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The Silk Merchant's Daughters #3
Lucianna: The Silk Merchant's Daughters
In this sweeping new series of Renaissance Italy, Bertrice Small does it again with all the passion and historical splendor that has captured the imagination of her legion of fans…
After her two elder sisters become the scandals of Florence, Lucianna Pietro d’Angelo is in the difficult position of finding a wealthy man who will have her for his wife. She has little choice but to accept the proposal of an aging bookseller—a not entirely disagreeable union in which Lucianna comforts the dear man in his final years. When he passes away, she inherits his shop and, with it, a sizable fortune.
Lucianna is content with comfortable widowhood—until Robert Minton, Earl of Lisle, visits her bookshop. The Englishman is not only dashing and handsome—he’s a trusted courtier of Henry VII.
The Pietro d’Angelos cannot deny the spark of attraction between their daughter and the earl, so they scheme to send her to London. There, Lucianna steps out of the shadow of her quiet Florentine life, pursuing a love of which she never dreamed and rising in London society all the way to court of the new Tudor king.
After her two elder sisters become the scandals of Florence, Lucianna Pietro d’Angelo is in the difficult position of finding a wealthy man who will have her for his wife. She has little choice but to accept the proposal of an aging bookseller—a not entirely disagreeable union in which Lucianna comforts the dear man in his final years. When he passes away, she inherits his shop and, with it, a sizable fortune.
Lucianna is content with comfortable widowhood—until Robert Minton, Earl of Lisle, visits her bookshop. The Englishman is not only dashing and handsome—he’s a trusted courtier of Henry VII.
The Pietro d’Angelos cannot deny the spark of attraction between their daughter and the earl, so they scheme to send her to London. There, Lucianna steps out of the shadow of her quiet Florentine life, pursuing a love of which she never dreamed and rising in London society all the way to court of the new Tudor king.
304 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 2013
81 people are currently reading
573 people want to read
About the author
Bertrice Small
226 books1,122 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 59 reviews
October 4, 2013
Bertrice used to write such wonderful books. Detailed, fascinating, books I have read over and over again.
This isn't those.
Lucianna is boring. It breaks my heart to say it, but Bertrice clearly doesn't care what she's writing any more. Lucianna contains abysmal continuity errors, cardboard characters, re-used plot devices that are much to easily resolved, and nothing to redeem it. I was a huge fan for a long, long time, but I find myself increasingly disappointed after her last two books.
Another disappointment from a former Great.
This isn't those.
Lucianna is boring. It breaks my heart to say it, but Bertrice clearly doesn't care what she's writing any more. Lucianna contains abysmal continuity errors, cardboard characters, re-used plot devices that are much to easily resolved, and nothing to redeem it. I was a huge fan for a long, long time, but I find myself increasingly disappointed after her last two books.
Another disappointment from a former Great.
October 4, 2013
I will start this review off by saying that I am a huge fan of Bertrice Small, albeit a recent one. I first read a Dangerous Love back in 2010 and have been stuck since. Bertrice's books are memorable to say the least.
Orianna Pietro D'Angelo carefully plotted each of her daughter's lives, especially their marriages. The wife a Milanese silk merchant only wanted the best of marriages for her beautiful offspring, but sometimes the meddlesome Orianna didn't know what was best for her daughters. When Lucianna went easily into her marriage to wealthy bookseller, Alfredo Allibatore, she actually had it easy at first. Alfredo was old enough to be her grandfather and their relationship was more friendship and mutual respect than marriage. Lucianna emjoyed her work in her husband's book shop and was content with her life even remaining untouched. After three years of marriage in name only, Alfredo passed away leaving nineteen year old Lucianna a wealthy widow and once again on the marriage market to fulfill Orianna's whim.
Lucianna has no intention of marrying again. She did her duty by her parents and now she is in a position where she doesn't need a husband. Enter Robert Minton, the Earl of Lisle, a handsome Englishman who is close confidant of the English King. Sparks fly when Minton meets Lucianna, but she is in complete denial.
