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Renaissance Florence comes to passionate life in a vivid new historical romance series by “legendary” New York Times bestselling author Bertrice Small.
Florentine silk merchant Giovanni Pietro d’Angelo and his wife want nothing more than to marry their daughters to wealthy men of distinction. But when their son’s dangerous indiscretion implicates him in a tragic accident, it is their eldest daughter who must pay the price. Blackmailed by the powerful and debauched Sebastiano Rovere, the Pietro d’Angelos must give beautiful Bianca in marriage to Rovere to buy his silence.
With the aid of her mother, Bianca flees her dark, cruel union, seeking shelter in a seaside villa. It is the shocking murder of her husband that allows her to find the possibility of love at last. But Florentine society would never approve of the man she’s chosen: Prince Amir, grandson of Memhet the Conqueror.
Two passionate lovers...two different cultures...two worlds determined to keep them apart...
Florentine silk merchant Giovanni Pietro d’Angelo and his wife want nothing more than to marry their daughters to wealthy men of distinction. But when their son’s dangerous indiscretion implicates him in a tragic accident, it is their eldest daughter who must pay the price. Blackmailed by the powerful and debauched Sebastiano Rovere, the Pietro d’Angelos must give beautiful Bianca in marriage to Rovere to buy his silence.
With the aid of her mother, Bianca flees her dark, cruel union, seeking shelter in a seaside villa. It is the shocking murder of her husband that allows her to find the possibility of love at last. But Florentine society would never approve of the man she’s chosen: Prince Amir, grandson of Memhet the Conqueror.
Two passionate lovers...two different cultures...two worlds determined to keep them apart...
421 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 2012
95 people are currently reading
770 people want to read
About the author
Bertrice Small
216 books1,127 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 91 reviews
September 11, 2016
First: the squeamish elements are exaggerated. Yes, Bianca's marriage is abusive, complete with forced threesomes & a skanky bedslave...but the stepson doesn't take her virginity, while the donkey thing was *always* offscreen or by reference, & even then only with the skanky slavegirl or use-and-discard characters to represent hapless victims of the douchebag husband. The heroine herself is never with a donkey. :P As for Bianca being married so young, that's documented fact -- 21st-c society might not like to dwell on such history, but it was a part of life for many medieval & renaissance women, particularly the very poor or very rich.
...So sit down, breathe deep, & calm your tits. :P
That being said, the best part of the book is the oogy, villainous section. You feel for Bianca. You respect her Cunning Plan(tm) to escape. But once she gets free of Douchebag Sebastiano, the plot slows to a crawl -- apparently to allow endless, nauseating declarations of twu wuv with a really boring hero. Bianca also gets a personality transplant, suddenly becoming the most selfish bitch ever in her quest for Amir's life-giving orgasms. She suddenly turns her back on her family -- to be fair, they shouldn't have married her off, but they did rescue her, shelter her, & try to help once they knew how bad it was -- and uses one of the most obnoxious justifications EVER for said bitchitude, i.e., "you can't understand OUR sexy awesomeness because YOU chose familial duty & gave up true love, nah-nah-naaaah!"
...At which point I hated everything she said, did, or thought. I don't mind a bitch MC, but I can't stand a holier-than-thou brat who thinks the world revolves around her spectacular orgasms & therefore everything keeping her from them is outdated & evul. No thanks.
...So sit down, breathe deep, & calm your tits. :P
That being said, the best part of the book is the oogy, villainous section. You feel for Bianca. You respect her Cunning Plan(tm) to escape. But once she gets free of Douchebag Sebastiano, the plot slows to a crawl -- apparently to allow endless, nauseating declarations of twu wuv with a really boring hero. Bianca also gets a personality transplant, suddenly becoming the most selfish bitch ever in her quest for Amir's life-giving orgasms. She suddenly turns her back on her family -- to be fair, they shouldn't have married her off, but they did rescue her, shelter her, & try to help once they knew how bad it was -- and uses one of the most obnoxious justifications EVER for said bitchitude, i.e., "you can't understand OUR sexy awesomeness because YOU chose familial duty & gave up true love, nah-nah-naaaah!"
...At which point I hated everything she said, did, or thought. I don't mind a bitch MC, but I can't stand a holier-than-thou brat who thinks the world revolves around her spectacular orgasms & therefore everything keeping her from them is outdated & evul. No thanks.
