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Beguiled #1
Beguiled
Genre: Lesbian Historical
The Civil War has torn Belle Holloway's world apart. Left to manage her Georgia plantation with little help, she is exasperated when the Union Army adds to her burden by leaving a wounded soldier behind. But upon closer examination, Belle is shocked to discover the soldier is actually a beguiling woman.
Clad in male attire, stubborn, brash Alice O'Malley awakens a passion in Belle she never knew existed. Alice dominates Belle's lonely existence with taboo pleasures and erotic escape. Soon Belle realizes she is more than willing to submit her body and her heart to the woman whose strength and compassion she admires -- until those very attributes prove to be the catalyst that could destroy their newfound love.
Publisher's Note: This book contains explicit sexual content, graphic language, and situations that some readers may find objectionable: Anal play/intercourse, female/female sexual practices.
220 pages, Paperback
First published November 16, 2010
15 people are currently reading
396 people want to read
About the author
Paisley Smith
23 books69 followersI’m Paisley Smith! I am a full time freelance writer and can usually be found in front of my computer either writing, chatting, promoting or plotting. It’s a glamorous life…working in one’s pajamas.
I attended college in the Deep South where I obtained a slew of totally useless degrees and developed an unrelenting sense of humor.
My books can be found at Ellora’s Cave , Loose Id, and Cleis Press!
I’m a member of Romance Writers of America.
I attended college in the Deep South where I obtained a slew of totally useless degrees and developed an unrelenting sense of humor.
My books can be found at Ellora’s Cave , Loose Id, and Cleis Press!
I’m a member of Romance Writers of America.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
March 25, 2011
I first must say, this book was recommended to me. Now you can imagine my hesitance at first. I approached this book with the mentality-- I might be 60-something, but I am not dead. I like what I call “smut,” or what I also refer to as my “dessert.” Beguiled was my first lesbian encounter with smut. With that in mind, I truly enjoyed the book.
I can only speak from my experiences in life and the knowledge I have gained from those experiences. Throw my education in there, and I would like to think I have a healthy stew of educated opinions. But then again, I am biased.
I noticed Uncle Hewlett caused a bit of a stir with the reviews. Such an interesting character and a hard one to write, especially for white people. The phrase often comes to mind, “You are damned if you do, damned if you don’t.” I will bet money, (not knowing Miss Smith,) she had several people read her book, specifically to see if Uncle Hewitt was “okay.” Having worked in the acedemic field, and being the "Black" reader for many of my "White" friends, I often found myself saying, "It should be fine. It's not offensive."
We, as a society, have a way about us. We tend to apply our modern terminology and our modern way of thinking, to the terminology and way of thinking during the Antebellum Period, and so-on. It cannot be done, but more often than not, it is.
“Uncle” was often used as a term of endearment, during that time. In the modern world, we (Black Americans) use it to describe someone as a sell-out, etc. If you read Slave Narratives and other books, interviews, etc from that time you will see the term “Uncle” “Poppa” “Mammy” “Mother______” used. Even in my mother’s time and my own, the Whites would say, “Hey Momma’ Morris!”
"We" took care of them! We were wet-nurses, ironed their clothes, cooked for them, emptied their chamber pots, held them when their hearts were broken! We earned those titles of endearment! The olden days and the titles used in that time should be respected in the modern world, not resented!
The story, from a historical perspective, was well-rounded. A few things I did not like, Uncle Hewlett quoting Shakespeare. How many white or black could quote Shakespeare? Reading Don Quixote? Not many people had that type of reading selection back then. I don’t question his ability to read, history has proven that some Blacks were literate, not many, but enough I did not find this unbelievable. Would he read in front of his master? Hmmm... But none of this took from the story- for me at least.
I never felt like I would run into the “N-word” in this book. But if I had, that would not be offensive to me. I am not one. It is a historically accurate word for that time. Gone With the Wind used it. It was used. Period. I am more offended to read historicals and the N-word is ignored, and not in it. We cannot erase history. We cannot change it as hard as we may try. I am offended by romanticized history where everyone loved their negros! (I will say, this genre has no place for that particular word.)
