Betrayed [Mass Market Paperback]

Bertrice Small (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 28, 1998

As the undisputed queen of sensual romance, Bertrice Small brings history to life through indomitable women who live with wit, intelligence, and courage and who love with fierce delight. Now she sweeps us to a time and place of fiery power struggles, where one woman holds the key to a country's future--and to her own consuming passion.

When Fiona Hay offers Angus Gordon her virtue in exchange for a dowry for her sisters, she so intrigues the rogue that he demands a higher payment: She will be his mistress. Thus begins a battle of wills and sensual delights. Destiny soon draws the ardent lovers into the turbulent court of King James. But soon the king's political schemes force Fiona away from the man she loves . . . and into the arms of a wild and passionate Highlander, The MacDonald of Nairn. Will this coldhearted and callous betrayal forever destroy Fiona's chance at happiness?

Editorial Reviews

Review

Left orphaned at a young age and in charge of her four younger sisters, Fiona Hay has struggled to do everything possible to take care of them. This was not always easy, living in an isolated ben in Scotland, with only two family retainers to help out. Fiona gets one sister married off and two more are ready to do so tomorrow. Only one problem . . . they have no dowry. What does the head of the family do? Simple, Fiona steals eight heads of cattle from the neighboring Gordon clan to use as the sisters' dowries. Black Angus Gordon, chieftain laird of Clan Gordon, tracks the wily thief to the Ben of the Hay. He is astounded to find a household of women, one of whom is obviously the thief. Not able to hang Fiona Hay as a thief, yet unwilling to lose face in front of his clansmen, Angus accepts Fiona's outrageous proposal to take her as his mistress in payment. Both young lovers are strong willed and stubborn about confessing their feelings for each other. Circumstances and politics combine to cruelly come between the two, effectively setting a hard course for the two to follow. Set against the glorious backdrop of Scotland and filled with the rich history of the reign of James I of Scotland, Betrayed is a typical Bertrice Small story. Though Ms. Small is known for her accuracy to historic detail, and Betrayed is no exception, there were a couple of things I personally had a hard time getting past. First, the fact that Fiona becomes Angus Gordon's mistress at the tender age of fifteen was a turn off. Second, I so despised James I as a character and for what he does to the hero/heroine, I was completely distracted from enjoying the story. Though well written, I will warn that this is not a warm and fuzzy romance. Those that do not like reading about a heroine who is forced into a relationship with a man other than her true love may be as unhappy as I was with this plot device, and the story will be ruined. Bertrice Small, the queen of erotic romance, continues her tradition of stormy and steamy tales. Betrayed plunges the reader into the rich and colorful history of Scotland, and provides readers with an emotional punch not soon to be forgotten! Ms. Small again gives the public an emotionally charged and erotic story of woe and triumph! Gloria Lower -- Copyright © 1998 Literary Times, Inc. All rights reserved -- From Literary Times --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From the Publisher

If you love English/Scottish history and are a romance reader, this novel is for you. Bertrice Small blends them both exceptionally well and really spices it up. Her characters are believable, and they truly take you back in time and make you feel as though you are experiencing this adventure with them. You feel for Fiona as she gives up everything to honor her mother's last wishes for her family. But when she meets The MacDonald of Naim, he ignites her world. Travel through this delightful erotic novel with Fiona and see where honor and love lead her. Julie Van Byssum, Sales Rep --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 400 pages
• Publisher: Ivy Books (September 28, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0449001822
• ISBN-13: 978-0449001820
• Product Dimensions: 4.2 x 0.9 x 6.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (35 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #213,084 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Bertrice Small is a New York Times bestselling author with more than 34 novels in print. She lives in the oldest English-speaking town in New York state. Her website is bertricesmall.com.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Utterly riveting! Loved it!, July 23, 2005

By 

Cassandra N. Petty "SassyCassie" (Ohio) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Betrayed (Mass Market Paperback)

I would have to say that anyone who gives this book less than 4 stars is a fool! There was enough history included to keep things straight for those of us who are not history buffs with respect to the Scots, but not too much as to confuse.
Upon reading this book I fell in love with many of the characters and hated some, such as King James. This novel was a thoroughly refreshing read! Most romances are the same plot over and over and over again. Two people fall in love, have a problem, and overcome it in little to no time and live happily ever after-yada yada yada. I found myself wondering while reading this book if Fiona and Angus would be reunited; that only made it more exciting!
Also too many authors skimp on the sex sections! Small gives enough detail for them to be titillating and informative of the characters emotions while not crossing the line of vulgarity. Face it ya prudes-sex is part of love!
This novel has everything love, loyalty, anger, deception, passion, jealousy, and most importantly sadness because that is how life is and was. Definitely not some sugar-coated fairy tale. Fairy tales are for children!
Lastly, I have one small complaint. When Angus and Fiona are finally reunited the book ends immediately. I would like to know more about how Angus and Fiona got on after the 5 years they were separated! They had to have some problems.
This is the second Small novel I have read, the first being Hellion which I love almost as much. Being a person who is usually reading authors like Stephanie Laurens and Julie Garwood... I am now a completely devoted fan of Bertrice Small!

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This one even beats the Skye O'Malley saga !, July 26, 2000

By A Customer

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Betrayed (Hardcover)

I have read *all* of Ms. Small's books, and they've been a wonderful treat for me. Of course, I have a special place in my heart for the Skye O'Malley series, so I tend to read non-Skye related books a bit apprehensively. This book quickly became my all time favorite !

Do yourself a treat---make a hot cup of tea, curl into a comfy chair and read this book in one LONG stretch ! Enjoy !

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars erotic entertainment in the Small tradition, December 19, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: Betrayed (Hardcover)

In 1422, the Laird of Loch Brae, Angus Gordon, catches Fiona Hay stealing his cattle to pay dowries for her sisters' weddings. He accuses her of the crime and she offers her maidenhead in payment. Angus says the cattle is worth more than just one night in the sack. Instead he makes her his mistress.

When King James returns to the Scottish throne after twenty years held as a royal prisoner in England, he does everything to unite Scotland under his rule. He worries about the Highlanders, who have failed to swear fealty to him. Even though he knows that Fiona and Angus love each other, the King sets in motion a plot to turn Fiona into the lover-spy of Colin MacDonald, a wild Highlander. The plan works with Colin being duped into abducting Fiona. With no trace of her, it appears that Angus and Fiona will never share the lifetime of happiness that both richly deserve.

New York Times best selling author Bertrice Small writes her best novel since the early "Skye O'Malley" books with BETRAYED. The novel is extremely erotic (even for Ms. Small), but is very enjoyable due to the brilliant and charming lead and secondary characters, who bring alive the reign of King James I. Historical romance fans will enjoy this fabulous story.

Harriet Klausner