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The Love Slave
It is no act of love that Regan experiences the night she takes her sister's place in the marriage bed, a counterfeit bride to sate the lust of her twin's new husband. Come morning, her sister, carrying another man's child, resumes her place and Regan is spirited away to a nunnery.
But a more exotic fate awaits the fiery Celtic Regan is sold to a slave trader. It will be her destiny to come under the tutelage of Karim al Malina, master of the erotic arts, who will mold Regan -- now renamed Zaynab, the beautiful one -- into a Love Slave fit for a Moorish king, though the pair break the first rule of teacher and pupil . . . they fall in love.
But Zaynab is not Karim's to keep. She is given to the Caliph of Cordoba, who vows to love her . . . and pleasure her as no younger man can. Yet Regan still longs for her one true love, Karim al Malina, and vows that, somehow, their fates must be reunited . . . .
But a more exotic fate awaits the fiery Celtic Regan is sold to a slave trader. It will be her destiny to come under the tutelage of Karim al Malina, master of the erotic arts, who will mold Regan -- now renamed Zaynab, the beautiful one -- into a Love Slave fit for a Moorish king, though the pair break the first rule of teacher and pupil . . . they fall in love.
But Zaynab is not Karim's to keep. She is given to the Caliph of Cordoba, who vows to love her . . . and pleasure her as no younger man can. Yet Regan still longs for her one true love, Karim al Malina, and vows that, somehow, their fates must be reunited . . . .
432 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1995
152 people are currently reading
1344 people want to read
About the author
Bertrice Small
216 books1,128 followersBertrice Williams was born on December 9, 1937 in Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA, the daughter of Doris S. and David R. Williams, both broadcasters. She studied at Attended Western College for Women and Katharine Gibbs Secretarial School. On October 5, 1963, she married George Sumner Small, a photographer and designer with a History Major at Princeton. They had a son Thomas David. She lived on eastern Long Island for over 30 years. Her greatest passions were her family; Finnegan and Sylvester, the family cats; Nicki, the elderly cockatiel who whistles the NY Mets charge call; her garden; her work, and just life in general.
Published since 1947, Bertrice Small was the author of over 50 romance novels. A New York Times bestselling author, she had also appeared on other best-seller lists including Publishers Weekly, USA Today, and the L.A. Times. She was the recipient of numerous awards including Career Achievement for Historical Romance; Best Historical Romance; Outstanding Historical Romance Series; Career Achievement for Historical Fantasy; a Golden Leaf from the New Jersey Romance Writers chapter of Romance Writers of America; an Author of the Year (2006) and Big Apple Award from the New York City Romance Writers chapter of RWA, and several Reviewers Choice awards from Romantic Times. She had a "Silver Pen" from Affair De Coeur, and an Honorable Mention from The West Coast Review of Books. In 2004 she was awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award by ROMANTIC TIMES magazine for her contributions to the Historical Romance genre. And in 2008 she was named by ROMANTIC TIMES along with her friends Jennifer Blake, Roberta Gellis and Janelle Taylor, a Pioneer of Romance.
Bertrice Small was a member of The Authors Guild, Romance Writers of America, PAN, and PASIC. She was also a member of RWA's Long Island chapter, L.I.R.W., and is its easternmost member on the North Fork of Eastern Long Island.
Published since 1947, Bertrice Small was the author of over 50 romance novels. A New York Times bestselling author, she had also appeared on other best-seller lists including Publishers Weekly, USA Today, and the L.A. Times. She was the recipient of numerous awards including Career Achievement for Historical Romance; Best Historical Romance; Outstanding Historical Romance Series; Career Achievement for Historical Fantasy; a Golden Leaf from the New Jersey Romance Writers chapter of Romance Writers of America; an Author of the Year (2006) and Big Apple Award from the New York City Romance Writers chapter of RWA, and several Reviewers Choice awards from Romantic Times. She had a "Silver Pen" from Affair De Coeur, and an Honorable Mention from The West Coast Review of Books. In 2004 she was awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award by ROMANTIC TIMES magazine for her contributions to the Historical Romance genre. And in 2008 she was named by ROMANTIC TIMES along with her friends Jennifer Blake, Roberta Gellis and Janelle Taylor, a Pioneer of Romance.
Bertrice Small was a member of The Authors Guild, Romance Writers of America, PAN, and PASIC. She was also a member of RWA's Long Island chapter, L.I.R.W., and is its easternmost member on the North Fork of Eastern Long Island.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 124 reviews
October 3, 2017
"... he watched as the deep rosy inner flesh began to grow moist with a pearly dew and the tiny nub of her little jewel burgeoned with rising excitement."
This was some eye opener for a thirteen year old, let me tell you.
This was some eye opener for a thirteen year old, let me tell you.
March 19, 2012
Story Rating 5 Stars
Character Rating 5 Stars
Romance Rating 5 Stars
Heat Level 4.5 Stars
Overall Rating 5 Stars
Warning SPOILER
This was my 3rd time reading this book over the years and I still loved every minute of it. This book contains so many different elements and is not a book for everyone. The story starts out with the heroines mother giving birth to first her twin sister and then to her. Her father was killed recently and her mother was a very bitter woman set on revenge of the neighboring laird that killed her husband. Needless to say she only had love for the first born child leaving Raven with only the love of her older twin sister.
On the night her sister wed's the neighbor's heir, Raven had to take her sisters place in the marriage bed and pretend to be her sister because her sister was not a virgin. This was pulled off with ease because they were identical twins. Needless to say he was not gentle and just plowed into her. Shortly after that terrible night, Raven was sent to a convent to live the rest of her day's as a nun.
At the convent an evil abbess was in charge and planned on selling Raven for a virgin slave. Ravin informs them she is no virgin and the man that was to take her and sell her, rapes her again to make sure she is telling the truth.
Off they go again to Dublin where Raven is sold for a very high price because she is simply the most beautiful woman. They change her name to Zaynab, meaning Beautiful one. The man who buy's her wants her as a gift to a very powerful ruler Abd-al Rahman, Caliph of Cordoba to be more favored. He decides to send Zaynab to a Passion Master so that she can be trained as a Love Slave. The Passion Master Karim al Malina noticed right away that Zaynab was afraid to be with a man because she was missed used. He took his time with her until she realized that the men who had taken her had just took and with Karim's gentleness was shown how to give and receive passion. He also had her highly educated so that when she finally went to the Caliph he would fall in love with her. The training took a year and while the training went on Zaynab and Karim feel in love knowing that they could never be together and never they did not voice their feelings to each other. When their time together was coming to an end and Zaynab was to go to the Caliph, Karim admitted his love to Zaynab. She was very upset about this because she had to admit her love back and knew she would never be able to love another. Both their hearts were broken knowing that she had to go.
