Skye O'Malley

I loved the bold an courageous under her circumstances she made her own rules anyone like it or not I was given this book when I was pregnant with my first daughter being my last name is omalley so of course her name is Skye O'Malley

This book came highly recommended to me b/c I was looking for a romance novel that would knock my socks off. That is what I got. Yes, there were some areas in the novel that were a little disturbing (the incest), but they did not last, and they were not glorified. I enjoyed riding the rollercoaster with Skye through her troubles, loves, and adventures. I found the romance aspect of the novel unpredictable. There were times when I was so disappointed, I wasn't sure if I would be happy to see Skye with another lover, but then Small surprises you. Small has a gift for creating very likeable characters (especially men!) I was extremely pleased with the way things turned out for Skye. The ending was perfect and it had been a long time since I was satisfied with the ending of a novel. I am new to the genre, therefore I cannot compare this to other romances, but if you have not read any yet, here is the place to start! I have already started the next book in the series, All The Sweet Tomorrows..I'm psyched!

I read this book when it was first released, nearly 20 years ago. It made me a fan of romantic erotica for life. I have every book Bertrice Small has written, and few if any have disappointed. She tells a grand tale, and never teases, always delivers. Her characters are three-dimensional and you become emotionally invested in them: for years, in the case of the O'Malley dynasty. Skye is a marvelous heroine, and her family saga is fascinating, rich, and wonderfully written. I'm still in love with the Duke of Southwood. You can't go wrong with this book or this author!Some reviewers have called the erotica in this book "trashy." I respectfully beg to differ! Descriptions of sexual enjoyment in a romance novel aren't trash, they're beautiful! Do we consider our own sex lives garbage? I don't. So why relegate wonderfully written depictions of sexual activity to the garbage can? It's a real pity that the enjoyment of erotica is still so taboo. Bravo to Bertrice Small for writing the best of this genre. I wish more books that are advertised as "sexy" and "romantic" were as honest as this. I've just finished a well-known vampire series that, given the reviews, I expected to be along the lines of this book, and to my regret the only explicit depictions were of violence and death; the romance was non-existant, the eroticism teased but never delivered. I kept reading each book, hoping some aspect of the character's love life would be resolved, to no avail. What a disappointment!If you want real romance, real passion, real eroticism, read Bertrice Small's works. You won't be disappointed.

Skye O'Malley is not your average heroine. She has the responsibility of heading her family thrust upon her at an early age, yet holds that responsibility with grace and determination. Skye is a reflection of Elizabeth I of England who must rise above the men who would fight her for her throne. Skye's life although more adventurous and sexually exciting, mirrors much of Elizabeth's life and the common threads of their lives are frequently commented upon. With great historical accuracy, Bertrice Small shows us many different cultures during this time period by giving us a strong, central character who triumphs not despite being a woman, but because she is a woman. In real life, very few women love just one man in their lifetime. Neither does Skye. This book is not your average happily-ever-after. Bertrice Small goes beyond the average romance formula and creates her own. I have yet to find an author like her and continously read and reread all of her books.

This is THE best book by Bertrice Small. I read it for the first time about 15 years ago and it still holds up as one of the greatest romance novels ever! I am a voracious reader who is not easily impressed, and I never tire of this book which I've re-read several times. Read it. You will LOVE it!

This was the third romance novel I had ever read, about 6 years ago. Just getting into the genre, I really thought it was filled with books like this. It's not. Most are rambling dissappointments and you know how they will end by the second chapter, and can guess everything in between. This is a novel. Truly full of everything any other romance claims: suspense, desire, strength, humanity, and love. I've since read many novels, and this is one I still remember and one of the few I've chased back down and reread.