Until You (Friarsgate Inheritance, Book 2) (Signet Eclipse) by Bertrice Small

The Friarsgate Inheritance #2

by Bertrice Small

The beautiful Rosamund Bolton is determined to finally live her own life. Now that she has claimed her inheritance, the Friarsgate estate, and rejected her latest suitor, she has decided to travel to the court of her dear friend, Queen Margaret. It is against this lavish and unpredictable backdrop that she will meet the man who will forever change her destiny.

Genres: Historical Romance, Romance, Historical, Historical Fiction, Fiction, M F Romance, Scotland

Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 2003

About the author

Bertrice 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.

Reviews

[Emily · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF

125 pages in & I feel like nothing has happened? I just didn’t feel any attachment to the characters or plot. Very one dimensional all around. I’m trying to learn life is too short to be forcing myself to finish books I’m not enjoying

[Mariana · Rating 2 out of 5]

Voy a hacer una mini-reseña por acá, porque no creo que reseñe este libro en el blog.
Al principio la sinopsis del libro pintaba bien, pero todo se desinfló ni bien empecé a leer. Es un libro romántico-histórico, situado en el 1510 más o menos...NUNCA HABÍA LEÍDO UN LIBRO HISTÓRICO CON UN INSTA-LOVE TAN GRANDE. Y créanme, he leído muchos libros romántico-históricos.
El insta-love es tan grande que se están diciendo te amo a las 20 páginas. Ni que hablar el tema de la sexualidad...
Si le pongo dos estrellas en vez de 1 es porque está escrito más o menos de forma decente y porque la protagonista se nos presenta como una mujer fuerte y decidida, que se niega a casarse para ser "la yegua de cría" de su futuro esposo. Y ah, el tema de que se casó tres veces con 22 años... creo que nunca había leído un libro donde se casaran niños o jóvenes con 11 años. SIMPLEMENTE NO. Más allá de que fueran costumbres de la época, me incomoda mucho leer algo así.

[Mara Vazquez · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wow I guess all I can say about this one is that I had a lot of expectations for rosamund n I wish there was a different ending. its like she finally ends up just settling. And in my opinion she should of done somethings different in the first book.

[Norma · Rating 1 out of 5]

I think I skimmed through 70% of the book. Repeat, repeat, repeat and then the conclusion was anti-climatic.

[Tammy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I will just say that it didn't measure up to the first book of this series.

[Kat · Rating 1 out of 5]

I tried. I really did. But I couldn't finish it, not even to just see what happens in the very end.

"Until You" is the second in the Friarsgate Inheritance books. I have not read the first one, but it appears you don't truly have to in order to pick up this one.

Typically, I enjoy historical romance. "Until You", however. Well, let's just say that I don't even get 18 pages in and they're already having sex? When their eyes only just met across the room? And they knew it was TWU LUV? The age gap doesn't bother me- after all, in that time period, it would actually be a bit closer to true. But come on. Can we at least have some character development before we start shucking clothes and doing the deed?

Not to mention how many times phrases like "love juices" is used. Just... No. I'm all for giggling over the terms writers come up with to give sex better descriptions, but when you use the same one over and over again, it gets really annoying. Same when you use the person's title multitudes of time. I get it, he's the Earl of Glenkirk. You don't have to remind me every two paragraphs.

But wait! The plot!

After these two meet and so very suddenly fall in TWU LUV that everyone can see, the King of Scotland sends these two away to do a "secret mission" for him. Needless to say, this is filled with quite a bit of sex. Along the way, let's meet some of the Earl's past lovers- which his current lover gets along with and they have a laugh over the Earl. Let's ruminate on how much she misses Friarsgate and he misses Glenkirk and his missing daughter. Oh, and have the servants fall in love (of course).

Our heroine is the talk of the town and so very gorgeous- every man wants her in his bed throughout the entire book. Especially the liard of the nearby Clan. Mind you, the author mentions in the start that she has born multiple children. And they live in medieval times. BUT SHE HAS PERFECTLY STRAIGHT, WHITE TEETH.

I'm getting off track on that part - I just can't help how much that makes my eye twitch.

Our lovers complete their mission, go back to their everyday lives, and decide to marry in a year. Upon arriving at the place they set to meet, we have it that the Earl has fallen gravely ill (cue the "dun dun dun"). Though he does awaken from his coma-like illness, he has /gasp/ NO memory of Rosamund or their TWU LUV. She calls off the engagement, and goes back home. From this point on, the Earl is donezo. His character is completely written out.

Fast forward, we have a period of chapters told for other character's lives and the unavoidable war.

Get back to Rosamund, and in the little time that's passed, she's already checking out the liard whom she has previously rejected MULTIPLE TIMES.

I gave up at that point. I was already skimming over pages because I couldn't read the paragraphs-long description of things, let alone read "Gods blood!" one. more. time.

If you're looking for a book that will have continual drivel and repeat itself throughout the pages, go ahead and grab this one. If you're looking for something with a bit more substance and character development - I would peruse elsewhere.

[Coral · Rating 3 out of 5]

I bought a handful of Bertrice Small books at Lifeline Bookfair a few years ago and hadn’t really got into them. This one is definitely showing it’s old school romance roots, but actually read more like a historical fiction with romance. Don’t get too attached to any particular love interests, because they all love Rosamund.
It was hard to put down while reading but also east to not pick up again. I’ve got a couple others in this series that I’ll tackle later.

[Ada Geringer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Until you (Friarsgste Inhertance)

I have enjoyed this book as much or more then the others. I love your stories very much and I have most of them. Thank you again, now on to the next one and buy the way this is second time I have read this story, I read about 5 years ago. Thank you again. Ada G.

