Bianca: The Silk Merchant's Daughters

Even though the history was extensive and fascinating, I did not enjoy this book. It definitely doesn't fall into any of the traditional romance novel traps. However, I did not find it to be an endearing or charming love story. It wasn't to my personal taste. I found it difficult to become involved with the lead characters. I won't be purchasing another book by this author.

I have mixed feelings about this book. I read most of B Small books and seems like year after year we get the same kind of story. In this book, Bianca, the eldest daughter of the silk merchant in Florence is given in marriage to an evil and deprived man to settle her father debt. When Bertrice Small says "deprived", she means sexually deprived and she describes in minute detail just how much. After being married for a short time, Bianca begs her mother to help her escape and she obliges, spiriting Bianca to the countryside and hiding her from evil husband. While there she meets a Turkish Prince Amir and they fall in love. Once again, her sexual escapedes are loving detailed and nothing is left to the imagination. I won't reveal the whole story but heroines ending up in harems is one storyline that Small uses over and over again and frankly, its gotten old long time ago. I started reading her novels by accident but thought her attention to historical facts and imaginative writing was flawless. Alas, those days are long gone. Yes, there are some historical details in this book but the so called romance is laughable. I don't see any chemistry between Amir and Bianca, and they spend most of their time rolling around in bed.
As far as the explicit sex scenes-in all honesty, I might as well pick up a porno magazine and read that because there is hardly any difference. I am very dissapointed in quality of her latest work which appears to concentrate on one of the two things-Scottish lords or heroines ending up in harems. Either way, its x-rated and that sort of thing is not something I want to see in a historical romance novel

Deals with subjects that are unpleasant and distasteful, including bondage. The main story line sounded cool and drew me in but it dealt with women being forced into very unpleasant things and was very uncomfortable to read and think about. No thank you!

I've been reading Bertrice Small for 20 years ... I like the beginning of the this book talks about Venice and Florence... but then when the heroine goes to the hero's homeland to live, it gets kinda boring and the end is cliche and boring, not one of her best books

I was disappointed. I have always enjoyed Ms. Small's historical novels, but this one just left something to be desired. I doubt that I will bother to buy the other upcoming novels in the Silk Merchant's Daughters series.

Florence, 1474
Bianca Maria Rosa Pietro d'Angelo's beauty is well known amongst the Florentine society and it's expected that she'll make a great match. Unfortunately, that isn't to be because her brother's actions in covering up a tragic accident leave their family open to blackmail and Sebastiano Rovere takes full advantage of it. In payment for his silence he demands Bianca's hand in marriage - and out of fear for his family and his wealth, her father agrees.

Bianca's fearful of Rovere and his advances turn her stomach but she's a dutiful daughter and so exchanges vows with him as her father dictates. That's where her nightmare truly begins. Rovere's sadistic and debauched but extremely powerful and at his hands she suffers cruelty like she's never known. She's completely cut off from her family but gathers her wits about her and uses Rovere's lust against him - and gets him to agree to allow her mother a visit.

Upon hearing about how her daughter has been treated Bianca's mother, Orianna, aids Bianca in escaping Rovere by hiding her in a convent, a place of refuge and safety since even Rovere would not dare defy the church. Once it's deemed safe, Bianca is moved to a sea-side villa where she recovers emotionally and falls in love with her neighbor Amir. However, she won't defy her marriage vows and until her marriage is annulled will not consider allowing him into her bed.

Just when everything seems hopeless Biance receives news that her husband has been murdered; freeing her from the marriage vows and allowing her to embrace her love for Amir. This is a love that is completely unacceptable by Florentine standards because despite his royal linage, he's Prince Amir, grandson of Mehmet the Conqueror, he's an infidel. Bianca's family is bound and determined to see her wed to a proper man of wealth and distinction of their choosing. She's just as determined to defy them and remain with the man she loves.

With the release of BIANCA, Bertrice Small introduces her newest series THE SILK MERCHANT'S DAUGHTER. The heroine, Bianca, is an incredibly strong willed young woman who lives life on her terms after discovering that playing by society's rules aren't necessarily going to make you happy. I loved her bravery and defiant nature - especially when it came down to how she deals with her mother. Amir is very sweet and exactly what Bianca needs in a man but she's smart enough to know that their backgrounds is a huge obstacle - and obstacles are meant to be overcome. I admit to being horribly fascinated by Rovere's sadistic nature and the slave who shares his demented nature but love that they pay for their actions in the most delightful way. Bertrice Small has long been a favorite among many erotic historical readers and I firmly believe she'll hold the title of the `reigning queen' for many years to come.