When Orianna and her husband see the budding attraction, they send Lucianna to England as a representative of the silk merchants of Milan as a conspiracy to push Lucianna into marriage with the Earl.
Once in England, Lucianna must deal with the difference between both cultures, the Earl desperately wanting to be involved with the beauty when she is has no intention of falling into his arms and outside forces that would have Robert and Lucianna not be together.
Lucianna, by Bertrice Small is great read. It brought me back to my love for the author after I finished the Border Chronicles. Lucianna is the third book in the Silk Merchants Daughters series, but the first I delved into and once I finished Lucianna, I happily went back to the first two books, Bianca and Francesca. Ms. Small just has a way of making you feel that you are part of the story ans Renaissance Italy just came alive for me, along with the restrictive attitudes towards women and the irony of it all. I recommend highly this series to lovers of historical romance and eagerly await the next in the series, Serena.
~KIMBERLY~
September 27, 2020
A nice read to catapult me into an meandering story.
Sometimes meandering so much that I felt there have been a few inconsistencies in the story. (Same goes for the other 2 books in this series) Inconsistencies make me alert and therefore defy the function of this read for me. To lull me into a calm world where I'm not building a house.
Also, in the notes of the author you get updated on the lives of the authors cats.
I'm sure it appeals to some, but not me.
Sometimes meandering so much that I felt there have been a few inconsistencies in the story. (Same goes for the other 2 books in this series) Inconsistencies make me alert and therefore defy the function of this read for me. To lull me into a calm world where I'm not building a house.
Also, in the notes of the author you get updated on the lives of the authors cats.
I'm sure it appeals to some, but not me.
November 21, 2014
I didn't enjoy this one nearly as much as the first two books in this series. Mostly because I know the history of the period & country in this one (early Tudor England), and a lot of it was bad.
Also, it was (more-than-)kinda rapey, in a way that the others weren't. The 'hero' takes the heroine (a foreigner who has her own responsibilities) to his estate, and then tells her (lovingly?) that she won't be allowed to leave until she marries him.
I really don't know why I keep buying and reading these books.
Also, it was (more-than-)kinda rapey, in a way that the others weren't. The 'hero' takes the heroine (a foreigner who has her own responsibilities) to his estate, and then tells her (lovingly?) that she won't be allowed to leave until she marries him.
I really don't know why I keep buying and reading these books.
February 15, 2014
Perfunctory. Boring. Not feeling it. What a pile of CRAP.
Obviously, they only care about the cover art, and obviously, I only picked it up at the library due to the cover art. I've never heard of Bertrice Small before. She's 76 and has written about 50 romance novels. I won't be reading any of the others.
Obviously, they only care about the cover art, and obviously, I only picked it up at the library due to the cover art. I've never heard of Bertrice Small before. She's 76 and has written about 50 romance novels. I won't be reading any of the others.
October 7, 2013
I usually love Beatrice Small books but this one was missing something...don't waste your time. I feel like a ghost writer wrote this last book...:(.
April 18, 2014
I had listed that I'd read this when I actually read the second one first. As one does. Anyway, this one was duller than dishwater. I'm worried about Bertrice. I hope she gets her mojo back.
August 13, 2020
2.5 -- to be charitable
The era was supposedly the reign of Henry VII 1485--1509.
This author was not known prior to picking up this title, and in addition though a serious historical had been eagerly expected, this is not only dripping with Romantzzzz but also one in a dreaded series. Will spare the task of reading the others.
The short-ish length helped to stick it out till the end. But really, must there be bad porn in these books? EG: " --- his boiling hot juices flooded her welcoming womb". That isn't even anatomically correct.