[Judith Sherrod · Rating 5 out of 5]

Until you

Rosamund lived Patrick Leslie with a live too big to last. Their love was strong and deep but fate did step in and part them. When the Earl of Glenkirk had his stroke, he lost part of his memory. The part that contained Rosamund. Bereft, she returned to her home and eventually began thinking of Logan, the Laird.

[Theresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book leans towards fate and second sight. Rosamund and Frederick recognize each other immediately although they have never met. They are an open and honest couple. Rosamund faces difficulties once again in her life. She is one incredibly strong female. I only wish more detail was given to her and Logan's relationship. Maybe the next book?

[Britt N · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved this book! It was a great sequel to Rosamund. I loved the plot, I loved the characters, and I loved the descriptions of the various places and people in the story. So well done! I can't wait to read the final book in the trilogy!

[Ashley Wendt · Rating 3 out of 5]

Beatrice Small’s love scenes make me giggle. I can’t handle it! Tudor history always fascinates me and as an Outlander fan, it’s intriguing to hear some of the English/Scottish history. I’m hoping Phillipa’s story will be a bit more entertaining though!

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn't realize that when I picked this book it was the time period of King Henry VIII. I love that time period so reading the book was visiting a long time friend but from a different viewpoint.

[Teresa Vazquez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read.

Story held my attention throughout, tough to do. I love all the historical details. Love scenes get a bit graphic for my current taste, but used to really enjoy.

[Cherish A. Beaubien · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome Love

I absolutely love how independent and strongly willed our heroin was in both books! Can't wait to see what's in store for her girls!

[LaverMank · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was great. I wish it were a bit different, but it ended well

[Pattydwyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Friarsgate Series

Love all her books. They just draw you in each and every time. The history is so very rich too.

[KYReader · Rating 1 out of 5]

Didn't Finish. Not a Fan.

[AND 1515 · Rating 5 out of 5]

By and1515
Bertrice Small

Rosamund couldn't believe the audacity of that man she honestly had no intentions of being there when he came across the border.
All her life she'd done what was expected of her but not this time.
She'd seen one King's court.
Now she was determined to see the how the Scottish court faired.
Rosamund was excited to see her old friend again however when she's introduced to and older gentleman she couldn't help the instant connection she felt for him and when a private walk leads to something more.
Patrick... His name was Patrick..
And he made her feel things she never thought she would.
Logan was shocked when he'd arrived at Rosamund's home to find she was gone.
He'd been waiting for what seemed like forever. Since the day he saw her so long ago but somehow something always seemed to get in the way.
However when he finds that she yet again out of his reach his family pressures him to accept another lady for he wasn't getting any younger.
Life seemed finally to be going her way yes they each had there own properties to manage but she knew where there is a well...
There is always a way or so the saying goes.
When Rosamund and her oldest daughter arrive at the inn where they were to meet her darling Patrick so that he could finally introduce her to his family.
But unfortunately she is left devastated by unforseen events that in the end have her racing for her home forcing those traveling with her to keep up.
Logan tried to be a good husband but his wife was a shy lass who'd been afraid of her own shadow and now he was a widower with a small son.
Propriety had him mourning his young wife and the babe but he'd wait only so long this time because he wasn't willing to lose what could very well be his last chance to prove to his stubborn lass that he was the final man for her.

[Cheryl · Rating 2 out of 5]

I actually read this one first and then found book #1 recently. This one suffers from all of the same issues as the first book and then some. Rosamund's deep attraction to the Earl was just so silly and it never seemed to go anywhere. And again, they got swept up in world events and politics even though they were not remotely important but somehow they have plenty of money and no cares in the world. And of course, the various names for genatalia were just so incredibly silly. I was actually kind of happy that the Earl lost all memory of her so at least the story had some small amount of depth to it. But I would have liked the book to have included more of Logan Hepburn in it. He was much more intersting than the Earl.

[Heather · Rating 1 out of 5]

once I bought this and saw the format and overall tone on the book, I just wasn't interested in reading it. i regret buying it.and i dont wanna read any of the books in this series.
it seems like a really heavy read, with so many dang small words on the pages, and it's such a long book. It seems like it's more fictional than historical romance, and it's more wordy and heavy than I'm interested in. I prefer authors writing like Sabrina Jeffries, Lisa Kleypas.
I made a review for it even though I didn't read it, so I know I "gave it a try" and so I'll know to steer clear of this book.

[Amaya · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is astonishing!

I super love the ending, the twists, and the narration that will really captivate you and will bring you to the era where the story is happening. :)
I love how decisive Rosamund is. How she is bouncing back to the life's challenges.

All in all, I was really shock at the ending and to who Rosamund ended! I'm trying hard now to find the book about her daughter Philippa. :)

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoy a strong heroine that is willing to fight for what she cares about & what she feels is injustice to her because she is female. Fluffy characters are just not my type & once again Beatrice Small delivers a refreshing change from the idiots that are in most romance novels. Read for yourself & decide.

[Carrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I first read this I never realize it was part of a series. I now need to find the rest of the books. I really enjoyed t.

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book, you fell in love with rosamund and the love continues with this book. Read the whole thing in one day

[Bella · Rating 5 out of 5]

It won me over forever!

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

You can't go wrong with this book either.The second in the Friersgate Inheritance series.

[Neeuqdrazil · Rating 2 out of 5]

Cheese. Pure cheese.

[Val · Rating 3 out of 5]

Exciting story with so much true history involved, better then any history lesson. A woman that has had so much tragedy in her life, but she always triumphs.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful story! Such a shame some of the things that happen along the way but a wonderful ending.