I am grateful, as a friend of mine pointed out to me (the lady who recommended this book,) that romance, erotica, etc. do not portray men they way they often were in that time. Controlling, cruel, abusive, taking slaves as their mistress- even often against the slaves wishes, seeing women as property… If we stuck to generalizations and historical accuracy, the Romance/Erotica genre would have a small audience. But, then again, who reads erotica for that? I read it for the sex.
For this genre, I highly recommend this book.
Now, where is a fan, pacemaker, and my iced tea?
I can only speak from my experiences in life and the knowledge I have gained from those experiences. Throw my education in there, and I would like to think I have a healthy stew of educated opinions. But then again, I am biased.
I noticed Uncle Hewlett caused a bit of a stir with the reviews. Such an interesting character and a hard one to write, especially for white people. The phrase often comes to mind, “You are damned if you do, damned if you don’t.” I will bet money, (not knowing Miss Smith,) she had several people read her book, specifically to see if Uncle Hewitt was “okay.” Having worked in the acedemic field, and being the "Black" reader for many of my "White" friends, I often found myself saying, "It should be fine. It's not offensive."
We, as a society, have a way about us. We tend to apply our modern terminology and our modern way of thinking, to the terminology and way of thinking during the Antebellum Period, and so-on. It cannot be done, but more often than not, it is.
“Uncle” was often used as a term of endearment, during that time. In the modern world, we (Black Americans) use it to describe someone as a sell-out, etc. If you read Slave Narratives and other books, interviews, etc from that time you will see the term “Uncle” “Poppa” “Mammy” “Mother______” used. Even in my mother’s time and my own, the Whites would say, “Hey Momma’ Morris!”
"We" took care of them! We were wet-nurses, ironed their clothes, cooked for them, emptied their chamber pots, held them when their hearts were broken! We earned those titles of endearment! The olden days and the titles used in that time should be respected in the modern world, not resented!
The story, from a historical perspective, was well-rounded. A few things I did not like, Uncle Hewlett quoting Shakespeare. How many white or black could quote Shakespeare? Reading Don Quixote? Not many people had that type of reading selection back then. I don’t question his ability to read, history has proven that some Blacks were literate, not many, but enough I did not find this unbelievable. Would he read in front of his master? Hmmm... But none of this took from the story- for me at least.
I never felt like I would run into the “N-word” in this book. But if I had, that would not be offensive to me. I am not one. It is a historically accurate word for that time. Gone With the Wind used it. It was used. Period. I am more offended to read historicals and the N-word is ignored, and not in it. We cannot erase history. We cannot change it as hard as we may try. I am offended by romanticized history where everyone loved their negros! (I will say, this genre has no place for that particular word.)
I am grateful, as a friend of mine pointed out to me (the lady who recommended this book,) that romance, erotica, etc. do not portray men they way they often were in that time. Controlling, cruel, abusive, taking slaves as their mistress- even often against the slaves wishes, seeing women as property… If we stuck to generalizations and historical accuracy, the Romance/Erotica genre would have a small audience. But, then again, who reads erotica for that? I read it for the sex.
For this genre, I highly recommend this book.
Now, where is a fan, pacemaker, and my iced tea?
February 11, 2019
Beguiled
I have to say I love a historical based romance and this is a great example; not too much detail that it becomes onerous but enough to be a convincing read with a fairly realistic plot. No time to lose, onto book 2!
I have to say I love a historical based romance and this is a great example; not too much detail that it becomes onerous but enough to be a convincing read with a fairly realistic plot. No time to lose, onto book 2!
March 7, 2017
A decent read
I would give this one 3.5 stars. I'm not much for historic pieces but I do like hidden/mistaken gender reads and this one starts off as that for like the first 10 pages. After that its not a secret anymore really. Anyways, the story is actually pretty good but I wouldnt have minded a love scene being cut short or not included for more of story regarding the world outside the bedroom so to speak (i dont know if that makes sense). The ending is what threw me off completely. I wont give anything away but to me it was too easy and it didnt fit the era or the story. Overall, it was a story i more than liked but didn't love.
