Customer Reviews

Until You (Friarsgate Inheritance, Book 2) (Signet Eclipse)

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(6)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

"Until You" is the second in the Friarsgate Inheritance Series. It continues the story of the lovely and valiant Rosamund Bolton ("Rosamund"), who at the age of 22, and thrice a widow, finds herself truly in love for the first time -- with 50-year-old Patrick Leslie, father of the long-lost Janet Leslie ("The Kadin"). The two immediately embark on a mission for King James IV of Scotland that turns out to be less exciting than one would have thought...the mission is more of a chance for the reader to be exposed to the emotions of Rosamund and Patrick as they fall in love and deal with the knowledge that their union is not fated to last forever. Patrick's continuing sorrow over the "unsolved" mystery of his only daughter's disappearance 28 years ago is touching in the extreme. The book contains the usual Small twists and turns. The strength of Small's writing is in creating believable, mutifaceted characters and putting them in a culturally accurate setting: few of the people in her works are all bad or all good..even the most wretched of her villians has his/her story. Small pays particular attention to clothing, food, the social and cultural climate, as well as the historical settings of her works; she is careful not to give her characters 21st century, politically-correct views (for example, Rosamund truly cares for her servants, but still considers that she and her children are their "betters"). She has pushed the envelope of romance fiction for over 25 years, as her heroines tend to have several love affairs and marriages, instead of one soul mate for life, which is one of the major conventions of the romance genre. This book, and the first in the series (which I rated a 4), are well worth your time. I am looking forward to the next book, due out in October 2004.

I always loved Small's work, but this is a story that should have been a short story. Small's characters retell the same thing over and over and over again. It is really annoying. Makes me think she didn't believe I absorbed the explanation the first time or am too stupid to retain it longer than two pages. ( I am refering to Patrick Leslie's explanation every two seconds about why he was sent off to a beautiful Island as the Kings man to help prevent a war)As always, her historical accounts are really terrific, and her lusty scenes are extensive. However, the sex scenes are numerous. If you like that sort of thing, you will be thrilled with this new addition. However, if you are like me and prefer the romance and tension in a relationship, you will be disappointed to find out the first lusty scence comes as quickly as page 7! And then pops up so often I just started skimming paragraphs to get to the story plot.The lovable characters of the first book are there, as is the mean ole Uncle, but truthfully, this story just plays out way too long. It would have been tighter and more enjoyable had she put it in a collection of short stories.

Once again, I seem to be the only one that is really loving this series. I enjoy a strong heroine that is willing to fight for what she cares about & what she feels is injustice to her because she is female. Fluffy characters are just not my type & once again Beatrice Small delivers a refreshing change from the idiots that are in most romance novels. Read for yourself & decide.

In 1511 The Border, widowed three times and only twenty-two, Rosamund Bolton informs her cousin that she is no longer interested in having a husband. She especially wants to avoid a betrothal to anyone selected by someone but herself. Instead she plans to visit her friend Margaret Tudor married to King James IV of Scotland unencumbered by a spouse.

At the court, Patrick Leslie sees Rosamund sitting near the queen and knows he has found love for the first time in his life. Rosamund shares his deep feelings, but has doubts about another marriage. When King James assigns Patrick a mission in San Lorenzo to try to stop a pending war, he brings Rosamund along not realizing at the time the danger of their adventure, but the feeling that they belong together.

UNTIL YOU, the sequel to ROSAMUND, is a delightful sixteenth century Scottish romance that is a typical Bertrice Small historical tale. The story line moves rather quickly once the duo leaves Scotland (relatively early in the novel). Fans of the sub-genre, especially those of the author, will appreciate this rich story starring two charming protagonists who feel like they have been part of the Skye is the limit mythos forever

Harriet Klausner

Setting ? England, Scotland, Italy 1511 --- UNTIL YOU is the continuation of the Friarsgate saga which began with ROSAMUND, the intrepid heroine from the book bearing that same name. Rosamund Bolton, was the orphaned English beauty who's been married and widowed three times and now at the ripe old age of 22, will live life on her own terms. She had been dutiful, done what was expected of her, mothered three daughters and will now live her life to please herself. IF she marries again it will be for love and a man of her OWN choosing.

