The Innocent: A Novel Mass Market Paperback – April 3, 2001

I like all Beatrice Small books. This was a very good one.

This is epic length likely 400 plus pages -- let it flow -- take your time -- it will have sections of her life so it doesn't drag like you may assume. The premise is accurate -- she is an innocent raised in a convent, not around men at all and can barely sit a horse. There is something fishy about her sister-in-law... and from there the plot thickens. What? she isn't going to take her final vows in 3 weeks??? What will happen next -- well you have to read it!!Author always gives us very hot steamy scenes 18+ // note the date written this is not a 2017 novel so the style is different // One of my favorite authors that I read and re-read over and over again.The book is worth the price charged. FIVE STARS -- EPIC LENGTH BOOKI often buy these in hardback because I will re-read them for many years. I recently came back from overseas so I'm in the process of replacing a library -- so ebooks when I'm impulsive -- and want it NOW --

Yes, she was prepared to be a Bride of Christ, but Eleanore's goodness is just not believable. I mean, would anyone but the Virgin Mary voluntarily put herself to work in the household of the man who kidnapped her?But I still found myself glued to the pages as I do with just about all of Small's novels, and there was something about the purity of the love between the hero and heroine that tugged at my heartstrings. What a refreshing change to find a medieval (not my favorite category) romance where the primary characters love each other so much they don't even consider being unfaithful! Bertrice Small still has the magic touch with this reader!

I love Bertrice Small's book. I am related to Sir Walter Raleigh and to read these novels allows me to see how he lived. The novels are historically correct relating to my Raleigh family tree.

Eleanore (Elf) is a lucky girl and an even luckier woman. Though her parents die and her brother is smitten by a real witch (b) she is taken in by loving nuns. Ready to take her final vows she is called to dying brother's side (poisoned by his wife). She meets a noble and landless knight (Ranulf) who she enventually must marry by order of the king to maintain peace on the border by Wales. Ranulf is patient and tender. The marriage is consummated by mutual consent and a son is born. Ranulf is sent to France and Elf is kidnapped by her brother's widow and a dark knight/thief (Merin). Elf brings out the good Merin and she is returned unharmed to her husband and son. I have certainly read better stories, especially by Ms Small. Certainly not pornographic it is graphic (but in my opinion, mild for Ms Small). Elf is angelic, Ranulf is a saint, the widow has no redeeming qualities. Merin is the only character with both good and bad points to his character.

Call it innocence all you want but the main character is just plain dense, you just want to bop her in the head and ask, "Have you had your V8 juice today?".Unfortunately, the characters are lacking personality making it difficult to feel any sort of connections for anyone. Overall this story was a big disappointment, but I really have enjoyed most of Beatrice Small's other books.

Another great book by my FAVORITE author.....Trust me you won't be disappointed with any of her books....they are all well written with a great story line that will keep you reading all day! I am not like some of the people that give reviews and tell the story line...I think enough of it is given before you purchase the book and when you download the sample...I will just tell you I have been reading her books for over 30 years and have loved them all....my advise would be to start out with the Kadin and/or the Skye O'Malley Series....Happy Reading!

I read the prologue and maybe two chapters. Then skipped to the last two chapters and the epilogue. Didn't miss a thing...

one of her really good books, no magick-schmagick, no harem... but a solid mediaeval setting and an may be not soo spectacular story but still with a lot of suspense and of course a good potion of erotic, it is Small- at all.

Not as good as some of the other books, but still a good read.