Once Zaynab was sent to the Caliph, she was taken into the harem which housed over four thousand woman including 100's of his concubines and two wives. Zaynab became the Caliph's favorite right away and he grew to love her and was very happy. This pleased everyone except his first wife Zahra. The woman became unstable and when she found out that Zaynab was with child it only made it worse. After Zatnab gave birth to a daughter, Zahra had her poisoned. The Caliph could not do anything to his first wife because it would cause an uproar so he did the only thing he could, gave her to Hasdai ibn Shaprut, his doctor.
In doing so, it almost killed him but he wanted Zaynab safe and knew to keep her would be a certain death.
Now the Caliph gave Zaynab a beautiful house and her servants too to live with her. Hasdai ibn Shaprut was a very busy man and did not have much time for Zaynab. Every time he came she tried to get him to take his pleasure from her. He would always' find a reason to leave until Zaynab realized he had never been with a woman. She finally introduced him to the pleasures of the flesh and he was in awe of it. He visited her often afterwards. Neither fell in love but were very good friends.
Meanwhile Karim was finally back home and being married to a young woman who he never met and did not love. His parents arranged the whole thing and once married her found out that she was no virgin and that she loved another.
It took a long time for Karim to get Hatiba his wife pregnant because neither wanted the other. When he was off somewhere else her pervious lover Ali Hussan came with troops and killed all of Karim's loved ones. His mother and father, 2 brothers, their wives and all their children, also Karim's wife Hatiba because she was pregnant with Karim's child. The only one they did not kill was Kirim's sister, they took her. Needless to say that Karim's father had been the ruler there and when the Caliph a good friend of Karim's father heard of this, he summons Hasdai ibn Shaprut to go there and help Karim out of his despair because he was now the ruler there. He also wanted Hasdai to make sure that justice was done and that all that were involved in the killings were tortured for all to see.
Zaynab begged Hasdai to take her with him, not knowing that this was Karim and his family.
While Karim and Hasdai were out looking for Ali Hussam and the men who did this, they came back and took Zaynab. Zaynab was very strong and showed no fear but the leader wanted her badly. She kept him at bay and at the same time got Karim sister who had been repeatedly raped since they took her. They hatched a plan and it worked. Zaynab had to finally give in and be with Ali Hussan. While he was taking his pleasure from her, he died. Shortly afterwards Karim and Hadai showed up, they were safe but Karim's sister took her own life.
The night before Zaynab and Hasdai were to go home because Zaynab missed her daughter and seeing Karim only made her heart break, Zaynab could not sleep. She took a walk in the garden's and Karim was there. He told her again how much he loved her and she was very upset knowing that there was nothing they could do to be together. They ended up kissing and had no idea that Hasdai saw.
Zaynab and Hasdai went back to Cordoba. When they got there they found out that Zaynab's baby had died while she was away. Zaynab was so upset. She could not eat and her heart was broken that she was actually dyeing from her dispair. Hasdai had no idea what was going on because he was so busy with his work. One day he came to see her and the servants explained to him that she was dyeing and told him she needed to have another baby. Hasdai did not want children and knew any child of his between them would not be recognized so he went to the Caliph with an idea. Hasdai knew that Zaynab and Karim were in love so the Caliph agreed to send Zaynab to Karim as a bride. They decided to write Karim and tell him this but not to let him know that the bride was Zaynab.
When Zaynab goes to be with Karim, he is off somewhere else because he wants no bride and will only ever love Zaynab. When he finally comes home and she is finally revealed to him, it is so sweet and a very HEA ending.
END SPOILER
LOL, I have no idea how to add that spoiler thing. Anyway's if you read all that, it tell's the whole story basically. You will know if this is the type of book for you or not. I really wish they would convert more of the 80's Bodice Ripper's into ebook's. They are epic adventures and I LOVE THEM!!
Character Rating 5 Stars
Romance Rating 5 Stars
Heat Level 4.5 Stars
Overall Rating 5 Stars
Warning SPOILER
This was my 3rd time reading this book over the years and I still loved every minute of it. This book contains so many different elements and is not a book for everyone. The story starts out with the heroines mother giving birth to first her twin sister and then to her. Her father was killed recently and her mother was a very bitter woman set on revenge of the neighboring laird that killed her husband. Needless to say she only had love for the first born child leaving Raven with only the love of her older twin sister.
On the night her sister wed's the neighbor's heir, Raven had to take her sisters place in the marriage bed and pretend to be her sister because her sister was not a virgin. This was pulled off with ease because they were identical twins. Needless to say he was not gentle and just plowed into her. Shortly after that terrible night, Raven was sent to a convent to live the rest of her day's as a nun.
At the convent an evil abbess was in charge and planned on selling Raven for a virgin slave. Ravin informs them she is no virgin and the man that was to take her and sell her, rapes her again to make sure she is telling the truth.
Off they go again to Dublin where Raven is sold for a very high price because she is simply the most beautiful woman. They change her name to Zaynab, meaning Beautiful one. The man who buy's her wants her as a gift to a very powerful ruler Abd-al Rahman, Caliph of Cordoba to be more favored. He decides to send Zaynab to a Passion Master so that she can be trained as a Love Slave. The Passion Master Karim al Malina noticed right away that Zaynab was afraid to be with a man because she was missed used. He took his time with her until she realized that the men who had taken her had just took and with Karim's gentleness was shown how to give and receive passion. He also had her highly educated so that when she finally went to the Caliph he would fall in love with her. The training took a year and while the training went on Zaynab and Karim feel in love knowing that they could never be together and never they did not voice their feelings to each other. When their time together was coming to an end and Zaynab was to go to the Caliph, Karim admitted his love to Zaynab. She was very upset about this because she had to admit her love back and knew she would never be able to love another. Both their hearts were broken knowing that she had to go.
Once Zaynab was sent to the Caliph, she was taken into the harem which housed over four thousand woman including 100's of his concubines and two wives. Zaynab became the Caliph's favorite right away and he grew to love her and was very happy. This pleased everyone except his first wife Zahra. The woman became unstable and when she found out that Zaynab was with child it only made it worse. After Zatnab gave birth to a daughter, Zahra had her poisoned. The Caliph could not do anything to his first wife because it would cause an uproar so he did the only thing he could, gave her to Hasdai ibn Shaprut, his doctor.
