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.

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 have read many of Ms. Small's books. Athough this is not her best, I enjoyed it very much because it is so sweet. The plot is much simpler than others without so many twists as Skye O'Malley, which I think is the best of her books, but the characters are endearing and convincing. which I don't find in other books such as ' Love Slave' and 'Enchantess Mine' or ' Betrayed'

As the daughter of the richest man in England, Allegra Morgan attracts a number of fortune hunters willing to overlook her flawed pedigree to gain her enormous wealth. Her most ardent suitor is the arrogant but impoverished Quinton Hunter, Duke of Sedgwick, who has little to offer a prospective wife except his grand title. Allegra decides that if she must marry, she might as well be a duchess. So she agrees to the match with one condition: her husband must never ask for her love. She has seen the misery love can cause and has vowed to give her heart to no man-especially a dangerously alluring duke. Quinton is dazzled by his new wife's grace and fortitude, as well as the fierce desire that rages between them. Despite his intentions, he finds himself falling in love with her. Then the terrors of the French Revolution hit close to home, and the two of them set off on a treacherous adventure that could cost them everything...including their final chance at happiness. The only reason I gave this book 4 stars was because it is a Bertrice Small novel and she is my favorite author. I was disappointed though. It was mundane and boring. Where was the adventure Ms. Small's herorine's are so famous for? This book smacked of boredom. But Allegra was a charming creature and she kept me going through the story.

I am a huge fan of Bertrice Small's writing. Even when the story is not up to par, Mrs. Small usually does not fail to catch me up into the lush web of her writing. For the most part, Allegra was intelligent and practical. Traits I admire in a heroine. Quinton was, of course, the perfect man. The sparks between them didn't burn as bright as some of Mrs. Small's other couples, but they were a complimentary couple nonetheless. And Allegra did show toward the end the behavior of a spoiled brat. Behavior that has shown up in some of Mrs. Small's characters as of late. (Autumn, India). Overall, the book is well done and if this had been the only book Mrs. Small had written may have received more stars. However, we fans are spoiled by Mrs. Small's legendary and memorable characters such as Skye, Cyra, Zenobia, Zaynab, and Rhonwyn.

In 1794 England, Quinton Hunter, the Duke of Sedgewick, realizes he must marry a moneyed spouse to overcome the fact that his ancestors married for love and enjoyed gambling. Considered by the Ton as the bluest blood in England, Quinton selects the daughter of the nation's richest man, Allegra Morgan, as the obvious target of his affections.

Allegra agreess to marry Quinton, but stipulates that love must never enter their relationship. Interested in the cold cash, Quinton accepts the requirement, vowing not to act like his antecedents. However, Quinton soon learns his blood is as blue as his relatives are because he too falls in love. He fears telling Allegra, but confesses anyway that he loves her, but trouble in war-torn France interferes with the duo before they can explore their growing love for one another.

Known for her O'Malley and the erotic novels, Bertrice Small provides her readers with an entertaining Regency romantic suspense with THE DUCHESS. The story line is filled with action even as the impact of the French Revolution augments the intrigue, It also slows down the development of the relationship between Allegra and Quinton. Still Ms. Small furnishes readers with a powerful tale that needs sequels starring the children of the lead protagonists as only the author can provide.

Harriet Klausner

ok, I dont know about anyone else but I am getting pretty tired of seeing the same family in these books. This much misfortune can not happen in one family. Move on....why have 3 books on the same woman...its boring we know her personality already. Be creative invent something new....and enough with the harems please. 1 or 2 is great...they are supposed to be mysterious and forbidden...not supposed to happen in every book. I am a fan of Ms. Smalls but, she needs to come out with some new and improved books with new and improved plots and characters.

While I had a wonderful time revisiting familiar characters (Charles Stuart and the rest of the Leslie family) and places (Brae and Glenkirk), I felt this book was very flat overall. The characters of Flanna and Patrick were unlikeable and very "canned". The story seemed forced, and while it was enjoyable to continue on with Skye's legacy and Jasmine's family, I felt this book was fairly lackluster.

If you have already read the other books in this series, this one is worth it, simply to keep up with the goings-on. However, I wouldn't recommend this book to a first-time Betrice Small reader. It's much better to start out Skye O'Malley or Wild Jasmine.