AND the work contained numerous glaring inaccuracies/anachronisms. Like having the main character move from Florence to London ion 'big carts' [ what, no Hannibal's elephants? ]. The move allegedly included 'china' which did not YET exist for Europeans, and crystal tableware. This is what happens when a pleasant hausfrau attempts to write historical fiction --- her Victorian placement of matchy-matchy glasses and plates in this era is utterly wrong.
Needless to say one learns little of the era except that Henry VII was very close to his mummy. Hmmm. And learn almost nothing of the silk trade---not that it would be accurate so perhaps that's just as well.
The era was supposedly the reign of Henry VII 1485--1509.
This author was not known prior to picking up this title, and in addition though a serious historical had been eagerly expected, this is not only dripping with Romantzzzz but also one in a dreaded series. Will spare the task of reading the others.
The short-ish length helped to stick it out till the end. But really, must there be bad porn in these books? EG: " --- his boiling hot juices flooded her welcoming womb". That isn't even anatomically correct.
AND the work contained numerous glaring inaccuracies/anachronisms. Like having the main character move from Florence to London ion 'big carts' [ what, no Hannibal's elephants? ]. The move allegedly included 'china' which did not YET exist for Europeans, and crystal tableware. This is what happens when a pleasant hausfrau attempts to write historical fiction --- her Victorian placement of matchy-matchy glasses and plates in this era is utterly wrong.
Needless to say one learns little of the era except that Henry VII was very close to his mummy. Hmmm. And learn almost nothing of the silk trade---not that it would be accurate so perhaps that's just as well.
June 30, 2022
This one is so sloppy! It reads like a Draft #2 of what should have been 3+. Characters disappear and reappear seemingly at random (ex. she is very clearly written as being alone in London for like a hundred pages and then suddenly her brother Luca was there with her the entire time). Characters have similar conversations over and over, but with slightly different results as if the author was changing her mind (ex. Luca wants to leave London because the weather sucks and he's glad someone else will handle the shop! Wait, now he wants to stay because he has friends and he's jealous someone else will handle the shop! Or Lucianna claiming she has never met anyone from Ireland and then in the next paragraph saying "I have only met one person from Ireland, our tutor who lived with us for years"). The plot was also not as dramatic as I expect from Bertrice after the first two books lol. I debated between 1 and 2 stars but threw it a pity second star for Lucianna at least being a lot smarter and chiller than her older sisters.
October 13, 2013
After the Medici Bank fell, and the silk merchants of Florence got some fierce competition from Milan, there was not much money left for a decent dowry for Lucianna, the third daughter of Giovanni and Orianna Pietro d´Angelo. Orianna was amazed at how easily Lucianna accepted the marriage proposal from an elderly bookseller, who just wanted a pretty young wife to take care of him in his old age. Especially after the antics of her older sisters, Bianca and Francesca. But Lucianna knew that she did not have such choices as her sisters had, no hordes of suitors are after her hand. And when she got to know Alfredo Allibatore, she liked him and their marriage was one of contentment. But now her Alfredo has died, leaving her his house and his fortune, and his only son just the shop and a small amount of money.
Lucianna quickly followed her sisters’ example, telling her mother she has no intention of remarrying any time soon. After all, she is now a rich widow, and does not need a husband to take care of her. She intends to enjoy life a little when her mourning period is over. Her son-in-law Norberto is glad that Lucianna wants to keep helping in the shop, as he is not good with customers, and Lucianna is.
And so Lucianna meets for the first time Robert Minton, the Earl of Lisle, when he is looking to have a book of poetry bound as a gift for the Queen. He came to Florence to buy silk for the Queen as well, as a gift from the King, and Lucianna quickly steers him towards her fathers shop. But the Earl is interested in more than just silk and books, he is interested in Lucianna himself. But Lucianna rebukes him, as she is not yet out of mourning, if he wants to join her in church, he will have to wait a few more weeks. Robert doesn’t mind, he has never felt this way about a woman before. And the same day that her mourning period is over, he joins her in her pew in church, and afterwards, takes her out for a walk in her parents´ park. Where they are of course met by her parents and Orianna invites the Earl inside for dinner. Giovanni remembers the Earl from him buying a large order of silks, and the Earl tells him his intentions towards Lucianna are honourable. He even asks his permission to court her. But that permission is not Giovanni´s to give, Lucianna will decide for herself. Of course, he doesn´t tell Orianna about any of this, she would only push Lucianna too hard.