In doing so, it almost killed him but he wanted Zaynab safe and knew to keep her would be a certain death.
Now the Caliph gave Zaynab a beautiful house and her servants too to live with her. Hasdai ibn Shaprut was a very busy man and did not have much time for Zaynab. Every time he came she tried to get him to take his pleasure from her. He would always' find a reason to leave until Zaynab realized he had never been with a woman. She finally introduced him to the pleasures of the flesh and he was in awe of it. He visited her often afterwards. Neither fell in love but were very good friends.
Meanwhile Karim was finally back home and being married to a young woman who he never met and did not love. His parents arranged the whole thing and once married her found out that she was no virgin and that she loved another.
It took a long time for Karim to get Hatiba his wife pregnant because neither wanted the other. When he was off somewhere else her pervious lover Ali Hussan came with troops and killed all of Karim's loved ones. His mother and father, 2 brothers, their wives and all their children, also Karim's wife Hatiba because she was pregnant with Karim's child. The only one they did not kill was Kirim's sister, they took her. Needless to say that Karim's father had been the ruler there and when the Caliph a good friend of Karim's father heard of this, he summons Hasdai ibn Shaprut to go there and help Karim out of his despair because he was now the ruler there. He also wanted Hasdai to make sure that justice was done and that all that were involved in the killings were tortured for all to see.
Zaynab begged Hasdai to take her with him, not knowing that this was Karim and his family.
While Karim and Hasdai were out looking for Ali Hussam and the men who did this, they came back and took Zaynab. Zaynab was very strong and showed no fear but the leader wanted her badly. She kept him at bay and at the same time got Karim sister who had been repeatedly raped since they took her. They hatched a plan and it worked. Zaynab had to finally give in and be with Ali Hussan. While he was taking his pleasure from her, he died. Shortly afterwards Karim and Hadai showed up, they were safe but Karim's sister took her own life.
The night before Zaynab and Hasdai were to go home because Zaynab missed her daughter and seeing Karim only made her heart break, Zaynab could not sleep. She took a walk in the garden's and Karim was there. He told her again how much he loved her and she was very upset knowing that there was nothing they could do to be together. They ended up kissing and had no idea that Hasdai saw.
Zaynab and Hasdai went back to Cordoba. When they got there they found out that Zaynab's baby had died while she was away. Zaynab was so upset. She could not eat and her heart was broken that she was actually dyeing from her dispair. Hasdai had no idea what was going on because he was so busy with his work. One day he came to see her and the servants explained to him that she was dyeing and told him she needed to have another baby. Hasdai did not want children and knew any child of his between them would not be recognized so he went to the Caliph with an idea. Hasdai knew that Zaynab and Karim were in love so the Caliph agreed to send Zaynab to Karim as a bride. They decided to write Karim and tell him this but not to let him know that the bride was Zaynab.
When Zaynab goes to be with Karim, he is off somewhere else because he wants no bride and will only ever love Zaynab. When he finally comes home and she is finally revealed to him, it is so sweet and a very HEA ending.
END SPOILER
LOL, I have no idea how to add that spoiler thing. Anyway's if you read all that, it tell's the whole story basically. You will know if this is the type of book for you or not. I really wish they would convert more of the 80's Bodice Ripper's into ebook's. They are epic adventures and I LOVE THEM!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 7, 2021
I feel like this is one of those books where you sneakily read/stole from your mom's bookshelf when you were 13.
Oh god, where to begin. It is definitely problematic. Truly. Human trafficking, dub-con/non-con sex, 15 yo heroine etc.
However, let's take this as I do with any other book. A fiction, for the sake of enjoyment. It was definitely enjoyable. Like a beautiful trainwreck. Even now, I struggle to find the right word to describe this book to y'all.
There are some parts that I really like, i.e. the harem politics (I'm a sucker for that). But there are also parts that I really hate. I guess, if you're okay with multiple partners in a historical romance, well try it out. It's not your typical HR, don't be mistaken. It's definitely something though.
Oh god, where to begin. It is definitely problematic. Truly. Human trafficking, dub-con/non-con sex, 15 yo heroine etc.
However, let's take this as I do with any other book. A fiction, for the sake of enjoyment. It was definitely enjoyable. Like a beautiful trainwreck. Even now, I struggle to find the right word to describe this book to y'all.
There are some parts that I really like, i.e. the harem politics (I'm a sucker for that). But there are also parts that I really hate. I guess, if you're okay with multiple partners in a historical romance, well try it out. It's not your typical HR, don't be mistaken. It's definitely something though.
January 4, 2022
This is my first Beatrice Small book. Despite Heather Wilds’ usual stellar audio performance, she couldn’t save it for me. The story held a lot of potential, but it felt lacking overall and without depth. There wasn’t much character development and the story felt disjointed - simply not work for me.
If a story has extensive dialog doing the telling, you’d expect it to be smart and/or show the reader more layers and insight into the character’s mindset. However, it was all very one-dimensional to me. It’s such a shame since the book held promise of an interesting and unique storyline. Hoping the story somehow redeemed itself, I did get it finished, but it’s doubtful I’ll pick up another story by this author unless it’s recommended.
If a story has extensive dialog doing the telling, you’d expect it to be smart and/or show the reader more layers and insight into the character’s mindset. However, it was all very one-dimensional to me. It’s such a shame since the book held promise of an interesting and unique storyline. Hoping the story somehow redeemed itself, I did get it finished, but it’s doubtful I’ll pick up another story by this author unless it’s recommended.
August 3, 2012
I was expecting to love this novel, since it has such a strong reputation, but I just did not like it. I don't enjoy romance novels where the heroine (or hero for that matter) sleeps with multiple people. I think it cheapens the romance aspect. She loves all the men she's sold to, yet loves one a little more than the rest? Eh. No thanks.
December 3, 2008
ZOMG! BUTTSECKS!!!!
This wasn't the first Bertrice Small novel to include teh buttsecks, but it was the first one to include buttsecks I borrowed from my mom, then after reading developed full body shudders when I realized MY MOM had read it.
This wasn't the first Bertrice Small novel to include teh buttsecks, but it was the first one to include buttsecks I borrowed from my mom, then after reading developed full body shudders when I realized MY MOM had read it.