I am hopeful that Ms. Small's next installment will pack more punch !

With the death in 1650 of James Leslie, the Duke of Glenkirk, his wife Jasmine leaves Scotland because she can no longer live at the family estate amidst the memories. Before leaving for England, Jasmine tells her son, the new duke Patrick, that he needs a wife and heirs. Reluctantly and feeling alone, Patrick agrees, but is not sure where to find an appropriate spouse especially since he has isolated himself at Glenkirk from the royal, parliamentary, and Cromwell problems gripping England and Scotland.

While hunting, Patrick notices run down Brae castle where the sole occupant Flanna Brodie shoots an arrow at him. He captures her and returns her to her father. He offers to buy Brae Castle, but instead her father offers Flanna in marriage as his price. Needing a bride and wanting the land, Patrick accepts and they wed that night. They make love and go back to Glenkirk to live. Over the next few weeks they begin to fall in love. However, Flanna needs to help Charles II regain the throne while Patrick believes that Leslies die when they help Stuarts. In spite of their love, can their relationship survive this deep schism?

JUST BEYOND TOMORROW is an exciting Skye's Legacy tale starring a son of DARLING JASMINE. Flanna is an intrepid heroine trapped between her love for her spouse and her loyalty to her king. Though there are character inconsistencies especially with the portrayal of Patrick, the story line is fun for fans of the series and seventeenth century Scottish tales as Bertrice Small's latest novel continues the legend.

Harriet Klausner

I have been an avid Bertrice Small fan since "Adora" came out so many years ago. Unlike these other reviewers, who seem to be come-lately readers to Ms. Small's romance novels, I understand that her books all have a certain element of similarity - a beautiful heroine, an exotic land, an equally exotic lover, and surprises regarding the land, the lover, the heroine, or all. This book is not a disappointment. It reads easily and quickly draws you into the world of India Lindley. While not on par with Small's masterpieces (Adora, Skye O'Malley, Enchantress Mine), "Bedazzled" still entertains. Words of note: best to avoid this novel until you've read all the other Skye O'Malley books. You'll be somewhat lost if you haven't read the others first. Also, the dialog at India's first meeting with the bey seems somewhat stiff -- again, this is due to Ms. Small's formula for a historical romance, and is easily overlooked.

What can be said about the descendents of Skye O'Malley? Interesting,but lacking the fire of our beloved herione Skye. I enjoyed this book but did find it somewhat predictable and no where near as good as the first Skye books. I could not beleive that Jasmine and James have turned into such uptight adults! This James Leslie would never had hunted down Jasmine and married her as he did in the earlier book! India is prissy and annoying and I find it hard to believe she is the same hoyden child from the last book! I honestly think it is time to give Skye and company a honourable burial and let them be remembered as exciting, not dull! For pure reading enjoyment I say that Love Wild and Fair,Adora,Beloved and The Spitfire are some of Ms. Small's best books. Read this only if you have followed Skye from the very beginning,otherwise leave it on the shelf.

I have been eagerly awaiting this book, and it was not a disappointment. This book is definitely a sequel and I am really looking forward to the next book which I hope will detail Fortune's return to Ireland.

I will agree that the plot did not have as many twists and turns, nor was the story as in depth as some of her other Skye O'Malley books-but it was nice. Surprisingly enough, it only involved one husband. I was a bit surprised she stopped it before the execution of Charles I, but she does a good job setting up for it (again hopefully in the next novel). Sometimes I thought Jemmie Leslie a bit too much like his father, Jasmine a bit weaker than she had been, and India an overall brat-but with the number of years that had transpired? Again-it is a nice story.

If you want to read and understand this book, I fully recommend the following books in THIS order-The Kadin, Love Wild and Fair, then- Skye O'Malley, All the Sweet Tomorrows, A Love For All Time, This Heart of Mine, Lost Love Found, Wild Jasmine, Darling Jasmine and then Bedazzled. This should bring you up to date on both the O'Malley clan and the Leslies interspersed throughout both sets of books, give you a wonderful sense of this historic period as well as make you a fan of this epic!