If you're wondering about the schedule for the other titles in the series
FRANCESCA is due to be published in April 2013 and LUCIANNA is supposed to be out in October 2013.

Chrissy Dionne (courtesy of Romance Junkies)

Beatrice Small is a great story teller. When you read her books it is very hard to put them down. I gave this book Four stars, not because of the overall story or the skill in writing. There was a large section at the beginning that was harsh and disturbing, but I don't doubt that things happened like this back in those times, hidden deep in the palaces so the general public was never aware. But the disturbing part made you, the reader, as well as the heroine in this book, realize how very blessed her life could be, as the story continued on through various villages and countries and there were new characters and new adventures. So...get through the yucky stuff and you will enjoy the last 3/4 even more!!

BIANCA is a wonderfully lush story about family duty, falling in love and more. It is about courage to stand up for your heart’s desire even as you go against tradition and your family. It is about finding the strength to leave a world you only know about and settle in one where you know nothing. It is about finding that hidden core of strength and letting yourself enjoy love in all its many splendid forms. With the right amount of tension, passion and more, Ms. Small delivers a wild ride from start to finish. I highly enjoyed meeting the wonderful Bianca and I look forward to seeing the next daughter in the silk merchant’s family to be settled in marriage. I think if they are anything like Bianca, sparks are going to fly fast and furious. If you enjoy a passionate historical romance, than try BIANCA and settle in for an afternoon of reading pleasure. I look forward to seeing what else this author has in store for her beloved readers in the future.

Disappointed reading and story line was not what I would consider a romance. At all. I sent it back for a refund after listening to 2 chapters. I should have read more reviews and understood what this was about before purchasing.

Bertrice Small should have quit when her writing was at it's prime. This book is uninspiring and like many of her others in the past 5 years. I was so bored reading it I just stopped in the middle. The characters had absolutely no depth. The plot was predictable. It was bland and overall a total waste of money and mental capacity. It is a shame because she used to weave rich stories with interesting characters and historical background. Now her books are of the variety I would find in a used hospital shared library. I would not recommend this to anyone.

Bianca and her forbidden love is a fantastic mixture of new plot and tension and the very first book by Bertrice Small I read long ago. I have read all of her books. This is outstanding, with a little less erotica, rich in history, and in family values. I really was captivated by the story. The ending and revelation of Bianca's savior was shocking and delightful all at once and this was the second to the last page. Please enjoy. It's super. Thanks Ms. Small. Can't wait to see Francesca as she is already a character I enjoy.

I usally enjoy Small's books infact my favorite series was her Friasgate series, Bianca's cover caught my eye and the fact that it was set in Italy was really promising to me. Athougth I enjoyed the characters the Donkey stuff really could have been left out. If you can get through the first few chapters the book gets better. I will be waiting For Francessca's book in April hopefully it is a little bit better.

In 1474 affluent Florentine silk merchant Giovanni Pietro d'Angelo and his wife Orianna expect to arrange the right marriages for their daughters starting with the oldest, sweet beautiful Lady Bianca. However, her future collapses when her brother Marco admits to doing something stupid. He and Stefano Rovere visited a courtesan who died when his friend rode her. To avoid a scandal they dumped her body in the river. Stefano told his abusive father Sebastiano who makes sure the stupidity remains buried but informs Giovanni he owes him for keeping the family out of a scandal. Payment is Bianca.

Bianca uses her intelligence to somewhat lessen the abuse of her husband. However, fearing for her life as Sebastiano turns uglier towards her, Bianca abetted by her mom flees to Santa Maria del Fiore convent before hiding in remote Villa Luce Stellare. There she meets and falls in love with kindhearted Turk, Prince Amir, the grandson of Memhet the Conqueror. When someone murders her odious husband, Bianca plans on becoming Amir's spouse knowing her mom will disown her for marrying an infidel.

The first Silk Merchant's Daughters early Renaissance romance is an engaging historical. The cast is fully developed especially the heroine who refuses to sacrifice her happiness and future for a second time. Although Sebastiano's death feels convenient even if he deserved to die, readers will enjoy touring Florence and the Italian coast.

Harriet Klausner

This book was a big disappointment. It is just total trash. Got about 75 pages into it and was so disgusted with the practically pornographic content, that I tossed it. I was really hoping for more actual content.