October 3, 2009
I don't know quite how I feel about this. Part of the book I thought about taking it back to the library and not finishing it. Part of the book I thought was pretty decent. The overall saving grace is the main character. I like her tenacity and spirit. She is intelligent, beautiful, and honorable. What else can you want? Some of the dialog is stilted and choppy. Some of the plot areas make no sense whatsoever. And I don't find Ms. Small's sex scenes particularly sexy. That is saying something considering how much of it there is in this book. The euphemisms were particularly painful. “...his desire exploded within her, rushing forth like a flood to water her secret garden.” Oh please.
As for plot, Regan MacDuff is an unloved daughter and second heiress to a Scottish landholding. When she is forced to bed her twin's husband and bundled off to a convent, things don't look so good. When the convent turns out to be a front for slavers, it looks worse. Who knew that being sold into slavery and turned into a 'Love Slave' could be the best thing that ever happened to a noble born Scottish lass? Passion masters, caliph's, and bathing practices Oh my!
Despite the cheese (and it is here in heaping spoonfulls) I still thought it was kind of fun. However, this will most likely be my last historical romance in a while. (5/10)
As for plot, Regan MacDuff is an unloved daughter and second heiress to a Scottish landholding. When she is forced to bed her twin's husband and bundled off to a convent, things don't look so good. When the convent turns out to be a front for slavers, it looks worse. Who knew that being sold into slavery and turned into a 'Love Slave' could be the best thing that ever happened to a noble born Scottish lass? Passion masters, caliph's, and bathing practices Oh my!
Despite the cheese (and it is here in heaping spoonfulls) I still thought it was kind of fun. However, this will most likely be my last historical romance in a while. (5/10)
December 10, 2025
I found a medieval bodice ripper erotica... on audible plus
Fair warning; the book was over 12 hours long. Even at a higher 1.45 speed it was still more than 10 hours. Also, TW for rape, slavery, abuse, non-con, possible misrepresentation and sexualization of middle eastern cultures (I say possible because I don't know anything about it 🙈) and other stuff, I'm sure.
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🕮⋆˚࿔✎𓂃 𝐣𝐨𝐢𝐧 𝐦𝐲 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐦𝐲 𝐟𝐮𝐥𝐥 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰
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Fair warning; the book was over 12 hours long. Even at a higher 1.45 speed it was still more than 10 hours. Also, TW for rape, slavery, abuse, non-con, possible misrepresentation and sexualization of middle eastern cultures (I say possible because I don't know anything about it 🙈) and other stuff, I'm sure.
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🕮⋆˚࿔✎𓂃 𝐣𝐨𝐢𝐧 𝐦𝐲 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐦𝐲 𝐟𝐮𝐥𝐥 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰
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March 3, 2021
2.5 to 3 stars--hard to decide
I was a little bit disappointed because having read two other books by Bertrice Small I really enjoyed them and was hoping for another great read from her.
The beginning of the book, which takes place in Northern Europe, is really interesting. I still think that Regan got the better name over her twin Gruouch (such an ugly name lol). Regan's life back there was pretty boring tbh. I thought to myself that I had lived there I would have almost nothing to talk about with anyone. She and her immediate family never went more than 5 miles from their house. So when she's taken to Spain (before it was Spain) as a slave, it's such an eye-opening experience for her. I still think how crazy it is how so many people back then lived their entire lives, never going further than around 20 miles. When I went to Costa Rica to help build a poor village's community center, most of those people had never left the area.
Unfortunately, I found Regan's time learning how to be the prized "Love Slave" to be one of the most boring sections of the book. Karim, the Passion Master who trains her, has sex with her once and then thinks to himself how he could fall in love with her. I didn't feel so much of a connection between Karim and Regan. Rather, they just fell in love, but I did not know how or why. I mean I can see why they would fall in love with each other, but it was never described. Just one day they are. What I mean is that all I knew they shared together was hot sex and great chemistry. However, they never had a meaningful conversation, or at least it was happening off-page so I wasn't aware of it. Interestingly enough, Karim is half Norse half Arab so he looks like a white man with fair skin and beautiful blue eyes! His mom, who I really liked, was a Norse slave that her father saw at the slave auction, bought, and fell in love with, making her his second wife.
I felt like she almost spent more time with the caliph! Who btw, is one of the other men in this book. (There's also another woman, Karim's betrothed.) Not only does she bed the caliph regularly, because she is his Love Slave, she also has a child with the Other Man! So this is why the story isn't romantic, it's not something I would have read for a romance had I known. What is kinda icky too if you think about it is that despite her maturity, Regan is still 15 & the caliph is 50. Even Karim is 28 to her 15...
To be honest, Regan spent more of this book apart from Karim than she spent it with him.
I find it funny that even though she is a love slave, I'm not sure if she really had any special tricks up her sleeve besides her legendary beauty (I just realized)??? (I might be wrong though...probably am.) No one found her so beautiful until she left Alba, which I found interesting. Maybe because she looked so different from the Moors that they found her the most beautiful woman ever.
I love this total nonsense that Regan tells the man who has captured her : "My sheath is used to the manhood of the Nasi Hasdai. It takes three days of complete abstinence for it to shrink back to its virgin state." He totally gobbles it up as truth too!
Another thing I didn't like was when Hasdai, the Jewish physician, and Regan went on their trip to see if the prince was okay enough to rule, Regan never asked to be freed, never told Hasdai how Karim was the man she used to love. He was right there & she didn't take the initiative to be with him.
One last thing, even though there are some kinky scenes in the story, the sex isn't described that much. Like they do it, but not many words are on the paper to describe it. So it's not sexy if that makes sense. Also, the purple prose and some ridiculous sayings didn't help either. I was glad that Karim didn't take any other concubines or wives at the end of the book like it was custom to do so. I find the custom distasteful for the women because if you're in love with your wife, you shouldn't need other people to satisfy you sexually. I wouldn't have wanted to live there because of that reason, but maybe more importantly, women couldn't go out in public without full black coverings that only had holes for the eyes!!
I'm not as eager to read another Bertrice Small after this book lol.
I was a little bit disappointed because having read two other books by Bertrice Small I really enjoyed them and was hoping for another great read from her.