January 28, 2013
Small writes somewhat stiffly with the tone of Anya Seton. The character is believable, within the context of the romance. Too bad her male characters don't have more um, character! There is repressed sensuality, but hardly anything really sexy happens with the love of her life. The nasty stuff with her first husband is almost better. I don't recommend this read.
May 27, 2013
I actually liked it overall. It was well described, horrifying, and yet it gave you some chance to empathize with the main heroine and feel something for her.
But I felt like the whole book was rushed and areas of the storyline, which probably should have each been dedicated a good portion of the book itself, were just skimmed over way too much. There were entire areas of the plotline which could have made for beautiful, rich, intriguing plotline which could have really set up each and every character ... but instead, she rushed through it.
The same went for the end. The end was... just not an end. It was summed up, not shown, it was only a few pages when it honestly could have done with several CHAPTERS, and I was left feeling pretty much frustrated.
Maybe the author had a wordlimit she had to keep under. I don't know. But I know that she could have created an interesting story twice as long as the one that was published.
Edit:
It just occurred to me that I was reading the book ... and I was picturing a woman. A mature woman who could, even if it was effing awful, be able to care for herself. Like on the cover. Not a 14 year old kid. I suddenly feel... a little bit sick, actually. Suddenly I'm picturing... urgh.
It also occurred to me that... she spent pages, chapters, on the sexual abuse of the heroine. But barely touched on intimacy between Bianca and the man she loved?
14? Seriously? I must have blanked this out. Taking two stars off JUST for that.
But I felt like the whole book was rushed and areas of the storyline, which probably should have each been dedicated a good portion of the book itself, were just skimmed over way too much. There were entire areas of the plotline which could have made for beautiful, rich, intriguing plotline which could have really set up each and every character ... but instead, she rushed through it.
The same went for the end. The end was... just not an end. It was summed up, not shown, it was only a few pages when it honestly could have done with several CHAPTERS, and I was left feeling pretty much frustrated.
Maybe the author had a wordlimit she had to keep under. I don't know. But I know that she could have created an interesting story twice as long as the one that was published.
Edit:
It just occurred to me that I was reading the book ... and I was picturing a woman. A mature woman who could, even if it was effing awful, be able to care for herself. Like on the cover. Not a 14 year old kid. I suddenly feel... a little bit sick, actually. Suddenly I'm picturing... urgh.
It also occurred to me that... she spent pages, chapters, on the sexual abuse of the heroine. But barely touched on intimacy between Bianca and the man she loved?
14? Seriously? I must have blanked this out. Taking two stars off JUST for that.
August 24, 2014
Florence and the Black Sea in the 15th century!
Set in Florence and the area around the Black Sea, beginning in 1474, this is the story of Bianca, oldest daughter of Giovanni Pietro d’Angelo, a Florentine silk merchant. When his son’s indiscretion threatens to ruin the family, Giovanni is blackmailed into giving Bianca in marriage to the debauched blackguard Sebastiano Rovere. Rovere treats his delicate new bride abysmally and she loathes and fears him.
Her mother, appalled at what has befallen her daughter, helps Bianca flee to a seaside villa where she meets Prince Amir, grandson of Memhet the Conqueror. Two years later, Bianca’s husband is murdered (I couldn’t have been happier), leaving her free to find love with Amir. She wants no husband and would have him for her lover, but neither Amir (who wants her for his 3rd wife) nor her mother (who considers him an infidel) accepts that decision.
Ms. Small never holds back on the evil of others, so the beginning of the book shows in vivid terms the perversions of Rovere. But once we are at the sea cliff villa, beauty is restored. Amir is a gallant, romantic man who loves Bianca. And Bianca has changed from the docile, obedient daughter to a strong woman bent on her own destiny.
It’s a fascinating look at the culture of the day in both Florence and in the world of the merchants of the Black Sea. A good start to a new series for Ms. Small.
The Silk Merchant’s Daughters series thus far:
BIANCA
FRANCESCA
LUCIANNA
Set in Florence and the area around the Black Sea, beginning in 1474, this is the story of Bianca, oldest daughter of Giovanni Pietro d’Angelo, a Florentine silk merchant. When his son’s indiscretion threatens to ruin the family, Giovanni is blackmailed into giving Bianca in marriage to the debauched blackguard Sebastiano Rovere. Rovere treats his delicate new bride abysmally and she loathes and fears him.
