The Innocent

By Bertrice Small

Book Overview

To open up a novel by Bertrice Small is to surrender to the deepest longings of the heart. In her sensational bestsellers, she sweeps us to the far corners of the globe and into the most sensual... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0449001806
• ISBN13: 9780449001806
• Release Date: March 1999
• Publisher: Ballantine Books
• Length: 384 Pages
• Weight: 0.76 lbs.
• Dimensions: 8.0" x 0.8" x 5.2"

Customer Reviews

Possibly my favorite Bertrice Small book.

I remember picking this book up a long time ago and reading it. I loved it then, and i love it now. Eleanore(Elf to those who love her) was placed in a convent at the age of 5. Her mother had recently died, and her older brother was due to marry, but only(according to the bride's family) if Elf was placed in a convent. So, even though he didn't want to, she was sent away. Years pass, and Elf is days away from taking her vows as a nun. However, a message arrives telling her she's needed at her dying brothers side. Her brother, regretting sending her away as a child, leaves her Ashlin, the family home. So, instead of getting to be a nun, she is made by the king to marry a man of his choosing. Forunatly, the marriage is eventually a happy one! But their peaceful life is threaned when Isleen, Elf's former sister in law, arranged for Elf to be kidnapped! Will she be rescued from the clutches of a woman her hates her for no reason? Despite the age difference between Elf and her husband, i really enjoyed this story.

Goodness can triumph

This heroine was a bit of departure from Bertrice Small's usually fiesty women. Raised in a convent, Elf fought to see the goodness in people and influenced others with her kindness and generousity. She is a quiet woman, but commands presence nonetheless. Elf is not much of a fighter, but doesn't have to be. She stands with quiet grace and allows her enemies to do themselves in. I enjoyed this book immensely.

An unbelievable book which I simply couldn't put down!

This is the first book by Bertrice Small which I have read, having just recently picked it up at my favorite bookstore. Since I have not read books by her before, I wasn't sure how much I would like it. My views changed the minute I read the first page. Not only was the book captivating and beautifully written, but it's plot was like none that I have read in a long while. The breathtaking romance between Eleanore de Montfort, known as Elf, and Ranulf de Glandeville kept me from putting the book down, even in the early hours of the morning. The encounter with Elf's brother Richard de Montfort's evil wife, Isleen, the loving care of Reverend Mother and the nuns at the convent, and the spirit, yet innocence of Elf herself, all made me repeatedly wonder why I had never read this or any of Bertrice Small's books before. I would recommend this book to anyone who wishes to indulge in a romance like they have never read before.

Very captivating.

This was my first book by B. Small and found the development of the character Elf wonderful. I thourghly enjoyed the plot line and the wonderful description of the characters and the period. I will reread this one.

A really good read

Having only read one book of Ms. Small's, The Innocent being the one, I can't compare it to her other works. But I really liked this book. I read it in about three days and had a hard time putting it down.The historical content was quite accurate and I was impressed. I liked the characters, the setting and the time period. There wasn't any sexual tension between Eleanor and Ranulf, but in light of the situation, I don't think there should have been. If we were to believe Eleanor was indeed "innocent," then there shouldn't have been any sexual tension between her and her husband. And yes, there could have been a more confrontational impact between Isleen and Eleanor, but if you think of the character of Eleanor, she would not have confronted her violently. She was a gentle, kind person, not at all like the evil Isleen. I thought the author portrayed her heroine accurately to what she wanted her to be.I would recommend this book to anyone.