When the Earl tells Giovanni of the Milanese intention of opening a shop in London, so London merchants don´t have to travel to Italy to buy their silks, he urges Giovanni that Florence should do the same. But who should they send? Giovanni´s oldest son Marco has no interest in the business at all, he prefers spending his time with his mistress, it is Lucianna who is keeping the family afloat while managing the silk shop for them, so Giovanni can retire. Still, an English Earl in the family is not a bad thing, if only he can persuade the other members of the guild that Lucianna is the best choice for this. She does speak English fluently, and knows everything there is to know about the silk business.
And so Lucianna is send to London to open up shop there. With help from the Kira banking family, everything has been readied before she has arrived. A house, a nice shop, and servants. Her brother Luca will accompany her as her protection and to learn the trade. He will have to take over from Marco in Florence one day, or the family will be ruined soon.
Like in Florence, the fair Lucianna is soon besieged by unwanted suitors, but those English lords are not interested in marriage, they want her for their mistress. Until Robert Minton shows up on her doorstep and sends them all packing. He still wants to marry Lucianna, but Lucianna hesitates. She likes her life as it is, and she has a responsibility towards the guild. Even though she has a great assistant in the shop, her brother is not nearly ready to take over. But during a visit to his estate in Herefordshire, Robert manages to persuade Lucianna to marry him, and he wants it to happen immediately. There is not time to fetch her parents from Italy, but Luca will be their witness. Luca is not so happy with this; he was supposed to protect Lucianna. Does she really want to marry this Englishman?
But marrying Robert is not the happy ending of the book, they still need the King’s approval on their marriage, and more important, that of his mother. She had already envisioned one of her maidens as Robert’s bride. And the scorned lady is not happy with this!
And then Luca gets in trouble, and they have to ride as fast as possible to London to get him and their family out of it….
From all the authors I love to read, Bertrice Small is my most favourite. I have been reading her books for 30 years now, and they still never bore me. This one was a bit surprising though, as it was lacking the steaming hot love scenes she is so well known for.
I like Lucianna, she does not throw a tantrum when she has to marry an old man, but makes the best she can of her marriage. And she chooses Robert herself, and learns to enjoy living in the country. And although she does meet the King and his Mother, they do not live at court as the blurb suggests.
As always, there are a lot of historical facts interwoven in this story, and there was some repetition there too. A bit too much, to be honest. Still, I enjoyed the story and look forward to Selena, the fourth book in this series. And there was one glaring omission, Luca was supposed to travel with Lucianna to England, but he was never mentioned again, until the invitation to witness her wedding. That bit really bothered me, as the journey was described as just Lucianna and her maid, and their servants. The same while being in London, Lucianna and her servants in her new house, and Lucianna and her new shop assistant in the shop, selling silks to the London merchants.
8 stars.
Lucianna quickly followed her sisters’ example, telling her mother she has no intention of remarrying any time soon. After all, she is now a rich widow, and does not need a husband to take care of her. She intends to enjoy life a little when her mourning period is over. Her son-in-law Norberto is glad that Lucianna wants to keep helping in the shop, as he is not good with customers, and Lucianna is.