Her mother, appalled at what has befallen her daughter, helps Bianca flee to a seaside villa where she meets Prince Amir, grandson of Memhet the Conqueror. Two years later, Bianca’s husband is murdered (I couldn’t have been happier), leaving her free to find love with Amir. She wants no husband and would have him for her lover, but neither Amir (who wants her for his 3rd wife) nor her mother (who considers him an infidel) accepts that decision.
Ms. Small never holds back on the evil of others, so the beginning of the book shows in vivid terms the perversions of Rovere. But once we are at the sea cliff villa, beauty is restored. Amir is a gallant, romantic man who loves Bianca. And Bianca has changed from the docile, obedient daughter to a strong woman bent on her own destiny.
It’s a fascinating look at the culture of the day in both Florence and in the world of the merchants of the Black Sea. A good start to a new series for Ms. Small.
The Silk Merchant’s Daughters series thus far:
BIANCA
FRANCESCA
LUCIANNA
July 18, 2013
This was not one of my favorite Small books, but it wasn't so shocking as some of these reviews would have you believe. Yes, the girls married young back then. The author stayed true to the time period in that regard. Yes, there was reference to some distasteful activity involving a donkey... but it was only referenced and there were no graphic descriptions or details. I would not be surprised to learn things like that happened back then - I think they still have donkey shows in parts of Mexico today. But the bulk of the story involved Bianca and Amir, their friendship and budding romance. As Amir was of the Ottoman empire, he had more than one wife. Again, nothing distasteful there as it was culturally accurate. So don't let some of these reviews put you off reading this book. It was not a bad read, particularly if you are a fan of harem romances. They aren't my typical cup of tea or I would've probably rated this a little higher.
November 15, 2012
I enjoyed this steamy historical romance. I like the authors writing style with action that moved right along which compensated for feeling uncomfortable at how easily the heroine accepted her new lifestyle. Bianca escapes from a terrible marriage and meets Prince Amir who has majorly different religious beliefs.
November 2, 2012
meh. I read Bertrice Small books mostly out of obligation. I love her early heroines - Zenobia, Adora, Skye O'Malley, and even Jasmine. I'm not so excited about her later books. This one falls somewhere inbetween. Bianca is an interesting character. It could be a good start to a new series. But it does not really have the spark of her earlier series.
Read
November 3, 2012Classic Beatrice Small...I am looking forward to the rest of the series.
January 6, 2013
My favorite romance author. This is her most recent book: loved it!
March 1, 2013
Reminded me of The Borgias in the first half; second half dragged and I couldn't wait for it to be over.
February 28, 2015
This book was very interesting. I liked it, and yet...it didn't shine for me. Read my full thoughts here http://devastatingreads.blogspot.ca/2...
February 24, 2016
This book started out great but ended boring. Half way thru I wanted to put it down but I don't like to quit so I pushed on hoping it would pick up. Didn't happen! Very disappointed:(
July 20, 2017
To byla jedna z 5 nejzvracenějších knih , co jsem četla. .. Žádná sláva Teda ..
1-1,5☆
1-1,5☆
August 5, 2021
Sometimes when I read, I get kind of burnt out. When I get burnt out, I tend to read something I like but don’t have to think a whole lot about. A nice comfort story with HEA. A palate cleanser, if you will. Often this means romance. On this particular occasion, I thought I’d acquaint myself with Beatrice Small. I don’t believe I have previously read any of her books. From the cover and synopsis, I figured this would be a traditional type of romance trope with a few racy scenes. I was wrong. But this book was good! I liked it very much as far as bodice-rippers go. I literally made my friend read page 57 and she said- I’ll need to borrow that when you’re done. Lol. If you’re looking for run of the mill, this is likely not for you. It has some surprisingly explicit bits, which I was unprepared for. Loved it. I don’t think ‘cleanser’ is a word I can associate with this book lol. Cured my burn out though!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 8, 2023
A historical romance filled with twists and turns, Bianca is more often sad than it is happy. The plot moves slowly across an abusive marriage, her escape, a star crossed love, a second (unwelcome) engagement, her escape from that, the adjustment to a life in a new nation, pregnancy, and the scheming of kings and sultans. The most explicitly described sex scenes are early in the book, when the titular character is being assaulted in disturbingly imaginative ways, and the orientalism and racism of the author is impossible to look past. The sex scenes are mostly just gross, and the book seems to lose track of itself, its plot, and its characters too often to be well-rated. Maybe historical romance just isn't for me? 1.7/5
August 22, 2021
Took this book off the shelf of the laundry room and a beach resort.
