Customer Reviews

Deceived

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(8)
2 star:		(6)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

I suppose there's always a difference in tastes... and I guess that I'll be the first to give this book a good review. I'd mentioned before that Hellion was my favorite Bertrice Small book... well, this one ranks right up there with it. I know the reviews haven't been so fantastic thus far but I quite enjoyed this book. The characters of Aurora and Valerian were absolutely magnetic. I liked Aurora's boyishness and thought it was rather interesting that though she -was- rather hoydenish, she didn't deny her femininity and was passionate enough to be dubbed an 'eager virgin.' Valerian I liked because though he almost hated Callandra, he wasn't unfaithful... well, except maybe in his head... and truthfully, what man can honestly say that he's never fantasized about someone else? It only added to the realism of his personality. Valarian knew what he wanted and wasn't going to let it slip through his fingers... he felt the passion sizzling and wasn't about to relinquish control of that feeling by letting Aurora go. He defied society and the conventions therein and took what he wanted. ...There was also the added comedy tossed in by the characters of St. John and Trahern... two of London's finest idiots. All in all... this is an enjoyable book... so don't be 'deceived' by the other reviews here. The best you can do is to read the book for yourself.

This is the first book I've read by Beatrice Small and I couldn't put it down. The "shock" value kept me entralled! Ms. Small is very explicit and I found such to be refreshing! Most historical romance books are filled with "fairy-tale" stories with men and women who once they meet, never look at another person or make mistakes. Ms. Small's characters are definitely not perfect and I like this extra touch!! I am now on a mission to search out and buy all other books by this author!

I am stunned by the reviews. I really enjoyed this book as it was a departure from her Scottish / English books from early centuries. It was also a slight deviation from her boy-loses-girl-to-handsome-stranger-in-a-far-off-land plot. The boy didn't have the girl till much later. Callie and Aurora switching places promised to be a lively telling. Callie let her sudden entrance into English society go to her head. Not even the logic of her sensible stepsister could bring her to heel. I was amazed that once Callie was out of the picture, that Valerian moved so quickly. I truly enjoyed the humor towards the end of the story when they played their "little trick" with Trehern. I hope other Bertrice Small fans who were not happy with this book, gives it another try.

Because this was the first romance novel, the steamy kind, that I have ever read, I thought it good- the characters were well-defined and the costumes and setting were indeed as rich as Ms. Small's reputation expects. however, now, after my "vast" experience with these stories, i found it empty. It seemed as if she was more interested in the steamy sex than in any plot, although a little intrigue at the end helped to sweeten the bitter taste in my mouth. Aurora and Valerian's attraction is more animalistic than burning, and Aurora's response when she was being practically raped by him was a bit repulsive.

The readers were DECEIVED!!! This book sucked. Apparently, Small and Woodiwiss have the same agenda- bore their readers to death. What happened to the great writing of the past?

Dear readers, this book was one of the worst books I have ever had the misfortune to read! Aurora and Cally was such coniving little witches! What they did to Valerian was unforgivable. I knew that the sisters would switch places. That was why I wanted to read the book in the first place, but the author made it turn out so bad for the hero and Cally ,that it was not cute anymore. I also felt no attraction for the hero. Maybe it was because Cally treated him with such scorn. I am sorry, but I like my heroes to be appealing and wanted! This was my third book by Bertrice Small and I find that she is not to my taste. The only thing I like about her books is her sex scenes!

I am a huge Bertrice Small fan and own every single one of her books but this is easily my LEAST favorite and the only one I have only read once. It was flat and boring compared to her other work with little of the exquisite detail that I have come to appreciate. If you are just starting to read Ms. Small's work please start with something else, like the wonderful Kadin or any of the early Skye O'Malley series!

Aurora and Valerian's characters are okay - I'm at a loss for more words than this. The story is palatable at best, downright silly at worst. It's not one of her better stories. Mediocrity is the best word that I can find for it. You'll do better with an earlier novel than this, but if you have to pick it up, it's not bad.

This is my first romance novel that i ever read, and it is still my favorite. I have read other Beatrice Small novels, but this novel has captured my heart!

The settings of this book are beautiful, and in full detail. I loved how Beatrice started the novel out with foreshadowing. Beatrice wrote in great detail about 17th century lifestyles, she has the magical touch in engaging her reader into the story.

Valerian. He is still my favorite. Auroura is smart, interesting and not the cliche romance novel heroine. She is beautiful, but in a girl next door way. Poor Cally! I don't want to spoil anymore of this novel, it's awesome!

I have the hard copy of this book and bought the Kindle version-a warning! The Kindle version is incomplete. The Kindle version leaves out the entire last section of the book, which was essential to the story. I think that is unacceptable. If you sell the Kindle version it should be complete and I am tempted to ask for my money back.