An invitation to attend court at the side of her childhood friend, Margaret Tudor, Queen of Scotland, was exactly the excuse she needed to flee another mans marriage proposal. It would be here that she would meet an older widower (age 50) Patrick Leslie, earl of Glenkirk and an almost mystical happening of ?love at first sight? occurs from the very first moment their eyes meet. Both Rosamund and Patrick are soul mates yet they both realize that as perfect as their love for one another is, their time would be limited together ? both being firmly attached to their individual estates. They astounded the court with their instant affair and when the King of Scotland asked his old friend, Patrick to travel to San Lorenzo on a diplomatic assignment to prevent war between Scotland and England, Rosamund would travel with him to the continent. Upon their return, Rosamund realizes that she could never be separated from Patrick and decides that they would marry within six months - once Patrick apprises his son of their decision. Fate, fickle as it is, would soon render the decision moot as tragedy strikes and memories of a love so pure are all that are left to Rosamund. Heartbroken, and grieving for lost love Rosamund is soon caught up in more court intrigues and fighting to preserve Friarsgate for her heiress daughter Phillipa. Additionally, an old love waits on the sidelines for just the right moment to try and convince her of his love.

I had not read the prequel to this ?which I surely do plan to remedy ? but I can say that this surely stands alone and the reader will thoroughly enjoy this tale and be as eager as myself for the next book, which surely will have Rosamund?s daughters as the lead protagonists. For those of you who like their historical romances RICH in historical detail then you surely will enjoy this book from the political intrigues, to the daily life of clothing, food, travel, etc. then find yourself a comfortable chair to enjoy the continuation of the Friarsgate saga!

I did enjoy the book i liked the time with Patrick Leslie but i wanted more of Logan thought he was a good character that got lost the end of the book was so hurried

I knew the minute Patrick Leslie showed up just how the book was going to end. but i'll not say anything. But it was a fun ride, and while this book was not the best, it wasn't the worst either. I wish the time in San Lorenzo had lasted longer, i would have liked to have seen a whole book placed there.

Rosamund matured a bit in this book. while at times she still annoyed me, it wasn't too bad.

This is the second book in the "Friarsgate Series" and again Rosamund Bolton is our heroine and we travel with her through all sorts of intrigue, love, and disappointment that Ms. Small is famous for penning. For the most part I enjoyed this book but as some other reviewers have stated this book was not as good as it could have been. This book basically picks up where "Rosamund" left off and we find ourselves at Scottish court and immediatly after just one meeting Rosamund is in love with Patrick Leslie. Of course this love does seem to be of the "lasting forever" variety until of course a tragedy comes out of nowhere and ends that right away. Fear not though there is a potiential lover waiting off in the wings for when Rosamund sees him as more then just a lover (he has loved her since he first saw her at a market when she was just a young girl) and of course our story ends there with Rosamund possibly falling in love with him.

This book was entertaing for me because Ms. Small is such a descriptive writer and I love the time that she takes with details that draw you into the time period. Her lusty characters are also entertaining but I felt that there was just something lacking with this story that I was never fully able to pin-point and as a result was not fully able to enjoy this book as I have enjoyed past stories by Ms. Small. In any event I would not avoid this story but I would suggest that you borrow it from a friend if you are new to Ms. Small or just not fully committed to wanting to purchase the book.

I read Rosamund and I quite enjoyed it. So, I was very excited to read this one. When I did read I was a bit disappointed. I found myself disliking Rosamund in this book whereas I liked her in the first novel. First of all, I found the first scene with Patrick and her unbelievable. Secondly, I found her behavior rather rash in comparison to the first book. I just found her too bold. Not that there's anything wrong with that it's just not the way I imagined her to be after the first book. Then she took up and left her three daughters for months so she could cohabitate with Patrick in the warm weather. I guess that was accepted in those days but I don't agree with it. In a way Rosamund was selfish. Also, the ending was quite predictable as to who she would be with. Nothing new here!

This book opens well enough, but approximately two thirds of the story is sex and repetative explinations of why Rosamond and her lover cannot marry and why they are in San Lorenzo. Which in and of itself was of no real purpose whatsoever. To be honest, when the two are separated, I felt no anguish, as the relationship and characters during their love affair did nothing but have sex. I will say, that the last few chapters of the book picked up in intrigue and historical detail. These are the two things setting Small apart from other historical romance writers. Unfortunatly, this book for the most part lacks those elements. I am an avid reader of Small, and hope she returns to her earlier heights of historical romance writing.