Customer Reviews

Intrigued

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

It is a universally acknowledged truth that any female lead in a Bertrice Small novel will 1.) be a Fire Sign (Aries, Leo, Sagittarius) or an Air Sign (Gemini, Libra or Aquarius), and therefore, according to the author, be severely lacking in common sense and in desperate need of a reality check; 2.) will have multi-orgasmic sex with whatever figures of historical importance that inhabit the era in which she lives who often force her into compromising and not always horizontal positions; 3.) will be named something ridiculous and historically inaccurate like "Skye," "Velvet," "Jasmine," or "Autumn"; and 4.) have a litter of children who have no manners or restraint and are praised for such personality traits.

Oh, where do I start shredding this novel? Perhaps from the beginning scene in which spoiled-brat extraordinaire Autumn Rose Leslie (no, her parents were not hippies) throws a screaming tantrum because Oliver Cromwell won the decisive battle in the English Civil War and no there is nowhere to go to amuse herself. How can anyone identify with a lead character who is gorgeous, rich and lacking in empathy for the plight of others? Not this reader. I just wished this novel wound either end or self-destruct because of all of the raging hormones contained within.

The plot is usual: Spoiled and obnoxious heroine is rich and beautiful. "SORB" heroine gets into one scrape after another because she cannot keep her mouth shut. SORB heroine gets laid every 10 pages or so. SORB heroine gets pregnant every 10 chapters or so. SORB heroine ends up with man who met her in the first five chapters. During all of this, we are treated to in-depth descriptions of clothes, jewelry, hair, food and sex. The End.

One thing that continually stumps me is why people buy this trash. This series (over a baker's dozen novels in total with the Leslie family tie-in) would have been better halted at the first book, "Skye O'Malley." Better to spend your money on Daphne du Maurier's deft and elegant Civil War novel, "The King's General," or go whole hog on the unintentionally hilarious Restoration classic "Forever Amber" by Kathleen Winsor.

In the words of the late, great Dorothy Parker, "This is not a novel to be tossed aside lightly. It should be thrown aside with great force."

I am a devout lover of all of the Betrice Small books. I especially enjoy the Skye O'Malley books. I bought this book because having read the other ones I noticed that Autumn was discussed in them. As I began to read it Betrice Small began to entwine me in this net where I am living in France and England with them and that I am part of the family. Autumn's story is different from the ones that I have read. She is very practical and does not love very easily as opposed to Skye and Jasmine. I would recommend this book because it is part of the series and you are with the whole family again.

i loved this book.i was a little wary of purchasing it after realizing there was a book before it,but i didnt let that stop me,and am i ever glad i did buy it!the story moves from England,during the commonwealth,to France,and then back.the whole time,you see Autumn grow and mature,although there were points wher i thought she could have been more mature and made better desicions.but thats what i like about Bertrice Smalls charaters,they make desicions and have to live with thwm.the ending was good too,what a twist!i recommend this to anyone who loves Bertrices books!

This book was a whole lot of nothing. It starts out depressing as the main characters whine and wail their way through Commonwealth England. When so many deaths occur at the outset of a book, you're probably going to wonder what's romantic about it. Well, nothing. Autumn Leslie is either devoid of personality, or she's prancing around sleeping with the kings of France and England. She never seems to be having fun, either. Jasmine Leslie seems to have tried so hard to be her grandmother that she has no personality of her own. Ugh. I'm glad I got this from the library instead of buying it!

This is one of my favourites from Small. (The other favourite being "The Kadin") I like the way the heroine's life is led and how her character is developed. The story line is great and will take you from tears to joy in many parts of the book.
It is the type of book I would read over again.

Readers of the Skye O'Malley series will enjoy this book, for no other reason than it continues the story of her family along.
There is not much else to recommend it. It is like going to a
family reunion...you enjoy seeing everyone and hearing how
they are doing, but in the end you are glad when it is over.

I love historical romances that are not afraid to actually have historic facts in them. Intrigued is set during the Commonwealth Period of England. That is right after King Charles is executed by Cromwell and his ilk. This was a great book, and it shows that Bertrice loves history, and is not afraid to show it. From France to England, Vineyards, to Court, this is a great page turner, with lots of romance that Ms. Small is famous for. A must read for any Bertrice Small fan.

Reading this book reminded me very much of "Wild Jasmine", the story of this heroine's mother. She seems to have a lot of the same sexual adventures as her mother, which seems to fit the saying, "Like mother, like daughter"! It quickened my pulse to read of her illicit royal affairs, and her "love" children. Enjoyed every minute of it!

I've always enjoyed the majority of Bertrice Small's books and in fact have read every one of them. But this one was rather boring. The heroine, Autumn, never went anywhere exciting or got involved in anything dangerous. She never went to harems or did anything outlandish. As a descendant of Skye O'Malley all the fire and bravery of her great grandmother was not there. The storyline was boring. I was disappointed.

Dear Mrs. Small- I started reading your books from a hospital bed and have loved all of the characters you've created. I even plan to name my own daughter Skye. But this last book was so white-washed. Characters that I looked forward to reading about, I suddenly found so boring and predictable. Have you ever considered writing one of the O'Malley stories from a man's point of view. How even a man can be objectified by a Queen. Think about it. All in all, I remain your loyal reader. Even your worst effort is better than some-others best work.