The beginning of the book, which takes place in Northern Europe, is really interesting. I still think that Regan got the better name over her twin Gruouch (such an ugly name lol). Regan's life back there was pretty boring tbh. I thought to myself that I had lived there I would have almost nothing to talk about with anyone. She and her immediate family never went more than 5 miles from their house. So when she's taken to Spain (before it was Spain) as a slave, it's such an eye-opening experience for her. I still think how crazy it is how so many people back then lived their entire lives, never going further than around 20 miles. When I went to Costa Rica to help build a poor village's community center, most of those people had never left the area.
Unfortunately, I found Regan's time learning how to be the prized "Love Slave" to be one of the most boring sections of the book. Karim, the Passion Master who trains her, has sex with her once and then thinks to himself how he could fall in love with her. I didn't feel so much of a connection between Karim and Regan. Rather, they just fell in love, but I did not know how or why. I mean I can see why they would fall in love with each other, but it was never described. Just one day they are. What I mean is that all I knew they shared together was hot sex and great chemistry. However, they never had a meaningful conversation, or at least it was happening off-page so I wasn't aware of it. Interestingly enough, Karim is half Norse half Arab so he looks like a white man with fair skin and beautiful blue eyes! His mom, who I really liked, was a Norse slave that her father saw at the slave auction, bought, and fell in love with, making her his second wife.
I felt like she almost spent more time with the caliph! Who btw, is one of the other men in this book. (There's also another woman, Karim's betrothed.) Not only does she bed the caliph regularly, because she is his Love Slave, she also has a child with the Other Man! So this is why the story isn't romantic, it's not something I would have read for a romance had I known. What is kinda icky too if you think about it is that despite her maturity, Regan is still 15 & the caliph is 50. Even Karim is 28 to her 15...
To be honest, Regan spent more of this book apart from Karim than she spent it with him.
I find it funny that even though she is a love slave, I'm not sure if she really had any special tricks up her sleeve besides her legendary beauty (I just realized)??? (I might be wrong though...probably am.) No one found her so beautiful until she left Alba, which I found interesting. Maybe because she looked so different from the Moors that they found her the most beautiful woman ever.
I love this total nonsense that Regan tells the man who has captured her : "My sheath is used to the manhood of the Nasi Hasdai. It takes three days of complete abstinence for it to shrink back to its virgin state." He totally gobbles it up as truth too!
Another thing I didn't like was when Hasdai, the Jewish physician, and Regan went on their trip to see if the prince was okay enough to rule, Regan never asked to be freed, never told Hasdai how Karim was the man she used to love. He was right there & she didn't take the initiative to be with him.
One last thing, even though there are some kinky scenes in the story, the sex isn't described that much. Like they do it, but not many words are on the paper to describe it. So it's not sexy if that makes sense. Also, the purple prose and some ridiculous sayings didn't help either. I was glad that Karim didn't take any other concubines or wives at the end of the book like it was custom to do so. I find the custom distasteful for the women because if you're in love with your wife, you shouldn't need other people to satisfy you sexually. I wouldn't have wanted to live there because of that reason, but maybe more importantly, women couldn't go out in public without full black coverings that only had holes for the eyes!!
I'm not as eager to read another Bertrice Small after this book lol.
April 3, 2013
Such an odd book. Far too long. The pacing is weird. Moments that the author could have played on, like Karim and Zaynab's goodbye, are totally skipped yet she spends pages describing every room and house. Zaynab never seems to miss Karim and has no issue having sex with whoever she's with at the moment, while Karim abstains. Just a weird book, overall.
March 3, 2016
I found the plot to be very slow and dragging.
The heroine was of a strong character but none of the others characters were good.
She is constantly passed around and abused. This book definitely cannot come under romantic novel. There was no element of romance for half the book and that is where i stopped reading. Just one tragedy after another with the heroine.
This book is under my "Cannot Complete as intolerable" self. :(
The heroine was of a strong character but none of the others characters were good.
She is constantly passed around and abused. This book definitely cannot come under romantic novel. There was no element of romance for half the book and that is where i stopped reading. Just one tragedy after another with the heroine.
This book is under my "Cannot Complete as intolerable" self. :(
May 5, 2022
The first time I read this book, it had just been published (and save yourselves the trouble of trying to figure out my age from that, lol).
I loved it then. I loved it now. It was a little bit over the top, and a little bit non-con, but as the story progressed, there was no more non-con, just extremely hot and steamy scenes, interspersed with the story.
This author, Bertrice Small, was one of my beloved bodice rippers. I don't believe there was one of her books that I disliked, but they are slightly dated IF you judge them by 2022 standards. I hope readers are smarter than that, but have been disappointed before. If you pick up a book published in the 1980's or 1990's, you have to accept them at face value. These books were accepted then, and were actually wildly popular. I remember needing to be the first at the bookstore in order to buy the newest releases from authors such as Small.
Do I wish authors wrote like this today? A few do, and I enjoy their stories the same way I enjoyed this book. Do I recommend it? I sure do, but only if you are mature enough to enjoy the book without making silly judgments.
I loved it then. I loved it now. It was a little bit over the top, and a little bit non-con, but as the story progressed, there was no more non-con, just extremely hot and steamy scenes, interspersed with the story.
This author, Bertrice Small, was one of my beloved bodice rippers. I don't believe there was one of her books that I disliked, but they are slightly dated IF you judge them by 2022 standards. I hope readers are smarter than that, but have been disappointed before. If you pick up a book published in the 1980's or 1990's, you have to accept them at face value. These books were accepted then, and were actually wildly popular. I remember needing to be the first at the bookstore in order to buy the newest releases from authors such as Small.
Do I wish authors wrote like this today? A few do, and I enjoy their stories the same way I enjoyed this book. Do I recommend it? I sure do, but only if you are mature enough to enjoy the book without making silly judgments.
August 25, 2019
Jesus, what could I say to review this book?
I don't want to be unfair to the author as this is the first one I read by Beatrice Small, but it shall be the last. I found that book to be offensive and shocking. Totally not at all what a romance book should be in my opinion. I don't think I ever read a book that offended me that much.
My advice, if you're in the middle of it and still don't like it, stop right there and go read something else, because the worse has yet to come. How I wish I had done that.
I don't want to be unfair to the author as this is the first one I read by Beatrice Small, but it shall be the last. I found that book to be offensive and shocking. Totally not at all what a romance book should be in my opinion. I don't think I ever read a book that offended me that much.
My advice, if you're in the middle of it and still don't like it, stop right there and go read something else, because the worse has yet to come. How I wish I had done that.
