Beloved

As always, Bertrice Small captured my attention and transported me from the 21st century to the later years of the Roman Empire. Zenobia and Palmyra did exist, and Mrs. Small paints for us a stunning and vibrant picture of how it might have been like to live in those times. I did not see Zenobia as being cold. Rather I saw her as a woman before her time who was wise enough to see that Rome was faltering and strong enough to take a chance to defeat them. Mrs. Small showed us that despite the fact that she was queen, Zenobia was still just a normal woman who gave into her feelings and cried on occasion and sought revenge when her lover broke her heart. Kudos, Mrs. Small. Beloved is one of your finest!

Beloved is an excellent book. I have read many of Bertrice Small's books and truly enjoyed all of them.

This is not only my favorite Small book, but one of my favorite historical novels ever. The triumphs of Odenathus and Zenobia for the halcyon city of Palmyra are all but lost in history. Yet Small captures everything down to the smallest detail. In one graceful sweep small delivers an exquisite story of an admirable woman along with an excellent portrayal of the late Roman Empire. As a reader, I was pulled into the rapture. When I surfaced again, I was off to the library to research the historical Zenobia and her Palmyra. Personally, I can't think of a better effect a book can have.

"Beloved" simply IS the top of its genre. Bertrice Small's typewriter (which she was still using then, I believe) was sprinkled with fairy dust when she wrote this fictionalization of Zenobia's life. Unfortunately, she wasn't able to keep up this pace, and her last truly great book was "Wild Jasmine."

A wonderful book about a woman who did existed. Although the whole book was of BSmall's imagination, isn't that what a fictional novel is? I loved the imagery. Zenobia's growing up years as both her father's daughter and as Odenthaus (sp?) just added to a magnificiant storyline! Once, again, this author has captured my attention and brought me back for more.