertrice Small is NOT the writer for you!
The women in her lives always have hard lives, hard choices. They love many times, lose children and spouses, are set upon by the world around them. Depending on the setting of the story (year and place) each story is different.
In a typical woman's life anytime between 1100 and 1900, she could expect to have any of these things happen. She was born, grew up, parents or siblings may be killed, she may be raped (a woman's sex was her weakness), she may fall in love, may give herself willingly in marriage or not, may spend her entire life with a husband she hated or one she loved. She would probably have children, some who may die at birth. She may have miscarriages, or lose children to disease. She may even die in childbirth. If she was lucky, she would live to be over 60. The world was ruled by greedy, powerhungry men.
That is how reality was. And that is how Bertrice Small writes.
Rating:
Summary: Sex, rape and incest
Review: I found out about Skye O'Malley from my mother. After telling me of how awful her books were, I felt inclined to read them myself.
I read the first couple of pages and was marveled at how materialistic O'Malley seemed. Half of the book is spent describing jewels and clothes; i suspect Small thought it would insert a sense of grandure, but I just felt amazed at how superficial O'Malley seemed.
The other half of the book is spent describing sex. I suspect she imagined it was sensual and passionate- it was perverted. Imagine every type of sex possible, repeat it several times and you might have something close to a Beatrice Small novel.
The heroine is a ridiculous, beautiful and petty little girl. If she was my friend I would soon tell her where to go. Thinking of Skye O'Malley immediatley brings a sickening and dirty feeling to me.
And finally I must stress that Elizabeth and Robert Dudley are NOT two scheming lovers! They were two people who deeply loved each other, and my fates cruel wrath were destined never to be together. Elizabeth had Lettice beaten up for marrying Dudley and her mother imprisoned in the Tower, therefore I hardly think she would of ordered Dudley to rape Skye. Elizabeth was a great,powerful,wise and noble queen. The most beautiful queen in Europe, and, arguably, the most beautiful female also.
Small tries to create a tale of two people who love each other deeply, but instead she writes a story of a whore who has no morales. Please, do not waste your money on this story of meaningless sex.
Rating:
Summary: A guilty pleasure!
Review: Truly a woman ahead of her time(1500's), Skye O'Malley makes us proud to be a woman. Never taking less, she strives for more and gets it. Even with her beauty, she never stoops low to use it to her advantage. She gets what she wants with her brains.
A very different spin on romance, this isn't for the faint of heart. Skye isn't your typical heroine with one man or one love. Bertrice Small is known for her sweeping tales of adventure and unconventional loves. This is a classic in its own right.
I still don't know why people refer to it as a 'trashy romance'. There is nothing 'trashy' about it. It's filled with history and greed, passion and bravery that I haven't seen in many romances. Not a 'lovey-dovey' romance by far, but it is a page-turner none the less.With black hair and blue eyes, Skye O'Malley is the most beautiful woman in Ireland. Tall and extremely intelligent, she can outwit most men. Men are willing to die to possess her, but she can't be owned.
We are taken on a wild adventure that spans almost ten years. From the lush hills of Ireland, to the exotic Algerian hideaway and on to the fast-paced London scene. The adventure never lets up and Skye never lets us down. A seafaring captain who is rumored to be a notorious pirate who has angered the Queen herself, Skye is too wise to let anyone win a war of wits with her.
An eternal love that she must face and two loves that she must remember, Skye O'Malley never forgets what is most important. The information on the Virgin Queen was so unbelievable, I was amazed. The things that Skye gets away with is frightening. Brave should be her first name. Definately a heroine to look up to. The only complaint? The men. Simply put. I don't want to reveal anything, but I was unimpressed with her men. Only one I liked alot and he was too far near the end of the tale. One was okay, another was pretty good, and another was downright disgusting and I could not fathom what she saw in him and the good one was too late in the story. But I hear the second book, 'All the Sweet Tomorrows' has him as the main character....hmmm, can't wait now to read!
The common complaints in this book were mostly mine also. The men, her unfailing riches and beauty and her knowledge of EVERYTHING imaginable. But all in all, an exciting book!!! Tracy Talley~@
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