And so Lucianna meets for the first time Robert Minton, the Earl of Lisle, when he is looking to have a book of poetry bound as a gift for the Queen. He came to Florence to buy silk for the Queen as well, as a gift from the King, and Lucianna quickly steers him towards her fathers shop. But the Earl is interested in more than just silk and books, he is interested in Lucianna himself. But Lucianna rebukes him, as she is not yet out of mourning, if he wants to join her in church, he will have to wait a few more weeks. Robert doesn’t mind, he has never felt this way about a woman before. And the same day that her mourning period is over, he joins her in her pew in church, and afterwards, takes her out for a walk in her parents´ park. Where they are of course met by her parents and Orianna invites the Earl inside for dinner. Giovanni remembers the Earl from him buying a large order of silks, and the Earl tells him his intentions towards Lucianna are honourable. He even asks his permission to court her. But that permission is not Giovanni´s to give, Lucianna will decide for herself. Of course, he doesn´t tell Orianna about any of this, she would only push Lucianna too hard.
When the Earl tells Giovanni of the Milanese intention of opening a shop in London, so London merchants don´t have to travel to Italy to buy their silks, he urges Giovanni that Florence should do the same. But who should they send? Giovanni´s oldest son Marco has no interest in the business at all, he prefers spending his time with his mistress, it is Lucianna who is keeping the family afloat while managing the silk shop for them, so Giovanni can retire. Still, an English Earl in the family is not a bad thing, if only he can persuade the other members of the guild that Lucianna is the best choice for this. She does speak English fluently, and knows everything there is to know about the silk business.
And so Lucianna is send to London to open up shop there. With help from the Kira banking family, everything has been readied before she has arrived. A house, a nice shop, and servants. Her brother Luca will accompany her as her protection and to learn the trade. He will have to take over from Marco in Florence one day, or the family will be ruined soon.
Like in Florence, the fair Lucianna is soon besieged by unwanted suitors, but those English lords are not interested in marriage, they want her for their mistress. Until Robert Minton shows up on her doorstep and sends them all packing. He still wants to marry Lucianna, but Lucianna hesitates. She likes her life as it is, and she has a responsibility towards the guild. Even though she has a great assistant in the shop, her brother is not nearly ready to take over. But during a visit to his estate in Herefordshire, Robert manages to persuade Lucianna to marry him, and he wants it to happen immediately. There is not time to fetch her parents from Italy, but Luca will be their witness. Luca is not so happy with this; he was supposed to protect Lucianna. Does she really want to marry this Englishman?
But marrying Robert is not the happy ending of the book, they still need the King’s approval on their marriage, and more important, that of his mother. She had already envisioned one of her maidens as Robert’s bride. And the scorned lady is not happy with this!
And then Luca gets in trouble, and they have to ride as fast as possible to London to get him and their family out of it….
From all the authors I love to read, Bertrice Small is my most favourite. I have been reading her books for 30 years now, and they still never bore me. This one was a bit surprising though, as it was lacking the steaming hot love scenes she is so well known for.
I like Lucianna, she does not throw a tantrum when she has to marry an old man, but makes the best she can of her marriage. And she chooses Robert herself, and learns to enjoy living in the country. And although she does meet the King and his Mother, they do not live at court as the blurb suggests.
As always, there are a lot of historical facts interwoven in this story, and there was some repetition there too. A bit too much, to be honest. Still, I enjoyed the story and look forward to Selena, the fourth book in this series. And there was one glaring omission, Luca was supposed to travel with Lucianna to England, but he was never mentioned again, until the invitation to witness her wedding. That bit really bothered me, as the journey was described as just Lucianna and her maid, and their servants. The same while being in London, Lucianna and her servants in her new house, and Lucianna and her new shop assistant in the shop, selling silks to the London merchants.
8 stars.
© 2013 Reviews by Aurian
June 4, 2018
Lucianna
I was saddened to discover when I tried to order the forth and final book in this series to learn that Ms. Small has passed away. Since reading The Kadin in the seventies, I have been booked on her books. This series was a little tamer than some previous series, nevertheless I enjoyed it. I shall look forward to acquiring Serena, the last book in this series as soon as it is released again. My heart hurts knowing that no new books by her will be published, but I can always re-read the ones I have for the forth or fifth time. Thank you, Bertrice Small for a wonderful experience.