It’s an okay read. Quite racy in the beginning. I was waiting for the witness to reappear or the boy with the flowers.
I guess it’s basically a love story. Prince Amir is gorgeous, his description had me googling Turk men. Ha.
I did very much enjoy the history on the Sultans it truly made the book amazing.
The book is too short it could have been better had it been longer?
I was waiting for poor Francesca fate to be of her sisters, then I come to learn she has her own book.
Will attempt to read it.
It’s an okay read. Quite racy in the beginning. I was waiting for the witness to reappear or the boy with the flowers.
I guess it’s basically a love story. Prince Amir is gorgeous, his description had me googling Turk men. Ha.
I did very much enjoy the history on the Sultans it truly made the book amazing.
The book is too short it could have been better had it been longer?
I was waiting for poor Francesca fate to be of her sisters, then I come to learn she has her own book.
Will attempt to read it.
June 5, 2018
Set in Italy, Bianca goes from a cruel, graphicly portraited perverse husband to a rocky road to find and be with her love. Warning not for the faint of heart, there is mention of bestiality and coerced sexual acts during the ugly phase. Another thing that I stumbled over the 'flashing cock moving side to side and at one point her vagina being called a tube. I liked the story, just had some jarring moments.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 2, 2020
Excellent read. Loved the writers ability to make you feel like you were there share the characters lives. Amazing and thrilling all in one. Can’t wait to read the other two in the series
Excellent read. Loved the writers ability to make you feel like you were there share the characters lives. Amazing and thrilling all in one. Can’t wait to read the other two in the series
Excellent read. Loved the writers ability to make you feel like you were there share the characters lives. Amazing and thrilling all in one. Can’t wait to read the other two in the series
August 9, 2021
Longer review hopefully coming later, but yep, Lady Small is still my favorite for historical romance. Love the intrigue, the adventure, and her trademark standout heroines. Also loved the underused setting of fifteenth century Italy.
March 3, 2024
Overall good book. I couldn’t get past the age difference with her first husband!
Also the time jumps just happened in the next sentence! Not something I would normally pick up and read, but was hooked and into it till the very end!
Also the time jumps just happened in the next sentence! Not something I would normally pick up and read, but was hooked and into it till the very end!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 25, 2024
Well written porno. I am not typically a prude but this had me clutching my pearls. I rarely put a book down but this was just over the top porn. I don’t have a good word to say about the book because I was so grossed out I couldn’t continue reading it.
February 7, 2017
For me this book started out a bit slow. The first part was a bit hard to stomach, but once I got past that it wasn’t half bad. The characters were complex and intriguing. The plot kept changing and surprising me each time. The ending was good and fit the story well. This book just didn’t suck me in like I wanted it too.
July 21, 2017
Enjoyed this one. Simple and classic Bertrice Small. I'm sad that this series may never be finished, but I plan to read the next two.
December 10, 2017
I am a huge Bertrice Small fan..she has taught me a great deal of history..and provided some smutty reading...Bianca's tale is pretty tame...a nice read
April 10, 2018
Audible Romance Package
AUDIOBOOK: Read April 8 & 9 2018
Narrator: Jill Tanner does one heck of a job.
Loved BS books from the start and she never disappointed me.
This series may not be as perfect as Sky O'Mally but is a second best.
AUDIOBOOK: Read April 8 & 9 2018
Narrator: Jill Tanner does one heck of a job.
Loved BS books from the start and she never disappointed me.
This series may not be as perfect as Sky O'Mally but is a second best.
May 5, 2018
Excellent read.
One of my favorite authors. She has never disappointed me and didn’t this time either. Excellent and wonderful read for me.
One of my favorite authors. She has never disappointed me and didn’t this time either. Excellent and wonderful read for me.
January 3, 2019
very repetitive - yes, historical romance can be repetitive - but this one was more than expected
August 13, 2019
i got a few pages into but just could'nt get interested in it, i really wanted to like it but for now this is a dnf for me.
Read
May 25, 2022excellent. Fits in with The Kadin, with some of the same Turkish characters. Looking for the rest of the series.
June 9, 2022
This book was bad, but I gave it an extra star for being a wild ride. I genuinely did not know where it was going for most of it, mostly through a complete disregard for typical narrative arc lol.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 91 reviews