Helpful Score: 1
This story actually surprises me. It's so unlike Bertrice to portray a heroine who remains chaste for one and only one love all the way 'til the end of the story. Despite Bertrice's heroines being independent, bold, and brazen; her heroine in 'The Innocent' comes off quite demure, reserve, yet strong and passionate. That's a far cry from all the other Bertrice novels I've read. However, what I did find interesting in this story is that she was able to separate two characters of good vs. evil. One of virtue vs. the other of notoriety. I'd have to rate this one a fair read.
I love anthing from Bertice Small and this is no exception.
Tantalizing Bertrice Small. Captivating good versus evil by the "Queen of Sensuality"
pretty good, love beatrice small
Great book, well written, I love this author!!
Interesting for an almost-nun to be used as the heroine in a romance novel. Both hero and heroine are likeable characters.
Bertrice Small is the best Romance writer. Her books come alive. Every book I had read by her, including the Innocent has been steamy and adventurous. I could not put The Innocent down. I had to read it from front to back in two days and one night!!
Not usually a reader of romances, I read this on the recommendation of someone who is. It has more explicit sex than I'm used to in the mysteries I favor. The woman writes well and the premise of the story sounds historically correct.
The year is 1154, and Eleanore de Montfort is preparing to take her final vows as a nun when King Stephen intervenes. Eleanore, known as Elf, has inherited an estate close to the Welsh border too strategic to be left to the management of her religious order. The king decrees that Elf wed one of his knights, Ranulf de Glandeville. Older, battle-hardened, and worldly, Ranulf is enchanted with his ingenuous bride. He struggles to win her love. But their love is not secure from the wicket schemes of an enemy who hates Eleanore, and will seek to destroy the innocent, putting Elf's life in jeopardy, and her faith in love to its greatest test.
There is no such thing as a bad Bertrice Small book.
Deceptively fragile-looking, Eleanore of Ashlin had promised her life to God...until fate intervened. With her brother's untimely death, Eleanore-known as Elf to those who love her-becomes the heiress of an estate vital to England's defenses. She is ordered by royal command to wed one of king's knoghts rather than take her final vows. With resistant heart but ever obedient to King Stephen's will, she complies.
Ranulf de Glandeville is all too aware that his innocent bride who wants no man; yet his patience, gentle hand, and growing love for his spirtited young wife soon awaken Eleanore to passions she never knew, or desired...until now.
Ranulf de Glandeville is all too aware that his innocent bride who wants no man; yet his patience, gentle hand, and growing love for his spirtited young wife soon awaken Eleanore to passions she never knew, or desired...until now.