I was saddened to discover when I tried to order the forth and final book in this series to learn that Ms. Small has passed away. Since reading The Kadin in the seventies, I have been booked on her books. This series was a little tamer than some previous series, nevertheless I enjoyed it. I shall look forward to acquiring Serena, the last book in this series as soon as it is released again. My heart hurts knowing that no new books by her will be published, but I can always re-read the ones I have for the forth or fifth time. Thank you, Bertrice Small for a wonderful experience.
April 11, 2018
A Good Read!!!!
Very surprised by this book. I’m used the writing style the Author used when she wrote the Sky O’Malley series. Also the others related to that series. Writing style of this book was totally different. The The book was somewhat the same but lacked all the fire and flair of the others. To me it was very tame. None of the descriptive quality the other books had. I’m very disappointed and hope when I read some of the other books that I have missed, that they will be a little more like the others.
Very surprised by this book. I’m used the writing style the Author used when she wrote the Sky O’Malley series. Also the others related to that series. Writing style of this book was totally different. The The book was somewhat the same but lacked all the fire and flair of the others. To me it was very tame. None of the descriptive quality the other books had. I’m very disappointed and hope when I read some of the other books that I have missed, that they will be a little more like the others.
May 8, 2018
I have always loved your stories
I would appreciate it if Beatrice would read this story. In it she will find mistakes or loss of memory. Twice/ pg 212 and 240, she professes her love to Robert for the first time. Also why is it necessary to keep reminding the reader of the character flaws? Daughter one and two for example. Mother’s father being a prince is another. Daughter refuses to marry again to in order to take care of small sons heritage.
Good story with not enough meat to keep my attention.
I would appreciate it if Beatrice would read this story. In it she will find mistakes or loss of memory. Twice/ pg 212 and 240, she professes her love to Robert for the first time. Also why is it necessary to keep reminding the reader of the character flaws? Daughter one and two for example. Mother’s father being a prince is another. Daughter refuses to marry again to in order to take care of small sons heritage.
Good story with not enough meat to keep my attention.
May 30, 2018
I received this book for free from Amazon.
This book was a good read for the genre. The heroine was likable and her significant other had a few flaws that made him less likable It was a book about love in the medieval ages and like most books by this author, it ran true to form. I enjoyed it as I enjoy all of Bertice Small's books. The writing was good and the story flowed along. It wasn't a great book and it wasn't a "bodice ripper" but it was on the higher side of a "good" rating.
This book was a good read for the genre. The heroine was likable and her significant other had a few flaws that made him less likable It was a book about love in the medieval ages and like most books by this author, it ran true to form. I enjoyed it as I enjoy all of Bertice Small's books. The writing was good and the story flowed along. It wasn't a great book and it wasn't a "bodice ripper" but it was on the higher side of a "good" rating.
April 13, 2018
Audible Romance Package
AUDIOBOOK: read April 11 & 12 2018
8hrs 43min
Narrator: Jill Tanner as usual does one heck of a job.
This one wasn't as good as the 2 first one but still enjoyable.
Lucianna is much more biddable then her 2 older sister. Did like her father's hand in this one.
AUDIOBOOK: read April 11 & 12 2018
8hrs 43min
Narrator: Jill Tanner as usual does one heck of a job.
This one wasn't as good as the 2 first one but still enjoyable.
Lucianna is much more biddable then her 2 older sister. Did like her father's hand in this one.
November 17, 2021
Lucianna is daughter of silk merchant in Florence. She meets Robert who's come to Florence on behalf if King Henry VII of England. She's appointed by the Silk Merchants Guild to start shop in London. There is kidnaping and intrigue involved. Eventually HEA
May 12, 2018
Lady in a Mans world
The book was a good story about the Silk trade and a young lady that is educated and can stand on her own two feet with a bit of romance thrown in.
The book was a good story about the Silk trade and a young lady that is educated and can stand on her own two feet with a bit of romance thrown in.
