Beloved
by Bertrice Small
More Detail/Buy Product.
Publisher: Ballantine Books
Salesrank: 274259
Released: 1985-09-12List Price: $6.99
Our Price: $3.57
Used Price: $0.50
Media: Book
Availibility:
Costumer Rating: 
Customer Reviews:
Hard to find (2008-01-22)
My mom had been searching all over for this book, and when I found it on Amazon, I had to buy it for her. She really enjoyed this book by Bertrice Small, and has read all of her books now.Beloved (2007-11-08)
This book takes you to different a different location and an earlier time which was different. I have read all of Bertice Small’s historical romances and I have always been suprised with her story lines.The Popcorn Historical (2003-09-09)
This novel delivers a kernel of historical interest–concentrated information in a fictional shell. But the history is depicted with such zest and verve that I had to know more. I had to go study this queen Zenobia, her city Palmyra, and the events surrounding the reign of the Emperor Aurelian. This is why I call it a popcorn historical–it inspired me to go expand my knowledge. This, I believe, should be an aim of every historical novel, and it is achieved and then some here.Substance, not drivel, in this romance (2003-03-02)
From the moment of her birth, the stars and signs foretold that Zenobia, descendant of Cleopatra, would be blessed in love and in war.
“Beloved” takes place during the Roman invasions of Palmyra (in the Syrian region of the world). I don’t know enough about history to know if this is accurate, but the story was good enough to keep me interested throughout. There are some tactical details which, surprisingly, tie in beautifully with the story of Zenobia’s loves. Unlike many books of the romance genre, Zenobia’s character is admirable not only for her beauty but for her intelligence. Sex notwithstanding, I would let an older teenager read this book.
“Beloved” surprised me because it was so well-written that it does not fall into a “fluff” category. This was a wonderful gift that was a good investment because I will read it again. I will seek out other books by Beatrice Small because I enjoyed this book so much.Good, but not Great (2002-11-03)
Maybe it’s just me, but I can only take so much drama before my eyes roll up inside my head, my brain explodes and I start rooting for the bad guys: “For the love of god, would someone just kill her already?”
This book was kind of like that.
Zenobia, god bless her, is a wonderful main character. She’s smart, beautiful, witty. In fact, she’s everything except lucky. First, her mother is raped and murdered. Then her husband is murdered. Her lover (Marcus) weds another woman, and Caesar her hated enemy, captures her and makes her his mistress.
But wait! It gets worse.
Her oldest son is a wimp. Her youngest son’s a fool. Her friends are beheaded. Her city and everyone in it is destroyed. And while she goes a little crazy, she is still forced to bed the enemy because her daughter will be murdered if she doesn’t. I think it was around the time Zenobia was forced to have sex in front of spectators I threw ‘Beloved’ out the window and haven’t picked it up since. Oops.
My recommendation? IF you dig drama and angst… you’ll love this book. If you don’t? Read something else. And if you are bi-polar, OCD, or are presently taking medication for depression? AVOID AVOID AVOID. *wink*
***** More Detail/Buy Product. or price comparisons(if any) *****
