Besieged

Well, well ,well the latest in the o'malley saga is another masterpeice. I am so glad she wrote about Fortune. A must read. If you have never read Ms. Small's work before start at Skye O'Malley and work your way up. They Are all magnificent! Happy Reading!

I agree with the previous reviews. While Besieged was not as good as The Kadin or Skye O'Mally (these are my favorite books of all time), it seemed truer to the legacy of Madame Skye. Her last few books, while enjoyable, were not her best. Additionally, Jasmine and Jamie Leslie were much better in this than their last book with daughter India. I, too, wished Fortune could some how discover that Rory was her father. Alas, I can see where that would have tormented Jasmine's memory of her beloved second husband. I enjoyed the references to the New World and would have found more of their building of a new life in Mary's Land more interesting than that silly kidnapping. I'm really hoping we get a wonderful new book from Ms Small about Autumn Rose. After all, she has the blood of both Cyra Hafise (Janet Leslie) and Skye O'Malley running in her. Now that's a Legacy!

Another great book by Bertrice Small. I devoured it in a few hours, and she still leaves me wanting more. Bedazzled was not as good, so I was hesitant to buy this one, but Ms. Small has reaffirmed my belief in her writing. I can only hope her next book will be out soon!

Bertrice Small gifts us with yet another gem...sending the great-grandaughter of one of the most beloved and unforgettable heroines of romantic fiction - Skye O'malley - into search of her true destiny and everlasting love... Walking proudly the path of her great anscestresses, Lady Fortune Lindley is a courageous beauty determined to follow her heart...Leaving her home in Scotland, she returns to her birthplace at Maguire's Ford, a large estate that she will inherit only if she marries an Irish Protestant. Being the most practical child of Jasmine Leslie, she agrees to consider a match with the Protestant aristocrat William Devers, a man suited to her wealth and status... However, it is the rebellious and unpredictable elder brother, Keiran Devers who sets her heart aflame and senses reeling with passion... While Fortune and Keiran's forbidden ecstasy explodes, jealousy and ignorance threaten their love and forces them to claim a new land and a new legacy...Through the test of destiny, Fortune realizes that she is indeed very much alike with the extraordinary women of her family...proud, independent, passionate and loyal towards those they love and cherish... BESIEGED justly stands among Ms. Small's best creations...it will remind you just why you fell in love with Skye O'Malley and could not let go... It will bring all your beloved characters back to life...let Fortune and Kerian's story carry you back in time and sweep you away in their ecstasy!

In 1630, after twenty years away, Jasmine Mary Lindley returns to Ulster accompanied by her third husband Lord James Leslie and her youngest daughter Lady Fortune. Jasmine hopes Fortune finds a husband in the land where the child was born just after her second husband, Fortune's father, was murdered. Regardless of whether Fortune finds a mate or not, the lass will gain control of Maguire's Ford, an estate where Catholics and Protestants harmoniously live and work together.The prime choice is William Devers. However, Jasmine has problems with William's biased mother, who plans to toss the Catholics from Maguire's Ford once Fortune marries her son. William immediately wants the independent and feisty Fortune. In turn, she realizes he is the perfect mate for someone as pragmatic as she is. However, her heart stirs only when she meets William's disinherited older brother Kiernan, a devout Catholic who has given up everything to be able to practice his religion. While Fortune and Kiernan fall in love, an obsessed William will do whatever it takes to make Fortune his wife.BESIEGED is the best historical romance that Bertrice Small has written in several years. The story line centers on the historical basis of the Irish Protestant-Catholic issue in a reasonable and honest way that provides insight to the audience. The lead couple is a majestic duo and the support cast augments the plot through their prejudices or tolerances. Jasmine embraces diversity as the ultimate win-win situation to the point that Dr. Covey could use her as a role model. Though a sidebar starring William slows down the novel, Ms. Small shows why she is a sub-genre superstar.Harriet Klausner