I would give this one 3.5 stars. I'm not much for historic pieces but I do like hidden/mistaken gender reads and this one starts off as that for like the first 10 pages. After that its not a secret anymore really. Anyways, the story is actually pretty good but I wouldnt have minded a love scene being cut short or not included for more of story regarding the world outside the bedroom so to speak (i dont know if that makes sense). The ending is what threw me off completely. I wont give anything away but to me it was too easy and it didnt fit the era or the story. Overall, it was a story i more than liked but didn't love.
June 11, 2012
I've been searching for strong lesbian erotic romance that read like the many m/m books I read and love without either heroine ending up dead or alone. After sending an email off to a few folks in the industry whose reading tastes are similar to mine and who I know read lesbian romance, I was recommended this author and book to read. Loved this quick, historical romance and am so grateful to the several people who recommended this book to me. Am picking up more of Paisley's books for sure!
November 20, 2011
This was so sexy!!!!! I had to put it down once or twice to cool off!
September 13, 2013
3 1/2 stars
This story started strong but then the plot took a turn and I didn't enjoy it as much. Being tagged as historical I was looking forward to reading more about The Civil War and the MC's fight for survival BUT it seemed that was more used as a means to get the two MC's together.
One thing that didn't sit right with me was her new love interest wearing her missing husbands clothes. This had nothing to do with gender but more a respect issue. I would have felt the same way had she dressed another male in her hubby's clothes.
There was a lot of F/F loving and descriptive sex scenes, but the terminology used left me cringing instead of panting. So not hot, IMO!
This story started strong but then the plot took a turn and I didn't enjoy it as much. Being tagged as historical I was looking forward to reading more about The Civil War and the MC's fight for survival BUT it seemed that was more used as a means to get the two MC's together.
One thing that didn't sit right with me was her new love interest wearing her missing husbands clothes. This had nothing to do with gender but more a respect issue. I would have felt the same way had she dressed another male in her hubby's clothes.
There was a lot of F/F loving and descriptive sex scenes, but the terminology used left me cringing instead of panting. So not hot, IMO!
January 31, 2011
Alice and Belle make a memorable, sweet, and erotic couple. What I particularly like about "Beguiled" is Smith's ease in creating a solid relationship between the two heroines prior to their sexual involvement. I think sometimes authors writing erotic romance have it so rough because if they invest too much time in developing emotional intimacy and sexual tension, readers seeking erotic titillation feel their time is wasted. I enjoy the tension leading to consummation and this book doesn't disappoint.
The historical content is accurate and believable. I wish more civil war romance fiction was available, and this one was a rare treat because it's so well done. Recommended.
The historical content is accurate and believable. I wish more civil war romance fiction was available, and this one was a rare treat because it's so well done. Recommended.
November 2, 2011
This might be a 3.5 star read, but it gets 4 stars for avoiding a lot of Civil War fiction cliches -- after making me think it was totally about to succumb to them.
Most importantly, Belle and Alice are a beautiful couple who made my heart ache. Each physical encounter between them upped the ante so much that it hurt to read, and yet I couldn't stop and read the whole thing in two sittings.
My biggest issues came from the telegraphing in the writing style, but either it stopped after the first two chapters, or I got over it because I wanted them to be together so bad. Either way, I count that a win.
Most importantly, Belle and Alice are a beautiful couple who made my heart ache. Each physical encounter between them upped the ante so much that it hurt to read, and yet I couldn't stop and read the whole thing in two sittings.
My biggest issues came from the telegraphing in the writing style, but either it stopped after the first two chapters, or I got over it because I wanted them to be together so bad. Either way, I count that a win.
February 12, 2012
Very well written historical f/f romance. Set towards the end of the Civil War, Belle must do the best she can to ensure that she and her mother have a roof over their heads and food. When the Yankees come she makes a bargain to house two of their wounded. One man is mortally wounded, the other is not a man but a woman. Belle is fascinated by Alice. At first neither trusts the other but their feelings build. Together they fight off bushwackers and more Yankees who want to destroy Belle's home. A realistic portrayal of a world gone mad where nothing is as it was and chaos reigns. I liked Belle and Alice and liked the love scenes. Beautifully written.