September 10, 2011
I really liked this book. Of course, I usually like Bertrice Small books and I haven't read any of hers in a long time. In fact, I will have to reread some because I can't remember the titles of the ones I read long ago. This was the first harem read for me. I really enjoyed Regan the heroine. She was a spitfire and really went through a lot in her life. Oh by the way, beware, this is a really hot book!
November 28, 2023
Love Slave by Bertrice Small (1995), a bodice ripper at its finest … erotic historical romance, exotic locations, harem,… a captivating classic!
❤️🔥 Regan, a fiery Celtic beauty with hair like molten gold silk, is abducted and delivered to Karim Al Malina, a master of erotic romance who trains her to be a love slave. Now known as Zaynab, she is a gift to the Caliph of Cordoba… but she and Karim break the first rule of becoming a love slave: they fall in love.
❤️🔥 Zaynab’s personal strength and self confidence gets her thru tragedies and other obstacles as she honors her commitment to several masters.
❤️🔥 This is a story with a 14 year old heroine, explicit descriptions of sex in all its aspects, and with multiple partners. Obviously not a book for everyone. In many ways it’s probably accurate for the 10th century setting. Marvelous storytelling… memorable! Perhaps better than The Kadin.
❤️🔥 Regan, a fiery Celtic beauty with hair like molten gold silk, is abducted and delivered to Karim Al Malina, a master of erotic romance who trains her to be a love slave. Now known as Zaynab, she is a gift to the Caliph of Cordoba… but she and Karim break the first rule of becoming a love slave: they fall in love.
❤️🔥 Zaynab’s personal strength and self confidence gets her thru tragedies and other obstacles as she honors her commitment to several masters.
❤️🔥 This is a story with a 14 year old heroine, explicit descriptions of sex in all its aspects, and with multiple partners. Obviously not a book for everyone. In many ways it’s probably accurate for the 10th century setting. Marvelous storytelling… memorable! Perhaps better than The Kadin.
April 6, 2017
Love Slave: Romanticized Human Trafficking
As a guy who writes paranormal adventures that deal with human trafficking, I wanted to see how a well-known writer of romances handled the subject. The answer: she romanticized it... maybe a little too much, but it worked well within the framework of the story. Bertrice Small does make the point that her heroine (Zaynab) is extremely lucky to fall into the hands of one kind and gentle master after another. But it’s Zaynab’s personal strength and self-confidence that gets her through so many difficulties. In fact, Zaynab is the best thing in the book, the reason that it’s enjoyable. There isn’t an obstacle, a sadistic adversary, a personal tragedy, or an oversexed bad guy that she can’t handle. I like the strong sisterhood that’s established between Zaynab and her friends, and I appreciate the sympathetic and honest portrayal of the high culture and achievements of the Moors in Spain. I also like Zaynab’s unstoppable sexuality. The book is too long; there are too many irrelevant details. But the story held my interest, and I found the heroine a hell of a lot of fun to be with.
As a guy who writes paranormal adventures that deal with human trafficking, I wanted to see how a well-known writer of romances handled the subject. The answer: she romanticized it... maybe a little too much, but it worked well within the framework of the story. Bertrice Small does make the point that her heroine (Zaynab) is extremely lucky to fall into the hands of one kind and gentle master after another. But it’s Zaynab’s personal strength and self-confidence that gets her through so many difficulties. In fact, Zaynab is the best thing in the book, the reason that it’s enjoyable. There isn’t an obstacle, a sadistic adversary, a personal tragedy, or an oversexed bad guy that she can’t handle. I like the strong sisterhood that’s established between Zaynab and her friends, and I appreciate the sympathetic and honest portrayal of the high culture and achievements of the Moors in Spain. I also like Zaynab’s unstoppable sexuality. The book is too long; there are too many irrelevant details. But the story held my interest, and I found the heroine a hell of a lot of fun to be with.
July 16, 2014
Damn, this lady (Bertrice Small) sure has a way with describing love scenes! J.R. Ward and Kresley Cole seem tame by comparison! She is, however, the queen of naughty euphemisms.
As for the story itself, it ebbed and flowed; at times interesting and others just dragging. But I did enjoy learning about Moorish history in present-day Spain and Portugal. The protagonists themselves weren't really cheer-for worthy (I never really warmed up to them), but the tale was interesting enough to carry them through.
As for the story itself, it ebbed and flowed; at times interesting and others just dragging. But I did enjoy learning about Moorish history in present-day Spain and Portugal. The protagonists themselves weren't really cheer-for worthy (I never really warmed up to them), but the tale was interesting enough to carry them through.
June 10, 2025
Truthfully, I wasn’t expecting to like this book very much. I was concerned it would contain too much of the historical info dump and tedium that can accompany historical romances. I was also concerned that it could resemble too much of the bodice rippers of yore in that the FMC would be a pass-around-Polly, have like no autonomy, and be hopelessly in love with her rapist.
This is not the case.
I was hooked from the jump. It didn’t really take that long to get into the story, and I was fully invested in what would ultimately become of Regan MacDuff.
This is a hard book to recommend because it contains elements that are no longer considered kosher. I didn’t really dwell on them too much, allowing myself to be firmly whisked away to the tenth century and all its problematic features. Does this make me a perv right along side Bertrice Small? Maybe. 🤷🏻♀️ I picked up what Small was putting down and accepted she was trying to write what would have been realistic.
The title, The Love Slave, tells it all, and we follow Regan MacDuff, renamed Zaynab, through her training in the erotic arts by Karim al Malina. They break the one rule of the teacher-pupil relationship and fall in love. Zaynab, still a slave, is property in training. Her days with Karim will end. I don’t love when the FMC has other lovers besides the MMC. Romance Rebecca wanted Karim to say eff it, keep Zaynab for himself, and they run off together, facing those challenges. Bertrice Small does not go in that direction. This was never gonna be that book. Truthfully, it’s less bothersome in this than others I have read. Zaynab accepts her fate and uses her intelligence, wit, and wiles to overcome obstacles. The detours Zaynab takes before making her way back to Karim are not filled with villains who use Zaynab cruelly. However, you feel hollowness of those couplings because Zaynab’s heart belongs to Karim. I kept wondering, alongside Zaynab, would they be reunited?