June 5, 2018
There was so much repetition it was very annoying. The story seemed to meander all over.
June 25, 2018
Lacks the adventure of other Bertrice Small's books
July 16, 2018
A little dull.
November 21, 2019
This book was very repetitive!! Lacked romance?!
Read
March 16, 2020was a great read she always write a great story that takes you away
November 16, 2021
I felt dummer the more I read it. I often rolled my eyes so hard at the blaa typical phrases that I saw the back of my head more than the words on the page!
February 1, 2025
Nothing to brag about
Read
April 21, 2025I love all Bertrice Small books. I started with the Sky O'Malley series. Too bad the Silk Merchant's Daughter's book 4 was never released.
August 13, 2020
What a wonderful story about making the best of your life after life disappoints you.
In short: After her family causes a scandal, Lucianna finds the only man who will marry her is an elderly bookseller. Upon his death, she inherits his shop and a fortune. along comes Robert, the Earl of Lisle. He is not only dashing and handsome, he’s a trusted courtier of Henry VII. Lucianna's parents see the attraction and send her to London where she pursues what could be with Robert.
We really get to see Lucianna's character and what it must have been like to have to marry an older gentlemen in those days. She makes the best of their life together and cares for him in life so he takes care of her upon his death. As with all her books, Small makes you feel like you are a part of the story which is so enjoyable!
This book lacked some of the fire, flare and steamy scenes of some of Bertrice Small's other series which is why it only gets 4 stars but overall was an enjoyable read. There were also some inconsistencies in the story and some repeated moments (like her declaring her lost for the first time....twice haha).
By Staci McIntyre
In short: After her family causes a scandal, Lucianna finds the only man who will marry her is an elderly bookseller. Upon his death, she inherits his shop and a fortune. along comes Robert, the Earl of Lisle. He is not only dashing and handsome, he’s a trusted courtier of Henry VII. Lucianna's parents see the attraction and send her to London where she pursues what could be with Robert.
We really get to see Lucianna's character and what it must have been like to have to marry an older gentlemen in those days. She makes the best of their life together and cares for him in life so he takes care of her upon his death. As with all her books, Small makes you feel like you are a part of the story which is so enjoyable!
This book lacked some of the fire, flare and steamy scenes of some of Bertrice Small's other series which is why it only gets 4 stars but overall was an enjoyable read. There were also some inconsistencies in the story and some repeated moments (like her declaring her lost for the first time....twice haha).
By Staci McIntyre
September 8, 2016
After her two elder sisters become the scandals of Florence, Lucianna Pietro d’Angelo is in the difficult position of finding a wealthy man who will have her for his wife. She has little choice but to accept the proposal of an aging bookseller—a not entirely disagreeable union in which Lucianna comforts the dear man in his final years. When he passes away, she inherits his shop and, with it, a sizable fortune.
Lucianna is content with comfortable widowhood—until Robert Minton, Earl of Lisle, visits her bookshop. The Englishman is not only dashing and handsome—he’s a trusted courtier of Henry VII.
The Pietro d’Angelos cannot deny the spark of attraction between their daughter and the earl, so they scheme to send her to London. There, Lucianna steps out of the shadow of her quiet Florentine life, pursuing a love of which she never dreamed and rising in London society all the way to court of the new Tudor king.
Lucianna is content with comfortable widowhood—until Robert Minton, Earl of Lisle, visits her bookshop. The Englishman is not only dashing and handsome—he’s a trusted courtier of Henry VII.
The Pietro d’Angelos cannot deny the spark of attraction between their daughter and the earl, so they scheme to send her to London. There, Lucianna steps out of the shadow of her quiet Florentine life, pursuing a love of which she never dreamed and rising in London society all the way to court of the new Tudor king.