April 22, 2012
3.5 stars -- enjoyable lesbian romance. Overall I felt it was too rushed and there needed to be more UST and build-up of Belle and Alice's relationship. The sex is hot, though, and I did enjoy the characters and setting. Did find it a bit odd that the first half of the book is in first person (Belle's POV) and then Alice's third person POV is suddenly added. It was a bit jarring. But it's definitely worth a read.
May 14, 2022
In this historical romance, Alice joins the Union army and is wounded in battle. She's taken to a field hospital located in a Georgia plantation mansion and left there once her fellow soldiers learn her true identity. Isabelle is the wife of the plantation, with a new husband missing in battle and a brother off to fight with the Confederacy. Initially leaving Alice to die of her wound, her conscience pushes her to help, especially once she discovers Alice is a woman. After some time, the two grow closer and a sexual relationship begins. But given everything in their circumstances, a future together seems unrealistic and not even desirable.
This book focuses mostly on the POV of Southern civilians like Isabelle who are forced to survive on their own and who are facing threats from the Union army as it occupies Georgia. While Alice joins the fight as an abolitionist, the author positions the issue of slavery as more complicated and the treatment of former slaves by the Northerners as harsh. While some of this is no doubt historically accurate, it still felt like it essentially absolved Southern slaveholders from responsibility and painted a negative portrait of the Union army. It reminded me a lot of how German civilians hold out their suffering during the last year and aftermath of WWII, trying to draw some kind of moral equivalency.
At the same time, the book veered into erotic romance given the number of sex scenes that toward the end detracted from the story. I'm not usually a reader who scans the sex scenes, but after a while I felt like I wanted to so I could get to the resolution of the plot.
On balance here, I'm going with a 3 weighing the good historical research and detail in the book against the flaws outlined above.
This book focuses mostly on the POV of Southern civilians like Isabelle who are forced to survive on their own and who are facing threats from the Union army as it occupies Georgia. While Alice joins the fight as an abolitionist, the author positions the issue of slavery as more complicated and the treatment of former slaves by the Northerners as harsh. While some of this is no doubt historically accurate, it still felt like it essentially absolved Southern slaveholders from responsibility and painted a negative portrait of the Union army. It reminded me a lot of how German civilians hold out their suffering during the last year and aftermath of WWII, trying to draw some kind of moral equivalency.
At the same time, the book veered into erotic romance given the number of sex scenes that toward the end detracted from the story. I'm not usually a reader who scans the sex scenes, but after a while I felt like I wanted to so I could get to the resolution of the plot.
On balance here, I'm going with a 3 weighing the good historical research and detail in the book against the flaws outlined above.
June 15, 2022
⭐3.8
This book was a very raunchy read. More than the story, there were scenes where either of the two main leads had their hands between each other's legs.
Now, that's not to say that the sex scenes made the book bad. This was a good book and I'm always attracted to a storyline with a woman cross-dressing as man to fight in a war. Especially, historic stories are my favorites. And this book held up what it started and I'm glad I finished reading it.
Overall, a good read. Major NSFW vibes.
This book was a very raunchy read. More than the story, there were scenes where either of the two main leads had their hands between each other's legs.
Now, that's not to say that the sex scenes made the book bad. This was a good book and I'm always attracted to a storyline with a woman cross-dressing as man to fight in a war. Especially, historic stories are my favorites. And this book held up what it started and I'm glad I finished reading it.
Overall, a good read. Major NSFW vibes.
August 1, 2024
I think I ll just say Wow!
July 2, 2015
3.75 stars.
I thought this was a really interesting, erotic and enjoyable book.
I read the revised version which is in novel form vs its original format as a short story. From what I understand, there are several changes so I'll get those out of the way. The story is no longer straight up porn. There are non-sexual scenes between each erotic encounter where you see Alice and Isabelle growing in affection and respect for each other. I didn't find the language to be crass. I'm no expert but nothing jumped out at me as not true to the time period. Isabelle now is a raven haired beauty vs blonde and Alice does not have a young, boyish appearance. The infamous candlestick scene is also not in this version.