Bertrice Small dedicated this one to Janelle Taylor, and I can see how she’s the Yankee cousin. Taylor’s Savage Ecstasy is similar to this one in that it’s good, hard to forget, but also leaves me conflicted. The Love Slave leaves me less conflicted, and the tone is far more stoic, but I can see how these authors are running parallel.
By no means is this a perfect book for me (not nearly pulpy and ridiculous enough), but it’s a solid read, and I enjoyed it enough to want to dive further into her work.
This is not the case.
I was hooked from the jump. It didn’t really take that long to get into the story, and I was fully invested in what would ultimately become of Regan MacDuff.
This is a hard book to recommend because it contains elements that are no longer considered kosher. I didn’t really dwell on them too much, allowing myself to be firmly whisked away to the tenth century and all its problematic features. Does this make me a perv right along side Bertrice Small? Maybe. 🤷🏻♀️ I picked up what Small was putting down and accepted she was trying to write what would have been realistic.
The title, The Love Slave, tells it all, and we follow Regan MacDuff, renamed Zaynab, through her training in the erotic arts by Karim al Malina. They break the one rule of the teacher-pupil relationship and fall in love. Zaynab, still a slave, is property in training. Her days with Karim will end. I don’t love when the FMC has other lovers besides the MMC. Romance Rebecca wanted Karim to say eff it, keep Zaynab for himself, and they run off together, facing those challenges. Bertrice Small does not go in that direction. This was never gonna be that book. Truthfully, it’s less bothersome in this than others I have read. Zaynab accepts her fate and uses her intelligence, wit, and wiles to overcome obstacles. The detours Zaynab takes before making her way back to Karim are not filled with villains who use Zaynab cruelly. However, you feel hollowness of those couplings because Zaynab’s heart belongs to Karim. I kept wondering, alongside Zaynab, would they be reunited?
Bertrice Small dedicated this one to Janelle Taylor, and I can see how she’s the Yankee cousin. Taylor’s Savage Ecstasy is similar to this one in that it’s good, hard to forget, but also leaves me conflicted. The Love Slave leaves me less conflicted, and the tone is far more stoic, but I can see how these authors are running parallel.
By no means is this a perfect book for me (not nearly pulpy and ridiculous enough), but it’s a solid read, and I enjoyed it enough to want to dive further into her work.
June 25, 2023
Beatrice Small‘s books are those books that you find outside for free or in those outdoor book libraries, but that doesn‘t mean they are bad…
they‘re just slightly special.
Honestly for me she is one of those authors that I‘ll always link to Romance (specifically smutty Romance)
they‘re just slightly special.
Honestly for me she is one of those authors that I‘ll always link to Romance (specifically smutty Romance)
April 6, 2017
Reads like a smutty action/adventure novel; more enjoyable than expected. Nice change from the usual 19th century English upper class romance setting. Avoid if you don't want to read about rape.
Why are so many characters blond-haired, though? It's set in 900s Muslim Andalusia but half the people we meet just happen to have a Norse ancestor who they just happen to have inherited light hair from. How convenient.
Your quote of the book: "He filled her full."
Why are so many characters blond-haired, though? It's set in 900s Muslim Andalusia but half the people we meet just happen to have a Norse ancestor who they just happen to have inherited light hair from. How convenient.
Your quote of the book: "He filled her full."
July 8, 2018
Meh. Instead of a romance novel it felt like light historical fiction. I didn't mind learning all these little fascinating tidbits...because I love historical fiction/non fiction. I think this book must have been quite infamous in it's day. Sadly I am a jaded and reading about the heroines sexual exploits with everyone is boooring. Wasn't this supposed to be a love story? Don't worry, you get a HEA all wrapped up neatly in the last few pages.
February 9, 2020
👍 obviously thoroughly researched
👍 I read this first when I was like 13 and thought it was sooooooOooOoOooo hot and it's still hot
👎 slavery romanticisation
👎 fetishization of Arab culture
👍 I read this first when I was like 13 and thought it was sooooooOooOoOooo hot and it's still hot
👎 slavery romanticisation
👎 fetishization of Arab culture
November 29, 2008
Wheew this is one graphic romance novel, i think its borderline porn lol! Pretty Steamy!
April 7, 2023
I read this maybe 30 years ago and thought it was great. Second reading reveals that one of us has not aged so well, and I'm saying it's the book! Haha It just seemed so trite this time.
Read
April 11, 2023dnf сколько то там процентов, это была мимолётная потребность
no-fcking-ways
September 13, 2024Identical twins.
August 17, 2023
Bertrice Small is the reason I started reading (and later, writing) historical romance, and this book reminds me of a few of the reasons why. This is on the more erotic end of the Small spectrum, but that's not what made the strongest impression on me. I'd read this book when it was first released, but didn't remember it as clearly as I did others by this author, so, when I picked it up again, it was like having a new book all over again.
I'd remembered a few things: The setting is tenth century Alba, and Moorish Spain (talk about a setting ripe for exploration) and heroine, Regan, took her sister's place, on sister's wedding night, to ensure he didn't know his true bride was already with child, from another lover. No harm, right, as Regan is convent-bound, after the fact...until we learn that the convent Is actually a front for human trafficking, which ships (literally) Regan, renamed Zaynab, into the hands of Karim, the pleasure master, who will train her to become the most exquisite Love Slave her future owner, the caliph, could ever expect. Karim would teach Regan everything, but the must not ever, ever fall in love. Right. Well, this is a romance novel, so you can figure out how well that worked out.
Zaynab does all right with the caliph, an interesting character in his own right, and feelings get complicated, to see the least. Nobody does harem politics and intrigue like Lady Small, who is in top form on this front with Zaynab's exerpience in her new home, right from day one. Zaynab learns a whole new level of heartache (this is a Bertrice Small novel; there is going to be heartbreak, but Zaynab gets better) and the student becomes the teacher. Which is exactly when Zynab and Karim find themselves thrust together once more, in some pretty darned extenuating circumstances, and it's going to take everything Zaynab has, heart, mind, and body, to get a shot at her and Karim's happily ever after.
One of the hallmarks (Smallmarks?) of Lady Small's work, is that she makes her heroes and heroines earn their HEAs, and boy howdy, do Zaynab and Karim work hard for their HEA. Tie it all together with gorgeously described history and worldbuilding, and this is definitely top shelf Small.