March 19, 2014
Surprisingly bad book for Bertrice Small. I am a big fan of hers but her Silk Merchant Daughters series has been a big disappointment. Lucianna is shallow, self entitled, a snob and just plain boring. She has no personality and never says anything interesting. Her only dialogue is to go on and on about her sister Bianca's Turkish prince, her sister Francesca's duke that was killed, her brother Marco's obsession with his mistress, her brother Giorgio the priest, her sister Giulia who wants to be called Serena and her over bearing mother who is the daughter of a Venetian prince. Now I realize all this has to be said at least once so the reader can remember what happened in the past but she repeats this over and over and over. And Robert Minton is not much better. Neither one of them has any kind of depth of personality. Everything is perfect and even the attempt at a little conflict towards the end was quickly and boringly resolved. Compared to some of Bertrice Small's other strong leading ladies Lucianna is a weak, boring snob. I will, however, read the final book when it comes out and then I hope Ms. Small goes back to writing about strong, interesting women.
April 15, 2023
What a wonderful story about making the best of your life after life disappoints you.
In short: After her family causes a scandal, Lucianna finds the only man who will marry her is an elderly bookseller. Upon his death, she inherits his shop and a fortune. along comes Robert, the Earl of Lisle. He is not only dashing and handsome, he’s a trusted courtier of Henry VII. Lucianna's parents see the attraction and send her to London where she pursues what could be with Robert.
We really get to see Lucianna's character and what it must have been like to have to marry an older gentlemen in those days. She makes the best of their life together and cares for him in life so he takes care of her upon his death. As with all her books, Small makes you feel like you are a part of the story which is so enjoyable!
This book lacked some of the fire, flare and steamy scenes of some of Bertrice Small's other series which is why it only gets 4 stars but overall was an enjoyable read. There were also some inconsistencies in the story and some repeated moments (like her declaring her lost for the first time....twice haha).
In short: After her family causes a scandal, Lucianna finds the only man who will marry her is an elderly bookseller. Upon his death, she inherits his shop and a fortune. along comes Robert, the Earl of Lisle. He is not only dashing and handsome, he’s a trusted courtier of Henry VII. Lucianna's parents see the attraction and send her to London where she pursues what could be with Robert.
We really get to see Lucianna's character and what it must have been like to have to marry an older gentlemen in those days. She makes the best of their life together and cares for him in life so he takes care of her upon his death. As with all her books, Small makes you feel like you are a part of the story which is so enjoyable!
This book lacked some of the fire, flare and steamy scenes of some of Bertrice Small's other series which is why it only gets 4 stars but overall was an enjoyable read. There were also some inconsistencies in the story and some repeated moments (like her declaring her lost for the first time....twice haha).
April 9, 2021
I have loved Bertrice Smalls' books for as long as I can remember. They are my guilty pleasure for sure.
I really felt like she was phoning this one in. The characters were boring and the lack of description, which was present in the previous two books in this series, is even more obvious here. The book feels like "and then this happened....and then this happened....and then this" and its a bit of a bore to be honest. Her marriage to the bookseller, which could have been very interesting, was summed up in 2 paragraphs. Her brother supposedly moves to England with her and then is not mentioned for like 100 pages.
It's short, I'll give it that. I read it over 2.5 hours but it was a slog and I wasn't excited to pick up the book. The main motivator was that I borrowed it from the library and had the return deadline looming.
As I said, I love her books, but this is a far cry from her best.
I really felt like she was phoning this one in. The characters were boring and the lack of description, which was present in the previous two books in this series, is even more obvious here. The book feels like "and then this happened....and then this happened....and then this" and its a bit of a bore to be honest. Her marriage to the bookseller, which could have been very interesting, was summed up in 2 paragraphs. Her brother supposedly moves to England with her and then is not mentioned for like 100 pages.
It's short, I'll give it that. I read it over 2.5 hours but it was a slog and I wasn't excited to pick up the book. The main motivator was that I borrowed it from the library and had the return deadline looming.
As I said, I love her books, but this is a far cry from her best.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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