We meet Isabelle at the beginning of the story as the owner of a long standing home in Georgia. Union soldiers have taken over her house and have left, leaving the home in a grisly disarray. In her home, she finds two soldiers that are abandoned who are expected to die from their battle wounds. Isabelle's husband is off fighting on the Confederate side of the war and has a status of 'Missing', leaving Isabelle to take care of the home, the farm it stands on and now these two soldiers. One of these soldiers, come to find, is Alice, a woman masquerading as a man. The rest of the story is about Isabelle nurturing Alice to good health and the two falling for each other despite their reservations and pre-conceived notions.
There are several things the author did well. This is the first Civil War lesfic story I've read and the history and setting was painted in a rich way that also felt historically accurate. In particular, the story presented a more humanistic side to the civilians in the South who were at the mercy of whoever marched through their town that day. I didn't feel this was a sympathetic or 'excusing the South' angle, but one that highlighted the chaos that bystanders had to endure. There is complexity here where the characters alter their polarizing views to shades of gray. It was this element of the story that made it 'interesting'.
The sex scenes are *very* explicit and, for those who complain that too many sex scenes feel monotonous in a story, I'd say this isn't an issue here because all of the sexual encounters are different from one another. Each scene grows in intimacy as their relationship develops. There are some tantalizing power plays in the beginning scenes that turn more equal and mutual later. Really well done.
Isabelle is a great character. She's a Southern Belle beauty that is internally strong and not afraid to do the hard work. She also has compassion and self-reflection. Alice is a complete butch that's taken for a man on sight so don't let the book cover showing two femmes fool you. I thought her character was okay but I wasn't really taken with her. Isabelle came across as down-home sophisticated while Alice seemed sort of immature or young to me. As the story went along though, Alice's character matures and became a lot more likable.
About 3/4s of the way through the book turns from erotic romance to adventure/suspense which I actually thought was really well done and I enjoyed quite a bit.
Editing wise, the story seems free from grammatical errors and typos and the structure is good. I did feel like there were some things that were said more than once here and there and there was a reference to a jump in time that confused me but, overall, well done.
Definitely it's a worthy read and one I recommend.
I thought this was a really interesting, erotic and enjoyable book.
I read the revised version which is in novel form vs its original format as a short story. From what I understand, there are several changes so I'll get those out of the way. The story is no longer straight up porn. There are non-sexual scenes between each erotic encounter where you see Alice and Isabelle growing in affection and respect for each other. I didn't find the language to be crass. I'm no expert but nothing jumped out at me as not true to the time period. Isabelle now is a raven haired beauty vs blonde and Alice does not have a young, boyish appearance. The infamous candlestick scene is also not in this version.
We meet Isabelle at the beginning of the story as the owner of a long standing home in Georgia. Union soldiers have taken over her house and have left, leaving the home in a grisly disarray. In her home, she finds two soldiers that are abandoned who are expected to die from their battle wounds. Isabelle's husband is off fighting on the Confederate side of the war and has a status of 'Missing', leaving Isabelle to take care of the home, the farm it stands on and now these two soldiers. One of these soldiers, come to find, is Alice, a woman masquerading as a man. The rest of the story is about Isabelle nurturing Alice to good health and the two falling for each other despite their reservations and pre-conceived notions.
There are several things the author did well. This is the first Civil War lesfic story I've read and the history and setting was painted in a rich way that also felt historically accurate. In particular, the story presented a more humanistic side to the civilians in the South who were at the mercy of whoever marched through their town that day. I didn't feel this was a sympathetic or 'excusing the South' angle, but one that highlighted the chaos that bystanders had to endure. There is complexity here where the characters alter their polarizing views to shades of gray. It was this element of the story that made it 'interesting'.
The sex scenes are *very* explicit and, for those who complain that too many sex scenes feel monotonous in a story, I'd say this isn't an issue here because all of the sexual encounters are different from one another. Each scene grows in intimacy as their relationship develops. There are some tantalizing power plays in the beginning scenes that turn more equal and mutual later. Really well done.
