Rating:  Summary: Magnificent! Review: A story of unbounded love that sweeps from the snowy Scottish highlands to the exotic pleasure-domes of Constantinople to sultry intrigue-ridden Naples...the tale of Catriona, Countess of Glenkirk and Francis, Earl of Bothwell is one of the great romances of all time. Bothwell, who defied the wrath of his King to possess the woman he loved, and Catriona, mistress to the King, wife to a Count, and lover to the most courageous, tender Lord in all Scotland...2 people who want only each other, and because it can never be, set the world afire with Love Wild and Fair. Bertrice Small is my favorite author. I have been reading her novels since I was 15 years old. This is one of her best. Based on a real herorine, Catriona Hay is an amazing woman with cunning and quick wits to help her finally achieve what her heart wants most-Francis Bothwell.
Rating:  Summary: ON FIRE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Review: Bothwell is the man of my dreams he is strong and sweet and can handle anything he is a goddess. He's a bad boy/good boy he can take me anytime any place.
Rating:  Summary: Unbelievably bad Review: I am really amazed that so many people have liked this book. To each her own, I suppose, but this is my first time reading Beatrice Small, and as a person who enjoys the work of Stephanie Laurens, JoAnn Ross, Nora Roberts and Diana Gabaldon, I can only recommend than anyone who likes the strong man with a strong woman taking on the world themes of all of the above mentioned ladies, you will likely hate this book as much as I do. I remember my first time through Outlander, being taken aback when Jamie switches Claire, but that was nothing compared to the unrepentent sexual violence this book presents with it's "authentic" portrayal completely devoid of charm.
Rating:  Summary: Unbelievably bad Review: I am really amazed that so many people have liked this book. To each her own, I suppose, but this is my first time reading Beatrice Small, and as a person who enjoys the work of Stephanie Laurens, JoAnn Ross, Nora Roberts and Diana Gabaldon, I can only recommend than anyone who likes the strong man with a strong woman taking on the world themes of all of the above mentioned ladies, you will likely hate this book as much as I do. I remember my first time through Outlander, being taken aback when Jamie switches Claire, but that was nothing compared to the unrepentent sexual violence this book presents with it's "authentic" portrayal completely devoid of charm.
Rating:  Summary: At Last Review: I can say that I'm a Beatrice Small fan. Only, I don't care for this particular book. There were too many despicable situations that Catriona could have gotten herself out of. I understand that women didn't have much of a choice back in this era, but if there is a will, there is a way. First off, if I'm that beautiful and remotely think that the king would use his position to lure me into his bed, I would never go to court despite the laird's objections. That alone would save a whole lot of trouble. I think what really set me off on this book is that both the king and her husband rape her at her home. TOO MUCH VIOLATION!
Rating:  Summary: Exciting, steamy, hard-to-put-down! Review: I loved the twisting plots! Taking Cat's ordinary life with her husband, Patrick, and making it life-and-death struggle with the monarchy puts me on the edge of my seat, wanting to reach in and tear James Stuart's head off! Her love with Bothwell makes it, (the pain of her life), all so much better! Thumbs up! Great read!
Rating:  Summary: My first (& still favorite) Bertrice Small book! Review: I picked up this book out of boredom over 10 years ago, and was intstantly entranced by the story and the characters. It is more than a typical "romance" novel, as there is a good story, and much historical detail as well. I have re-read it many times since, and consider it to be the best of Ms. Small's books, even better than the first "Skye O'Malley" books! I highly recommend it.
Rating:  Summary: My favorite of all Bertrice Small books Review: Let me preface my comments by saying that I usually adore Bertrice Small's books...but not this one! I truly don't understand my fellow readers who thought this was such a terrific read.I found Patrick to be a true man of the times (me Tarzan, you Jane) and so detested him immediately. But I was completely disappointed with Francis. What a wimpy name for a hero...FRANCIS. I found him rather boring, since Cat had him totally whipped. If he was soooooooo in love with her, why was he sleeping with any woman he could find? His affair with Angela was directly responsible for Cat's enslavement! Even after marrying Cat and helping her out of her depression, he was on the prowl the entire time, satisfying his "manly needs". What a jerk! I challenge any of you who found this book so "wonderful" to find another Small book with such disgusting and frequent rape scenes. Patrick rapes Cat after many years of marriage because he finds the king raping her...yeah, what an understandable reaction to your wife's rape. Then Cica rapes Cat's body, but not her emotions...ho hum, how many times have Small readers heard that old story? Even Cat's poor maid didn't miss out on the action, being raped 9 times in one day when Cat was captured, then again by the Turks towards the end of the book. Disgusting.
Rating:  Summary: Didn't enjoy it... Review: Now, don't get me wrong. I love Francis Stewart-Hepburn. He is a great hero. But the way Cat gets treated over and over and over and over... well after awhile its just like she's trying to make the book longer. I also find it unbelievable that one woman could survive all of that. However, it is still a good book, and its nice to get a look at James Leslie's Mother.
Rating:  Summary: Passionate and extraordinary love story Review: The best Bertrice Small book I have read so far. Her storytelling has never been better. Catriona is an extraordinary heroine - intelligent, brave, and beautiful. Francis could have been a little stronger, but otherwise a wonderful hero. The ending was touching and sad. I thought Francis was a bit insensitive to conduct an affair while Catriona was in such deep depression, especially knowing the pain and betrayal she had already suffered at the hands of the men she loved. Despite this, I still give it 5 stars, for it introduced me to the most interesting and beautiful of Ms. Small's heroines, Catriona.
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