I'd remembered a few things: The setting is tenth century Alba, and Moorish Spain (talk about a setting ripe for exploration) and heroine, Regan, took her sister's place, on sister's wedding night, to ensure he didn't know his true bride was already with child, from another lover. No harm, right, as Regan is convent-bound, after the fact...until we learn that the convent Is actually a front for human trafficking, which ships (literally) Regan, renamed Zaynab, into the hands of Karim, the pleasure master, who will train her to become the most exquisite Love Slave her future owner, the caliph, could ever expect. Karim would teach Regan everything, but the must not ever, ever fall in love. Right. Well, this is a romance novel, so you can figure out how well that worked out.
Zaynab does all right with the caliph, an interesting character in his own right, and feelings get complicated, to see the least. Nobody does harem politics and intrigue like Lady Small, who is in top form on this front with Zaynab's exerpience in her new home, right from day one. Zaynab learns a whole new level of heartache (this is a Bertrice Small novel; there is going to be heartbreak, but Zaynab gets better) and the student becomes the teacher. Which is exactly when Zynab and Karim find themselves thrust together once more, in some pretty darned extenuating circumstances, and it's going to take everything Zaynab has, heart, mind, and body, to get a shot at her and Karim's happily ever after.
One of the hallmarks (Smallmarks?) of Lady Small's work, is that she makes her heroes and heroines earn their HEAs, and boy howdy, do Zaynab and Karim work hard for their HEA. Tie it all together with gorgeously described history and worldbuilding, and this is definitely top shelf Small.
June 9, 2018
I have multiple issues with this book.
1. Her new name is so ugly. Zaynab. Even Zayna would have been better, just leaving off the "b" makes a big difference.
2. No indication of why she should have fallen in love with her designated love of her life. Good sex? I fail to grasp any real connection between them.
3. She to increase her status in the harem...I guess? She makes it clear she doesn't "love" the caliph, she just "cares" about him. Wuh duh fuh...
4. Bertrice Small has a Jew prominent in this book, and it pleases her to make him a Jewish prince. Apparently the word for prince in this language is "Nasi" which in my mind I pronounced "Nah-zee." Was it that important to her to contort the plot so she could repeatedly call a Jewish man a "Nasi"? I smell a rat.
5. Pious Jewish woman bristles & nearly refuses when told she will be cooking for a whore a couple of times a week. Her indignation is immediately satisfied with the brief explanation "men have needs."
6. Zaynab has no sign of moral reluctance or squeamishness. It was an odd thing to do.
7. Does a happy ending have to include
I did like the painful castration/de-nutting spectacle. Don't worry, they earned it.
1. Her new name is so ugly. Zaynab. Even Zayna would have been better, just leaving off the "b" makes a big difference.
2. No indication of why she should have fallen in love with her designated love of her life. Good sex? I fail to grasp any real connection between them.
3. She to increase her status in the harem...I guess? She makes it clear she doesn't "love" the caliph, she just "cares" about him. Wuh duh fuh...
4. Bertrice Small has a Jew prominent in this book, and it pleases her to make him a Jewish prince. Apparently the word for prince in this language is "Nasi" which in my mind I pronounced "Nah-zee." Was it that important to her to contort the plot so she could repeatedly call a Jewish man a "Nasi"? I smell a rat.
5. Pious Jewish woman bristles & nearly refuses when told she will be cooking for a whore a couple of times a week. Her indignation is immediately satisfied with the brief explanation "men have needs."
6. Zaynab has no sign of moral reluctance or squeamishness. It was an odd thing to do.
7. Does a happy ending have to include
I did like the painful castration/de-nutting spectacle. Don't worry, they earned it.
September 3, 2012
I remember discovering this book when I was 16 and secretly reading it hoping to not get caught by my parents. Well, either because I was too young or maybe because it was forbidden, I really liked it then and for some reason remembered it for a long time.
However, after I re-read it now, I wasn't sure I liked it as much. I might be prejudiced about this, but I'm not too supportive of the Muslim way of treating women (although it is a story that takes place a thousand years ago), slavery, harems and even some of the traditions. Now, don't get me wrong, I am not trying to disrespect the whole religion, I really don't, but some countries are just too much into it all. And with the women being so independent in the modern society, the idea of being all covered up and hidden from the world, having only one purpose in life which is to obey and give pleasure to your husband (who has the whole harem of other women!) just makes my blood boil. Seriously! We live only one life, for God's sake and we should enjoy it as much as we can! As much as men do!
I really feel strong about this kind of thing and therefore do not welcome anything that shows that such a life could make women happy.
Having said that, I cannot rate this book lower than 3 stars, because A - the love story was nice, and B - that was my first erotic book I've read being a teenager. I definitely learned a few things from it at the time. But I don't think I'll recommend it to my friends though :)
However, after I re-read it now, I wasn't sure I liked it as much. I might be prejudiced about this, but I'm not too supportive of the Muslim way of treating women (although it is a story that takes place a thousand years ago), slavery, harems and even some of the traditions. Now, don't get me wrong, I am not trying to disrespect the whole religion, I really don't, but some countries are just too much into it all. And with the women being so independent in the modern society, the idea of being all covered up and hidden from the world, having only one purpose in life which is to obey and give pleasure to your husband (who has the whole harem of other women!) just makes my blood boil. Seriously! We live only one life, for God's sake and we should enjoy it as much as we can! As much as men do!
I really feel strong about this kind of thing and therefore do not welcome anything that shows that such a life could make women happy.
Having said that, I cannot rate this book lower than 3 stars, because A - the love story was nice, and B - that was my first erotic book I've read being a teenager. I definitely learned a few things from it at the time. But I don't think I'll recommend it to my friends though :)
July 18, 2011
There were aspects of this book that I loved - and then others..... that I didn't love at all.
I loved the characters - they were all so well written and the locations and experiences that they go through was a very exciting journey.
I was disapointed however by the lack of time we actually get to see the Hero and the Heroine together - or the hero at all in fact. I thought he was a great charater but we hardly see him at all , and at times the heroine seems to forget all about him for chapters at a time lol.
Having said that I really did enjoy the book, the love scenes were very very vibrant and steamy and the book had a very lush and exotic feel to it.
I loved the characters - they were all so well written and the locations and experiences that they go through was a very exciting journey.
I was disapointed however by the lack of time we actually get to see the Hero and the Heroine together - or the hero at all in fact. I thought he was a great charater but we hardly see him at all , and at times the heroine seems to forget all about him for chapters at a time lol.
Having said that I really did enjoy the book, the love scenes were very very vibrant and steamy and the book had a very lush and exotic feel to it.
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