Intrigued (Brava Historical Romance) [Paperback]

Bertrice Small (Author)

Book Description

Series: Brava Historical Romance | Publication Date: February 1, 2001

New York Times bestselling author Bertrice Small is known and loved for her lavishly sensual, emotionaly powerful stories of adventure and passion. Now, she will thrill her legion of fans once again with the fourth Skye's Legacy novel.

--This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

The latest installment in Small's popular historical-romance series, Skye's Legacy, has been chosen as the launch book for Kensington's new erotic romance imprint. It continues the saga of lusty matriarch Skye O'Malley, this time chronicling the exploits of her great-granddaughter, Lady Autumn Rose Leslie, daughter of the Duchess Jasmine. The mid-17th century finds England engaged in civil war, King Charles the First beheaded, the throne abandoned and Sir Oliver Cromwell establishing an English republic. But 19-year-old Autumn's primary concern is finding a suitable husband amid the strife. Impelled by the war's threat to the blue bloods and the death of her husband, Duchess Jasmine spirits Autumn away to the safety of the family chateau in the Loire Valley. In France, there is still some semblance of order, and the court of 12-year-old King Louis XIV provides a suitable stage for Autumn to make her social debut in style. She is courted in grand fashion by the dashing Marquis d'Auriville; they soon wed and he initiates Autumn into the fine art of carnal pleasures. Marital bliss comes to an end with his untimely death and Autumn's new role as widow soon attracts the attention of the now 18-year-old Louis, whose amorous advances Autumn spurned when the two first met. After a lurid tryst with the insatiable king, Autumn bears a royal bastard. With Cromwell dead and the British monarchy restored, Autumn and her family return to England, where she dazzles the royal court and seduces King Charles II. Small has delivered an erotic adventure couched mildly in the political intrigue of 17th-century France and England. Fans will devour the latest offering in this series, relishing the steamy sex scenes and happy ending. (Feb.)
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

Continuing the saga begun 30 years ago with the now classic Skye O'Malley, Small's latest romantic adventure sweeps the beautiful, willful Autumn Leslie from Cromwellian England to France and back to the Restoration Court of Charles II with all the sensual flair of her earlier books. Definitely in the Skye O'Malley tradition of strong heroines who find themselves in difficult circumstances and needing to take control of their own livesDand the men in themDthis fast-paced novel sees our intrepid heroine through one husband, two kings, and finally safe in the arms of the ultimate hero. Although some of the euphemisms for the human anatomy become annoying, the story is nicely plotted, peopled with memorable characters, and full of interesting historical detail and enough family lineage to help readers keep everyone straight (Autumn is Skye's great-granddaughter, through Velvet and Jasmine). The initial title of Kensington's Brava imprint, this is essential reading for fans of the O'Malley saga and may appeal to those who enjoy the classic sweet/savage romance, as well. Small (A Memory of Love) is one of the original six Avon Ladies (like Rosemary Rogers, above) who wrote historical romances for Avon in the mid-Seventies. She lives on Long Island, NY.
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Paperback: 409 pages
• Publisher: Kensington (February 1, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1575666405
• ISBN-13: 978-1575666402
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.5 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (23 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,312,981 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

27 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Something is Missing, March 3, 2001

By 

J. Austin "jodylync" (Dublin, OH United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Intrigued (Brava Historical Romance) (Paperback)

Everytime I read one of Small's novels, I get so caught up in the rich, lush prose that I feel that I am an actual participant in the story, not just a reader. Not this time. With past novels I have plotted with Skye, struggled and wept with Catriona, shared captivity with Cyra, and fought Roman conquerors with Zenobia. But this book just did not sweep me off my feet as her other books have done. Perhaps I had too great expectations for this heroine. After all, she is the granddaughter of the brillant Cat Leslie and the great-granddaughter of the legendary Skye O'Malley. She was bound to be a magnificent addition to the story. However, I found her to be weak, cynical, and flighty. Usually she came off as whiny and spoiled as India with an occasional display of practicality like Fortune. Perhaps, it is that with Autumn the was no true villian to battle, no great cause to fight for (other than complaining about the English roundheads and the one assistance to King Louis.) Autumn had no goals, except when she decided to seduce King Charles II so she could get an English title. (Can anyone see Skye or Cat prostituting themselves over something so minor?) There was no strong, underlying plot. No Aidan trying to get home to her husband. No Valentina trying to find her father's identity. Autumn just merely existed as time passed. No life of adventure. Heck, not even a life! All she pretty much did was whine to her mother. The relationship between her and Gabriel was so empty. The potential was there for some amazing scenes, but his and Autumn's relationship was pretty much glossed over and focusing on the rest of the family. Perhaps if this were another author, I would not be so critical. This is Bertrice Small! The woman responsible for pulling her readers into the lives of her characters by the rich tapestry of her brillant writing. I say, "Take us across the Atlantic, Mrs. Small. Give us one of Fortune's children. Create for us the wild, brave, new world of the early colonies where only the very strong can survive. Give us adventure and a brave new heroine that will show us O'Malley spirit."

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Pleasant hints of past stories, February 10, 2001

By 

T. Trick - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Intrigued (Brava Historical Romance) (Paperback)

I just finished this book and overall I was pleased with the outcome. Harriet Klausner gives a good summary of the plot so I won't repeat. Longtime fans will see that the book has a hint of past plots. However, Autumn's personality does justice to her female ancestors. Bertrice Small does a good job of weaving historical events into the events of Autumn's life.

I still find that Bertrice Small is one of the best writers in the subgenre of historical romance. Her plots have substance in the sense that many historical figures make appearances into the story and by virtue of the main characters' stations in life, the appearances are somewhat feasible. Bertrice Small had a few books in the past few years that were missing her magic, but with "Besieged" and "Intrigued" she has returned.

Back to "Intrigued" .... What I enjoyed most about this book was watching the growth that Autumn experiences. She moves from sheltered teenager to a wise woman, learning from and accepting her mistakes along the way, making her seem much more human.

I would recommend this book both to long time fans and readers who have never read her before now. This book will whet the appetite for future books in the series as well as a revisitation of past books.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great conclusion to this series, January 24, 2001

By 

Harriet Klausner - See all my reviews
(#1 Hall OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Intrigued (Brava Historical Romance) (Paperback)

In 1650 forces loyal to Cromwell win the Civil War and Autumn Leslie's beloved father dies in battle in support of Charles. Autumn, accompanied by her mother Jasmine, flees to her half-brother's estate, but when the Roundheads kill her sister-in-law in cold blood, the two Leslie women flee to the family estate in France.

In France, Sebastian d'Oleron courts Autumn, earns her love, and marries her. They are happy together and have a child, but he suddenly dies from an apparent heart attack. A year later, when young King Louis XIV learns of Sebastian's death, he provides comfort to the widow and soon they make love. She has a child with him. When Cromwell dies, the King is restored and Autumn returns to England where she seduces King Charles, becomes pregnant, but the child is stillborn. A hero of the restored throne, Gabriel Birmingham loves and loathes Autumn, but he has a history as the man who led the Roundheads when her sister-in-law was murdered years ago.

Although there is much filler material that provides detailed information on some of the stars of previous novels in the saga, this is an exciting historical romance that brings alive the seventeenth century courts of France and England. The story line is fast-paced in spite of the unnecessary flashbacks. The plot requires a bit of a stretch since much centers on Autumn sleeping with two kings, but Beatrice Small makes it feel as if her lead character was truly a real person. This is a solid O'Malley after the next generation tale that will please the diehard series reader.

Harriet Klausner