Isabelle is a great character. She's a Southern Belle beauty that is internally strong and not afraid to do the hard work. She also has compassion and self-reflection. Alice is a complete butch that's taken for a man on sight so don't let the book cover showing two femmes fool you. I thought her character was okay but I wasn't really taken with her. Isabelle came across as down-home sophisticated while Alice seemed sort of immature or young to me. As the story went along though, Alice's character matures and became a lot more likable.
About 3/4s of the way through the book turns from erotic romance to adventure/suspense which I actually thought was really well done and I enjoyed quite a bit.
Editing wise, the story seems free from grammatical errors and typos and the structure is good. I did feel like there were some things that were said more than once here and there and there was a reference to a jump in time that confused me but, overall, well done.
Definitely it's a worthy read and one I recommend.
September 3, 2014
"Beguiled" by Paisley Smith is a book that combines a fascinating story with two strong lead characters set during the Civil War. Belle Holloway awaits for news on her husband who joined the war while trying to keep their plantation in Georgia up and running. When a Union soldier is left for her to care for, she is shocked to find out that, underneath the uniform is not a young man but a young woman!
Alice O'Malley makes no apologies for her male garb or her sexuality. Belle finds herself filled with curiosity and they're both beguiled with each other. They engage in a relationship that seems doomed from the start, what with them being on opposite sides of the war and their being both women. However, they realize that some things are worth fighting for.
This was well-written and kept my attention from start to finish, making it a quick but engaging read. I recommend it to those wanting an F/F love story that has character development and an interesting story line. Four stars for "Beguiled"!
Alice O'Malley makes no apologies for her male garb or her sexuality. Belle finds herself filled with curiosity and they're both beguiled with each other. They engage in a relationship that seems doomed from the start, what with them being on opposite sides of the war and their being both women. However, they realize that some things are worth fighting for.
This was well-written and kept my attention from start to finish, making it a quick but engaging read. I recommend it to those wanting an F/F love story that has character development and an interesting story line. Four stars for "Beguiled"!
February 18, 2020
Original Novella Review
NOTE: This is the original novella I am reviewing here. I just found out that Paisley Smith has totally re-written the story and turned it into a +200 page book. I'll read that one and review later.
Beguiled is a short novella written in first person. I really like turn of the century novels; this one is set during the Civil War. It was a fast, enjoyable read.
I cared about the characters and wanted to know what happened to them. Paisley always puts sexy bits into her writing; this one was no different. In all honesty, I kind of skimmed over those parts (I'm more of a plot kind of girl.) But it didn't take away from the story here. The story felt reasonably researched and believable.
It seemed like the right length, though I was left wanting to know more about the characters.
NOTE: This is the original novella I am reviewing here. I just found out that Paisley Smith has totally re-written the story and turned it into a +200 page book. I'll read that one and review later.
Beguiled is a short novella written in first person. I really like turn of the century novels; this one is set during the Civil War. It was a fast, enjoyable read.
I cared about the characters and wanted to know what happened to them. Paisley always puts sexy bits into her writing; this one was no different. In all honesty, I kind of skimmed over those parts (I'm more of a plot kind of girl.) But it didn't take away from the story here. The story felt reasonably researched and believable.
It seemed like the right length, though I was left wanting to know more about the characters.
December 26, 2019
I surely do enjoy a good historical fiction love story. And if you enjoy lots of f/f sex scenes then this is a great book for you. For me, there was too much sex and not enough of the slow burn. I did feel that Alice (the tomboy Yankee) and Belle (the Southern lady) were fully fleshed out and relatable; as were the supporting cast.
April 8, 2012
i was expecting a historical romance, but that was problem on my part, given the length of the book. there were more sex scenes than anything else and they werent even great.
July 29, 2013
Excellent book!
January 12, 2014
Love, love, loved Belle and Alice. I was rooting for their happily ever after from the start.
August 3, 2015
3.5 Star Read
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews