UNTIL YOU Author: Bertrice Small ISBN: 0451209745 10/2003 HISTORICAL Publisher: NAL
UNTIL YOU is the latest historical romance release from Bertrice Small. Set in the Tudor era of 1511 England during the reign of Henry VIII, it is a story filled with the characters and events of that time. While I enjoyed the historical details of this story immensely, I found the plot and "voice" of the story did not appeal to me. The story involves thrice-widowed Rosamund, who at 22 is now independent and intends to stay that way. Much against her wishes, she's being pursued into marriage by her handsome neighbor, Logan Hepburn, who has known and loved her all his life. But if she does marry again, Rosamund has determined that it be to someone of her own choosing, not a husband selected for her by King James IV of Scotland or to a childhood acquaintance. She travels to court and falls madly in love with Patrick Leslie, the Earl of Glenkirk, a man twice her age who, at her own request, willingly accepts her as mistress rather than wife. When Patrick is assigned to carry out a diplomatic mission by King James in San Lorenzo, Rosamund chooses to travel with him, not realizing the danger and turn of events about to transpire on their journey. Unfortunately I found UNTIL YOU rather slow going, though it did seem to pick up farther along in the story. The plot meandered and I found a lack of rhythm to the dialogue, a lack that I could never quite seem to fill no matter how many times I reread a paragraph or page. While the sex scenes were numerous, I found the prose and metaphors used a bit archaic for my own tastes. While I'm not that enthused about this latest book from Ms. Small, I'm sure UNTIL YOU will be thoroughly enjoyed by her fans who have anxiously awaited this sequel to ROSAMUND, and those who appreciate well researched historical romance novels written in a style reminiscent of romance books of yesteryear. Nancy Davis |
Rosamund Bolton is determined finally to live her own life. She has claimed her inheritance, rejected her latest suitor-- and decided to travel to the court of her dear friend, Queen Margaret of Scotland. It is against this lavish and unpredictable backdrop that she will meet the man who will forever change her destiny. Patrick Leslie, the first earl of Glenkirk, has a tragic past, but he brings to Rosamund a passion that few will ever know. And as war looms once more between England and Scotland, and Henry VIII seeks to himself the most powerful monarch in all of Europe, Patrick and Rosamund will undertake a dangerous mission on behalf of King James IV--one that will test the very limits of their loyalty and the depths of their love… .
Close Window or Back to Previous Page